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
Secure a funding pool providing farm business technical assistance grants
Secure and create a funding pool that provides grants to farmers for business technical assistance, allowing farmers to choose who they work with.…
Not Started Farm Business Technical Assistance Investment/Funding
Create collaborative partnerships between existing farm business technical service providers
Recommended partnerships and collaborations are between UNH Extension, the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food, NOFA-NH, NH Farm Bureau,…
Not Started Farm Business Technical Assistance Coordination/Network development or support
Engage all farmers to create inclusive disaster response policies
Small-scale, minority, and marginalized farmers should be sought out and included in the development of disaster response policies to ensure their…
Not Started Climate Resilience & Disaster Relief Policy/Regulation
Better coordinate the state’s response and communication in a disaster event
Coordination can occur in the following ways or areas: Expand opportunities for learning and practicing disaster preparedness skills in schools, 4-H…
In Progress Climate Resilience & Disaster Relief Program creation, support, or expansion, Coordination/Network development or support
Provide grant assistance for farmers to secure funding for climate resilience
Fund staffing positions to assist farmers in developing climate resilience plans, identifying resources, and securing funding. Craft a uniform…
Not Started Climate Resilience & Disaster Relief Resource/tool creation, support or expansion, Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding
Perform multi-area research on climate impacts to support farmers in adaptation
Research climate impacts on water, soil, pests, animal management, the effects of heat on human health, and applied climate research on farming…
Not Started Climate Resilience & Disaster Relief Program creation, support, or expansion, Research/Study
Dedicate funds for UNH to provide water, soil, and pest testing services and technical assistance.
Not Started Climate Resilience & Disaster Relief Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding
Secure permanent funding for the NH Conservation Districts’ Climate Resilience Grant program
Funding for the Climate Resilience Grant program, which provides farmers with grants to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation strategies on…
Not Started Climate Resilience & Disaster Relief Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding
Develop business coaching provider training programs specific to farm and food businesses
Develop or enlist expertise, like the Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institute, for business coaching provider training programs to help them understand…
Not Started Access to Capital Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding
Develop allocations for farm and food businesses to access low-cost financing
Explore opportunities for state, federal, and private funders and investors to develop allocations or reduce administrative burdens for farm and food…
Not Started Access to Capital Investment/Funding

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