NOFA-NH E-Newsletter: June 2020

NOFA-NH Right Sized Containers for Plant

Organic Gardening Video Series

In case you missed it: NOFA-NH is partnering with Ron Christie of Living Earth Farm to produce a series of short videos explaining Ron’s best gardening tips. You can watch the first three videos, “The Importance of Sunlight and Location,” “How to Build a Raised Bed,” and "The Right Sized Containers for Your Plants," on our YouTube channel here.

Food Justice Is Racial Justice

Systemic racism persists at every level of our society, and that includes our food system. We have a lot of work to do, even here in New Hampshire, and education is a great place to start. We recommend these resources from Food Solutions New England, from this year’s Racial Equity Challenge (if you missed it, mark your calendar for next year’s!).

On June 26, the Farm-Based Education Network (FBEN) is hosting a roundtable discussion to discuss efforts to identify and dismantle oppressive systems in our farm communities. Sign up here.

Hungry for Justice: Whose Voice Is Missing?

The food system - all the people and processes that get food to our tables - is unfair, with many voices marginalized or just plain missing. To fix the food system, we need to hear from those who shoulder an unfair share of the burdens and receive an unfair share of the benefits. Their experiences, ideas, and insights tell an interwoven story about the root causes of injustice in our food system that we can then work together to dismantle. Join the Agricultural Justice Project in asking “Whose Voice is Missing?” to amplify their stories, broaden our awareness, and create change.

*This article was adapted from text written by AJP General Coordinator Leah Cohen.

COVID-19 Safety Protocols

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has released guidance for agricultural workers and employers, including information about exposure risk and how to create a COVID-19 assessment and control plan.

Guidance for agricultural workers

UNH Extension continues to provide COVID-19 related guidance for farmers, businesses, and communities around the state. You can find a list of helpful resources and webinars here.

COVID-19 Relief for Farmers & Producers

In New Hampshire, agricultural grants will be provided to dairy, fruit, vegetable, and ornamental plant growers in the state. The registration deadline for the NH Agriculture COVID-19 Relief program is June 22. Unfortunately, farms that grossed under $50,000 in 2019 will not qualify for the state aid. NOFA-NH and eighteen farms, agriculture, and food system organizations signed a letter urging Governor Sununu, Agricultural Commissioner Jasper, and the GOFERR Advisory Board to reconsider the CARES Act eligibility criteria.

Learn about other state and federal relief programs here: Navigating COVID-19 Relief for Farmers.

NH Feeding NH Farmer Needs Assessment

The NH Food Bank, NOFA-NH, NH Farm Bureau, and the NH Food Alliance have partnered to develop NH Feeding NH, a program that will help reduce food waste, support our local economy, keep farmers afloat, and nourish communities. Modeled on well-established programs in our neighboring states, NH Feeding NH will be a statewide initiative designed to support the purchase and safe handling of New Hampshire grown food to feed and nourish our food insecure communities during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

We are seeking to identify farmers throughout the state who would benefit from the program. Interested farmers may fill out this Assessment Form by the end of the day on June 30, 2020. Estimated completion time is about 10 minutes. Thank you for your feedback!

Food System Weaknesses Exposed During Pandemic

It’s no secret that our food system is broken — the COVID-19 pandemic exposed many weaknesses, and consumers around the state and across the nation have felt the impact. This outstanding article by Michael Pollan examines some of the structural weaknesses and inequities that are part of the industrialized agricultural system and that have become glaringly obvious in recent weeks. Pollan makes a convincing case for re-localizing food production.

In May, Congresswoman Annie Kuster co-sponsored legislation to help address food insecurity during the pandemic, and she has continued to advocate for our local farmers and producers. Read more

Feeding Our Communities

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, farmers felt the impact as they lost wholesale accounts, especially their restaurant and institutional customers. Demand for local food has increased dramatically, and as time has passed, another movement has emerged: Farm to Food Bank. Read more about the movement in this Civil Eats article.

In New Hampshire, partners like FEED Kearsarge are coming together to develop creative and inspiring solutions to help feed their communities. The Tray it Forward / Garden program is helping people begin “victory gardens” for health, community, and resilience in the face of COVID-19. Watch a short video about it here.

NOFA Summer Conference

This year’s NOFA Summer Conference will be held online between July 20 and August 9 — a 3 week celebration of the grassroots organic movement that you can enjoy from your own home! Join organic farmers, homesteaders, and enthusiasts this summer for this informative and uplifting virtual event.

