How to Establish a Local Agricultural Commission Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Rockigham County Complex Brentwood, NH - Nada Haddad, Extension Educator Agricultural Resources UNH Cooperative Extension Rockingham County N. Haddad - NH Coalition for Sustaining Agriculture
New Hampshire Agricultural Commissions For Agriculture and the Community
NH Agriculture Commission: How it Originated NH Coalition for Sustaining Agriculture N. Haddad
NH Agriculture Commission: How it Originated House Bill 293 allows municipalities to establish agricultural commissions RSA 674:44-e. Agricultural Commission N. Haddad
New Hampshire Agriculture Today
New Hampshire Agricultural Commissions
NH Definition of Agriculture RSA 21:34-a Defines farms and farming activities.
RSA 21:34-a Farm, Agriculture, Farming. VI. The term "agritourism''
NH Agriculture Today - Diversified industry - Large number of small farms - Ornamental horticulture is top industry sector N. Haddad
Economic Impact of NH Agriculture Agriculture has a significant impact on New Hampshire’s economy, employment base and tax revenue
$935 million Economic Impact of NH Agriculture
Economic Impact of NH Agriculture 11,606 jobs $43.8 million Tax revenue
Economic Impact of NH Agriculture
Values of NH Agriculture • Open space • Rural character • Scenic views • Heritage • Fresh food • Food security • Plants • Unique farm experiences
What’s new in NH Agriculture? Niche agriculture Direct sales Agri-tourism
Niche Agriculture Unique, unusual, uncommon Product, location, activity
Direct Sales Farm Stands Harvest Your Own Summer Farmers Markets Winter Farmer Markets Community Supported Agriculture (CSA’s) Garden Centers, greenhouse, plant nurseries
Value of Direct Market Sales 2007 Census of Agriculture US County Rankings Coos $383,000 - Hillsborough County, 37 th - Rockingham County, 38 th Grafton Carroll $1,147,000 $945,000 Belknap $964,000 Sullivan Merrimack Strafford $784,000 $1,864,000 $1,189,000 Rockingham $3,685,000 Cheshire Hillsborough $1,355,000 $3,706,000 NASS: http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/index.asp
Trends: Farm to … Restaurants Institutions
Eat Local Urban Agriculture Ethnic Markets
Agri-tourism
Agriculture is alive and well in New Hampshire today…
Agricultural Commissions New tool to enhance agriculture in the community www.extension.unh.edu
2002 N. Haddad 2010 Number of Farms in New Hampshire 2007 Census of Ag 2002 and 2007 %change 700 35 615 594 583 600 30 552 502 481 Number of Farms 500 25 445 421 419 % change 400 20 323 303 294 281 274 300 270 15 262 242 231 229 208 200 10 100 5 0 0 Belknap Carroll Cheshire Coos Grafton Hillsborough Merrimack Rockingham Strafford Sullivan Source: 2007 Census of Agriculture
Land in Farms N. Haddad 2010 Census of Ag 2002 and 2007 2002 2007 99,964 100,000 30 %change 90,000 85,794 79,169 20 80,000 70,000 64,642 10 % change 60,000 Acres 50,895 50,238 48,241 50,000 0 44,087 43,199 41,256 33,597 40,104 33,570 32,040 40,000 36,001 25,744 31,656 29,785 -10 23,378 30,000 23,430 20,000 -20 10,000 0 -30 d p l e s n h m n l k o o g a r o c r a i a o r u v n h o t a r f h f m i k a s C a o f l g a l e l C r r u e G o i n r r h t S B b r i S C e k s c M l l o i H R Source: 2007 Census of Agriculture
New Hampshire – State Profile % 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 7 change Num ber of Farm s 3,363 4,166 24 444,879 471,911 Land in Farm s acres acres 6 Average Size of Farm 132 acres 113 acres -14 Source: 2007 Census of Agriculture
USDA/ National Agricultural Statistics Service, New England Field Office Percentage of Farms with Direct Sales New England States and U.S., 2002 and 2007 Census of Agriculture 25 20 Percent 15 10 5 0 . e t t S d s n n e u . t n r o i U c t a i a e i h m t M l u e s s r h p n I e c m e n V a o d a s o C H s h a R w M e N 2002 2007 NH rank number 1 in nation Source: 2007 Census of Agriculture
USDA/ National Agricultural Statistics Service, New England Field Office Percentage of Total Market Value of Agriculture Sales from Direct Sales, New England States and U.S. 2002 and 2007 Census of Agriculture 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 Percent 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 U.S. Maine Vermont Conneticut Massachuetts Rhode Island New Hampshire 2002 2007 NH rank number 3 in nation
