Governor and Executive Council Agenda item PDF - 2026-01-07 - agenda 25

Meeting Date

2026-01-07

Attachment Kind Label

Agenda item PDF

Attachment Relation

primary_meeting_attachment

Agenda Numbers

25

Agency Names

Department Of Agriculture, Markets, And Food

Parent Meeting Title

Governor and Executive Council meeting - 2026-01-07

55New Hampshire JAN072026Department of Agriculture,

Markets, and Food

Shawn N. Jasper, Commissioner

November 25, 2025

Her Excellency, Governor Kelly A. Ayotte

and the Honorable Council

State House

Concord, New Hampshire 03301

REQUESTED ACTION

1. Authorize the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food, to enter into a grant

agreement with Applecrest Farm Orchards, LLC (VC# 165902), Hampton Falls, NH, for the

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program in the amount of $98,950.00, effective upon

Governor and Council approval through May 1, 2027.100% Federal Funds.

2. Further authorize an advance payment in the amount of $98,950.00 to Applecrest Farm Orchards,

LLC, Hampton Falls, NH, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, effective upon Governor

and Council approval. 100% Federal Funds.

Funding is available in account Resilient Food Sys Infra as follows

FY26

02-18-18-180010-28710000-072-502683 - Subaward Payments $98,950.00

EXPLANATION

The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program is a USDA funded grant program intended to

serve middle-of-the-supply-chain needs to add value and provide more, new, and better markets

for locally or regionally produced food.

The funds are intended to support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing,

manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally

produced food products.

This project will support Applecrest Farm Orchards, Hampton Falls, NH, to purchase specialized

cold storage equipment. This project was selected by a review panel comprised of industry relevant

experts and subsequently approved by USDA to be aligned with the eligibility criteria for the

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program.

The department has determined that the vendor is in good standing with the Secretary of State's

Office, has secured the required level of insurance, and has provided evidence of authority to

1 Granite Place South, Suite 211, Concord, NH 03301

www.agriculture.nh.gov I (603) 271-3551

TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964

execute and be bound by the contract. Documents supporting these assertions are available at the

agency, for review upon request.

In the event that Federal Funds are no longer available, General Funds will not be requested to

support this program.

Respectfully submitted.

Shawn N. Jasper

Commissioner

FORM NUMBER G-1 (version 11/2021)

GRANT AGllEBMENT

The

1. Ideotificalion and Definitions.

Mutually agree as follows:

GENERA!. PROVISIONS

1.1. state Agency Name

Departmonl of Agriculture, Markets, and Food

■ ' j

1.2. State Agency Address

1 Granite Place South, Concord, NH 03301

1.3. Grantee Name

Applecrest Farm Orcharda. LLC

1.4. Grantee Address

133 Exeter Rd, Hampton Falls, NH 03844

l.S Grantee Phone # 1.6. Account Number

603-92.6-3721 28710000

1.7. Completion Date 1.8. Grant Limitation

May 1,2027 $98,950.00

1.9. Grant Officer for State Agency

Joshua Marshall

1.10. State Agency Telephone Number

603-271-3551

rf Grantee is a raunicipaliiy or villags district: "By sfgning thl

nieetlni; requirement fbr acceptance of this anint, incltidlii

s form we certify that we have complted with any public

e If applicable RSA al!95"b."

1.11. Gnpi^ Signature 1 l.,f2LName St Title of Grantee Signor 1

Grautee Si^ature 2 Name & Title olTOrantee Signor 2

Grantee Signature 3 Name St Title of Grantee Signor 3

1.13 State Agency lSignainre(s) 1.14, Name & Title of State Agency Signorfs)

1.15. Approval bySwtorney General (Form, Substance and Execution) (If G & C approval required)

' Assistant Attorney General, On; ft. / \^/loZ^

1.16. Approval by Governor and Council (if applicable)

Byj On: / / j

2. SCOPE OF WORK; In exehafige for grant funds provided by tlie State of New Hampshire, acting

tlirough the Agency identified in block l.l (hereinafter referred to as "the State"), tlie Grantee

identified in block 1.3 (hereinafter refeired to as "the Grantee"), shall perform that work identified and

more particularly described in the scope of work athiched hereto as EXHIBIT B (the scope of work

being hereinafter referred to as "the Project").

