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Acerca de Resources and Partnerships CCCD is honored to work with over 65 local, state, and national collaborators and partners to benefit the conservation of our natural and agricultural resources. In addition to collaborating with partners, CCCD staff holds organizational membership with working groups throughout our state and beyond. Local Community Partners State and Federal Partners Belknap County Carroll County Coos County Grafton County Hillsborough County Merrimack County Strafford County Sullivan County Rockingham County County Conservation Districts throughout New Hampshire: Organizational Membership: In an effort to support our community partners, the CCCD serves in varying membership capacities for several county and state organizations. Some of our organizational memberships include: Antioch Community Garden Connections - Advisory Committee Conservation District Employees Association of NH Healthy Monadnock Alliance- Active Living Work Group: Monadnock Outdoors Monadnock Conservancy - Stewardship Committee Monadnock Farm & Community Coalition - Board of Directors & Food Access Working Group National Association of Conservation Districts New Hampshire Association of Conservation Districts New Hampshire Food Alliance - Land Resources Action Team New Hampshire Nutrition Incentive Network - Regional Lead Southwest Region Planning Commission - Natural Resources Advisory Committee

Encouraging stewardship for healthy soils, productive ecologically sound farms, diverse wildlife, productive sustainable forests, healthy watersheds and clean water to ensure those resources are available for future generations. Our Vision Now Accepting Grant Applications Throughout the fall and winter, CCCD announces grant rounds for our Conservation Opportunity Fund , Monadno ck Food Co-Op Farm Fund , and the NH Conservation Distric ts Climate Resilience Grant Stay updated on these opportunities by subscribing to our newsletter! Subscribe for Updates Latest Blog Post Citizen Science: The Community Movement at the Backbone of Environmental Research Citizen science is an empowered community effort that encourages individuals worldwide to participate in collecting and analyzing scientific data related to the environment. More often than not, these efforts are collaborative efforts with local to international scientists. While citizen science has only increased in popularity in recent years, it has roots dating back to the 1800s. The first is a citizen-led bird migration monitoring program, founded by a member of the Ameri Wildlife Nina Branwen Mar 6

Acerca de Farm Equipment Rentals The Cheshire County Conservation District provides low-cost farm equipment rentals each year in and around Cheshire County. This is a valuable cost-saving service to local growers that supports the CCCD's mission of improving soil quality and management through the conservation and responsible use of natural and agricultural resources. The District's current suite of farm rental equipment is listed below. Each section provides the rental rate, a link to the Equipment Rental Agreement, and a short description. To make a rental reservation contact 603-904-3011 or info@cheshireconservation.org We ask that all farmers clean rented equipment, greasing, washing and removing all debris and material. Cleaning instructions for each individual piece of equipment is available in the rental contracts. Equipment that is not returned based on this requirement, is subject to a $200 cleaning fee. Esch 5607 7' No-Till Drill $15/ac for first 10ac, $10/ac after that Minimum payment of $125 /use 7' Esch Rental Agreement 7 FT Drill, New Technology High Speed Drill 8mph, With 5.5" spacing this drill produces stands that yield. Requires no less than 60HP Tractor with Hydraulics on ground level, 80HP tractor on hillsides. Adjust coulter depth easily on main cylinders. Convenient seed depth control on the press wheel's. Stay informed with the seed level gauge. Simplify planting for unmatched precision. Esch Operations Manual Esch 12' No-Till Drill $15/acre for the first 10 acres, $10/ac after that Minimum payment of $125 /use 12' Esch Rental A greement The Esch 12' No-Till Drill features seed metering and a variable speed transmission for easy adjustment for different seeds. Easy field operation only requires two hydraulic remotes. Additional features include easy seed depth control and a seed level gauge for easy viewing of seed level during operation. Requires no less than 110 HP Tractor with hydraulics. A 3/4 ton or larger truck equipped with a double tongue hitch is required for transport. Its swing tongue hitch allows for an 8'10" travel width. Esch Operations Manual Aerway Aerator $70/day Aerway Rental Agreement Let our Aerway help you battle your soil compaction issues! The 7.5 cultivation width is versatile and used to open up compacted areas in pasture or field. A great implement to help incorporate manure into the soil before nitrogen is lost. It is equipped with a wheel kit for easy towing to fields within 35 miles. Requires a 45-75 HP tractor with hydraulics. Hitch is a straight drawbar pin. Aerway Operations Manual Soil Steamer $100/high tunnel or $100/day for any other use Soil Steamer Rental Agreement Soil steaming on farms is an emerging technology that is being utilized to manage disease, weeds, and pests in high tunnels. The CCCD now offers the rental of their Sioux Model SF-20 Soil Steamer to local fruit and vegetable growers starting in 2021. The Sioux Steam-Flo® steam generator is a perfect source of low-pressure steam for a variety of weed and disease management, container sterilization, and pollinator site preparation. These industrial steam generators produce from 370-3,450 lbs. (168-1,564 kg) per hour of saturated steam in minutes. Soil Steamer transport includes a trailer and requires a 2 and 5/16 ball hitch for towing. Once set up on site you will need access to a course of water and electricity. Soil Steamer Guidance Document VIDEO: Soil Steamer at Picadilly Farm VIDEO: Soil Steamer Virtual Workshop (3/17/21) VIDEO: In-Depth Look at Soil Steaming with Andre Cantelmo Wood Ash/Lime/Biochar Spreader (2025) $125/use and $4/ton of material spread Spreader Rental Agreement Meeting soil pH needs can be challenging. The availability of the Stoltzfus Spreader will give farmers more flexibility. Stockpile Woodash, Lime or Biochar in the off season and rent the spreader as needed. It allows versatility in meeting your soil nutrient needs. The Stoltzfus has a 5 ton capacity and is equipped with a PTO driven bed chain and rear spinners. Requires 65+ HP Tractor. VIDEO: Spreader Setup and Operation Tips Spreader Operations Manual Wood Ash/Lime Spreader (2014) $125/use and $4/ton of material spread Spreader Rental Agreement Meeting soil pH needs can be challenging. The availability of the Stoltzfus Woodash /Lime Spreader will give farmers more flexibility. Stockpile Woodash or Lime in the off season and rent the spreader as needed. It allows versatility in meeting your soil nutrient needs. The Stoltzfus has a 5 ton capacity and is equipped with a PTO driven bed chain and rear spinners. Requires 65+ HP Tractor. VIDEO: Spreader Setup and Operation Tips Spreader Operations Manual Woodlot Management Trailer $25/day or $100/week Woodlot Management Trailer Rental Agreement The Woodlot Management Trailer comes with an Iron Baltic logging arch, a cant hook and a peavy. These tools are great to use to help facilitate easy logging practices on your property. The logging arch allows for moving logs cleanly, in tight spaces, and with limited damage to the surrounding ecosystem. Logging Arch: 20" maximum log diameter, 2-inch ball hitch, 1102 lb maximum load The trailer requires a 2 inch ball for transportation. VIDEO: Logging Arch in Action BCS Walk-Behind Tractor $100/day $50/day for individual implement rental BCS Tractor Rental Agreement ***Only those who have attended a BCS Tractor Training are eligible to rent. The model 749 BCS Tractor utilizes three forward & three reverse working speeds, as well as individual wheel brakes, for increased maneuverability. Available soil health implements for this BCS Tractor include: 26” flail mower and 30” roller-crimper for mowing over or rolling down cover crops, a 30” power harrow for seedbed prep and tillage/weed control, a 30” drop seeder for seeding lawns, cover crops or full-width dense seeding operations, a disk harrow for seeding, leveling soil or light weed control, a rotary spreader for spreading wood ash, lime, and other soil amendments, and a rotary plow for breaking new ground and building raised beds. Rentals are provided with the use of the CCCD utility trailer. BCS Operations Guide No-Till Vegetable Transplanter Free for first use. $12/acre each additional use. Transplanter Rental Agreement This tow behind waterwheel transplanter is available for vegetable producers interested in trying no-till. The no-till waterwheel transplanter is a trailer hitch mounted transplanter that uses a spiked wheel filled with water to create a hole for placing plants. Riders on the transplanter tuck plants into the hole. This planter uses hydraulically controlled coulters that allow no-till planting into bare soil or terminated cover crops. The transplanter requires a 30 hp tractor and a hydraulic remote. It’s manufactured by Shirk Manufacturing in Pennsylvania. Roller Crimper Free to Use Roller Crimper Rental Agreement This is a great implement to knock down cover crop stands for later No-Till cropping. The knock down acts as an excellent organic mulch feeding the soil and decreasing the need for herbicides. The Cover Crop Roller mounts to the front, or back, of the tractor with a Three Point Hitch, leaving room for the seeder at the back. This means you can knock down weed suppressing mats of cover crops and plant through it all in the same pass! The Roller Crimper weighs 1400lbs empty and 2000lbs filled with water. It will take 70 gallons to fill it. The roller crimper fits a standard Category I or II three point hitch and can be towed with a 45 HP tractor. Subsoiler Free to Use Subsoiler Rental Agreement Versatile single shank sub-soiler allows for mobility in tight spots. A great implement to break up soil compaction due to site work prior to High Tunnel construction. This Sub-Soiler has a sixteen inch working depth to break up the hard layer preventing good root development and water absorption. 20-35 HP Tractor required. Weight: 138 lbs. Onion Topper $40/use including the first pallet, roughly 1000lb. $10/pallet for each additional pallet When you rent the Onion Topper, the equipment will be used at Picadilly Farm - 264 S. Parish Rd. Winchester, NH. Onion Topper Rental Agreement Penetrometer Free to Use The Penetrometer is a great tool to use when determining whether you have a soil compaction problem. Easy to read - you will know in a matter of seconds if there is a problem and to what degree. Available for your use free of charge. Looking for more equipment? Feedback from farmers helps inform our equipment acquisitions! If you have ideas on more equipment that the Conservation District should make available, we'd love to hear from you! Call us at 603-904-3011 or email info@cheshireconservation.org You can also check out the Small and Beginner Farmers of NH Equipment list

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CCCD Board Andy Pressman Board Chair Jaffrey Sara Powell Board Vice Chair Chesterfield Chris Bowen Board Treasurer Swanzey Peter Renzelman Board Member Alstead Kate Buckman Board Member Alstead Tom Beaudry Associate Board Member Walpole Emily Daigle Associate Board Member Keene Todd Horner Associate Board Member Keene Pete Throop Associate Board Member Keene Jenna Rich Associate Board Member Nelson Hale Morrell Associate Board Member Walpole Holly & Chris Gowdy Associate Board Members Walpole CCCD Staff Benee Hershon District Manager Ellinore Todd Long Administrative Coordinator Nina Branwen Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator NRCS Staff Jonathan Meadows Resource Conservationist Nick Tsichlis Conservation Planner Jess Barnes Natural Resource Specialist Emma Katz Natural Resource Specialist FSA Staff Kelsi Lord Program Analyst Mike Greene County Executive Director (CED) CCCD Advisory Council Carl Majewski - UNH Extension Dairy, Livestock & Forage Crops Field Specialist Frank Hunter - Hillside Springs Farm Aaron Abitz - Fassett Farms Nursery

< Back Jess Barnes Natural Resources Specialist Jessica.Barnes2@usda.gov 603-904-3019 A Walpole native, Jess grew up in Cheshire County and attended undergraduate and graduate school there. For the better part of the last decade, Jess has spent her time learning, sharing knowledge with others, and serving in and out of country with the United States military. She joined the Walpole NRCS team in the fall of 2022 following a deployment to Eastern Europe. In her position with NRCS, Jess is responsible for connecting with interested producers and helping them achieve their goals with conservation in mind. Earning a B.A. in environmental studies at Franklin Pierce University in 2019, Jess’ early studies focused on environmental justice and building resilient communities via sustainable living and conservation minded agriculture. Jess graduated again in 2020, this time from Antioch University New England with a M.S. in Environmental Studies. There, she focused on ecosystem ecology and how best to cultivate stewardship with folks of all ages through voluntary and informal education. Jess’ passion for the environment is intrinsic. Jess shares “Since I was a kid, I have always been outside. I admired everything from plants to bugs and bears, and assisted my mom as she tended her gardens.” During her studies at Antioch University New England, Jess first became involved with community agriculture through the Community Garden Connections team. She worked as a co-garden manager in Westmoreland to produce fresh food for the Keene Community Kitchen. It is this experience that drove her to seek a career working with agricultural producers and forestland owners to increase stewardship of their lands. She concludes, “I am excited to connect with folks, to help foster stewardship of our working lands and overall build conservation and resiliency in our communities.”

< Back Nick Tsichlis Soil Conservationist nicolaos.tsichlis@usda.gov (603)904-3009 Nick is a Soil Conservationist for the Natural Resource Conservation Service at the Walpole field office. While originally from eastern Pennsylvania, he has spent much of his adult life in New England. His professional background is in ornamental horticulture, organic vegetable production, and conservation ecology, and he is interested in the restoration of natural systems as well as the effects that human activities have on their surrounding environment. Nick graduated from the University of Rochester in 2008 and he earned a certificate from the Farmer Training Program in 2018, a six-month continuing education program administered by the University of Vermont. He also recently completed a MS in Ecosystem Science and Management from the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan. You can find Nick enjoying outdoor activities in his free time. He likes to go on hikes, ride his bike, and travel. He also loves photography and will often pack a camera. By working for NRCS, Nick can channel his passions into creative projects that help both farmers and the landscapes they cultivate.

Soil Potential Index & Surveys Soil Potential Index (SPI) and Surveys are a great opportunity to update current use information for your farmland. Contact info@cheshireconservation.org for more information. Soil Potential Index (SPI) SPI is a calculation made at the County Conservation District office which rates soil on a scale of 0-100 based on its capability to produce crops. For example, a rating of 10 would indicate a soil poorly suited to growing crops; a rating of 95 would mean top quality soil with virtually no impediment to crop production. The Conservation District uses USDA Natural Conservation Resources Service soil mapping data to compute SPI for each field, parcel or tract of land. SPI Information SPI Request Form Contact info@cheshireconservation.org for more information. Soil Surveys Reading and assessing the land is the first step in solving natural resource problems and sustaining our limited resources. In particular, soils provide the foundation for conservation work, and understanding the nature and properties of soils is critical to managing and conserving other natural resources. Through its Soil Survey Program, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) studies and inventories the soil resources of the Nation. In fact, it is a major responsibility of NRCS to conduct soil surveys on the private lands of the United States. Soil Surveys contain information in the form of detailed soil maps, data tables, and text narratives that can be used in land-planning programs. Soil Surveys also contain predictions of soil behavior for selected land uses and highlights limitations and hazards inherent in the soil, improvements needed to overcome the limitations, and the impact of selected land uses on the environment. The Cheshire County Soil Surveys are available in print at the CCCD office. If you are interested in obtaining one please contact us . Soil Surveys are also available online on the NRCS Web Soil Survey website. If you need assistance navigating this website please call the CCCD office for help. NRCS Soil Resources: New Hampshire Soils Handbook This handbook provides information about New Hampshire soils and was created by NRCS staff with over 40 years of soil science experience. The handbook serves as a valuable resource and provides information on the following: Important Soil Properties, such as texture, structure, slope, and color are explained and clarified. Soil Parent Materials are described, and associated landforms are specified. Soil Interpretations, such as drainage class, hydric criteria, important farmland, and hydrologic groups are defined. The NH Soil Reference is also comprised of information, definitions, and terms to be used in conjunction with NRCS soil maps, providing essential information about the soil data available through Web Soil Survey (WSS) and the tables located on the NH NRCS website. All NRCS maps, descriptions, units of measure, and labeling of soil attributes conform to the standards of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). The maps, tables and associated data located in Web Soil Survey is the official soil data for the nation and is updated and maintained as the single authoritative source of soil survey information. NH Soils Handbook "Farmland Productivity - Comparing the Geology and Soils of New Hampshire and Vermont" by Wendy Ward, Soil Conservation Technician, Natural Resources Conservation Servic e This fall I was helping with a habitat workshop when a person asked, “Why are there more farms in Vermont, why is the farming better there?” Simply put, it’s in the soils. What determines the agricultural productivity of the soil? Soil is more than ground up rock – it contains organic and living material such as humus and bacteria. What the soil is made of (parent material, plants and fungi) and how it develops over time (influenced by topography, climate) determines soil properties. The biggest determining factor for soil productivity is parent material – the rock and mineral deposits that make up the soil. Go grab your shovel, to explore parent material we need to dig deep – down to the bedrock. What type of rock is your bedrock? Rocks form and reform in a cycle. Sediment deposition, wind and water erosion, volcanic activity and heat and pressure form and reform rocks in a continuous cycle. A quick review of rock types give us sedimentary, formed by deposits of material within bodies of water and at the earth's surface. Igneous, formed from magma below the earth’s surface or lava flows above the surface. Metamorphic, derived from either sedimentary or igneous rock reformed under heat and pressure. New Hampshire and Vermont have primarily igneous or metamorphic bedrocks. Here is a fun link to understanding the rock cycle. http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/diagram.html The characteristics of each bedrock type determines the productivity of the soil above it. For example, granite is an igneous rock formed from magma. It is a hard, acidic, and resistant to weathering. The soils derived from granite are acidic and have few soluble minerals and nutrients available to plants, and therefore are not as productive for agriculture. Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed from deposits on ocean and lakebeds. It is soft, has a neutral pH, and weathers easily. It contains high amounts of calcium carbonate from the shells of marine organisms. Soils derived from limestone bedrock are close to a neutral pH, rich in soluble nutrients and very productive for agriculture. Metamorphic rocks vary in productivity based on the minerals they inherit from other rocks. New Hampshire is the granite state so we can draw some quick assumptions on the type of bedrock and soil productivity. Vermont has three state rocks, granite, marble, and slate. Marble and slate are metamorphic rocks derived from limestone. Can we draw assumptions about Vermont? Most of Vermont’s bedrock and soils are higher in productivity than New Hampshire soils. So why do New Hampshire and Vermont have such different bedrock types? To answer this question we need to travel back in time; say, about 520 million years, give or take a few millennium and look at plate tectonics and the geological origins of New England. 520 million years ago, a shallow sea covered what would become New England on the North American plate. Over the past 445 million years, the African/European plate advanced, collided, and separated from the North American plate. The movement of these plates created three major mountain building events (The Taconian, Acadian, and Alleghenian). As the African plate thrust into the North America plate, it created the supercontinent Pangaea. The shallow sea closed as the plates collided. 200 million years ago the plates changed direction and began to move away from each other. Pangaea broke apart leaving part of the African plate along North America - where New Hampshire is today. These events left most of present day Vermont with metamorphic bedrock high in calcium from the ancient shallow sea. In New Hampshire…well not so much. Most of New Hampshire bedrock is igneous (granites) or metamorphic rock derived from lava or magma. Recall how the characteristics of granite vs. limestone influence nutrient availability. (Map of Geological provinces of New England). http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/of03-225/Figure_2.jpg So is that the answer, is it the bedrock? Yes, but not entirely. Another geological event influenced our soils, can you guess? Right, the glaciers! Grab your jacket and we’ll travel back to the end of the last glacial retreat 14,000 years ago. At this time, deposits of sand, gravels, stones, and rocks from the glacier covered most of our bedrock. Dense unsorted glacial till covered much of the landscape. Sorted materials from melt waters deposited coarse, excessively drained sands along rivers. The glacier strewed rocks and boulders on the surface of the landscape. These glacial deposits share characteristics such as texture and chemistry derived from the underlying bedrock. Ancient glacial lakes, such as the Champlain Sea and Lake Hitchcock, covered about one third of Vermont but only about one seventh of New Hampshire. Fine textured silts and clays deposited on these lake bottoms, an ideal foundation for productive soil. Again, Vermont seems to have received the better deal in terms of productive soils for agriculture due to its greater number of glacial lakes. Vermont also ended up with fewer rocks and stones on the surface. Now we know why Vermont has a higher proportion of soils ideal for agricultural production than New Hampshire. You may ask “How can this information be useful for me on my farm, or in my town?” Time to get our shovels again and look at soils and soil mapping. Soils have a taxonomical system to describe them. Just as plants and animals are organized by taxonomical systems and defined to individual species, a “soil series” can thought of as a soil species. The USDA publishes maps and interpretive tables describing the properties and limitations of the soils. Since we are talking about agricultural productivity of the soils, let’s look at the prime farmland classification of soils. USDA-NRCS defines prime farmland soils of national, statewide, and local importance. I have not considered farmland of statewide or local importance as definitions vary by state and are not directly comparable. Prime farmland is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber. Prime farmland does not directly consider bedrock in the classification, but incorporates the inherited bedrock characteristics such as ph, texture, and available nutrients. Some of the characteristics of prime farmland soils are moderate pH, fine textured partials, infrequent flooding during the growing season, deep to bedrock (40” or more), gentle slopes, and a minimal amount of surface stones. You can locate and access soils information for most areas of the United States in the USDA-NRCS Websoil survey website. http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ New Hampshire has less than one-third the amount of prime farmland soils than Vermont, less than half the land in active agriculture and less than one-fourth the land in crop production. Here are some numbers that illustrate the disparity between these two states. USDA-NRCS soils data. Vermont total prime farmland soils - 382,000 acres. New Hampshire total prime farmland soils 125,000 acres. The National Agricultural Statistic Service 2007 census Vermont total land in farms 1,233,313 acres New Hampshire total land in farms 471,991 acres Vermont total land in cropland 516,924 acres New Hampshire land total cropland 128,938 acres I am not suggesting if you want to farm to pack it up and move to Vermont. There are many areas with productive soils here in New Hampshire that can and do provide abundant harvests. The Major river valleys of New Hampshire boast lands with high agricultural productivity. If you are looking for land to farm, use the soils and bedrock maps to search for productive soils and site limitations. If you are already farming, these maps can help you make informed management decisions on your farm. The smallest delineation on a soil map is three acres. It is important to understand there may be inclusions of different soils or wetlands within this map unit. The soil description will contain what to expect for inclusions. Walk the landscape to evaluate where these inclusions may be. Is that depression a wetland that I need to avoid? Does that swale indicate spring flooding? If so it is not the best place for the greenhouses. Does that knoll indicate some excessively drained soils? I may need to add irrigation if I plant crops there. There is granite bedrock here - I may have fertility and pH challenges if I buy this land. You can talk to your local Conservation District about understanding and interpreting soil maps. http://www.nhacd.org/districts.htm Unfortunately, a common crop I see on New Hampshire farmland today is development. You can’t grow much if it is covered with asphalt and shingles. There are several sources of funding and organizations to help people keep land in the family using easements. Here is a link for New Hampshire organizations. http://www.directorynh.com/NHAssociations-Organizations/NHConservation.html Ask your local conservation district about funding for soil conservation practices and land protection easements using USDA Farm Bill Programs. Keep farmlands growing food instead of shopping malls? Thanks for exploring the bedrock and soil of New Hampshire and Vermont with me. And just to be safe we best fill that hole back in. Thanks to NRCS New Hampshire and Vermont Soil Scientists for their input and information on prime farmland soils. Resources and further reading: Roadside Geology of Vermont and New Hampshire by Bradford B. VanDiver. Where the Great River Risesby The Connecticut River Joint Commissions Generalized Lithology and Lithogeochemical Character of Near-Surface Bedrock in the New England Region by G.R. Robinson, Jr. and K.E. Kapo, 2003 USGS Digital Open-File Report 03-225. http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/of03-225/of03-225.pdf Generalized Geology Map - New Hampshire http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/publications/geologic/documents/generalized_bedrock.pdf Generalized Geology Map - Vermont http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/geo/images/geo5.JPG Land Use Maps of New England. http://nercrd.psu.edu/land_use/maps/index.html New England Agricultural Statistics Table 1. State Summary Highlights: 2007 http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_2_US_State_Level/st99_2_001_001.pdf

Cheshire Kids Farm Camp Scholarship Does your child have an interest in farms or gardening? Would they like to explore those interests this summer? The Cheshire Kids Farm Camp Scholarship endeavors to connect young people with agriculture & the natural world. This scholarship seeks to inspire the next generation of local farmers & local food supporters, by giving regional children an opportunity, through summer camp, 4-H programs, or membership to NOFA NH, to experience sustainable farming practices first-hand & watch their efforts bear fruit. Applications for 2026 are open! We are now accepting applications for 2026 as well as donations to the scholarship fund. For more information, to request application material, or to donate to the scholarship fund, please contact the Cheshire County Conservation District at 603-904-3011 or info@cheshireconservation.org . We hope to accommodate as many children as funding can allow. If you are interested in receiving a paper copy, or a specified number of applications, please let us know and we would be happy to make them available. Interested and Ready to Apply? Applications for 2026 are open! Review the application and confirm tha t you meet all eligi bility requirements prior to submission: 2026 Application, Apply Here! Completed Applications are due February 28, 2026! For further information, please contact 603-904-3011 / info@cheshireconservation.org . If emailing, please include "Cheshire Kids Scholarship" in the subject line. Thank you to our Funders! This program would not be possible without the funding support of the You Have Our Trust Fund of Fidelity Charitable. Matching donations provided by the Cheshire County Farm Bureau, Keene Elm City Rotary Club, Keene Lions Club, and the generosity of community members. If you would like to make a donation to support future funding of the scholarship, please do so here! Donations to the fund may also be made by mail, checks can be made payable to "CCCD" and addressed to 11 Industrial Park Dr., Walpole, NH 03608. Please include “Cheshire Kids Farm Camp Scholarship” in the memo line. Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated and make a difference! The Cheshire Kids Farm Camp Scholarship was founded in honor of Jeffrey P. Smith During his lifetime, Jeff Smith was an enthusiastic supporter of sustainability & local agriculture. He firmly believed in the connection of all living things, & stressed the importance of working in harmony with the systems of the universe. Seeing himself as a “steward” instead of an “owner” of the land, he felt the earth was entrusted to us for safekeeping during our life-times, to be passed along intact to future generations. With an eager & vibrant sense of life, his every activity was geared towards improving the lives of others & the environment through giving freely of his time & efforts. To keep alive that vision, the Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Camp Scholarship Program was initiated in August 2009 and renamed the Cheshire Kids Farm Camp Scholarship in 2026.

Soil Programs Healthy soil is the foundation for healthy food. We promote connections in the local food system that strengthen farm businesses and improve soil health. Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) provides equipment rentals, improved market access, and trainings. Farm Equipment Rentals Learn More Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Learn More No-Till Farming Learn More NRCS Easement Outreach Learn More Soil Potential Index and Surveys Learn More Seed Sale Learn More Monadnock Grows Together Learn More

< Back Nina Branwen Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator Nina Halsted is the Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator at the Cheshire County Conservation District. Nina grew up in a small county nestled within the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Growing up surrounded by nature, she recognized the importance of ecological stewardship. Through her professional work, she became interested in the positive impacts that community engagement and working lands can have on restoring our natural world. Nina received her BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado - Boulder in 2021. Following her degree, she worked as a Program Manager and Administrator for the Edens Rose Foundation in Albany, New York, on urban food systems and capacity-building projects. Before working for CCCD, Nina worked in adult education and simultaneously pursued certification to become a Conservation Planner through the Farm Force Program. During her five-month service period, she was able to work on farms within VT, NH, and the US Virgin Islands. In her free time, Nina enjoys growing food in her garden, spending time outdoors, creating multimedia art, and listening to podcasts or audiobooks. Nina is passionate about her role at CCCD because it allows her to connect with members of the Cheshire County community, hear their stories, and be an integral part of bridging community engagement with conservation! Contact Nina: nina@cheshireconservation.org or (802) 400-3660

Acerca de Conservation Legacy Circle Including the Cheshire County Conservation District in your will or trust, is a meaningful way to build an impactful conservation legacy. Other meaningful ways to give include donating retirement funds, donating the principal of your donor-advised fund (DAF), or naming the CCCD as a beneficiary of your accounts. Your impact will continue to sustain CCCD programs that conserve the natural and agricultural resources of this beautiful region that we call home. Contact Benee Hershon at 802-518-0993 or benee@cheshireconservation.org to discuss building your conservation legacy today. By including the CCCD in your estate plans, you automatically become a member of our Conservation Legacy Circle.

Source to Sea River Clean Up Each Fall a large group of enthusiastic volunteers pitch in to help clean up the Ashuelot River in Keene and Swanzey and Beaver Brook in Keene as part of the Connecticut River Watershed Council’s “Source to Sea Cleanup”. This event is made possible with the partnership of The City of Keene, The Ashuelot River Local Advisory Council, The Cheshire County Conservation District, Keene State College, Moosewood Ecological, The Keene Young Professionals, and Keene State College, NH Water Works Association Young Professionals, and The Harris Center for Conservation Education. Thank you to all who came out to safely participate in our 2025 Source to Sea River Clean Up! On September 19th & 20th, 2025 a large group of enthusiastic volunteers pitched in to help clean up the Ashuelot River in Keene and Swanzey! Volunteers also cleaned up Beaver Brook in Keene as part of the Connecticut River Conservancy’s 28th Annual Source to Sea River Cleanup! We would like to thank the amazing group of volunteers this year! There was a contingent of students and staff from the Keene High School, Keene State College staff and Eco-Reps and volunteers from the Ashuelot River Campground. They were joined by individuals and families throughout the region for a total of 57 volunteers! Thank you to all who volunteered! We would like to thank the following groups for their support of the event in organizing and offering volunteers: Ashuelot River Local Advisory Committee (ARLAC), Cheshire County Conservation District, City of Keene, Keene State College, Moosewood Ecological, Harris Center for Conservation Education, and the NH Water Works Association Young Professionals. Our volunteers pulled approximately 1,816 lbs of trash! Thank you! See you in September 2026!

