Agricultural commissions: A new resource for sustaining New Hampshire farms and communities

Agricultural commissions: A new resource for sustaining New Hampshire farms and communities

Summary

The project addressed the challenges to agriculture presented by residential and commercial growth of NH towns and cities, those ag unfriendly tax, zoning, signage and other policies and regulations, as well as conflicts with new residential and commercial developments that make farming increasingly difficult.

The project researched, developed and made available a new, innovative local governance board, the Agricultural Commission (Ag Com), to represent a municipality’s agricultural community and interests, support a sustainable agricultural industry, promote ag-based economic development, act as mediators, advocates, educators and or negotiators on agricultural issues, policies and or conflicts, serve as agricultural advisors to town boards and commissions (bringing in outside agricultural experts as needed), work for the preservation of agricultural land and facilitate communication among farmers. It brings farmers and non-farmers together to think and talk about agriculture in communities and create an awareness of agriculture as a business as well as a cherished view or valued open space. It gives farmers and communities a means of institutionalizing agricultural needs into local governance. The desired results are communities that are ag - conscious and ag - friendly.

The project created Ag Com information materials, conducted planning/input workshops for farmers, conservation organizations, land trusts, planners, legislators, municipalities and other stakeholders and launched the program, including adoption of enabling legislation. Five NH communities have established Ag Coms. Success derives from a participatory bottom-up networked approach that involved diverse stakeholders in project design, decisions and outcomes.

Objectives/Performance Targets

We have accomplished:
Performance Target: NH farmers and NH towns and cities have a new local governance tool they can use to sustain agricultural enterprises. At least 75% of NH farmers will know where to get information about this tool, know the process for getting this tool adopted in their town or city and how to use the tool in their communities. Adoption will happen according to the specific needs/ issues/ relationships between ag and town governance. While we recognize that Ag Coms may not be needed in all NH towns, the tool should be available in our state. Given the urbanizing pressures in southeastern NH, Ag Coms will be adopted first by towns and cities in Rockingham, Hillsborough and Strafford Counties.

Led by farmers, 5 towns have created Ag Coms.

Objective 1. After researching the experience of Ag Coms in MA and other states, and obtaining broad input from farmers, conservation organizations, planners, legislators, municipalities and other stakeholders, the Study Committee developed criteria for Ag Coms in NH to fit NH needs, NH statutes and local governance structures.

Objective 2. Materials explaining what Ag Coms are, want they can do, how to organize and how to structure as well as providing sample warrant articles, press releases, etc were developed and published on the web and in CD and Print formats.

Objective 3. Ag NH farmers and communities learned about Ag Coms by reading articles and attending workshops. these workshops continue into 2008.

Accomplishments/Milestones

* After researching the experience of Ag Coms in MA and other states, and obtaining broad input from farmers, conservation organizations, planners, legislators, municipalities and other stakeholders at numerous workshops involving hundreds of people, the Study Committee developed criteria for Ag Coms in NH to fit NH needs, NH statutes and local governance structures.
* Materials explaining what Ag Coms are, want they can do, how to organize and how to structure as well as providing sample warrant articles, press releases, etc. were developed and published on the web and in CD and Print formats.
* Statutes to enable Ag. Commissions in communities were adopted by the State legislature; five towns now have Agricultural Commissions.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

As a result of this project, statutes to enable Ag. Commissions in communities were adopted by the State legislature; five towns now have Agricultural Commissions.