Page I of3

4,

4,1

4,2

5.

5,1

55.

5.3

5.4.

5.5.

7.2.

S,3.

9.

9 1.

AREA COVBREP. Except sui othewise specifically provided lor herein, the

Grantee shall perform the I'roject in, and with respect to, the State of New

Hampshire. 9.2.

EFFECTIVE DAT1-: COMr'tETlON OF PROll-X'T.

This Agreement, and all obligations of tlic parties hereundcr, shall become

effective on the dale on the date of approval of this Agreement by the Governor

and Council of the State of New Hampshire if required (block 1.16), or upon 9.3,

signature by the Slate Agency as shown in block 1.14 ("the Effective Date").

Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Project, including all reports 9.4.

required by thi.s Agreement, shtdl be completed in ITS entirety prior to the dale in

block 1.7 (hereinaficr referred to as "the Compleiion Date"!

GRANT AMOliNT: 1..IM1TAT10N ON AMOUNT: VOlJCltERS: PAYMENT.

The Grant Amount is identified and more particularly dcsaibed in EXHIBIT C,

attached herelo 9.5.

The manner of, and schedule of payment shall be as set fortii in EXHlBn C,

In accordance with the provisions set forth in EXHIBIT C. and in consideration 10.

of the satisfactory performance of the IVoject, as determined by the Stale, and as

limited by siibpiuagraph 5 5 of these genera! provisions, the State shall pay the

Grantee the Grant Amount, The State shall withhold fiom the amount otherwise

payable to the Granlee under this subpaiagraph 5.3 those suiM required, or

permitted, to l>e withheld pursuant to N.H. RSA 80:7 through 7-c

The payment by rhe Slate of tire Grant amount shall be the only, and the complere

payment to the Grantee for all expenses, of whatever nature, mairred by the

Grantee in tfie performance hereof, and shall be the only, and the complete,

armpcnsatton to ttre Grantee for the Project. The State shall have no liabilities to 11.

the Grantee otlier than the Grant Amount. 11,1.

Holwithsumding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, and notwithstanding

unexpected circumstrmccs, in no event shall the lota! of all payments authorized. 11,1,1

or actually made, hereunder exceed the Grant limitation set forth in block 1.8 of 11.1,2

these genera! provisiotts 111.3

COMPLIANCE BY GRANTEE WITH LAWS AMD REGt'LATlONS. In 11.1.4

connection witlr the performance of tire Project, the Grantee.shall comply with all 11.2,

statutes, laws regulations, and orders of federal, state, county, or municipal

ftuthoritres which shall impose any obligations or duty upon tire Grailee, including 11.2.1

the acquisition of any and all necessru-y permits and RSA 31 -9S-b,

RECORDS and ACCOUNTS.

Between tire Effective Date and tire date seven (7) years after the Completion

Date, unles,s otherwise required by the grant terms or the Agency, the Grantee

shall keep detailed accounts of all cxpeiMes incurred in connection with tire 11,2,2

Project, Including, but not limited to, costs of administration, transportatron,

insurance, telephone calls, and clerical materials and services. Such accounts

shall be supported by receipts, invoices, bills and other similar documents

Between the Effective Date and the date sever) (7) years after the Completion

D,nc. unless otherwise required by the grant temis or the Agency pursuant to 11.2,3

•subparagraph 7 I. at any lime during tire Grantee's normal business hours, and as

often as the State shall demand, the Grantee shall make available to tire State all 11.2.4

records pertaining to matters covered by this Agreement. The Grantee shall

permit the State to audit, examine, and reproduce such records, and to make audits 12.

of all contracts, invoices, materials, payrolls, records of personnel, data (as that 12.1.

term is hru'einafter defined), and other inforination relating to all mritters covered

by this Agreement. As used in tins paragraph, "Grantee" includes all persons,

natural or fictional, affiliated with, controlled by, or under common ownership

with, the entity idemrfted as the Grantee in block 1.3 of these provi-sions

PER.SONNEL

The Grantee shall, at its own expense, provide all personnel necessary to perform 12 2,

the Project. The Grantee warrants that all personnel engaged m the Project shall

be qualified to perform sucli Project, and shall he projicrly licensed and authorized

to perform such Project imdcr all applicable laws.

