Meet Marianne Gordineer, the new and first Director of Development for Nashua Center, a nonprofit that serves individuals with disabilities by providing specialized care and support and promoting their growth and independence.
What led you to Nashua Center?
My background is in fundraising and communications. I transplanted from New York about a year ago. When I lived in New York — I grew up in New York and New Jersey — I was actively involved with fundraising in a variety of roles. It started first as a volunteer role, working with my community and my children’s schools, doing fundraising. When I went back to work, I went into the nonprofit sector as a fundraiser, and that became my career. I’ve been working for over a decade in fundraising and communications. When we moved to New Hampshire, I started looking at different director of development opportunities. I really wanted to work with an agency that was aligned with my own personal values and experiences. When I saw the Nashua Center advertising for this position, it really hit home for me. I’m a parent of a young adult who is on the spectrum, and I know firsthand the challenges that are faced by this community. It fuels my passion for working toward positive change … and motivation to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. Nashua Center just felt like a match.
What does your job entail?
My primary responsibility is to develop and implement effective fundraising strategies so we can secure the financial resources necessary to support the programs we offer. Fundraising strategies could involve conducting research on donors, developing different campaigns, hosting events and leveraging technology and social media to expand our reach. Part of my fundraising strategy is to cultivate relationships with donors and supporters. I spend a significant amount of time doing that. It’s essential to the success of a fundraising … and to secure ongoing support. The other piece of my job is donor communications … through newsletters, emails and social media updates, collaborating with one of our creative content writers.
What are some of your short-term and or long-term goals? What would you like to accomplish?
[The goal of] my first 90 days in the development world is to really sit back and observe and see what’s going on in the organization, to absorb as much as I can, to learn about the donors and what motivates them to give, and to learn about what makes Nashua Center successful. My long-term goal is to do what I was hired to do — to bring in funding and to continue promoting the Nashua Center in a positive way that’s aligned with our donors and our stakeholders.
What are some of the biggest challenges in fundraising for a nonprofit?
One of the biggest challenges is the competition from other charitable organizations. There are so many worthy causes and limited resources. It’s really difficult to stand out and secure the funding we need to continue providing crucial support and services. Additionally, the fundraising landscape is always evolving; donors and supporters are becoming more discerning and selective in where they donate their money. It can be a challenge to keep up with their changing preferences and expectations.
How do you address those challenges?
We have to stand out with a clear and compelling message about the impact of the Nashua Center and the importance of the work we do. Another way is to collaborate with other organizations and form strategic partnerships, specifically with ones that work with the same community. That helps us to increase our visibility and expand our reach. … With our donors, it’s very important that we remain innovative and adaptable to ensure we’re meeting their needs and desires. Communication is key. … We need to take the time to maintain those relationships, to regularly update the donors on the impact of their contributions and show appreciation for their support.
How would you describe your leadership style?
Collaborative and inclusive. … I love to hear new ideas, new perspectives, I believe that everyone has valuable insights and contributions. I make a conscious effort to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. By listening to one another, we can make better decisions and really achieve greater success.
What do you find rewarding about this work?
The most rewarding aspect is knowing that my efforts directly impact the lives of those we serve. Seeing the positive impact that Nashua Center has on individuals with disabilities and their families and caregivers is incredibly fulfilling … and seeing how the community and people who are passionate about our cause come together to support the organization is really inspiring. — Angie Sykeny
Featured photo: Marianne Gordineer. Courtesy photo.
Meet Lauren Boisvert, who recently became the first community communications coordinator for Manchester Proud, a community-based movement committed to celebrating and strengthening the successes of students attending Manchester’s public schools. Visit manchesterproud.org.
What is Manchester Proud?
Manchester Proud is about championing student success [by] celebrating the amazing things that our students are doing, from sports games to band practices to science fairs … and providing opportunities [for student success]. We work very closely with the district and with community partners such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA and Gear Up to amplify the things they are doing to help families, community members and students have access to resources. … We also have something called the Compass, which is basically a tool where our community partner organizations can post what resources and opportunities they offer. Then, community members can log into that portal and see who offers day care on a snow day, or who offers mental services, things like that.
What led you to Manchester Proud?
They needed somebody who could be the liaison for communication to make sure that families know about this organization and its resources. … I think my background fits well with the mission of Manchester Proud. I graduated from the New Hampshire Institute of Art, got a degree in education and art, and I taught for a while. Having educational experience in the K-through-12 school setting really helps me understand the different groups of people we’re appealing to — the parents, the students, the teachers — and how to support them.
What does your job as community communications coordinator entail?
I maintain our social media accounts and our website, and I create flyers and send out newsletters. I’m part of meetings and planning committees, and I work with the district staff to execute their communication and strategic plans. There are also random things that pop up; for example, right now we have a student scholarship opportunity that we’re advertising, so I’m working with our community partners to get the word out about that.
What would you like to accomplish?
The biggest challenge for Manchester Proud — and the whole reason they brought me on board — is to make sure people know about us and to get more community involvement. … My goal is for Manchester Proud to be more active on social media, because that’s the best way to reach the most people. Previously we only had a Facebook and a Twitter page. I created an Instagram and LinkedIn page, because I want to make sure we’re on all of the platforms so that we can appeal to the community members’ different preferred platforms. I’m also making sure that we’re posting consistently. … Finally, I’m talking with students, families and community members directly to find out what are the best ways to reach them and get them involved.
What would you like people to know about Manchester Proud?
That we want to give as many opportunities as possible to as many different students as possible. … The scholarship opportunity that I mentioned, for example, is not just for students who are going to college; it’s also for students who may be going into the armed forces or students who are taking a gap year.
What do you enjoy most about this work?
The biggest thing for me is making a difference by bringing a positive to the district; helping out the students by making sure they know [about] and have access to all these resources and tools; and making sure that the students and all the amazing things that are happening in the district are celebrated.
Nancy Birn Struckman is a professional editor based in Hollis. Her business, Editing for Style (345-3348, nancy@editingforstyle.com, editingforstyle.com), provides editing and proofreading services for graduate students, business professionals and writers.
Explain your job and what it entails.
I edit books, blogs and newsletters, dissertations, manuals and websites. For dissertations, I do line- and/or format editing pre- or post-defense, so the dissertations can be published. For the other types of writing, I edit for grammar and spelling, consistency page-to-page and continuity.
How long have you had this job?
I started the business 10 years ago, but I have been doing this type of work for years.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
I started editing dissertations while working for a university in central New York, worked as a managing editor for a small local newspaper, and love editing other people’s work. Starting my own business gave me flexibility.
What kind of education or training did you need?
I have a B.A. in English and a really good eye for spelling and grammar and consistent writing. Many of the academic editors I know have master’s [degrees] or Ph.D.s, but they’re not necessary for the work I do.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
A T-shirt and jeans.
What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?
Graduate students and other customers usually have tight deadlines so I have to turn over their work quickly. Another challenge is getting the word out. People have to trust me and my expertise to know I will take care of their editing needs.
What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your career?
That I would be lucky enough to end up doing what I love.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
I believe in retaining my customers’ voices. I really do edit for style, adding or subtracting verbiage so their writing is clearer and more concise. For fiction, especially fantasy, I make “family trees”: a page of relationships, physical characteristics, and for the consistent spelling of brand new words from the author.
What was the first job you ever had?
In high school in Queens,besides babysitting, I worked in a jeans store during the disco era, selling jeans to people who spoke many different languages, only a few that I could speak or understand.
What is the best piece of work-related advice you have ever received?
Be confident in your abilities and don’t believe in impostor syndrome.
Five favorites Favorite book:The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Favorite movie:Young Frankenstein Favorite music: Anything but heavy metal. Favorite food: Sushi and ravioli, definitely not at the same meal. Favorite thing about NH: The interesting people and the many outdoor activities available close by
Featured photo: Nancy Birn Struckman. Courtesy photo.
Joan Brodsky, founder of New Hampshire Dance Collaborative, talked about a new program to expand opportunities for New Hampshire dancers.
What is New Hampshire Dance Collaborative?
I’m a former dancer, and when I retired I opened a Pilates studio in Bedford. I’ve always felt that dance is a very vital part of the human condition, and it was always a really important part of how I did my Pilates work. As time went by, I became increasingly worried about the fact that, although we have some nice dancers in the state, we have no real vehicle for them to dance — not a big audience, and not a lot of financial support. … I ended up doing this really fun pop-up art show with [other artists]. We had photography and sculpture and music, and I brought in dancers. I saw the audience really tune in [to the dance performance], and I found that exciting. I thought that maybe this is the ingredient that has been needed — a small dose of dance in a social setting, where it’s intimate and real. I went on to form a nonprofit, New Hampshire Dance Collaborative. … We bring dance to artistic venues and cultural and educational institutions … [like] the Currier {Museum of Art], the gallery at SNHU and Canterbury Shaker Village … with the goal of providing fun, creative gigs for dancers, and exposing people who would otherwise be pretty limited [in exposure to dance] to all ranges of dance, from contemporary to ballet to hip-hop.
What is the New Hampshire Dance Accelerator program, and how did you come up with the idea?
In August I started thinking that I really needed a more developed, concrete product to strengthen and formulate my goals … and [facilitate] marketing and donations, because the arts can feel very esoteric to many people. That’s how I decided to do this accelerator. … For the accelerator, New Hampshire Dance Collaborative will invest up to $10,000 directly in accelerating [dancers]. … I’m also going to be providing dancers with artistic coaching and mentorship, help with grant writing, help with ticket sales and things like that.
What kinds of costs will the Accelerator help to offset?
These dancers have so much energy to create dance [and can] pay for the studio and rehearsal time; they just can’t afford the theater rentals, and paying dancers is very expensive. Up until now, I’ve been assuming some of those costs. … You could pay, like, $2,500 to rent a [performance] space. Then you have to pay the dancers; many of these dancers are so hungry for an opportunity that they will dance for very little [compensation]. They should be paid for rehearsals, but if they aren’t paid for rehearsals, then at the very least they should be paid $500 for their performance. If you have 12 dancers, and you’re paying $500 per dancer, plus the $2,500 for the theater, plus the costs of having social media and marketing done, you can see how cost-prohibitive it is.
Are there any other programs like this for dancers?
I did some looking around and Googled “dance accelerators,” and as far as I know, no, there’s nothing, at least not in New England.
Who is a candidate for the program?
I’m working on developing the eligibility requirements and creating an application now. … It could be dance companies or solo artists. They should be based in New Hampshire; all dance companies travel, so I will help to support that a little bit, but my main focus, because I have limited resources, is to build the dance environment in New Hampshire. … They should have an established product that’s ready for market — for a dance company, that means having a repertory of original choreography and a group of dancers who know the work well, and for a solo artist, that means having an established style of dance and a target audience — and a rudimentary business plan.
What is your long-term vision for the program?
New Hampshire is still ripe grounds for dance; there are few opportunities for dancers here. I used to look at that as a bummer, but now I look at it as an opportunity to create a really unique ecosystem of dance here. I want [to accelerate] dancers who are doing interesting and transformative things. Some are using dance for political or social activism work. Some are bringing dance into schools. Those are the dancers I want to work with. I’m interested in fostering innovative ideas. We have many new Americans throughout the state … who have cultural dance forms. … In 10 years from now, if I had my dream, there would be more dance in New Hampshire on all kinds of levels: dance supported by the state, dance in schools, therapeutic use of dance, dance companies having regular seasons at theaters.
To make a donation to support the New Hampshire Dance Accelerator program, or if you are a dancer who is interested in applying, visit nhdancecollaborative.com/accelerator.
Michael Brochu runs a specialized printing press at Amherst Label, a custom label manufacturer in Milford.
Explain your job and what it entails.
My job is to run a digital and flexographic hybrid printing press. I print labels for commercial and small businesses alike, from medicine bottles to beer labels and everything in between. The machine I run is very long in length and has state-of-the-art digital ink jet and flexographic technology.
How long have you had this job?
I have had this job for exactly 10 years. I started in March 2013.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
By chance. I was looking for work fresh out of high school. I was getting my hair cut by the hairstylist who has been cutting my hair since I was a baby, and she happened to say that her husband sometimes hires kids over at Amherst Label. He was VP of manufacturing at the time. I sent in my application, and he just so happened to know my family. After one quick interview, I was hired.
What kind of education or training did you need?
I started out as a press assistant, which taught me about presses and how to set and clean them up. Being a press assistant is a little like being an apprentice: You can watch, learn and ask questions to the operators running the press. After about one year of being an assistant, my boss said that he ‘had big plans’ for me, and one month later I was put on a straight flexographic press to start training. In 2019 I transferred departments to run our digital roll to roll and die-cut finisher. I ran that press for two years, and at that time we purchased the current hybrid press that I run now.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
Company T-shirts and sweatshirts with jeans or khakis —anything I’m OK getting ink on.
What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?
The most challenging aspect of my job is how to manage the workload and to always try to improve myself. I am challenged to find the best way to complete a high volume of work while maintaining a very high quality of work.
What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?
To not be so worried about speed and how fast I was being, and to just focus on learning and improving. Like my father said long ago, ‘Speed will come with experience. Down the line your normal speed will be fast.’
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
Just how much goes into making a label. People look at labels and don’t think twice about them. They may go, ‘Oh, that’s a cool-looking label,’ or ‘I will buy this wine because the description sounds good.’ However, so much love and care has gone into that little piece of paper that they are looking at.
What was the first job you ever had?
I worked at a grocery store as a bagger for three months part-time while I was in high school.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?
My boss who hired me always had great advice. Some of his best was to always collect the facts before you react; approach every issue you have with a cool head; if you get frustrated, step away for a moment and breathe; and look at the issue on hand from everyone’s perspective.
Five favorites Favorite book: Berserk, the Japanese manga Favorite movie:Austin Powers Favorite music: It’s a three-way tie between classic rock, alternative and country. And Taylor Swift! Favorite food: Seafood Favorite thing about NH: The hidden sceneries. You can just be driving along some old back road, come over a hill and, bam, you’re hit with a gorgeous view.
Featured photo: Michael Brochu, Amherst Label. Courtesy photo.
Meet Kristin Jordan, Granite VNA’s new director of hospice.
What is your background in health care, and what led you to this position?
I’ve been with Granite VNA for a couple months now. I have a background in home health and hospice, and I’ve done both inpatient and outpatient oncology services, here in New England and down in Nashville, Tennessee, for several years. … The beauty of nursing is that there’s certain specialties that speak to different personalities and passions and interests. I really felt a pull toward home health and hospice. … What I loved about this opportunity [at Granite VNA] is that it allows me to focus purely on the hospice program. It’s been a tremendous opportunity to get into what speaks to the empath and nurturer in me.
What do Granite VNA’s hospice services look like?
It’s really focused on creating a personalized plan of care. That includes symptom management so they’re comfortable, through medication or otherwise. It includes spiritual care … which can mean so many different things to different people. We have a nondenominational team of spiritual care individuals who offer their services. We have medical social work. We have volunteers; if someone has a caregiver who works a lot, we have volunteers who offer to go sit with them or read to them. Sometimes, depending on what the needs are, it might involve physical therapy or occupational therapy to help patients still be able to maneuver and do activities of daily living if they’re still able to. We have pet therapy and music therapy, and we’re talking about potentially adding an art therapy program, as well. Finally, we have a bereavement team that will follow up with families to whatever extent the families are interested in after the time of the passing. We don’t just say, ‘Sorry for your loss,’ and move on; we really keep our arms wrapped around those families for as long as they need that added support as they go through their grieving process.
What does your job as director of hospice entail?
My main purpose is lending guidance and support to the team. Every patient’s needs are so unique, so I help the interdisciplinary team navigate that. I’m also making sure I’m checking in regularly with my staff, because health care is a challenging, demanding field, and hospice is, in my mind, that, but far more elevated. It’s really important that my staff take the time to do self-care so that they can give all of themselves to the work that they do every day. In addition to that, it’s very important that I’m working with my fellow leaders in our various community catchment areas to really educate them on the breadth of hospice benefit. Hospice, in general, is still, unfortunately, stigmatized, and far too often, people don’t realize what services we can offer until it’s too late, and I see that as a missed opportunity.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your position?
The workforce shortage coupled with the ever-aging population is really challenging in our particular industry, because there’s more and more need and fewer people to do the hard work. We have to get more creative. We really have to enhance and embrace that true interdisciplinary group approach to caring for someone. It’s not just the nurse; it’s the social worker, the spiritual care, the volunteers, and the list goes on.
What do you hope to accomplish moving forward?
I simply want to see just a greater integration into the communities that we serve and build up the staff as much as we possibly can to have a have a stronger presence in the community in various forms, whether it’s having patients on our service or offering in-servicing at seniors centers or being at different community events where we can educate about what we have to offer.
What do you find most rewarding about this work?
What I find most rewarding is also what made me interested in pursuing it to begin with: being trusted to be part of what is probably a devastating and life-altering personal chapter in someone’s life — to face losing someone they love — and to be part of a team that can wrap their arms around such a tragic moment; to allow someone to die with the dignity and the respect that they deserve; and the prospect of having that family look back on what’s happened and be able to see the beauty in that nightmare. There’s no greater honor in what we do for work.
Katelyn Ryan works as a managing partner at Concord Tractor (164 Dover Road, Chichester, 798-0101, concordtractornh.com), a family-owned tractor dealership that sells KIOTI tractors and tractor attachments and implements.
Explain your job and what it entails.
I am a managing partner at Concord Tractor. I oversee the daily operations of all the departments of the dealership, including parts, sales and service, as well as finances and marketing.
How long have you had this job?
Around five years.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
I am a second-generation tractor dealer; I came by it honestly.
What kind of education or training did you need?
I have been around the tractor industry for my entire life. There is no better education for this field than growing up in it. I learned all of it from my dad.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
I wear jeans and a Concord Tractor or KIOTI Tractor logoed top. We are very casual, yet always ready for the dirty work.
What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?
The most challenging thing is having the right equipment at the right time [to make a sale]. You can’t sell a customer what you have; you have to sell a customer what they need. That is why ensuring that you have the best possible selection of equipment to match a variety of applications is key. Having a good working relationship with the manufacturers is what makes that possible.
What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your career?
That it is OK to be the only one in the room with a different idea.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
I wish folks knew that they do not have to be intimidated. Tractors are for everyone. With the right training and support, anyone can successfully operate and enjoy farm machinery.
What was the first job you ever had?
I was a hostess at Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant in Meredith, New Hampshire.
What is the best piece of work-related advice you have ever received?
Listen. And listen to understand, not to reply.
Five favorites Favorite book: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Favorite movie:Tombstone Favorite music: Old-school hip-hop Favorite food: Sushi Favorite thing about NH: Our beautiful land
The basics on adding hens, chicks and roosters to your backyard farm
Perhaps the fluctuations in egg prices have you considering getting your own flock of egg-laying chickens. A New York Times story from Feb. 2 about the “inflation chicken” trend points out that there is a hefty upfront cost to raising chickens — the cost of the birds, the cost of the coops. But if you are thinking about adding chickens to your spring and summer gardening plans, here’s what you can expect in terms of chores, costs and eggs.
Barred rock chicken. Photo courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.
What are the regulations for raising backyard chickens in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire does not mandate statewide regulations for keeping chickens for personal use. Rather, regulations are set by municipalities and vary by town or city.
“Most towns and even cities are very chicken-friendly,” said Christine Templeton, who co-owns Templeton Family Organics farm in Goffstown with her husband, Brian Templeton.
Residents may be subject to zoning ordinances and land use laws that dictate zones in which backyard chickens are and are not permitted; the minimum acreage or lot size required; the distance maintained between chickens and neighboring residences and roads; the number of chickens allowed to be kept (which may be relative to the acreage or lot size); and rules regarding roosters.
“Some towns regulate roosters — limit the numbers or do not allow them — in residential areas,” said Mary Davis, UNH Cooperative Extension Field Specialist and New Hampshire State 4-H Animal Science program manager. “There are fewer regulations in more rural areas and areas zoned residential.”
“It is the responsibility of the chicken owner to check if roosters are allowed or not,” added Kendall Kunelius, UNH Cooperative Extension Field Specialist in Agricultural Business Management. “I always recommend checking with the town before considering purchases of any animal.”
What types of chickens do well in New Hampshire? How do I decide what type(s) of chickens to get?
There are many different breeds of chickens to consider; New Hampshire chicken experts mentioned Golden Comet, Barred Rock, Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire Red, Speckled Sussex, Australorps, Leghorn, Buff Orpington, Araucana, Easter Eggers and Wyandottes as some of the most commonly kept breeds in the Northeast.
Mixed breed chickens, often called a “barnyard mix.” Photo courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.
The best type of chicken for you depends on your goals.
“Why do you want chickens?” Davis said. “For the fresh eggs? For locally raised meat? Any breed of hen will lay eggs, but the popular egg-laying breeds have been selectively bred to produce more eggs per year, and ‘meat breeds’ are bred to have larger breast muscles, be bigger and yield more meat.”
New Hampshire Red, Rhode Island Red, Barred Rock and Golden Comet chickens are reliable egg-layers and tolerant to the cold, making them popular picks among New Hampshire chicken owners. Other breeds might be chosen for their more specialized egg-laying qualities.
“There’s a lot of variety among breeds bred for egg production,” said Carl Majewski, UNH Cooperative Extension Field Specialist in Dairy, Livestock, and Forage Crops, “from the modern Leghorn breeds used for commercial production, to older ‘heritage’ breeds dating back to the 1800s or so, to oddball breeds that lay different colors of eggs — anything from blue to green to chocolate brown — or have striking plumage.”
“People need to decide what is most important to them, such as high egg production, show quality or even egg color,” Templeton added. “It’s about what the person or family wants to get out of the experience.”
Backyard chicken seminar Nashua Farmers’ Exchange (38 1/2 Bridge St., Nashua) will host a poultry seminar on Saturday, March 11, at 10 a.m. The seminar will cover the basics of raising chickens, including how to get set up and how to care for chicks and full-grown chickens. It’s free and open to the public. Visit nashuafarmers.com/events/chicken-seminar-2023.
What’s the best way to start — from eggs, chicks or grown chickens?
There are advantages and disadvantages to each, but ultimately it’s a matter of personal preference, based on the kind of experience you want and the amount of time and money you’re willing to invest.
• Hatching from eggs can be a fun and educational project for families. However, Majewski warned, it can be hard to find fertilized eggs that have been properly screened to be disease-free. Hatching also requires an incubator and other expensive equipment, and the conditions in the incubator must be frequently monitored and maintained. Finally, even if you do everything right, there’s still no guarantee that the eggs will hatch.
• Starting with chicks also requires some extra equipment, including a heat source and special food and water dispenser, and some extra care for a few weeks while the chicks are at their most fragile, but chicks are less expensive — and less risky — than hatching from eggs.
“Many farm supply stores offer pre-orders for chicks, allowing customers to order exactly what they want,” Davis said, adding that in New Hampshire an order must include a minimum of six chicks. “For those wanting laying hens, the retailer can help you determine if a chick is female. In many breeds there is a color difference of the males, although this is not 100 percent.”
It takes four months or longer from the time a female chick is born until it starts laying eggs.
• If you want to skip the wait, you can purchase “pullets” — young hens that have not started laying eggs yet but are expected to start soon.
“They save you the time and bother of brooding and rearing chicks, and they’re ready to start laying within just a week or so of getting settled in at your home,” Majewski said, “but they are more expensive. They can go for around $20 apiece, versus $3 for a chick.”
Do I need a rooster?
“It is a common misconception that you need to have a rooster for hens to lay eggs,” Davis said. “This is not true. The hens will lay eggs without a rooster.”
There is an argument to be made that hens are happier and feel safer having a rooster around, but most chicken owners who aren’t interested in producing fertilized eggs opt not to have one.
“Mature roosters are undesirable for many people,” Davis said. “They are loud, crowing not just in the morning but throughout the day. They may be aggressive to other poultry and to human caregivers, and two or more roosters may often fight one another.”
“They’re kind of obnoxious,” Majewski added. “They really do crow at an ungodly hour of the morning, and their voices can carry for a half mile — not a great way to stay on your neighbors’ good side.”
Buff Orpington chicken (back), Barred Rock chicken (middle) and Rhode Island Red chicken (front). Photo courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension.
What kind of housing and essential items are needed to raise chickens?
The proper dimensions for a coop, Majewski said, should include at least 3 square feet of floor space per chicken and an additional 10 square feet of fenced outdoor space per chicken.
“This doesn’t need to be elaborate,” he said. “If you don’t have great carpentry skills, it’s fine to requisition and/or modify a portion of a shed or even the garage.”
Next you’ll need feeders and waterers — enough to give each chicken at least 4 inches of space. Supplemental heat lamps aren’t necessary for adult chickens.
“Those feathers provide remarkable insulation,” Majewskis said. “I’ve seen our birds running around outside in January with the temperature in the teens.”
What supplies are needed for maintenance and care, and what is the average monthly cost?
Feed is the main expense. Majewski said a 50-pound bag of conventional feed, which lasts a small flock a little over a month, costs around $20 to $25. A non-GMO or organic feed will cost more. Bedding for the coop — usually wood shavings — may cost around $10 to $15 and should be refreshed at least monthly, after cleaning the coop.
What’s on the chore list for raising chickens? What’s the time commitment?
Most people find a small flock of six to 12 adult chickens is easy to manage, even if they work a regular job.
“It really takes no more than 20 minutes per day to collect eggs, refill water and feed and do general wellness checks,” Kunelius said.
The only chore that you may have to set aside some time for is cleaning the coop. Majewski said most coops should “ideally be cleaned weekly, but at a minimum once per month.”
Where to buy chicken supplies • Achille Agway, 351 Elm St., Milford, 673-1669; 65 Jaffrey Road, Peterborough, 924-6801, achilleagway.com • Cloverdale Feed & Farm Supply, 12 Roby Road, Webster, 746-3234, cloverdalefeed.com • Dodge Grain Co., 59 N. Broadway, Salem, 893-3739, dodgegrain.biz • Nashua Farmers’ Exchange, 38 1/2 Bridge St., Nashua, 883-9531, nashuafarmers.com • Osborne’s Farm & Garden Center, 16 Cinemagic Way, Hooksett, 627-6855; 258 Sheep Davis Road, Concord, 228-8561, osbornesfarm.com • Tractor Supply Co., locations throughout New Hampshire, including Hooksett, Derry, Merrimack, Chichester, Plaistow, Milford and Pelham, tractorsupply.com Where to buy live chickens • Cloverdale Feed & Farm Supply, 12 Roby Road, Webster, 746-3234, cloverdalefeed.com • Dodge Grain Co., 59 N. Broadway, Salem, 893-3739, dodgegrain.biz • Nashua Farmers’ Exchange, 38 1/2 Bridge St., Nashua, 883-9531, nashuafarmers.com. Deadline for chick orders is March 25. • Osborne’s Farm & Garden Center, 16 Cinemagic Way, Hooksett, 627-6855; 258 Sheep Davis Road, Concord, 228-8561, osbornesfarm.com • Templeton Family Organics, 176 Kennedy Hill Road, Goffstown, 781-316-5067, templetonfamilyorganics.com • Tractor Supply Co., locations throughout New Hampshire, including Hooksett, Derry, Merrimack, Chichester, Plaistow, Milford and Pelham, tractorsupply.com
Are there any safety concerns I should be aware of?
New Hampshire chicken experts mentioned three main dangers:
• Fires. Heat lamps are only needed for raising chicks; adult chickens do not need a heat lamp to stay warm during the colder months, but some chicken owners still choose to use one. In any case where a heat lamp is being used, exercise caution to prevent fires.
“Follow the safety guidelines included with your heat lamp to keep the heat source a safe distance from combustible items,” Davis said. “In the winter, water deicers can also be a fire concern. Always make sure all your equipment is in good condition and functioning properly.”
• Biohazards. “Salmonella or other bacteria can be present on birds, on eggs and in coop areas,” Kunelius said.
Wash your hands directly after handling poultry and related equipment.
In recent months, avian influenza has also been a concern with chickens and other birds nationwide.
“There is currently an avian influenza outbreak in migratory wild birds that can spread to domestic poultry and other animals. As of early 2023, there had been no human cases in the U.S. You can prevent exposure of your birds by limiting their exposure to wild birds, especially waterfowl such as ducks and geese,” Davis said. And the best way to limit that exposure is basically to have them penned up and not let them free range, she said.
• Wildlife. “Predators are a real issue,” Majewski said. “[Raising chickens] probably won’t significantly increase the number of encounters you have with wildlife, but it does affect the welfare of the birds themselves.”
Free-range chickens are at a greater risk.
“Keeping them fenced in — with adequate space, of course — is much better for all concerned,” Majewski said.
How many eggs can I expect to get, and how often?
“In peak production, a hen will lay an egg approximately every 26 hours, so you pretty much get an egg per day,” Majewski said. “A small flock of four to six hens kept in good condition will provide the average family plenty of eggs, with an extra dozen for friends and family on a regular basis.”
Older hens lay eggs at a lower rate — usually about every other day, but sometimes less.
How long do chickens live? Is it common to keep a chicken for its whole natural life?
Most chickens can live to between five and eight years. Chickens that are raised for meat are usually processed at a young age. Hens lay eggs at peak productivity for two to three years. When a hen’s laying starts slowing down, a chicken owner may make a decision about what comes next for the chicken.
“A pampered chicken can live for several years, and people have kept them for that long when they become sort-of pets,” Majewski said. “[An older hen] still lays occasional eggs, but they’re not really earning their keep. We keep ours at home for about two years, and then they make the transition from breakfast feature to, um, soup.”
Are there any benefits to raising chickens besides poultry products?
Davis said free-range chickens can help to control a variety of insects, and chickens’ manure and used bedding can be composted for later use in the garden.
“Chickens offer great tick control and fertilize your lawn,” Templeton added.
Raising chickens can be especially rewarding for families with children.
“It offers a way for families to do something together and reconnect,” Templeton said. “It is also a great way to teach children responsibility and in a world where people have become far from their food source it provides an opportunity to be close to it.”
Adopt a rooster
Frosty is a rooster available for adoption at the New Hampshire SPCA (104 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham). According to the NHSPCA website, Frosty was a stray found in Durham and is now looking for his perfect home. He gets along with other birds and would love to have a flock of his own.
Horhey is also a rooster available for adoption at the New Hampshire SPCA. According to the NHSPCA website, this handsome guy is very friendly and gets along with other roosters and hens. He is easygoing and would make a nice addition to any flock.
To learn more about chickens and other farm animals available for adoption at the NHSPCA, visit nhspca.org/adoptable-animals or email mmurch@nhspca.org.
Canterbury Shaker Village has a new education manager
Canterbury Shaker Village’s new education manager, Kyle Sandler, talked about his vision for educational programs at the Village and what visitors can look forward to when the Village reopens for the season on Saturday, May 13.
What led you to Canterbury Shaker Village?
I studied American history at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. Then I attended graduate school at Dartmouth College. I did my Master of Arts and Liberal Studies and basically specialized in colonial American history and religion. While I was doing my degree there, I started volunteering at Enfield Shaker Museum as a historic preservation volunteer. Things kind of evolved, and I started doing tours while I was finishing up my master’s degree. Then they had an opening for their education coordinator position, and the board recommended me for that position. I was at Enfield Shaker Museum for eight years, getting well-versed in all things Shaker and Shaker history. I did a variety of workshops and classes, and I was in charge of an annual Shaker forum. I also taught an online class for a couple of years that kind of came out of Covid called Shakers 101. I came from Enfield Shaker Museum to Canterbury Shaker Village last October.
What does your job as education manager entail?
