New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation (NHFBF) honored Chuck and Diane Souther of Concord with the Profile Award for outstanding service to New Hampshire agriculture and rural life. The 72nd consecutive Profile Award was presented at the NHFBF annual meeting banquet on November 8 at Huddleston Hall, University of New Hampshire, Durham.

Chuck’s and Diane’s contributions to agriculture are immense. Chuck has been a Farm Bureau member for over 20 years and has served on the Merrimack County Farm Bureau board and was vice president for three years. As an active Farm Bureau member he has served on several committees, everything from, policy development, long range planning, legislative, nominating committee and probably more than can be remembered. He also served and represented the Granite State on the American Farm Bureau Natural & Environmental Affairs Committee. Chuck is also one of the founding directors of the New England Fruit Growers Council, a director of SPACE and director of the New England Apple Association. In addition to serving on committees and boards, Chuck frequently speaks on behalf of the New Hampshire farmer at Statehouse public hearings.

Diane has also been active in the industry and has been a Farm Bureau member for over 20 years. During that time she has been the state treasurer, served on the membership committee and was a Merrimack County Farm Bureau board member for eight years. In addition to Farm Bureau, Diane’s involvement in the farming community over the years includes the following: secretary/treasurer of the New Hampshire Fruit Growers Association, board member and chair of New Hampshire Agriculture in the Classroom, director of the New Hampshire Farm & Forest Exposition, board member and chair of New Hampshire Made, secretary of the Concord Farmers’ Market, treasurer of the New Hampshire Farmers Market Association and member of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development Advisory Council.

When Chuck and Diane are not serving New Hampshire agriculture, they farm. The couple have owned and operated Apple Hill Farm in Concord, since 1978. They grow apples, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Diane’s homemade jams, jellies and baked goods are signature items in and around Concord. Diane and Chuck are true advocates of agriculture and frequently hold public tours and hosted the Merrimack County School to Farm day for many years.

Chuck and Diane have truly impacted New Hampshire agriculture. The Profile Award is Farm Bureau’s way of acknowledging and honoring their contributions.