Schedule of Events

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Stark

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The NH Coalition for Sustaining Agriculture Workshop Series – "Resources for Farmers"

10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Resources For Agricultural Commissions

Members of NH's Agricultural Commissions share what they are doing to promote and encourage farming in their towns, give practical advice on how to start and organize an Ag Com and discuss the challenges and successes of their work. Topics to include the Ag Com list serv, roles and responsibilities of Ag Coms, and a networking exchange among Ag Coms in the state.

11:00 a.m. – 12 noon Farm Energy Audits

Saving energy on the farm saves money and resources.Learn about programs to survey and analyze energy consumption on the farm, prepare a plan for reducing energy costs as well as sources of funds for making changes.Presented by the Southern New Hampshire Resource Conservation and Development Council and the Merrimack County Conservation District.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Barn Repair 101

Need advice on barn repair and rehabilitation issues? Old barns are an important part of our history and can be key structures for ongoing agricultural operations and new uses, but they are also challenging to maintain. Get tips on understanding old barn styles and structural issues, staying ahead of common problems, where to turn for help prioritizing major repairs, and more at this session featuring Steve Bedard of Bedard Preservation & Restoration and representatives of the N.H. Historic Agricultural Structures Advisory Committee, N.H. Preservation Alliance and the N.H. Division of Historical Resources.

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Installment Purchase Agreements for Conservation Easements

Get an update on Installment Purchase Agreements (IPA), an innovative payment option for conserved land that spreads out payments so that landowners receive semi-annual, tax-exempt interest over a term of years. Because acquiring development rights is expensive in New Hampshire, because state and local communities have limited funds with which to purchase conservation easements, and because the mechanism can provide tax and financial benefits to farmers, IPAshave the potential to provide a significant means of leveraging precious financial resources for farm and farmland protection for the mutual benefit of farmers and communities.

Frost/Hawthorne

Restoration of the American Chestnut

10 a.m. to 12 noon

Rural Energy for America & Value-Added Producer Grant Programs

Join Steven Epstein, USA Rural Development Business Programs Specialist, as he provides an overview of the Rural Energy for America and Value-Added Producer Grant Programs which are administered by USDA Rural Development.Both programs offer grants to assist agricultural operations with energy efficiency, upgrades, renewable energy purchases and value-added initiatives.

Hale

The Backyard Poultry Flock

Join Dot Perkins from UNH Cooperative Extension as she covers the raising poultry from chick to eggs or to meat.  While the main focus of this session will be chickens, also covered will be ducks, geese and turkeys.

1 to 3 p.m.

Risk Management in Agritourism

Involved in agritourism? Join Plymouth State University's Ben Amsden and others in this interactive workshop which will help you navigate the issues of insurance, liability and risk that arise from farm-based agritourism activities.  Insurance, risk management, and legal experts will be on hand to discuss your ideas, provide advice, and help you create your own personalized risk management plan. Whether you are a young farmer new to agritourism, or a mid-career farmer seeing to expand your agritourism operations, this workshop will provides up-to-date information, best practices, and future directions in risk management.

Pierce

Meeting the Demand for Local: Expanding the Market to Restaurants, Supermarkets and Schools

Charlie Burke, President, NH Farm to Restaurant Connection moderates these three sessions:

1:00 p.m. New Distribution Options: What is Working and Why?

Featuring distributors Kent LePage (The Little Milkman) and Mark Saunders (M. Saunders Fruit and Produce) and restauranteurs Josh Enright (The Seedling Café, Nashua), Mike Higgins (The Old Salt Restaurant, Hampton), Luca Paris (Luca's Mediterranean Café, Keene), Brandon Miller, (The Common Man Family of Restaurants), and Ben Hasty (Epoch Restaurant, Exeter), growers Earl Tuson (Red Manse Farm, Loudon) and Mark Kelly (Broad View Farm, Sanbornton).Wendy Ward from Hannaford's Supermarkets and Shawn Lynch from Stop & Shop also join the panel.

1 to 4 p.m.

Forest Stewardship Committee Annual Meeting

Hale

5 to 6 p.m.

Growing & Caring For Lilacs

Guy Guinta, the Commission Chairman from the Governor's Lilac and Wildflower Commission, shares his expertise in how to successfully grow our beautiful state's flower.

Webster

4:30 to 6 p.m.

Garden Tool Sharpening

Pruners and other garden tools should be sharpened each season.  Properly 
maintained tools will produce good clean cuts that will promote fast wound 
closure.  AJ Dupere, Community Forester with the NH Division of Forests and 
Lands will discuss how to sharpen and maintain your: pruners, loppers, hand 
trowels, grass shears and weeding tools.  Please bring a garden tool, a flat 
hand file and gloves to participate in this program.  Any questions contact the 
Urban Forestry Center at (603) 431-6774.

Dartmouth

5 to 7 p.m.

NH Envirothon

Come find out how to get involved in the NH Envirothon, an environmental education program for high school students sponsored by the NH Association of Conservation Districts. Sue Kessler, coordinator for the program, explains how students work together to learn about natural resources and environmental issues – and to test their knowledge by competing in teams on the state and national levels.

