Research and innovation is the primary focus of the NH agricultural experiment station

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University System of New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station $1,123,633 under the Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act (CFDA 10.203) on October 1, 2025.

The recipient will conduct agricultural research and innovation across crop and dairy production biotechnology, sustainable aquaculture development, soil microbiology and climate science, water quality management as it relates to agricultural land and management practices, and nutrition and health research for Northern New England communities. Between 2024 and 2028, the station expects to support between 44 and 50 research projects addressing five critical issues alongside McIntire-Stennis forestry science areas. Research will emphasize practical solutions for agricultural adaptation, soil health enhancement, long-term sustainability for producers, and characterization of changing socioeconomic conditions. Work will also continue on biotechnological and management improvements in crop and dairy production to minimize production and market risks and capture new marketing opportunities.

Performance runs through September 30, 2027, with work performed in Lee, New Hampshire. The Hatch Act program assists State Agricultural Experiment Stations in conducting broad agricultural research on farming, food production, natural resources, forests, aquaculture, nutrition, and rural development, with at least 25 percent of program funds directed to multistate collaborative projects addressing regional or national problems.

In the 2024-2028 period, the station expects to support between 44 and 50 research projects across five critical issues as well as projects within the mcintire-stennis forestry science areas. Slow but consistent faculty hiring in our college and increased efforts to recruit scientists to apply their expertise to NH agricultural issues is expected to grow the AES research portfolio. Within the agriculture area, research will focus on increasing knowledge and technology to support highly diversified agricultural and food system that produces, processes and delivers food, fiber, and myriad environmental services. Efforts will focus on biotechnological and management improvements in crop and dairy production to minimize production and market risks and capturing new marketing opportunities. Research is expected to grow in efforts to grow the state's sustainable aquaculture industry to benefit the blue economy. Work will also continue on agricultural adaptation to changing conditions, with emphasis on practical solutions that enhance productivity, soil health, and long-term sustainability for producers.through basic and applied science, an emerging area of excellence is in soil microbiology, and these efforts will be one of the core of the nhaes research mission in climate science. A second core area is in water quality management, especially as IT relates to the relationships between water, agricultural land and management practices. Research is expected to grow in the nutrition and health and wellness area and social science fields, as early-career faculty transition into being more experienced scientists and new faculty are onboarded. The focus of the research will be on identifying and developing effective recommendations for ensuring nutritional balance and health for communities across northern new england. Nhaes research will also continue to characterize changing socioeconomic and demographic trends and how local food systems can be best developed to support all citizens of the state and region. The nhaes will continue its strengthening outreach and science communication program. Biannual themed research reports will continue to be compiled and distributed in the station's flagship publication inspired. The station also maintains its highly robust activity of disseminating its research through weekly news briefs (which focus on nhaes research), social media presence, and field days. Furthermore, increasing integration with extension is expected, as communicators from the nhaes and extension have begun regular interactions to determine ways to increase stakeholders' benefits from science communication