At the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire’s (NOFA-NH) 21st Winter Conference, Mary Tebo Davis of UNH Extension was recognized with the Educator of the Year Award for her leadership in educating the public in permaculture and sustainable land care.
Over 200 community members from New England and various states across the country came together in Manchester for NOFA-NH’s event whose theme was, “The Art of Food and Farming: Skill Sharing for a Brighter Future.”
“It was really wonderful to be in a room full of farmers, after the long loneliness of COVID,” said keynote speaker Kristin Kimball.
NOFA-NH actively promotes organic, regenerative, ecologically sound farming, gardening, eating and land care practices for healthy communities. They help people build local, just and sustainable food systems.
As a Natural Resources field specialist for UNH Extension, Mary Tebo Davis has educated and inspired 400 Natural Resources Stewards and NH Big Tree volunteers throughout the state. She also partners with New Hampshire communities to create ecologically-based landscapes and gardens.
Tebo Davis has collaborated on many revitalization projects in Manchester, renovating vacant and degraded spaces to create community gardens and ecological landscapes, establishing the first green roof atop City Hall and bringing permaculture to inner city neighborhoods. She is a co-author of two books: Integrated Landscaping: Following Nature Lead and Landscaping at the Water’s Edge and served as an editor on NH’s Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques – A Handbook for Sustainable Development.
Natural Resources Stewards are people of all ages and walks of life who love New Hampshire’s outdoors. The program offers a comprehensive training and volunteer support network for people who want to learn, explore and share the nature of New Hampshire. It begins with an interactive hybrid course that brings people together to explore NH’s ecosystems – how trees, plants, soil, fungi, water, wildlife and humans are interconnected, and how we can reduce our impact and restore and protect nature.
Stewards volunteer for projects and activities of their own choosing. For some, it’s helping their local community bring nature back to a local park, teaching youth or adults about wildlife or exploring and recording their town’s wetlands. Others like to hunt for the state’s biggest trees or for endangered native plants. Many become local leaders. Together, Natural Resources Stewards are part of a longstanding program – a community of people who care and make a difference to the natural world around them.
Other community members recognized by NOFA-NH included:
Stacey Purslow of NH Farm to School, Community Partner of the Year Award
Abby Clarke and Jonathan Hayden of Winter Street Farm, Organic Growers of the Year Award
Dave Trumble of Good Earth Farm, Mentor of the Year
Molly Alfonso of Vegetable Ranch, Beginning Farmer of the Year Award
Allan Reetz of Hanover Co-op Food Stores, Policy & Advocacy Leader of the Year Award
Grace Dunklee Cohen of Anthorne Photography, Volunteer of the Year Award
