New Hampshire farmers, large and small, want to know what financial risks they may face, what strategies they can use to reduce those risks, and how to be as productive as possible. Farmers also know it's a matter of balancing farm and family life.

Continuing the risk-management workshop series we started last fall, the winter presenters will provide tools and techniques for managing business risks while explaining the benefits of participating in crop and revenue insurance programs.

Here's a list of upcoming workshops and information about how to register:

January 5: N.H. Small Family-Farm Conference
The conference, on the theme of Growing Your Small Farm into a Profitable Business, takes place Tuesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Concord. Cost is $20.00 per person for lunch and refreshments. The conference features a farmer-panel discussion on Growing the Business, along with presentations on dealing with strategies for reducing risk, and supportive government programs. Register online or contact Mike Sciabarrasi at 862-3234.

January 9: N.H. Women in Agriculture
This conference takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Antioch University, 40 Avon Street in Keene. Cost: $20.00 per person for lunch and refreshments. Kathy Soder from the USDA's Agricultural Research Service will speak on Balancing Farming and Family, and Annette Higby on Legal Issues for Women in Agriculture. Also featured: a farmer panel discussing balancing farming and family, as well as an update on crop insurance. Register online or contact Carl Majewski at 352-4550.

January 26: Organic Producers' Workshop: Focus on Marketing, Farm Infrastructure, and Disease Management Workshop runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Stonewall Farm in Keene. Cost: $20.00 per person for lunch and refreshments. Speaker presentations include Growing and Marketing Organic Herbs and Botanicals, Walking the Line Between Direct Marketing and Wholesale, Setting Up a Winter CSA, and Organic Management of Late Blight and Other Diseases. Event also features a panel discussion on funding opportunities and an overview of crop and revenue insurance options. Register online or contact Carl Majewski at 352-4550.

February 10: Organic Producers' Workshop: Focus on Season Extension, Farm Planning, and Disease Management Workshop runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Common Man Restaurant in Plymouth. Cost: $20.00 per person for lunch and refreshments. Presentations include High Tunnels and Other Season Extenders, Winter Production, Farm Planning and Evaluating Profitability, and Organic Management of Late Blight and Other Diseases. Also featured: a panel discussion on funding opportunities for farmers and an overview of crop and revenue insurance options. Register online or contact Heather Bryant at 787-6944.

UNH Cooperative Extension, partnered with the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA), the N.H. Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food, and the USDA Farm Service Agency to sponsor this workshop series. Financial support from the USDA RMA has enabled UNH Cooperative Extension to offer these programs at minimal cost.

Further workshops take place through the spring of 2010. Stay tuned.