"When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization"
-Daniel Webster
We are our state's first hands-on professional association, training ground, and on-site consulting organization for farmers and foresters.
Our mission is to break down the barriers to entering and succeeding in the critically important careers of producing our food and preserving our woodlands.
Our goal is to help transform our state to one that sustainably produces most of its own food and improves our environment by using 100 % renewable energy. That's an example for our country, our world...and a gift to our children.
Please explore our web site and find out what we are doing to affect big changes. We are partnering with the best minds and companies in the state to put land, tools, materials, and information where it belongs: in the hands of our farmers and foresters.
Become a charter member or sponsor of NHIAF today!
Member
Sponsor
Projects
Incubator
Education
Leadership
Major Projects
Farm Profitability
Four-Season Growing
Renewable Energy Initiatives
Distribution Solutions
Bulk Purchasing
Grant Assistance
NH Land Trust
Special Projects
Grains Grown Here
New Hampshire Swords-to-Plowshares
Real NH Wine from 100% NH Grapes
Small-Scale Hops Harvesting
Agriculture and Forestry Business Incubator
What is an incubator and why does New Hampshire need one?
Business incubators in general offer a common location to develop a new venture, taking advantage of resources and sharing capital-intensive costs. Incubators are typically sponsored by a non-profit funding organization or a venture capital entity in order to keep expenses low for start-ups. When they are operationally and financially ready, the businesses are "spun off" from the incubator, operating on their own, and their space at the incubator replaced with a new start-up venture.
NHIAF specifically serves the agriculture and forestry industries of New Hampshire, where high land prices and other start-up costs make for an uphill climb for the aspiring farmer or forester. Our programs are similar to agricultural incubators in other areas of the country, with the exception that NHIAF will be the first to operate on 100% renewable energy.
How will the incubator work?
Aspiring farmers and foresters will compete for the opportunity to join us at a large farm which we will subdivide into 5-10 acre resident farms. These farmers will receive extensive consultation from business planning through harvesting and selling their products. They will also receive supplies, tools, starter livestock, etc. and share larger equipment with their fellow resident farmers. The incubator farmers will own 100% of their operations and lease the land at low or no cost, depending on need. When they have developed their ventures to a level where they can thrive on their own, NHIAF will assist farmers in transitioning to their own permanent farm locations.
Foresters who have completed their state licensing requirements will receive business consultation to develop their entrepreneurial skills and network with members of target markets. The goal with our licensed foresters is to strengthen their business plans, increase their exposure and clientele, help them network, and thus broaden the effect of their environmental efforts.
Where will the incubator be located?
The incubator is slated for location in Conway, on the fertile fields on the Saco River. We chose this location for its land availability and affordability relative to other areas of New Hampshire, as well as its soil quality, access to irrigation, and field sizes in excess of 50 arable acres per parcel.
Our desired flagship location is the existing Eastern Slope Farm (see photos below!), a landmark dairy farm and historical icon of the Mount Washington Valley. The North Conway Scenic railroad also passes through the fields, allowing visitors from all over the world the opportunity to see our farmers at work. We are working diligently to secure funding for the lease/purchase of this farm, with the goal of placing its more than 200 acres into permanent conservation. Please help us save this farm from development and grow NHs next generation of farmers on it with a donation or corporate sponsorship today.
In time, we would also love to see other incubators placed around the state, and we are open to established farmers who would like to host a resident farmer and/or serve as mentors.
Who will participate, both in mentoring and residency?
We will engage an experienced staff of business, farming, and forestry professionals who will advise, guide, and advocate for our farmers and foresters as they build their businesses. We will also bring in subject matter experts and coordinate with UNH Extension and other professionals in New England to present a robust hands-on educational program.
Our resident farmers will be chosen for farmerships based on the results of a rigorous application process, designed to select hard-working individuals, families, or other partnerships that can embrace and implement sound and progressive business and cultivation practices. Every farmer will need to demonstrate a dedication to farming sustainably with a spirit of continuing the NHIAF culture of giving back.
When will operations begin?
Right now! We currently provide on-farm consultations around the state and border towns, as well as substantial benefits for Institute members. As soon as we complete capitalization for the incubator, we will begin four-season operations with as many resident farmers as our finances can support. Please contact us if you feel we can assist your farm.
How can I get involved?
Become a member or donor today! Let us know if you are interested in our incubator residency, or if you are willing to support our mission in some other way. We will be happy to provide you complete information and answer all your questions.
How can I purchase products from incubator farmers?
One of our major projects is helping solidify direct and profitable relationships between our farmers and foresters and their prospective customers. We look forward to working with restaurants, schools, hospitals, bed-and breakfasts, and other institutional buyers and purchasing agents. Please contact us, and we will help set up a customized, hassle-free solution for you.
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Please check back soon for courses and seminars offered by NHIAF and our partner organizations!
