New Hampshire Agriculture in 2009...a snapshot

Revised:  May 2009

NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food
Division of Agricultural Development

New Hampshire Agriculture
…A viable, dynamic industry integrated within New Hampshire’s
communities
…Diverse products and services with local to international markets
…Steward of nearly a half million New Hampshire acres
…Major influence on the State’s character and quality of life

New Hampshire agriculture has changed over the years. Today’s industry is quite diverse, encompassing many crop, livestock and specialty products. The value of New Hampshire’s agricultural industry is nearly $975 million.This includes $554 million in direct sales of agricultural and other horticultural products and services and $381 million in direct spending by agriculture related tourists (fairs, scenic travel, etc).

Farming activity provides the fields, pastures and meadows that buffer New Hampshire’s residential and commercial development and affords the views of the hills, valleys and mountains. Without land kept open by farming, there would be no greenbelts around our towns and cities and without farming, there would be no barns, silos, or sugar houses that give our state its special character.

Some 4,200 individual operations qualify as commercial farms in New Hampshire, managing 470,000 acres including crop, pasture, maple and Christmas tree production, conservation and other agricultural uses. The state’s farms produce a wide variety of conventional bulk commodity crops, with milk and apples being the most significant. New Hampshire farms produce many specialty and horticultural crops for markets both within and beyond the state.

Food manufacturing in New Hampshire, including dairy products, bakery products, confectionery, beverages and seafood products, is valued at $4.5 billion per year. Internationally, New Hampshire exports over $47 million annually in food and agricultural products.

Ornamental Horticulture: This segment of New Hampshire agriculture includes over 1,100 greenhouse and nursery plant production
and landscape construction operations. $381 million.

Dairy: Nearly 40 million gallons of milk are produced each year on 140 New Hampshire dairy farms. Purebred cattle are sold all over the
world. $59 million.

Horses: Pleasure horses are important to many aspects of New Hampshire recreation. Standardbreds and thoroughbreds raised and trained
in New Hampshire are vital to racing. Horse farms are major consumers of local hay crops. $50 million

Livestock: Beef, sheep, swine and poultry are among the types of livestock raised for home food supplies and commercial markets. Specialty
livestock such as angora goats and rabbits, llamas and sheep are grown for wool and specialty fiber markets. Farm-raised fish and game
including deer, bison and elk are gaining markets in restaurants and other outlets. New Hampshire egg and turkey products are favorites among local consumers looking for fresh, native foods. New Hampshire research farms have developed poultry strains that have influenced flocks worldwide. $37 million

Hay/Forage & Field Crops: Hay, corn silage and other forage crops are produced annually on thousands of New Hampshire
acres. These are grown for on-farm consumption by livestock and for cash crops as well. $31 million

Vegetables: Through direct-to-consumer outlets such as farm stands and markets, as well as regional supermarkets, New Hampshire
growers provide a large variety of fresh, quality vegetables to local consumers. $13 million

Apples: New Hampshire orchards produce about one million bushels of apples annually that are sold throughout the Eastern U.S. and
Europe. In addition, apple cider has become a major product line for many orchard operations. $11 million

Christmas Trees: New Hampshire grown Christmas trees, including Balsam and Fraser Fir and other species of pine and spruce, are
harvested from across the state and sold throughout the region for fragrant holiday celebrations. Other evergreen products such as wreaths and roping are made at numerous farm operations and widely sold. $4 million

Berries & Other Fruit: By the quart, bushel or the pound, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and other fruit such as peaches are
enjoyed by New Hampshire consumers each year. Wild, low-bush New Hampshire blueberries are a baker’s favorite!
$4 million

Maple and Honey: An average of 75,000 gallons of maple syrup is produced each year in New Hampshire from over 450 maple
operations. Beekeepers raise bees for honey and to provide important crop pollination services for other farmers. $4 million