NH Farm to School Workgroup

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The NH Farm to School Workgroup is a short-term, time-limited workgroup convened to inform the future direction, priorities, and strategic focus of NH Farm to School as it transitions into its next phase. Over approximately five meetings, the workgroup will gather input from key stakeholders to assess current needs, opportunities, and gaps across education, agriculture, and food systems. Insights from this process will help guide programmatic, policy, and partnership decisions to strengthen farm to school efforts statewide and better support New Hampshire farmers, schools, and communities.

This workgroup is led by:

  • Laura Alimayu, NH Farm to School Coordinator, UNH Extension
  • Mike Smith, NH Ag in the Classroom, UNH Extension

The NH Farm to School workgroup will be launched in February 2026.  The four meetings of this time limited workgroup are as follows: 

  • February 16, 2026 1:00 to 2:30pm
  • March 16, 2026 1:00 to 2:30pm
  • April 20, 2026 1:00 to 2:30pm
  • May 18, 2026 1:00 to 2:30pm 

 If you are interested in joining this workgroup, please fill out the form linked below.

 JOIN THE WORKGROUP

Recommendation Status Brief Topic Type of Action
Convene housing and agricultural advocates on land use issues
Host conversations throughout the state between housing advocates and agricultural advocates to foster dialogue, find alignment on common interests,…
Goals & Tags: Communities/Consumers, Local/Municipal, Nonprofits, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability
 In Progress Land Use Planning Program creation, support, or expansion
Increase market access and local sourcing in the value-added product industry
The NH Food Alliance to facilitate discussions with grocers, distributors, and food hubs to increase and streamline distribution logistics and market…
Goals & Tags: Farm, Fish, or Food Business, Nonprofits, State/NH, (goal) Local Food Economy
 Not Started Value-Added Processing & Co-Manufacturing Coordination/Network development or support
Add UNH Extension personnel to provide training for cost-benefit financial analysis of value-added production
Add personnel at UNH Extension to increase capacity in providing programming and training specific to the cost- benefit financial analysis of value-…
Goals & Tags: UNH Extension, Technical Assistance Providers, Nonprofits, Farm, Fish, or Food Business, State/NH, (goal) Engagement and Education, (goal) Local Food Economy
 Not Started Value-Added Processing & Co-Manufacturing Program creation, support, or expansion, Coordination/Network development or support
Overhaul the regulatory oversight of the New Hampshire food and beverage industry
A significant, collaborative, and evaluation-based overhaul of food and beverage regulatory oversight is recommended, including: Evaluating the…
Goals & Tags: State Agencies, NH Dept of Agriculture, Markets, and Food, Farm, Fish, or Food Business, State/NH, (goal) Local Food Economy
 Not Started Value-Added Processing & Co-Manufacturing Policy/Regulation
Collaborate with local governments to support zoning changes to allow affordable housing on farm properties
Zoning changes to increase affordable housing would include housing for employees to address both housing and labor needs, while introducing a…
Goals & Tags: Local/Regional Government Agencies, Farm, Fish, or Food Business, State/NH, (goal) Local Food Economy
 In Progress Supporting Future & Beginning Farmers Policy/Regulation
Develop a coordinated pipeline for beginning farmers that deepens existing agricultural training opportunities and communities
Those include UNH Extension’s New Farmer School, the Transition to Organic Partnership Program offered by NOFA-NH, and the Hannah Grimes Center’s…
Goals & Tags: Nonprofits, Technical Assistance Providers, Farm, Fish, or Food Business, State/NH, (goal) Engagement and Education, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability
 Not Started Supporting Future & Beginning Farmers Program creation, support, or expansion, Coordination/Network development or support
Expand opportunities for business education and support for new and beginning farmers
Through groups, such as the New Hampshire Ag Financiers, expand training and technical assistance opportunities; Assist growers in calculating…
Goals & Tags: Technical Assistance Providers, Farm, Fish, or Food Business, State/NH, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability, (goal) Engagement and Education, (goal) Local Food Economy
 Not Started Supporting Future & Beginning Farmers Program creation, support, or expansion, Coordination/Network development or support, Investment/Funding
Transition existing county and town farmland into beginning farmer incubator sites
Expand affordable land leasing programs and explore the potential of programs that transition existing county and town farmland into beginning farmer…
Goals & Tags: Local/Regional Government Agencies, Farm, Fish, or Food Business, Local/Municipal, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability, (goal) Local Food Economy
 Not Started Supporting Future & Beginning Farmers Program creation, support, or expansion
Support land transition for new and beginning farmers with tax relief or other incentive programs
Incentivize retention of land currently in farm use through tax relief or programs designed to support land transition to new and beginning farmers.
Goals & Tags: Farm, Fish, or Food Business, State/NH, (goal) Local Food Economy, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability
 Not Started Supporting Future & Beginning Farmers Program creation, support, or expansion, Policy/Regulation
Increase funding for sustainable and organic agriculture research
Particularly increase research that prioritizes collaborative on-farm trials and research with farmers and is focused on practical applicability,…
Goals & Tags: Farm, Fish, or Food Business, State/NH, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability, (goal) Natural Resources and Climate
 Not Started Production Techniques for Sustainable Ecosystems Investment/Funding, Research/Study

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