The Grantee shall not hire, and it shall not permit imy subcontractor, subgrantee, 12.3,

or other person, firm or corporation with whom it is engaged in a combined effort

u> perform the Project, to hire any person who has a contractual relationship with

the State, or who is a State officer or employee, elected or appointed.

The Grant Officer shall be the rcprcsenlative of the Slate Iweunder. In the event

of any dispute hereunder, the interpretation of ihis Agrccmem by the Grant 12.4

Officer, and his/her decision on any dispute, shall be final

DATA: RirTENTION OF DATA, ACCE,S.S

As used in tliis Agreement, the word "data" shall mean all information and things 13.

developed or obtained during the performance of, or acquired or developed by

reason of, tliis Agreement, including, but not limited to, all studies, reports, files,

fontiulac, surveys, maps, charts, sound rccording.s, video recordings, pielorial

reproductioas. drawings, analyses, graphic representations,

computer progfjmi.-i, corap,uter printouts, notes, letters, memoranda, paper, and

documents, all wbelter finished or unfinished.

Between the Effective Dale and the Completion Date the Grantee shall grant to

the State, or any person designated by it, unrestricted access to all data for

c.xaminaion, duplication, publication, lran.slation, sale, disposal, or for any other

purpose whatsoever.

No data shall be subject to copyrigln in the United States or any other country by

anyone other than the State,

On and after the Eff'eelivc Date all data, and any property which has been received

from the State or purchased with funds provided tor that purpose under this

Agreement, shall be tlie property of the State, and shall be returned to the Stale

upon demand or upon lennination of this Agreement for any reason, whichever

shall first occur.

The State, and anyone it shall designate, shall have unrestricted autliority to

publish, disclose, distribute and otherwise use, in whole or In part, all data.

CONDITIONAL NATURE OR AGREEMENT Notwithaanding anything in

lhi,s Agreement to die contrary, all obligations of the State hereundcr, including,

without limitation, Uic continuance of payments hereundcr, are contingent upon

tire availability or continued appropriation of fimds, and in no event shall the State

be liable for any payments hereunder in excess of such available or appropriated

funds In the event of a reduction or termination of tho-Se funds, the Slate shall

have the riglif to withhold payment until such funds become available, if ever, and

shall have the right to tenninatc this Agixcmcnt immediately upon giving the

Grantee notice of such lenninatioti.

EVENT OF DEFAUI T: REMEDIE.S.

Any one or more of the following acte or omissions of the Grantee stall con,stitute

an event of default hereunder {hereinafter referred to as "Events of Default"):

Failure to perform the Project satiiifiictorily or on schedule; or

Failure to submit any report required hereunder; or

Failure to mamtam, or permit access to, the record.s required hereundcr; or

Failure to perform any of the other covenants and conditions of this Agreement.

Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, tire State may take any one. or more,

or all, of the following actkais:

Give the Grantee a written notice stiecrfying the Event of Default and requiring it

to be remedied within, in the absence of a greater or lesser specificaiton of time,

thirty (30) days from the date of the notice, and if the Event of Default is not

timely remedied, terminate this AgrcemenL effective two (2) days after giving the

Grantee notice of termination; and

(Tive the Grantee a written noiiee specifydng die Event of Default and suspending

all payments to be made under this Agrecnient and ordering that tire portion of the

Grant.Amount which would oihervvisc accnic to the Grrailce during the period

from the dare of such notice until such time as the State delcraiincs that tlic

Grantee has cured the Event of Default shall never be paid to the Grantee; and

Set off against any other obligation the State may owe to the Orantee any damages

the State suffers by reason of any Event of Default; and

Treat the agreement as breached and pursue any of its remedies at. law or in equity,

or both

TERMINATION

In tlie event of any early termination of thfe Agreement for any reason other than

the completion of the Project, the Grantee shall deliver to the Grant Officer, not

later than fifteen (15) days artcT iltc date of temiinalion. a report (hereinafter

referred to as the "Termination Report") describing in detail all Project Work

performed, and the Grant Amount canted, to and including die date of lerminaiion.

In the event of Temrination under paragraphs 10 or 12,4 of thc.sc general

provisions, tire approval of such a Termination Report by the State shalCentitlc

the Grantee to receive tliat portion of the Grant amount earned to and including

the date of termination.

