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Acerca de Internships & Job Postings The CCCD provides internship opportunities that give undergraduate and graduate students practical, hands-on experience in conservation, agriculture, local food systems, and more. Past CCCD internships have focused on: Soil Health Water Quality Wildlife Farm Viability Resource conservation & planning Education Evaluation & Outreach Event planning & management At this moment, we do not have any available internships. District internships will be posted as needed, but we also welcome new ideas. If you have an internship idea you believe will serve your educational goals and objectives while also supporting the programs and mission of CCCD, we would love to discuss! Contact us!

Each September, the Cheshire County Conservation District partners with local farmers' markets to celebrate Cheshire County Veterans! Each weekend in September, Cheshire County Veterans can receive one $20 voucher to purchase food items from participating farmers' markets. Veteran Appreciation Month Cheshire County Veterans receive a $20 each weekend at a farmers' market of their choice! The goal of this program is to show our gratitude and appreciation to service members for protecting our freedoms, and to expand markets for farmers. What better way to show appreciation than through the gift of fresh, healthy food!? This program in Cheshire County is not based on need, but rather serves as a way for our community to say “Thank you” to our local service members for protecting our freedoms. This program also serves to boost the local farm economy by bringing more business to our local markets – a win/win for the Veteran and the farmer! How does it work? It's simple! Vouchers are distributed each week at the market Veterans Booth and may be used to purchase food items only. Vouchers have no cash value, are non-transferable, and must be used by the end of September. To get your voucher each week, simply bring proof of your Cheshire County residency and a valid form of Veteran ID. Valid forms of ID include: Copy of DD214 Veteran Healthcare card "Choose VA" Veterans ID card NH Driver's license with a Veterans designation Retired military ID card Veterans from these Cheshire County towns are eligible to participate: Alstead, Chesterfield, Dublin, Fitzwilliam, Gilsum, Harrisville, Hinsdale, Jaffrey, Keene, Marlborough, Marlow, Nelson, Richmond, Rindge, Roxbury, Stoddard, Sullivan, Surry, Swanzey, Troy, Walpole, Westmoreland, and Winchester Participating Markets for 2025: Keene Farmers' Market Saturdays 9am-1pm Commercial Street Parking Lot off of Gilbo Ave. Keene, NH Hinsdale Farmers' Market Saturday s 9am-1pm Riverside Park on Main St. Hinsdale, NH Winchester Farmer's Market Saturdays 9am-1pm 1 Richmond Rd. Winchester, NH TEAM Jaffrey Farmer's Market Fridays 3pm-6pm Library Lawn on Main St Jaffrey, NH Veterans are invited to visit their favorite market every weekend in September or try a new one each time! Limit 1 market/week Vouchers are available while supplies last Interested in spreading the word? Download a flyer or request printed copies for your organization by contacting info@cheshireconservation.org ! Program Impact Navigate our interactive story map by clicking the button below to learn more about this programs impact. Click on photos and maps to enlarge! Learn More Here Thank you to our donors! This program would not be possible without the support of our community! Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated and make a difference! Donate directly to the program utilizing the form below, or learn more about ways to contribute here! Become a Sponsor! CCCD offers several sponsorship opportunities at different giving levels for the Veteran Appreciation Month Program. Sponsorships are an exciting opportunity to promote your business or organization, while supporting a good cause! Learn more here! Thank you to our Funder! This program is made possible through support from The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center to increase community member's access to healthy foods and advance the priority areas of the Healthy Monadnock Alliance .

