Climate Resilience Workshop

SOIL HEALTH AND RAINWATER COLLECTION FOR IRRIGATION

Rescheduled Due to the Weather - Now Tuesday October 20th at 4pm

Join us on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 at 4:00 PM at Branch Hill Farm, 307 Applebee Road in Milton Mills, NH, to learn about projects local farms are implementing to address climate resilience.

The afternoon will include an overview of the on-farm projects, Q&A with topic experts, and information about the financial and technical resources available to farms through USDA NRCS, UNH Cooperative Extension, and Conservation Districts.

Here's what you'll see:

• Rainwater collection: Learn how Branch Hill Farm designed and installed a rainwater collection system for their barn roof, and how they'll use it for irrigation.

• Compost and biochar: See the results of using these amendments to improve nutrient and organic matter content in the farm's naturally sandy vegetable soils. We'll cover how to use compost and biochar, and how to make it or find it.

• Strategic perennials: Perennials were planted to further improve soil health. We'll discuss the properties of several interesting plants that are thriving here.

• Pasture renovation: The pasture is compacted and has poor soil fertility due to historical land use. Branch Hill Farm is enhancing its health is by rotationally grazing sheep and chickens and overseeding a diverse seed mix using the Conservation District’s no till seed drill. 

Whether you're a farmer, a landowner, or just curious about climate-smart agriculture, we hope you can join us! Feel free to share this post with anyone who might be interested.

Public and free. Please register in advance:
https://form.jotform.com/ariannas492/Workshop-Event-Registration
Registering helps us prepare and lets us send you important info about parking, etc.

Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 at 4pm

Hosted by Branch Hill Farm

307 Applebee Road, Milton Mills, NH

The NH Climate Resilience Grant funds projects on farms throughout the state that address climate adaptation and mitigation. Learn more about the program and apply by contacting your local County Conservation District. This grant program is made possible through grants from the You Have Our Trust Fund, The NH Charitable Foundation, and the generosity of community members. Funding is also provided by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender.

If you need an accommodation to participate in our programming, please contact Amy Papineau, Amy.Papineau@unh.edu, (603) 862-1601, prior to the event. Given ample time, we will make any reasonable effort to meet your needs, including language access services if requested, which will be provided free of charge. 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. Direct inquiries to unh.civilrights@unh.edu.

Climate Resilience Workshop

Agroforestry, Dandelion Forest Farm

Join us to explore how agroforestry can strengthen farm resilience through the integration of perennial fruit crops into agricultural landscapes. Participants will learn how perennial fruiting systems contribute to long-term climate resilience by stabilizing soils, conserving water, and sequestering carbon. The workshop will also highlight the benefits of diversified farming systems that combine annual and perennial crops, helping to create a more reliable and resilient food system in the face of increasing climate uncertainty.

Whether you're considering adding perennial crops to your operation or looking to improve the sustainability of an existing farm, this event will provide valuable insights, practical examples, and resources to support your goals. Please note; registration is required for this event with a max capacity of 40 attendees.

Free to the public

Hosted by: Dandelion Forest Farm

311 Stage Rd, Nottingham, NH 03290

*Rain date of 10/20/26 @ 3:30pm*

Register Here: https://form.jotform.com/ariannas492/Workshop-Event-Registration

If you have any questions regarding this workshop please contact Rockingham County Conservation District at (603) 679-2790.

The NH Climate Resilience Grant funds projects on farms throughout the state that address climate adaptation and mitigation. Learn more about the program and apply by contacting Rockingham County Conservation District. This grant program is made possible through grants from the You Have Our Trust Fund, The NH Charitable Foundation, and the generosity of community members. Funding is also provided by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender.

Climate Resilience Workshop

Oyster Farming, Swell Oyster Co

This workshop has reached capacity and we cannot take any more registrations. We hope to see you at another event!

Join us for an informative workshop focused on advancing sustainable oyster farming practices. Highlighting findings on the health and growth of oysters raised in both floating and bottom culture systems. Participants will receive an overview of the on farm project, hear from topic experts during an interactive Q&A session, possible boat ride (weather dependent), and learn about financial and technical assistance opportunities available through the USDA NRCS, UNH Cooperative Extension, and local Conservation Districts.

