Standing With Our Farmers!
On July 14, 2025 farmers, partner organizations, and organic supporters came together from across the Granite State to join in a NH Farmer Day of Action at the State Capitol to advocate for local, state, and national policies that help farmers thrive, not just survive. For more information about the Day of Action check out the NHPR articles recap of important words said and actions made during the event!
Thank you to all the speakers who share their words and perspectives during the Farmer Day of Action. Julie Davenson (NOFA NH Board President), Amy Antonucci (Seacoast Permaculture), Liz Willey (Wild Fern Farm), Jeremiah Vernon (Vernon Family Farm), Sarah Laeng-Gilliatt, & Kathryn Downey (NH Hunger Solutions) shared important words about impacts to our farmers and what we need going forward.
Farmer Day of Action Policy Platform
New Hampshire's farmers are facing unprecedented challenges that threaten the future of agriculture in our state. Federal and state policies have created a perfect storm of economic pressures: eliminating grant programs, massive USDA staffing cuts, punitive tariffs, and skyrocketing costs for inputs and equipment. These policy failures come at the worst possible time, as farmers struggle to recover from years of extreme weather while feeling the impact of corporate concentration of market share and profits. Federal agriculture policies undermine our resilience, manufacture increased food insecurity in an already strained US food system, and disproportionately impact rural communities that have already been hollowed out over decades of marginalization.
Our Demands for Action
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Reinstate the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding for agricultural climate resilience and conservation programs, the bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (including Biden's additions)
Insist the USDA honor all contractual commitments and existing legal obligations with farmers in grants and cooperative agreements that have been terminated, including the recent rescinding of $148.6 million in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) focused USDA awards.
Maintain full funding for SNAP benefits that support both food security and farm income.
Maintain current agriculture spending for fiscal year 2026 and do not reduce farm bill baseline funding in the reconciliation bill.
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Restore USDA staffing positions and offices (and re-open the second headquarters for the USDA in Wa, DC) to provide essential services farmers depend on.
Make permanent the Regional Food System Infrastructure and Organic Market Development grant program supporting investment in local and regional supply chains to build regional resiliency and strengthen New Hampshire’s economy.
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Implement policies that strengthen small and medium-sized family operations.
Resist corporate consolidation that undermines local food systems and rural communities by enforcing Anti-Trust laws.
Appropriate funding for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program to ensure cost share reimbursement is available to organic farmers and producers.
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Establish fair and humane immigration policies with a pathway to citizenship for those who lack legal documents.
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Mandate the Governor implement state preferences for local sourcing in state procurement laws as recommended in the NH Strategic Food System Plan to create new market opportunities and revenue streams for NH farmers.
Create tax incentives for retailers to increase local procurement.
New Hampshire farmers feed our communities, steward our land, and sustain our rural economy. We demand policies that recognize this essential role and provide the support our farmers need to thrive, not merely survive.