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Water Programs Clean water is critical to the health of people and our environment. We help protect water quality by organizing river clean ups, and reducing run-off by creating rain gardens and installing buffers. Source to Sea River Clean-Up Learn More Surface Water Improvement Projects Learn More Rain Gardens Learn More CT River Watershed Planning Project Learn More

< Back Andy Pressman Chair Andy Pressman has been involved in small-scale and organic farming for over 15 years. After receiving a MS degree in Sustainable Systems Design and Agroecology from Slippery Rock University, he spent several years managing diversified farms in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the U.S. Starting in 2007, Andy began working as an Agriculture Specialist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). NCAT is a non-profit organization that works to help people and communities by supporting small-scale, local, and sustainable solutions to energy and agriculture. Through NCAT’s ATTRA Project – the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service – Andy provides technical assistance to farmers and educators particularly in the fields of organic crop production, whole-farm planning, local food systems, permaculture design, and farm energy. In addition and upon moving to Jaffrey in 2011, Andy and his family operate Foggy Hill Farm, a community farm and CSA.

Acerca de About Us The Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) was created in 1945 as a governmental sub-division of the state to provide local leadership and decision-making for the protection of the land and water resources of the county. In other words, the CCCD represents the conservation interests and priorities of the county, for the county. As such, the conservation district is fully vested in the preservation and enhancement of agriculture and its place and role within the community at large. The mission of the CCCD is: To promote the conservation and responsible use of our natural and agricultural resources for the people of Cheshire County by providing technical, financial, and educational assistance. We value our role in providing public outreach and education to the community that focuses on environmental concerns in a manner that encourages appreciation and stewardship of natural assets for the benefit of future generations. Some of the goals of the CCCD are to: Strengthen the viability of working farm and forest land in Cheshire County. Identify and refine the natural resource conservation priorities of the population of Cheshire County. Organize and administer conservation information and natural resource education programs. Provide assistance on natural resource management practices and other environmental concerns. Educate and provide public outreach to the community and academic institutions, focusing on environmental concerns and natural resource conservation in a manner that encourages appreciation and a stewardship ethic. Advocate for and publicly promote the conservation of natural resources. Provide assistance to units of government and related agencies on priority resource issues including land protection, water quality, erosion and storm water control, farmland, forestland, wildlife habitat, and wetland and floodplain protection.

Acerca de Monthly Giving Recurring gifts are a way to maximize your impact all year long! Our sustaining donors are crucial to CCCD projects and programs throughout the year. Monthly gifts can be made through our donation page, at the button below, or through direct ACH payments. Contact Benee Hershon to discuss your giving options further: 802-518-0993 or benee @cheshireconservation.org Thank you for supporting our work to conserve the natural resources of Cheshire County! The Cheshire County Conservation District's programs are successful because of generous community do nors like you! Donate at the button below! Donate Donations are also welcome by checks made out to CCCD and sent to 11 Industrial Park Dr., Walpole NH 03608. If your donation is intended to support a specific program (e.g. The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund) please include the program in the memo line. If you have questions or would like to discuss further, reach out to Benee Hershon at 802-518-0993 or benee @cheshireconservation.org

Pollinator Initiative Pollinators are vital to ecosystems and the agricultural economy, but unfortunately they are in decline as a result of habitat loss. The CCCD's Cheshire County Pollinator Initiative serves to address this ongoing problem in a number of ways: Through the establishment of 20 pollinator habitats installations across the county Through vigorous public education and outreach campaigns to share innovative methodology of habitat creation and the results of pollinator abundance and diversity monitoring Through the development of a technical guide on establishment techniques for agricultural producers and technical service providers To read the results of our 3-year Pollinator Initiative read our Final Report ! Additional Pollinator Resources: Pollinators in Natural Areas Pollinator Friendly Parks Milkweeds Organic Site Preparation Making Room for Native Pollinators How Neonicotinoids can Kill Bees Habitat Planning for Beneficial Insects Farming for Bees Establishing Pollinator Meadows from Seed Conserving Bumble Bees Bee Basics - Introduction to Native Bees

