January 24, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

There’s a new Winter Farmers’ Market in New Hampshire, and it is starting up this Saturday, January 30th, from 10am-2pm inside the greenhouse of Cole Gardens! 19 farmers and food producers are signed up so far, selling everything from eggs, sprouts and greens, honey, cider and apples, meats, composting worms, breads, and more!

Help spread the word! Farmers’ Markets rely on word of mouth for success - if you know of people living in that direction, send an email, give them a call, take a field trip!

Here’s a flyer you can download and print to help - .PDF

For more information, contact Joan O’Connor at joconnornh@yahoo.com

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January 24, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

From UNH Cooperative Extension:

New Hampshire Organic Producers’ Workshop
co-sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension, NOFA-NH, NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food, and the USDA Risk Management Agency

Wednesday, Feb 19, 2010 — Common Man Restaurant, Plymouth NH — 10am-3:30pm

Season Extension Structures: The Basics, Becky Sideman, UNH Cooperative Extension

Year-Round Income through Season Extension and Winter High Tunnel Production, Paul and Sandy Arnold, Pleasant Valley Farm, Argyle, NY

Crop and Revenue Insurance for Organic Growers, Mike Sciabarrasi, UNH Cooperative Extension

Profitable Marketing through Simple Record-Keeping and Crop Evaluations, Paul and Sandy Arnold, Pleasant Valley Farm, Argyle, NY

Finding Funding: Opportunities for Farmers with SARE, NRCS and FSA

A Challenging Year: Organic Management of Late Blight & Other Diseases, Cheryl Smith, UNH Cooperative Extension

$20 registration includes Lunch.  Register online at http://www.events.unh.edu/RegistrationForm.pm?event_id=6521

For more information call UNH Cooperative Extension Educator Heather Bryant, 603-787-6944

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January 24, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

New Hampshire House Bill #1456  proposes to convene a committee of three House members and three Senators to: I. Study the use of pesticides, herbicides, and their alternatives in residential neighborhoods, school properties, playgrounds, and other places children congregate; II. Study the effects of a moratorium on the use of such pesticides and herbicides; III. Determine what areas and properties would be exempt from such a ban; and IV. Study any other issue related to a moratorium on the use of such pesticides and herbicides.

In addition to kids, bees would really benefit from reduced use of pesticides and herbicides on lawns. Bees love lawns - especially the clover and dandelions, as well as the wildflowers often found at the edge of lawns. Bees and other pollinators are in trouble, and the current thinking is that build up of pesticides, a product designed to harm insects, is greatly affecting them. Evidence shows weakening of their offspring physically and in mental/behavioral ways in particular.

You can show your support of New Hampshire House Bill #1456:

1.  Call or write your State Representative. Ask him or her to support NH HB #1456.  Visit the super-handy Who’s My Legislator? page for email address and phone numbers (phone calls are more effective)
2.  Write to Rep. Tara Sad, Chair, Env & Ag Cmte, 82 North Rd., Walpole, NH, 03608.
3.  Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper in support of HB #1456.
4.  Come to the State House Feb. 11th, 8:15 am to show support or appear before committee.

More information on the effects of pesticides/herbicides on children and ways to get involved can be found by contacting:  The LEAH Collective, Ellen Fine (603)236-8269/ellen_bfine@yahoo.com or NOFA NH (603)224-5022.

sent from Nature’s Wonders

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