Small farms in New Hampshire grew to nearly 4,200 in recent years, with an increasing trend towards organic and small-farm production.

To help navigate the inherent risks and learn new strategies for managing production, marketing and financing, a team of UNH Cooperative Extension staff will offer a series of workshops beginning Nov. 2 and continuing through spring of 2010.

The workshops will provide tools and techniques for managing business risks while explaining the benefits of participating in crop and revenue insurance programs.

November workshops: Marketing strategies, tree fruit

10+ Marketing Strategies and Tips to Consider When Selling Farm Products kicks off the series November 2 at the Rockingham County complex in Brentwood. Featuring a panel of expert growers, this workshop will talk about potential farm markets for next season and the importance of branding and pricing products, along with different views on the pros and cons of crop insurance.

Tree Fruit: The Year in Review and Planning for the Future takes place November 14 at the Hillsborough County complex in Goffstown. The featured speaker is the Northeast's leading tree-fruit pathologist, Dr. David Rosenberger.

Winter-spring topics

Early December features a weekend seminar on growing specialty crops for New Hampshire's expanding ethnic populations. In January, the series continues with two events: the N.H. Small Family Farm conference in Concord, and the N.H. Women in Agriculture conference in the Keene area.

In the winter and spring of 2010, the series will offer workshops for organic producers, dairy farmers and nursery operations.

Financial support from the USDA Risk Management Agency has enabled UNH Cooperative Extension to offer these programs at minimal cost to participants. Other partners include the N.H. Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food and the USDA Farm Service Agency

"UNH Cooperative Extension professionals have extensive experience in educational programming for farmers and a proven record of successful partnering with other agencies," says Extension agricultural business management specialist Mike Sciabarrasi. "Extension educators believe outreach education is the best way to help New Hampshire farmers discover what's available to them."

Learn more and register

10+ Marketing Strategies and Tips to Consider When Selling Farm Products, November 2.

Tree Fruit: The Year in Review and Planning for the Future, November 14.

For more information about fall and winter workshops and conferences, contact the agricultural educator at your county UNH Cooperative Extension office or call Mike Sciabarrasi at 862-3234.