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As others have mentioned, Northern New England poses some challenges to farmers - the growing season is short, though the days are long in late spring to early summer!, rocky soils, thinner topsoil than in the midwest. I don't see too many farms growing corn or wheat - commodity crops, or huge produce farms growing for shipment to faroff places. I think they just can't compete too well in those areas due to local conditions. I do though see places growing crops that produce a high value per acre - fruits and vegetables, including organic fruits and veggies - for local consumption, making fancy cheeses, apple orchards and some refining to hard cider, of course maple syrup...
To digress briefly, Vermont was a big producer of wheat and "New England's bread basket" in the early 1800's before the midwest was opened up to farming and the Erie Canal made transport of grain to the northeast easier. There were wheat farms along the Conn. River and Champlain Valley areas. The farms were converted to pastureland, then became reforested post-Civil War. There are now small farms growing organic, local wheat and other grains in Vermont and Maine to supply the "local food" movement.
Thank you all for the ideas and resources. I’ve got to say, so far I’m ready to pack my bags for Littleton! While I never have lived in northern New England, I did spend my first 25 years in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, so I’m familiar with snow. We’d be interested in establishing a bison ranch. Right now we raise goats and hogs, and only our own fruits and vegetables. My husband is curious to learn more about timber framing as far as construction goes. We’d like to find jobs first, but preferably in a region where we are happy and the boys are in a nice, small school! I think it’s a good idea to rent first in an area before committing to a home purchase. Any idea if farm rentals are readily available in any particular area? I’ve got about a dozen goats it’d be hard to part with!
To digress briefly, Vermont was a big producer of wheat and "New England's bread basket" in the early 1800's before the midwest was opened up to farming and the Erie Canal made transport of grain to the northeast easier. There were wheat farms along the Conn. River and Champlain Valley areas. The farms were converted to pastureland, then became reforested post-Civil War. There are now small farms growing organic, local wheat and other grains in Vermont and Maine to supply the "local food" movement.
I think it’s a good idea to rent first in an area before committing to a home purchase. Any idea if farm rentals are readily available in any particular area?
There is a rental shortage in New Hampshire. Never mind attempting to rent a farm. No harm in looking though.
As far as farming goes look here at Moulton Farm in Meredith, NH. LINK and speak with John Moulton himself. This is not a farm animal farm.
I live North of the White Mtns. In Summer I Tent nearly ALL my plants after 8 pm on clear nights ,I have a very hard time growing Tomato's to a red color or any size.
Whether you want to rent or buy, find a realtor that specializes in farmland. Many properties never make it onto the listings at realtor.com or zillow.com, but the local realtors know what might be available.
Have you considered Ossipee to Bartlett? Or Maybe Carrol / Twin Mountain.
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