Kendall and Rebecca talk with Christa Howe of Christa's Christmas Tree Farm in Colebrook, NH about the year-round work involved in Christmas tree farming. Christa notes her journey into the business, the long growth cycle of trees, and the importance of both wholesale and retail sales. They discuss seasonal tasks like planting, mowing, shearing, and harvesting, as well as the need for detailed record-keeping and budgeting due to the crop’s long investment period.

Show notes:

Microsoft Excel: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/excel

Google Sheets: https://workspace.google.com/products/sheets/

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/

Google Earth: https://earth.google.com/web/

John Deere: https://www.deere.com/en/

UNH Cooperative Extension: www.extension.unh.edu

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rebecca Dube – rebecca.dube@unh.edu

Kendall and Rebecca discuss haying in New England, emphasizing the importance of timing and quality. Carl Majewski, a forages and field crop specialist, explains the process of making hay, from mowing to baling, and highlights the significance of cutting grass at the right stage for optimal nutritional value. They discuss the benefits of growing grass in New England, and the importance of soil and hay testing to ensure quality feed. Kendall and Carl note the impact of weather on hay production and the need for proper storage and equipment maintenance.

Show notes:

Carl Majewski: carl.majewski@unh.edu

Sarah Allen, Dairy Production State Specialist: sarah.allen@unh.edu

Some Hay Testing Options:

Dairy One: https://dairyone.com

Cumberland Valley Forage Lab: https://www.foragelab.com/

Equi-Analytical Hay Analysis: https://equi-analytical.com/

NH County Offices providing hay probes for use:

Hillsborough County – Kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rockingham County – Jesse.wright@unh.edu

Merrimack County – jessica.descoteaux@unh.edu

Carroll County – Olivia.saunders@unh.edu

Grafton County – heather.bryant@unh.edu

Sullivan County – seth.wilner@unh.edu

Coos County – william.hastings@unh.edu

Hay Testing Video: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/taking-hay-sample-video

Soil Testing Information and resources: https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/pest-disease-growing-tools/soil-testing-services

Upcoming Extension workshops: https://extension.unh.edu/events

UNH Cooperative Extension: www.extension.unh.edu

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rebecca Dube – rebecca.dube@unh.edu

Kendall Kunelius and Rebecca Dube discuss the dangers of ticks with Extension Diagnostic Service Program Manager Shyloh Favreau. Shyloh notes that ticks are obligate blood feeders that can transmit diseases like Lyme disease and highlights the increasing tick population in New Hampshire, particularly the black-legged tick, and then advises on personal protection measures such as clothing choices and tick checks. Shyloh also introduces UNH's tick testing service, which identifies and tests ticks for pathogens, providing results within three days. The service aims to help individuals make informed medical decisions post-tick bite.

Show notes:
Shyloh Favreau: shyloh.favreau@unh.edu or 603-862-3200

Biology and Management of Ticks in New Hampshire: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/biology-and-management-ticks-new-hampshire-fact-sheet

Center of Disease Control Ticks page: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/about/index.html

Permethrin on treated clothing – EPA: https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/repellent-treated-clothing

UNH Extension Tick Testing page: https://extension.unh.edu/tick-testing

Questions on tick testing email address: unh.ccwl@unh.edu

UNH Cooperative Extension: www.extension.unh.edu

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rebecca Dube – rebecca.dube@unh.edu

Kendall and Rebecca discuss succession planning in agriculture with Seth Wilner, an Extension specialist with 26 years of experience. Seth defines succession planning as the strategic transfer of farm management and ownership to the next generation, emphasizing its importance in minimizing taxes, reducing family conflict, and ensuring business sustainability. He highlights the need for farmers to start planning early, maintain basic records, and assemble a trusted team of advisors. Seth also stresses the emotional and logistical challenges, particularly when dealing with family dynamics and remote stakeholders. He advocates for patience, grace, and the support of experienced mentors to navigate this complex process.

