tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77853825681896754782024-03-14T02:04:00.170-07:00The Farm to You NH blogFarm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-60674217280481828432016-11-12T08:02:00.002-08:002016-11-12T08:03:57.438-08:00Diversity Gives Way to Bountiful Opportunities <div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
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Coppal House Farm, run by John and Carol Hutton
sits on 78 acres in the beautiful Lee, N.H. John and Carol started the farm 11 years ago after previously farming in Stratham, N.H. They have a highly
diversified operation that includes raising pigs, sheep, and chickens all while
growing numerous vegetables. They are a mixed power farm meaning they use draft
power and tractor power to accomplish tasks on the farm depending on which is
more beneficial to use. Sleigh rides in the winter time and three large corn
mazes attract many customers to drive to their farm stand on route 155. There
are many interesting features of the farm but one that stands out is the
production of sunflower oil.<o:p></o:p><br />
Seven years ago John had the desire to grow hog feed at the
farm. Pigs are their most expensive livestock to feed and being able to grow
animal feed fits the goal of the farm to be diversified and sustainable. The
option that the Huttons chose to go with was canola. They investigated how to
grow it through Vermont Cooperative Extension and information available from
growers in the Midwest. They purchased an oil press from Germany and were in
the business of growing canola. Unfortunately, after two and half years of
growing canola, the deer population discovered it and began munching away at it
in the winter months when it is dormant after a fall planting. Deer are tricky
to control in the winter time and they desolated the entire crop so it was time
to find something else that could work.<o:p></o:p><br />
At this point, growing sunflowers was the next
best option. Transitioning to sunflower production was a breeze after growing
canola because of how similar it is. Harvesting, pressing, bottling, and
labeling are all identical with the two crops so no new equipment was needed.
They use it to feed the hogs and can produce all of the hog ration (feeding
roughly 30 winter-raised hogs) on their farm save for adding trace minerals.
The sunflower meal, fibrous part left over after pressing, has a protein
percentage as high as thirty-three percent! Processing the sunflowers also
makes a beautiful sunflower oil that they sell in their farm stand and at
farmers markets. Each year they run out of oil because it is in such high
demand. The primary goal of the sunflower operation is to make hog feed; the
high quality oil made on farm is a tremendous added benefit of sustainability
at Coppal House farm. <o:p></o:p><br />
The uniqueness of this operation lies in its rarity
in New England. Coppal House is the only commercial sunflower grower in New
England. Sunflower production in the U.S. is concentrated in the Midwest. It is
also not highly common to use sunflower oil in this part of the country in
cooking. European countries, especially France, use sunflower oil much more
widely. Despite the fact of its uniqueness for the area that it is being grown
in, the oil made at Coppal House Farm has received national recognition and
awards. A National Culinary Award (similar to an academy award) was given to
the farm this year and John got to speak about the farm and its products in front
of 800 people. This award had considerations for farming practices used to grow
the sunflowers and the oil had to go through a twelve person taste test before
the award was given. As far as cooking uses are concerned, sunflower oil has
many. It can be used for stir-fry, baking, and with high temperatures. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Overall, the farming method used at Coppal House
farm is one of diversity, integration, and sustainability. The farm has many
functions and produces a wide variety of products and attractions. John and
Carol are passionate about what they do and are willing to share with people
why they do what they do. Both of them clearly believe in what they are doing.
Visiting the farm is a worthwhile investment of time to see local agriculture
in action, learn more about what they are doing, buy locally grown products,
and to support agricultural in your neighborhood. To learn more about the farm
visit <a href="http://www.nhcornmaze.com/">http://www.nhcornmaze.com/</a> for
more information. <o:p></o:p>Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-59855819744369114182016-10-03T20:36:00.002-07:002016-10-21T13:13:18.618-07:00Worst Drought in Northeast this Decade has Broad Impacts<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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the word drought is said, thoughts of California and the Salinas Valley come to
mind. Thoughts of large Midwestern irrigation system and raging wildfires also
emerge. Most do not think of the Northeast as a place of drought. But if you
are a farmer in the Northeast or have spent any time here for the past two
summer you probably know about the current drought conditions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the
Northeast currently and during the summer farmers were and are wrestling with
the worst drought the region has seen in a decade. This creates quite a problem
when considering the fact that the Northeast contains 175,000 farms that
produce $21 billion in food, hay, and flowers<a href="file:///C:/Users/TheBigBadErv/Desktop/Fall%202016/SAFS%20680/Blog%20One.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
Total production will likely not reach this figure due to lack of rainfall. Some
farms that usually produce 2 or 3 cuts of hay may only mange producing one cut
this year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Precipitation has been below
average for nearly all of the Northeast. Most of Connecticut and Massachusetts,
and all of Rhode Island received below 75% of normal rainfall from March to June<a href="file:///C:/Users/TheBigBadErv/Desktop/Fall%202016/SAFS%20680/Blog%20One.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
This is also true for large areas of New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, New
Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In contrast, parts of West Virginia broke record
rainfall amounts in the month of June. The USDA reported that in early July the
moisture in topsoil was very short for 51% of New York and 60% of New England.
Subsoil moisture was very short for 47% of New York and 56% of New England<a href="file:///C:/Users/TheBigBadErv/Desktop/Fall%202016/SAFS%20680/Blog%20One.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
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The Northeast drought may not be as
severe as the five-year drought currently plaguing the West coast but
conditions are hot and dry enough to stress crops and have prompted water
restrictions and bans in many towns. Increased numbers of wildfires are also a
concern. Some national weather experts are saying that these conditions could
last until the end of October and beyond<a href="file:///C:/Users/TheBigBadErv/Desktop/Fall%202016/SAFS%20680/Blog%20One.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
If one state were to be dubbed the epicenter of this drought it would be
Massachusetts. The United States Drought Monitor shows that three quarters of
the state are in some kind of drought condition and nearly the entire state is
dry<a href="file:///C:/Users/TheBigBadErv/Desktop/Fall%202016/SAFS%20680/Blog%20One.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.
Katie Campbell-Nelson, a vegetable production specialist with UMass Extension
reported yield and quality decrease in produce across the state and increased
irrigation costs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One farm that is experiencing the negative impacts of the
drought is the Warner Farm of Sunderland, Mass. run by Mike Wisseman and his family[6]. The farm is situated in the Connecticut River Valley with silty clay soil that holds water well. Despite this fact, Wissemann thinks that his farm lost tens of thousands of dollars due to the dry conditions. They were unable to plant the 2 or 3 acres of sweet corn or produce a second crop of zucchini like they usually do. The Wissemann family couldn't spend as much time working the land because they were busy installing irrigation lines.<br />
There is hope for those who make a living through agriculture and there are steps that can be taken to aid in times of need. Masoud Hashemi at the University of Massachusetts says that many farmers are calling for information about transitioning to no-till agriculture[7]. This means that crops are planted on top of existing vegetative matter from previous plantings rather than the land being conventionally tilled. Erosion concerns are minimized with this practice because naturally occurring soil aggregates are broken up and softened when soil is tilled. Soil is allowed to go undisturbed and perform some of its normal functions such as acting like a sponge to hold water and nutrients well. Crop rotation, cover cropping, and pasture rotation are other practices that promote soil health and reduce losses experienced in a drought.<br />
The satellite-activated U.S. Drought Monitor, located at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, is the go-to online map for Northeast farmers[8]. It has the ability to detect when a drought is on the way before the human eye can. Warning in advance is good but farmers also need to plan ahead. The impacts of a drought can be heartbreaking so farmers need a plan for how to prepare for and deal with conditions of low water.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Kaufman, Jill. "Northeast Farmers <nobr style="font-size: inherit;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">Grapple</span></span></nobr> With Worst <nobr style="font-size: inherit;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">Drought</span></span></nobr> in More Than a
Decade." <i>NPR.org</i>. NPR, 30 Aug. <nobr style="font-size: inherit;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">2016</span></span></nobr>.
Web. 03 Oct. 2016. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Mecray, Ellen. "Drought Impacts and
Outlook." <i>Nrcc.cornell.edu</i>. <nobr style="font-size: inherit;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">Northeast Regional</span></span></nobr>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Mecray, Ellen. "Drought Impacts and
Outlook." <i>Nrcc.cornell.edu</i>. <nobr style="font-size: inherit;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">Northeast Regional</span></span></nobr>
Climate Center, July 2016. Web. 03 Oct. 2016</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Northeastern US, Could Last Months." <i>Boston.com</i>. The <nobr style="font-size: inherit;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">New York</span></span></nobr> Times, 24 July 2016.
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Northeastern US, Could Last Months." <i>Boston.com</i>. The <nobr style="font-size: inherit;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">New York</span></span></nobr> Times, 24 July 2016.
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Decade." <i>NPR.org</i>. NPR, 30 Aug. <nobr style="font-size: inherit;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">2016</span></span></nobr>.
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Decade." <i>NPR.org</i>. NPR, 30 Aug. <nobr style="font-size: inherit;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">2016</span></span></nobr>.
