Agriculture: A major component of New Hampshire's Economy
The following information is edited from a pamphlet produced by New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food (Sept 2003) and information from A summary of the Environmental Horticulture Industry's impact on the New England economy (January 2002):
The mix of New Hampshire agriculture has changed over the years resulting in a diverse industry that today encompasses many crop, livestock and specialty products. The value of New Hampshire's agricultural industry is over $750 million.
Some 3,100 individual operations qualify as commercial farms in New Hampshire, managing over 150,000 acres of cropland plus 250,000 additional acres devoted to pasture, maple and Christmas tree production, conservation and other agricultural uses. The state's farms produce a wide variety of conventional bulk commodity crops, with milk and apples being the most significant. New Hampshire farms produce many specialty and horticultural crops for markets both within and beyond the state. On the international market, New Hampshire exports over $134 million annually in food and agricultural products.
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Ornamental Horticulture: One of the fastest growing segments of New Hampshire agriculture includes greenhouse and nursery production, flowers, turf, landscape materials and services, etc. $438 million. |
Specialty & Processed Food Products: Includes ice cream, yogurt and other dairy products, jams, jellies, condiments, baked goods and other innovative and value-added food product: $125 million. |
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Dairy: Over 40 million gallons of milk are produced each year on 190 New Hampshire dairy farms. Purebred cattle are sold all over the world. $51 million. |
Vegetables: Through direct-to-consumer outlets such as farm stands and markets, as well as regional supermarkets, New Hampshire growers provide a large variety of fresh, quality vegetables to local consumers. $18 million. |
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Horses: Pleasure horses are important to many aspects of New Hampshire recreation. Standardbreds and throughbred raised and trained in New Hampshire are vital to racing. Horse farms are major consumers of local hay crops. $50 million. |
Hay & Forage Crops: Hay, corn silage and other forage crops are produced annually on thousands of New Hampshire acres. These are grown for on-farm consumption by livestock and for cash crops as well. $28 million. |
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Livestock: Beef, sheep, swine and poultry are among the types of livestock raised for home food supplies and commercial markets. Specialty livestock such as angora goats and rabbits, llamas and sheep are grown for wool and specialty fiber markets. Farm-raised fish and game including deer, bison and elk are gaining markets in restaurants and other outlets. New Hampshire egg and turkey products are favorites among local consumers looking for fresh, native foods. New Hampshire research farms have developed poultry strains that have influenced flocks worldwide. $15 million. |
Apples: New Hampshire orchards produce about one million bushels of apples annually that are sold throughout the Eastern U.S. and Europe. In addition, apple cider has become a major product line for many orchard operations. $8 million.
Christmas Trees: New Hampshire grown Christmas trees, including Balsam and Fraser Fir and other species of pine and spruce, are harvested from across the state and sold throughout the region for fragrant holiday celebrations. Other evergreen products such as wreaths and roping are made at numerous farm operations and widely sold. $6 million.
Berries & Other Fruit: By the quart, bushel or the pound, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and other fruit such as peaches are enjoyed by New Hampshire consumers each year. Wild, low-bush New Hampshire blueberries are a baker's favorite! $5 million.
Maple and Honey: An average of 75,000 gallons of maple syrup is produced each year in New Hampshire from over 400 maple operations. Beekeepers raise bees for honey and to provide important crop pollination services for other farmers. $3.5 million.
For more information contact:
New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food
Division of Agricultural Development
PO Box 2042
Concord, NH 03302
Tel. (603) 271-3788. Fax 603-271-1109
