Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

No_Struggle_1538 OP t1_jaqwf9n wrote

Reply to comment by powpowpowpowpowp in Moving to NH by No_Struggle_1538

I heard winters are pretty harsh further up north do you know if over wintering is successful? And I’ve definitely been trying to connect with some farmers in NH for advise

2

CaliforniaDoughnut t1_jaqxfv1 wrote

Look up the grow season in NH. It’s not long. It’s not just snow that will slow you down, NH gets an hour less sunlight each day than GA. That makes a big difference, especially coming into the spring and fall even if you have greenhouses. There are a few functional hobby farms that pay their bills, look around google maps in the Hollis area and maybe try giving some of them a call to talk to the owner and get some perspective on the ground.

14

No_Struggle_1538 OP t1_jaqyfly wrote

I saw that the grow zone can range from 6a on the coast and the further north you go it shifts to 3b I’m definitely looking for a manageable sweet spot because most of the crops in familiar with can be maintained in the 4b up range. I’ll definitely look into that thanks!

2

CaliforniaDoughnut t1_jar522p wrote

Ok cool. Calling some local farmers will be a great way to get out of the theoretical stage and see what it’s actually like, at this point that’s probably the best thing you can do other than doing a fact finding trip up to walk some local spots and get a better feel for the area.

5

CaliforniaDoughnut t1_jar5hcw wrote

NH historically was a lot of sheep farming because it’s grow season is pretty terrible. That and potatoes upstate along the Connecticut river (lots of abandoned farms up that way if you are looking for cheaper land near Colebrook). There is a town hobby farm in Bedford that has a variety of livestock on an old sheep farm, that could be another good spot to call and get a feel. Most successful farms now have a tourism component since it’s easier to sell the idea of farming to folks than actual produce.

5

Few-Ad3152 t1_jauig2n wrote

I would chat with Eccard Farms in Washington, NH; Kearsarge Food Hub in Bradford, NH; and Bardo Farms in Croydon, NH. Different styles of doing farming in my surrounding areas as well as 3 of the larger farms in my area.

1

No_Struggle_1538 OP t1_jar7v03 wrote

I definitely will take that into consideration, I thought of planning a trip for about a month to feel it out thank you again for you advice

3

CaliforniaDoughnut t1_jarqrjd wrote

It would be a fun vacation either way. NH has been doing it’s thing for a long time so it can be pretty tough to break into especially in the ag scene. Another option instead of “buying the farm” would be to move up and work as a day laborer on one of the bigger farms to build a network and get a first hand feel for a while. Best case you love it and figure out a way to be an owner-operator. Worst case you hate it and then you haven’t sunk your egg in a basket you don’t like.

3

Darwinbc t1_jar7avw wrote

it's not really 6a on the coast, 5a, 5b are the growing zone for most of southern NH

2

No_Struggle_1538 OP t1_jar949m wrote

Thanks for the correction, do you know if the last frost is earlier than upstate or is it fairly the same?

2

Darwinbc t1_jardilt wrote

Last frost is earlier in the south, first or second week in May on average depending on the year.

If I had to guess, I would say your best bet for farming would be near the Western Side of the state south of the Mountains, near the Connecticut River, Claremont area. Land in the sea coast and surrounding areas or near the lakes/mountains is expensive

4