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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Intro Legislature Return to index of stories... |
When Republican Craig Benson was elected governor in November, legislative leaders promised to bring back several bills that were vetoed by former Governor Jeanne Shaheen. The first of those bills to have a hearing is House Bill 51, a redistricting bill originally filed last year. Richard Ager has the story. |
| Legislative Day Return to index of stories... |
Bite: 01:01:03 Obviously redistricting is political and I understand that, but let's forget the politics and don't forget the people that are getting the hose put to them, the people who send us up here to represent them. Track: The issue of redistricting is arcane, complicated, and often highly emotional for legislators on both sides. For many Republicans, the time has come to reverse the redistricting plan imposed last year by the state Supreme Court. Bite: Brock bite OL63 00:45:15 "I want to urge.no telling what we're apt to do." Track: The court stepped in when House and Senate legislators could not agree on a redistricting plan that Gov. Shaheen would sign. With Craig Benson now in office, the threat of a veto is gone and Republicans are out to undo the changes ordered by the court, in which the number of districts went from 193 to just 88, which many reps say are unwieldy. Bite: 01:15:49 Strafford, Barrington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, and Farmington. I'm speaking in favor of this bill - one of the main reasons is I went from representing a single town - Strafford with a population of 3500 - to a district that holds almost 25,000. Standup: 12:42:18 By revisiting the dedistricting issue, the legislature will inevitably encounter the same issues it did last year. this plan contains 40 floterial districts in which members represent more than one town. In its decision, the court called floterials "complicated and often confusing" and rejected their use. In addition, House Bill 51 does not adhere as closely to one person, one vote as the current court redistricting plan does. Bite: 01:27:22 When they have a deviation number potentially twice as high as what the supreme court - deviation means how far you get away from the principle of one person, one vote. That doesn't make it very realistic that it could be upheld in any court whether state court or federal. Bite: 01:30:07 THIS WOULD HAVE A GREATER DEVIATION THAN THE SUPREME COURT PLAN THAT WAS IMPOSED. HOW WOULD YOU GET THIS PAST THE COURT IF IT DOES THAT? I believe the Supreme Court - if the House adopts a plan, will say that is the House plan and we'll keep our hands off of it. If that's where they want to go, that's where they want to go. We have to remember we're one of the smallest states in the union and an ideal district is 3,089 people. A 10% deviation is 300 people - I don't think it's anything that anyone is going to get concerned with. Track: Supporters of the bill say the larger districts have led to more expensive campaigns, which could change the nature of a citizen legislature. bite: 01;18:40 If you have to start raising money, that's going to take a lot of time and obviously people don't give this money for free. Now you're talking about people being influenced by businesses, special interest groups, because that's what it's going to take to get elected. I think that's something we need to look at - this is a quantum change in the way we do business. Track: The House Speaker has made it clear he supports some effort at redistricting, even if it isn't this particular bill. bite: 01:09:30 I urge this committee to take a look at all the bills - come up with what I think can be a much better plan which does - ensure that the small communities have equal and adequate representation in Concord. bite: TAPE 2 12:22:43 DO YOU ANTICIPATE A REPLAY OF LAST SUMMER? Not as far as I'm concerned. I'm exhausted. I don't want to go there again. I do think the issues that drove the entire two year process are still there and they are unresolved. We have not reached consensus in this legislature about the meaning of one person, one vote. We don't know if floterials are banned forever or are partially usable. We don't even know if we are free to enact an amendment to the ten-year plan. Track: At this stage, only one thing seems to be a safe bet. Bite: 01;06:17 It's going to go to court. No matter what we do with redistricting, even if it's just the constitutional question, we're going to have to send it over there, so we need to do it early and do it this year. Track: For NH Outlook, I'm richard Ager. |
| Intro Dairy Farms Return to index of stories... |
When you pick up a gallon of milk at the store, do you ever wonder where it came from? It might be from a dairy farm in New Hampshire - but that may become less likely in the future - because dairy farms in the state are struggling to survive. Outlook's Tai Freligh shows us some of the reasons why the industry is in trouble. |
| Dairy Farms Return to index of stories... |
