Visit a New Hampshire Farm
While the State of New Hampshire is experiencing the same growth
challenges as other states, many New Hampshire farmers have discovered
innovative ways of keeping their farms alive while bringing visitors closer
to the origins of their food, flowers and farm animals.
As a result, the number of active farms has remained a constant 2,400 even
though the open acreage for farming declined 12.4% between 1997 and 20002.
So, even if it's a box of freshly-picked berries (pick-your-own strawberry
patches open in June, then blueberries and raspberries), a basket of sweet
corn (and a corn maze to explore) or a pat on the nose of a dairy cow, there's
nothing that says “summer” quite like a visit to a working New Hampshire
farm or roadside farmstand. Here are some suggestions:
For total immersion in summer on a New Hampshire farm, agritourism
pioneers Dave Adams and his family have operated the dairy farm, The Inn
at East Hill Farm in Troy, NH as a farm vacation resort since the early 1950's
-- before anyone coined the term. “In doing so, we have preserved the rural
landscape from development and a made a livelihood for a farm family,”
said Dave. The Inn can accommodate up to 150 family vacationers or
conference attendees, year round. Guests can milk the cow and goat, collect
eggs from the chickens, help make butter and feed the animals. Hayrides and
sleighrides offered.
www.east-hill-farm.com Call 603-242-6495.
D Acres of New Hampshire in Dorchester, NH is an organic farm and
educational homestead located that operates a hostel for visitors who want
to learn the skills of sustainable living and small-scale organic farming. Farm
operations include forestry, gardening, administration, animal husbandry,
kitchen, alternative construction, and woodworking. www.dacres.org. Call
603-786-2366.
Stonewall Farm in Keene, NH (www.stonewallfarm.org) is a non-profit,
member-supported educational facility and working dairy. Stonewall Farm
is a member of the Community Supported Agriculture network in New
Hampshire, “preserving the farming tradition in New Hampshire” through
Local Harvest, the public nationwide directory of small farms, farmers
markets, and other local food sources.
Similarly, Hannah Grimes Marketplace, Inc. in Keene, NH
(www.hannahgrimes.com) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating
a thriving marketplace and to helping members build successful and
sustainable businesses. Their farmers include Flag Hill Winery in Lee,
making “John Stark Vodka” using apple cider from the Hetnar Orchard mill
in Epping in addition to 6 fruit wines, 5 white wines and 5 reds from fruit
from its own vineyards; and Steve Wood and his wife, Louisa Spencer at
Poverty Lane Orchards in Lebanon who grow and sell heirloom apples with
names like Ashmead’s Kernel, Pomme Grise, and Hudson’s Golden Gem.
Moulton Farm (www.moultonfarm.com) in Meredith, NH is a destination for
plants, produce and fresh baked goods. Their corn is famous and visitors
also enjoy exploring the corn maze. Moulton Farms also operates Longridge
Farms and farmstand in Meredith, preserving a farm that has operated since
the early 1700's.
Andy Howe's family operated a dairy farm in Gilford, NH and now he and
his wife Martina operate the Beans & Greens market farmstand in an historic
barn. www.beansandgreensfarm.com Call 603-293-2853.
The Remick Museum and Farm in Tamworth, NH sustains a rural lifestyle
by showcasing its history. The Museum and its special events -- open to the
public at no charge -- interpret 200 years of New Hampshire agricultural and
domestic history and seasonal farming practices, from haying to ice
harvesting. Visit www.remickmuseum.org.
Christy and Scott Johnson's 65-acre Johnson's Highland View Farm in
Windham, NH was established as a dairy farm in 1884, but is now a visitor
attraction, offering vegetable crops, two greenhouses with ornamental plants,
ice cream and vegetable stands and cows, llamas, goats, sheep, ducks and
chickens to pet. www.farmnfools.com
Call 603-898-3831,
Spring Ledge Farm in New London, NH is a family operation owned by
John and Sue Clough for 30 years. The farm has earned “New Hampshire
Farm of Distinction” honors from the Department of Agriculture for doing ”
an outstanding job of appealing to the non-farm public.” The farm offers
ornamental plants, fresh vegetables and strawberries in season. They grow
bedding plants in thirteen greenhouses and fruits and vegetables on over
twenty-five acres of land. www.springledgefarm.com. Call 603-526-6253.
