Friday, February 1st
9AM
Expo opens
9:30AM
Education Session
Soil Health Champions
Hosted by the NH Soil Health Working Group
Format: Moderated Panel Discussion
Goals:
- Hear from NH farmers who are making no-till work to save time, money, and improve soil health
- Benefit from local lessons learned locally with our soils and climate
- Understand how healthy soils are more resilient to unpredictable weather and sustain more consistent yields
- Learn more about grants to aid in the transition including retrofitting your corn planter to no-till.
- Learn about the Dawn Biologic ZRX Roller Crimpers and how to sign up to try out a unit.
Discussion Topics:
- What pushed you to try something new?
- Successes, misses, and lessons learned
- Steps to get started
- Yields vs conventional till
- Economics – Labor, Diesel, Herbicides
- Manure management (dairy) and general nutrient management
- Cover Crops – Termination and Residue Management
- Weed control
Hawthorne Room
10AM
Education Session
Forest Stewardship Committee Annual Meeting
Karen Bennett, UNH Cooperative Extension
Each year the forest stewardship committee meets to review the year’s accomplishments and set the direction for forest landowner outreach in the new year.
Hale Room
2PM
Education Session
Alternative Strategies for Improving Forage Production and Season Extension in Pasture-Based Dairy
Panel Presenters: Rich Smith, Assoc. Professor of Agroecology, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment and
Andre Brito, Assoc. Professor of Dairy Nutrition, Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Food Systems
The forage production season in New Hampshire is often short and can be highly variable. This presentation will address several strategies for extending the forage production season, including annual forage crops intended to fill the “gaps” in the typical pasture growing season and the use of silvopasture. Research results regarding the effects of brassicas on milk production and methane emissions will be also shared.
Hale Room
Education Session
Forest Management Planning
Steve Gaines, NH Timberland Owners Association
A presentation outlining stewardship planning:
- Importance of having a Forest Stewardship Plan for your land forested property
- How a Forester can help manage your property and help determine management objectives and time frames
- Components of a Forest Stewardship Plan
- Timber harvesting and current use
- Invasive plant control/containment
Pierce Room
Education Session
A Sneak Peek at the New Barn Book
John Porter, UNH Cooperative Extension
Arron Sturgis, Preservation Timber Framing, Inc.
A panel discussion covering new features of the “Preserving Old Barns” book. John Porter, UNH Extension Professor, Emeritus, will give an overview and show new barn photos; and Arron Sturgis, of Preservation Timber Framing, Inc., of Berwick Maine, will discuss New England barn joinery.
Webster Room
Education Session
The Herbalist’s Garden
John Forti, Bedrock Gardens
“The Herbalist’s Garden” An illustrated talk exploring of heirloom herbs and our historic roots of herbalism. Participants will come to understand artisanal herbal craft and perspectives on cultivating and preserving herbs. Historic garden design and ethnobotany will help shed new light on growing and using herbs that will inspire farmers, gardeners, kids, cooks, mixologists and herbalists of the 21st century. Attendees will also receive a list of John’s Favorite Herbs categorized by use.
Stark Room
3PM
Education Session
Soil Health Matters: Unlocking the Role of Soil Microbes in your Farm and Forest Productivity
Anita Klein, NH Agricultural Experiment Station
Soil organic matter is vital to promoting soil health and farm and agroecosystem sustainability. Building soil organic matter requires that we build the microbial community. Microbial communities that are large active and efficient are the key to building soil organic matter building on farms and in forests. I will discuss these new ideas and what they mean for soil management practices. (www.unh.edu/grandylab)
Hale Room
Education Session
Getting Started on Farm Succession Planning
Kelly McAdam, UNH Cooperative Extension
Jeremy Lougee, Southeast Land Trust
Cara Cargill, Land for Good
Approaching the subject of farm succession planning is big and complex. There are many pieces to the puzzle, and there is no one-size-fits-all plan. This session will explore the basic considerations for transferring the farm to the next generation, or taking the farm over from a family or non-family members. Topics include the farm transfer process and how to get started, financial and legal considerations, and the use of conservation easements in a farm succession plan.
Webster Room
Education Session
How can USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resource Conservation Service help you?
Learn about Farm Bill updates and existing programs.
Jeffrey Holmes, Farm Service Agency and Natural Resource Conservation Service
Stark Room
4PM
Annual Award Ceremony and Reception
Each year, we are pleased to recognize industry leaders and their valued contributions to the fields of agriculture or forestry. The following awards will be presented at the 2019 Expo:
The Andrew L. Felker Award recognizes distinguished achievement in fostering the economic advancement of agriculture in New Hampshire.