NATS Cow sound TRACK NH dairy farmers produce over 40 million gallons of milk a year. While it costs $1.40 to produce a gallon, federal law only allows them to sell them at a $1.05 a gallon, leaving farmers with a deficit they need to cover. NH's Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Taylor. SOT Taylor For years New Hampshire dairy farmers have been very ingenious in developing alternatives or additional income streams to spread risk recognizing that the production of milk is a very risky business with wild price swings so to try to ameliorate that risk a number of farmers, many of them, virtually all! Have secondary or tertiary sources of income. It may be an off the farm job, it may be producing maple syrup or strawberries, selling breading stock, driving a school bus, teaching school. TRACK When we spoke to the Graymist Farm family last October, they were diversifying in different ways. SOT Kelly 1- 10:035 We have started to grow more of a variety of things that aren't traditionally seen in supermarkets around here, specialty things like hot peppers. You might have it or you might not. Or, even baby corn or snow peas or something. TRACK In 1997 the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact was formed to help suppliment New England dairy farmers' income. It was not renewed in 2001. The NIDC was replaced by a Federal program called the Milk Income Loss Contract, which provides Federal assistance. SOT Taylor The farmers really don't want this type of program because, compared to the northeast interstate dairy compact, because it comes from the federal treasury where the compact was funded by consumer, by people who actually drank milk. And so it's a temporary fix for the low milk price problem and it's due to expire in 2005. TRACK According to the NH Dept. of Agriculture, dairy farms bring over $50 million dollars in revenue to the state. And while the popularity of the farming way of life remains a draw for tourists to the state, the economics make it difficult for the farmers to stay profitable. The number of farms in the state has dwindled to 165 compared to over 500 twenty years ago. Many farmers are left with little options. SOT Taylor The median age for dairy farmers in New Hampshire is I'll bet, around 58 or even 60 years of age so they are going to retire probably or they're going to convert their land to cash. The land that supports dairy farms in New Hampshire is becoming increasingly valuable for other uses and so for some cashing out right now is very appealing and that land will be made into housing developments, golf courses, and shopping centers. Other kinds of uses that are what we call higher uses but they're certainly end uses, terminal uses and the land will never be farmed again. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Here to talk more about why New Hampshire has lost so many of its of dairy farms.Lorraine Stuart Merrill. Lorraine is a journalist and also partner of the Stuart Farm in Stratham New Hampshire - where she grew up. Doug Morris is with the University of New Hampshire Department of Resource Economics & Development. Doug was on the Northeast Dairy Compact Commission from 1997-2001. And Michael Schiabarrasi is a UNH Cooperative Extension professor. Michael specializes in agricultual business management. |
| tag discussion Return to index of stories... |
By the way, Lorraine is on the University of New Hampshire's Board of Trustees and on NHPTV's board of governors. And this additional note - even though there has been a decline in in the number of dairy farms in New Hampshire - the number of other types of farms in the state has actually increased. And New Hampshire is the only state in New England where those numbers have gone up. |
| Intro Echo Farms Return to index of stories... |
For many farmers in New Hampshire, diversification has been their key to success. Some have moved away from traditional productions and entered into niche marketing. Near Hinsdale, there's a dairy farm where the owners saw an opportunity to do something different with the milk they produced and they took advantage of it. |
| Echo Farms Return to index of stories... |
Shots of pudding containers being filled Courtney clip 3-1750 "The reason we are doing this is because we love our animals and we love farming. We are doing something that we love." Narration 1 - Courtney Hodge, like her childhood friend Shelley Schofield grew up tending to cows - it's now their business. Together, the Hodge and the Schofield families make pudding - Echo Farm Pudding. Gordon Schofield clip 2-3613/3630 "We produce about 5,000 pounds per week. And, we just got into some new stores so that will increase." Shots of pudding containers being filled Narration 2 - That's about 300,000 pounds of pudding made here every year. Bob clip 1-2145 "It started out that each kid had a horse that they took care of. Then they got involved in 4-H - they did that each week with the Schofields." Courtney clip 3-1728 "They were into showing cows, so we got them into showing horses and we started showing cows. We enjoyed it so much that we stopped showing horses." Narration 3 - That was twelve years ago. Over time, the herd grew and it became clear that the girl's avocation would someday become the family's vocation. Bob clip 1-2330 "The question then became, how do we turn a 4-H project into a business and try to make room for multiple family members in and build a business future? - That led us to looking for a product to make." Stand-up "The Hodges and the Schofields searched the dairy cases. They found a lot of high quality yogurts, cheeses and ice creams. But they were looking for a niche - and they found it in pudding." Bob clip 1-2415 "So we set out to build a premium brand pudding and start a family business." Courtney 3-1915 "My parents were good. In the beginning they did all the finances and as time went on, we took on more responsibilities