Whether you're an established oyster grower or interested in learning more about sustainable shellfish production, this workshop offers valuable research, resources, and networking opportunities. Please note registration is required for this event with a max capacity of 18 people.

Free to the public

Hosted by: Swell Oyster Shack

(Hampton State Pier)

1 Ocean Blvd, Unit K

Hampton, NH 03842

*This is a weather permitting event. RCCD will notify you directly if event needs to be rescheduled. Tentative rain date 09/30/2026 1:30pm*

This workshop has reached capacity and we cannot take any more registrations. We hope to see you at another event!

If you have any questions regarding this workshop please contact Rockingham County Conservation District at (603) 679-2790.

The NH Climate Resilience Grant funds projects on farms throughout the state that address climate adaptation and mitigation. Learn more about the program and apply by contacting Rockingham County Conservation District. This grant program is made possible through grants from the You Have Our Trust Fund, The NH Charitable Foundation, and the generosity of community members. Funding is also provided by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender

This is a public meeting to discuss which NRCS ranking questions would best support the top Local Workgroup priorities that came out of our 2026 Local Workgroup process.

Kindly RSVP to Alena@straffordccd.org or 603-749-3037. You can also call or email if you would like more information before the meeting.

Co-hosted with Carroll County Conservation District, Moose Mountain Regional Greenways, and UNH Cooperative Extension.

Join us for us for this walk led by UNH-CE foresters, Wendy Scribner and Lindsay Watkins, at Teneriffe Mountain to learn more about your local woods!

​

Topics Include: 

- Invasives

- Tree ID

- Insects & Diseases

- Crown Spacing & Tree Health

- Thinning your trees

- Creating opens for new growth

- And more!

​​

Details: 

Date: August 20th

Time: 9am-1pm (bring your own lunch and plenty of water!)

Location: Teneriffe Mountain (120 Sam Plummer Rd, Milton, NH 03851)

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Other Information: 

- this will be a moderately strenuous hike with some uneven terrain. 

- be sure to bring bug spray and dress appropriately for the weather. 

​

​Sign up here!

Sign up by emailing your name to: ​contact@carrollccd.org or calling 603-447-2771

​​​​Have a question? Reach out to us at contact@carrollccd.org or info@straffordccd.org

At the Emerson House, 4 Captain Smith Emerson Road, Lee NH

All are welcome, please RSVP.

Climate Resilience Workshop

FARM IRRIGATION SOLUTIONS

We hope you can join us to learn about projects local farms are implementing to address climate resilience issues.

There will be an overview of the on-farm project, Q&A’s with topic experts, and information about financial and technical resources available to farms through the USDA NRCS, UNH Cooperative Extension, and Conservation Districts.

• Water sources

• Field-scale irrigation

• Infrastructure

• Getting water from A to B

• Technical and financial resources

Public and free.

Please register at https://forms.gle/6yb1k4hNUeabKnBB6

Registering will allow us to prepare and to send you important information about parking, etc. Thank you!

Thursday, August 6th, 2026 at 4pm

Farm Irrigation Solutions

Hosted by Tuckaway Farm

at the Emerson House

4 Captain Smith Emerson Rd, Lee NH

More Climate Resilience Workshops coming this September and October! Details will be announced soon.

The NH Climate Resilience Grant funds projects on farms throughout the state that address climate adaptation and mitigation. Learn more about the program and apply by contacting your local County Conservation District. This grant program is made possible through grants from the You Have Our Trust Fund, The NH Charitable Foundation, and the generosity of community members. Funding is also provided by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender.

If you need an accommodation to participate in our programming, please contact Amy Papineau, Amy.Papineau@unh.edu, (603) 862-1601, prior to the event. Given ample time, we will make any reasonable effort to meet your needs, including language access services if requested, which will be provided free of charge. 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. Direct inquiries to unh.civilrights@unh.edu.

Topic: Equipment Rental Program policies, fees, maintenance needs, wish list.

Come to one or both segments of the meeting, please RSVP to 603.749.3037 or Alena@straffordccd.org

9:00 - 10:00 AM: Business meeting, review equipment policies, fees, maintenance needs, wish list.

