Story Archives of 'Agriculture'

Twenty years ago there were only eight organic farms in the state. Today there are 130 organic crop producers, nine organic dairy farms, six organic egg producers, a few organic beef producers and 18 organic food processing plants. But as the organic movement grows and grows up, new challenges present themselves, like cost, quality and if smaller farms can play with the big boys and still adhere to its strict standards. We’ll look at where the organic movement is in New Hampshire and how it's dealing with these new challenges.

Guests

• Larry Pletcher, president of the New Hampshire Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association and owner of The Vegetable Ranch, LLC, a certified organic farm in Warner
• Vickie Smith, Coordinator for the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture's Organic Certification Program
• TBA

Our 25 in 25 series continues with longtime Commissioner of Agriculture and homegrown New Hampshirite Steve Taylor. For the last quarter century, Taylor has overseen the state’s farms, farmlands and all that’s produced from them. He retires this week. We’ll talk with Taylor about his extensive career as a farmer, newspaperman and public official, and how agriculture has changed in the Granite State over the past quarter century.

Guest

• Steve Taylor, New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture

Corn prices are the highest they've been in nearly ten years.

The demand for ethanol is driving the cost increase.

As Rebecca Williams reports, economists say it will mean higher prices at the supermarket.

New Hampshire lawmakers are considering a bill to attract and retain large animal veterinarians in the state.

Proponents say these vets are essential to the state's billion dollar agriculture industry.

But they're also important for maintaining the state's rural way of life.

The proposal would reimburse student loan debt for those who agree to practice in the state for three years.

But as New Hampshire Public Radio's Amy Quinton reports, even proponents of the bill don't know if such an incentive will work.

One hundred virgin cows will sashay down the main street of Brattleboro this weekend as part of the 5th annual Strolling of the Heifers. The parade seeks to build public awareness about the importance of dairy farming in the region. We'll talk with founder and organizer Orly Munzing about the 4-day event.

And we talk with author Sy Montgomery whose new book The Good Good Pig celebrates the life and uniqueness of her beloved, departed pig, Christopher Hogwood.