North Country Fruit & Vegetable Farmers

University of New Hampshire Extension
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Education

University of New Hampshire Extension specialists interview seasoned growers in northern New Hampshire who share insights into creating a successful agricultural business.

Episodes

  1. 09/29/2021

    Solar Power with retired Extension specialist John Porter and poultry farmer Tom Giovagnoli

    Integrating solar power in and around farms can reduce energy costs, improve sustainability goals, and transform a farms economic status. In this episode, we hear from Tom Giovagnoli, an egg  producer with Pete and Jerry’s in Boscawen who shares that adding solar to the roof of his barn made his operation more economically viable. We also chat with John Porter, Retired UNH Extension specialist who continues to consult on infrastructure and barn projects in New Hampshire. John has added solar to his small farm homestead and has consulted with farms across the state on how to successfully reduce energy costs. Resources The Rural Energy for America Program, or better known as the USDA REAP Grant, provides grant funding and guaranteed loan financing to rural small businesses and agricultural producers across the United States, to be used for implementing renewable energy systems or making improvements to overall energy efficiency.  Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants Produced byThe University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal orretaliation for prior civil rights activity.

    Solar Power with retired Extension specialist John Porter and poultry farmer Tom Giovagnoli

  2. 09/29/2021

    Alternative berry crops with Ben Shambaugh of Wayside Farm and Great Northern Berries

    Ben Shambaugh founded Wayside Farm in Sandwich, NH over 30 years ago. Since 2013 he has been trying a variety of alternative fruit crops under the Great Northern Berries name. Through trial and error he has found what works and what doesn’t for his business. Come join us and learn about their journey into producing honey berry and other unique small fruit crops.    ResourcesWayside Farm     Interviewer Nick Rowley  Produced byThe University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal orretaliation for prior civil rights activity.

    Alternative berry crops with Ben Shambaugh of Wayside Farm and Great Northern Berries

  3. 09/29/2021

    Growing an agricultural business with Bridget McKee of Bent Fork Farm

    Bridget McKee and her husband Ben set out to start a vegetable farm that would fit in with their professional interests and the family life they want, in the place where they want to live.  Join us to hear about the journey which had them starting their farm in Lancaster and then relocating it to Bethlehem.  We’ll talk about how the farm chooses their markets and crops and some of their favorite tips for other farms.  Resources  Bent Fork Farm  New Farmers Resources  For more information on this podcast and the October panel discussions contact Heather Bryant , Heather.Bryant@unh.edu   Produced byThe University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal orretaliation for prior civil rights activity.

    Growing an agricultural business with Bridget McKee of Bent Fork Farm

  4. 09/29/2021

    Mushrooms with Eliah and Louis of Northspore

    Northspore is a rising mycology company in Southern Maine. Originally created by three friends as a mushroom farm they have grown to offer mushroom spawn, inoculation supplies, mycological education and more. The crew at Northspore loves mushrooms and they want you to love them too!  Join us as we talk about mushroom terminology, growing practices and marketing mushrooms on small farms.     This episode is our COVID friendly answer to the North Country Fruit and Vegetable Seminar and Tradeshow, a successful event started nearly 20 years ago by our colleague Steve Turaj.  We have recorded a series of 5 episodes of interest to farmers in the North Country and those who choose to live a rural life.  We will make the topic of each episode the subject of a lunch time panel discussion session in October 2021.  Please join us on October 28 at noon to dive deeper into the topic of mushroom production.  Produced byThe University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal orretaliation for prior civil rights activity.

    Mushrooms with Eliah and Louis of Northspore

  5. 09/29/2021

    Beekeeping with Janice Mercieri of White Mountain Apiary

    Beekeeping has become a popular hobby for the backyard gardener, as well as an opportunity for commercial farms to diversify their business. Janice Mercieri of White Mountain Apiary has been successfully caring for bees and selling bee products, nucs and packages in Grafton and Coos Counties for many years. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience about raising and caring for bees, as well as skill in running a business in New Hampshire’s North Country. ResourcesBefore getting into raising your own bees, it is helpful to know what skill and knowledge you will need to become a successful beekeeper. We created a ‘skills and knowledge list’ to help you decide if you are ready to become a beekeeper:   White Mountain Apiary   NH Beekeepers Association  North Country Beekeepers  Produced byThe University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal orretaliation for prior civil rights activity.

    Beekeeping with Janice Mercieri of White Mountain Apiary
  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

University of New Hampshire Extension specialists interview seasoned growers in northern New Hampshire who share insights into creating a successful agricultural business.

Information