10:00 - 11:00 AM: See and try out our BCS walk-behind tractor!

At the Emerson House at Tuckaway Farm + Food Commons, 4 Captain Smith Emerson Road, Lee NH

All are welcome, please RSVP.

Session 1: Introduction

This is a six-part workshop series hosted by the Strafford County Conservation District and Tuckaway Farm + Food Commons

Instructors: Bill Braun and Hannah Traggis, Freed Seed Federation

Seed saving can become a source of income, make farms more independent and resilient, and improve genetic biodiversity. It’s not just for farms; backyard growers, gardeners, and conservationists can utilize seed saving techniques to preserve local native species, heirloom crops, and more. 

Learn the process of saving seeds from start to finish. Topics include how to plan your crops, genetics and pollination considerations, processing, techniques, tools and equipment. 

SCCD has a new suite of seed saving equipment available to borrow, and this is the best way to learn how to use it!

Participants can attend the entire series for in-depth workshops on the entire seed saving process, or just attend the introduction session for an overview of seed saving and why we need to do it. 

Register here: https://forms.gle/2zrpFiA6pVYpGQ4r5

Schedule

Monday, May 11th, 12:00pm to 1:00pm, Online. 

Introduction: Why save seed?  An overview of the state of seeds and the need for more growers, from bioregional adaptation to intellectual property restrictions.

Monday, June 15th,  12:00pm to 1:00pm, Online. 

Getting started: Considerations, conducting variety trials, making observations, and doing selection work for seed saving on the farm or in the garden.

Monday, July 13th,  12:00pm to 1:00pm, Online. 

Dry-seeded crops: Using the life cycles of several crops as examples of timing, techniques, and processing/handling for numerous dry-seeded crops.  Included in the discussion will be overviews of population sizes for seed saving, isolation requirements, and outcrossing vs self-pollinating crops.

Monday, August 10th, 12:00pm to 1:00pm, Online. 

Wet-seeded crops:  Similar in format to the dry-seeded crops discussion, but focusing the timing, techniques, and processing/handling of wet seed.

September and October: Two hands-on technical field days at Tuckaway Farm, dates and times TBD. 

About the instructors: 

Hannah Traggis is a plant physiologist and plant breeder and serves as Senior Scientist for Freed Seed Federation. She is also a professional horticulturist and founder of Aurelia’s Garden, a nonprofit farming organization that grows food specifically for donation to emergency hunger relief efforts. There she serves as president and director of agricultural operations for two farming sites. Hannah has conducted vegetable variety trials and plant breeding research for the past thirteen years, including during the five years she was Senior Horticulturist and ran the Food Systems Program at Massachusetts Horticultural Society where that research informed national vegetable variety trialing programs. She frequently lectures at farming conferences about variety trialing, Agro-ecology, plant biology and seed breeding and saving. Most recently, Hannah has added a new role as the Marion Institute's (MI) Frogfoot Farm Program Manager. There, she will combine the food equity and seed sovereignty work of Aurelia's Garden and Freed Seed Federation with the MI's mission to increase food and nutrition equity throughout communities across Massachusetts.

Bill Braun is a farmer at Ivory Silo Farm in Westport, MA, where he and his partner Deanna Levanti grow vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruit, and seeds.  Bill is also the co-founder and Executive Director of Freed Seed Federation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to the preservation, adaptation, and diversification of place-based seed.

Topic: Review Local Workgroup Results, plan events, workshops, priorities.

Location TBD

All are welcome, please RSVP.

Are you a beginner farmer, planning to start farming, or a seasoned farmer who wants to learn more about the resources available to you? 

The Rockingham and Strafford County Conservation Districts, and partners, are hosting a free event to connect farmers with the agencies and organizations that serve farms in New Hampshire. Attendees will learn about technical assistance, grants, programs, and services that are available to them.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the participating agencies, organizations, and other new farmers. There will be informational handouts and light refreshments. The Districts will solicit some input from participants about their needs, priorities, and concerns as they pertain to conservation and agriculture so that they can better serve local farms. 