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-14637776399284435502016-04-27T18:56:00.000-07:002016-04-28T11:14:52.712-07:00Honeyberries: The New Fruit In Town<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Honeyberries: The New Fruit In Town</h2>
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....Is it a blueberry? ....Is it a grape? Neither! The honeyberry (<i>Lonicera caerulea L.)</i>, also known as "haskap" in Japan, is native to Russia and up until recently was seen primarily in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Canada. It is part of the edible honeysuckle family, which contains mostly shrubs and vines. Generally grown in temperate regions, it is a cold hardy shrub to -54 degrees fahrenheit. Several varieties are viable for USDA climate zones 1-8. Ideal for farmers in New England, honeyberries can be harvested in the spring, earlier than nearly all other fruit in the area. Additionaly, the honeyberry grows well in a range of soil types. It is a wonder they aren't being sold at every farmers market in the Northeast! The berries have a distinctive taste- with their outer skin being sour and a tangly flavor inside. They are often described as tasting like a combination between a blueberry and a raspberry. It's common to see the berry used in jams, pies, ice cream, or just eaten right off the bush! Yield and taste are dependent on a variety of environmental factors such as: climate, variety, soil condition, and insect population for pollination.</div>
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<a href="http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/seeds-plants-gardening/product-images/op/z/HON-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/seeds-plants-gardening/product-images/op/z/HON-001.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a> Cultivation of the honeyberry is through cross pollination. Moreover, it requires two unrelated varieties of honeyberries planted in close proximity for pollination to take place. Dormant stem cuttings (placed in water or in the ground) allows the plant to root easily. A soilless mixture is ideal until the roots have developed. If you have purchased a non-dormant plant, an acclimation period is imperative to minimize environmental stress. It's important to watch out for factors that may cause damage, including excessively high or low temperatures, wind, direct sunlight, or frost snaps. </div>
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Once transplanted into prepared beds, the plants have shown to do best in a moderately moist soil, with a pH around 6.5 and organically amended mixtures. Space transplants 4 to 6 apart, in an area of your garden with good sunlight. Mulching approximately 5 feet in diameter is advised. Watering frequently in the first couple years is required, but much less is needed once fruiting occurs. In fact, honeyberries are exceptionally drought-tolerant. It generally takes 3-4 years for significant amounts of berries to be seen. The plants average at 3 to 5 feet tall. Like with any fruit crop, there will most likely be critters that will want to feed on either the bush or the berries themselves. Some of these include birds, deer, chipmunks, rabbits, voles, etc. Putting a fence or bird netting around your bushes may be helpful to reduce or eliminate the problem. </div>
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In a time where loss of biodiversity is so prevalent, nothing is more exciting that introducing a new species into the area! This crop is ideal for small to medium scale farmers in the northeast for a variety of reasons. Little attention is required, high yields on relatively small sized bushes, and high value are just some of them. Scientists are using selective breeding to further promote high-yielding plants. Because they are so new to the area, insect pest pressures should be relatively low. Furthermore, honeyberries are a great option for organic growers or no-spray growers, who are looking to avoid pesticides. Being the first farmer in your area to have honeyberries could mean great success for your business! Now ask yourself, why on earth wouldn't you grow honeyberries?! </div>
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<a href="http://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/how-to-grow/berry-plants/honeyberry-plants/acclimate">How to Grow Honeyberry Plants</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/honeyberries/how-to-grow-honeyberries.htm">Haskap Berry Info- How to Grown Honeyberries in the Garden</a></div>
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Ingvaldson, Bernis. "Move Over, Blueberries?" <i>Acres USA </i>Feb. 2016: 33-35. Print.</div>
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-7279501532921222012016-04-21T12:10:00.000-07:002016-04-21T12:10:55.459-07:00UNH Students Integrate Agriculture Systems to Create Food Security<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ProjectOASISUNH/" target="_blank"><b><u>Project OASIS</u></b> </a>(Optimizing Aquaponic Systems to Improve Sustainability) is the name of a research project started in January 2016, by a group of engineering students at the <a href="https://www.unh.edu/" target="_blank">University of New Hampshire</a>. The goal of their project is to "develop an energy efficient, sustainable hydroponic system that will provide the food insecure with a source of local nutritious food." These students have been collecting data and discussing their plans for this project since their freshmen year at the university, and are now working with <a href="https://colsa.unh.edu/nhaes/" target="_blank">UNH's College of Life Sciences and Agriculture</a>, along with the New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station at the <a href="https://colsa.unh.edu/nhaes/macfarlane-research-greenhouses" target="_blank">Macfarlane Research Greenhouses</a> on this research.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZfA2uR-e29uYTvZ4x8_zd972RYi0SU_ZHC83wzKvfE14FXXKCaLZK-1q1fqLbAN7GjXCxr2JyespGNQf1A9KfOpDAZpyvLOKeAoJY3OFOmtz0sf5WruwHWDpZqvQ4NdIMUYylMdn9gI/s1600/13020174_1008340275903569_152598967_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZfA2uR-e29uYTvZ4x8_zd972RYi0SU_ZHC83wzKvfE14FXXKCaLZK-1q1fqLbAN7GjXCxr2JyespGNQf1A9KfOpDAZpyvLOKeAoJY3OFOmtz0sf5WruwHWDpZqvQ4NdIMUYylMdn9gI/s320/13020174_1008340275903569_152598967_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The project was kicked off when four engineering students, Paige Balcom, Siddharth Nigam, Will Taveras, and Allison Wood made plans to create a sustainable aquaponics system down in Honduras. Unfortunately the plans for Honduras fell through; however, the students found a new location in Costa Rica with the help of Professor Andrew Ogden. The students traveled to Uvita, a small community in Costa Rica, during their winter break in January 2016. The students chose this site as a model for a community that does not have the resources to produce or access fresh food. This community's land lacks the fertile soil necessary to grow vegetables, and the cost of food continues to increase. It's also prohibited to fish on the coastline in this community because the land and ocean are part of a National Park which does not allow fishing. The aquaponic system that the students plan to build in this community could potentially provide both fresh vegetables and a source of protein for the people, creating a more secure food system.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFrN8f8wo6dlJDpcGCXsdZ4EbNHMX_AvvcewouI1_jlOEAFb5ferS-Gpnds4_3-htIIGk2jJ3C1y2txtHWV7jcJYcDox6Z1pra2AbOBvn0la9Hr0EfbinTYv7ZIGVw8zrUE2fotlZlKo/s1600/13020571_1008340302570233_1397639687_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFrN8f8wo6dlJDpcGCXsdZ4EbNHMX_AvvcewouI1_jlOEAFb5ferS-Gpnds4_3-htIIGk2jJ3C1y2txtHWV7jcJYcDox6Z1pra2AbOBvn0la9Hr0EfbinTYv7ZIGVw8zrUE2fotlZlKo/s320/13020571_1008340302570233_1397639687_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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During this initial visit, the students visited the community, collected site data, and spoke with many members of the Uvita community who are interested in helping with this project. After returning home, the students quickly got to work on the construction of the model system and the scalability of the system considering the site location. The students are working with Dr. Todd Guerdat, Professor Andrew Ogden, and several other UNH students in the Macfarlane Research Greenhouses. Their goal is to build a sustainable aquaponics system that is economically and environmentally feasible in the Uvita community and potentially many other communities around the globe. The system has been up and running in the greenhouses since March, and further testing is being done to review its efficiency and potential. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICzgmpEeXELhsRvrwWwIVCEy6QJAzhQuJARK6u0a1NzIiaahkLB-ya2T_MDgecAy0e-8ib0WRfFiSoHpq7SK0mFflksUMqEHir4ej3WLY-vfvYly9yJ1HREJlMniVitoyb5Z825NihZM/s1600/13020334_1008340289236901_1521853513_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICzgmpEeXELhsRvrwWwIVCEy6QJAzhQuJARK6u0a1NzIiaahkLB-ya2T_MDgecAy0e-8ib0WRfFiSoHpq7SK0mFflksUMqEHir4ej3WLY-vfvYly9yJ1HREJlMniVitoyb5Z825NihZM/s320/13020334_1008340289236901_1521853513_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Project OASIS has received funding from their third place finish in the student category at the <a href="http://www.unh.edu/socialbusiness/" target="_blank">Social Venture Innovation Challenge</a>, as well as from the Ocean Engineering Program, and a grant from Emeriti Council. The <a href="http://innovation.unh.edu/" target="_blank">UNH Peter T. Paul Entrepreneurship Center</a> also awarded the team a Summer Seed Grant. The team is excited to head back down to Costa Rica this summer to build the system for the Uvita community. Although the originators of this project are seniors, many other students have shown interest in continuing their research in upcoming years. Dr. Todd Guerdat and his team will continue to research these aquaponic systems with a goal to integrate agricultural systems in order to maximize nutrient recycling and resource management.</div>
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For more information and updates on the project, visit Project OASIS on Facebook! </div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ProjectOASISUNH/">https://www.facebook.com/ProjectOASISUNH/</a></div>
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-67125030984968561162016-03-23T18:12:00.000-07:002016-03-25T11:18:09.039-07:00Data Loggers: Monitoring Made Easy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onsetcomp.com/files/alldataloggers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.onsetcomp.com/files/alldataloggers.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onsetcomp.com/files/styles/image_widget_large/public/product-images/HOBO-Remote-Weather-Station-RX3000-open-module_0.jpg?itok=VCOVIHNt" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.onsetcomp.com/files/styles/image_widget_large/public/product-images/HOBO-Remote-Weather-Station-RX3000-open-module_0.jpg?itok=VCOVIHNt" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #7d7d7d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">www.onsetcomp.com</span></td></tr>
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The Hobolink Data loggers are an innovative technology that Farm to YoU NH adopted in August of 2015. Andrew Ogden, Farm to YoU NH instructor, was rewarded with a grant from The Tuttle Foundation's Endowment for Environmental Horticulture at UNH which helps to supports horticulture education, teaching, and research here at UNH. This has allowed Farm to YoU NH to better monitor and manage environmental conditions in our high tunnels. This system measures many variables in our field and high tunnels that allow students to track the micro-environment for our farming systems online. Hobolink uses sensors in the beds and a datalogger to measure specific variables: soil and air temperature, relative humidity (%), water content of soil, dew point, and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR). They are connected to a WiFi hot-spot that is installed in the heated high tunnel; this allows for 24 hours monitoring. The students can access this data online from any location to see the status of the farm. Having this system helps Farm to YoU NH stay as efficient as possible because the students can adjust the amount of irrigation and ventilation needed in the tunnels and on the field for optimal efficiency while also reducing waste. The Hobolink online database takes the data from the remote locations and create a chart for each variable measured. The changes in data are tracked for analysis and to make comparisons between the tunnels and the field, as well as making comparison between months, etc.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The set up of our data loggers in the high tunnels</td></tr>
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The cost of the equipment itself is fairly reasonable- the unit itself costs about $900 and each individual sensor is an additional $100-200. It's an investment for any grower to choose to make, but so far it has proven to be a very valuable resource to the class. Our data logger is connected to a WiFi hotspot that is set up in our heated high tunnel, but there are other options for internet connection, such as direct connecting an Ethernet cord or by using cellular service. They do not require a lot of electricity and can be run off of a very simple solar panel, allowing for use even in remote off-grid areas. We have incredible technology at our disposal and can access the information our data loggers record whenever we want. The links to the information that is recorded by our three sensors are posted below and we encourage you to take a look!<br />
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<a href="https://www.hobolink.com/p/d52ac0f50524c155df2afc193366abba" target="_blank"><b>Field:</b> https://www.hobolink.com/p/d52ac0f50524c155df2afc193366abba</a><br />
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<b>Heated tunnel:</b> <a href="https://www.hobolink.com/p/ca57f95cf9e89739fe988ed1a1d79ead">https://www.hobolink.com/p/ca57f95cf9e89739fe988ed1a1d79ead</a><br />
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<b>Unheated tunnel:</b> <a href="https://www.hobolink.com/p/8c892cc71f5e6a374eb28bd8a06b684c">https://www.hobolink.com/p/8c892cc71f5e6a374eb28bd8a06b684c</a>Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-30433198699583842782016-02-25T11:27:00.001-08:002016-02-29T17:38:00.408-08:00Farm to YoU NH- Then... and Now!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
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We are now in our fourth year of
production here at Farm to YoU NH at UNH (36 Spinney Lane at the Fairchild
Dairy in Durham, NH). It has been an amazing adventure to see how the student participants
of this program have transformed the way in which this farm runs and all the ideas
we have put into action. </div>
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Take a look at our first ever blog
to see how far we’ve come: <a href="http://farmtoyounh.blogspot.com/2014/02/get-to-know-farm-to-you-nh.html" target="_blank">Get to know Farm to YoU NH</a>.
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Starting in 2012, the students (with
help of one instructor, SAFS lecturer Andrew Ogden, and a production coordinator/teaching
assistant) have built two 90ft x 30ft high tunnels as well as formed two
growing fields that comprise roughly a half acre. Farm to YoU NH began producing
food in October 2012; just two months after the tunnels were finished and the
class itself began in spring 2013. We now deliver a variety of crops ranging
from salad mix and head lettuce, to tomatoes and peppers to the UNH Dairy Bar,
Conference and Catering, and the three UNH Dining Halls here on campus. In
total, we delivered 2519lbs to the Dairy Bar, 1,800 to catering, and 672lbs to the
dining halls in the 2014-15 school year alone. Three new initiatives during
this year for Farm to YoU NH include micro-greens production, cut flower
production, and hydroponic lettuce production.</div>
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See what else that we’ve done in
our community!<br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://farmtoyounh.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=f7h4ElMBAAA.FMp9k2WK0OoUi9cePooMeurKqCdK-Z761Ct8vjfYDotDFxgyYI_6xmPjF9gcoP0cnsVVLRSK136cpp9XJ5Ztkg._GnzF85aJYi0fLnd15m66Q&postId=8719151130707329505&type=POST" target="_blank">Farm to YoU NH and the Local Community</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7785382568189675478#editor/target=post;postID=4558272244688825605;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=16;src=postname" target="_blank">Harvest Day at the Farm!</a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">In the fall of 2014 the class
decided to plant
a pollinator bed from the middle of the outdoor growing field in hopes of attracting beneficial insects to our field by
providing them a habitat. Dr. Cathy Neal,
landscape extension specialist here at UNH, provided plugs of pollinator plants
to use in the pollinator bed. In the summer
of 2015 it was decided to add a second pollinator bed below the field and the
high tunnels, which was planted with transplants that were seeded in the high tunnels. This helped increase the natural flow of the pollinator population
throughout the field and high tunnels. It has also added to the aesthetic beauty
of our fields.</span><br />
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This semester, we are growing
strawberries, garlic and a combination of winter rye and hairy vetch as a cover
crop in the fields. In our unheated high
tunnel we are growing onions, carrots, kale, Swiss chard and an array of herbs. The heated high tunnel is growing kale, Swiss
chard, spinach, Mache (a very cold hardy leafy green vegetable), head lettuce
and salad mix. We just constructed a
germination incubator which is a foam box with a heating pad where we will begin to grow two varieties of ginger and turmeric.<br />
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<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We are currently in the process of
establishing this year’s crops! We have discussed and intend to grow some cultivars that were bred by
University faculty, Dr. Becky Sideman and Brent Loy. Dr. Sideman has
developed a tomato variety grown from hanging baskets which would minimize the space needed to grow tomatoes! Dr. Loy is a plant
breeder who has multiple varieties of melons and squash available from numerous regional and national seed vendors We will be using a variety of his squash in our “Three Sisters”
planting of corn, beans, and squash. Brent has also created a spineless variety of
summer squash which makes harvesting much easier! Using these varieties will
allow this program to hone in on all of the University's assets.</span></div>
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In the last four years the class
has flourished, networked<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Ogden,%20Andrew" datetime="2016-02-19T10:58">,</ins></span> and has made a name for itself. We
have implemented the use of four separate teams that all play important roles
to our class as a whole: Propagation, Production, Records Keeping, and Social
Media. Each team has various responsibilities and tasks to accomplish throughout
the semester, which allows the class and farm to function smoothly.</div>
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View,
Like, and Follow all of our pages on Social Media!<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/farmtoyounh/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/FarmtoYouNH" target="_blank">Twitter</a>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FarmToYouNh/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRYhVMC-pJRB620rqAhKAQ" target="_blank">YouTube</a></div>
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Fifteen to twenty-five students have actively participated in the course
each semester since the start of the program. The class offers a great opportunity
for students to gain practical first-hand experience about vegetable production
and farm management all the while getting their hands a little dirty.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIAEjAW0MQBR8bzx8HPrsO_z2nEGK5zs92J8mWftLJE5CCwYCROeMfcdQLGbJSpUWfqapQ99Z_kJYH2D5g7PFVfOo-dslmDvaUw-tLfOZsqxVJ8OmKJwE1l09mImZL0zpEQwrfFZmwTw/s1600/group+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: calibri; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIAEjAW0MQBR8bzx8HPrsO_z2nEGK5zs92J8mWftLJE5CCwYCROeMfcdQLGbJSpUWfqapQ99Z_kJYH2D5g7PFVfOo-dslmDvaUw-tLfOZsqxVJ8OmKJwE1l09mImZL0zpEQwrfFZmwTw/s320/group+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THEN- 2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdO-dIRIfgm_h8u5hlwOiXIHXJkLBzAuIDhorOrriozvZgbzaseKoiLY4ZjfvnS36m3PLn6Dw8Cb8BJHCFHy1ejOdAL_bAfQBHrnnRciyou5DSu8qt_GFY5hjQEmdaQZeZzIl58SgPf4/s1600/IMAG0694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdO-dIRIfgm_h8u5hlwOiXIHXJkLBzAuIDhorOrriozvZgbzaseKoiLY4ZjfvnS36m3PLn6Dw8Cb8BJHCFHy1ejOdAL_bAfQBHrnnRciyou5DSu8qt_GFY5hjQEmdaQZeZzIl58SgPf4/s320/IMAG0694.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOW- 2016</td></tr>
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-55347052087681916152016-02-11T11:28:00.000-08:002016-02-11T11:28:34.736-08:00At Home Season Extension: How to Keep Your Backyard Garden Growing Into the Fall <h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>At Home Season Extension: How to Keep Your Backyard Garden Growing Into the Fall </b></h2>
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<a href="http://www.finegardening.com/sites/finegardening.com/files/images/article/2083/Crop-protection_1457_JoshMcCullough1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.finegardening.com/sites/finegardening.com/files/images/article/2083/Crop-protection_1457_JoshMcCullough1.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a>It's that time of year again; the days are getting shorter, the nights are colder and the mornings are frosty. Things in the garden are dying back, maybe some of your more cold hardy crops are still hanging on but for the most part the outdoor growing season is over. As you drive by the university you may gaze longingly at the high-tunnels and greenhouses you pass on the road, wondering, "is there some way that I can extend the growing season in my backyard without one of these big, expensive high-tunnels?"<br />
Well as a matter of fact there is! There are a number of ways that anyone can construct a low-cost, season extending structures in their backyard. Here at Farm to YoUNH we are very lucky to have access to our two high-tunnels, one of which is heated, that allow us to grow food all through the winter; so we wanted to publish a guide on how you at home can continue growing some crops into and over the winter without a hi-tech, expensive structure.<br />
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Ways to extend the growing season:</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRys7KduWA3yv87lHe9DSCbq_e7Q4ukK9dLj_aDzwxwCtWMiwj1ohfqXPH4oMLPCQMrP6SwI8rzdvEapn7aHV76LDDJJPXoFHhva3aOZrHlc8J2i97Rphp85DN7sGMIxvg0uzgZg9nQGQ/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRys7KduWA3yv87lHe9DSCbq_e7Q4ukK9dLj_aDzwxwCtWMiwj1ohfqXPH4oMLPCQMrP6SwI8rzdvEapn7aHV76LDDJJPXoFHhva3aOZrHlc8J2i97Rphp85DN7sGMIxvg0uzgZg9nQGQ/s320/IMG_0312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
One of the easiest ways to help a garden grow longer into the season is by making a <b>cold frame. </b>A cold frame is essentially an insulated bed usually made of hay or straw bales and covered with plastic or glass. The beauty of the cold frame is that they are both easy and inexpensive to construct. You can use materials that you have lying around in your backyard, or with things that you can buy at a hardware store. The first step to a cold frame is to outline your beds with straw or hay bales; both are excellent insulators and can be cheaply purchased from local farms. Once your bed is framed by the bales, you can add <br />
plastic or glass over the top and secure it to the bales. Cold frames are extremely simple to construct and maintain and provide a warm enough environment to keep your plants alive longer into the fall, and protect them from frost damage.</div>
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<br />
<a href="http://chiotsrun.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/working-in-the-spinach-bed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://chiotsrun.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/working-in-the-spinach-bed2.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a>Another easy way to protect your crops that are already planted in the ground is to make a<b> low tunnel</b> over them. A low tunnel is just a series of hoops, usually of pvc pipe over a section of rebar, over the crop, and then cover with either plastic or a fabric covering like Re-may. Covering the hoops with fabric will protect the crops from frost damage, but will not have much of an effect on the temperature inside the tunnel. Covering with plastic will help to actually raise the temperature and relative humidity around the plant, which will encourage more growth as well as protecting the crops from frost at night. Low tunnels are ideal to keep your lettuce or spinach growing well into the fall, but the height of the tunnels can be adjusted to fit over any crop.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfMWkEG32_x5nX0UXBoH6-qzVXACIU3evM6qIzwzCtxXrSsb4MVKL9g-fPvsOTYrRGpAxWc8HPZQ5UqNy0bm6H0lCbiOzQaSc0rT9h6EIgE9U67Qz0nSmEP4LcvRYVIDAsmgEbfxBJMw/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfMWkEG32_x5nX0UXBoH6-qzVXACIU3evM6qIzwzCtxXrSsb4MVKL9g-fPvsOTYrRGpAxWc8HPZQ5UqNy0bm6H0lCbiOzQaSc0rT9h6EIgE9U67Qz0nSmEP4LcvRYVIDAsmgEbfxBJMw/s320/IMG_0249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Benefits of At-Home Season Extension:</b><br />
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So is it worth your time as a backyard gardener to build some type of season extension structure over your garden? Of course it is! All of these structures are very easy and cheap to build, making it a great option for anyone to do at home on any budget. Extending the season of your garden has many benefits as well. The earlier in the season you build a season extension structure, the later into the season you can plant for a late fall or early winter harvest, and you can give your already planted crops a late season boost that will have you harvesting your own produce well into the winter. As the season progresses, the plants require less water and fertilizer, weed pressure will be minimal if not completely nonexistent making maintenance a breeze. Once you have built the structures, they can be used in the spring to give yourself an early start to the garden as well; and they are easy to break down, put away or recycle the materials and then rebuild at the end of the summer. Season extension is an easy way for anyone, farmer or backyard gardener, to keep the garden growing well into the winter, you don't have to have a big fancy high tunnel to reap the benefits of season extension technology.<br />
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<br />Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-42479193890074246702015-11-05T11:20:00.000-08:002015-11-05T11:45:54.391-08:00Fall Canning Event<!--[if !mso]>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ99M1qpJo0RHXCfbIRKyUtaC3mVCuI5UNl7mwQoedpNwOGX8Qf-TeNJCvWXOzxh6sACwYxYcwBNB3cCLDmwI3nJeRJmEBE6OGjkyaryoOWCH3mxLLAc1kNMHNN_oNHkZqimAujI5Tqqs/s1600/Salsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ99M1qpJo0RHXCfbIRKyUtaC3mVCuI5UNl7mwQoedpNwOGX8Qf-TeNJCvWXOzxh6sACwYxYcwBNB3cCLDmwI3nJeRJmEBE6OGjkyaryoOWCH3mxLLAc1kNMHNN_oNHkZqimAujI5Tqqs/s400/Salsa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Canning can be a great tool for
preserving food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It allows for storage
of foods over long periods of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
means that even after the season is over these foods can be enjoyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are lots of ways to can foods and many
kinds of foods can be canned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
methods include pickling, pressure cooking, and boiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To learn more about ways to can visit the <a href="https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/nutrition-through-seasons/food-preservation-tips-and-resources">USDA
website</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Canning can also be
beneficial because, if done properly, refrigeration is not needed to preserve
the foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This saves energy and space,
and the food will stay preserved longer in a can than in the refrigerator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
For these reasons, it was a
valuable lesson for Farm to YoUNH students to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only did we get to experience canning as
the incredible process it is, but we also got to learn how to utilize the
vegetables we were growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
lesson in cooking and processing as much as it was a lesson in preserving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent a whole class period learning how to
can by cooking both salsa and tomato sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the process, we covered canning safety, cooking techniques, and
canning recipes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<h3>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Canning Safety</u></b></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCfUyswtBefPGGhG4fDj5Xgg1uNXWVEOtAkZS1nRTuJMaG1N8gwiVMg-kVHnr2kPhh3tUTiR2JaSdr_N5-yq5Tx7OD369OR-vUHVthFLCBdshgs2Zu34oe8c8KXjHGoW2YlqQE-c6p1E/s1600/Safety+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCfUyswtBefPGGhG4fDj5Xgg1uNXWVEOtAkZS1nRTuJMaG1N8gwiVMg-kVHnr2kPhh3tUTiR2JaSdr_N5-yq5Tx7OD369OR-vUHVthFLCBdshgs2Zu34oe8c8KXjHGoW2YlqQE-c6p1E/s400/Safety+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Canning is popular due to the fact
that it saves money and canned products have such a long shelf life. Many people do it at home,
but if not done right it can lead to sickness or death. A major disease that
happens from improper canning is Botulism (Andress, 2012). Botulism is caused
by the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Clostridium botulinum</i> bacteria
which can cause a rare but deadly food poisoning (Andress, 2012). The symptoms
are weakness, trouble speaking, seeing, and sleeping. The final stages can
cause paralysis and even death (Andress, 2012). It is extremely heat resistant
and shows little to no signs when examining the food that it resides within. To
prevent Botulism the only reliable treatment is to apply heat while canning low
acid foods (Andress, 2012). A pressure cooker is recommended over boiling or
other methods for the best success in removing the bacteria (Andress, 2012). In
high acid foods there isn’t as much of an issue with Botulism so conventional
boiling and traditional methods can be used (Andress, 2012). If done right
canning can be done safely and provide tasty treats all year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Our Canning
Project-The Food</u></b></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvh54a_m4pMOJ5pnJGDRCC5NKJqpKIYqDCwH0P9vrLWQTjBdzPGu3X3ukXK1NZtUyuIecj92_XmkQ3v1-zczVPGYKedK10l0-bbdlxkCmas57pU5OKwPH38gyK69ezk0MAFNioMqwWtI/s1600/food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvh54a_m4pMOJ5pnJGDRCC5NKJqpKIYqDCwH0P9vrLWQTjBdzPGu3X3ukXK1NZtUyuIecj92_XmkQ3v1-zczVPGYKedK10l0-bbdlxkCmas57pU5OKwPH38gyK69ezk0MAFNioMqwWtI/s400/food.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black;">All the
produce we used was grown by the Farm to YoUNH program. We found ourselves with
an abundance of wonderful tomatoes and decided the best way to utilize them
would be to can them. We also used our own peppers and garlic. Crops were all
grown at the high tunnels and in the field located at the Fairchild Dairy
center. The tomatoes and peppers were grown in the high tunnels to maximize
production and utilized trellises to allow for easy access for picking. These
crops were grown and cared for by the Farm to YoUNH students and farm manager
Ross MacKeil. We used just over 100lbs of tomatoes to make salsa and pasta
sauce. During the process of canning we also made tomato juice with some extra
tomatoes. This was a wonderful treat for everyone to enjoy while we canned.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<h3>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Our Canning
Project-The Process</u></b></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
We practiced two different
techniques of milling tomatoes for sauce production; by hand and by machine.