Learn More & Sign Up

Opportunities For and In Support of Farmers

UNH Extension and the Farm Bureau are collaborting on a new campaign called Farming Together, which encourages farmers to seek support among one another during challenging times. The goal is to generate awareness around mental health issues and to provide support to farmers. Farmers: check in with each other! And if you're facing a crisis, you can contact the Crisis Text Line 24/7.

A study by a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is surveying current, past, and future LGBTQIA+ farmers. You can learn more about and access the survey here. Results will be used to create recommendations to support LGBTQIA+ people in agriculture.

NH Eats Local Campaign

We're proud to be a leading partner of the NH Eats Local campaign — a new initiative to support the increased need for local foods during COVID-19 and beyond. Local producers are working extra hard to keep food on our tables, and they need our support, too! Not only does buying local food help support our food producers, fishermen, and other small businesses, it also benefits the community!

Learn more about the campaign

Oneness vs. The 1%

In her presentation at the UN Research Institute for Social Development Conference, Dr. Vandana Shiva – author, scientist, environmental activist, and eco-feminist – provides important insights concerning spiritual perspectives and economic framings and tools (such as asset management, global trade agreements, patents, and tax structures) that facilitate the exploitative relationship between industrialized agriculture and soil, climate, and the biosphere in general – including human beings.

Watch the full speech here.

Meet Our Members: Introducing Larry Pletcher and Vegetable Ranch

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. Featured members are chosen by random lottery.

Welcome New & Renewing Members

Thank you to our NOFA-NH Members who became new members and renewed their membership in May 2020.

New Members:

Virginia Cole, Debra Hankey, Laura Judge, Nancy Lockhart, Kyle Poodiack, Three Sisters Eco Farm, Robert Wyman

Renewing Members:

Dawn Land Farm, Rick Estes, Risa Evans, John Harvey, Debra and David Huffman, Cindall Morrison, Margaret O'Brien, Rebecca Oreskes, Picadilly Farm, Norman Pinard, Carl Querfurth, Serendipity Farm, Jerry Shinn, Jean Stimmell, Kathy Vargo

Classifieds

Stonewall Farm Hiring Farm Manager

The Farm Manager will be responsible for ensuring the farm's production is profitable and aligned with Stonewall Farm's vision and mission. This includes adhering to the principles of holistic land management, humane treatment of animals, and providing superior experience for visiting members of the public. The Farm Manager is responsible for ensuring the equipment, grounds and facilities are well maintained. Click here to read the full job description. Please contact Julie Davenson at jdavenson@stonewallfarm.org to apply.

Established Certified Organic Farm Looking For Farm Manager

Located in south central NH, Vegetable Ranch LLC is a major organic vegetable grower in the state and enjoys an enthusiastic and varied customer base with farmers market, CSA, Online, direct retail, and wholesale accounts. The farm is looking to hire a Farm Manager as soon as possible to facilitate a strong transition and orientation period. The ideal candidate will believe in the environmental and nutritional benefits of organic agriculture and contribute new ideas to promote and maintain the economics of sustainable food production. To apply or for further information email vegetableranch@gmail.com.

Wanted: Sumac

Seeking farmers and landowners with sumac on their property. I am developing products from sumac fruit and am seeking sources. If you have sumac growing in your woods, field borders or unused fields, and are interested, please contact Stu at rhusjuice@gmail.com.

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.

Upcoming Events

Fridays, 12:00 - 1:00 PM: NH Food Alliance Network Cafe Webinar, a weekly COVID-19 & Equity group call

June 18: NOFA/Mass Webinar: Pasture Management and Silvopasture at Square Roots Farm

June 20: NOFA-VT Webinar: Pests and Diseases of the Vegetable Garden

June 25: NOFA-VT Webinar: Hydrangeas 101

June 25: NOFA/Mass Webinar: Rotational Grazing at Sky View Farm: Meat CSA and Small-Scale Dairy

June 28-July 26: Crop Production Workshop Series at Tufts: Organic Farming and Food Systems (1): Summer Management

July 2: NOFA/Mass Webinar: Management Intensive Grazing at Cricket Creek Dairy

July 6: NOFA/Mass Min Till Monthly Farmer Call. All calls at 7 – 8 pm. Dial 413-259-8022 to join. Future calls: Mon Aug 3, Mon Sept 7, Mon Oct 5, Mon Nov 2, Mon Dec 7

July 20-August 9: NOFA Summer Conference (online)

August 9-September 6: Crop Production Workshop Series at Tufts: Organic Farming and Food Systems (3): Fall Harvest