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Every year, America loses 1.2 million acres of farmland - an area the size of Delaware - much of it our best and most productive farmland near where most Americans live. In New Hampshire and across the nation, AFT is a vital link between farmers, conservationists and policymakers, working to protect the best farmland , direct growth away from agricultural resources, provide healthy local food to all citizens, and help communities sustain local farms and farming.
What's New
A Northeast grocery chain has become the first retailer to join forces with the New England Dairy Promotion Board and New England Family Dairy Farms Cooperative to bring the concept of “fair trade” milk to consumers. Hannaford's 71 stores will promote the benefits of local dairy farms—including stewardship of the region’s farmland—and offer shoppers an opportunity to directly support dairy farmers through the “Keep Local Farms” dairy campaign. Cris Coffin, American Farmland Trust’s New England Director, is excited by the Hannaford announcement: “Educating shoppers about the value of our region’s dairy farmers will hopefully encourage them to donate to the campaign and help farmers receive a better price for their milk.”
Changes to Vermont’s "Current Use" Program—which helps promote the use of land for agriculture and forestry are likely to be considered early in the 2010 legislative session. In response to a challenge by the legislature to find ways to produce $1.6 million in savings or revenues through the program in FY2011, seven statewide farm and conservation organizations developed recommendations that are likely to form the basis for legislation debated this year. Recommendations include increasing the program’s dwelling exclusion for certain landowners, which would raise the needed state revenues.
Focus on New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Virtual Farmers’ Market offers consumers an on-line opportunity to order and arrange delivery of local farm products year round. The virtual farmers market coordinated by the NH Farm to Restaurant Connection which partnered with the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food, UNH Office of Sustainability Programs, Farm Credit Service and NH Made, gives consumers around the clock, one-stop shopping for New Hampshire meats, dairy products, baked goods, maple, condiments, beverages as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables. Detailed searches based on product, farm name, or even town name gives results based on the over 60 farms and food businesses listed.
New Hampshire Policy Update
The previously announced Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) Grant Round has been suspended due to shortfalls in the state budget. As the state of New Hampshire faced a $250 million deficit due to the economy, the LCHIP program will return the general appropriations funding to help the state fill the budget gap. Current grant commitments will still be met due to the dedicated deed recording fee. The timing of future grant rounds will be based on revenue from the recording fee. Created in 2000, the LCHIP program is the primary source of state funding for farmland protection projects.
FederAl Farm Policy and The Farm bill
What’s in the farm bill and why is it important? Find out what’s next for the farm bill and how we can make sure the legislation's promises are turned into programs on the ground.
Contact Us
New England Field Office
Cris Coffin, New England States Director
1 Short Street, Suite 2
Northampton, MA 01060-3952
(p)413-586-9330 ext. 29
(f)413-586-9332
ccoffin@farmland.org
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Budget Gap May Impact Vermont Farm and Forest Program
