
Grow Well, Eat Well
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated promoting organic, regenerative, ecologically sound farming, gardening, eating, and land care practices for healthy communities. We help people build local, just, and sustainable food systems.
What's Happening at NOFA-NH?
NH Organic Certification Staekholder Survey DEADLINE EXTENDED to October 31st
The deadline to submit feedback for the NH Organic Certification Stakeholder Survey put forth by NHDAMF and NOFA-NH has been extended to Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
This is an important opportunity for farmers to weigh in on organic certification rates.
Please fill out this brief survey here to help us understand your preferences for certification services and thoughts on potential rate changes.
NOFA-NH's Farmer Listening Session on Organic Certification Services in NH
To best meet the needs of the organic farming community, NOFA-NH hosted a second NH Organic Certification listening session on Monday, September 11, 2023.
This session was open to farmers to connect with one another and the greater New Hampshire community on this important topic and to inform any upcoming legislation. Attendees were invited to directly comment and voice their thoughts during the session.
You can view the recording of this session by clicking here.
Official Statement from the NHDAMF & NOFA-NH on Organic Certification Services in NH, Listening Session
NHDAMF and NOFA-NH are reaching out to inform and gather feedback from the New Hampshire organic farming community on the future of organic certification services at NHDAMF.
Read the official statement here.
NHDAMF and NOFA-NH are seeking stakeholder input so that we can best meet the needs of New Hampshire’s organic farmers. A virtual listening session was held on Thursday, August 31st from 6:00 – 7:00PM to solicit live feedback from producers.
Farmer Relief Fund & Volunteer Form
This season has proven to be incredibly difficult for farmers across the Granite State, with many experiencing extreme losses due to flood, frost, and freeze events. In order to support the farmers most affected, NOFA-NH has established a Farmer Relief Fund. Our intention is that these funds will be mobilized as quickly as possible to provide some immediate relief to farms in need. You can learn more and donate to the fund at www.nofanh.org/farmer-relief.
You can also sign up to volunteer with farms who need help with repairing and rebuilding post disaster here.
NOFA-NH partners with LCV to host Farm Bill discussion with Congresswoman Kuster and state leaders
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH partners with the League of Conservation Voters to host Congresswoman Kuster and various state reps. The Congresswoman, Commissioner Jasper, USDA, FSA, NRCS LCV and NOFA-NH made comments and fielded questions related to the upcoming Farm Bill and important initiatives in New Hampshire. To learn more about the listening session read the official press release from Congresswoman Kuster and article by NHPR.
To learn more about what the Northeast Organic Farming Association's is advocating for in the upcoming bill visit our Farm Bill webpage. To get involved visit our action network webpage to fill out a letter advocating for vital priorities in this important piece of legislation.
Climate Impact on NH Farms Questionnaire
In the wake of devastating floods across southern NH and our neighbors in Vermont, farms throughout the state and region are experiencing unimaginable losses. If you are a farmer impacted by these storms, and/or other extreme weather events of 2023, please let us know by filling out this brief questionnaire. We will use this information to provide support and coordinate resources to aid recovery efforts for those farms affected. We plan to share aggregated data with both state and federal funders.
Please also do not hesitate to reach out to us if you require additional support. You can find more resources and way to help at www.nofanh.org/farmer-relief.
Upcoming CRAFT Workshop at Off the Wall Orchard
October 5, 2023 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Off The Wall Orchard is first commercial orchard of its type on the East Coast, perhaps in North America and maybe even the Globe. Organic tree fruit growing like you’ve never seen before. From a few trees to a commercial orchard, our methods work for any size garden or farm. They also apply to almost any type of tree fruit, including apples, cherries, peaches and pear. Come learn about this unique method of growing fruit. The following topics will be discussed: growing high quality fruit without conventional fertilizers, pesticide or herbicides, choosing the right soil type and location for your fruit trees, selecting the right rootstock for organic fruit trees, creating a pedestrian orchard using multi-leader trees, turning a trellis system into a shed style high tunnel to protect fruit from pests and disease, and employing “Precision Agriculture” to optimize fruit production.
Register and learn about the other CRAFT workshops this season.
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The True Cost of Goods: How Much Does Your Food Really Cost?
How much does your food really cost? This question has come up frequently as we have seen prices fluctuating in recent years.
