Story Archives of 'Farming'

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

It isn’t easy going into business for yourself.

It’s even harder entering a market that is so specialized most people don’t know the product is for sale.

But Carl & Kathleen Jenkins don’t mind the questions and the puzzled looks when they tell people they’ve opened up a Cricket Farm.

NHPR Correspondent Sean Hurley reports.

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

Dozens of scientists and researchers met this week in Maryland to discuss the disappearance of millions of honeybees across the country.

This mysterious epidemic is called colony collapse disorder, and it's affecting the livelihoods of New Hampshire beekeepers.

If the crisis continues, beekeepers won't be the only people feeling the sting.

NHPR's Sheryl Rich-Kern has more.

Local growers across the state are keeping a close eye on a new business model in Amherst.

New England's first indoor farmer's market had its ribbon cutting ceremony this month.

Over 12 vendors who produce wines, meats, and vegetables are greeting customers in a shopping mall at Salzburg Square on Route 101.

NHPR Correspondent Sheryl Rich-Kern reports.