The People behind the Plan

The People behind the Plan

2025 NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan

boots in the field

 

The 2025 NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan was, and continues to be, a collective effort, representing the work, vision, and voices of hundreds of dedicated individuals deeply committed to New Hampshire's food system. Three groups of people lead the process— the Strategic Plan Development Team, the Advisory Committee, and individual Brief Authors. Get to know everyone who ensured the Strategic Plan is comprehensive and impactful. 

the people behind the plan
The Strategic Plan Development Team

The development team holds the center of the NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan. They built systems, engaged with the NH Food Alliance network and other partners to seek input from stakeholders across the state, organize, and incorporate feedback, engaged the advisory committee, and so much more. 

Nicole Cardwell, NH Food Alliance
Colleen Jennings, NH Food Alliance
Claire Erley, Food Works Group
Elise Neidecker, NH Food Alliance
Celie Boley, NH Food Alliance
Wania Ahmed, Sustainability Institute, University of New Hampshire
Scott Sawyer, Designer and Data Analytics
 

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The Advisory Committee

The NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan is made better by the support, guidance, and input from some of the most influential leaders in our food system. Browse through the Advisory Committee below.

 

Commissioner Shawn Jasper
NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food

  Ariel Aaronson-Eves, Coordinator
NH Queer Farmers Network *

Ben Amsden, Senior Program Officer
NH Charitable Foundation

Charlene Andersen, Food and Farm Lender
New Hampshire Community Loan Fund

Amy Bassett, Deputy Director
Division of Travel and Tourism Development, NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs

Anton Bekkerman, Director, Associate Dean
NH Agricultural Experiment Station
UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture

Xochiquetzal Salazar, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH (NOFA-NH) *

Representative Peter Bixby
New Hampshire House of Representatives

Tiffany Brewster, Community Engagement Director
NH Hunger Solutions

Noah Hodgetts, Principal Planner
Office of Planning and Development, NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs

Todd Horner, Assistant Director
Southwest Region Planning Commission

Cameron Huftalen, Project Manager, Food Systems and Economy
Vital Communities *

Lauren Judd, Executive Director
Cornucopia Project

Nikki Kolb, Operations Director
Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH (NOFA-NH)

Eileen Liponis, (formerly) Executive Director
New Hampshire Food Bank

Chief Lisa Gray, Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe of the Pokanoket Nation
Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust *

Gavin Macdonald, Owner
Genuine Local

Assistant Commissioner Josh Marshall
NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food

Josephine Porter, Chief Strategy Officer
NH Center for Justice and Equity *

Katelyn Porter, Value Chain Coordinator
NH Food Alliance

Allan Reetz, Director Public & Government Affairs
Hanover Co-op Food Stores of VT and NH

Ameenah Shabazz, (formerly) NH Racial Equity Ambassador
Food Solutions New England (FSNE) *

Sarah Waring, (formerly) State Director for VT and NH
USDA Rural Development

Tim Wennrich, Owner and Operator
Meadowstone Farm

Tara Westenhiser, Food Access Coordinator
Division of Public Health Service, NH Department of Health and Human Services

Seth Wilner, Extension Field Specialist
Food and Agriculture Team, UNH Extension

 

*served as an Equity Advisor

 

 

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A Strategic Plan for All, Made by Many

In an effort to provide transparency about the people involved in the creation of this plan, all Advisory Committee members, subject matter experts, and project administrators were asked to complete an anonymous demographic survey. While the data below does not fully capture the story of the people behind this work, the hope is that it provides helpful and honest context about who had power and influence over the content of the NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan. As this work progresses, more can and must be done to ensure all people of New Hampshire are represented and have power over the future of the food system.

 

sector chart from scott
georgraphy chart
age
gender identity

race and ethnicity 2

  

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The Brief Authors

118 subject matter experts authored the 27 Product, Market, and Issue briefs that make up the bulk of the Strategic Plan. These subject matter experts worked collaboratively with their peers to discuss and summarize current conditions, challenges, opportunities, and recommended next steps for their area of expertise.