Annual NH Farm, Forest & Garden Expo Celebrates 39 Years!

Award Winners Recognized at Annual Ceremony

The 39th annual NH Farm, Forest & Garden Exposition was held on February 4-5, 2022. Despite winter storm weather challenges and ongoing Covid concerns, the event featured a busy trade show showcasing the latest in agricultural and forest technology and educational workshops and demonstrations with something for everyone, from the hobbyist to the professional.

The annual industry awards reception, held on Feb. 4th, recognized individuals and businesses for outstanding contributions to their industry. The winners are as follows:

NH Farms of Distinction is a program of the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food that annually recognizes those New Hampshire Farms that go the extra mile to keep their busy farmsteads neat and attractive, thereby portraying a positive image for New Hampshire agriculture. The 2022 winners are:

Butternut Farm, Farmington, NH: Giff and Mae Burnap are graduates of the University of NH and after working on Giff’s family fruit farm in upstate NY for a number of years, they had the opportunity to return to NH in 2004 and purchase Butternut Farm in Farmington. Butternut Farm, which had been operating since 1990, was the top choice among the farms that the Burnaps were considering because of its location, excellent soils and great farming history. Since purchasing the farm they have planted additional varieties of apples and diversified the types of fruit they offer. The farm currently features 25 acres of pick your own fruit, beginning in June with strawberries and running through October with apples and other tree fruits, berries and pumpkins. The Burnap’s goal is to create welcoming environment for people to visit the farm and experience the harvest first hand. They also sell fruit trees in the spring and in 2017 built a cider house and now produce a line of hard ciders for sale at the farm.

Visit Butternut Farm on the web.

Harding Hill Farm, Sunapee NH: Tyler and Kelly Webb took over management of the Harding Hill Farm in Sunapee in 2014 when Tyler became co-owner with his father, Van. Harding Hill Farm was established by Van’s parents in 1948 and was a sheep farm for many years. The property had been farmed in various capacities since the 1700’s. Tyler has a forestry background and with his father, offers tree care and forest management services. Kelly has degrees in dairy and animal nutrition. Tyler and Kelly introduced a herd of belted Galloway cattle to the farm and have worked to acquire land and improve pastures and grazing options. The farm is currently comprised of about 150 acres including 45 acres of rented pasture and hayland. Grass-fed beef is sold at their retail store and at the local farmers’ market. The family has also produced maple syrup for three generations and they currently make about 1000 gallons of syrup per year. They also process and sell firewood and hay.

Hazelton Orchards, Chester, NH: Hazelton Orchards is a small family orchard that dates back to the late 1800’s in the Hazelton family. Kitt and Cathy Plummer now rent the property and manage the operation that has been in Cathy’s family for generations. Kitt and Cathy took over the farm in 2009. They planted a new peach orchard and also added newer varieties of apples while keeping established classic varieties such as Northern Spy, Baldwin and Gravenstein. Today the farm is comprised of 90 acres including orchard, vegetable cropland and woodlands. The Plummers produce about 20 varieties of apples, 18 varieties of peaches and several varieties of pears sold at their seasonal, retail farm stand. They also sell a selection of vegetables, cider and products from other local farms including maple, jams and jellies and honey. In addition they offer pick-your-own apples throughout the harvest season and pick-your-own peaches in mid-September.

Nye Hill Farm, Roxbury, NH: Nye Hill Farm in Roxbury was established in 1790 by Nathan Nye. In 2010 the property was purchased by Anthony and Deb Kline who were looking to resurrect the farm. The Klines established a certified organic farm and offer a seasonal farm stand with vegetables, fruit, maple and honey. They also sell wool from their own sheep and pottery from resident potters. In addition to the farm stand they also sell to local restaurants and retailers. The farm is comprised of 116 acres including about 25 acres for fruit and vegetable production, 10 for animal pastures and much of the woodlands contain maple trees used for syrup production. The Klines espouse a strong respect for the land and the principles of holistic care. The farm also operates a brewery on-site and makes and sells beer. Nye Hill Brewery strives to use local and American ingredients in the brewing process.

New Hampshire Green Pastures Dairy Farmer of the Year award is presented annually to an outstanding NH dairy farmer. A similar award is presented in each New England state as part of the New England Green Pastures program which honors dairy farmers for management and contribution to the agricultural community. The program started from a challenge posed by former governor of New Hampshire, Charles Dale, over 70 years ago, who dared the other New England states to produce better pastures. All New England winners are honored each year in September at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA. The New Hampshire winner is recognized every year at the Farm, Forest & Garden Expo.

The 2021 NH Green Pastures winner was Windyhurst Farm of Westmoreland. This outstanding dairy farm is operated by Stuart and Robyne Adams and their family. The farm had been a Green Pastures winner under the previous generation, Roger and Ellie Adams, in 1975. Windyhurst Farm maintains a herd with close to 300 milking cows and participates in numerous conservation programs to manage their 600 acres along the Connecticut River and adjacent Cheshire County lands.

The Stephen H. Taylor Agricultural Leadership Award, presented by the NH Farm, Forest & Garden Expo, recognizes outstanding work by an individual who works professionally in the field of agriculture. The 2022 award was given to Seth Wilner of Newport. Seth works as UNH Extension Educator, Agricultural Resources and Environmental Stewardship in Sullivan County, a position he’s held since 2000. He worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer and with Extension in Wisconsin prior to working in NH.

Seth focuses on farm planning and business management in his Extension work. He is dedicated to helping farms succeed and every family member on the farms he works with gets his attention in the process. Throughout his career, Seth has mentored farmers and colleagues. He is described as the “glue” that holds the team together and gets things done. Seth exemplifies leadership in the field of agriculture and embodies the spirit of the Stephen H. Taylor Leadership Award.

The Andrew L. Felker Memorial Award is presented by the NH Farm, Forest & Garden Expo for significant contributions to the health and vitality of New Hampshire agriculture. The award is named after New Hampshire’s first Commissioner of Agriculture.

This year’s award was presented Steve Taylor of Meriden. Steve served as NH Commissioner of Agriculture from 1982-2007. His 25 year stretch as commissioner is second only in duration to Andrew Felker, himself, who served over 30 years.

Steve’s accomplishments as commissioner were many, but his commitment to the industry has continued since leaving the department. He was a New England correspondent for Lancaster Farming, an agricultural newspaper based in Pennsylvania. Steve began presenting for the NH Humanities Council upon retirement, and continues to do so today on topics related to agriculture and rural life. He serves on many agricultural boards and committees locally and regionally. Steve embodies the spirit of Andrew L. Felker in encouraging and promoting the resources to assure the future strength and success of New Hampshire agriculture.

For more information about the NH Farm & Forest Expo, visit www.NHFarmAndForestExpo.org.