What is an Agricultural Commission? A new voice for farmers and support for agricultural businesses
What is an Agricultural Commission? Municipal committee Volunteers who care about agriculture in their town Forum for balancing rural character and growth
What is the Role of an Agricultural Commission? Advises town boards Focuses public attention on multiple values of agriculture Non-regulatory Optional Does what the town needs to support agriculture
How is an Agricultural Commission Created? By vote at Town Meeting or By City or Town Council or By the Board of Selectmen
House Bill 293 allows municipalities to establish agricultural commissions RSA 674:44-e. Agricultural Commission . An agricultural commission may be established in accordance with RSA 673 for the proper recognition, promotion, enhancement, encouragement, use, management, and protection of agriculture and agricultural resources, tangible or intangible, that are valued for their economic, aesthetic, cultural, historic, or community significance within their natural, built, or cultural contests. The word "agriculture" shall include the entirety of RSA 21:34-a, which is the definition of farm, agriculture, and farming.
RSA 674:44-f Powers. Agricultural commissions shall have advisory and review authority and other duties as follows: I. Survey and inventory all agricultural resources II. Conduct activities to recognize, promote, enhance, and encourage agriculture, agricultural resources, and agricultural-based economic opportunities. III. Assist the planning board, as requested, in the development and review of those sections of the master plan which address agricultural resources. IV. Advise, upon request, local agencies and other local boards in their review of requests on matters affecting or potentially affecting agricultural resources. (continued)
(continued) RSA 674:44-f Powers V. Coordinate activities with appropriate service organizations and nonprofit groups. VI. Publicize and report its activities. VII. Hire consultants and contractors as needed VIII. Receive gifts of money to assist in carrying out its purpose. XI . Hold meetings and hearing necessary to carry out its duties. RSA 674:44-g Appropriations Authorized.
Who Serves on an Agricultural Commission? Appointees, mostly with direct connection to agriculture
Typical activities of an Agricultural Commission Conduct agricultural inventories Cost of community services studies Public education Farmland protection Encouraging farm enterprises Starting farmers markets Hosting farm festivals & tours
How do we start an Agricultural Commission in our town? Initiate a local conversation Review guide, “Agricultural Commissions for New Hampshire Communities” Build interest and enthusiasm (Cont.)
How do we start an Agricultural Commission in our town? Initiate a local conversation Review guide, “Agricultural Commissions for New Hampshire Communities” Build interest and enthusiasm (Cont.)
How do we start an Agricultural Commission in our town? (cont.) Hold an exploratory and informational meeting Determine if an Agricultural Commission is right for your town Form steering committee
Steering Committee Tasks Create and submit warrant article or council motion Conduct public awareness campaign
What Happens Next? Municipality votes to create commission Commission members are appointed Commission starts work
Concord Deerfield Hooksett Fremont Bedford Salem Hudson
Ag Comms in NH Boscawen Others Brookfield Brentwood (dormant AG Canterbury committee) Effingham Hollis (AG committee) Lee Loudon Marlow Merrimack In Progress North Hampton 1. … Sandwich 2…. Tuftonboro Weare 3… Webster Wolfboro
Congratulations! You’re on your way to supporting agriculture in your community
432:33 Immunity from Suit. No agricultural operation shall be found a public or private nuisance as a result of changed conditions in or around the locality of the agricultural operation, if such agricultural operation has been in operation for one year or more and if it was not a nuisance at the time it began operation. This section shall not apply when any aspect of the agricultural operation is determined to be injurious to public health or safety under RSA 147:1 or RSA 147:2 .
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