Hale

5 to 6:30 p.m.

Cutting Firewood From Your Woodlot

Extension Forester Karen Bennett will lead participants through woodlot assessment and setting objectives, developing general marking guidelines and picking the trees to cut and the trees to leave.

Pierce

5 to 7 p.m.

Chainsaw Operation & Maintenance

Join Hillsborough County Forester Jonathan Nute to learn safe tree cutting, saw handling, and maintenance tips. If you like, bring your own saw!

Stark

Annual Industry Awards Ceremony

Special thanks to our Awards Ceremony sponsor:

9 to 11 a.m.

The Secret of Growing Champion Giant Pumpkins

Join Jim Beauchemin, 2005 New England Champion Giant Pumpkin Grower, as he explains the hobby of growing giant pumpkins. It has become a tremendous way for commercial vegetable growers to draw attention to their roadside farm stands. The seminar will take you from beginning to end of all aspects of growing giant pumpkins. Visual and audio aids will be used to convey the excitement and make all participants eager to give this most rewarding outdoor hobby a try. Free seeds and tip sheets will be handed out to all those who participate in the workshop.

Hale

9 to 11 a.m.

Maximizing Your Pork Cuts

The NH Pork Producers Council presents Pete Roy, owner of PT Farms, LLC, a USDA processing facility in St. Johnsbury, VT. Pete will discuss how to properly fill out a butcher's cut sheet for a market hog, along with explaining different cuts of pork and where they come from on a hog. A question and answer with Pete and members of the NH Pork Producers Council follows the presentation.  (Please note: The NH Pork Producers are charging a $5 session fee, to be paid at the session, to help defray speaker costs. Questions?  Please e-mail gitchfarm02@yahoo.com.)

Webster

9 to 11 a.m.

Introduction to Cowboy Mounted Shooting

Come learn about the fastest growing equestrian sport in the country! Cowboy Mounted Shooting is a thrilling sport enjoyed by men and women of all ages.Karin Page from American Cowboy Supply will share the basics of mounted shooting – from training your horse to accept gunfire to course management.Hear about local clinics and meet trainers, including members of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association's affiliate organizations. A good overview of the sport, with video, and information to get started will be shared.

Frost

9 a.m. to 12 noon

NH Dairy Goat Association Annual Meeting

The New Hampshire Dairy Goat Association Annual Meeting will occur at the beginning of an Educational Session that will focus on Breeding and Reproduction of the goat. Topics to be covered include:

• Breeding Anatomy and Physiology
• Heat Cycles and Signs of Heat
• Evaluating the buck and doe for breeding soundness
• Preparing the buck and doe for the breeding season
• Breeding techniques and options including brief information on:
• Heat Synchronization
• Artificial Insemination
• Breeding Chart

Dartmouth

Intermediate Winemaking: Making Better Wines

For small to medium-scale winemakers, or the advanced hobbyist, this session focuses on tools and techniques to make high-quality wines from wine chemistry analysis and micro-biology to wine maturation and cellaring. We'll exchange tips and solutions to common winemaking challenges, and get new ideas to improve skills as a winemaker.(Session assumes basic knowledge and winemaking experience.)   

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Equine Challenge

Come join the fun! All youth (including 4-H and Pony club members) between the ages of 8 and 11 are welcome to participate in a friendly, novice level quiz bowl event designed to showcase their knowledge of horses. Questions can be given verbally or visually for youth to answer using a buzzer board.Youth participants in this event do not have to be 4-H on Pony club members. Pre-registration is required on or before February 1, 2010 by contacting Mary Davis at (603)742-3712 or via email at mcdavis511@comcast.net.

Pierce

9 to 11 a.m.

Opportunities in Farm Energy

NH farms have numerous opportunities to reduce their energy use and to generate energy. This workshop brings local experts in to talk about the benefits of farm energy audits, ways to reduce your energy expenses, and how to assess whether your farm is a suitable place to generate energy. Funding sources for farm energy efficiency and generation will be addressed.Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to apply for a free energy audit. Come and learn about sustainable energy strategies specific to NH agriculture.

Hawthorne

11 a.m. to 12 noon

NH Sheep & Wool Growers - The Great Sheep Boom and its Enduring Legacy on the New Hampshire Landscapes, sponsored by the NH Humanities Council

Hale

Backyard Maple Sugaring

Join Extension Educator Steve Roberge and attend this workshop to learn the steps – from tree to table – plus the equipment needed to make your own maple syrup.This special workshop is geared to first-timers and beginners maplers having less than 75 taps.

As technology has changed, dozens of historic dams and small mills are now at risk.  Regulations and funding often favor their removal, yet there are equally compelling arguments for their preservation.   Some dams may hold the potential to provide low-cost, clean energy.  Mills and millponds provide recreation, wildlife habitat and scenic benefits.  Come learn about the various groups and individuals working to promote preservation of this legacy and define a positive future for these resources.   New members welcome.

12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

NH Horse Council Annual Meeting

Dartmouth

2 to 3 p.m.

Annual NHFFE Auction - come support the Farm and Forest Expo by bidding on great items donated by local merchants, NH Made members and NHFFE exhibitors!

Stark