Acerca de Annual Awards CCCD honors community members and parters who are committed to conservation in our region at our annual meeting. Learn more about our awardees below! 2025 Awardees 2025 Cooperator of the Year Manning Hill Farm Diversified Farm Winchester, NH Read more about Manning Hill Farm here! 2025 Educator of the Year Wendy Ward Conservationist Read more about Wendy Ward here! Cooperator of the Year Each year, the CCCD honors an individual, business, or organization with the “Cooperator of the Year” award. This is done to reward the recipient for cooperating with the Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS ) to conserve the natural resources on their land and exhibiting strong stewardship values. Past award recipients 2024 - Britton Farm, Walpole, NH 2023 - Pete's Stand, Walpole, NH 2022 - Community Garden Connections of Antioch University New England 2021 - Sun Moon Farm, Rindge, NH 2020 - Wingate Farm, Hinsdale, NH 2019 - Mary Ballou, Swanzey NH 2018 - Amy Bodwell & Carol Saunders, Roxbury NH 2017 - Hillside Springs Farm, Westmoreland NH 2016 - Chip Chapman & Sang Curtis, Gilsum NH 2015 – Tracie’s Community Farm, Fitzwilliam NH 2014 – Windy Hill Farm, John & Sandy Salo, Marlow NH 2013 – Windyhurst Farm Partnership, Stuart Adams, Westmoreland NH 2012 – George & Mary Iselin, Earth Haven Farm, Marlborough NH 2011 – Bruce & Jenny Wooster, Picadilly Farm, Winchester NH 2010 – Alyson’s Orchard, Walpole NH 2009 – Brian Rohde , Jaffrey NH 2008 – Siegfried & Margritt Richter, Chesterfield NH 2005 – Brookfield Farm, Chris and Holly Gowdy, Walpole NH 2004 - Boggy Meadow Farm, Walpole, NH 2003 - The Kelly Family of Kelly-View Farm, LLC, Winchester, NH 2002 – Cheshire County Farm, Westmoreland NH 2001 - Keene State College, Keene NH 1999 – Inn at East Hill Farm, Troy NH 1996 - Stonewall Farm, Keene NH Conservation Educator of the Year Award Each year the Conservation District selects an outstanding educator in Cheshire County that has instilled a conservation ethic in their students and has a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Past award recipients 2024 - Laura White 2023 - Susie Spikol 2022 - Jeff Littleton 2021 - Samuel Jaffe 2020 - Steve Roberge 2019 - Tom Beaudry 2018 - Eleanor Elbers 2017 - Brett and Amy Thelen 2016 - Eloise Clark and Rebecca Whippie 2015 - Susan Meehan 2014 - Distant Hill Gardens 2013 - Marshall Davenson 75th Anniversary Conservation Legacy Award The Monadnock Conservancy Keene, NH Read more about The Monadnock Conservancy, here!

Historical Aerial Photography Historical aerial photographs are available for public viewing at the Conservation District office. Please contact us and make an appointment to view photographs. The following years are available in black and white: Cheshire County 1939 - 1”=1,333’& 1”=2,833’ 1952 - 1”=1,320’ Large Prints, 1”=1,750’ Small Prints 1975 - 1”=1,667’ 1981 - 1”=3,580’ 1992 - 1”=2,000’ Sullivan County 1946 - 1”=1,320’ 1953 - 1”=1,320’ Large Prints, 1”=1,553’ Small Prints 1981 - 1”=3,580’ Please Note: Scales are approximate and can vary from photo to photo

< Back Emily Daigle Associate Board Member Emily grew up in Keene, NH roaming the hills and forests on foot or by bike with a camera in hand. Her experiences with the Harris Center teacher naturalists who came to her elementary school inspired her to become an environmental educator herself so she pursued a degree in Environmental Literacy from Northern Vermont University. While in school she interned with the ECO (Educating Children Outdoors) program run by the North Branch Nature Center in Vermont. She continued on as a Field Instructor for North West Regional's Outdoor Science School Program teaching 5th and 6th graders out on the Oregon coast. She also provided outdoor adventures to campers at Portland Audubon. Through all of these experiences she has learned how to inspire curiosity, help children develop their sensory skills to improve observation and encourage play as a form of learning and connection. She is passionate about giving all children a chance to experience nature and helping to foster a love of wilderness, a sense of place and community. Along the way she met her sweetheart, and the two have been moving back and forth from the pacific northwest to the northeast the last 18 years finally settling back in Keene last year with their 2 small children. They have WWOOF’d together on farms in Vermont and Oregon.She loves gardening, and was a 2023 recipient of the Cheshire County Conservation Districts Conservation Opportunity Grant to plant a pollinator habitat in her yard. She dabbles in herbal knowledge, growing plants for teas and salves. She sews, reveling in mending quilts and clothes for her family and beloved friends. She loves to be outside, hiking, sitting under a tree or by a stream.