North Country Fruit & Vegetable Farmers Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/north-country-fruit-vegetable-farmers University of New Hampshire Extension specialists interview seasoned growers in northern New Hampshire who share insights into creating a successful agricultural business. ©2021 UNH b0afd2e4-ae2b-509e-83ea-a467a10ec78b no en Fri, 09 Feb 2024 15:06:35 -0500 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 18:10:25 -0500 https://extension.unh.edu/NCFV https://img.transistor.fm/xV_YnuqP6iFRFLAYbsbQpjlcOO25PCYTqplycLRAuCA/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzI0ODIzLzE2MzI5/MTk5MzktYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg North Country Fruit & Vegetable Farmers https://extension.unh.edu/NCFV episodic University of New Hampshire Extension University of New Hampshire Extension specialists interview seasoned growers in northern New Hampshire who share insights into creating a successful agricultural business. University of New Hampshire Extension specialists interview seasoned growers in northern New Hampshire who share insights into creating a successful agricultural business. farming, growers, New England farming, agriculture, farm business, farm business management Dave Kellam No No Solar Power with retired Extension specialist John Porter and poultry farmer Tom Giovagnoli 5 5 Solar Power with retired Extension specialist John Porter and poultry farmer Tom Giovagnoli full 05d84385-7212-42d4-bc49-a1959f4ab7ba https://share.transistor.fm/s/0376b738 Integrating solar power in and around farms can reduce energy costs, improve sustainability goals, and transform a farms economic status. In this episode, we hear from Tom Giovagnoli, an egg  producer with Pete and Jerry’s in Boscawen who shares that adding solar to the roof of his barn made his operation more economically viable. We also chat with John Porter, Retired UNH Extension specialist who continues to consult on infrastructure and barn projects in New Hampshire. John has added solar to his small farm homestead and has consulted with farms across the state on how to successfully reduce energy costs.

Resources

The Rural Energy for America Program, or better known as the USDA REAP Grant, provides grant funding and guaranteed loan financing to rural small businesses and agricultural producers across the United States, to be used for implementing renewable energy systems or making improvements to overall energy efficiency. 

Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants

Produced by
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

]]> Integrating solar power in and around farms can reduce energy costs, improve sustainability goals, and transform a farms economic status. In this episode, we hear from Tom Giovagnoli, an egg  producer with Pete and Jerry’s in Boscawen who shares that adding solar to the roof of his barn made his operation more economically viable. We also chat with John Porter, Retired UNH Extension specialist who continues to consult on infrastructure and barn projects in New Hampshire. John has added solar to his small farm homestead and has consulted with farms across the state on how to successfully reduce energy costs.

Resources

The Rural Energy for America Program, or better known as the USDA REAP Grant, provides grant funding and guaranteed loan financing to rural small businesses and agricultural producers across the United States, to be used for implementing renewable energy systems or making improvements to overall energy efficiency. 

Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants

Produced by
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

]]> Wed, 29 Sep 2021 08:57:31 -0400 University of New Hampshire Extension University of New Hampshire Extension 2365 The newest farming gadget is not a cultivation tool, but rather solar panels. The newest farming gadget is not a cultivation tool, but rather solar panels. farming, growers, New England farming, agriculture, farm business, farm business management No Alternative berry crops with Ben Shambaugh of Wayside Farm and Great Northern Berries 4 4 Alternative berry crops with Ben Shambaugh of Wayside Farm and Great Northern Berries full 5085665f-3f03-4e3d-aa02-f46f3f6f9673 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9cf5c9ad Ben Shambaugh founded Wayside Farm in Sandwich, NH over 30 years ago. Since 2013 he has been trying a variety of alternative fruit crops under the Great Northern Berries name. Through trial and error he has found what works and what doesn’t for his business. Come join us and learn about their journey into producing honey berry and other unique small fruit crops.  

 
Resources
Wayside Farm  

 

Interviewer Nick Rowley

 
Produced by
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

 

]]> Ben Shambaugh founded Wayside Farm in Sandwich, NH over 30 years ago. Since 2013 he has been trying a variety of alternative fruit crops under the Great Northern Berries name. Through trial and error he has found what works and what doesn’t for his business. Come join us and learn about their journey into producing honey berry and other unique small fruit crops.  

 
Resources
Wayside Farm  

 

Interviewer Nick Rowley

 
Produced by
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

 

]]> Wed, 29 Sep 2021 08:56:59 -0400 University of New Hampshire Extension University of New Hampshire Extension 4037 Listen to our interview with Ben Shambaugh of Wayside Farm and Great Northern Berries. Ben has tried a variety of different berry crops over the course of his career. Come learn about these crops and hear Ben’s prospective on growing fruit crops, farm ingenuity and marketing these unique fruits. Listen to our interview with Ben Shambaugh of Wayside Farm and Great Northern Berries. Ben has tried a variety of different berry crops over the course of his career. Come learn about these crops and hear Ben’s prospective on growing fruit crops, farm ing farming, growers, New England farming, agriculture, farm business, farm business management No Growing an agricultural business with Bridget McKee of Bent Fork Farm 3 3 Growing an agricultural business with Bridget McKee of Bent Fork Farm full c7c5fc7d-9186-4762-9fed-f733bbd307f4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/03a386d9 Bridget McKee and her husband Ben set out to start a vegetable farm that would fit in with their professional interests and the family life they want, in the place where they want to live.  Join us to hear about the journey which had them starting their farm in Lancaster and then relocating it to Bethlehem.  We’ll talk about how the farm chooses their markets and crops and some of their favorite tips for other farms. 

