New Hampshire Farm, Forest and Garden Expo
Schedule of Events
CHECK BACK – WORKSHOPS BEING ADDED WEEKLY!
Pre-registraion to guarantee yourself a seat is encouraged but not required. The final schedule is still being determined. Those pre-registered will be notified.
All workshops and events are included with your admission ticket.
Please Note: Workshop content is presented by independent speakers and organizations and does not necessarily reflect the views or endorsements of the NH Farm, Forest & Garden Expo Board of Directors.
EVENTS – Friday, May 2nd, 2025
Friday, May 2, noon-5pm
Main Field near Barns
Dark Horse Lumberjack Show
Watch the best lumberjacks and lumberjills in the Northeast compete against each other and the clock for 1st place in events such as axe throw, chopping, springboard, and hot saw! This event is free for Expo attendees and fun for the whole family!
Sponsored by: East Coast Lumber & Raymond Bucket Guys
Friday, May 2, 5-6pm (after hours event)
Larger Barn (building B)
Agriculture Career Exploration Event
Looking for a career that’s both exciting and impactful? Don’t miss the Agriculture Career Awareness event on Friday from 5-6pm at the NH Farm, Forest, and Garden Expo! Meet and hear from industry experts, including representatives from the University of New Hampshire Admissions Office and employers, about rewarding career paths in agriculture, farming, forestry, gardening, and conservation. Enjoy refreshments, win great prizes, and connect with professionals who can guide you toward your future in this dynamic and growing field.
All are welcome.
WORKSHOPS – Friday, May 2nd, 2025
Friday, May 2, 2025 10am
Classroom 1, Entrance in Back of Building A (white)
UNH Extension
Rebecca Levy, Field Specialist, Community & Economic Development, UNH Extension
John Porter, Extension Professor Emeritus, UNH Extension
Beverly Thomas, Deputy Director, NH Preservation Alliance
A Tour of the New Hampshire Barn Trail
There are a lot of beautiful, old barns in NH, but you may feel awkward stopping in for a visit. The New Hampshire Barn Committee is developing a trail of old barns that are open to the public. This session will be the first release of the locations with photos of each. This will be of interest to all old barn enthusiasts.
Friday, May 2, 2025 11am
Demonstration Area in Building B (larger of connected barns)
UNH Extension
Mike Gagnon, Hillsborough County Extension Forester
Chainsaw Safety and Routine Maintenance
Chainsaw operation can be an enjoyable activity, but it is also dangerous one. During this presentation we will review basic chainsaw safety including safe starting procedures, body mechanics, personal protective equipment, safety features on modern saws, reactive forces when operating a saw, and good habitats when working in the woods. During this session there will also be a demonstration of routine maintenance to make work safer and more efficient including, proper chain tensioning, bar maintenance, chain sharpening, and depth gauge setting.
Friday, May 2, 2025 10AM
Workshop Tent 2
Heritage Processing
Jordan Piper
On Farm Butchering: Begin with the End in Mind
Musky. Moldy. Stinky. Unclean. These may be the first thoughts your neighbors have against you: and they may be right! Join Heritage Processing in a comprehensive presentation on how to keep your livestock happy, your neighbors unaware, NH rules and regulations, and more! The target audience is farmers and homesteaders looking to keep costs down, and keep natural inputs and outs managed! This session would be for first timers, as well as a holistic vision for the well-seasoned.
The session will be presented with non graphic (PG content for families) photos with a question and answer period at the end.
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025 11AM
Classroom 1, Entrance in Back of Building A (white)
New Hampshire Insurance Department
A.J. Kierstead, Consumer Outreach Coordinator
LuAnne King, Supervisor for Property & Casualty Compliance
Insurance Answers from the New Hampshire Insurance Department
Insurance is complex, the New Hampshire Insurance Department is here to help! The NHID is the state agency that regulates the insurance industry. They will have their industry experts answer your questions and offer tips for farmers and small businesses on what coverage to consider. Also discussed will be how their consumer services division is there as a resource when you have insurance questions or complaints.
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025 1PM
Classroom 1, Entrance in Back of Building A (white)
UNH Extension
Katrina Klobucher, Field Specialist, Livestock Production
Mastering Multi-Species Livestock Management
Join us for a workshop designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to successfully raise multiple species of livestock on the same farm. Whether you’re managing poultry, ruminants (like cattle and sheep), or pigs, this workshop will provide you with essential insights into effective livestock management. You’ll learn best practices for record-keeping, housing, nutrition, and processing, tailored to the specific needs of each species. We’ll also dive into the art of pasture management, teaching you how to rotate livestock through pastures to maximize grazing efficiency and support the long-term health of your land. By the end of this workshop, you’ll walk away with practical, actionable tips that will help you optimize your livestock operations and create a harmonious, sustainable farming system.