Community Supported Solar For Farms The Monadnock Region Community Supported Solar project, or CSS, brings together Farmers, Investors and Champions to use available financial models to help local farms realize the potential of the renewable energy economy. It should come as no surprise that farmers in New Hampshire face significant energy expenses to run their businesses. This project will help to stabilize and lower costs of electricity for participating farms through the Community Supported Solar framework and in turn, increase the viability of those farms. Help us ensure a bright future for the Monadnock Region! From February 1st through March 3rd 2021, our community raised funds through The Local Crowd Monadnock to make our solar shares more affordable to local farmers! As a result of our fundraising efforts, we raised $17,862 to support farmers, our environment, and in turn, or local food system! Solar shares were available at a savings of 21%! Interested? All shares are sold out . If you are interested in participating in a project like this in the future please reach out to the CCCD. Each estimated 5000 KWh = one share One share costs $3,570 But don't let that number scare you! Annual payment plan of $893/year (for four years) is also available to help make this program more accessible to all local farmers. Farmers may purchase as many shares as they want, but the total output cannot exceed the total power the farm consumes on an annual basis. Participating farms must be located in the Eversource NH utility service territory. To confirm eligibility, farmers can review the PUC utility coverage by town listings at: www.puc.nh.gov/Consumer/communitiesserved.pdf Interested farmers should contact Amanda Littleton directly at the CCCD to reserve their shares; first come first served until sold out. Either send an email to amanda@cheshireconservation.org or call 607-756-2988 x4 and leave a voicemail. Learn More about CSS : Watch our Brief Informational Video Here! Watch our most recent CSS Info Session We've also put together these resources to help you understand everything from what net metering and a Power Purchase Agreement is, to a breakdown of partners, costs, and timelines. CSS Project Brochure Operating Agreement Subscription Agreement for Farms Joinder to Operating Agreement CSS for Farms LLC 6 year cash flow CSS for Farms share cash flow Thank you to our partners & donors! This is a partnership between the CCCD and Sun Moon Farm, ReVision Energy, and the Monadnock Sustainability Network. Funding for this project was provided by the Thomas W. Haas Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation, the generosity of local donors, and through the Local Crowd Monadnock crowdfunding platform.