Fred E. Beane Award
The Fred E. Beane Award recognizes an individual or organization in the communications field for effective coverage or agriculture and public issues affecting agriculture in New Hampshire, including forestry.
Stephen H. Taylor Leadership Award For Agriculture Professionals
The Stephen H. Taylor Leadership Award recognizes an individual or business/organization currently working in the field of agriculture exemplifying leadership in the field of agriculture and consumer awareness and education regarding agriculture and agricultural issues.
Farms of Distinction
An award of the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food that annual recognized those New Hampshire farms that go the extra mile to keep their busy farmsteads neat and attractive, thereby portraying a positive image for New Hampshire agriculture.
Green Pastures Dairy Farm of the Year
This award showcases outstanding dairy farms throughout New England.
The Tree Farmer of the Year Award
Presented to a landowner who has shown exceptional forest management in the NH Tree Farm Program.
For more information on past winners, please visit our Awards page.
5PM
Five for Five starts! Only pay $5 for entry to the Expo!
8PM
Expo Closes
Saturday, February 2nd
9AM
Expo Opens!
Don’t miss our all day events…
9AM – 1PM
The New Hampshire School of Falconry offers a meet and greet with their friendly falcons.
9AM – 4PM
Check out the amazing work from Master Rug Weaver Carol Spoerl and the Island Pond Spinners.
Also, not to be missed are the lovely “Spinning Ladies.”
Lastly, North Woods Law Sergeant Geoff Pushee will be at the NH Fish and Game Department’s booth. Come get your photo taken with him!
9:30AM
ADGA District #1 Meeting
Hale Room
10AM
Education Session
New Hampshire Dairy Goat Seminar – Herd Health
Dr. Taryn Pearson, North East Farm and Family Mobile Veterinary Service
Maintaining herd health is a major concern of all goat herd owners. This session will cover the timing of vaccinations, controlling CAE, de-worming, kid health, etc. There will also be time to discuss various health scenarios with the veterinarian.
Hale Room
Education Session
Restoration of the American Chestnut Tree
Curt Laffin, VT/NH Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation
Less than 100 years ago eastern U.S. forests were dominated by large American chestnut trees. By the 1950s this population was reduced to short-lived stump sprouts. These trees reined over 200 million acres of eastern
woodlands from Maine to Florida, and from the Piedmont west to the Ohio Valley, until succumbing to lethal fungus disease, chestnut blight. An estimated 4 billion American chestnuts, one-quarter of the hardwood tree population, grew within this range prior to the blight. Prior to its loss, the American chestnut was the most valuable tree in our forests, both ecologically and economically.
The blight, imported to the US on Asian chestnut trees, is a fungus and its spores are easily dispersed via air, raindrops or animals. It spreads to the underlying vascular cambium and wood, killing these tissues as it advances. The flow of nutrients is choked off to sections of the tree above the infection.
Join Wildlife Biologist, Curt Laffin, as he discusses the history and demise of this tree and promising efforts by the American Chestnut Foundation to restore it locally and throughout its historic range. For more information on the American Chestnut Foundation go to acf.org.
Pierce Room
Education Session
Lower Your Energy Costs with Solar
Jeff Cantara, ReVision Energy
Learn how agricultural businesses and homeowners throughout New Hampshire are using solar energy to lower their energy costs and reduce their fuel usage. Join us for a solar energy discussion which will include updates and case studies on LED lighting, heat pump technology, battery storage, and EV chargers. Additionally, the 30% federal tax credit, USDA REAP grant, financing options, and other incentive programs will be discussed.
Webster Room
Education Session
Learn about NH Bats
Wendy Scribner, UNH Cooperative Extension
Wondering what’s up with bats in New Hampshire? Learn about the different kinds of bats found in our state, the habitat they use, and how you can help these fascinating mammals. You’ll also learn about the impact of a disease that is affecting our bats called white-nose syndrome, what scientists are learning about this threat, and how you can help.
Stark Room
11AM
Education Session
Successful Chainsaw Operation – It’s all about the Notch
AJ Dupere, NH Division Forest and Lands
Learn how to safely operate a chainsaw to cut your own wood. This session will focus on how to make proper felling notch to safely fell a tree.
Pierce Room
Education Session
Raising Poultry in NH
Karina Allayne, Greentwist Acres: Farm & Learning Center
So what does it take to raise ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, or guinea fowl? How can I feed my family or sell my poultry products? Join Greentwist Acres: Farm & Learning Center as we discuss poultry/waterfowl breeds, breeding, hatching, eggs, meat, feeding and care, and other tricks of the trade. Established in 2012, we are a small farm business that continues to learn and grow, located in New Boston, NH. We are more than happy to share our experiences with raising and selling poultry and poultry products. This session will be conducted discussion style, with handouts, live birds, eggs, books, visual aids. We will try to touch on each attendees question and also provide everyone with a basic understanding of poultry practices.
