Farm Focus Newsletter - 
November/December 2012


SAVE THE DATE:

Farm Promotion and Marketing Meeting

Cheshire County Conservation District 

Tuesday, December 11, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Keene Public Library, Kay Fox Room

 

Attention Farmers - Please join in on the excitement to learn about the Farm Promotion and Marketing project that will be underway for Cheshire County farms during 2013 and 2014.  This is your opportunity to help share your input and offer direction for this project.  

This project will be spending funds on 
            - Marketing for a Buy Local Campaign in our region
            - Workshops for Farmers on marketing their products 
            - Cooking education for low income families and individuals

In the Buy Local Campaign, your input is appreciated on the message of the campaign and the types of workshops you would like to see offered for farms. The farms in this region are a core partner for this project and your involvement is greatly appreciated!  

Other Partners on this project include - the County of Cheshire NH, the Hannah Grimes Center, Nebesek Marketing, and Antioch University New England. 

The meeting will be held at the Keene Public Library in the Kay Fox Room (downstairs), 60 Winter St, Keene NH at 11am-1pm.  Please feel free to bring a brown bag lunch. 
 
Registration is free and for more information call the Conservation District at 603-756-2988 ext.116, email amanda@cheshireconservation.org, or visit www.cheshireconservation.org.

 

If you cannot make this meeting but would still like to offer input please do not hesitate to give the Conservation District a call. Your input is greatly appreciated! 

Events to Help Your Business
INNOVATE

 Seven Hundred Shareholders in Six Years-

Scaling Up a CSA

NOFA-MASS

Saturday, November 10, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Picadilly Farm, Winchester

 

A NOFA-MASS sponsored event with Picadilly Farm featuring a discussion about their successful, six-year running, CSA. 

 

Picadilly Farm is an organic farm offering shares at the farm, boxed shares delivered to Eastern Massachusetts, and shares in collaboration with other farms. All these topics including packaging and distribution systems, discussion of start-up finances, CSA administration, marketing and farm crew management will be described at this seminar. 

 

A tour of the farm will describe stewardship practices, equipment and infastructure.

Registration:$25 for NOFA members, $30for non-members with checks made payable to NOFA-MASS

Register at www.nofamass.org. For more information contact Ben Grosscup at 413-658-5374 or  ben.grosscup@nofamass.org.

 

Entrepreneur Project with Ann Connor

Hannah Grimes

Wednesday, November 14, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Hannah Grimes Center, Keene

 

The Entrepreneur Project is a 6-month program that will help you to focus your energy and take your business to the next step in achieving your goals. You will work intensely with a nationally recognized business coach, Ann Connor, and a variety of like-minded business owners in this comprehensive program. 

 

Cost: $600 per business. There is scholarship funding available for participants in this program who qualify under Low to Moderate Income guidelines. For more information contact Jillian at Hannah Grimes or call 603-352-5063. 

 

Skidder Bridge Installment Demonstration

Cheshire County Conservation District

Saturday, December 8, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Stoddard Elementary School, Stoddard 

 

Please join the demonstration to see the proper installation of a skidder bridge, learn about the benefits of their use, and the new rental program that is making them available to interested land managers.  

 

This workshop will be hosted by Andorra Forest, UNH Cooperative Extension, and the Cheshire County Conservation District.  

 

The meeting will be held at the Stoddard Elementary School at 200 School St, Stoddard NH at 9am.  

 

To register or for more information please email sharlene@cheshireconservation.org or call the Conservation District office 603-756-2988 ext. 115.

 

Wholesale Success Workshop

Cheshire County Conservation District

Tuesday, January 8, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Alyson's Orchard, Walpole

 

Please attend the workshop to learn how your farm can transition to selling wholesale successfully! 

This workshop will feature a presentation on Wholesale success: 

  • Post-harvest handling
  • Packing and grading
  • Maintaining the cold chain
  • Food safety needs of wholesale buyers

To register and for more information visit CheshireConservation.org or contact Amanda at 603-756-2978 ext. 116. 