Monadnock Farm Share Program Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce farms in the Monadnock Region have come together, in partnership with the Cheshire County Conservation District, to ensure that farm-fresh CSA vegetable shares are affordable for all interested community members. The Monadnock Farm Share Program, initiated in 2019, is a program that provides limited-income Monadnock Region residents with the opportunity to support their local CSA farmer and receive reliable high-quality produce on a regular basis all season long. CSA Share prices are discounted through an innovative cost-share model. Participating families and individuals receive a CSA vegetable share for half the price ! All the veggies, half the cost! Participating farmers raise funds to cover 15%... Cheshire Medical Center for Population Health through its Healthy Monadnock Initiative provides 50%... You, the customer, are only responsible for 35% of the cost of your CSA vegetable share! What is a CSA? Farmers face many costs in the operation of their farms. Community Supported Agriculture programs, or CSA's are designed to alleviate the financial burdens of farmers before the season begins. CSA customers provide an upfront cost to reserve a share of the season's harvest. The cost of the CSA can be viewed as a deposit for the season! This upfront cost allows farmers to purchase needed seeds, materials, or equipment for the upcoming season, while customers are able to reap this investment by taking home delicious produce once the farm season begins! Many farms offer half share or full share CSA options. These options vary from farm to farm, but half shares are smaller to feed smaller households, while full shares are designed to feed larger household or households that eat a lot of vegetables. Some farms offer on-farm pick up days, while others offer delivery! Some farms pre-package their CSA shares for a quick pick up, while others allow customers to pick your own (PYO!). Pick up days provide a unique experience to see where your food is grown, and interact with other community members! While delivery offers a convenient way to bring produce to your household! Through purchasing a CSA, you are supporting local agriculture, while also eating delicious, nutritious, and locally grown produce! Program Eligibility This program is made available for households who without the program, would be unable to participate in a local Community Supported Agriculture program. This program is available to Monadnock Region residents who live at or below 250% of the federal poverty income limit (below) or have other reasons for needing assistance in participating in a farm share program. CCCD acknowledges that not all community members who require assistance in participating are represented in the guidelines below. 1-Person Household: $36,450 (Annually) 2-Person Household: $49,300 (Annually) 3-Person Household: $62,150 (Annually) 4-Person Household: $75,000 (Annually) 5-Person Household: $87,850 (Annually) 6-Person Household: $100,700 (Annually) 7-Person Household: $113,550 (Annually) 8-Person Household: $126,400 (Annually) To see full chart, visit: https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1c92a9207f3ed5915ca020d58fe77696/detailed-guidelines-2023.pdf (Add $4,540 for each additional person over 8 years of age under 100% FPL, see chart for more information) Applications for 2026 are now Open Applications will be selected on a first come, first served basis. Please note that funding is limited. 2026 Application Form 2026 Participating Farm List For questions or assistance in submitting your application contact: info@cheshireconservation.org or (603) 904-3011 Choose from these 2026 Participating Farms: (Click the " 2026 Participat ing Farm L ist " link for more detailed information about each farms' CSA offerings) Dog Days Farm - Fitzwilliam, NH: Dog Days Farm grows vegetables, fruits, and herbs for its CSA using organic principles and following integrated pest management guidelines. It is always fresh, clean, and ready for your dinner table! Dog Days Farm also offers home delivery options. Foggy Hill Farm - Jaffrey, NH : Foggy Hill Farm is a family-run organic farm located in Jaffrey, NH. With over 20 years of farming experience, Andy and Christine have a deep-rooted passion for raising high-quality, nutrient-dense foods in a manner which helps unite our community. Hillside Springs Farm- Westmoreland, NH: Hillside Springs Farm is a small horse-powered CSA farm in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, growing 3 acres and over 100 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, using only sustainable, organic, and biodynamic farming methods. Hillside Springs Farm is unique in the area for its extended 24-week harvest season, freshly pressed apple cider, and draft horse work. Hungry Bear Farm - Mason, NH : Hungry Bear Farm grows a variety of high quality produce without the use of synthetic chemicals ad GMO seeds. They use a combination of low/no tillage, cover cropping, manuring, composting and crop rotation to ensure soil fertility and plant health. Most of the produce is grown on 12 acres in Mason, NH in 3 high tunnels and over 2 dozen plots. Orange Door Farm - Wilton, NH : Orange Door Farm is a market garden farm growing using organic practices on a 6.4 acre historic homestead in Wilton, NH. Steppingstone Commons - Alstead, NH : Steppingstone Commons is a small, diversified farm committed to growing sustainable food and resilient community in a changing climate. We are currently focused on producing food for our area throughout the colder months. Additional Nutrition, Health & Educational Resources Video: Cooking with Our CSA Cheshire Medical Center's Prescribe for Health Assistance Program CSA Recipes and Meal Plans UNH Extension Nutrition Connections Online Educational Resources and Free Nutrition Programs! Use Your SNAP/EBT Dollars for Farm Fresh Produce! Please note that discounted farm shares are also available for SNAP/EBT users through the Granite State Market Match Program. Interested in utilizing your SNAP/EBT dollars towards a farm share or local produce? Learn more about participating locations, here! Thank you to our funder! This program is made possible through support from The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center to increase community member's access to healthy foods and advance the priority areas of the Healthy Monadnock Alliance .

