FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL OFFICIALS TO VISIT NEW HAMPSHIRE AND VERMONT

News Date September 01, 2009

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced on August 28 that foreign agricultural officials representing 23 countries will tour New Hampshire and Vermont Aug. 31 through Sept. 4 to see food and agricultural products in those states as part of an annual FAS orientation tour.

"International trade plays a critical role in the health and development of the agricultural economy," said FAS Administrator Michael Michener. "FAS' orientation tours not only showcase U.S. farm and food products, but facilitate the face-to-face interactions that open and expand opportunities for US producers and enhance global food security."

From Connecticut to Maine, New England produces a wide variety of food and agricultural products that are exported worldwide. According to the latest data available, the region's agricultural exports reached $488 million in 2007, accounting for almost 19 percent of New England's farm economy. These agricultural exports help boost farm prices and income, while supporting more than 5,000 jobs both on and off the farm in food processing, transportation, and manufacturing.

This year's tour will begin in Weare, N.H., and finish in Greensboro, Vt. Some of the destinations include Abigail's Organic Bakery; the Stonyfield farm yogurt facility; Local Harvest, a Community Supported Agriculture operation; and the University of New Hampshire in Durham, where officials will visit an organic dairy farm complex, a student-operated dairy, and a horticulture research farm.

The group will continue to Vermont to visit a maple syrup operation; an apple cider mill; and an independent organic seed business. Officials will wrap up the tour by visiting an organic vegetable farm; a Community Supported Enterprise that specializes in food prepared with local ingredients; and a cheese production operation. Foreign officials pay for their own travel, lodging, and expenses.

Kathleen Merrigan, USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will head the delegation of U.S. agricultural officials scheduled to participate in the tour.  Information on the participants, including the foreign delegation, can be found at the USDA Newsroom at www.usda.gov. (Contact: Amy Mann)