Farming has a long tradition in New Hampshire, sustaining local and regional food systems, supporting economic prosperity of Granite State communities, and stewarding our state's lands and landscapes across many generations. National Farmer's Day—celebrated on October 12—recognizes the individuals who take on this profession. The NH Agricultural Experiment Station and the UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture are proud to be able to support and aid our state's farmers through research, innovation, and education!

Much of the agricultural research conducted at the Station occurs across the UNH research farms and facilities. These farms support the agricultural and natural resources discoveries, innovations and knowledge that benefit all farmers and communities in the Granite State. As such, we consider these research farms as belonging to every New Hampshire citizen.

Lilly Hartman, research scientist in Dr. Becky Sideman's research lab, shows off a 10-pound sweetpotato—part of a variety trial experiment started this summer—at the 2023 Horticultural Research Field Day at the Woodman Horticultural Research Farm.

The staff who sustain these research farms' operations are critical to the scientific success of UNH scientists. So, in additional to celebrating your local farmers, I hope you will have an opportunity to learn about the NH Agricultural Experiment Station's learn about the NH Agricultural Experiment Station's "research farmers" and help celebrate their contributions to moving New Hampshire's agricultural and food industries forward through science!

Lastly, you are invited to join the Station for Pumpkin Day 2023 on October 14 at 10 a.m. It's an opportunity to learn from Dr. Chris Hernandez about UNH’s cucurbits research program and decorate and take home a pumpkin or butternut squash grown at the UNH Kingman Research Farm. Oyster River Parents and Preschoolers will lead the decorating fun for aspiring scientists of all ages!

Thank you for all your continued support of the agricultural, food, forestry, and natural resources research mission of the NHAES.

Join Us at NHAES Pumpkin Day!

Learn from NHAES scientist and cucurbits breeder Chris Hernandez about UNH’s cucurbits research program and decorate and take home a pumpkin/butternut squash grown at the UNH Kingman Research Farm. Oyster River Parents of Preschoolers will lead decorating fun for aspiring scientists of all ages. Registration is required!

Our Summer/Fall 2023 issue of INSPIRED research report will be coming out soon and we’re excited to share it with you. This issue will focus on Food Markets, Nutrition and Community Dynamics and will include research spanning farm-based marketing models, New Hampshire demographics, and the health and nutrition of Granite Staters just like you. If you’d like an issue mailed to you, emailed to you, or both, please sign up online.