Member Profile: Steve Normanton

December 4, 2015Climate Change, Conservation, Country of Origin Labeling, Direct to Consumer, Diversified Farms, Farmer Leaders, Farmer Profile, Meat and Poultry, NEFU Members, Organic Producers, Trade

Steve Normanton grew up in South Africa, working on a farm that raised antelope, giraffe, rhinoceros, buffalo, and other African game, in addition to cattle, before moving to the states in 2003. Now a New Hampshire resident, he raises pastured beef cattle, pork, lamb, and chickens for meat and eggs, and grows mixed vegetables on … Read More

Convention Paints Strong Picture of Local Agriculture

November 12, 2015Beginning Farmers, Climate Change, Conservation, Consumers, Cooperatives, Country of Origin Labeling, Direct to Consumer, Farm Bill, Farm Bill 2013, Farm Demographics, Farm Economics, Farm Transfer Issues, Farm Workers, farm-to-school, Farm-to-Table, Farmer Leaders, Farmers Markets, Farmland Preservation, Food Hubs, Food Labels, FSA, FSMA, Grass Roots Policy, National Farmers Union, NEFU Members, Regional Food Systems, Regional Policy, SNAP, Trade, USDA

New England Farmers Union’s sixth annual convention, Gearing Up for Success, drew roughly 60 members of the farming community when it met on Nov. 6-8 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH. Attendees heard from national, regional, state, and local agricultural leaders on subjects such as federal agricultural policy, food safety, local and regional … Read More

PumpkinFest Booth Cooks Up Member Farmers’ Ingredients

October 15, 2015NEFU Members

The Franklin County PumpkinFest in Turners Falls has grown over the last 10 years to become a signature event leading up to Halloween for those in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. Roughly 10,000 residents turn up on Avenue A to see the lit-up jack-o-lanterns and the costumes. This year, New England Farmers Union is proud … Read More

Member Profile: Feather Down Farm Days

October 12, 2015Agritourism, NEFU Members, Product Marketing

Feather Down Farm Days, a business member of New England Farmers Union, offers luxury cabin-style accommodations to farm visitors in Europe and the Midwestern U.S. and is now expanding operations into New England. Feather Down farms generate “a substantial income to compliment their core farming activities through low-impact, sustainable, on-farm lodging,” according to Ethan Ash … Read More

Now’s the Time to Submit a Change to the Policy Book

October 6, 2015Grass Roots Policy, NEFU Members

New England Farmers Union looks to you, our members, for important insight into the issues and concerns of farmers. This will guide our advocacy work in the region’s statehouses and in Washington, D.C., in the coming year. Our convention is approaching (November 6-8 in Concord, NH), and we invite you to present policy recommendations for consideration. It … Read More

Congratulations to Farmers Union Scholarship Winner Ellie Pendleton

July 22, 2015Beginning Farmers, Dairy, Educational Opportunities, Farmer Leaders, Farmer Profile, NEFU Members, Women Producers

New England Farmers Union Education Foundation is proud to announce its inaugural scholarship winner for 2015, Ellie Pendleton of Rockport, Maine. Ellie, a New England Farmers Union member, will be a sophomore at the University of Maine, and is pursuing a double major in animal science and education. As a freshman, she worked on the … Read More

A Warm Welcome for Shop Talk at Warm Colors Apiary

July 15, 2015Educational Opportunities, Farm Tours, Farm Workers, Farmer Leaders, Farmer Profile, Grass Roots Policy, NEFU Members, Women Producers

New England Farmers Union held a Shop Talk on July 9 at Warm Colors Apiary in South Deerfield. Warm Colors is a beekeeping operation on 80 beautiful acres on the Mill River run by Dan and Bonita Conlon. While Dan has been keeping bees since his childhood, the two started keeping bees there as a … Read More