Resources
 

Bent Fork Farm 

New Farmers Resources 


For more information on this podcast and the October panel discussions contact Heather Bryant , Heather.Bryant@unh.edu

 

Produced by
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

]]> Bridget McKee and her husband Ben set out to start a vegetable farm that would fit in with their professional interests and the family life they want, in the place where they want to live.  Join us to hear about the journey which had them starting their farm in Lancaster and then relocating it to Bethlehem.  We’ll talk about how the farm chooses their markets and crops and some of their favorite tips for other farms. 

Resources
 

Bent Fork Farm 

New Farmers Resources 


For more information on this podcast and the October panel discussions contact Heather Bryant , Heather.Bryant@unh.edu

 

Produced by
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

]]> Wed, 29 Sep 2021 08:56:30 -0400 University of New Hampshire Extension University of New Hampshire Extension 948 Today we will sit down with Bridget McKee of Bent Fork Farm in Bethlehem, NH. We’ll hear about her journey to building and relocating her vegetable farm in the North Country. Today we will sit down with Bridget McKee of Bent Fork Farm in Bethlehem, NH. We’ll hear about her journey to building and relocating her vegetable farm in the North Country. farming, growers, New England farming, agriculture, farm business, farm business management No Mushrooms with Eliah and Louis of Northspore 2 2 Mushrooms with Eliah and Louis of Northspore full f097b760-a324-4cbe-9710-31c46b462a9f https://share.transistor.fm/s/232af96c Northspore is a rising mycology company in Southern Maine. Originally created by three friends as a mushroom farm they have grown to offer mushroom spawn, inoculation supplies, mycological education and more. The crew at Northspore loves mushrooms and they want you to love them too!  Join us as we talk about mushroom terminology, growing practices and marketing mushrooms on small farms.  

 

This episode is our COVID friendly answer to the North Country Fruit and Vegetable Seminar and Tradeshow, a successful event started nearly 20 years ago by our colleague Steve Turaj.  We have recorded a series of 5 episodes of interest to farmers in the North Country and those who choose to live a rural life.  We will make the topic of each episode the subject of a lunch time panel discussion session in October 2021.  Please join us on October 28 at noon to dive deeper into the topic of mushroom production. 

Produced by
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

]]> Northspore is a rising mycology company in Southern Maine. Originally created by three friends as a mushroom farm they have grown to offer mushroom spawn, inoculation supplies, mycological education and more. The crew at Northspore loves mushrooms and they want you to love them too!  Join us as we talk about mushroom terminology, growing practices and marketing mushrooms on small farms.  

 

This episode is our COVID friendly answer to the North Country Fruit and Vegetable Seminar and Tradeshow, a successful event started nearly 20 years ago by our colleague Steve Turaj.  We have recorded a series of 5 episodes of interest to farmers in the North Country and those who choose to live a rural life.  We will make the topic of each episode the subject of a lunch time panel discussion session in October 2021.  Please join us on October 28 at noon to dive deeper into the topic of mushroom production. 

Produced by
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

]]> Wed, 29 Sep 2021 08:56:11 -0400 University of New Hampshire Extension University of New Hampshire Extension 3341 Today we meet up with Eliah and Louis at Northspore in Westbrook Maine. We’ll learn about some mushroom growing basics in the Northeast from the folks who live and breathe mushrooms! Today we meet up with Eliah and Louis at Northspore in Westbrook Maine. We’ll learn about some mushroom growing basics in the Northeast from the folks who live and breathe mushrooms! farming, growers, New England farming, agriculture, farm business, farm business management No Beekeeping with Janice Mercieri of White Mountain Apiary 1 1 Beekeeping with Janice Mercieri of White Mountain Apiary full 48cc8b75-154d-4ff5-ace7-c121de7dea7a https://share.transistor.fm/s/c91e8341 Beekeeping has become a popular hobby for the backyard gardener, as well as an opportunity for commercial farms to diversify their business. Janice Mercieri of White Mountain Apiary has been successfully caring for bees and selling bee products, nucs and packages in Grafton and Coos Counties for many years. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience about raising and caring for bees, as well as skill in running a business in New Hampshire’s North Country.

Resources
Before getting into raising your own bees, it is helpful to know what skill and knowledge you will need to become a successful beekeeper. We created a ‘skills and knowledge list’ to help you decide if you are ready to become a beekeeper:  

White Mountain Apiary  

NH Beekeepers Association 

North Country Beekeepers

 
Produced by
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

]]> Beekeeping has become a popular hobby for the backyard gardener, as well as an opportunity for commercial farms to diversify their business. Janice Mercieri of White Mountain Apiary has been successfully caring for bees and selling bee products, nucs and packages in Grafton and Coos Counties for many years. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience about raising and caring for bees, as well as skill in running a business in New Hampshire’s North Country.

Resources
Before getting into raising your own bees, it is helpful to know what skill and knowledge you will need to become a successful beekeeper. We created a ‘skills and knowledge list’ to help you decide if you are ready to become a beekeeper:  

White Mountain Apiary  

NH Beekeepers Association 

North Country Beekeepers

 
Produced by
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

]]> Wed, 29 Sep 2021 08:55:40 -0400 University of New Hampshire Extension University of New Hampshire Extension 2041 The bees teach us something new everyday. Beekeeping can be a viable enterprise on a small scale farm, but there are some considerations to take in before diving in. The bees teach us something new everyday. Beekeeping can be a viable enterprise on a small scale farm, but there are some considerations to take in before diving in. farming, growers, New England farming, agriculture, farm business, farm business management No