Women Farmers are Making a Difference in New Hampshire

Donna Sprague, a fifth-generation owner of Huntoon Farm in Danbury, is featured in Helen Brody's book "New Hampshire Women Farmers." Photo: Leslie Tuttle — Donna Sprague, a fifth-generation owner of Huntoon Farm in Danbury, is featured in Helen Brody’s book *New Hampshire Women Farmers*. Photo: Leslie Tuttle

Learn about how women farmers are making a difference in New Hampshire’s local food movement at 2 PM Sunday, April 10 at the Wilmot Community Association’s (WCA) Red Barn, 64 Village Road. The program is sponsored by the WCA and the Wilmot Garden Club.

Helen Brody, author of New Hampshire Women Farmers: Pioneers of the Local Food Movement, and Leslie Tuttle, the book’s photographer, will discuss the importance of women farmers in New Hampshire. Two farmers featured in the book, Donna Sprague and Suzanne LeBlanc, also will participate in the program.

Brody also wrote New Hampshire: Farm to Kitchen. She is president and founder of the nonprofit educational Web site, New Hampshire Farms Network, an outgrowth of Farm to Kitchen.

Tuttle, a resident of Wilmot, is a social documentary photographer who has worked from non-governmental organizations in developing countries including Oxfam America and Partners in Health. LeBlanc owns Autumn Harvest Farm and Quilt Studio in Grafton and Sprague is the fifth-generation owner of Huntoon Farm in Danbury.

In 2012, New Hampshire ranked third nationally in the percentage of principal farm operators who are women – 1,258. These women are transforming what it means both to be a farmer and to run a successful farm. Women farmers in the Granite State are revitalizing farming by creating value-added products for their locally grown food. These innovations keep farms profitable and relevant. Often their roles include being an accountant, marketing expert and educator.

The presenters will be available to answer questions. Refreshments will be served. A door prize – an autographed copy of New Hampshire Women Farmers – will be given away. Books will be available for purchase and, if requested, Brody and Tuttle will autograph copies.

The WCA, founded in 1963, owns and operates the Red Barn, a community center on Village Road, and Timothy Patten Park, a beach and playground on Shindagan Road.

More information is available from the WCA Web site, wilmotcommunityassociation.org, the WCA office at (603) 526-7934 or at wca@nulltds.com.