March 14, 2010 by Debra.

The York Community Garden will become part of the Town Farm, now being planned for the town of York:

New trails, gardens envisioned for York town farm — HDC hopes residents may apply for plots this spring

YORK — An ad-hoc committee of the Historic District Commission envisions gardens and trails at the Town Farm.

Before another summer growing season, the committee plans to present to the Board of Selectmen a process by which residents can apply for a plot of garden at the farm on Long Sands Road. There is currently no formal process, said Commission Chairman Bob Cutts.

“We’re just trying to get things organized and come up with a plan to proceed,” said Cutts prior to a Feb. 18 meeting on the project. “Right now, it sits there, not real attractive.”

The 2.5-acre parcel includes the York Community Garden, located just off Long Sands Road. There are several garden plots, a small dirt parking lot and an overgrowth of sumac trees. The committee plans to clean up the site by getting rid of sumac overgrowth, planting fruit trees, and erecting fencing.

An L-shaped strip of land owned by Central Maine Power runs through the property. It could act as a trail connecting Long Sands Road to Ridge Road, should CMP give permission for its use, said Cutts. The committee is in the process of asking CMP whether the public may use the land.

Committee members were pleasantly surprised to learn, after a January site walk, the Town Farm has more land than they had thought. A map of the land shows a square half-acre parcel next to the CMP land off Ridge Road. Committee member Russell Osgood, who works with a local 4-H Club, has expressed an interest in using this piece of farmable land for club members and as an education piece for the schools, in particular the Coastal Ridge Elementary School, said Cutts.

To read full article >

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March 8, 2010 by Heather.

Spring has sprung, and it’s time for the Strafford County Conservation District’s 2010 Annual Conservation Plant Sale! The Strafford County Conservation District (SCCD) holds this sale, its largest fund-raiser, to provide landowners with trees, shrubs, and plants at discounted prices with a few goals in mind. ”The goals of the [SCCD] are to offer plants for sale to land owners for controlling erosion, wind/sound breaks, bird/wildlife food/shelter/nesting sites, evergreens that are ideal for growing your own Christmas trees, fruits for your own use, starting a business, or for making the natural world more enjoyable.” 

Another benefit is that these plants are grown in Farmfield Greenhouses, Lebanon, ME, and Wentworth Greenhouses, Rollinsford, NH. So this sale supports local conservation, local greenhouses, and gives people a more affordable way to plant their own decorative and edible plants. Wondering just what they’re selling? A lot! The main types of items are evergreens; deciduous trees; fruit trees; shrubs; wildflowers, ground covers, vines, and ferns; small fruits and roots; and perennials, herbs, vegetables, annuals, and flower baskets. The SCCD has produced a six-page document of all the options, which is packed full with information about each item, like what type of soil the plant flourishes in or if it’s native to the area. SCCD Plant Sale Info

Orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Orders should be placed by March 25, 2010. Fill out the SCCD Plant Sale Order Form and send, along with your payment, to the Strafford County Conservation District, 259 County Farm Road Unit #3, Dover, NH 03820-6015.

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March 3, 2010 by Debra.

Another new community garden joins the list of places to grow in the Seacoast!

A new community garden is starting this spring at the Urban Forestry Center (UFC).  The garden will have around 10 plots at 10′ X 10′ available, and some of those may be split in half if members want a smaller plot.  There will be an informational meeting held at the UFC in late March. If you are interested in joining this community garden, please email Jennifer Wilhelm at SeacoastEdibleLandscapes@gmail.com.

For directions to the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Rd, Portsmouth, NH >

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March 1, 2010 by Heather.

With the recent weather issues we’ve seen, it’s a little hard to remember that spring is on its way. Luckily, Wentworth Greenhouses has some exciting classes coming up that will get you thinking spring in no time!

Saturday, March 6th, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Grow Your Own
Session #2 - Seed Starting and Transplanting
FREE SEMINAR

The second vegetable-gardening class will focus on seed starting and transplanting.  Julie will be teaching the entire series.  She has been growing vegetables for many years and sells product at her local farmers’ market.

Grow Your Own classes to follow:
Session #3 - Planting and Maintenance
April 3rd, 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Session #4 - Disease and Pest Control
June 5th, 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Session #5 - Harvest and Late Season Planting
July 3rd, 10:00-11:30 a.m.

To register for upcoming classes please call 603-743-4919
or email wgiretail@ttlc.net 

For more info, please visit the Wentworth Greenhouses Web site. 

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March 1, 2010 by Heather.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now offering technical and financial assistance for conservation practices related to organic production through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative. In 2010, NRCS in New Hampshire has more than $280,115 dedicated to the EQIP Organic Initiative. Applications can be submitted year round, to be considered for the next ranking, your application must be received by March 12, 2010. Assistance is available for agricultural producers who are:
-currently certified organic farmers
-transitioning to certified organic production
Individuals, groups, and entities who own or manage certified organic operations or operations that are transitioning to certified organic are eligible to apply.  Contracts can last from 2 to 10 years. Payments are limited to $20,000 per participant annually or $80,000 over a 6 year period. There is no minimum acreage requirement to apply for EQIP, however, projects that address significant resource concerns are more likely to receive funding. Beginning, socially disadvantaged, and limited-resource farmers may be eligible for higher payment rates. Applications are accepted all year but are reviewed in a competitive ranking process when funding becomes available - usually once each year. Please contact your local NRCS office or conservation district to start the planning and application process.