Henry Ahern and Cindy Downing operate Bonnie Brae Farms in Plymouth,
NH where they raise red deer for venison and velvet antler (a nutritional
supplement for humans and animals made from early growth antler) www.
bonniebraefarms.com. Call: 603-536-3880.
Fenella and Anthony Levick of Monadnock Berries, support their family
with a pick-your-own blueberry farm.
www.monadnockberries.com. Call: 603-242-6417
Another pick-your-own blueberry (and raspberry) farm is located in Alstead,
NH. Comstock Family Farm, run by Junie and Susan Esslinger, has been in
the family since 1900. While it is not yet certified organic, although they use
integrated pest management and natural farming methods as often as
possible. The farm also offers seasonal vegetables. For more information
visit their Web site at: www.comstockfamilyfarm.com.
Thyme & Ewe Farm in Claremont, NH “a lifelong home for rescued, abused
and unwanted farm animals,” holds events, participates in the local Farmer's
Market and travels to agricultural shows in the summer selling yarn from
their sheep, herbs, botanicals and james/jellies. Call: 603-542-1746.
Visitors should also look for New Hampshire's own farm products on the
shelves of local supermarkets and on restaurant menus:
Pete and Jerry’s Organic Eggs from Monroe, NH
Hatchland Dairy in North Haverhill, NH who brought back glass-bottled
milk
Goat cheese from Cold Moon Springs Creamery in Jefferson , NH and Heart
Song Farm in Gilmanton Iron Works.
New England Anemones from Epsom, NH (which grows and sells 300,000
flowers a year)
Salad greens and eggs from free range chickens at the Claremont Farmers
Market and Granny's Garden from Cindy Porter's farm in Claremont.
Goatmilk soap from Happy Critters Farm in Pittsfield, NH
And of course, New Hampshire maple sugar, syrup and other creations.
New Hampshire Maple Producers Association website
www.nhmapleproducers.com has details, location maps and links to its
members open year-round.
Get a free New Hampshire Guidebook
calling 1-800-FUN-IN-NH, ext. 100.
Visit www.agriculture.nh.gov for both
the ”NH Farm Stand” and “NH Farmers
Markets” directories of places open all
over the state, all summer.
While the State of New Hampshire is experiencing the same growth
challenges as other states, many New Hampshire farmers have discovered
innovative ways of keeping their farms alive while bringing visitors closer
to the origins of their food, flowers and farm animals.
As a result, the number of active farms has remained a constant 2,400 even
though the open acreage for farming declined 12.4% between 1997 and 20002.
So, even if it's a box of freshly-picked berries (pick-your-own strawberry
patches open in June, then blueberries and raspberries), a basket of sweet
corn (and a corn maze to explore) or a pat on the nose of a dairy cow, there's
nothing that says “summer” quite like a visit to a working New Hampshire
farm or roadside farmstand. Here are some suggestions:
For total immersion in summer on a New Hampshire farm, agritourism
pioneers Dave Adams and his family have operated the dairy farm, The Inn
at East Hill Farm in Troy, NH as a farm vacation resort since the early 1950's
-- before anyone coined the term. “In doing so, we have preserved the rural
landscape from development and a made a livelihood for a farm family,”
said Dave. The Inn can accommodate up to 150 family vacationers or
conference attendees, year round. Guests can milk the cow and goat, collect
eggs from the chickens, help make butter and feed the animals. Hayrides and
sleighrides offered.
www.east-hill-farm.com Call 603-242-6495.
D Acres of New Hampshire in Dorchester, NH is an organic farm and
educational homestead located that operates a hostel for visitors who want
to learn the skills of sustainable living and small-scale organic farming. Farm
operations include forestry, gardening, administration, animal husbandry,
kitchen, alternative construction, and woodworking. www.dacres.org. Call
603-786-2366.
Stonewall Farm in Keene, NH (www.stonewallfarm.org) is a non-profit,
member-supported educational facility and working dairy. Stonewall Farm
is a member of the Community Supported Agriculture network in New
Hampshire, “preserving the farming tradition in New Hampshire” through
Local Harvest, the public nationwide directory of small farms, farmers
markets, and other local food sources.