Participating organizations and agencies include: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Services Agency, UNH Cooperative Extension, Southeast Land Trust, NH Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food, the Farm Bureau, Walden Mutual Bank, the Conservation Districts, and more to be announced soon.

Help us get the word out about this event to any farmers in your life!

All are welcome, please RSVP: https://forms.gle/VLtHdqTxpwuh113V6

Your input is needed to guide the funding priorities, projects, and services provided by the local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Strafford County Conservation District. Your opinion matters and can make a real difference for conservation in Strafford County! 

This is a friendly, informal, moderated discussion focused on natural resources concerns and agriculture in the County; we will share ideas, concerns, challenges, and solutions with each other over snacks and coffee. This conversation will help us develop our priorities for events, meeting topics, grant applications, and more, for the next year. It will also be used to tailor USDA program ranking criteria to the needs of Strafford County. 

Open to the public. Can't make it? We welcome you to provide written comments. 

All are welcome, please RSVP: https://forms.gle/91vRqZv5sBKx41baA

In the event of hazardous winter weather, the meeting will be held on zoom (online or phone in).

Topic: Strafford County and the seacoast region’s local food infrastructure.

• What communal infrastructure is lacking in our area? Cold storage, warehouses, processing facilities, etc.

• Hear about new exciting projects.

• What is the District’s role in supporting local food infrastructure?

All are welcome, please RSVP.

POSTPONED! Both workshops are being postponed until a later date due to the government shut down. Please reach out to us with any questions!

Climate Resilience Workshops

We hope you can join us to learn about projects local farms are implementing to address climate resilience issues. There will be overviews of the projects, Q&A’s with topic experts, and information about financial and technical resources available to farms through the USDA NRCS, UNH Cooperative Extension, and Conservation Districts.

Public and free.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/Climate25Workshop

Monday, Nov. 17th, 3pm

Resilient Oyster Farming

Hosted by Swell Oyster Co.

at the River Boat Club

115 Landing Road, Hampton NH

Thursday, Nov. 20th, 2pm

Farm Irrigation Solutions

Hosted by Tuckaway Farm

at the Emerson House

4 Captain Smith Emerson Rd, Lee NH

The NH Climate Resilience Grant funds projects on farms throughout the state that address climate adaptation and mitigation. Learn more about the program and apply by contacting your local County Conservation District. This grant program is made possible through grants from the You Have Our Trust Fund, The NH Charitable Foundation, and the generosity of community members. Funding is also provided by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender.

If you need an accommodation to participate in our programming, please contact Amy Papineau, Amy.Papineau@unh.edu, (603) 862-1601, prior to the event. Given ample time, we will make any reasonable effort to meet your needs, including language access services if requested, which will be provided free of charge. 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. Direct inquiries to unh.civilrights@unh.edu.

POSTPONED! Both workshops are being postponed until a later date, due to the government shut down. Reach out to us with any questions!

Climate Resilience Workshops

We hope you can join us to learn about projects local farms are implementing to address climate resilience issues. There will be overviews of the projects, Q&A’s with topic experts, and information about financial and technical resources available to farms through the USDA NRCS, UNH Cooperative Extension, and Conservation Districts.

Public and free.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/Climate25Workshop

Monday, Nov. 17th, 3pm

Resilient Oyster Farming

Hosted by Swell Oyster Co.

at the River Boat Club

115 Landing Road, Hampton NH

Thursday, Nov. 20th, 2pm

Farm Irrigation Solutions

Hosted by Tuckaway Farm

at the Emerson House

4 Captain Smith Emerson Rd, Lee NH

The NH Climate Resilience Grant funds projects on farms throughout the state that address climate adaptation and mitigation. Learn more about the program and apply by contacting your local County Conservation District. This grant program is made possible through grants from the You Have Our Trust Fund, The NH Charitable Foundation, and the generosity of community members. Funding is also provided by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender.

If you need an accommodation to participate in our programming, please contact Amy Papineau, Amy.Papineau@unh.edu, (603) 862-1601, prior to the event. Given ample time, we will make any reasonable effort to meet your needs, including language access services if requested, which will be provided free of charge. 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. Direct inquiries to unh.civilrights@unh.edu.