and they were willing to give them to us." Narration 4 - There are seven family members that work on the farm - four Hodges and three Schofields. Gordon Schofield is the chef. Gordon clip 2-3500/3445 No, my wife does all the cooking at home. I follow a recipe. Sometimes people make suggestions. We have a maple flavor because there are so many maple producers in the area they said ' you have to have maple.'" Courtney clip 3-2120 "The puddings we started four and half years ago. We started out with rice pudding and now have nine products. We have gone from selling locally to stores throughout New England and NY City." Bob clip 1-2640 "It's a difficult world out there in terms of marketing. It's dominated by large companies and chains. They won't open their doors to you. We had to start in an area that we could get in to - Co-ops and independents." Shot of Durham Market Place Chuck Cressey clip - why they want their product in their store. Bob clip - 2655 "You have to fight your way on to the shelves and have a better product or you won't make it." Steve Taylor clip - What small dairies need to do to survive. Challenges and rewards in having these small businesses operating in NH. Courtney 3-2500 "Our competitive edge is that we control the entire process - from what the cows eat to milking them to the ingredients that we use in making our puddings." Narration 5 - Those efforts are paying off for Echo Farm as they are now at about the break-even point. Twenty-nine Hannaford stores now carry their puddings - Shaw's Supermarkets will soon be, as well. When asked how big they want the company to someday be, you are quickly reminded of how it all began. Shot of girls in 4-H Courtney 2940 "We debate that. Sometimes we talk about expanding another 100 cows, but we don't want to get too big. That's our fear, that we won't be able to walk into the barn and know the cows by name." |
| Tag Echo Return to index of stories... |
To learn more about the history of Echo Farm, go to the web at ECHO FARM PUDDINGS - dot - COM |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
Coming up next week on New Hampshire Outlook - we'll be looking at New Hampshire's changing landscape. Sprawl: Managing Growth in the Granite State. And, join us on our next program when we look at children, chat rooms and internet safety. In preparing this story we learned some useful information for parents and caregivers. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| WEB PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Children, chat rooms and internet safety. A dark side to the Internet that has moved parents, teachers and law enforcement to action. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 1/14/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 4:36 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we begin with the state legislature. When Republican Craig Benson was elected governor in November, legislative leaders promised to bring back several bills that were vetoed by former Governor Jeanne Shaheen. The first of those bills to have a hearing is House Bill 51, a redistricting bill originally filed last year. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Sen. Jack Barnes\R - District 17, David Brock\Chief Justice, NH Supreme Court, Rep. Michael Harrington\R - Strafford, Rep. Ray Buckley\House Democratic Whip, Rep. Ted Leach\R - Hancock HB51 Prime Sponsor, Rep. Gene Chandler\Speaker, NH House, Rep. Peter Burling\House Democratic Leader, Rep. John Graham\R - Bedford |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 1/14/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 14:48 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we also focused on dairy farms in New Hampshire - because dairy farms in the state are struggling to survive. We had a piece illustrating some of the reasons why the industry is in trouble. Following the piece we had a studio discussion with Lorraine Stuart Merrill, a journalist and also partner of the Stuart Farm in Stratham, Doug Morris is with the University of New Hampshire Department of Resource Economics & Development. And Michael Schiabarrasi is a UNH Cooperative Extension professor. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Tai Freligh, Ashley Buttercup NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Steve Taylor\NH Commissioner of Agriculture, Kelly Gray\Graymist Farm, Lorraine Stuart Merrill\Journalist and NH Farmer, Mike Sciabarrasi\UNH Cooperative Extension, Doug Morris\Dept of Resource Economics & Development the University of New Hampshire |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 1/14/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 5:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we continued our focus on dairy farms in New Hampshire with Echo Farm Pudding. For many farmers in New Hampshire, diversification has been their key to success. Some have moved away from traditional productions and entered into niche marketing. Near Hinsdale, there's a dairy farm where the owners saw an opportunity to do something different with the milk they produced and they took advantage of it. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Courtney Hodge\Echo Farm, Robert Hodge\Echo Farm, Phil Vaughn\NH Outlook, Jason Hodge\Echo Farm, Chuck Cressy\Owner, Durham Market Place, Steve Taylor\Dept of Agriculture |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| website Return to index of stories... |
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