Walpole, NH (June 5, 2023) – The 10 New Hampshire Conservation Districts announce nearly $300,000 in grants to thirty-seven awardees for the 2023 NH Conservation Districts Climate Resilience Grant. In only its second year, this grant round increased funding available by $250,000 and awarded grants to 25 more farms than in 2022. This allowed a greater diversity of farms and projects to receive funding. Farms receiving awards are located across the state and represent a wide variety of agricultural industries; they include diversified vegetable producers, organic dairy farms, pasture-based livestock producers, cut flower farms, and berry growers.
The 2023 grant round was highly competitive, and interest exceeded funds available. From the total applicant pool, 37 farms were awarded, representing 32 towns across New Hampshire. 22 of these farms identify with the US Department of Agriculture definition of historically underserved, including beginner farmers, limited resource farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, and Veteran farmers. Awarded farms will implement a diversity of climate resilient projects. 6 of these projects specifically target energy improvements while the other 31 projects focus on drought resilient irrigation systems, management practices that build soil health and help sequester carbon in the soil, and shifts in agricultural management that prioritize the ecological integrity of NH such as integrated pest management and riparian plantings.
We are pleased to announce the following farms as the 2023 Climate Resilience Grant Awardees: Corliss Farm in Belmont, Arandano Farm in Belmont, Stout Oak Farm in Brentwood, Brookford Farm in Canterbury, Belknap County Farm Bureau in Center Barnstead, Geary Farm in Chester, Hilltop Farm in Claremont, Dancing Bear Farm in Claremont, Winter Street Farm in Claremont, Earle Family Farm in Conway, Mountain Heartbeet Farm in Effingham, Clyde Farm in Farmington, Dog Days Farm in Fitzwilliam, Benedikt Dairy in Goffstown, Open Woods Farm in Grafton, Rosewald Farm/Farmsteads of New England in Hillsborough, Deer Hill Farm in Hinsdale, Otokahe Farm in Jefferson, Red Barn Farm in Milan, Spring Ledge Farm in New London, Beaver Pond Farm in Newport, Hobbs Farm in North Hampton, Green Borough Farm in North Haverhill, Nicole’s Fruit Farm in North Woodstock, Tullando Farm in Orford, Pork Hill Farm in Ossipee, Robinson Family Farm in Pittsburg, Ten Rod Farm in Rochester, Brandmoore Farm in Rollinsford, Your Neighbors Flowers/Caldera Edge Farm in Sandwich, Meristem Farm in Strafford, Northwinds Farm in Stratford, Barker Farm in Stratham, Kearsarge Gorge Farm in Warner, Lucky 13 Farm in Winchester, Manning Hill Farm in Winchester, and Full Moon Farm in Wolfeboro.
The mission of the NH Conservation Districts Climate Resilience Grant is to support and empower local farmers to build climate resilience throughout the Granite State. This will be done through reducing the impact of agriculture on climate change (mitigation) through greenhouse gas emissions reduction and carbon sequestration, and to increasing the resiliency of New Hampshire Farms in a changing climate (adaptation), while meeting farm’s conservation goals and needs. Extreme weather events, frequent and prolonged droughts, and increased pest pressures are challenging NH farms.
This climate grant though the NH County Conservation Districts seeks to support farmers in meeting those challenges. Conservation Districts created this farm viability program to improve the resilience of NH farms in the face of extreme weather events and a changing climate. Direct grants enable farms to invest in on-farm infrastructure, equipment, and innovative practices that support farm profitability and the long-term viability for NH’s agricultural sector.
This program is made possible through support from the You Have Our Trust Fund, the NH Charitable Foundation and the generosity of community members. If you would like to make a donation to support future funding of the program, please do so on Cheshire County Conservation District's website:
Donations to the fund may also be made by mail, checks can be made payable to "CCCD" and addressed to 11 Industrial Park Dr., Walpole, NH 03608. Please include “Climate” in the memo line. Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated and make a difference!
About Cheshire County Conservation District
Cheshire County Conservation District's mission is to promote the conservation and responsible use of our natural and agricultural resources for the people of Cheshire County by providing technical, financial, and educational resources. Contact Amanda Littleton for more information amanda@cheshireconservation.org, 603-756-2988 ext. 4: www.cheshireconservation.org
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