Sauce tomatoes were first cut into halves and cooked on the stove for a bit to
make milling easier for both techniques. The first technique, hand milling,
utilized a muddle and strainer. The strainer should be set over a pot to catch
the tomato juice. Tomato halves are placed inside the strainer then pressed by
hand with a muddle to separate juice from skin. Although this practice may
become tiring, it is the traditional technique and works well if you are not
making homemade sauce often or at a high volume. On the other hand the second
technique, a crank machine, was much easier and faster to use. This machine had
a funnel-like bowl on top, a hand crank on the side, and fastened to the side
of a table. Tomato halves were placed into the bowl, when the crank is rotated
the halves drop down into the machine where they become milled. A pot is placed
on the side to catch the contents. This method seemed to be preferred by the
class, and is ideal for producing larger quantities of sauce or making sauce
often.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHHwaC68bK59T-ioIq54mQo-csWi0gSCvWXo9Eg9hDJZQnaW9w2Fckp1qTXqh6DWSgaPiecy92f9a0soOKXmM4ZweGFe75uffsZZdHCytBJZn_9nLcIuLlOvP4Y5k1PyrsvItA05GMA0/s1600/canning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHHwaC68bK59T-ioIq54mQo-csWi0gSCvWXo9Eg9hDJZQnaW9w2Fckp1qTXqh6DWSgaPiecy92f9a0soOKXmM4ZweGFe75uffsZZdHCytBJZn_9nLcIuLlOvP4Y5k1PyrsvItA05GMA0/s400/canning.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
During the class canning endeavor,
mason jars were boiled on two separate occasions for different purposes. First,
both the jars and lids were submerged in boiling water for sanitation. Jars
were then pulled from the boiling water using tongs and filled with sauce or
salsa, leaving a half-inch of space before the rim. Once filled it is important
to wipe the top of the rim free of any water or food, so that the lid will seal
properly. Once the lid is secured on the jar it is again set into a pot of
boiling water. This second boiling technique ensures that any bacteria
introduced while filling the jars is killed, and creates an airtight seal. If
done correctly, the lid will make no movement or noise when pressed on.</div>
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<h4>
</h4>
<h3>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Recipes</u></b></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqft2w5lhrrnaq3AkzFpIWFHzptduZTIYe15rEsALYwTLUUjMZI8wP1LKX4wZqIF2cnjhFa7Sp8iFoR6RFn78AnuPratcsRAcbH8xpoGRIwEQZJAORxjdWS6OwHeDsPbdcBsjwyASNn0/s1600/cooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqft2w5lhrrnaq3AkzFpIWFHzptduZTIYe15rEsALYwTLUUjMZI8wP1LKX4wZqIF2cnjhFa7Sp8iFoR6RFn78AnuPratcsRAcbH8xpoGRIwEQZJAORxjdWS6OwHeDsPbdcBsjwyASNn0/s400/cooking.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
While we
used a recipe specific to our instructors and the produce we had on hand, there
are many ways of canning out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Recipe books are a good place to start, as well as the USDA website. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your family may even have recipes for you to
learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are feeling particularly
adventurous, open the fridge or walk out into the garden and create something
new! Just remember to always follow canning safety rules to prevent
illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find your recipe and get
canning today!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Source:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
Andress,
Elizabeth. “Home Canning: Keep Your Family Safe!” Foodsafety.gov. U.S.
Department of Health & Human Services, 12 September 2012. Web. 27 October
2015.</div>
Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-80849247479868851372015-05-29T13:21:00.000-07:002015-05-29T13:21:03.366-07:00 From Seed to Salad<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Here at Farm to You NH we produce
the salad mix, which mainly gets used at the UNH Dairy Bar in salads such as
the Wildcat Harvest Salad (pictured below). The mix includes a variety of lettuces
and a greens mix with mustards, baby kale and more. The mix is full with flavor
and incredibly fresh!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> To start growing a salad mix we purchase a lettuce mix and a greens mix from our local seed provider Johnny’s Seeds.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We then use a seeder to evenly spread lettuce
mix in half the bed area we are dedicating to the salad mix. About 5 days later
we then seed the greens mix in half the bed. Waiting is important because the
greens are a bit quicker to germinate and mature to the harvest size than the
lettuce mix. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> By staggering the seeding
both mixes are ready to harvest on the same day. We normally seed lettuce on
Monday and greens on Friday every 3 weeks for a continual harvest. Three
cuttings are harvested out of each bed and then typically buckwheat is seeded
as a cover crop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
When
harvesting greens mix enough plant should be left to regrow on its own. Ross is
pictured instructing Peter on proper harvest height. Once harvested we weigh
and then wash the mix in our sink. Following the wash is a spin in the salad
spinner. This orange magical tool helps dry off the mix so it will stay fresh
and clean. We then box it for shipping one mile to the Dairy Bar where they
prepare great meals made with our own salad mix!<br />
The salads are incredibly flavorful
and delicious and we hope you get to try one; they are available year-round as
we grow in our heated tunnel all winter so you can get fresh green in February!</div>
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<br />Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-83460905987229480112015-04-29T19:47:00.000-07:002015-04-29T19:47:32.767-07:00Recycle Everything. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Composting is an element of recycling that in most kitchens is put on the back burner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's easy to toss scraps into the trash and think composting is too difficult to do in your own home. We think of compost as a huge heap of magical organic material - and it can be, but it can also be a simple way to cut down on ea<span style="text-align: center;">ch of our food waste. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're interested in taking recycling in your life to the next level there are plenty of ways to do it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's good to see how compost works at it's core. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In our class last week we built a compost pile next to the high tunnels. What's awesome about our relationship with the dinning halls is that we supply food to them and then they give us their compost able food waste. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is important to layer the different parts evenly. We used a 5x5x5 pile system. We piled up layers of dry leaves, bedding and cow manure from adjacent Dairy barns, food waste pulp, already composted material, and then repeated. It was great to see that it is possible to use recycled material from the dining halls to grow the food for them. I'm excited to see what else we recycle on campus in the future. </span> <br />
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-23815367903506470002015-04-27T18:59:00.001-07:002015-04-27T18:59:43.050-07:00Career Technical Center Advisory Meeting<div style="text-align: left;">
On the evening of April 1st, I found myself cordially greeted by the teacher and chef in charge of the culinary program at the Regional Career Technical Center, housed in the same building as the Dover High School. He invited us to set our things down at our table, labeled "Life Sciences," and then meander back to the kitchen to receive some tasty hors d'oeuvres prepared by students. I filled my plate with bruschetta, pita bread with hummus and swiss chard grown in the school greenhouse, a risotto corn ball topped with what I assumed was pesto, and a spring roll, exchanging mutually hospitable smiles and murmurs with the chefs-in-training standing beside their creations. </div>
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I took a seat at the Life Sciences table with two Master Gardeners, Anthony and Jacqueline, and the horticulture and aquaculture teacher, Heather Fabbri. For the next half hour, we exchanged introductory conversation and suggested ideas about how to improve Heather's horticultural operation. We listened to Louise Paradis, the director of <a href="http://doverrctc.ss5.sharpschool.com/">Dover's Regional Career Technical Center</a>, speak about the Center's programs, students' achievements, and the goals of our meeting.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the programs offered at the Career Technical Center is Fire Science.</span></div>
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Twice a year, the Career Technical Center at Dover High School holds an advisory board meeting with students, faculty, and industry professionals to address the quality of its technical programs and electives. Program facilities and curricula are exposed to fuel a dialogue between teachers, administrators, and professionals. Ultimately, the Career Technical Center would like to ensure that the education they provide mirrors as closely as possible the conditions that students will find in the field when they graduate. This year, Dover High School and the Technical Center are up for renovations funded by the state and town which makes these talks all the more important.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The entrance to the school.</span></div>
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After Paradis's talk, Heather, Jacqueline, Anthony and I went down to the greenhouse to discuss improvements that could be made to the facilities and curriculum in the future. The horticulture classroom is something like your typical high school science room, with experiment stations all around the perimeter and typical veneered particle board tables for the students to occupy. This is where the resemblance ends, for instead of beakers and bunsen burners on the lab benches, there are fish tanks occupied by colorful ichthyes, and the classroom continues beyond closed doors into a tropical greenhouse, a propagation greenhouse, and even to a garden and (sadly) currently collapsed high tunnel.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Two of the many dozens of fish in the fishtanks in the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Some fresh spring strawberry growth out in the garden. </span></div>
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The possibilities for a facility like this are enormous. Consulting professionals for advice on these facilities is a wise move, and I hope that acting on their advice will be inexpensive enough that it is feasible to heed. With facilities like this, the question of curriculum arises; do we want to teach students how to perform simple agricultural tasks like transplanting seedlings and spreading compost, or do we want to teach more complex biological science and encourage them to conduct experiments investigating better agricultural techniques? Education about agriculture should not be about breaking down processes regularly carried out by cheap labor, such as harvesting, planting, and weeding. It should be about producing critical thinking individuals who are interested in confronting the environmental and nutritional challenges of today's agriculture. This progress that we hope to make in the coming years must cover many avenues; plant and animal research, community organization, utilization of food, and cultivation and irrigation practices, to name a few. We must push not only for improved facilities, but for improved curriculum which addresses the appropriate goal for the good of the planet and all organisms on it.<br />
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~Anne Howard</div>
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-66280025262941368982015-04-13T07:29:00.000-07:002015-04-13T07:29:14.824-07:00Orange Circle Farm <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobHj_L-7o2dFJHgA1DC-bCC1nablsHZF6Rh3Zw1E2EldzbT-0wMjicXlj9GVUKJQDSr2I4NoiFOOLqzTOnVqFyD6RISgK_xXVEb34Wh2Mq10Lx1nhwAixB2nnU76RPeIBdR12EmuBgO4/s1600/IMG_4507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobHj_L-7o2dFJHgA1DC-bCC1nablsHZF6Rh3Zw1E2EldzbT-0wMjicXlj9GVUKJQDSr2I4NoiFOOLqzTOnVqFyD6RISgK_xXVEb34Wh2Mq10Lx1nhwAixB2nnU76RPeIBdR12EmuBgO4/s1600/IMG_4507.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> Farm to
yoUNH takes a field trip to a local farm every semester. This time we visited
Orange Circle Farm in Stratham, NH. We were lucky to have the owner Jeff Benton
welcome us to his young farm (2013) and show us around. Jeff has a diverse farm
consisting of over 150 varieties of annuals, and around 100 Golden Buff laying
hens. Although Orange Circle is two years young, there is quite a bit going on
for a one-man operation. Jeff’s care for life is apparent although
everything he grows (including eggs) is certified organic; he even takes the
extra step to not spray anything at all. In Jeff’s words “The only
thing I spray on my fields is rain water”. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> That’s
right rainwater. He created a catchment system on one of the barn roofs to
collect rainwater. He stores 1,000 gallons of water per inch of rainfall. This
coming summer he plans to install a drip irrigation system that will irrigate
his crops from the water catchment. He has a pond on the property from which he
could pump water but Jeff values the surrounding wildlife and he feels that
putting a pump down there would disrupt the natural state the of the
pond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Further
solidifying his holistic approach Jeff feels that no food should go wasted!
