Caroline Beaton has been hired as UNH Extension’s Beginning Farmer Outreach Program Manager. Caroline joins the Food and Agriculture Program team and will be working on the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant recently awarded to the team in climate readiness training for beginning farmers. Caroline will also administer the New Farmer School, UNH Extension’s annual educational program for beginner farmers.
Caroline, a UNH graduate, first discovered her love for agriculture when she participated in the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms program (WWOOF), working on a blueberry farm during college. Throughout her time as a student at UNH she worked as a research technician at the Kingman Farm and UNH’s aquaponic research farm, which allowed her to gain experience in alternative methods of growing food.
After completing her B.S. in Environmental Conservation & Sustainability in 2020, she went on to hold several positions in local food system work. In 2022, she joined AmeriCorps where she served in the Lead Food Production role at Guidestone Colorado. Here she led farm production in a donation-based model, provided hands-on education in partnership with the Salida School District, helped host an onsite adult continuing education course through Colorado Mountain College, and planned outreach and fundraising events, such as their first annual Tour de Farms.
Upon returning to the Seacoast of New Hampshire, she worked for Seacoast Eat Local as the Communication Coordinator. She then went on to be the very first Freight Farm Manager for the Haverhill YMCA in Massachusetts. In this role, she kickstarted a hydroponic container farm and implemented a farm to school curriculum, including an afterschool program.
Of her new position, Caroline shares “I am looking forward to being a part of UNH Cooperative Extension and I am most excited to work alongside farmers in New Hampshire to help grow the already thriving local food community we have in this state.”
UNH Extension’s Food & Agriculture Program Team Leader Kelly McAdam states that “Caroline brings an enthusiasm for helping others and supporting our local food system to this new position. We are excited about what she will bring to the team, and in implementing the BFRDP project over the next three years.” Caroline will begin work on Monday, January 6.
Welcome, Caroline!
