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Division of Agricultural Development
   
 

The Division of Agricultural Development works to bring producers and consumers together in the marketplace through promotional initiatives and marketing programs. These efforts include trade show opportunities, events, media and networking to encourage the development of agricultural businesses and strengthen the marketing environment for agricultural products. The division works closely with producer organizations to carry out joint industry promotions, and maintains frequent contact with the news media to help the public better understand the state's agricultural industry

   
 
farmers market

Weekly Market Bulletin
The Division of Agricultural Development compiles market information and publishes the Weekly Market Bulletin for the agriculture community. The Bulletin is the department's "publication of record" and includes appropriate industry notices, announcements, seasonal information and market survey data.
The Bulletin is a subscription publication and is available by mail, or secure Internet. For subscription information call 271-2505.

Subscribers may advertise farm equipment, livestock and farm supplies in the Bulletin for no additional charge.
For rules regarding advertising call 271-1324.

Grant Program

We provide up to $1,000 in matching grants to organizations that wish to conduct a project focused on promoting New Hampshire agriculture. Learn more about the Mini-Grant Program.

How do I connect to NH agricultural Agencies and organizations?

To find contact information for other governmental agencies working in agriculture, or associations and organizations within the different agricultural sectors, check out the
Who's Who in New Hampshire Agriculture.

Exportinglupine

The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food is one of the 10 Northeast state agencies that participate with the regional marketing association called Food Export USA-Northeast.  New Hampshire companies interested in exporting or exploring export markets can take advantage of a number of services offered by this organization.

The department also partners with the NH Office of International Commerce and the International Trade Resource Center promoting exporting opportunities and educational seminars to help comapnies become export ready.

New Hampshire Farm to Restaurant Connection

The New Hampshire Farm to Restaurant Connection (NHFRC) links New Hampshire farm and food producers with New Hampshire restaurants.  NHFRC encourages and facilitates the purchase and use of local farm and food products for restaurant food preparation.  Everyone benefits when fresh, local foods are part of restaurant fare.  Find restaurants featuring local goods on their menus in the NHFRC Dining Guide, or locate farms available to sell to restaurants in the NHFRC Farm Resources Guide.

The newly launched NH Virtual Farmers Market (NHVFM) web site is intended to make it easier for buyers to find and purchase New Hampshire food and farm products. The web site provides one stop shopping, 24/7, from the office or home. The NHVFM is found at www.nhfarms.com and is coordinated by the NH Farm to Restaurant Connection. Collaborative partners include the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food, UNH Office of Sustainability Programs, NH Made and Farm Credit Service.

Products available will change with the seasons, but a number of items will be available year round, including meats, dairy products, baked goods, maple, condiments, beverages and more. The goal is to offer the freshest products available and to that end designers have built in a product expiration system to ensure freshness of perishable items. After seven days a perishable item will expire from the listing, unless renewed by the producer.

Farmers can create a free listing on the NHVFM and showcase their products to new buyers. Go to http://www.nhfarms.com/farmers/create-a-farm-account and follow the instructions for creating an account.

For more information about the NH Virtual Farmers Market, visit www.nhfarms.com.

Visit www.nhfarmtorestaurant.com for more information or a schedule of Growers' Dinners events.

farmstandAre You a Food Entrepreneur?

Planning a new or expanded food business?  Visit Online Support for New England Food Entrepreneurs, http://www.umass.edu/nefe/, a web site sponsored by New England Cooperative Extension programs.  For regulatory information about commercial food production in New Hampshire (including food processing in a home kitchen for retail sale), contact the Food Protection Bureau, NH Department of Health & Human Services, 271-4589, or:  http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/FOODPROTECTION/default.htm

Expositions
The Division of Agricultural Development oversees the operation of two annual expositions. Each February New Hampshire holds its own winter fair at the NH Farm & Forest Exposition in downtown Manchester. In September, New Hampshire has a major presence at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA.

  • New Hampshire Building Eastern States Exposition
    Since 1930,the state of New Hampshire has operated a pavilion at the Eastern States Exposition (the Big E) in West Springfield, MA. This is an annual September exposition that celebrates New England-culture, industry, heritage, and craftsmanship. The Big E is over 80 years old and draws over one million visitors during the course of its 17 days.

    The New Hampshire Building is managed by the Division of Agricultural Development. There are exhibit/retail opportunities for New Hampshire businesses. There are also performance opportunities for New Hampshire entertainers. Exhibitors are selected each year from a pool of qualified applicants. Applications are distributed in November for the following year exposition. The selection process is completed in January. For information about exhibiting in the New Hampshire Building, contact the division at 271-3788, or gmcwilliam@agr.state.nh.us.square dancers

New Hampshire Farm & Forest Exposition
The NH Farm & Forest Exposition is an annual winter fair that occurs in February. Begun in 1984, the NH Farm & Forest Expo will be celebrating its 25th year. The Expo is sponsored by the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food, the NH Division of Forests & Lands, and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.

The Expo has a two fold mission of 1) bringing together the state's farming and forestry communities to share ideas and views on industry needs and 2) providing a fun and interesting venue for the public to learn about these industries and their impact on life in New Hampshire. The exposition includes workshops, speaker programs, large trade show featuring equipment, products and food produced or sold in New Hampshire, children's program called Kid's Night and much more.

arrowView a list of Agricultural Development Publications

Visit the Contact Us page for Agricultural Development contact information

 
New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food
25 Capitol Street, 2nd Floor
Concord, NH 03302
 
NH
Copyright (c) State of New Hampshire, 2005