Last year was his first year in production and although some things were a bit
more abundant than he expected he packed more into the CSA shares. He knows
that a lot of one item can be overwhelming to a shareholder so he sends out
weekly newsletters by email with suggestions on how to cook and or preserve
that week’s harvest. Jeff is upping his CSA membership this year from 40 to 65
shares and they are being scooped up fast! He is doing this with the help of a
part-time employee to help him harvest and pack the boxes. It is a 22-week
share with produce and eggs. It is the only way Jeff sells his food so his main
focus is the shareholders! No extra produce from the week will go to farmers
markets since all the harvest goes to the CSA members! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Thank you, Jeff for having us out! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Consider Orange Circle for your summer CSA share!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.orangecirclefarm.com/index.php"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt;">Orange Circle Farm</span></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0Stratham, NH, USA43.0228677 -70.916387342.929985699999996 -71.0777488 43.1157497 -70.7550258tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-76666617684397882772015-04-01T08:08:00.000-07:002015-04-01T08:08:05.241-07:00Time to plan your summer vegetable garden!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 27.0pt;">
Spring is finally upon us here in
New Hampshire, so it’s time to think about growing summer vegetables. In class,
we started seeds for transplant into our high tunnels a couple of weeks ago.
But don’t worry, you still have plenty of time to start seedlings of your own
for spring transplant and summer harvest! In this post, I’ll break down the
steps to take now for planning a summer vegetable garden from seed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image: theguardian.co.uk</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 27pt;">Firstly, you’ll need to know how
much space you have to deal with. Draw your garden plot to scale (</span><a href="http://www.printfreegraphpaper.com/" style="text-indent: 27pt;">graph paper</a><span style="text-indent: 27pt;"> might help). If you
have a large garden (greater than about 4 feet in either dimension), mark out
rows 3-4 feet wide with walking paths of about 2 feet between them. Also
consider the amount of time you will have to maintain your seedlings and your
outdoor garden. Given the space and time you have, decide how many different
crops you want to raise, and what they should be. Note that the fewer different
crops you choose, the easier they will be to manage.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Look through a seed catalog, or a
seed-supply website, to choose varieties for each of your crops. We get our
seeds for Farm to YoU NH from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, an employee-owned
company in Maine. If you are aware of pest or disease problems on or near your
land, be sure to choose varieties that are resistant to those problems, if they
are available. If this is the first vegetable garden on your plot, consider how
wet the area is. If it doesn’t drain well, your plants will likely be at higher
risk for fungal disease, so try to choose disease-resistant varieties.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image: thedemogarden.org/garden-templates/</span></div>
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Block out your garden diagram
with the varieties you’ve chosen, keeping in mind your desired harvest of each
crop and the relative sizes of the mature plants. (For example, tomatoes take
up a lot more space than carrots.) Proper air circulation and light
availability are very important, so be sure not to overcrowd your garden. In
NH, sunlight comes from the south, so place shorter plants to the south and
taller plants to the north to avoid shading out the short plants.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once you have a layout planned,
you can figure out how many plants of each variety you will need. You can
either use the spacing information provided in your seed catalog (or on the
seed packet itself), or use an online tool like <a href="http://www.johnnyseeds.com/seedcalculator.aspx?source=W_InteractiveTools_122014">this
one</a> from Johnny’s. Plan to start 10-20% more plants than you will actually
need, in case some don’t germinate.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next, use a calendar to plan
planting and transplant dates. In NH, most growers wait until Memorial Day
weekend to plant outside, to avoid the possibility of a late frost. Using this
date as a guide, mark on your calendar your desired transplant date. Then count
backward from that date to find your seed-planting date(s). Refer to the table
below for the number of weeks from seed to transplant in the field, or use the <a href="http://www.johnnyseeds.com/e-pdgseedstart.aspx?source=W_InteractiveTools_122014">Johnny’s
calculator</a>, which gives dates for many different crops in one table after
you enter the date of last frost.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image: New England Vegetable Management Guide, 2014-2015
Edition.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Now you’re ready to buy or order
your seeds. But don’t forget the media and containers! For seedlings, a
finely-textured potting mix is ideal. Many mixes are marketed specifically for
seed-starting. There are several different styles of containers for starting
seeds, and which type you should choose depends largely on personal preference.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There are two things, however,
that all of your seeds will need to be successful: moisture and heat. Make sure
your potting media is thoroughly saturated before planting, then follow the
directions on each seed packet for seed spacing and depth. Different seeds need
different temperatures to germinate, so you might need a heating pad (available
at garden centers and seed suppliers), depending on your crop choices and the
temperature in your propagation area. Use the chart above to determine optimal
temperatures for your seeds. Notice that after germination, most seedlings
require lower temperatures for optimal growth, so adjust or remove any
supplemental heat once the seedlings have emerged. Don't forget to label your containers; most seedlings look very similar to each other!</div>
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<span style="text-indent: 27pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 27pt;">To take care of your planted
seeds once they are in a warm environment, keep the potting media moist, but
not constantly saturated. Too much water can be just as detrimental to the
growth of a seedling as too little water, and can lead to problems like root
rot. For the first few days of a seedling’s life, it draws on stored nutrients
from the seed, so fertilizer is not required. Some seeds, like lettuce, do require
light for germination and need to be planted close to the soil surface. Once
the cotyledons (the first, “false” pair of leaves) have emerged from the soil,
the plants will begin photosynthesis, and should be kept in a well-lit area to
grow into strong transplants.</span></div>
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-59296019770036112262015-03-23T11:12:00.000-07:002015-05-08T13:32:29.520-07:00High Tunnel Insects<div style="text-align: center;">
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The thaw of March 11th was too good to be true; just in time for spring break, we had weather that lifted our winter-wearied spirits and painted smiles on faces all around. The high tunnels that morning smelled rich with spring soil and felt humid with the misty air. The plants looked happier then than they have for the whole of spring semester, and though the temperature has dropped again and the cold winds have risen, that morning was a sure sign that wintertime is crumbling.<br />
<br />
With activity to rival that of the plants, the insects that have found refuge in the high tunnels during these cold months are flourishing. A few weeks ago, our expert entomologist and Insect Pest Management professor, Dr. Alan Eaton, was kind enough to come out to the high tunnels and give the class a tutorial on insect identification and management.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKUhKVTXjA_ZjWnE5hYY6hBt97ekBrtK-dG6MkQQMjvEBZBqPoo6ywiwCXZCk0NkZaW0_SL1jIxgG324Nj3tS7UVOukagXUZQ6v27d59u7jBDJimLVCzAMBYvQklTHJqeF5m_BBTX_Ms/s1600/IMG_3443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKUhKVTXjA_ZjWnE5hYY6hBt97ekBrtK-dG6MkQQMjvEBZBqPoo6ywiwCXZCk0NkZaW0_SL1jIxgG324Nj3tS7UVOukagXUZQ6v27d59u7jBDJimLVCzAMBYvQklTHJqeF5m_BBTX_Ms/s1600/IMG_3443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Alan Eaton giving fair warning that sticky yellow cards </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">will </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">grab long hair and fine clothing as readily as </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">flying insects.</span></div>
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Our class explored the heated high tunnel looking for thrips, aphids, fungus gnats, whiteflies, shore flies, parasitic wasps, and the ambiguous "other," seldom identified because, as Dr. Eaton reminded us regularly, not everything in the greenhouse is a pest.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5p73GwRVqWWPrrX3C42ClfivwSHgiDdrJMBeVid1aUCjTLgN3C4w9FD0BCbCYflv-rPDPCejF1x6guSCbvcpTqd3yhZQBFJgPFxYcObU8bLzLHib5ZwjGCQd62WAabI1f51ezUTAeNEA/s1600/IMG_3445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5p73GwRVqWWPrrX3C42ClfivwSHgiDdrJMBeVid1aUCjTLgN3C4w9FD0BCbCYflv-rPDPCejF1x6guSCbvcpTqd3yhZQBFJgPFxYcObU8bLzLHib5ZwjGCQd62WAabI1f51ezUTAeNEA/s1600/IMG_3445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Our classmate Pete enjoying the world in 10X.</span></div>
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A few insect identification tips for our readers:</div>
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Thrips (sing., thrips; pl. thrips) are tiny, dark-eyed, straight-bodied insects with straight antennae and a stature so small that their wings are composed only of fine hairs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n1j-EElRdT2K9ksjISO8zrD-UzHcZGXDyzbvToYwORVQN7Oml06Uz2XDjYcuJfyhdE4f96vO6BASdMMO-Cax4yWiScZxLqOK4HCzMX5pSIrnnXSnVSXwsSOS6bNtetw5z2LKXVq0dv4/s1600/Thrips.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n1j-EElRdT2K9ksjISO8zrD-UzHcZGXDyzbvToYwORVQN7Oml06Uz2XDjYcuJfyhdE4f96vO6BASdMMO-Cax4yWiScZxLqOK4HCzMX5pSIrnnXSnVSXwsSOS6bNtetw5z2LKXVq0dv4/s1600/Thrips.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo of thrips on a marigold blossom.</span></div>
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Aphids are plump-bodied insects that cannot be properly identified based on color or presence of wings. There are many of species of aphids that dwell in greenhouses and high tunnels, and proper magnification is necessary for accurate identification. Look at the notch on the head of the aphid to determine what kind it is. White casts on plant leaves are a telltale sign of aphids. Copper colored aphids are actually aphid "mummies" that have been parasitized by wasps. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgu8-RcytRzNMiaa6kMe4ljYz1zgai8GIFNziDK8tUABGO8vwRTBCdHePR9y9zswMDo1X_TvJ1mzVFX8NHLDwlPLRCApmrGu0eisYS3R-HKgodSZ2ZoMdY22HwP4TWP7OSsH6gUuVuDo/s1600/Winged+aphid.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgu8-RcytRzNMiaa6kMe4ljYz1zgai8GIFNziDK8tUABGO8vwRTBCdHePR9y9zswMDo1X_TvJ1mzVFX8NHLDwlPLRCApmrGu0eisYS3R-HKgodSZ2ZoMdY22HwP4TWP7OSsH6gUuVuDo/s1600/Winged+aphid.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Winged aphids will often give birth after getting </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">stuck on yellow sticky cards. The parallel veins on</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">the </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">wings </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">are also characteristic of aphids.</span></div>
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Parasitic wasps are effective predators of aphids--female wasps lay their eggs in the aphids, which are eaten by the larvae, always orange in color, after they hatch. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHDs3b_w-n1Zi0G5oV6z6gqokiLP3WD9PhQsfXMkQivIIb0a8QsS6G14oNb1YoCNMpIebB_SALiCP5ZpBTUImDULPcnwQvNwyu168gycNFLFSZfu0A4PXlaXKXCH3b2ozGN9pwM7QWbU/s1600/Aphidius+colemani.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHDs3b_w-n1Zi0G5oV6z6gqokiLP3WD9PhQsfXMkQivIIb0a8QsS6G14oNb1YoCNMpIebB_SALiCP5ZpBTUImDULPcnwQvNwyu168gycNFLFSZfu0A4PXlaXKXCH3b2ozGN9pwM7QWbU/s1600/Aphidius+colemani.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Aphidus colemani, </i>a species of aphid wasp.</span></div>