First and foremost, it’s to manage interpretation of the Village. I oversee our team of tour guides, and I’m responsible for maintaining and building new interpretive plans and tours that will be offered to the public. I work with our curator of collections and collections manager on a pretty regular basis … on developing new exhibits for the Village for this season and seasons to come. Other aspects of my job are setting up various educational programming, like workshops and classes … and I oversee some of the volunteer activities.
What new experiences are you working to create at the Village?
We’re going to be launching our new smartphone tour app. Basically it’s an outdoor grounds tour of the different buildings. Visitors will access the app on their smartphone, which will bring up information on the buildings and historic images. Eventually it’ll have video and audio content as well. It’s a self-guided way for people to immerse themselves in the Village and provides another option for people who don’t want to do the traditional guided tours that we offer.
What else is planned for the Village’s upcoming season?
Our first exhibit of the year is going to be Canterbury-made Shaker furniture from the collection, most of which is going to date from the late 18th to the mid-19th century, with a couple of later pieces. That’s a starting point for what we’re going to be doing over the next couple of years, which is really a deep dive into the collections here. We have — and this is a really rough estimate — about 100,000 items in the collection. Between 40,000 and 50,000 of those are three-dimensional objects that range from the late 18th century into the early 1990s, when the last Shaker sister, Ethel Hudson, passed away. The collections here are in need of a fresh look, and we’re going to do an updated inventory project. Hopefully, in the coming years, we’re going to start the project of digitizing the collection and making it more widely available. We have storerooms full of these wonderful items — some that haven’t been displayed in decades and some that have never been displayed to the public, because of space limitations.
What do you enjoy about studying and sharing Shaker history?
I’ve spent the last almost 10 years now studying Shaker furniture. That’s been [the focus of] my personal research and my passion — studying and understanding what’s happening, how Shaker furniture varies from throughout the Shaker world. The other thing I’m very interested in is Shaker leadership and internal community politics. The Shaker villages had hundreds of people, so there was a lot of interpersonal dynamics. That’s something I’m really fascinated about, understanding what it was like to be a Shaker here and the challenges of this kind of communal experience.
Mollie Skuse is the owner of Chasing Dreams Ranch in Hollis.
Explain your job and what it entails.
As of right now, I have no employees, so I’m the jack of all trades throughout the day. When I arrive at the ranch, everyone is hungry and happy to see me, so I start by making up everyone’s grain, then walk around giving it out and checking the hay and the waters. Once everyone is happy and fed, I start the chores — mucking the stalls and paddocks, refilling grain for the night feed, refilling all my hay nets and taking care of all the other animals. I have more than just horses: the rescued baby sheep, two piglets, seven goats, three rabbits, some free-range chickens and barn cats. Then there’s always the unexpected things happening … The work is never done on a farm.
How long have you had this job?
I just recently took over ownership. Before that, I was the manager for the farm. In the middle of November 2022 the owners approached me and said they made the hard decision to get out of farming after more than 25 years. They knew how hard I worked and how much I loved each and every animal on the farm, and they offered me the opportunity of a lifetime.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
I’ve always been a huge animal lover and knew my passion for helping animals would be a part of my career. In high school I wanted to be a dolphin trainer at SeaWorld, so I took vet tech to start learning. Then I went to college in Florida for marine biology and vet tech. I didn’t finish college, and I came back to New Hampshire, where I almost always landed myself a job with animals — local pet store, vet hospital, PetSmart and Petco … I hadn’t even been around horses or ridden them until about seven years ago.
What kind of education or training did you need?
Training included learning how to put halters on and off horses, let them in and out of stalls, groom them, and everything else from cleaning stalls to saddling up.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
Most of the time you’ll find me in jeans and cowboy boots and a hat. This time of year I have my Carhartt overalls on and matching jacket, as well as gloves and a hat and hand warmers.
What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?
When an animal gets sick and you have to make hard decisions, and not taking on more animals than I can afford. I want to rescue them all, but financially, you have to learn to say, ‘No, I can’t at this time.’
What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?
I didn’t have money saved when I gave up my job as farm manager to become the owner, so I went into this with no income. It’s stressful for sure. Animals are expensive.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
It’s not all fun. Farm work is harder work than most people realize. Some days I’m there from dawn till midnight, and when I leave earlier I always feel like I should have stayed longer and done more.
What was the first job you ever had?
Counselor at Girl Scout camp.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t give up or lose sight of your goals. The end results will be worth the struggle it took to get there. Life is tough, but I am tougher.
Five favorites Favorite book: Run, Rose, Run Favorite movie:Sweet Home Alabama Favorite music: Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn — all the classic country music. Favorite food: Pizza and cupcakes. Favorite thing about NH: Live free or die, and tax-free