For the next 10 months, the NOFA-NH Education Committee will be running a monthly series exploring the complicated subject of the cost of goods. Follow along and learn how market pricing typically obscures the wider impacts of food production and the health value of the resulting food.
You can download and read each month's installment below:
Calling All Farmers! Seeking Mentors & Mentees for the Transition to Organic Partnership Program
NOFA-NH is excited to begin working with farmers across New Hampshire on the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). This program will connect transitioning farmers with farmer mentors, host community building opportunities, create technical assistance resources, support the organic workforce through training and education, and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organic sector. We are currently seeking farmers in all areas of production to join the program as mentors and mentees. Mentors will be paid an annual stipend. Mentees will work with experienced organic mentors, receive access to technical assistance, and other educational and networking opportunities. Interested in becoming a mentor or mentee? Please complete this interest form. To learn more about our partners in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic TOPP region visit: https://paorganic.org/topp/
We welcome conversations and questions! Contact us at 603-224-5022 and info@nofanh.org for additional information.
NOFA-NH's 2022 Impact Report
We are pleased to share with you NOFA-NH's 2022 Impact Report!
Explore NOFA-NH's successes and lessons learned in 2022, a year full of celebration, growth, and program expansion. Thank you all for your continued support of NOFA-NH and for working with us to build healthy, sustainable, just and organic food systems.
Our work would not be possible without the help and support of this vibrant community! We hope you enjoy diving into everything we accomplished in 2022. We look forward to co-creating even more good with you all in 2023!
NOFA's 2023 Farm Bill Principles Platform
The farm bill is an omnibus bill (i.e. a package of legislation combined into one bill) passed roughly once every five years. This bill includes the bulk of the federal legislation that relates to agriculture, food, and the food system. As such, it has a massive impact on how food is grown, sold, distributed, and bought in this country.
The current farm bill expires in September 2023, and a new farm bill is expected to be passed later this year. Learn more about NOFAs platform for the upcoming bill and how you can get involved by visiting our Farm Bill webpage.
NOFA & Community Events Calendar
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September 27, 2023 — 2023 Horticultural Research Field Day (UNH)
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September 29, 2023 — Growing Organic Together: A Networking Event for BIPOC Farmers (Global Village Farm & TOPP
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Sept 30 - Oct 15, 2023 — Brookford Farm's Pumpkin Sumpthin' (Brookford Farm)
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October 2-16, 2023 — Call to Action 2023 (Navdanya International)
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October 5, 2023 — CRAFT: Off the Wall Orchard
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October 5, 2023 — Twilight Meeting: Electrifying Your Land (UNH Extension)
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October 6, 2023 — Birding on the Farm (CCCD, NRCS, Stonewall Farm)
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October 11, 2023 — Envisioning “Farmer-Focused” Local Food Purchasing Incentives (National Farm to School Network)
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October 14-15, 2023 — Share the Bounty Weekend
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October 14, 2023 — Saving Real Organic, (Real Organic Project)
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October 14, 2023 — Herbal Harvest Thyme (NH Herbal Network)
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October 19, 2023 — Dining for a Cooler Planet, (FINE)
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October 20-22, 2023 — Black Farmer & Urban Growers National Conference 2023, (BUGs)
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October 24-26, 2023 — NOSB Meeting, (National Organic Standards Board)
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October 21, 2023 — CRAFT: UNH Organic Dairy Research Farm
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October 28, 2023 — Thirsty Goblin 5k & 2 Mile Costume Walk, (Seacoast Eat Local & Throwback Brewery)
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October 31, 2023 — North Country Fruit and Vegetable Seminar and Tradeshow, (UNH Extension)
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November 1, 2023 — CCCD's 78th Annual Celebration, (CCCD)
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November 3, 2023 — Farmers Market Vendor 101 Workshop, (Seacoast Eat Local)
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November 8-9, 2023 — Northeast Greenhouse Conference & Expo, (Northeast Floriculture)
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November 8, 2023 — 2nd Annual North Country Food and Agriculture Summit, (NH Hunger Solutions)
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January 27, 2023 — Birding on the Farm (CCCD, NRCS, Stonewall Farm)
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February 10, 2023 — 22nd Annual Winter Conference - A Holistic Food System Future: Farm, Community & Environment
Contact Us
Office Hours:
By appointment only. Please email or call us first to schedule.
Phone: (603) 224-5022
Email: info@nofanh.org
Please note that staff are working remotely and are available by phone or email Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.