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Fungus gnats are long-legged, thin-bodied, dark insects with y-shaped veins on their wings and long antennae. They thrive in wet media and feed on decaying organic matter, though they will often burrow into fresh cuttings and eat the inside of the stem. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbTf_bCYdblxsd-0e7sdnRz1ukjkKvWa5G1cpnAdTtqwRcHP1TgHFAnxHA3NtNl3kn22iCcnXWBkMsDaRdnWYqxy98-IxSJ7zVwjxSxOspVhGFwy9zDpF4v2tU4EyieS0v7S2pJPzwYw/s1600/fungus+gnat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbTf_bCYdblxsd-0e7sdnRz1ukjkKvWa5G1cpnAdTtqwRcHP1TgHFAnxHA3NtNl3kn22iCcnXWBkMsDaRdnWYqxy98-IxSJ7zVwjxSxOspVhGFwy9zDpF4v2tU4EyieS0v7S2pJPzwYw/s1600/fungus+gnat.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">An adult fungus gnat on a sticky yellow card. </span></div>
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Shore flies are perhaps the most distinctive of insects in the greenhouse; they have smoky wings with clear spots that appear white. No other insect has wings like these, so they are easily identifiable. They can be vectors for pathogens, but they are mostly a nuisance and can make greenhouses appear quite infested. Shore flies feed on algae, so controlling algae growth can be an effective preventative measure. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk6iqf1XxHVp_zHZsVVcQjq2FehgdgyV_vdxUG21Q-L7L9BWVDv1yZpEbgVSQtduJZSZZXUAMw7i-ERXLG4ZJeEgY4ZO8QQhtfnK61b8PocuO3EOfk3_EZqfdNiBYA3bUVAjdqejpfTs/s1600/shore+flies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk6iqf1XxHVp_zHZsVVcQjq2FehgdgyV_vdxUG21Q-L7L9BWVDv1yZpEbgVSQtduJZSZZXUAMw7i-ERXLG4ZJeEgY4ZO8QQhtfnK61b8PocuO3EOfk3_EZqfdNiBYA3bUVAjdqejpfTs/s1600/shore+flies.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">An adult shore fly with the characteristic</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">spotted wings. </span></div>
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A sincere thank you to Dr. Eaton for teaching us about greenhouse pests, and for providing these images to pass on to our readers! Until next time, keep an eye out for pests, watch things grow, and enjoy the coming spring! </div>
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~Anne Howard</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos and information courtesy of Alan Eaton, University of New Hampshire Entomologist. </span></div>
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<br />Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-6805143405484777792015-02-23T09:17:00.000-08:002015-02-23T10:39:09.942-08:00Thoughts on Agricultural Education: An Introduction <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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The spring semester has brought a new group to Farm to You NH, and with it new opportunities. I am studying Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems with a double major in Humanities, and have been given the chance to adapt this course to accommodate an agricultural education project of mine that has been underway for about two years. Over the next two months, I'll be writing about my encounters with teachers and students in local schools.</div>
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Three
years ago, I informally removed myself from the Sustainable Agriculture
program to pursue work at the <a href="http://colsa.unh.edu/aes/odrf">Organic Dairy Research Farm</a> and in the Humanities program. My interest in agriculture was feeling the strain of my limited
practical knowledge, and it seemed time to make a decision as to whether
agriculture truly called to me. I indulged myself in the humanities and poured
my extra energy into my work at the dairy farm.<br />
Gradually, and without a
conscious understanding of my transformation, I dropped the pretense of care
for agriculture and adopted a genuine and earnest passion for it instead. I sought work beyond the dairy farm with the hope of learning more, and found a
community at <a href="http://www.barkersfarm.com/">Barker’s Farm</a>, then at <a href="http://hickorynutfarm.com/">Hickory Nut Farm</a>, then at <a href="http://springledgefarm.com/">Springledge Farm</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6csqqeCNLPCZgFTbwPe-vcCwNJlQrqZM2IeLNQuiYlE1li8b-C95UXIVL2tahXt5Pl2dZMDj3Cs6FsCF9tB2hRnLSnnDejXxLIAP1JtLnME8oJQFzX1qqYTTGFNhCQFg2VbbxnJw9WY/s1600/Tractor+Barker's+.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6csqqeCNLPCZgFTbwPe-vcCwNJlQrqZM2IeLNQuiYlE1li8b-C95UXIVL2tahXt5Pl2dZMDj3Cs6FsCF9tB2hRnLSnnDejXxLIAP1JtLnME8oJQFzX1qqYTTGFNhCQFg2VbbxnJw9WY/s1600/Tractor+Barker's%2B.gif" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Barker's Farm in Stratham, NH</span></div>
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I became a formal member of the Humanities major, and slowly picked up
agriculture classes again, finding this time that, with a vigor of curiosity, I
was fascinated by the academics of agriculture. The broad, abstract thought of
the humanities indulged my desire to discuss, to feel awe, to wildly seek
knowledge of all things human, while my work at the farms grounded and humbled
me, a laborer in the care of plants and animals whose importance transcended
that of my schoolwork. I learned to love the work deeply, not as something
oddly estranged from my love of the humanities, but as something inextricably
bound to it. I found that farming—socially, spiritually, and physically—tapped
into my very deepest humanity, and opened up a world of harmony and conflict. Exposure to such a world, I believe, primes an individual for self-actualization, which in turn breaks the trail to happiness. What I wish to do, as best as I am able, is to act as a guide for those who find passion in the same places as I--gardens, farms, nature, recreation, and community.<br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Lev_Tolstoy_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Lev_Tolstoy_photo.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, a major author </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">in the humanities and a lover of agriculture.</span></div>
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And
so this lengthy road has brought me to SAFS 679 and Farm to You NH, where I
have the opportunity not only to explore agricultural education for my own
benefit, but also to forge connections with local schools in the hope that UNH
can offer knowledge and resources to improve school gardens, greenhouses, and school to farm and farm to school programs. With the accommodation and kindness of several teachers, I
have been able to observe what goes on in classrooms at <a href="http://www.dover.k12.nh.us/education/school/school.php?sectiondetailid=89">Dover Middle School</a>, <a href="http://www.dover.k12.nh.us/education/school/school.php?sectiondetailid=75&">Dover High School</a>, <a href="http://www.orcsd.org/school/orms/">Oyster River Middle School</a>, <a href="http://www.cornerstoneschool.org/">The Cornerstone School</a>, <a href="http://www.putneyschool.org/">The Putney School</a>, and <a href="http://www.acornschoolnh.com/">Acorn School</a>. I have also had the opportunity to
volunteer with <a href="http://www.agclassroom.org/NH/about/index.htm">New Hampshire Agriculture in the Classroom</a> and teach lessons on
perspectives of agriculture and soil dynamics to middle scholars in the area. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Students were given a brief lesson on oxen before they visited </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">with them and led them through an obstacle course with the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">guidance of their trainer.</span></div>
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These
experiences have given me a window through which to see the agricultural
knowledge that our culture naturally bestows upon it’s youth. Hopefully they
have also given a few kids a deeper understanding of and curiosity about
farming. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">But mainly, they have worked to produce churning and
conflicting thoughts in my mind about adults’ rights and duties as educators and mentors, and about how we must guide the newer members of the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> Alas, there is not enough time to elaborate here, but there is more to come. Until then, in Writer's Almanac style, "be well, do good work, and keep in touch."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">~Anne Howard</span></div>
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-3312592682653710822014-12-04T15:10:00.002-08:002014-12-05T06:42:37.377-08:00CSA Hacks: Preserve the Harvest!<br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/s2D7AoNk3KDa8CeC-hb8P0evV3MMFhB8Nfyp55OZqcG58xyb2Txwd7JRRH71dTi-pDObHgiLEA71Mn5tQvATmetBvliDB6-DqLlBzgZ_9ChxbtlcxfQ_omdivJg_AmaAjA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="FullSizeRender.jpg" border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/s2D7AoNk3KDa8CeC-hb8P0evV3MMFhB8Nfyp55OZqcG58xyb2Txwd7JRRH71dTi-pDObHgiLEA71Mn5tQvATmetBvliDB6-DqLlBzgZ_9ChxbtlcxfQ_omdivJg_AmaAjA" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none;" title="" width="238" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joining a CSA program, aka Community Supported Agriculture, is an excellent way to be supportive of your local farmers and familiarize oneself with the true seasonality of fruits and vegetables in your area. A typical CSA membership is defined by an investment paid upfront by the consumer, allowing the farmer to cover initial growing costs and have a hold of projected demand for the upcoming season. In return, the consumer receives box of vegetables, always a varied reflection of what’s being harvested, for a set number of weeks. Some farms divide their shares by season, while others divide their shares by type of crop (fruits, vegetables, salad greens, cut flowers, etc).</span><b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Forrest Gump’s mother once said, “A CSA share is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get<b>." </b></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Therefore, it is i</span><b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mportant to be prepared for the inevitable “bumper crop” box. A “bumper crop” is farmer’s lingo for an unexpected surplus of one crop dictated by variables often out of the farmer’s control that produce favorable conditions for one crop’s harvest. For example, what’s a CSA shareholder to do when they receive more kale than they could possibly eat before it goes to waste?! </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This versatile vegetable keeps up to two weeks properly refrigerated and 6 months frozen. </span></b></span></span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If refrigerating your kale to be used within 2 weeks, sort the kale stalks into manageable bunches and secure with rubber
bands at the base of the stalk (i.e without crushing the broadest
leaves). You can wash the kale before securing into bunches or wash before cooking.</span></b></span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qy6CbU7JO7UtmRWVrGLjuBOpSmLOIm6eVgsqsy535xEhiGfA-SLYCRUs6o-Tz0-C3JuzLS-DgmO9fKFkswumvmyY1VpePfbXPyiGfp9Es-DNG5Blzp4aHX-h_yhBrAyUqA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="FullSizeRender.jpg" border="0" height="398px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qy6CbU7JO7UtmRWVrGLjuBOpSmLOIm6eVgsqsy535xEhiGfA-SLYCRUs6o-Tz0-C3JuzLS-DgmO9fKFkswumvmyY1VpePfbXPyiGfp9Es-DNG5Blzp4aHX-h_yhBrAyUqA" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="298px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rinse the kale thoroughly, shaking the leaves of any sand or dirt they acquired in their earthly life. The unwanted particles will sink to the bottom of the wash basin. Shake the kale leaves of excess water and place in either a salad spinner or between clean hand towels for drying. </span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At this point, you can freeze the kale leaves whole OR roughly chop for uniform storage!</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I chopped my kale in strips of 1-2 inches and packed into gallon sized, sealable plastic bags. I pressed firmly on the bags, releasing as much air as possible to create a vacuum effect once sealed. It is important to get as much air out as possible for two reasons: maximize freezer space AND make sure that your produce doesn’t develop ice crystals between the leaves. </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-6b94aca8-16d3-446d-d5b4-5b18350b88ef"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have added my frozen chopped kale to everything from soups, to omelets, to sauteed vegetable mixtures and green smoothies. Just imagine being able to enjoy farm fresh kale in the middle of February and your produce storage efforts will be completely worth it! All the best,</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Charlotte</span></b></div>
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-45582722446888256052014-10-21T07:15:00.002-07:002014-10-21T07:15:25.879-07:00Harvest Day at Farm to YoU NH!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNhGPNVyZY0SWXnxbCTraT3G_tCSHksfblMWcY1268ExmrH25nBEa5SmFEGs8jGqZSndtMCKwvzZ9fj1LX34u2LHFidvA2TbPZyex9KK108e4DqYwsInSJDYSuR3d2AbdfANSNm0Xn0Q/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNhGPNVyZY0SWXnxbCTraT3G_tCSHksfblMWcY1268ExmrH25nBEa5SmFEGs8jGqZSndtMCKwvzZ9fj1LX34u2LHFidvA2TbPZyex9KK108e4DqYwsInSJDYSuR3d2AbdfANSNm0Xn0Q/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
