Regulatory Index Organic Program GAP Certification Publications News Laws & Rules Contact

The Division of Regulatory Services is responsible for assuring compliance with New Hampshire laws and Department administrative rules governing the marketing of certain farm commodities, including the regulation of feed, fertilizer, liming materials, horticultural growing media and seed. The Division provides inspection services for farm products including apples, cider, eggs, potatoes, honey, and maple products; administers the Seal of Quality program, and administers the Agricultural Lands Preservation program. It is accredited by the USDA National Organic Program to provide certification services to organic farms and processors of organic products. The Division publishes the ‘Manual of Best Management Practices for Agriculture in New Hampshire’ in consultation with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and UNH Cooperative Extension. It is responsible for investigating complaints involving mismanagement of manure, collaborates with the Department of Environmental Services and administers a small nutrient management grant program. The Division is authorized by USDA to monitor compliance with the federal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law in New Hampshire markets. Division inspectors are trained and certified by USDA as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) auditors so that New Hampshire farms can meet the requirements of a growing number of produce buyers such as supermarket chains and institutions.

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Regulation of Feed, Fertilizer, Liming Materials, and Horticultural Growing Media:
New Hampshire laws require that Commercial Feeds (including Pet Foods), Commercial Fertilizers, Agricultural Liming Materials, and Horticultural Growing Media be registered annually prior to distribution in the state. Products must meet label requirements intended to provide consumers with important information about the analysis, ingredients and intended uses of the product. The Division samples and tests products to assure compliance with label guarantees. Please contact registrations@agr.nh.gov or call (603) 271-3685/2753 between 8am and 4pm EST if you have any questions.

We cannot accept electronic payment at this time. In order for an application to be considered complete, it MUST be signed and mailed in with check and labels and/or appropriate supporting documents.

The following links provide additional material that may be helpful with the registration process:

• For a brief outline of the requirements for selling pet feed, please see our Pet Food Labeling Flyer.
• Visit the Association of Feed Control Officials web site for more in-depth information on feed control.
• For a brief overview of fertilizer labels, see our Understanding Fertilizer Labels handout.
• For an explanation of the difference between soil amendments, fertilizers, horticultural growing media, and liming materials, please read this *memo.*
• More information on fertilizer regulation can be found on the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials web site.

Seed:
The New Hampshire Seed Law requires a license for seed labelers who distribute seed for planting purposes. The law requires seed packages to be labeled with information relative to germination and purity percentages. A list of weed seed species that are designated as either restricted or prohibited is established under the administrative rules of the program. Samples of seed are collected in the marketplace and tested for conformance with label guarantees.

Application for Seed Labeling License

Regulation of Farm Commodities/Products:
The Division provides quality assurance services for certain farm products produced in the state. Assistance with grading and labeling in accordance with state laws is available for the following commodities: Apples, Cider, Eggs, Honey, Maple Products, Potatoes, and Organic Foods. For more information on Farm Products, visit the Laws and Rules page.

Considerable emphasis is given to maintaining the quality of Maple Syrup and Apple Cider produced in the state through educational programs, inspection and testing. Sugar houses and cider mills are visited regularly to review for proper grading, quality and packaging safety.

NH Maple Syrup Labeling Guidelines
Maple Producers Voluntary Registration Instructions
Maple Producers Voluntary Registration Form

The Division of Regulatory Services also administers the state laws relative to the labeling of farm products identified as "Native" or "Local," the Native Lumber Grading and Certification program and monitors farmland enrolled in the state's Agricultural Lands Preservation Program. For laws relating to these quality assurance measures, please see our Laws & Rules page.

Here are some additional links with further information on the sale of farm commodities:

Guidelines for Selling Shell Eggs
If you have questions about milk, please see DHHS Dairy Sanitation

NH Seal of Quality Program:
A voluntary program that provides superior quality standards for farm products. Producers who subscribe to the program agree to maintain high quality standards verified by periodic visits by Division inspectors. Participating producers are permitted to use the NH Seal of Quality logo design in advertising and on product packaging. The Division of Regulatory Services (formerly Bureau of Markets) has developed standards for producers of Maple products, Apples, Cider, Eggs, Honey and Raspberries. Promotional materials including farm signs and stickers displaying the Seal of Quality logo design are made available to participants at cost.

Apply for the Seal of Quality
Seal of Quality Producers Directory Updated June 13, 2012

Organic Certification Program:
The Division is an accredited certifying agent for the USDA's National Organic Program. It provides certification services to organic farms and to processors of organic products. Prospective certified producers must complete an annual application to demonstrate adherence to the program's organic production standards. On-site inspection visits are conducted with random follow-up visits to verify compliance with the rules. The Division offers promotional materials, including farm signs and stickers displaying the NHDAMF Certified Farm logo design, for use in advertising and product packaging. For more information on the program and a list of NH Certified Organic producers, see our Organic Certification Program page.

Agricultural Nutrient Management:
State law under RSA 431:33 requires the department to respond to complaints involving the mismanagement of manure, agricultural compost and chemical fertilizer. The Division coordinates inspections to sites where these materials are suspected of causing environmental contamination or nuisance type problems. The Department has published and distributes a "Manual of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Agriculture in New Hampshire." Complaint resolution focuses on non-punitive methods. Click on the following link for our BMP Complaint Form.

The Division of Regulatory Services runs a small grant program that can help provide financial assistance to agricultural land and livestock owners and educational programs to help prevent water quality impairments caused by manure, fertilizer and compost.

Manure Exchange: A Directory of Pick-up & Receiving Services

View a list of Division of Regulatory Services Publications

Visit the Contact Us page for Division of Regulatory Services contact information.

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