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025 2PM
Classroom 1, Entrance in Back of Building A (white)
USDA Farm Service Agency
Andrea Bye, NH Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator
Jumpstart Your Farm Business with USDA Farm Service Agency
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has a mission to deliver timely, effective programs and services to America’s farmers and ranchers to support them in sustaining our Nation’s vibrant agricultural economy. The FSA aims to stabilize farm income, help farmers conserve land and water resources, provide credit to farmers and ranchers, and help farm operations recover from the effects of disaster. In this workshop, you will hear from your local Farm Service Agency to learn more about: What programs are available through the Farm Service Agency Where Farm Service Agency offices are located How to create farm records to participate in FSA programs What to bring with you on your first visit How to participate in County Committee elections, a means for grassroots input and local administration of federal farm programs.
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025 3PM
Classroom 1, Entrance in Back of Building A (white)
UNH Extension
Rachel Maccini, Field Specialist Pesticide Safety Education
Beyond the Poison: Safer Solutions for Rodent Control
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are widely used to control rodent populations—but at a cost. These poisons can cause serious harm to wildlife, pets, and even children through secondary poisoning and environmental contamination. In this talk, we’ll explore safer, effective alternatives to SGARs, including integrated pest management (IPM), exclusion techniques, habitat modification, and non-toxic deterrents. Whether you’re a homeowner, property manager, or just someone who cares about protecting local wildlife, come learn how we can rethink rodent control for a healthier, more sustainable future.
WORKSHOPS – Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025 10AM
Classroom 1, Entrance in Back of Building A (white)
UNH Extension
Katrina Klobucher, Field Specialist, Livestock Production
Mastering Multi-Species Livestock Management
Join us for a workshop designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to successfully raise multiple species of livestock on the same farm. Whether you’re managing poultry, ruminants (like cattle and sheep), or pigs, this workshop will provide you with essential insights into effective livestock management. You’ll learn best practices for record-keeping, housing, nutrition, and processing, tailored to the specific needs of each species. We’ll also dive into the art of pasture management, teaching you how to rotate livestock through pastures to maximize grazing efficiency and support the long-term health of your land. By the end of this workshop, you’ll walk away with practical, actionable tips that will help you optimize your livestock operations and create a harmonious, sustainable farming system.
SATURDAY, May 3, 2025 11AM
Classroom 1, Entrance in Back of Building A (white)
UNH Extension
Sean O’Brien, Home Horticulture Program Manager
Easier Than Canning – Making Delicious Quick Pickles!
Do you love homemade pickles but hate the hassle of canning? Or maybe you’re new to pickling and looking for an easy, quick way to begin your journey without the hassle and investment of canning equipment. For this class we are going to talk about making quick refrigerator pickles that don’t require canning and will be ready to eat within a few days. We’ll cover the process of making refrigerator pickles, equipment needed, food safety considerations, and how to find good recipes. You’ll see the process in real time, as we demonstrate just how easy and quick it can be and you’ll leave with confidence that you, too, can make delicious homemade pickles in (almost) no time at all!
SATURDAY, May 3, 2025, 10am
Demonstration Area in Building 2 (larger of connected barns)
UNH Extension
Steph Sosinski, Home Horticulture Program Manager
Feed Your Soil First: Understanding Fertility and Fertilizers for the Home Garden
Healthy soil is the foundation of a vibrant garden! We’ll dig in to soil nutrients, and demystify fertilizers – organic and synthetic, and what’s in a label. Learn how to assess your soil’s needs, choose amendments and fertilizers, and build long-term soil health for better plant growth. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, you’ll leave with practical tips to nourish your soil and boost your garden’s success. This workshop will be presented as a demonstration, and hand-outs will be provided.
SATURDAY, May 3, 2025, 1PM
Classroom 1, Entrance in back of building A (white)
Again & Again Farmstead
Ethan Sager, owner, carbon farmer
Biochar for New Hampshire soils and beyond
What is Biochar and why do you need it? Biochar is a soil conditioner made from charcoal which improves soil function. It offers water retention, reduced nutrient leaching, and increases the capacity for soil biology by increasing the surface area. It has many additional uses such as its ability to filter water, bind toxins in runoff, prolong the shelf life of produce in storage, and reduce albedo for season extension.
SATURDAY, May 3, 2025, 2PM
Classroom 1, Entrance in back of building A (white)
Poulin Grain
Dan Wright, Director of Sales – Wholesale Feed Division
Raising Backyard Chickens
Come learn about nutrition, best practices, and management for happy healthy birds! Learn how to successfully raise chicks and care for adult chickens. Great for first time chicken owners and those with more experience. There’s always more to learn! Presentation given by Dan Wright of Poulin Grain, who has decades of experience in animal nutrition. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.