On October 12, Farm to YoU NH hosted Harvest Day, a day to teach UNH students and the Durham community about all of the hard work we do over at Fairchild Dairy in our two high tunnels and half acre of land. Our intention was to educate the community about the work we do with UNH dining and the capabilities we have to bring more local foods into our dining halls. The Farm to YoU NH set up is something that could be duplicated in dining halls all over the country to increase awareness of local foods as well as teaching students hands-on experience in running a small farm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGDbxfVHLifkhxtJy_fA3f3lIHYAgkOk-niwi9zWfNEySYxyEFF4OuzzHpwHft-wCrlVcomgbd6w8nb2ZPAM_MFByCydg85uQpiAoMcvMNWUBelOqMoh-PF6Sc6Rrfoa7uIJq6b8XyZU/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGDbxfVHLifkhxtJy_fA3f3lIHYAgkOk-niwi9zWfNEySYxyEFF4OuzzHpwHft-wCrlVcomgbd6w8nb2ZPAM_MFByCydg85uQpiAoMcvMNWUBelOqMoh-PF6Sc6Rrfoa7uIJq6b8XyZU/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDwA5lYxGr0tGX1xO3-AXhg70ee-_9vfEiDiu0evBcuOeVi0D2MAlVHogCHoebl4Jt8Fwx0_rn5uBcPPD5nghpqxQvxSDMTMqcbcAJMTbE5m_yOQ5bunvCGXWd98Qg9lmZoRue_mbF0k/s1600/IMG_2921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDwA5lYxGr0tGX1xO3-AXhg70ee-_9vfEiDiu0evBcuOeVi0D2MAlVHogCHoebl4Jt8Fwx0_rn5uBcPPD5nghpqxQvxSDMTMqcbcAJMTbE5m_yOQ5bunvCGXWd98Qg9lmZoRue_mbF0k/s1600/IMG_2921.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a> In conjunction with a farm tour, we also had canning examples with instructions how to can, how to plant garlic to overwinter, as well as a garlic tasting with freshly roasted garlic. Not only were we lucky to have most of our class in attendance, but also a beautifully sunny fall afternoon. For our canning examples we brought cans of tomato sauce and salsa that we had made and canned from all of our own produce. Canning is a great way to preserve food over time without having to ad several additives. We filled the fields with the aroma of roasted garlic by roasting garlic on sight on our grill. After all garlic was roasted and mashed, we set up a "garlic tasting" to score how different and similar each variety of garlic is. We used our own sweet potatoes to make a sweet potato sage dip that we served with tortilla chips. We supplied guests with an array of flyers and media to teach them more about Farm to YoU NH as well as more about what we presented to them at Harvest Day. We had a slow turnout, though it allowed us to give individual attention to all of our guests. All in all we enjoyed having a day to show off our successes and to teach ourselves how to host farm events in our future careers.<br />
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-41844667906954078302014-09-17T07:57:00.000-07:002014-09-17T17:14:20.655-07:00Welcome Back from SAFS 680!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lRPQ6P9XG93KVgDRZ9uIGOp8jVOs39hP5M02XNkSTkEonaT2T1J3LpQz7q-L2eiMeRaGGeidCtAdTTNG24QxDTPHbJ4lYlBMiaueQQph6n9-UHG4t7xeEvWzAZ2BGG1DhQNa7gmuGm4/s1600/10678451_10204276081918654_5030341461562084557_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lRPQ6P9XG93KVgDRZ9uIGOp8jVOs39hP5M02XNkSTkEonaT2T1J3LpQz7q-L2eiMeRaGGeidCtAdTTNG24QxDTPHbJ4lYlBMiaueQQph6n9-UHG4t7xeEvWzAZ2BGG1DhQNa7gmuGm4/s1600/10678451_10204276081918654_5030341461562084557_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"> The SAFS 680 students are back to work in the field and the tunnels this fall! The fall season is picking up after summer work was maintained by Olivia, Will and Ross. To commence the season, the 680 course participated in an exchange of high tunnels. An experiment conducted by Dr. Becky Sideman resulted in the SAFS team trading</span><span style="text-align: left;">our heated tunnel at the Fairchild Dairy farm for two smaller high tunnels located at Woodman Farm. One of those tunnels is called "Rolling Thunder" and is a movable tunnel manufactured and donated to UNH by Rimol Greenhouses. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant of many varieties were grown in the tunnels at Woodman. All of the freshly harvested vegetables were given to either the Dairy Bar, Holloway Commons, or to UNH's Conferences and Catering. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyjNQfnrsvLnJz9kvuDdvtwBjjHQoNjn-QzEsf-v2Xo8fuIBmg0c57_imnwOmHPPM2ssb8Hq8yfCnXKnbzeIgw1vLxnVHMx0mnXCltpgIg4YdO16LNRHG_XfLLHmcs8R5IOzqlDgDcsM/s1600/Chef+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyjNQfnrsvLnJz9kvuDdvtwBjjHQoNjn-QzEsf-v2Xo8fuIBmg0c57_imnwOmHPPM2ssb8Hq8yfCnXKnbzeIgw1vLxnVHMx0mnXCltpgIg4YdO16LNRHG_XfLLHmcs8R5IOzqlDgDcsM/s1600/Chef+pic.jpg" height="400" width="256" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> The growing season was successful overall with a few losses along the way. Garlic grew abundantly, with around 150 lbs. harvested. The melon harvest yielded a large amount as well, but more exciting than that was the variety of melons grown. Three different cultivars of watermelons and cantaloupes along with two honeydew cultivars were grown. Strawberries also grew successfully, particularly the day neutral variety. These berries were growing vigorously until mid September! Though the majority of crops did very well, there were a few that did not. One example was our c</span><span style="text-align: left;">ucumber crop that succumbed early to a bacterial disease. Also, outdoor determinant tomatoes experienced a bit of early blight, while the tomatoes grown indoor matured beautifully and disease free. Flea beetle pressure was strong on our outdoor grown mesclun greens while lettuce varieties grew heartily outdoors for the duration of the summer. </span><span style="text-align: left;">In addition to producing food, general maintenance was done at the farm. The east facing end wall of the unheated high tunnel was replaced with polycarbonate. The hardworking summer crew also created a drainage ditch to ameliorate some of the water issues in one of the tunnels. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDiZVbaMj2ZwlYgRYGnPMIkxyVuEkfpMWExvkiVgCjIGoRfAUaun9C8S6XwR5SC-TUmzzoiAlOo4TX7aX4QAHO320Bo2WOCLO6TV1rzgl4widq1HgzUa_qL6m4P12pXgZAl-SmobRs2I/s1600/10363853_809150825795997_2323907670828933880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDiZVbaMj2ZwlYgRYGnPMIkxyVuEkfpMWExvkiVgCjIGoRfAUaun9C8S6XwR5SC-TUmzzoiAlOo4TX7aX4QAHO320Bo2WOCLO6TV1rzgl4widq1HgzUa_qL6m4P12pXgZAl-SmobRs2I/s1600/10363853_809150825795997_2323907670828933880_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> The fall brings even more exciting opportunities. Students are busy with crop planning, harvesting and seeding cover crops. In addition, students are in the midst of planning an event in October to show other UNH students and the Durham community more of what we do out on Spinney Lane. We are all also getting very excited for the annual Harvest Dinner in the dining halls, as some of our produce will be showcased! We are so happy to be working together again and bringing the freshest produce to the UNH community! </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the
semester is coming to the end, so is the SAFS 679 class conducted at the UNH
high tunnels next to the Fairchild Dairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although it is time to say goodbye to the class this does not mean the
high tunnels are being shut down until next semester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWxi9a6fArTkQf6FO9RLdHRXTldfeljwjCjL_llMaDFMABOzInc7cV0x3ZnfekP50GD1fI_vxJhUKlOr-mOBUTXnSBq0Z5k_AlzlUrarGrOYb-x-dvVYuKsRi5U9kr7I7jkqhHtvRaX8/s1600/Ross+high+tunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWxi9a6fArTkQf6FO9RLdHRXTldfeljwjCjL_llMaDFMABOzInc7cV0x3ZnfekP50GD1fI_vxJhUKlOr-mOBUTXnSBq0Z5k_AlzlUrarGrOYb-x-dvVYuKsRi5U9kr7I7jkqhHtvRaX8/s1600/Ross+high+tunnel.jpg" height="200" width="111" /></a></div>
It is actually quite the opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since summer is approaching quickly so is the
prime growing season for New Hampshire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The crops in the high tunnels along with our outside field will continue
to grow and flourish throughout the summer and into next fall when the SAFS 680
class will begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the students
of the class on campus this brings many to the question of how these crops will
be maintained and harvested. <span id="goog_69449969"></span><span id="goog_69449970"></span>But fear not,
Ross along with the help of two internes from the SAFS 679 class will be maintaining
and working in the high tunnels for the summer until UNH students join them
back on campus next semester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
since I am graduating it is time I say goodbye to the high tunnels and UNH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this does not mean the blog will end but
shall be continued by another student next semester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<br />Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-5166446982083056542014-04-24T12:01:00.000-07:002014-04-24T12:01:11.184-07:00Spring is here at Farm to You NH<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEOhB9NOy5qdFp_xGSSIJptMEbQS3_iakjO3IFp-8E4zKM6XiExe6GbViuwx_73VgqPDujOqRTxF_Kqes3rEIGDohYrSB6gqewQHv1ZH__XqPZ3G35uwjRQVlzCIH6mtk1lGVVMgFk04/s1600/IPM+Farm+to+you+nh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEOhB9NOy5qdFp_xGSSIJptMEbQS3_iakjO3IFp-8E4zKM6XiExe6GbViuwx_73VgqPDujOqRTxF_Kqes3rEIGDohYrSB6gqewQHv1ZH__XqPZ3G35uwjRQVlzCIH6mtk1lGVVMgFk04/s1600/IPM+Farm+to+you+nh.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It has been a few weeks since my last blog and it’s
time to give you an update on the many things happening up at the High Tunnels,
next to the Conventional Dairy Barn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally the weather outside has warmed up and spring has arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our crops growing in both high tunnels have
flourished due to the warm weather and our outside field is getting close to
being ready for planting!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently,
our outside field is home to our overwintering strawberry</span> plants and
garlic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both survived the harsh winter
and are ready to flourish in the warm weather. We have had recent guest
lectures from Alan Eaton on IPM (Integrated Pest Management) and Dr. Kirk Broder
on Plant Pathology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During both lectures
we got hands on experience looking in the high tunnels for plant diseases and
insects (both pest and beneficial).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
far we have had very little problems with both pests </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and diseases within our
tunnels!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it is important for us
to know how to monitor for these and what procedures to follow if they occur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently, we also went </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtkT6OzyClhuajXo8o9YpLBx1qk3dl47nrVZ44qIiyafDcqhRSQB7SZDi8-CCL0skp8uMx3dNssIJRLYErfFVAtSYBsAQLoyXsCwdIRFyg6ySEVGsy8P7WOxz82L5FNNdV-D0XN-hkbg/s1600/Field+trip+farm+to+you+nh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtkT6OzyClhuajXo8o9YpLBx1qk3dl47nrVZ44qIiyafDcqhRSQB7SZDi8-CCL0skp8uMx3dNssIJRLYErfFVAtSYBsAQLoyXsCwdIRFyg6ySEVGsy8P7WOxz82L5FNNdV-D0XN-hkbg/s1600/Field+trip+farm+to+you+nh.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
on a field trip to
Wake Robin Farm, which taught us about the practices used on the farm and what
they are currently producing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
amazing to see the number of transplants they had started in their two
greenhouses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did a great job
conserving space and using all the room available including hanging pots and a
hanging shelf that contained many seed trays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The field trip and guest lectures are a great addition to the class and
add to the information learned through the class.</div>
Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-35967124512099137242014-03-28T06:29:00.001-07:002014-03-28T06:30:34.477-07:00Social Media and Outreach With Farm to YoU NH<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Hello again
everyone,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CV66mz1fzRa_nUNk7aGLSRUE-G9wEIMlrKGuRSB5nWxl_8j2P-c0nlZ1ybQrMB7Of_Gld2mGP-tPYYDz7X3QBM5BF44nxu_6ilHHnZWdkhK77iWlmy5jO7990wnZ2r9dgB1tZkJXqLc/s1600/Farm+To+UNH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CV66mz1fzRa_nUNk7aGLSRUE-G9wEIMlrKGuRSB5nWxl_8j2P-c0nlZ1ybQrMB7Of_Gld2mGP-tPYYDz7X3QBM5BF44nxu_6ilHHnZWdkhK77iWlmy5jO7990wnZ2r9dgB1tZkJXqLc/s1600/Farm+To+UNH.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Currently we have been very busy in the UNH high
tunnels located adjacent to the Fairchild Dairy Barns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have many crops growing in both tunnels
and are planning crops for the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This week we are excited to be participating in two public outreach events.