Executive Director
Suzanne Brown founded and leads The New Hampshire Institute of Agriculture and Forestry (NHIAF). Suzanne began her career as a Marine Corps officer and has spent more than 20 years working in technology, real estate development, marketing, and sales consulting. The non-profit NHIAF implements programs to help aspiring farmers and foresters overcome the barriers to entry and leverage innovations in cultivation, renewable energy, distribution, and marketing.
Suzanne graduated from Pinkerton Academy and the United States Naval Academy and holds an MBA from Pepperdine University. She also teaches Entrepreneurship, Small Business Management, and Organizational Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University. Suzanne resides in Conway with her spouse, two teen-aged daughters, and a 7-year-old son.
Business Development Director
~Open Position!~
Farmers/Foresters
Associates
Discounts/Deals
Please click above to tell us who you are, and we'll tell you what Institute membership can do for you!
(Hint: it's the kind of help and power those of us in the New Hampshire woods and fields have needed for a long time!)
Why should you become a member of NHIAF? For only $50 per year:
1. As a farmer or forester, you become a vital part of the buying power we need to make our operations and careers more profitable and fulfilling.
2. Discounts on equipment, tools, supplies, and services. Show your card or mention your membership and save!
3. Free basic business advice, including how to find farmland, marketing, human resources, accounting, technology, compliance, etc.
4. Free referrals to specialists statewide who can assist you with advanced business and technical issues. Find answers fast!
5. Opportunity to apply for a "farmership", long-term specialized asstance for your farm operation.
6. Discounts on seminars, classes, and professional meetings.
7. Listing with full contact information on this website, optimized for Google's search engine.
8. An opportunity to be the "featured member" on this web site, including a visit from NHIAF to take photos and hear your story!
Join Today!
Associate members are vital to the success of any farmer or forester.
You’re the ones who offer the right tools and materials to make sure we can grow our businesses. You keep us legal, make us look good, cover us in case of emergencies, and add value to our products.
So how can NHIAF help your business? For only $100 per year:
1. You are listed here on this web site, as well as in the welcome package we send to our new members. Along with your contact information, we will list any specials or discounts you offer.
2. Plus, we know that you can use discounts, too. Some of you are even part-time growers and woodsmen. So show your card to your fellow members and save!
3. When farmers and foresters contact us for assistance, we will recommend your products and services to them when appropriate. A great networking and lead generating opportunity!
4. Our staff participates in and attends trade shows, seminars, and demonstrations. We showcase our associates in our booths, literature, and digital media. We want to leverage your exposure to agriculture and forestry professionals.
5. Exposure at our incubator site. Resident farmers and foresters, as well as visitors will have the opportunity to see your brand.
6. All sponsorships include an associate membership. So for even greater exposure, please consider becoming a sponsor!
Please be as generous as possible to support our non-profit organization and programs.
We will put your dollars to work as an investment in New Hampshire's farms, forests, food supply, and environment.
If you have donated in the past, we thank you!
Donate Now!
Please enjoy our ever-increasing photo collection of New Hampshire's farmers, foresters, and the people like you who support them !
Please note: The link above will allow you to donate in increments of $50 using your credit card or PayPal.
We are also happy to securely process your credit card by phone or accept a check made payable to NHIAF. For your security, please do NOT email your credit card infomation to us. Thanks!
Farmers
Foresters
Below are our members, their contact information, products and services. The strength of our institute depends upon your loyalty to these members. Please do your part to buy local!
Granite Spirit Farms and Forests
Owners: Suzanne and Catherine Brown and Family
1857 White Mountain Highway
P.O. Box 5002-166
North Conway, Carroll County, NH 03860
(603) 969-9896
info_granitespirit.com
www.granitespirit.com
Foresters coming soon!
Mt. Washington
Mt. Adams
Mt. Jefferson
Partners
Carroll County United
NH Sustainable Lodging and Restaurant Program
Become a Sponsor
Please Check Back Soon!
There is a wealth of information and support here for New Hampshire farmers and foresters, and many organizations have chapters, departments, and offices specific to counties and towns.
Members, feel free to contact us first for a recommendation on the best place(s) to start. We can quickly make introductions to the people who can best assist you, saving you time and frustration.
If you know of a resource not listed here, please tell us!