Turtle Resources Of the 356 species of turtles worldwide, approximately 61% are threatened or already extinct. The Southwestern Region of New Hampshire, specifically Cheshire County, is habitat to a wide range of turtle species, from stable populations to turtle populations at-risk, at-risk species include: Spotted, Blanding, and Wood turtles. Local turtle populations are at risk in our region due to loss of habitat from development, mortalities from road crossings, and climate related impacts on wetland habitats, nesting sites, and migratory corridors. CCCD, along with partners at NH Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC), the Harris Center for Conservation Education, the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the NH Department of Environmental Services, and Moosewood Ecological have created a regional turtle conservation initiative that seeks to support research identified strategies for supporting turtle populations and by increasing turtle literacy throughout our region and beyond. Learn more about how you can support this iniative and help conserve local turtle populations at the resources listed below: Service Providers and Management Resources: Northeast Blanding's Turtle Working Group Design Guidance for Wetland-Road Crossings to Reduce Blanding’s Turtle Mortality Risk USDA NRCS Northeast Turtles New Hampshire Turtle Rescue (NHTR) Educational Resources: Status Assessment and Conservation Plan for the Spotted Turtle in the Eastern United States UNH Blanding's Turtle in New Hampshire (brochure ) New Hampshire Turtle Rescue (NHTR) NHTR - What to do: I found a turtle NHTR - Helping turtles cross the road NHTR - Helping snapping turtles cross the road NHTR - A turtle is nesting in my yard Ways to Get Involved and Community Science: Reporting NH Reptile and Amphibian Sightings (RAARP) The Cheshire County Conservation District and local partners are excited to offer a turtle workshops, event details will be made available as they are planned! View Upcoming Events Here In Partnership with: The New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC) , the Harris Center for Conservation Education , the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department , the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service , the NH Department of Environmental Services , and Moosewood Ecological .

News & Events The Cheshire County Conservation District offers a variety of event opportunities, and opportunities to stay up to date on the latest news! View the following pages to learn more! Events News Press Releases Blog Newsletter Signup Contact us for assistance in registering for an event, assistance in newsletter signup, or for a media inquiry!

Integrated Pest Management Apply now to have an Integrated Pest Management Demonstration Site on your farm! Are you a producer considering implementing integrated pest management practices on your farm? Have you considered installing an on-farm weather station for increased accessibility to detailed weather data and pest/disease modeling tools? How about exclusion netting for spotted wing drosophila? The New Hampshire Conservation Districts in partnership with UNH Cooperative Extension and the Xerces Society are offering a cost share program to implement these practices! Applications Accepted for: Exclusion Netting for spotted wing drosophila fruit flies Weather Stations to increase pest control precision Farmers will have the opportunity purchase and install SWD exclusion netting and/or weather stations linked to the Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA) and receive technical assistance for the installation and utilization of the equipment. Selection of farmers to receive reimbursement will be based on funding availability, the farmer’s interest/commitment to Integrated Pest Management, and ensuring a variety of farm types and geographic locations receive the opportunity. Application period has now closed, but stay tuned for a second application round pending funding availability. Grant funding pays 75% of the cost of equipment & the farmer will be responsible for 25%. Click here to Apply Now! Click here to print an application Please also review theses contracts: Weather Station Contract SWD Netting Contract Approved SWD Netting Vendor List This funding opportunity is provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant, and The New Hampshire State Conservation Committee Conservation Grant Program through the purchase of Conservation License Plates, known as “Moose Plates”. This program is a partnership between the Rockingham, Strafford, and Cheshire County Conservation Districts, UNH Cooperative Extension, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Learn more about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in action across farms throughout New Hampshire! USDA NRCS Spotlighted this initiative in an article focused on the success of IPM projects made possible between partnerships with NRCS and statewide partners, including Conservation Districts, read more below! Read Here

Acerca de Contact Us General Inquiries: 603-904-3011 info@cheshireconservation.org 11 Industrial Park Drive Walpole, NH 03608 Donations and Planned Giving: Contact Benee Hershon, here! 802-518-0993 Sponsorships: Contact Benee Hershon, here! 802-518-0993 CCCD Program and Grant Opportunities: Contact Benee Hershon, here! 802-518-0993 Communications, Newsletter Submissions and Press: Contact Benee Hershon, here! 802-518-0993

