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Merrimack County Agriculture
Agriculture in Merrimack County is a diverse industry consisting of plant-based crops (vegetables, fruit, bedding pla
nts, shrubs, trees, turf, hay, corn, and pasture) and livestock raised for meat, dairy, breeding stock, fiber, and recreation. There are more than 65,000 acres of farm land in Merrimack County, with the average size farm at just over 100 acres. The market value of unprocessed agricultural products sold in Merrimack County is approximately $55 million. New Hampshire's ornamental horticulture industry, valued at $438 million, includes the State's largest bedding plant producers - Pleasant View Gardens and DS Cole Growers of Loudon. (Data from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service 2007 Census and NH Farm Viability Task Force Report, 2006)
Merrimack County benefits from three agricultural program staff headquartered in the Boscawen office: Amy Ouellette, Dot Perkins, and John Porter. Amy's primary responsibility is to provide research-based information and technical assistance to agricultural businesses and municipalities. Dot Perkins provides the county's Master Gardener program. Amy and Dot share animal forage programming plus home and community horticulture. John Porter, retired Dairy Specialist, can still be found in the office planning programs in dairy, agricultural engineering, and farm safety.
Meet the Educators
- Amy Ouellette, Agriculture Educator
- Dot Perkins, Agriculture Program Coordinator
- John Porter, Dairy Specialist Emeritus
For a list of educational events happening in Merrimack County, please click on the button to the left titled "Merrimack County Calendar/Events" or click on Agricultural Events.
UNH Cooperative Extension works with many other agencies including but not limited to the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food; Naturual Resources Conservation District (NRCS), NH Farm Bureau, Merrimack County Conservation District, North Country RC & D, Farm Service Agency, USDA Rural Development, NH Dept. of Environmental Services (DES), Small and Beginner Farmers of New Hampshire, Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA-NH), and the Granite State Graziers. Click HERE to learn more about these organizations.
Check out our Interactive Webpage about Lawn Care.
Check out UNH Cooperative Extension's Agiculture Publications
