Farmers Represent NH at National Convention

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New Hampshire farmers can be assured they will be represented at the 96th American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention. Twelve members of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation (NHFBF) will be traveling to San Diego, California to take part in the nation’s largest farm organization’s conference this weekend, January 10 – 12. Continue reading

Concord Votes to Approve USDA Poultry Processor

crop_Dollarphotoclub_22720422Concord, N.H. – December 18, 2014 – The saga of the Fournier Foods major site plan application came to a conclusion last night as the Concord Planning Board moved to approve the proposal. Fournier Foods is planning on building a 5,500-square-foot USDA inspected facility that would enable New Hampshire’s poultry meat industry to grow. Continue reading

USDA Poultry Processor Tabled

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Concord, N.H. – Nov. 20, 2014 – After deliberating for two hours last night, the City of Concord Planning Board decided to table the continued application for a Major Site Plan Approval of Fournier Foods, LLC. The proposed 5,524-square-foot USDA poultry processing facility continues to receive substantial opposition from East Concord residents as seen last night with approximately 40 people in attendance. Continue reading

Profile Recipients Announced

New Hampshire Farm Bureau President Jeff Holmes (left) presented Glenn and Sandra Pierce of Strafford with the 2014 Profile Award.

New Hampshire Farm Bureau President Jeff Holmes (left) presented Glenn and Sandra Pierce of Strafford with the 2014 Profile Award.

Concord, N.H. – November 8, 2014 – The New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation honored Glenn and Sandra Pierce of Strafford with the Profile Award for outstanding service to New Hampshire agriculture and rural life. The 73rd consecutive Profile Award was presented at the state Farm Bureau annual awards banquet last night at the Fireside Inn & Suites in West Lebanon. Continue reading

Discussion Meet Winner Announced

Winner of the 2014 Discussion Meet, Amy Gowell Drogue (right) with presenter Ray Conner.

Winner of the 2014 Discussion Meet, Amy Gowell Drogue (right) with presenter Ray Conner.

Concord, N.H. – November 8, 2014 – Amy Gowell Drogue of Barnstead won the state Young Farmer Discussion Meet at the New Hampshire Farm Bureau annual meeting yesterday. The competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected. Continue reading

Excellence in Agriculture Honored

Excellence in Agriculture recipient Christina Murdock, DVM of Concord (center), with award judges Ruth Mann and State Representative Bob Haefner.

Excellence in Agriculture recipient Christina Murdock, DVM of Concord (center), with award judges Ruth Mann and State Representative Bob Haefner.

Concord, N.H. – November 8, 2014 – Christina Murdock, DVM of Concord, won the Excellence in Agriculture Award at the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation 99th annual meeting last night. She will represent the Granite State at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in San Diego, C.A. this January. Continue reading

Young Farmers Win Achievement Award

Achievement Award winner Adam Crete of Boscawen with Beth Hodge of Hinsdale.  Adam will represent New Hampshire at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in San Diego this January.

Achievement Award winner Adam Crete of Boscawen with Beth Hodge of Hinsdale. Adam will represent New Hampshire at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in San Diego this January.

Concord, N.H. – November 8, 2014 – Winners of the Young Farmer Achievement Award were announced at the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation 99th annual meeting last night.  Young Farmers from around the state competed for awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry. Continue reading

Grainger Supports Young Farmers

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November 3, 2014 – To benefit the Young Farmer program of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation, Grainger supplied $250 worth of products. Items included a cordless cutoff tool, an aluminum straight pipe wrench and a fire extinguisher, which were auctioned off at the growers’ dinner at the Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy last night.  Continue reading

E&A Committee Deliberates – Four Bills Considered in Executive Session

DSC_0084There was much to be discussed during the New Hampshire House of Representatives Environment and Agriculture Committee executive session. The meeting was held for the legislative committee to make recommendations on whether the proposed legislation should proceed. On Tuesday, October 21, the Environment and Agriculture Committee reported on their research and findings on the following proposed legislation: Continue reading

Young Farmers Deliver Local Harvest to Soup Kitchen

Young Farmer Vice-Chair Amy Gowell Drogue (left) along with fellow Young Farmer member Christina Murdock (right) collected and donated over 800 pounds of fresh food from local farms to the Friendly Kitchen in Concord, N.H.

Young Farmer Vice-Chair Amy Gowell Drogue (left) along with fellow Young Farmer member Christina Murdock (right) collected and donated over 800 pounds of fresh food from local farms to the Friendly Kitchen in Concord, N.H.

Concord, N.H. – October 6, 2014 – Food pickups started early this morning for New Hampshire Young Farmers Amy Gowell Drogue of Barnstead and Christina Murdock of Concord.  The duo visited three farms including, J&F Farms in Derry, Steve Normanton Farm in Litchfield and LaValley Farm in Allenstown.  The Young Farmers collected over 800 pounds of local food for people in need.  Continue reading

Poultry processor tries not to ruffle feathers, but can’t be chicken of the opportunity

Craig Fournier, co-founder and co-owner of Fournier Foods with attorney Amy Manzelli during the public hearing held on October 1 in Concord. A decision on the proposal for the USDA certified poultry facility is likely to happen in November.

Craig Fournier, co-founder and co-owner of Fournier Foods with attorney Amy Manzelli during the public hearing held on October 1 in Concord. A decision on the proposal for the USDA certified poultry facility is likely to happen in November.

Concord, N.H. – October 2, 2014 – A full house of East Concord residents and New Hampshire farmers met last night before the city planning board. A public hearing to address the application for a major site plan of a USDA certified poultry processing plant was met with enthusiasm and concern. Continue reading

Call to Support USDA Poultry Processor

Poultry producers are encouraged to attend the public hearing for Fournier Free Range Foods in Concord.  The City of Concord Planning Board is scheduled to meet Wednesday, October 1 at 7 p.m. in the Heights Community Center (14 Canterbury Road, Concord) to discuss the request for a major site plan approval at 52 Locke Road, off of Exit 16 from Interstate 93. Continue reading

U.S. Senate Candidates Address Farmers and Foresters

Summer Picnic

CONCORD, N.H. — Candidates for U.S. Senate will address members of the farm and forest community by means of an old-fashioned “stump speech.” The New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation and the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association are jointly hosting this unique candidates’ forum and summer picnic on Saturday, August 9 at Carter Hill Orchard in Concord. Continue reading

More Permits and Paperwork for Farmers?

The EPA broadens jurisdiction with its proposed rule, “Waters of the U.S.” impacting farmers across the country and New Hampshire.
 Puddle on the field.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has carefully analyzed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s proposed rule, “Waters of the U.S.” and is concerned with the intention of the proposal. Simply put, the rule attempts to regulate virtually all water, including puddles, ponds and ditches, making farming more difficult. Continue reading