In the event of Tennination under paragraphs 10 or 12.4 of these general

provisions, the approval of such a Terniination Report by the State shall in no

event relieve the Grantee from any and all liability for damages sustained or

incurred by the Slate as a result of the Grantee's breach of it.s obligations

hereunder.

Notwithstanding anytliing in this Agreement to the contrary, either the State or,

exc^t where notice default has been given to the Grantee hereundcr, the Grantee,

may lerrainale this.Agresmenl without cause upon thirty (30) days written notice,

CONFLICT OF INTERES'l' No officer, member of employee of the Granlee,

and no reprcscmative, officer or employee of the State of New Hampshire or of

the govcramg body of the locality or localities in v^'hich the Project is to be

performed, who exercises any functions or responsibilities in the review or

/V/z/ZS

14.

15.

16

19.

20.

17.

17.1

17.1.1

17.1.2

approval of the undertaking or carrying out of such Project, shall participate in 17.2.

any decision relating to this Agreement which affects his or her personal interest

or the interest of any corporation, partnership, or association in which he or she

is directly or indirectly interested, nor shall he or she have any personal or

pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in this Agreement or the proceeds thereof

GRANTEE'S RELATION TO THE STATK In the performance of this

Agreement the Grantee, its employees, and any subcontractor or subgrantee of 18.

tlie Grantee are in all respects independent contractors, and are neither agents

nor employees of the State. Neither the Grantee nor any of its officers,

employees, agents, members, subcontractors or subgrantees, shall have authority

to bind the State nor are they entitled to any of the benefits, workmen's

compensation or emoluments provided by the State to its employees.

ASSIGNMENT AND SUBCONTRACTS. The Grantee shall not assign, or

otherwise transfer any interest in this Agreement without the prior written

consent of the State. None of the Project Work shall be subcontracted or

subgranted by the Grantee other than as set forth in Exhibit B without the prior

written consent of the State.

INDEMNIFICATION. The Grantee shall defend, indemnify and hold hamiless

the State, its officers and employees, from and against any and all losses suffered

by the State, its officers and employees, and any and all claims, liabilities or

penalties asserted against the State, its officers and employees, by or on behalf 21.

of any person, on account of, based on, resulting from, arising out of (or which

may be claimed to arise out of) the acts or omissions of the Grantee or

subcontractor, or subgrantee or other agent of the Grantee. Notwithstanding the

foregoing, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of the

sovereign immunity of the State, which unmunity is hereby reserved to the State.

This covenant shall survive the temiination of this agreement.

INSURANCE.

The Grantee shall, at its own expense, obtain and maintain in force, or shall

require any subcontractor, subgrantee or assignee performing Project work to

obtain and maintain in force, both for the benefit of the State, the following

insurance;

Statutory workers' compensation and employees liability insurance for all

employees engaged in the performance of the Project, and

General liability insurance against all claims of bodily injuries, deatli or property

damage, in amounts not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000

aggregate for bodily injury or death any one incident, and $500,000 for property

damage in any one incident; and

22.

23.

24.

The policies described in subparagraph 17.1 of this paragraph shall be the standard

form employed in the State of New Hampshire, issued by underwriters acceptable

to the State, and authorized to do business in the State of New Hampshire Grantee

shall furnish to the State, certificates of insurance for all renewal(s) of Insurance

required under this Agreement no later than ten (10) days prior to the expiration

date of each insurance policy.

WAIVER OF BREACH. No failure by the State to enforce any provisions hereof

after any Event of Delault shall be deemed a waiver of its rights with regard to

that Event, or any subsequent Event. No express waiver of any Event of Default

shall be deemed a waiver of any provisions hereof No such failure of waiver

shall be deemed a waiver of the right of the State to enforce each and all of the

provisions hereof upon any further or other default on the part of the Grantee.

NOTICE. Any notice by a party hereto to the other party shall be deemed to have

been duly delivered or given at the tune of mailing by certified mail, postage

prepaid, in a United States Post Office addressed to the parties at the addresses

first above given.

AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended, waived or discharged only

by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto and only after approval of

such amendment, waiver or discharge by the Governor and Council of the State

of New Hampshire, if required or by the signing State Agency.

CONSTRUCTION OF AGREEMENT AND TERMS This Agreement shall be

construed in accordance with the law of the State of New Hampshire, and is

binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors

and assignees. The captions and contents of the "subject" blank are used only as

a matter of convenience, and are not to be considered a part of this Agreement or

to be used in determining the intend of the parties hereto

THIRD PARTIES. The parties hereto do not intend to benefit any third parties

and this Agreement shall not be construed to confer any such benefit.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, which may be executed in a number

of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, constitutes the entire

agreement and understanding between the parties, and supersedes all prior

agreements and understandings relating hereto,

SPECIAL PROVISIONS. The additional or modifying provisions set forth in

Exhibit A hereto are incorporated as part of this agreement.

Exhibit A. Special Provisions

A.l If the date for commencement for Exhibit A precedes the Effective Date all services performed

by the Grantee between the commencement date and the Effective Date shall be performed at the sole

risk of the Grantee and in the event that this Agreement does not become effective, the State shall be

under no obligation to pay the Grantee for any costs incurred or services performed.

Exhibit B. Scope of Work

B.l The grantee shall utilize awarded Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) funds

(USDA-AMS Award #23RFSINH0012) for project titled "Building Resilience Through Expansion of Cold

Storage Capacity to Strengthen Local and Regional Food Systems" to purchase cold storage equipment

as detailed in the grantee's Infrastructure Grant Proposal as approved by USDA, which is hereby

incorporated by reference.

B.2 Outcomes shall be measured in accordance with the Expected Performance Measures section of

the grantee's Infrastructure Grant Proposal, increasing capacity in the middle of the supply chain and

economic viability of local/regional producers and processors.

B.3 Compliance. All project work shall be managed by the grantee who shall be responsible for all

project development and oversight. This includes adhering to applicable federal grant uniform

administrative requirements as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations and other federal

requirements as follows:

a. Grant funds awarded to state, local, and Tribal governments; public and private colleges

and universities; and non-profit organizations are subject to the Uniform Administrative

Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards contained in

2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR part 400.

b. Grant funds awarded to federal government entities are subject to the Uniform

Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles for Federal Awards contained in 2 CFR

part 200 and 2 CFR part 400.

c. Grant funds awarded to For-Profit Organizations are subject to the Uniform

Administrative Requirements contained in 2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR part 400, and the

Cost Principles contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 31.2,

Contracts with Commercial Organizations, codified at 48 CFR 31.2.

d. Recipients are responsible for the consistent application of the Federal regulations to

the RFSI grant funds including the USDA AMS General Terms and Conditions and the

RFSI Program Specific Terms and Conditions.

e. The CFR is accessible on the National Archives and Records Administration website and

in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations at www.ecfr.gov.

B.4 Prior Approval Requirements: To make any changes to proposed equipment purchases, the

grantee must submit a written request detailing the desired changes and obtain written approval from

the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food (DAMF). Certain changes may also

require approvals from the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service and or

Governor and Executive Council.

if"

B.5 Reporting/Monitoring: The grantee will submit documentation to DAMP confirming the

purchase of eligible equipment as detailed in the grantee's Infrastructure Grant Proposal as approved by

USDA. The grantee is required to submit an Annual Performance Report (template provided by USDA-

AMS) during each year of the project. Grantee is also subject to monitoring site visits from DAMP and/or

University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension staff.

B.6 Records: Record retention and accessibility is governed by 2 CPR 200.333 and 200.337. The

grantee must retain financial records, project records, and supporting documents for a period of three

years from the date the Grant Agreement is closed

Exhibit C. Payment

C.1 The State shall disburse a maximum of $98,950.00 for the purposes of the project described in

Exhibit B as an advance disbursement.

C.2 Payment Process: In order to receive payment. Grantee must first be registered with the New

Hampshire Department of Administrative Services (DAS) for a State of New Hampshire vendor number.

If Grantee already has a vendor number and supplied it to DAMP, initial payment will be made once we

receive Governor and Council approval. If Grantee does not already have a vendor number, registration

is available at:

https://apps.das.nh.gQv/vendorreeistration/(S(rnkbxvllloscaesvalln3np21)/welcome.asDx.

C.3 Method of Disbursement: Payment by the State shall be completed by check or Electronic

Punds Transfer ("EPT") in accordance with the vendor registration.

