Capital Area Farm and Community Connection Infrastructure Inventory Project.

Capital Area Farm and Community Connection Infrastructure Inventory Project.

Summary

In 2010, MCCD worked towards getting a baseline of what agricultural infrastructure already exists and what Merrimack County farmers need to grow more, store more, and add value to. These accomplishments were made through mailing surveys to schools, churches, and farms. Email surveys were sent to farmers. In-person interviews were conducted at each farmers market in Merrimack County. A roundtable discussion was conducted with approximately 30 farmers. This project has helped bring some farmers interested in forming a cooperative to maximize on underutilized infrastructure. It has also given the District and other agricultural organizations feedback on their programs and what type of infrastructure they may fundraise/ grant write to lease to local farmers.

Objectives/Performance Targets

These are the following objectives/ performance targets for this grant:
a. List of possible existing infrastructure available to Merrimack County farmers.
b. List of farmers’ infrastructure needs in the county acquired through surveys, interviews, and roundtable discussions.
c. A meeting to bring together owners of existing infrastructure and farmers who need it.
d. A comprehensive report/ booklet with map of existing infrastructure and the contact information/ rules/ regulation for each of the sites.
e. Creating a report stating what the agricultural infrastructure needs is in Merrimack County that will be available to agricultural technical service providers.
f. Sponsor workshops on the use of commercial kitchens for value-added production.
g. Seek additional funding to implement next steps.
h. Complete reports to SARE

Accomplishments/Milestones

a. Create and administer surveys
The staff of MCCD created and distributed surveys to the following entities:
i. Farmers of Merrimack County. These surveys were sent by email, mail, and conducted in-person at Merrimack County farmers markets.
ii. Churches in Merrimack County. This survey was to assess the availability of commercial kitchens and cold storage that is underutilized.

iii. Schools in Merrimack County. This survey was to assess the availability of commercial kitchens and cold storage that is underutilized.
b. Infrastructure Roundtable Discussion
The staff of MCCD along with consultants Dave Chase and Ruth Smith helped facilitate this discussion on the infrastructural needs of Merrimack County. Over 30 producers and 20 agricultural technical service providers came to this workshop.
c. Held meetings with small and medium apple orchards to co-use underutilized facilities. These discussions have led towards the beginning steps of the establishment of a marketing cooperative among the orchardists. Additional meetings/ discussions have led to beef producers exploring the possibility of shared infrastructure and working cooperatively.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Currently we have a comprehensive list of schools and churches that have cold storage and commercial kitchens that could be used by farmers. Also, we have survey results as to what farmers need for season extension, increased production, and sustainable agriculture, such as a shared no-till seed drill. These results are in the process of being compiled for a final report to be distributed to farmers, ag service professionals, and other interested parties in print and on-line.

On top of this work, we have had meetings where two groups of farmers that are exploring ways to maximize their underutilized infrastructure and work cooperatively for greater production and sales. These two groups include apple orchards and beef producers. These discussions have led to grant proposals asking for assistance in starting up these cooperative endeavors. In the next several months, additional meetings will be scheduled to bring more entities together in “match making” events.

An unexpected positive outcome has been the outreach to new farmers and increased awareness about the Merrimack County Conservation District and other partner programs. Also, we have experienced positive feedback from farmers. One farmer told our interviewer Sherry Young that for once someone was listening to the farmers and getting their opinions. Having a sounding board and possibly having their needs realized has been incredibly important to these farmers.

Collaborators: