TEMPLE, N.H. — On Friday March 12, Governor Christopher Sununu formally kicked off New Hampshire Maple Month with the annual ceremonial tree tapping. This year’s tapping took place at Connelly Brothers Dairy Farm in Temple, NH. Governor Sununu also recognized the 75th anniversary of NH County Conservation Districts by signing a proclamation honoring 2021 as the Year of Conservation. Governor Sununu was joined by NH Agriculture Commissioner Shawn Jasper and other legislators as well.
NH Maple social media ads generate high interest
CONCORD, N.H. — The NH Dept of Agriculture, Markets & Food launched a new maple season social media advertising campaign on March 1. The new campaign on Facebook and Instagram, features a short video and a link for further information and will run for the entire month, coinciding with NHMPA’s Maple Month celebration.
The maple ads have drawn a lot of attention showing over 115,000 video views, so far, with 80% “click-throughs” to the attached link for more information. The ad is linked to the NH Maple Producers Association website for the most comprehensive list of NH sugarhouses.
Senator Hassan supports NH Maple Producers
Annual NH Maple Tree Tap with the Governor
Annual Governor’s Tap!
Friday, March 12, 2021 at 9 am
Connolly Brothers Dairy Farm, 140 Webster Hwy, Temple NH 03084
Find the sweet spot near you! One option: Connolly Brothers Dairy Farm in Temple, where Governor Chris Sununu will tap the ceremonial NH maple tree. For nearly 50 years, the Governor’s Tap has welcomed the start of maple sugaring season in NH. This time-honored event opens NH Maple Sugaring Month, a month-long celebration of NH’s great maple tradition.
NH Seal of Quality presentation from Feb 12, 2021
Feb 16, 2021: NHMPA members, check out the NH Seal of Quality presentation that was delivered to us on Friday Feb 12, 2021! Link to the presentation is here: Seal of Quality Maple 2021
If you have any issues with downloading the presentation and would like a copy emailed to you, please email Chris Olsen at [email protected] and he can forward.
News from the NHMPA – January 2021
News from the Board of Directors – January 2021 Email Newsletter
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No Syrup Hydrometer Clinics in 2021
No Syrup Hydrometer Clinics in 2021
Due to restrictions associated with COVID-19, the Department will not be able to offer public hydrometer clinics this year. Fortunately, we can offer the following alternative options.
- Contact an agricultural inspector to schedule a visit to your sugarhouse. While the agricultural inspector is at your sugarhouse, they are able to grade your syrup as well if you choose.
- For producers who participate in the department’s Seal of Quality program, we can test your hydrometer during your annual maple inspection.
- If a small group of producers want to arrange a day to meet or arrange to drop their hydrometers off at one sugarhouse, the inspector can then test several hydrometers at that location.
CDC guidelines will be followed during the on-site visit such as wearing a mask, social distancing, and practicing good hand hygiene. When you contact the ag inspector, they will discuss the details of the visit.
If you are interested in having your syrup hydrometer tested, and/or a maple inspection, please contact an agricultural inspector.
Janis Conner [email protected] or 271-2753
Carroll County, Strafford County, and portions of: Merrimack, Rockingham, Belknap, & Coos
Alice Tuson [email protected] or 271-3509
Sullivan County, Grafton County, and portions of: Merrimack, Belknap, & Coos
Shane Conlin [email protected] or 271-3547
Rockingham, Hillsborough and Cheshire County
We appreciate your cooperation as we strive to provide safe alternatives to the annual clinics. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jennifer, Director of Division of Regulatory Services, at [email protected].
Dear NHMPA Membership,
Dear NHMPA Membership,
The new Online Marketplace link is in place on the NHMPA Homepage for all who’ve signed up. If you didn’t get your sugarhouse name sent in yet, please be sure to do so before October 29th. The link listing will only be updated again on November 1st and December 1st.
To be listed in the Online Marketplace send an email to [email protected] with “Marketplace” in the subject line to include the following information:
- Sugarhouse Name
- Contact Name
- Tel#
- Website
- Online Store
- Facebook Y/N
- Shipping Y/N
- Credit Cards Accepted Y/N
- Maple Syrup Y/N
- Maple Cream Y/N
- Maple Candy Y/N
- Maple Sugar Y/N
- Other Maple Products (list individually)
We’ve also listed some updates on the next round of Covid-19 Relief from the NH Department of Agriculture and other Webinars to take advantage of to help with your operations.
Regards to All,
NHMPA Board of Directors
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New Funding Round Open for NH Agriculture COVID-19 Relief Program
The next funding round for the NH Agriculture COVID-19 Relief Program is now open. All farms that experienced average COVID-19-related expenses of at least $500 per month or average COVID-19-related lost sales of at least $1,000 per month (as compared to 2019) during the July 1- September 30, 2020 time period are eligible to apply. Also, farms that registered for the original agriculture COVID-19 relief program by June 22, 2020 and have additional losses for the July 1- Sept. 30, 2020 period, may apply at this time using the same application form. The application deadline is October 15, 2020. Applications must be completed online.
Factsheet link: https://www.goferr.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt366/files/inline-documents/sonh/agriculture-application-fact-sheet.pdf
Application link:
https://nhpublichealth.force.com/nhgoferr/Proposal_Core_Listing_Page
If you have any questions, please contact me. Thanks!
Gail McWilliam Jellie, Director
Division of Agricultural Development
NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food
PO Box 2042 (25 Capitol St.)
Concord, NH 03302-2042
Tel. (603) 271-3551
Fax (603) 271-1109
Email: [email protected]
Online Courses in Maple Business and Financial Planning
University of Vermont Extension Maple Business will offer two short-form online courses this November. Maple Business Planning and Maple Financial Planning will provide current and prospective maple business owners with training on business management concepts and opportunities to apply new skills to their own business decisions. Each course offers a choice between registering for a daytime or evening schedule.
Maple Business Planning This four-session course will guide participants through key aspects of preparing a business plan. Each session will review concepts in strategic planning, analyzing risks, marketing and planning improvements. Students will prepare sections of their own plan over the four-week timeframe of the course.
Maple Financial Planning This three-session class will guide participants through the theory and mechanics of basic financial planning. Topics will include cash flow, balance sheets, sales forecasting and cost-of-production. The goal of this course is to identify important numbers and where to find them in order to make powerful decisions for your business.
Visit the Upcoming Events page at MapleManager.org to register!
Maple Webinar Series Continues
UVM maple specialists will also continue their series of online webinars focused on business decision-making and forestry practices.
Schedule:
- Fall Tapping and Tap Hole Longevity Wednesday, Septermber 30th 7:00 pm EST
- Forestry and Maple Panel Discussion Wednesday, October 14th 7:00 pm EST
- Tubing Systems and Forest Management Wednesday, October 28th 7:00 pm EST
- Digital Entrepreneurship and Online Sales Wednesday, November 4th 7:00 pm EST
- Sap-Only Enterprises Wednesday, November 11th 7:00 pm EST
- Appraisal and Valuation of a Sugarbush Wednesday, December 9th 7:00 pm EST
Presenters will include: Abby van den Berg (Research Associate Professor), Mark Isselhardt (Maple Specialist), Mark Cannella (Extension Associate Professor), Chris Lindgren (Forest Business Coordinator), attorneys, foresters and industry specialists.
Visit the Upcoming Events page at MapleManager.org to register!
NHMPA June 2020 Email Update
Read about updates regarding our new Vice President Dave Kemp and COVID-19 related news.