For More Information
National Organic Initiative Web site  http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Programs/eqip/organic/index.html

NH Organic Contact
Brandon Smith, Resource Conservationist
(603) 868-7581

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February 25, 2010 by Heather.

Need some chicks for the spring? Thistle Ridge Hatchery and Farm in Dover is still accepting orders for spring chicks. You can also sign up to be a part of their incubation program allowing you to hatch you own chicks. Thistle Ridge has many breeds and hatch times available. For more information, to get incubation and fertile eggs, and to get chicks call (603) 740-9332 or (603) 767-5298 and ask for Sherri.

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February 17, 2010 by Debra.

As thoughts turn to the growing season ahead, we’re updating our list of community gardens in the Seacoast. Several new listings have been added recently, reflecting an upsurge in interest in growing your own. The latest entry is from the Exeter Community Gardening Committee:

Live in Exeter and interested in growing your own veggies?

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February 16, 2010 by Debra.

The Seacoast Community Garden Network (SCGN), a new online social network for Seacoast gardeners and community gardens, is in the process of being designed and plans to launch just in time for Spring. This should be a great resource for those growing their own as part of eating locally!

“Here’s a new idea — what if wanna-be gardeners could find an open community garden plot, or folks with an extra acre could find community gardeners to transform their land? What if community gardens and gardeners could share their needs and solutions and learn from each other — even get to know each other? What if start-up community gardens could find everything they needed — sample documents, supplies, information and real live people with experience — in one place? What if we could build an interactive community that would support the growth and uniqueness of our community garden movement right here on the Seacoast? This is the idea behind the Seacoast Community Garden Network — an open to all website that will be launching this spring, funded by the New England Grassroots Environment Foundation. Networks are popping up all over as people seek better ways to communicate with each other, but the Seacoast Community Garden is the first of its kind here. At a recent meeting, the ideas were coming fast and furious for how to build the Seacoast Community Garden Network (SCGN). It is being designed now, and should see the spring sunshine just in time for gardening season! “

For more information on how to get involved, please contact: Jenny Isler at jennyjennyi @ yahoo.com, or Gail Wingate at gkwings @ aol.com

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January 31, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

In Yellow House Farm’s latest email newsletter:

The Yellow House Farm seminar Homesteading Heritage Poultry is designed to give you a complete introduction to the various aspects of stewarding poultry for the homestead.  The class is divided into four sections, each designed to provide a thorough base in the targeted subject matter.  The term “poultry” refers to chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and guinea fowl.  Homesteading Heritage Poultry focuses specifically on the needs of heritage chickens, although much of what is discussed is pertinent to the farming of other sorts of fowl.  It is not geared to matters concerning the production of factory layers and broilers.  Our goal is to present the best of traditional methodologies in the light of modern poultry science to build an understanding of the kinds of practices that lead to invigorating and environmentally friendly farming, based in respectful stewardship.  See the website for a full description and registration information >

Classes are held at Yellow House Farm.  Spring 2010 seminars are one-day intensives held on Saturdays from 9:00am-4:00pm, seven dates are offered.  The cost of the Homesteading Heritage Poultry seminar is $45.00.  Pre-registration is required.

Dates for Homesteading Heritage Poultry: 3/6, 3/20, 4/3, 4/17, 5/1, 5/15, and 5/29.  We recommend early registration as each date is limited to 10 participants.

If you would like to be part of this wonderful local movement to become a steward of heritage poultry both for their protection and betterment and for the establishment and promotion of our local food security, consider attending one of our seminars.  Here’s the link.
Chicks! Chicks! Chicks!  It’s hard to have chicken and eggs without ‘em.  We are beginning to take orders for 2010 hatchlings.  We shall again be offering hatchlings in Anconas and Dorkings.  Anconas are primarily egg-layers, while cockerels are also tasty fryers and fricassee birds.  Dorkings are excellent heritage meat birds with respectable egg production.  Both are steeped in history.  We expect hatchlings to book up early.  So follow this link to learn more and get that order in to that we might serve you best.  Remember, in the name of fairness, that orders are filled on a “first come, first served” basis.  Here’s the link.

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January 30, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

From the market bulletin:

The Hollis Agricultural Commission is compiling a list of farmers who may be interested in leasing Town-owned land known as “Woodmont Orchard - West” (approximately 180 acres) in part or in entirety, for a term of up to 25 years, beginning no later than 2011. The lease(s) will be awarded through a bidding process, and considerable discression will be given to successful bidders, as long as the use complies with conditions of an existing agricultural easement. Contact doug@themixedborder.com

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