Logic Model Overview:

Horticultural production continues to be the major segment of the agricultural industry in Strafford and Carroll counties. Greenhouse, nursery, vegetable, fruit and landscaping operations are the main segments of this industry. In addition turf grass provides recreation and playing fields which enhances the well being of communities. Growers and managers require timely education and information to develop sustainable operations. This plan is designed to provide research based information and education to growers and managers so that they can manage their operations profitably. The program will be evaluated by oral interviews of the participants and direct observations during farm visits.

Situation:

From  Agricultural Resources

Horticulture contributes to the economy and environmental quality of the state, where quality of life is of utmost importance to residents and tourists. Horticulture keeps 21,000 acres in agriculture, over 14,000 of which is open space, helping to preserve the state's rural character. The ornamental horticulture industry includes at least 935 businesses in New Hampshire that generate $438 million or more annually in sales and services, according to a recent New England survey. Greenhouse and nursery crops are the fastest growing component of agriculture in this state, having increased by 87% between 1992 and 1997 (USDA Agricultural Census, 1997). New products, technologies, and growing systems are continually needed in order to sustain the growth and profitability of the industry.  Management of nutrients, water, and pests are key components to profitability; as plant size, quality, and time to saleable product are dependent on appropriate nutrition, irrigation and pest control. Because of high capital operating costs, as well as increasing competition, quantifying the fixed and variable costs of production is also key to ensuring profitability

Fruit and Vegetable Production

The commercial vegetable industry in New Hampshire is made up of about 313 farms with approximately 3,400 acres of mixed vegetables. The top grossing vegetable commodities are sweet corn, pumpkins, and tomatoes, with many others grown in smaller amounts. The NH commercial small fruit industry is made up of about 203 growers that harvest approximately 543 acres of small fruit. The top grossing small fruit commodities are strawberries, blueberries (highbush and lowbush), and raspberries. The NH commercial tree fruit industry comprises approximately 204 growers that farm approximately 2,650 acres of orchards. The majority of these are apple orchards, but peaches and pears are produced in small amounts. The farm gate value of all commercial vegetable, small fruits, and tree fruits in NH is approximately $23 million dollars. Roughly 95% of the total sales are through pick-your-own, roadside stands and farmers' markets, thus direct marketing is a major focus of educational efforts.

Both ecological and economic sustainability are needed to ensure long-term viability of New Hampshire farms. A short growing season, along with high labor costs and land values make fruit and vegetable production far more costly in NH than in other parts of the U.S. and world. Further, an extremely variable and humid climate means that disease and insect pests are a constant threat to the profitability of NH farms. To compete with west coast and international food producers, NH vegetable and fruit growers must produce unique and high-value products. Consumer awareness of the value of local agriculture and fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables will ensure that a market for high-quality NH produce existsTo attain ecological and economic sustainability, NH fruit and vegetable growers must 1) make judicious use of farm inputs, 2) minimize crop production costs, 3) maintain high crop quality and yields, and 4) have reliable and consistent markets for their products. UNHCE will provide research-based information on technologies, production practices, and pest management strategies that will increase profitability and minimize ecological impact of fruit and vegetable production.

Stakeholder Input

 From Agricultural Resources:

Information was gathered from stakerholders through advisory council input, grower Surveys and through farm visits.

Assumptions

Part from Agricultural Resources:
The sustainability of agriculture in NH requires a holistic approach that interfaces production, human resource, economic, and environmental issues, and civic policies.  All must be addressed at some level. For horticultural  production proper nutrient, water and pest management determine the quality and saleability of plants, vegetables and fruits. This together with good marketing strategies and customer relations will improve the profitability of  production for growers.

County Extension Agricultural Educators will be conversant and responsible for conducing programs in all aspects of agriculture in their respective counties. They will be encouraged and supported to develop one or more specialty areas for state-wide programming, i.e. fruits & vegetables, agronomic crops, holistic farm management, nutrient management, greenhouse production.

Specialists will continue to provide leadership and support in their specialties to county staff. They will provide leadership to both "commodity" and "issue" programming teams

External Factors

From Agricultural Resources:
Funding sources are requesting or requiring the following: an articulated strategic plan/vision, documented impacts and achievements, an understanding of the interconnectedness of the elements in a long term program, and illustrations of grass roots participation in the development and implementation of Cooperative Extension programs.

Because of increased competition from national discount chain stores, local growers must learn ways of producing top quality products and improving their marketing strategies in order to remain profitable .

   Outputs

      Attend Staff Meetings    (Show details)

      Planning and Reporting    (Show details)

      EEC Work    (Show details)

      COA work    (Show details)

      Miscellaneous administrative work    (Show details)

      Advisory Council Meetings    (Show details)

      Civil Rights
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   Outputs

      Farm/Site Visits - includes kitchen table meetings and private consultations    (Show details)

      Publications & News:fact sheets, news releases, newsletters,web page,TV & Radio Spots    (Show details)

      Twilight Meetings    (Show details)

      Phone Consultations    (Show details)

      Plant Diagnostic Lab    (Show details)

      Arthropod Identification    (Show details)

      Master Gardener Program    (Show details)

      

Educational Workshops

• Single & multi-day educational events such as grower schools, state-wide grazing events, etc.

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   Outputs

      Unnamed output    (Show details)

   Inputs:

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   Outputs

      Conduct the natural resources business institute    (Show details)

      Teaching the NRBI class    (Show details)

   Inputs: