Seacoast Stories

Inside Vernon Family Farm's Fight For Survival

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Jeremiah and Nicole Vernon can't take it anymore.

The complaints from the neighbors. The town meetings. The regulation boards. The financial burdens. The stress. The tears. The drama.

They just want to focus on what they love to do: Responsibly growing nutritious and delicious food for the thousands of customers who attend their famous agritourism events, shop in the farm store, and value local farms.

Tired of fighting these battles behind closed doors, the Vernons are ready to talk about the 10 years they've owned and operated the farm.

And that's why they're on the podcast today.

In today's conversation from Vernon Family Farm in Newfields, N.H., Jeremiah and Nicole Vernon join me to discuss:

  • Jeremiah's love for farming (00:00)
  • Jeremiah and Nicole's smelly first date (04:50)
  • The Vernon Family Farm backstory (08:10)
  • The financial challenges of running a farm (15:20)
  • Agritourism (18:22)
  • The neighbors' complaints with VFF (20:20)
  • The Vernon's mental health struggles (32:58)
  • The uncertain future of Vernon Family Farm (44:25)
  • What's your mission? (55:07)
  • BONUS: The issue with "Big Ag" (56:38)

    • Jeremiah and Nicole Vernon are the owners and operators of Vernon Family Farm in Newfields, N.H., and they’ve been in business since 2014. Known for their events that bring live music, farm-grown food and beer to the community, the Vernons have built a robust following.

    For more information on the events and offerings from the farm, please visit VernonFamilyFarm.com or give them a follow on Instagram @VernonFamilyFarm.

    This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Troy Farkas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To support the telling of more important ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seacoast Stories ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and/or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ feeds.

    BACKGROUND READING:

    • “Farming Right: Newfields Neighbors Address Concerns with Vernon Family Farm,” Seacoastonline/Portsmouth Herald, Letter to the Editor
    • "Newfields Neighbors Sue Town, Vernon Family Farm" New Hampshire Union Leader
    • “Newfields Family Farm and Town Sued by Neighbors Over Agritourism Events,” New Hampshire Public Radio
      • "Neighbors Clash Over Vernon Family Farm Agritourism Events in Newfields" The Portsmouth Herald
        • ...more
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        Seacoast StoriesBy Troy Farkas