NOFA-NH E-Newsletter: January 2022

Dear Friend of NOFA-NH,

Happy New Year! 2022 is set to be an exciting year for us. First things first: our team is growing and we’re hiring for three new positions. See below for details and contact us with any questions.

We also have lots of great programs lined up for the year! Our 20th Annual Winter conference is just two weeks away, our revamped Organic Gardening Series starts next month, our Bulk Order Program is accepting orders through next month, our CRAFT program is expanding, our 50th Anniversary events will be scheduled for later this year, and so much more.

Organic, regenerative growing is more important today than ever before, as we face crises such as climate change, food insecurity, and species extinctions, to name a few. Through education and advocacy, NOFA-NH is working to build stronger, more equitable, local, and regional food systems for a healthier planet and healthier communities.

You can be a part of the solution by learning, growing, and working with others to create positive change in your community. This is an especially important year for local politics as the state legislature is currently in session and working on a number of bills that can help organic farmers, increase access to nutritious food, and more. To help you out, in this newsletter you'll find a link to a list of bills to support and oppose and explanation of how to participate in the legislative process.

If you haven't already, please consider becoming a NOFA-NH member or making a contribution today and join our movement to grow a stronger organic community and more resilient food system in our home state, region, and beyond.

In Solidarity,

Team NOFA-NH

We're Hiring!

Join our growing team starting this winter to help support our mission of promoting organic, regenerative, ecologically sound farming, gardening and land care practices in New Hampshire and beyond. Apply for one or more of three part-time positions by January 31st: Education Program Coordinator, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, and Office and Technology Administrator.

Learn More & Apply

Winter Conference Kicks Off February 6th!

How can New Hampshire produce enough food for our state while also ensuring that all Granite Staters have adequate access to organic, nutrient-dense, and culturally appropriate food? Our 20th Annual Winter Conference is just over two weeks away—join us for over 20 workshops and panel discussions addressing growing practices, livestock, community food security, business and regulations for farmers, farm to school, social justice, and other topics relating to food system resilience.

Workshop Descriptions / Schedule

Registration is pay what you can, $50-80, and NOFA members save 20%. Full scholarships are available.

Organic Gardening Workshops Cover Permaculture, Chickens, Herbs, and More

Our 4th annual Feeding the Family Organic Gardening Series starts February 22 and features six different speakers—Ron Christie, Nicko Rubin, Amy Antonucci, Acadia Tucker, Maria Noël Groves, and Paolamantina Grullón Livingstone. Learn about garden planning, permaculture principles, fruit and nut trees, raising chickens, container gardening, and backyard herbs in this exciting online workshop series.

$10 per class, $50 for the series. Members save 25%.

Learn More & Register

INFOGRAPHIC-image-LocalFood-LocalSchools-Reimbursement-Bill.png

Hear About the Farm to School Bill! A Free Online Event

Join NOFA-NH and the NH Farm to School Network for a free virtual information session and live Q & A to learn more about the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement program on Friday, January 21st from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Learn about this exciting opportunity to support NH students and our state’s food system from Rep. Alexis Simpson (primary bill sponsor) and Rep. Megan Murray (bill sponsor). Hear how similar programs are working in Maine and New York, the efforts of the NH Farm to School Network, how the bill will affect NH schools, and how you can help ensure this vital bill becomes a law.

Save on Farming & Gardening Supplies with NOFA-NH's Bulk Order Program

The recent arctic weather certainly has us dreaming of spring and planning for the upcoming growing season. Whether you’re a small-scale gardener or a large-scale farmer, make sure to check out our annual spring Bulk Order Program! We order organic farming and gardening supplies in bulk every year so you can save on everything from soil amendments and cover crop seed to animal nutrition and more. NOFA members pay less.

Order by February 28th and pick up in Andover or Weare on March 19th or in Rochester on March 20th.

Learn More & Shop

NH 2022 Legislative Session: Bills of Particular Interest

NOFA-NH's Policy Committee is closely tracking many exciting bills currently in the state’s legislative process—from farm to school and nutrition assistance to organic farming, compost, and more. Click here to read which ones we recommend following.

A few ways you can support or oppose legislation:

Register your support or opposition on the NH General Court website by the date of the hearing.
Write a letter/email to the appropriate Committee and copy your local representative(s).
Testify during a legislative hearing or upload remote testimony prior to the hearing.

Join Us at the Farm, Forest, & Garden Expo!

