NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS 



Clarification 



The 1997 session of the New Hamp- 

 shire General Court has passed leg- 

 islation (which has been signed by 

 Governor Shaheen) that redefines 

 the term "native" and restricts the 

 use of the terms "local" and "locally 

 grown" when used in reference to 

 farm products. HB 291, which be- 

 came effective |une 9, 1997, clarifies 

 these terms and seeks to prevent 

 deceptive labeling of the place of 

 origin of farm products. 



The new law states that "native" 

 can be used only on products pro- 

 duced in the state of New Hamp- 

 shire and that the terms "local," 

 "locally grown," and "locally pro- 

 duced" may be used only on prod- 

 ucts originating in this state. In ad- 

 dition, the law deems the use of 

 the words "our own" to be decep- 

 tive and illegal when used on any 

 farm products that were not grown 

 or produced by the operator of the 

 retail location where they are of- 

 fered for sale. 



The legislature expressed strong 

 support for this bill, which was a 

 request of the Department of Agri- 

 culture, Markets and Food. By 

 strengthening the labeling laws, the 

 department means to assure con- 

 sumers of the integrity of native, lo- 

 cally produced farm products. 



If you have questions about the 

 new labeling requirements or would 

 like a copy of the law, you should 

 contact Richard Uncles at the 

 department's Bureau of Markets at 

 603-271-3685 



Events 



Fourteen agricultural enterprises 

 will be open to the public during 

 the Second Annual Open Farm Day 

 of Rockingham County on Sunday, 

 August 17. There will be demon- 

 strations, tours, hayrides, samples 

 to taste, animals to pet, refresh- 

 ments and ice cream, and plenty of 



farm products for sale. 



Participants include the Pinker- 

 ton Academy Horticulture Program 

 and FFA Chapter jDerry), Saltbox 

 Farm, Mill Valley Farm, and Berry 

 Hill Farm (all in StrathamI, and 

 Goudreault Farm and Greenhouse 

 in Plaistow 



Sponsors of this very family-ori- 

 ented event include UNH Coopera- 



tive Extension, Rockingham County 

 Farm Bureau, NH Department of 

 Agriculture, Markets, and Food, 

 Granite State Dairy Promotion, 

 Natural Resources Conservation 

 Service, NH 5 A Day for Better 

 Health and the participating farms. 



Maps and directions are avail- 

 able at the UNH Cooperative Ex- 

 tension Rockingham County Office. 



^g 



ONH RESEARCH GREENHOUSE 



News 



A major campaign for renovating the UNH Greenhouses, called 

 Technology Showcase, Is beginning this month. The goal Is to at- 

 tract donations of equipment (benches, fans, etc.) and services from 

 greenhouse manufacturers. The aim is to make UNH a center for 

 showcasing a diversity of greenhouse technologies (for example, ten 

 types of benches) for students and members of the greenhouse Indus- 

 try. In return, the donating companies will be acknowledged with 

 signage in the greenhouses, as well as our carrying background Infor- 

 mation on their products for interested growers. 



The first four benches (two ebb-and-flood and two expanded 

 metal) have been donated by AgroDynamlcs through the efforts of 

 Tony Barendregt, Division Manager. Brass solenoid valves have been 

 donated by Magnatroi Valve Corporation through Ron Laurence, a 

 product specialist. We thank them for their contribution of these 

 high-quality products for use In upgrading our facility for future and 

 current growers of New England. 



We appreciate your support In the Technology Showcase cam- 

 paign — contact me at 862 4525 If you know of a potential donor. 

 Hosting future NHTGA meetings »t UNH and next year's summer meet- 

 ing, are important examples of our growing linkage with Industry as 

 we approach different manufacturers. 



A new computer software package, called UNH FloraTrack, is being 

 nationally released for sale to greenhouse growers In July. The first 

 part of the program Is for graphically tracking the height of poinsettia 

 crops. Future modules will cover height control of other crops, as 

 well as nutrient and pest management. New Hampshire grower mem- 

 bers of NHPGA will receive a 75% discount on the cost of the pack- 

 age, which will retail for around $125. 



Research this month In the greenhouses includes the start of a new 

 project for monitoring nutrition of bedding plants, which will be a 

 masters thesis project for student Jeremy Bishko, and height control 

 and timing of Oriental and Asl-florum lilies. (June 30, 1997) 

 Paul fisher, Assistant Professor of Ornamental Horticulture, UNH. 



AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 1997 



