The New Hampshire Coalition for Sustaining Agriculture 



Bi7/ Zweigbaum 



Supporters of agriculture in New Hampshire are 

 joining forces to raise tiie profile and clout of 

 agriculture as an industry. Agricultural produc- 

 ers frequently bemoan the absence of public 

 perception about agriculture's importance to the well- 

 being of our state. The Coalition is trying to take the 

 cause to a higher level and focus on the less visible, 

 long-term benefits agriculture provides to communities. 

 Imagine the benefit if ev- 



Public demands on agriculture are bound to expand 

 in the future. State and federal regulations on water 

 quality management are destined to affect all types of 

 agriculture. Public policy adopted to achieve social 

 goals and the tools used to implement it (such as local 

 zoning) may have direct or secondary negative effects. 

 The coalition is trying to spread the message that the 

 value of New Hampshire agriculture should not be mea- 

 sured solely in dc 



ery interview between a 

 reporter and a farm spokes- 

 person included an invita- 

 tion to recognize the con- 

 tributions to society that 

 agriculture makes. 



The New Hampshire 

 Coalition for Sustaining 

 Agriculture is an aggrega- 

 tion of groups that have 

 come together in recogni- 

 tion of the benefit of re- 

 peating a common theme; 

 that agriculture is a valued 

 and vital part of New 

 Hampshire's economy, en- 

 vironment, and communi- 

 ties. This theme connects 

 all aspects of farm and for- 

 est promotion into a 

 single focus. Consistent 

 repetition of worthy at- 

 tributes is the hallmark of 

 creating a brand identity. 

 Creating a presence in the 

 public mind that agricul- 

 ture is not just vaguely fa- 

 vorable, but clearly ben- 

 eficial, to society is the 

 key to sustaining agricul- 

 ture in New Hampshire. As 

 an industry, agriculture 

 needs to plan ahead for a 

 future of positive public 

 perception, not deal only with defensive issues. The 

 Coalition hopes that ag-related groups will see the ben- 

 efit of repeating this common theme of value when 

 communicating their own unique stories to the public. 

 Agriculture has a great story to tell and a sympathetic 

 audience willing to listen. 



A VISION FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE 

 AGRICULTURE IN THE 21ST CENTURY 



Agriculture is a valued and vital part of New Hamp- 

 shire's economy, environment, and communities. A dy- 

 namic agriculture makes New Hampshire a better place 

 to live, work, and visit. The future of agriculture in New 

 Hampshire depends on profitable farms that can nurture 

 families and be passed on to future generations. 

 Prospering and diverse agricultural businesses: 



• provide fresh, wholesome food for our tables, plus 

 flowers, plants, trees, and grass to grace our homes 

 and public spaces; 



• create the scenic, working landscape that defines the 

 visual character of our state; 



• produce the safest and most affordable food in the 

 world; 



• employ the stewardship and management practices 

 that protect the natural resources legacy of our farms 

 and our state; 



• rely on the social and economic support of local 

 customers and communities that value their presence 

 and products; 



• provide skilled jobs and contribute to the state's 

 economy; contribute a variety of recreational and 

 cultural resources; 



• are interdependent with a strong infrastructure of 

 educational institutions and agribusiness that 

 supports commercial and backyard agriculture. 



iars, 

 but also in social, cul- 

 tural, environmental, and 

 visual benefits. This mes- 

 sage must be heard over 

 and over by planning and 

 zoning board members, 

 town officials, government 

 agencies, and the con- 

 cerned public. If agricul- 

 ture can collectively es- 

 tablish its value to soci- 

 ety before such chal- 

 lenges arise, its interests 

 will be considered as a 

 matter of course rather 

 than an afterthought. 



We are proposing that 

 all agricultural organiza- 

 tions weave 'A Vision for 

 New Hampshire Agriculture 

 in the 21st Century" into 

 their own message and 

 help keep the effort ex- 

 panding. This statement 

 has been created to con- 

 cisely define the vital 

 qualities our state's agri- 

 culture must have for the 

 future It addresses issues 

 that are important not only 

 to producers, but to con- 

 sumers, related industries 

 (such as tourism), and 

 educational institutions. 

 The Vision is meant to identify and promote the benefit 

 and value that agriculture brings to society as a whole 



Tke Coalition can be contacted through Bill Zweigbaum, 302B 

 ]ames Hfl//-UNH, 5b College Road. Durham, NH 03824-3589, 

 phone 603-862-4631; fax 603-862-0208. 



THE PLANTSMAN 



