February 18, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

Farm Taxes 101: An introduction to farm income taxes
March 22, 2010, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Merrimack County UNH Cooperative Extension
315 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH

Do you cultivate, operate, or manage a farm for profit; either as an owner or at tenant?
A farm includes livestock, dairy, poultry, fish, fruit, and truck farms. It also includes greenhouses and orchards.

UNH Cooperative Extension Professor/Specialist, Agricultural Business Management, Michael Sciabarrasi, will talk you through this workshop, explaining how the federal income tax laws apply to farming. This talk is geared toward beginners to help them organize their records and receipts in preparation for their accountant and tax time. This workshop is not designed or intended to prepare an individual to do their own taxes.

Space is limited so please register ASAP by calling Mary at 796-2151.

Posted in learning | Print | No Comments »

February 18, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

The 4th year! To be held at Southern NH University, March 6, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The conference will focus on pasture management, creating a grazing plan and building soils to increase herd health.

The 4th NH Statewide Grazing Conference will cover land utilization and building soils to increase herd health. Gregg Judy, author of “No Risk Ranching” and “Comeback Farm”, will discuss his success with holistic high density grazing, multi-species and custom grazing on leased land, while Doug Gunnick, author of “Sustainable Farming Guide Book”, will guide folks through the fundamentals of growing grass with animal nutrition and health in mind. Throughout the day, area speakers will lend insight into grazing fundamentals and developing a grazing plan, parasites as they relate to grazing practices, organic feeding systems, and fundamentals of balanced rationing, the benefits and how-to’s of converting your dairy to a pasture-based operation, and fencing fundamentals.

For a brochure listing the day’s events, go to Merrimack Cooperative Extension.pdf

Location:  Southern NH University, 2500 N. River Road, Manchester, NH, 03106

Register on-line:

For more information: Mary West, mary.west@unh.edu  UNH Cooperative Ext, 603-796-2151.

Contact: Dot Perkins, Extension Program Coordinator, Ag Resources, dorothy.perkins@unh.edu

UNH Cooperative Extension, 315 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH 03303, (603) 796-2151

Sponsored by the Granite State Graziers, the USDA-NRCS,

UNH Cooperative Extension, and the North Country RC&D Council.

Posted in events | Print | No Comments »

February 18, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

New Vendors Invited to Local Farmers’ Markets

New vendors are invited to apply for booth space at the six summer farmers’ markets organized by Seacoast Growers’ Association. The deadline to apply is March 1. Markets are held in Dover, Durham, Exeter, Hampton, Kingston and Portsmouth. The application form is online at www.seacoastgrowers.org.

SGA is especially encouraging new farms to join its group. Currently, the craft and prepared food vendor categories are full. The organization may not be able to accept new craft or food vendors this year, unless several new agricultural vendors are brought in. New farms or small operations often find great success selling produce at the weekday markets.

Membership of Seacoast Growers’ Association consists of 60 percent agriculture, 20 percent craft, and 20 percent food vendors, in accordance with its bylaws. All applications are welcome. If the group is not able to accept a business this year, any paperwork and check(s) will be mailed back to the applicant.

Shoppers at SGA markets appreciate the “SGA Guarantee” that all products sold at market are produced locally. Therefore, participating vendors must produce everything they sell, and their businesses must be based in Rockingham or Strafford counties in New Hampshire or York County, Maine.

Weekly farmers’ markets are held from May to November in Exeter and Portsmouth, and from June to October in Dover, Durham, Hampton and Kingston. In addition to the goods of almost 40 member businesses, farmers’ markets feature at-market demonstrations, workshops and entertainment, plus frequent nonprofit guests.

For more information or to download the application to join Seacoast Growers’ Association, visit www.seacoastgrowers.org.

Posted in farmers' markets | Print | No Comments »

February 18, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

From Patti Qua’s farm in Exeter, Maine come Jacob’s Cattle, Calypso, Solider, Yellow Eye, Vermont Cranberry, Swedish Brown, and Bumble Bee beans!

9am-1pm at the Stone Church in Newmarket. More info

The Rye Farmers’ Market will also be open this Saturday, 11am-2pm at the Rye Junior High School.  More info

Posted in farmers' markets | Print | No Comments »