The Carsey Policy Hour engages policymakers, public service professionals, and active citizens and organizations in the issues and policies that affect the people and places of New Hampshire. Each month features a dynamic expert speaker (or two), followed by an interactive audience discussion. The intent is to foster learning, problem-solving, and collaboration in service of New Hampshire's common good. Sessions are held on the second Wednesday of each month, from 8 – 9 am. Our upcoming 2026 dates are: January 14, February 11, March 11, and April 8, and May 13.
Upcoming Policy Hours!
February 11, 2026
8 – 9 AM
Online
Link Coming Soon!
In early 2025, the NH Food Alliance, in partnership with the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food, UNH Extension, and more than 89 other food system organizations and hundreds of individuals, published the first-ever NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan. Join the February Carsey Policy Hour to learn about the Strategic Plan and how it's transforming the New Hampshire food system for the better.
The NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan proposes 143 recommendations that address 27 agriculture and food-related topics. Each recommendation lays out a specific suggested action, from policy changes and funding opportunities to program expansion and technical assistance, and is categorized by the stakeholders who are best suited to address it. Colleen Jennings, NH Food Alliance’s Network Coordinator, will provide an overview of the Strategic Plan development and the strategies the NH Food Alliance and its network of over 360 partners are using to move it forward.
Colleen Jennings is the Network Coordinator for the NH Food Alliance, a statewide network coordinated by the University of New Hampshire that engages and connects people dedicated to growing a thriving, fair, and sustainable local food system in the Granite State.
Colleen started her career working for independent local food and lifestyle publications in New York’s Hudson Valley, while obtaining her Master’s degree. Early in 2020, Colleen moved from the Hudson Valley to New Hampshire and started working as the Communications Coordinator for the NH Food Alliance, as well as the Market Manager at the Salem NH Farmers’ Market. Colleen is a contributing author of the Direct-to-Consumer & Consumer Education brief for the NH Food & Agriculture Strategic Plan. In her role, she is focused on organizing opportunities for networking, as well as educational and promotional programs all in support of New Hampshire’s farmers, food businesses, and food system.
Additional sessions
Past Sessions
Our Partners
The State of New Hampshire provides a unique program of continuing professional development through the Bureau of Education and Training (BET). The Bureau offers a variety of training programs to all public employees of New Hampshire — including the nationally accredited Certified Public Manager® program, a springboard to the Carsey School's 12-month Executive Master of Public Administration (MPA) program.
The New Hampshire Association of Counties (NHAC) represents the interests of county government in New Hampshire.This state-wide association includes the 30 elected county commissioners as well as all elected county officials and the professionals and staff who run county government in each of the ten counties.
The New Hampshire Municipal Association, Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan membership association established in 1941. It is a member-founded, member-funded, and member-governed association that works to strengthen New Hampshire cities and towns and enhance their ability to serve the public by promoting effective municipal government through education, training, advocacy and legal services.
The New England Municipal Sustainability (NEMS) Network is a consortium of New England cities and towns that collaborate to build more sustainable communities. Their vision is to create a sustainable New England by building strong connections among municipal sustainability professionals throughout the region, allowing members to accomplish more than would be possible alone. NEMS is a recognized member of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) and the UNH Sustainability Institute serves as the backbone organization for the NEMS Network.
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