It will have public access, so the public can see the dairying. Outside of southeastern New Hampshire, much of the state is growing at a slower rate than eastern Massachusetts. At the same time, we have much less state government involvement in these issues than in other states. The entire New Hampshire state Department of Agriculture is one person, and he s a great guy, but there s only so much he can do by himself. The limited commitment on a state level makes the federal government less interested, which leaves the large bulk of farmland protection work to municipalities and private nonprofits.
Private groups have limited time and can put in only so much effort.
Our role as an advocate for farming, and in educating the public, is relatively new for us. Land trusts are used to dealing with ecosystems, and in some ways just protecting natural resources is a less complex equation. Unlike people, natural resources don t have their own agendas, talk back or get cheeky with you. At the same time, of course, the broader the local input and mandate for our work the more likely its going to be meaningful and successful. VHCB is a public foundation established in 1986.