The 39th Annual NH Farm, Forest & Garden Expo will be held in person on Friday, February 4th and Saturday, February 5th at the DoubleTree Hotel in Downtown Manchester. This family-friendly event, open to the public, features a trade show filled with exhibitors, free educational workshops and demonstrations, live animals, children’s programs and activities, and a new Garden Skills Showcase area.

Stop by and visit NOFA-NH at Booth #502!

NOFA-NH Farm Bill Listening Session for Farmers

NOFA-NH is hosting a meeting for our farmer members on February 17th from 12:00-1:00 p.m. to gather input about core organic priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill.

We will discuss topics such as farm and market viability including label claims and fraud prevention; organic transition; USDA & NOP standards development, certification, fees, etc.; and continuous improvement. Feedback will be shared with the Organic Farmers Association to help with advocacy efforts and may be reported at the National Organic Farmer Meeting on March 2nd. Stay tuned for more information!

Organic Roots: 50 Years of NOFA Documentary

In June of 1971, farmers and homesteaders gathered on a Vermont hillside with one thing in common: the desire to grow food in a way that was healthy for themselves and for the earth. This is the story of the organization that was born that day - NOFA. See the faces and hear the voices of the people who have nurtured the NOFA community and the organic movement in this region for the last 50 years.

Watch

Farmers tend land owned by Dave Lewis.jpg

History of Racism in US Agriculture & Organic

Last month, Cambium Collective, LLC presented History of Racism in US Agriculture & Organic, the first in a series of trainings for organic professionals “to achieve a better understanding and inspiration for more learning on the myriad impacts U.S. structural racism has had on forming the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion in agriculture and the organic movement.” This live webinar was hosted by Organic Farmers Association, National Organic Coalition, IFOAM North America, Accredited Certifiers Association, and International Organic Inspectors Association. Stay tuned for details on future sessions!

NOFA-NH Board and staff members were among over 600 participants. We remain committed to creating an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are seen and valued, and a very small part of this work includes further educating ourselves on the history and impacts of structural racism in the organic movement and U.S. agriculture as a whole.

Watch

Traditions to Bring into the New Year

Food traditions play a huge role in our holiday celebrations. While some Americans switch their focus to the absence of food in the month of January, there is cross-cultural significance to certain foods at the start of a new year.

For Northwest Native Americans salmon is more plentiful as the species begin their river run, also deer meat and bitter root. Sacred foods that nourish and ensure good health. Read or Listen

In African American communities a tradition of eating collard greens, black-eyed peas and pork is said to have taken hold when West Indians merged with European traditions. Collard Greens signify folded paper money and peas bring health and abundance. Read More

Lentils are included in a New Year's dinner for Italians. The lentils resemble coins and will bring prosperity.

What is consistent in these foodways is the desire to begin a new year with practices that foster good health and abundance by honoring past traditions that enhance our future.

Why Can't More People Afford Land to Farm?

The following two powerful pieces explore the context of the land access dilemma. The first contains a very detailed section on factors leading to recent surges in Northeast land prices. Both probe the current situation for signs and strategies concerning paths for future food systems. Will we evolve networks for growing and eating that benefit the common public (and planetary) good, or will these systems primarily serve financial interests?

Beginning Farmers of Color Outbid as Farmland Prices Soar

Op-Ed: Young Farmers Are Locked Out of the System, and the Asset Economy Is to Blame

New Year, New Visions

Here’s a beautiful recent report from IPES-Food (International Panel of Experts for Sustainable Food Systems) and the ETC Group. Read the Report

Compare the IPES report with these activities taking place in our New England bioregion: Food Solutions New England and New England Feeding New England.

And if you’d like more real-life examples, data, and incentives for creating diversified, regenerative food systems, check out this roadmap as well. Read the Roadmap

Real Organic Project's Upcoming Symposium Includes a Major Focus on Organic Dairy

In the ongoing Northeast organic dairy crisis, the number of contracts lost has risen to 135.

Learn More

This awful situation—and how to counteract it—will be a major topic at the Real Organic Project’s 2022 Symposium on January 30th.

waldemar-brandt-nCQXxsSg3oo-unsplash-corn field (1).jpg

Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilizers Ruin Not Only Aquifers and Fisheries but also the Climate

Here’s a summary of a new study about the destructive climate impact of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which are banned in organic production. It spotlights the close connection between these costly fertilizers and patented industrial seed stocks—which require expensive synthetic pesticides—as well as artificial fertilizers to produce. The report also considers the environmental burden of global supply chains, packaging, and more. (More reasons to purchase needed organic fertilizers through NOFA-NH's Bulk Order Program!)