Webster Room
Education Session
Build a Bat House
Greg Jordan, UNH Cooperative Extension
This is a continuation of the Learn about NH Bats education session. As a part of the session, we will have materials for 25 participants to each build a bat house to take home.
Stark Room
12PM
Education Session
Winter Tree ID
Cory Keeffe, NH Division of Forest and Lands
Come learn how to identify trees that have shed their leaves for the winter. This class will help you learn how to identify trees based on branch arrangement, twigs, buds, and leaf scars.
Pierce Room
Education Session
Seed Starting
Leslie Stevens, UNH Cooperative Extension Master Gardener
Learn the main elements to successfully starting vegetable seeds and growing healthy transplants.
Webster Room
Education Session
Living with Coyotes
Chris Schadler, New Hampshire Wildlife Coalition and Project Coyote
The opportunism and reproductive proficiency of the eastern coyote means one thing: WE have to learn coexistence strategies. In this session, I’ll discuss how my knowledge of coyote (and wolf) ecology helped me use coyotes to protect my sheep. This part- dog part- wolf mostly- coyote creature learns quickly where, when and what to eat; knowing how it figures its world makes us the wiley ones. After all, we know that killing coyotes encourages more and larger litters so a smarter approach is basic. I encourage anyone who has livestock, a pet, a young child or an interest in this top predator to attend. Knowledge is power!
Stark Room
1PM
Education Session
Maple Sugaring for Beginners
Steven Roberge, UNH Cooperative Extension
The sap will be running soon! Have you thought about making your own maple syrup? Do you want to know what is needed? Join Steve Roberge (UNH Cooperative Extension County Forester) to learn the steps from the tree to the table plus the equipment needed to get started making your own syrup. This special workshop is geared to first-timers and beginner maplers. All aspects of maple sugaring will be covered, including tree identification and tapping, collecting and boiling sap, finishing, filtering and packing syrup. Equipment and supplies needed, especially sizing and operating small evaporators, homemade and commercial, will also be discussed.
Hale Room
Education Session
Structural Pruning for Young Trees
Cory Keeffe, NH Division of Forest and Lands
Learn how to prune your young trees. This class will focus on the proper pruning techniques to increase the structural strength of the tree.
Pierce Room
Education Session
So…You Wanna Buy a Goat?
Dr. Amanda Eason, Work Goat Foundation
Want goats? Have goats? Want happy goats and family? Introduction to care and management of goats for pleasure and purpose: dairy, meat, and pets. Bring your questions, experiences and meet other goat-hearted folks! This practical, hands-on workshop will provide demonstrations, video, discussion, and take-home reading. Learn ways to improve your current herd, and/or have your ducks in a row well before spring kidding season and discover ways to avoid impulse-purchase problems.
Webster Room
Education Session
Livestock Guardian Dogs
Karina Allayne, Greentwist Acres: Farm & Learning Center
Would you like a way to keep fox, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, and other predators away from your livestock? Livestock Guardian Dogs is our preferred method and our farm would be lost without them. Come meet a Great Pyrenees and see what the buzz is about with LGDs. We will discuss the purpose of LGD, their history, breeds, care and maintenance, and the important role they can play on the farm. We are Greentwist Acres, a Farm & Learning Center in New Boston, NH. The session will be presented in a discussion format, with a Great Pyrenees, handouts, books, and other visual aids. We hope to answer all your questions!
Stark Room
2PM
Education Session
Using Crop Tree Management to Grow Quality Sawlogs
Greg Jordan, UNH Cooperative Extension
Are you interested in growing high-quality hardwood sawlogs on your farm or family woodlot? We’ll talk about ‘Crop Tree Release’ and how this thinning technique might help you accelerate the growth rate of your most promising trees. This presentation will help woodlot owners learn about selecting potential crop trees, how they respond to thinning, and how to monitor tree growth over time.
Pierce Room
Education Session
Goats and Animal-Assisted Therapy
Dr. Amanda Eason, Work Goat Foundation
Celebrate the goat’s ability to heal hearts, stimulate minds, and connect with emotions. Meet goats trained to connect with humans for healing. Overview of how goats can be selected and trained to be candidates for Animal-Assisted Therapy. Description of models including residential facilities, home visits, and community programs. Goats trained for therapeutic interaction will be at the workshop. Learn about rules, policies and programs relevant to goats and AAT.
Webster Room
4PM
Expo Closes…see you in 2020!