What's New
Winter-Spring Pruning Demonstrations for 2012.
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Anticipated soil test price increase to take effect January 2012.
The cost for a Standard Home Grounds and Garden test will be $17 and will include both conventional and organic recommendations. The new forms will be available beginning January 3, 2012.
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Looking for more events and workshops? See the Upcoming Events Calendar.
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Updated Fact Sheet:
Understanding Your Soil Test Results
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New Fact Sheet
by Becky Sideman
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New Publication
by Alan Eaton
A great resource for fruit growers!
Bird Damage Prevention for Northern New England Fruit Growers
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Community Agriculture Blog - Grafton County
Written by Heather Bryant, Agricultural Resources Extension Educator
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Agriculture
Spotlight News:
USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map
In January the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the first update of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map since 1990. “It is exciting to see a new Zone Map that is more accurate and detailed than the last version, published in 1990” said Cathy Neal, UNH Extension Specialist in Landscape Horticulture. “With more sophisticated weather stations and three decades of data, the lines between zones are much more precise than they used to be.”
Don’t expect to see big differences in the New Hampshire map, however. The zones are based strictly on average lowest winter temperatures and don’t reflect changes in heat days, precipitation or storm events. Nationwide, many zones have shifted by about one half-zone zone (5-degrees F.) warmer, according to USDA, but that reflects better averages not necessarily climate change.
The map is a joint effort between the USDA's Agricultural Research Service and Oregon State University's (OSU) PRISM Climate Group. The new map is interactive and incorporates a "find your zone by ZIP code" function.
To view the complete map, click here.
To read more about the Map and other new features, visit the USDA Newsroom to read the full release.
Problem Diagnosis and Testing Services
- Do you need a tick or an insect identified? Visit the Arthropod Identification Center.
- Do you have a sick plant and need a diagnosis? Visit the Plant Diagnostic Lab.
- Would you like to have your soil analyzed for pH and nutrients? Our Soil Testing service can help.
- Have you seen an Asian Longhorned Beetle or an Emerald Ash Borer? Want to learn more about this potential threat to our forests and how you can help?
Upcoming Workshops and Meetings:
February
February 3, 2012
2012 NH Women in Agriculture Conference - Empowering Women in Agri-business today
February 4, 2012
NH Dairy Goat Seminar - Basic Veterinary Practices and Hoof Care
February 13, 2012
North Country Forage Crop Seminar
February 14, 2012
Growing Small Grains for Forage & Food
February 15, 2012
February 21, 2012
Winter Growing & Winter Sales Workshop
February 22, 2012
New Concepts in Collaborative Milk Marketing
March
March 2, 2012
Northern New England Nursery Conference
March 10, 2012
NH Vegetable & Berry Growers' Annual Meeting
March 12, 2012
Managing Soils for Organic Agriculture
March 14, 2012
Spring Conference for Landscapers
April
April 16, 2012
Fruit Tree Pruning Demonstration - Peterborough
Helpful Links:
- NH Farmers' Market List
- Seacoast Harvest - 2011 Local Food guide
- NH Farm Stand Directory
- NH Wholesale Agricultural Products
- Seacoast Growers Association
- NH Greenhouse and Nursery Directory
- The Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH (NOFA-NH)
- Who's Who in NH Agriculture Guide
Agriculture in New Hampshire
Over the past few decades, New Hampshire’s agriculture industry
has evolved into a diverse, vibrant sector of the state’s economy.
Agricultural firms produce a wide variety of crops, plants, livestock products
and specialty foods for sale directly to consumers and through a variety
of intermediate markets. Annual sales of agricultural products near
$750 million, but that’s only part of the industry’s
economic impact. The 3,100 individual firms manage over 150,000 acres of
cropland with an additional 250,000 acres devoted to pasture, Christmas
trees, maple syrup production and similar uses. This open space buffers
residential and commercial development and provides the working landscape
that makes New Hampshire attractive to visitors worldwide.
In order for the farming community to thrive, it must continue to be economically and environmentally sustainable while meeting societal obligations. University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is uniquely positioned to provide educational and research-based programs to assist agricultural businesses and related natural resource firms meet these goals. UNH Extension professionals understand the challenges and opportunities faced by the state’s farms and have forged important partnerships
University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension program goals related to agriculture can be found in current plan of work. In brief, program efforts focus on helping agricultural businesses:
- Adopt research-based practices that enhance and maintain efficient production.
- Develop and implement financial and business management plans that enhance profitability.
- Assess business risk and adopt strategies to minimize those risks.
- Develop and implement marketing plans to improve income.
- Increase direct marketing sales and adopt innovative marketing techniques.
- Increase their knowledge of food safety and implement food safety management plans.
In addition, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is committed to helping make decision makers, youth and other members of the general public aware of the importance of New Hampshire ’s agricultural industry.
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