Similarly, Hannah Grimes Marketplace, Inc. in Keene, NH
(www.hannahgrimes.com) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating
a thriving marketplace and to helping members build successful and
sustainable businesses. Their farmers include Flag Hill Winery in Lee,
making “John Stark Vodka” using apple cider from the Hetnar Orchard mill
in Epping in addition to 6 fruit wines, 5 white wines and 5 reds from fruit
from its own vineyards; and Steve Wood and his wife, Louisa Spencer at
Poverty Lane Orchards in Lebanon who grow and sell heirloom apples with
names like Ashmead’s Kernel, Pomme Grise, and Hudson’s Golden Gem.
Moulton Farm (www.moultonfarm.com) in Meredith, NH is a destination for
plants, produce and fresh baked goods. Their corn is famous and visitors
also enjoy exploring the corn maze. Moulton Farms also operates Longridge
Farms and farmstand in Meredith, preserving a farm that has operated since
the early 1700's.
Andy Howe's family operated a dairy farm in Gilford, NH and now he and
his wife Martina operate the Beans & Greens market farmstand in an historic
barn. www.beansandgreensfarm.com Call 603-293-2853.
The Remick Museum and Farm in Tamworth, NH sustains a rural lifestyle
by showcasing its history. The Museum and its special events -- open to the
public at no charge -- interpret 200 years of New Hampshire agricultural and
domestic history and seasonal farming practices, from haying to ice
harvesting. Visit www.remickmuseum.org.
Christy and Scott Johnson's 65-acre Johnson's Highland View Farm in
Windham, NH was established as a dairy farm in 1884, but is now a visitor
attraction, offering vegetable crops, two greenhouses with ornamental plants,
ice cream and vegetable stands and cows, llamas, goats, sheep, ducks and
chickens to pet. www.farmnfools.com
Call 603-898-3831,
Spring Ledge Farm in New London, NH is a family operation owned by
John and Sue Clough for 30 years. The farm has earned “New Hampshire
Farm of Distinction” honors from the Department of Agriculture for doing ”
an outstanding job of appealing to the non-farm public.” The farm offers
ornamental plants, fresh vegetables and strawberries in season. They grow
bedding plants in thirteen greenhouses and fruits and vegetables on over
twenty-five acres of land. www.springledgefarm.com. Call 603-526-6253.
Henry Ahern and Cindy Downing operate Bonnie Brae Farms in Plymouth,
NH where they raise red deer for venison and velvet antler (a nutritional
supplement for humans and animals made from early growth antler) www.
bonniebraefarms.com. Call: 603-536-3880.
Fenella and Anthony Levick of Monadnock Berries, support their family
with a pick-your-own blueberry farm.
www.monadnockberries.com. Call: 603-242-6417
Another pick-your-own blueberry (and raspberry) farm is located in Alstead,
NH. Comstock Family Farm, run by Junie and Susan Esslinger, has been in
the family since 1900. While it is not yet certified organic, although they use
integrated pest management and natural farming methods as often as
possible. The farm also offers seasonal vegetables. For more information
visit their Web site at: www.comstockfamilyfarm.com.
Thyme & Ewe Farm in Claremont, NH “a lifelong home for rescued, abused
and unwanted farm animals,” holds events, participates in the local Farmer's
Market and travels to agricultural shows in the summer selling yarn from
their sheep, herbs, botanicals and james/jellies. Call: 603-542-1746.
Visitors should also look for New Hampshire's own farm products on the
shelves of local supermarkets and on restaurant menus:
Pete and Jerry’s Organic Eggs from Monroe, NH
Hatchland Dairy in North Haverhill, NH who brought back glass-bottled
milk
Goat cheese from Cold Moon Springs Creamery in Jefferson , NH and Heart
Song Farm in Gilmanton Iron Works.
New England Anemones from Epsom, NH (which grows and sells 300,000
flowers a year)
Salad greens and eggs from free range chickens at the Claremont Farmers
Market and Granny's Garden from Cindy Porter's farm in Claremont.
Goatmilk soap from Happy Critters Farm in Pittsfield, NH
And of course, New Hampshire maple sugar, syrup and other creations.
New Hampshire Maple Producers Association website
www.nhmapleproducers.com has details, location maps and links to its
members open year-round.
Get a free New Hampshire Guidebook
calling 1-800-FUN-IN-NH, ext. 100.
Visit www.agriculture.nh.gov for both
the ”NH Farm Stand” and “NH Farmers
Markets” directories of places open all
over the state, all summer.
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