White River Junction — The Valley Food and Farm program of Vital Communities is hosting two free events this week to discuss the challenges of finding and retaining quality farm labor.

Farmers, Vital Communities representatives, Extension staff and others will participate in a “conversation” about the key challenges farms have experienced, what works for finding and retaining good staff, and suggest possible local solutions.

“We need farmers to share their successes and their challenges and come willing to work together to move this conversation forward,” the nonprofit said in a news release. “Your ideas, resources, tools and solutions will make a blueprint for a local answer to this difficult problem.

Vital Communities is working with funding from Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, a regional program of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, to facilitate the discussion, compile a list of best practices and take action on suggestions.

The events are scheduled for Tuesday, from 9-11 a.m., at the Sullivan County UNH Extension Office, 24 Main St. in Newport, N.H., and Thursday, from 9-11 a.m., at the Yankee Farm Credit Conference Room, 52 Farmvu Drive in White River Junction.

Coffee and baked goods will be available. Advance registration is helpful by calling Nancy LaRowe, Valley Food and Farm coordinator, at 802-291-9100, ext. 106, or emailing Nancy@VitalCommunities.org.

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