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center
www.agmrc.org
Agricultural Marketing Service http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/
American Farmland Trust (New Hampshire) http://www.farmland.org/programs/states/nh/default.asp
Eastern States Exhibition (The Big E)
www.thebige.com
Future Farmers of America
www.ffa.org
Grants.gov
Land & Community Heritage Investment Program www.lchip.org
Land For Good
www.landforgood.org
MicroCredit-NH
www.microcreditnh.org
National Ag Safety Database http://www.nasdonline.org/document/2125/d000101/agsafe-agricultural-safety-training-materials.html
National Agricultural Statistics Service: New England http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/New_England/index.asp
New England Small Farm Institute www.growingnewfarmers.org
New Hampshire 4-H
http://extension.unh.edu/4H/4H.htm
New Hampshire Board of Foresters http://www.nh.gov/jtboard/fr.htm
New Hampshire Business Resource Center www.nheconomy.com
New Hampshire Christmas Tree Promotion Board http://nhchristmastrees.com/
New Hampshire Dairy Promotion Board www.nhdairypromo.org
New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food http://www.nh.gov/agric/
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services http://des.nh.gov/index.htm
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/DHHS_SITE/default.htm
New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development http://www.dred.state.nh.us/index.htm
New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands http://www.nhdfl.org/
New Hampshire Fairs and Expositions
www.nhfairs.com
New Hampshire Farm and Forest Expo www.nhfarmandforestexpo.org
New Hampshire Farm Bureau
www.nhfarmbureau.org
New Hampshire Farm Service Agency http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/stateoffapp?mystate=nh&area=home&subject=landing&topic=landin
New Hampshire Farm to Restaurant Connection www.nhfarmtorestaurant.com
New Hampshire Farm to School Program www.nhfarmtoschool.org
New Hampshire Farmers Market Association http://nhfma.org/
New Hampshire Farms Network www.newhampshirefarms.net
New Hampshire Fruit Growers Association www.nhfruitgrowers.org
New Hampshire Horse Council http://www.nhhorsecouncil.com/
New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association http://www.nhlra.com/
New Hampshire Made
www.nhmade.com
New Hampshire Maple Producers www.nhmapleproducers.com
New Hampshire Natural Resources Conservation Service http://www.nh.nrcs.usda.gov/
New Hampshire Online Farmers Market
www.nhfarms.com
New Hampshire Resource Conservation & Development Area Councils
www.nhrcd.net
New Hampshire State Grange
www.nhgrange.org
New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging and Restaurant Program
www.nhslrp.org
New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association http://www.nhtoa.org/
Northeast Deer and Elk Farmers
http://www.ndef.org/
Northeast Organic Farming Association, New Hampshire Chapter
http://www.nofanh.org/
Small and Beginner Farmers of New Hampshire www.beginnerfarmers.org
Society for the Protection of New Hampshires Forest www.spnhf.org
SPACE: New Hampshires Current Use Coalition http://nhspace.org/index.shtml
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education http://www.sare.org/
United States Department of Agriculture
www.usda.gov
United States Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov
University of New Hampshire College of Life Sciences and Agriculture
http://www.colsa.unh.edu/
University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension http://extension.unh.edu/
USDA Rural Development, Vermont/New Hampshire http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/VT/
Contact Form
Contact Info
FAQ's
Please feel free to contact us any time! We thrive on feedback, and we are always looking for new ideas and innovations.
Have a question? Check our FAQ's or ask here.
Interested in farming or forestry as a career? Let us know!
Address:
P.O.Box 5002-166
North Conway, NH 03860
Telephone:
Email:
info_NHIAF.org
1. Are you part of the Department of Agriculture, Division of Lands, or UNH Extension?
No, but we work very closely with the above and all other farming and forestry organizations to ensure we are supporting their work while developing solutions for our agriculture and forestry professionals. We are part of the NH Coalition for Sustaining Agriculture, comprised of all the state's major agricultural organizations and leadership.
2. Are you a state-wide organization?
Yes, we are. We are based in Conway, and we offer services throughout New Hampshire and our border towns in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Quebec.
3. What is a business incubator?
An incubator offers a common location to develop a new venture, taking advantage of resources and sharing capital- intensive items. Incubators are typically sponsored by a non-profit funding organization or venture capital group in order to keep expenses low for start-ups. When they are operationally and financially ready, the businesses are "spun off" from the incubator, operating on their own, and replaced with a new start-up venture.
4. What do I have to do to become an incubator farmer or a forester?
Please contact us, and we will provide you with information about the application process. There is no charge to apply and we accept applications throughout the year (on a rolling basis).
5. Is there a cost to obtain assistance from NHIAF?
Your membership fees cover basic assistance, and you can apply to either receive on-site consulting services or join our Conway-based incubator farm. Our farmerships are just like scholarships: a competitive award.
6. What are the requirements to become a client farmer?
You must reside legally in the United States, be a high school graduate, and be willing to learn and work hard. If you are still in high school, we welcome you to apply as an intern. There are no age or experience restrictions.
7. How are you funded?
As a private non-profit, we are funded with membership fees, donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants. If you can help us with our mission, please donate today!
8. How much does it cost to start a new farmer or forester?
Our research has priced the start-up costs for one new farmer or forester at an average of $25,000, not including land.
9. What kind of results do you expect in the first five years?
We expect that we will provide services to more than 100 client farmers and foresters and help generate millions more pounds of food for New Hampshire and our border towns. We will make huge strides toward making sure we grow more of our own food here in NH.
10. Is your program open to gardeners and homesteaders?
We encourage gardeners and homesteaders to become members for the savings on supplies and materials and the access to education. Our consultation efforts will be prioritized to those operations that intend to sell what they grow commercially.
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