2027 NH Citizen Proposal
New Hampshire Public Food Forest & Community Orchard Program
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NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC FOOD FOREST AND COMMUNITY ORCHARD PROGRAM
Legislator Sponsorship Brief - Draft for the 2027 Session
SPONSOR REQUEST:
File an LSR establishing a voluntary, locally controlled grant program for free public-harvest food forests, community orchards, and perennial edible landscapes.
THE PROPOSAL:
• Creates a voluntary program within the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food.
• Offers competitive grants up to $50,000 for planning, planting, restoration, accessibility, signage, water systems, and initial stewardship.
• Requires designated grant-supported harvest areas to remain free and open to the public during posted seasonal hours.
• Sets a goal of supporting at least one qualifying project in each county when sufficient applications are received.
• Makes a one-time $500,000 appropriation and permits federal, municipal, charitable, business, and individual contributions.
WHAT THE BILL DOES NOT DO:
• Does not mandate participation by any municipality, school, state agency, nonprofit, or landowner.
• Does not authorize eminent domain, create a public easement, or permit entry into undesignated areas.
• Does not allow unrestricted commercial harvesting or use grant funds to purchase land or subsidize private-profit production.
PUBLIC ACCESS AND STEWARDSHIP:
• At least 75 percent of food-producing plants purchased or installed with grant funds must be designated for open public harvest.
• Sites may establish reasonable per-person limits, operating hours, tool restrictions, safety rules, and temporary closures.
• Grant recipients enter stewardship agreements of at least 10 years and maintain soil, water, pruning, pest-management, and replacement plans.
• A limited portion may support education, seed saving, food pantries, community meals, senior programs, and site maintenance.
WHY THIS FITS EXISTING NEW HAMPSHIRE LAW:
• RSA 425:2-a already supports local food systems, horticulture, orchard management, foraging, public health, and community-based food production.
• RSA 425:2-c already places an agricultural grant program within the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food.
• RSA 508:14, III already limits landowner liability for pick-your-own and cut-your-own harvesting; the bill extends that protection to certified free public-harvest sites.
• RSA 508:15 provides a complementary liability framework for produce directed to pantries and community meals.
BIPARTISAN VALUE:
• Strengthens local self-reliance and household food resilience through voluntary local partnerships.
• Creates durable public assets with a one-time capital investment while protecting property rights and municipal control.
• Supports agriculture, conservation, nutrition, education, pollinators, and civic volunteerism.
REQUESTED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
1. A representative agrees to serve as prime sponsor and files the proposal as a 2027 LSR. 2. Co-sponsors are recruited from Environment and Agriculture, Finance, Municipal and County Government, Resources, Recreation and Development, and Health and Human Services. 3. The Office of Legislative Services reviews statutory placement, drafting conventions, and fiscal-note requirements before introduction.
OFFICIAL REFERENCES: RSA 425: gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XL/425/425-mrg.htm | RSA 508:14: gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LII/508/508-14.htm | RSA 508:15: gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LII/508/508-15.htm | House roster: gc.nh.gov/house/members/ Prepared as a citizen legislative proposal. Final bill language and fiscal analysis remain subject to the New Hampshire Office of Legislative Services and Legislative
Take Action
Meaningful change begins with informed citizens.
If you believe New Hampshire should explore public food forests and community orchards, consider sharing this proposal with your elected representatives. Respectful civic participation is one of the most effective ways to contribute to the legislative process.
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