For SCCD supervisors, staff, and others to catch up on on-going SCCD projects. Open to the public. We will meet via zoom.

Zoom link and call-in information:

https://www.straffordccd.org/zoom-sccd-monthly-meetings

Strafford County Conservation District

Annual Celebration

Farm Tour & More

October 8, 1-3pm at Emery Farm

LocaBerry owner Jameson Small will take us on a wagon ride and tour of the farm. See enchanting insect-themed hay sculptures. Learn about beekeeping with local expert Lee Alexander. Celebrate another year of conservation with donuts and cider.

Space is limited, please RSVP

RSVP here: https://form.jotform.com/252613954066157

For SCCD supervisors, staff, and others to catch up on on-going SCCD projects. Open to the public. We will meet via zoom.

Zoom link and call-in information:

https://www.straffordccd.org/zoom-sccd-monthly-meetings

Strafford County Conservation District Board Meeting

Wednesday, August 13, Noon to 1:30pm

Oyster Restoration and Farming

Old Landing, Durham

Please let me know if you will be attending so that I can procure lunch and extra chairs. Alena@straffordccd.org, 603.749.3037

 Please note the meeting time, noon instead of the usual 9am. 

Agenda:

• What’s new with oyster farming and restoration in NH?

• The Nature Conservancy’s Oyster Volunteer Program with Kelsey Meyer-Rust

• NRCS Oyster Projects with Matt Larkin

• Find out what challenges oyster farmers face

• Discuss ways SCCD can support oyster farming and restoration

• Business meeting: We will also be discussing the open SCCD full supervisor position and looking for nominations, and other brief updates.

Please RSVP: Alena@straffordccd.org, 603.749.3037

Monday morning update: Yes the event is still on! There is a 30% chance of showers and 15% chance of thunderstorms. We will hope for the best!

For SCCD supervisors, staff, and others to catch up on on-going SCCD projects. Open to the public. We will meet via zoom.

Zoom link and call-in information:

https://www.straffordccd.org/zoom-sccd-monthly-meetings

For SCCD supervisors, staff, and others to catch up on on-going SCCD projects. Open to the public. We will meet via zoom.

Zoom link and call-in information:

https://www.straffordccd.org/zoom-sccd-monthly-meetings

More details coming soon!

For SCCD supervisors, staff, and others to catch up on on-going SCCD projects. Open to the public. We will meet via zoom.

Zoom link and call-in information:

https://www.straffordccd.org/zoom-sccd-monthly-meetings

Your input is needed to guide the funding priorities, projects, and services provided by the local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Strafford County Conservation District. Your opinion matters and can make a real difference for conservation in Strafford County! 

This is a friendly, informal discussion; we will share ideas, concerns, challenges, and solutions with each other over coffee. This conversation will help us develop our meeting topics and project priorities for the next year. It will also be used to tailor USDA program ranking criteria to the needs of Strafford County. 

Open to the public. Can't make it? We welcome you to provide written comments. 

All are welcome, please RSVP: info@straffordccd.org, 603-749-3037

In the event of hazardous winter weather, the meeting will be held on zoom (online or phone in).

More details TBD.

Strafford Farms Restaurant, Dover. Breakfast and Coffee served.

For SCCD supervisors, staff, and others to catch up on on-going SCCD projects. Open to the public. We will meet via zoom.

Zoom link and call-in information:

https://www.straffordccd.org/zoom-sccd-monthly-meetings

Join us for a conversation about conservation easements. We will talk with representatives from the Southeast Land Trust of NH and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to learn about what’s new with easement funding, what challenges they are seeing with creating and enforcing easements, and more. We will have talk for about an hour, followed by a brief SCCD business meeting.

All are welcome! Please RSVP to alena@straffordccd.org or 603-749-3037.

Location: Court Jester Café Meeting Room, Basement Level, William Grimes Justice Admin Building, 259 County Farm Road, Dover. There will be an option to listen remotely via zoom.

For SCCD supervisors, staff, and others to catch up on on-going SCCD projects. Open to the public. We will meet via zoom.

Zoom link and call-in information:

https://www.straffordccd.org/zoom-sccd-monthly-meetings