 

Events to Help You CONNECT
With Farmers & Other Experts
Closing the Local Capital Loop: 
Financing the Working Landscape
University of Vermont
Thursday, November 29, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Middleburry American Legion, Middleburry, VT

On Nov. 29, 2012, businesses connected to the working landscape will have the opportunity to meet with service providers, capital providers, and their fellow entrepreneurs for a day of networking, discussion, and education. 

Maple syrup producers, farmers, food manufacturers, woodworkers, and other regional business owners can explore ways to energize their plans and grow their businesses.
Advance registration runs through Nov. 8 at $25 ($15 for students), and increases to $30/$20 on Nov. 9. 

To register by mail, please make your check payable to "ACORN" with your name, business and contact information and mail it to: PO Box 65, Middlebury, VT 05753.
For more information visit acornvt.org.

 

Cheshire County Conservation District 

2012 Annual Meeting: Farmland Conservation 

with Ryan Owens of the Monadnock Conservancy

Tuesday, December 4, 6:00 p.m. 
The Inn at East Hill Farm
 
Please attend the event to explore land conservation in our region and how the Monadnock Conservancy is focusing it's efforts on farmland. 
 
A celebration honoring the accomplishments of 2012 for the Conservation District and George and May Iselin of Earth Haven Farm as the 2012 Cooperator of the Year will also be featured at the event. 
 
Tuesday, December 4, 6:00 p.m. registration with hors d'oeuvres and a dessert buffet at the Inn at East Hill Farm, 460 Monadnock St, Troy, NH. 
 
$15-20 Suggested Donation - Please RSVP by contacting the CCCD at 603-756-2988 ext. 116 or info@cheshireconservation.org.  
 
Beginner Farmer Mixer
NOFA-NH
Saturday, December 8, 6 - 11 p.m.
Phoenix Hill Farm, Boscawen
 
NOFA-NH in conjunction with an art event is holding a Beginner Farmer mixer at Phoenix Hill Farm in Boscawen, NH, 322 High Street, Boscawen, NH 03303. 
For more information and to register, contact Ray Connor or call 772-341-1850. 
News & Resources to Inform & Inspire
 


For more information, visit nesare.org. 

Originally Posted on CheshireConservation.org     
 
The Conservation District is looking to grant  funds to construct 1 high tunnel to a - school - community garden - food pantry - recreation center- etc. If your organization is interested in this please complete the below Request for Proposals and submit them to the Conservation District by Feb. 1, 2013. Request for Proposals. Contact the Conservation District for more information at 603-756-2988 ext. 116 or email info@cheshireconservation.org. 

The Carrot Project: 
Creating Small-Farm Financing Solutions

Originally posted on TheCarrotProject.org

 

The goal of this project is to show how business technical assistance and financing improve a farm's bottom line and lead to farm success. Building on the work of The Carrot Project's micro-loan funds, project partners will work closely with 30 farmers interested in business and financial management technical assistance and/or financing, with a focus on improving a farm's financial position. Each farmer will be paired with a project coordinator for the duration of the project; together, they will track and discuss changes in the farm business over a two-year period. At the end of the process, the project will produce a report, case studies, and training materials describing when financing and technical assistance are appropriate and useful in improving a farm's financial position.

 

If you would like to sign up, please contact Dorothy Suput at 617.674.2371 or dsuput@thecarrotproject.org.  

 

Kiva Zip: A Nonprofit Organization that Provides 0% Interest Loans to Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners in the US and Globally

Originally posted on Zip.Kiva.org

 

Kiva Zip is a pilot program of Kiva. Through our 'crowd-funding' website, we are making interest free loans of up to $5,000 with a one year term, and connecting borrowers with individuals in their local community and our online community, who are willing to lend them $25. We have loaned over $100,000 in San Francisco, Oakland, L.A., Pittsburgh and St. Louis so far in 2012, and are looking to expand in New Hampshire. Businesses we have lent to include farmers, artists, coffee shop owners and businesses with a strong social mission. Our loans are changing lives by creating jobs in local communities and giving entrepreneurs the capital they need to launch or grow their business. 

 

If you are interested in receiving a loan, making a loan or sponsoring a borrower please contact us at contactZip@kiva.org or visit us at Zip.Kiva.org for more information.