Glen Putnam, of Piermont, was awarded New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation’s 2017 Young Farmer Animal Husbandry Award at the federation’s 101st annual meeting, held earlier this month in Keene, N.H. A sixth-generation farmer, Putnam owns and operates Winsome Farm Organics and produces organic milk, beef and other products. The Animal Husbandry Award was developed by the federation’s Young Farmer program to promote sound animal husbandry and to recognize individuals who use exceptional livestock welfare practices on their farm, the federation said in a news release. Candidates for the award are nominated by fellow Young Farmers and judging is based on criteria including best management practices. In addition, Putnam also won the federation’s membership competition for recruiting the most new members over the course of the year.
Bill and Heidi Bartlett, of Bartlett Blueberry Farm in Newport, N.H., were presented with the New Hampshire Farm Bureau’s Profile Award, which recognizes distinguished service to agriculture and rural life in New Hampshire. Nominations for this award come from county farm bureau boards of directors and are judged by a panel of past Profile Award winners. The Bartletts purchased the farm in 1985 and care for about 5 acres of blueberry bushes containing 15 varieties. In addition to improving production through the use of drip irrigation and new varieties, the couple expanded the business to include a blueberry netting enterprise in which they sell netting and provide technical assistance to other blueberry farmers. They have been active Farm Bureau members for more than 45 years and have helped prepare Farm Bureau activities at the Cornish Fair, in addition to other community contributions.
Spencer Travis, of Grantham, a member of the delivery department at West Lebanon-based Simple Energy, has completed the National Propane Gas Association’s Certified Employee Training Program. Obtaining CETP certification requires study of training materials provided by the Propane Education and Research Council and successfully passing a test and a skills assessment. Travis, who started at Simple Energy as a technician in January before moving to the delivery department, has also earned his Class B commercial drivers license and hazardous materials certification.
The Sunday Valley News recognizes the achievements of members of the local business community in the Business & Money section. Submissions may be sent by email to: biznotes@vnews.com (high-resolution photographs may be attached in .jpg format), or by mail to: People in Business, c/o Sunday Valley News, P.O. Box 877, White River Junction, Vt. 05001. All items are subject to editing for clarity or space.