Opportunities for Farmers, Aspiring Farmers, and Food Workers

2022 Census of Agriculture — Be counted on the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service’s National Agricultural Classification Survey. Results are used to determine how agricultural programs are funded, so accurately accounting for the breadth of organic operations is key to directing federal support to organic operations and research. The response deadline is January 24th.

Pandemic Support for Certified Organic and Transitioning Operations — Deadline Extended to February 4th.

Farm and Food Worker Relief (FFWR) Grant Program — Deadline extended to March 10th.

Rogue Farm Corps’ Farmer Training Programs — Internships for aspiring farmers with zero to some experience, or apprenticeships for aspiring farmers with at least one season of farm experience. Rolling applications opened January 6, 2022.

Call for Submissions: The Natural Farmer

Calling all farmers, gardeners, storytellers, scientists, conservationists, food justice activists, eaters, and visionaries! The Natural Farmer, NOFA’s quarterly publication, is looking for content for its Spring 2022 issue. The theme of the next issue is Land Tenure. We welcome interviews, stories, technical articles, essays, recipes, photos, and more. If your writing is published in TNF, you will receive a free one-year subscription to the paper. Submissions are due by February 1.

Submit an Article

thumbnail_Join the Advisory Committee (1).png

TNF Advisory Committee Members Sought, Compensated

The Northeast Organic Farming Association's quarterly publication, The Natural Farmer, is forming a new Advisory Committee. The Committee supports the TNF editor to produce a quarterly newspaper of high quality, readability, and interest to NOFA members. The Committee guides editorial practices, liaisons with NOFA chapters, forms TNF’s commitment to racial equity, provides feedback, and attends quarterly meetings.

Advisory Members are compensated at $40/hour, should be tied to a NOFA state, and have connections to farming, justice, policy, or gardening. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ growers are encouraged to join.

Email tnf@nofa.org for more information or to express interest.

Meet Our Members: Introducing Seth Bent, Sarah Herr, and Mink Meadow Farm

NOFA-NH's knowledgeable and passionate members make our organization great. That's why we offer our members with farms and farm-related businesses eligibility to be featured in the 'Meet Our Members' e-news column. Each month, we make our community a little closer by introducing you to someone new. Please contact us if you'd like to be featured!

Welcome New & Renewing Members

Thank you to our NOFA-NH Members who became new members or renewed their memberships in December 2021.

New Members:

Ben Dobrowski, Yulia Rothenberg, Ann Whitney

Renewing Members:

Countryside Farm, Farms & Barns Real Estate, LLC, Fat Peach Farm, Hungry Bear Farm, King's Grant Farm, Meristem Flower Farm, Mildred's Drumlin Farm, Mountain Heartbeet, Joan O'Connor, Racoon Ridge Farm, Matthew Savage, Tippin' Rock Farm, Weather Hill Farm, Wheelhouse Web

Classifieds

Ledge Top Farm Seeking Interns (Wilton)

Ledge Top Farm needs interns to learn organic farming for the 2022 season. Interns will be involved in all aspects of cultivation including planning, seedling, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, packaging, selling and greenhouse growing. Limited housing and stipends are available. Contact Tom Mitchell at 603-620-7302 or ledgetopfarm.com.

Job Opening: Production Manager at Real Pickles (Greenfield, MA)

Real Pickles is a worker-owned co-operative in Greenfield, MA, producing organic fermented vegetables from Northeast-grown produce. We are seeking a highly-qualified individual to be our next Production Manager. Please see our full job posting and application info here: https://realpickles.com/2022/01/were-hiring/

Farmers ISO Used Greenhouse/Greenhouse Parts

We are seeking to buy a greenhouse that is in the realm of 400-600 square feet. Please see more details and contact info provided here.

NOFA-NH Members may post 1 free Classified per month on our Classifieds page and in this newsletter. Not yet members may post a Classified in the e-news and on our website for $45 per Classified per month. To inquire about this program and to share your Classified with our community, please contact info@nofanh.org.

Please Note: The views and opinions expressed in these classifieds are those of our members and sponsors, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NOFA-NH, its staff, or Board of Directors. We reserve the right to reject content deemed unsuitable or inappropriate for our readership and distribution.