Acerca de USDA NRCS Partnership The Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) works in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the lead conservation agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The primary role of NRCS is to administer the Farm Bill Programs mandated by congress and to provide conservation technical assistance. NRCS is a non-regulatory agency that provides services upon request on a voluntary basis. The cornerstone of the success of NRCS is Conservation Planning assistance. The Conservation District and NRCS work together in Cheshire County to help set conservation goals, work with people on the land, and provide services--such as workshops to landowners--in our county. History NRCS was established in 1935 as the Soil Conservation Service in response to the Dust Bowl. In 1937, the first county Conservation District was formed to link federal agency resources with the local farmers. Since then, nearly 3000 Conservation Districts have been organized, including the ten county Conservation Districts we have in New Hampshire. Working Together The Conservation District and NRCS partnership recognizes that local conservation concerns and innovative projects are often beyond the means of a single landowner and, therefore, require cooperation and public support. Working together, the CCCD and NRCS team help local landowners and county residents put conservation into practice. While NRCS is a technical agency that provides trained soil conservationists, technicians, soil scientists, agronomists, engineers, economists, biologists, foresters and other experts to help landowners and land users with conservation, the Conservation District serves as the local link to connect land owners and users to the services NRCS provides. NRCS services include: Conservation Problem Solving Find out how to get conservation assistance for your farm or forest Conservation Planning Technical Assistance and Resources Conservation Programs Ecosystem Restoration Conservation Engineering NRCS Technical Standards and Specifications Conservation Methods and Evaluations Collecting and Assessing Natural Resources Data Soils Information National Resources Inventory (NRI) Conservation Methods and Evaluations Providing Natural Resource Information and Education NRCS Technical Standards and Specifications Conservation Education Conservation Methods and Evaluations Visit the NRCS website for more information about the conservation programs they provide.

Farm Equipment Rentals The Cheshire County Conservation District provides low-cost farm equipment rentals each year in and around Cheshire County. Learn More Find a Local Farm When you purchase directly from the farm, you’re buying foods that are exceptionally fresh, nutritious, flavorful, economical and sustainable. Learn More Historical Aerial Photography Historical aerial photographs are available for public viewing at the Conservation District office. Learn More Plant, Seed & Mushroom Sales Each year we sell conservation plants and seeds to raise funds that support our services and programming. Learn More Farmer Business Planning Course Soil Potential Index & Surveys In 2021, CCCD hosted a farmer business planning course in collaboration with The Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship and NCAT Northeast. Materials and resources are available for free and public use. The Conservation District uses USDA Natural Conservation Resources Service soil mapping data to compute SPI for each field, parcel or tract of land. Learn More Learn More Monadnock Grows Together Monadnock Grows Together is a free local resource for gardeners and small-scale urban farmers looking for advice, information, and support. Workshops and events provide a place to connect with other growers. Forestry Resources The Cheshire County Conservation District supports forestland owners and managers in the conservation of their land by connecting them to educational resources, grant opportunities, and workshops. Learn More Learn More Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Resources In New Hampshire's agricultural sector, there's a growing need for sustainable practices. With rising energy costs and climate change concerns, integrating renewable energy sources and enhancing energy efficiency is crucial for farms statewide. From small family-owned enterprises to larger commercial operations, adopting these technologies and practices not only reduces carbon footprints but also offers economic benefits, ensuring the long-term viability of the state's farms. Learn More The Cheshire County Conservation District offers a variety of services for all residents of Cheshire County. View the service pages to to learn more about what we offer in the way of: Farm Equipment Rental Find a Farm Grant Programs Soil Potential Index & Soil Surveys Historic Aerial Photography Monadnock Grows Together Conservation Plant & Seed Sales Farm Business Planning Resources Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Resources Forestry Resources Contact us and tell us about what unmet conservation needs you have. We are always looking for more ways to serve Cheshire County residents and we're happy to point you in the right direction of another organization that already provides the service you need. Services