These events are part of the social media aspect of the course, which shows
students the importance of social media and good communication skills in regards to running an agriculture
business. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first event is the 1<sup>st</sup>
annual Nutrition Month Expo on Thursday March 27<sup>th</sup> from 11-2pm in
the Memorial Union Building room 338.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will have a table at the event representing Farm to YoU NH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be 15 tables representing
different programs involved in a range of nutrition related topics including
those on campus and some coming from off campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farm to You NH will be sharing a table with
UNH Organic Garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubFrqV8I-7wNbr4D7FTb_Jqgedv-A0yhOyGfBls1KbQz5xvxti1Aggk9QNyKq0a2rjlCzJCAPc9Pcb6AfWYEf73lAPCV3xCuhGPdaOW6jpm_vywm62Qou-h729Zbeno5jOviwBR4XnAY/s1600/Farm+toUNH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubFrqV8I-7wNbr4D7FTb_Jqgedv-A0yhOyGfBls1KbQz5xvxti1Aggk9QNyKq0a2rjlCzJCAPc9Pcb6AfWYEf73lAPCV3xCuhGPdaOW6jpm_vywm62Qou-h729Zbeno5jOviwBR4XnAY/s1600/Farm+toUNH.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The second event that
Farm to YoU NH is involved with this week is the Macfarlane Greenhouse Open House
on Friday and Saturday March 28<sup>th</sup> and 29<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Greenhouse Open House runs from 9am to
4pm with many activities happening throughout the day, including tours of the
greenhouse and the Farm to YoU NH high tunnels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two tours of the high tunnels will be led each day by students in the
class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Particpants in the Farm to YoU
NH high tunnel tours will meet at the Macfarlane Greenhouse and be shuttled to
the tunnels and back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first tour on
both days will run from 10-11 AM and the second from 1-2 PM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farm to YoU NH participated in the event last
year and it was a great success so I would definitely recommend stopping
by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope to see you all there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.unh.edu/health-services/ohep/nutrition/national-nutrition-month-expo"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">http://www.unh.edu/health-services/ohep/nutrition/national-nutrition-month-expo </span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.unh.edu/health-services/ohep/nutrition/national-nutrition-month-expo"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>http://www.unh.edu/news/releases/2014/03/bp06greenhouse.cfm</span></a></div>
Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-90863545323997566932014-03-17T06:48:00.000-07:002014-03-17T09:54:57.142-07:00Update From the High Tunnels Hello everyone for those of you who missed last week’s blog. My name is Megan Letendre and I am a student participating in Farm to YouNH. Currently we have a lot happening by the conventional dairy barn in our high tunnels. <br />
<div>
<br />
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1978743_715375415173539_1293153977_n.jpg?dl=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1978743_715375415173539_1293153977_n.jpg?dl=1" width="200" /></a>So far this semester we had been producing salad mix in the heated tunnel for the Dairy bar and several different crops in the unheated tunnel. We are propagating all our transplants, including head lettuce, pollinator attractor plants, and many herbs in the heated tunnel. Swiss chard, salad mix, and spinach are currently growing in the raised beds of this tunnel. <br />
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<a href="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1797506_715374245173656_1986221863_n.jpg?dl=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1797506_715374245173656_1986221863_n.jpg?dl=1" width="320" /></a></div>
Also, I am conducting a study comparing two methods of salad mix production. The study is comparing the cost, labor, days to maturity, and yield of broadcast sown lettuce mix versus head lettuce transplants of 'Salanova'. 'Salanova' is a new line of varieties of head lettuce produced by Johnny's that are well suited for salad mix. Johnny's claims that the new variety of head lettuce is more efficient by being more productive and less labor intensive than broadcast lettuce mix. Our normal lettuce mix production consists of direct seeding using a multi row seeder. The lettuce mix is harvested 2-3 times whereas head lettuce can only be harvested once. This study will give us results on which type of lettuce mix is the more efficient production method. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSz4DqJdZ1r3noWseoS9YAkvGOEkWB5tz0Ta8e_0lDpg_X3IPcB0EDyCf37Ilv2tXzh4WzmG3EiSk0FZyhCsW0v7jt_IHvbGbd3u7_daDSDmvj6IwZZLn31EkBN9YC_H01eK4iqWrM_A/s1600/hightunnel+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSz4DqJdZ1r3noWseoS9YAkvGOEkWB5tz0Ta8e_0lDpg_X3IPcB0EDyCf37Ilv2tXzh4WzmG3EiSk0FZyhCsW0v7jt_IHvbGbd3u7_daDSDmvj6IwZZLn31EkBN9YC_H01eK4iqWrM_A/s1600/hightunnel+1.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a> The unheated high tunnel is very full and we are growing an assortment of cold hardy crops including onion, carrots, beets,head lettuce, radishes and salad mix. In class we recently studied irrigation and learned how to buy and set up drip tap irrigation systems. We have been planning out what crops will be grown during the spring and summer and planning for the produce that we need to grow for upcoming events with UNH dining. Although we are growing plenty in the high tunnels with the cold weather we are excited for the warm weather so we can start on summer crops and work in our outside field! </div>
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Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785382568189675478.post-53276863840024751042014-02-24T07:09:00.000-08:002014-02-24T07:09:17.096-08:00Get to know Farm to You NH <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCOBWGoc-BFkGO-hXTbS6RZz3S7PZsE69a4IyRXjPty7DvE0FjP12lciCLzYGjPDrATN2PoAE2kFgE-rrR4jiMtq26S3xbXMILVHyjrrAe4NZZJDMZtYpOgbAqkJR7y-tkb3PB4-rwhg/s1600/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCOBWGoc-BFkGO-hXTbS6RZz3S7PZsE69a4IyRXjPty7DvE0FjP12lciCLzYGjPDrATN2PoAE2kFgE-rrR4jiMtq26S3xbXMILVHyjrrAe4NZZJDMZtYpOgbAqkJR7y-tkb3PB4-rwhg/s1600/logo.png" height="130" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span><span dir="ltr">Hello my name is Megan Letendre and I am a senior at UNH majoring in
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (SAFS) and EcoGastronomy. I am
a student participating in the new Food Production Field Experience
class in the high tunnels offered at UNH. This is my
second semester enrolled into the class and I am really enjoying it!<br />
For those of you who do not know about the class, it is held in the high
tunnels located by the conventional dairy barn and produces food for
the Dairy Bar and Dining Services at UNH. High tunnels are hybrid
greenhouses that do not have a cement floor and are
not considered permanent structures like greenhouses.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AvsykzF1V1T_VsRsTPlj2y-ntgozp5YajdXIVMLsbA5EP0EYIxdS1y08nHgeASaBDOeCDewy5bw2bAlHyVX8nnl0jX6vUZ0NSsCVrZ2dV0eSF8CeNJ5z3mSkCYS2-BF_WqQJ79wQW3M/s1600/tunnels.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AvsykzF1V1T_VsRsTPlj2y-ntgozp5YajdXIVMLsbA5EP0EYIxdS1y08nHgeASaBDOeCDewy5bw2bAlHyVX8nnl0jX6vUZ0NSsCVrZ2dV0eSF8CeNJ5z3mSkCYS2-BF_WqQJ79wQW3M/s1600/tunnels.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> Often times they
are not heated. However, we have both a heated and an unheated tunnel
for the class. This allows us to grow crops throughout the year even
though New England has unsuitable growing conditions
during many months. The heated tunnel is kept just above
freezing during the coldest months of winter. Inside this tunnel, we
produce our leafy greens including salad mix and head lettuce for use in the UNH Dairy Bar. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrngKYF2NuDapoZS4uGL0_MDkY7lhsLdgbwbvgIe0CuL4xuFnr4pL4ThenBTO22dgU0f547ctVUM7wThrlldGv4evemCqPU81fOxWxZXoqj597IfLEAQJXgRczyD_kYGxyH6bRGmCuh4c/s1600/lettuce.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrngKYF2NuDapoZS4uGL0_MDkY7lhsLdgbwbvgIe0CuL4xuFnr4pL4ThenBTO22dgU0f547ctVUM7wThrlldGv4evemCqPU81fOxWxZXoqj597IfLEAQJXgRczyD_kYGxyH6bRGmCuh4c/s1600/lettuce.png" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
In the unheated tunnel,
we produce more cold hardy crops in winter such as radishes, carrots and
onions. The tunnels allow us to grow crops year-round for UNH Dining
and provide us with the opportunity to start summer crops very early in the
season. This gives us the chance to have summer
crops such as tomatoes much earlier than other growers in the region.
The class offers students the opportunity to get hands-on experience and
really get their hands dirty. In my experience with the class I have
learned a tremendous amount. This includes but
is not limited to the use of specialized tools such as seeders, hand
tillers, and even the tractor! I have also learned a great deal about
the media side of agriculture and the importance of keeping records of
the farm such as planting and harvest dates. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIAEjAW0MQBR8bzx8HPrsO_z2nEGK5zs92J8mWftLJE5CCwYCROeMfcdQLGbJSpUWfqapQ99Z_kJYH2D5g7PFVfOo-dslmDvaUw-tLfOZsqxVJ8OmKJwE1l09mImZL0zpEQwrfFZmwTw/s1600/group+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIAEjAW0MQBR8bzx8HPrsO_z2nEGK5zs92J8mWftLJE5CCwYCROeMfcdQLGbJSpUWfqapQ99Z_kJYH2D5g7PFVfOo-dslmDvaUw-tLfOZsqxVJ8OmKJwE1l09mImZL0zpEQwrfFZmwTw/s1600/group+pic.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Anyone
attending UNH interested or involved in Sustainable Agriculture should
definitely consider joining the class in the future. I promise you won’t
regret it!</span>Farm to You NHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04671629829254957820noreply@blogger.com0