Show notes:

Seth Wilner – seth.wilner@unh.edu

Farm Credit East – www.farmcrediteast.com

Environmental Mediation Center – www.emcenter.org/nhamp/

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

UNH Cooperative Extension: www.extension.unh.edu

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rebecca Dube – rebecca.dube@unh.edu

Kendall and Rebecca discuss the experiences of young farmers in New Hampshire with Lindsay Matras, who runs a small dairy and sugaring business, and Gracie Phillips, who manages an organic orchard and educational center. Both farmers share their challenges and successes, highlighting the importance of family influence, the need for diversification, and the impact of technology and community support.

Show notes:

Lindsay Matras – thesudsycow@gmail.com

The Sudsy Cow – www.thesudsycow.com

Matras Maple Sugarhouse & Dairy – www.matrasmaple.com

Gracie Phillips – heartsongfarmwellness@gmail.com

Heartsong Farm and Lost Nation Orchard – www.heartsongfarmlostnationarchard.com

‘The Apple Guy’ – Michael Phillips - The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist

NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan - https://www.nhfoodalliance.org/new-hampshire-food-agriculture-strategic-plan

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

UNH Cooperative Extension: www.extension.unh.edu

The Little Red Hen Farm & Market - https://www.littleredhenfarm.net/

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rebecca Dube – rebecca.dube@unh.edu

In the first episode of Season Three of the Shared Soil podcast, Kendall and Rebecca discuss the North Country Farm Trail, an initiative by Kate Savage to promote agritourism and local agriculture in the North Country of New Hampshire. The Farm Trail aims to connect local consumers with a wide range of agricultural products and services, including fresh produce, dairy, meats, and local services like insurance and maple syrup production. The initiative offers three promotional packages for farmers, from a free basic package to more comprehensive options.

Show notes:

North Country Farm Trail: www.northcountryfarmtrail.com

Kate Savage: northcountryfarmtrail@gmail.com

WREN (Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network): www.wrenworks.org

Will Hastings: william.hastings@unh.edu

Olivia Saunders: olivia.saunders@unh.edu

UNH Cooperative Extension: www.extension.unh.edu

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rebecca Dube – rebecca.dube@unh.edu

We wanted to create a bonus episode for this season, kind of like a holiday card, thanking all of the farmers and people who work in agriculture in New Hampshire and beyond. So we’ve gathered a bunch of people to share what they are thankful to New Hampshire agriculture for.

Show notes:

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rebecca Dube – rebecca.dube@unh.edu

Carl Majewski – carl.majewski@unh.edu

Caroline Beaton – caroline.beaton@unh.edu

Jeremy Delisle – Jeremy.delisle@unh.edu

Sarah Allen – sarah.allen@unh.edu

Mary Choate – mary.choate@unh.edu

Amber Vinchesi-Vahl – amber.vinchesi@unh.edu

Katrina McKay – katrina.mckay@unh.edu

Seth Wilner – seth.wilner@uh.edu

Amy Loader – amy.ouellette@unh.edu

Depreciation is the reduction in the value of business equipment over time, which impacts both taxes and financial statements. Kendall Kunelius and Rebecca Dube review depreciation with Sam Stoddard from Farm Credit East. They discuss special depreciation methods, building leases, and the importance of accurate record-keeping and financial management for farmers.

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Show notes:

Farm Credit East: https://www.farmcrediteast.com/

Samantha Stoddard: samantha.stoddard@farmcrediteast.com

Harvesting a Profit: https://www.farmcrediteast.com/en/FINANCING/Beginning-Farmer-Programs/Harvesting-a-Profit

Cornell Cooperative Extension: https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension

UNH Cooperative Extension: www.extension.unh.edu

Generation Next at Farm Credit East: https://www.farmcrediteast.com/en/FINANCING/Beginning-Farmer-Programs/GenerationNext

SCORE: https://www.score.org/

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – kendall.kunelius@unh.edu

Rebecca Dube – rebecca.dube@unh.edu