PdO

'! Ill

State of New Hampshire

Department of State

CERTIFICATE

1, David M. Scanlan, Secretary of State of the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that APPLECREST FARM

ORCHARDS, LLC is a New Hampshire Limited Liability Company registered to transact business in New Hampshire on

December 21, 2005.1 further certify that all fees and documents required by the Secretary of State's office have been received and

is in good standing as far as this office is concerned.

Business ID: 549016

Certificate Number: 0007147355

%

%

5^Ma

s

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF,

I hereto set my hand and cause to be affixed

the Seal of the State of New Hampshire,

this 2nd day of April A.D. 2025.

David M. Scanlan

Secretary of State

Certificate of Authority (Sole Proprietor)

Sole Proprietor Certification of Authority

I, 1 e^'fer hereby certify that I am the Sole Proprietor

(Name) ^

of hi/M (jcMdgis which is a tradename registered with the Secretary of State

(Name of Business)

under RSA 349.1 certify that I am the sole owner of my business and of the tradename.

I further certify that it is imderstood that the State of New Hampshire

will rely on this certificate as evidence that the person listed above currently

occupies the position indicated and that they have full authority to bind the

business. This authority shall remain valid for thirty (30) days from the

date of this Corporate Resolution.

DATED: I! (!/ ATTEST:

(f^arne & Titlej

CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE

DATE (MM;DD/YYYY|

11/13/2025

THIS CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED AS A MATTER OF INFORMATION ONLY AND CONFERS NO RIGHTS UPON THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER. THIS

CERTIFICATE DOES NOT AFFIRMATIVELY OR NEGATIVELY AMEND, EXTEND OR ALTER THE COVERAGE AFFORDED BY THE POLICIES

BELOW. THIS CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE ISSUING INSURER(S), AUTHORIZED

REPRESENTATIVE OR PRODUCER, AND THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER.

IMPORTANT: If the certificate holder Is an ADDITIONAL INSURED, the policy(ies) must be endorsed. If SUBROGATION IS WAIVED, subject to

the terms and conditions of the policy, certain policies may require an endorsement A statement on this certificate does not confer rights to the

certificate holder In lieu of such endorsement(s).

PRODUCER

Nicholas Miller

American National

66 Hanover Street, Suite 301

Manchester NH 03101

NAME^''^ Nicholas Miller

[aJc 'no.ExII: 603-432-2944 no|: 603-323-0261ADDRESS: Nick.Miller@american-national.eom

INSURER(S| AFFORDING COVERAGE NAIC4

INSURERA American National

INSURED

Applecrest Farm Orchards LLC

133 Exeter Rd

Hampton Falls NH 03844

INSURERS

INSURER C

INSURER D

INSURERS

INSURER F

COVERAGES CERTIFICATE NUMBER: REVISION NUMBER:

TWgR"

LTR

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE POLICIES OF INSURANCE LISTED BELOW HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THE INSURED NAMED ABOVE FOR THE POLICY PERIOD

INDICATED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REQUIREMENT, TERM OR CONDITION OF ANY CONTRACT OR OTHER DOCUMENT WITH RESPECT TO WHICH THIS

CERTIFICATE MAY BE ISSUED OR MAY PERTAIN, THE INSURANCE AFFORDED BY THE POLICIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO ALL THE TERMS.

EXCLUSIONS AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH POLICIES. LIMITS SHOWN MAY HAVE BEEN REDUCED BY PAID CLAIMS.

AUULE

INSR

STDBK

WVD

POLICY EFF

(MM/DD/YYYY)

POLICY EXP

(MM/DDArYYY)TYPE OF INSURANCE POLICY NUMBER LIMITS

GENERAL UABILITY

COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY

EACH OCCURRENCE

I CLAIMS-MADEKl

UAMAUt lUKbNibU

PREMISES (Ea occurrence)

OCCUR MED EXP (Any one person)

Special Farm Package 2801 G 2845 04/01/2025 04/01/2026 PERSONAL &ADV INJURY

GENERALAGGREGATE

GEN'LAGGREGATE LIMIT APPLIES PER;

PRO-

ELPOLICY I I a

PRODUCTS - COMP/OPAGG

JECT Fire Legal Liability

COMBINbU SlNULbLIMIl

(Ea accident)

1,000,000

5,000

1,000,000

2,000,000

2,000,000

100,000

AUTOMOBILE LIABIUTY

ANY AUTO

ALL OWNED

AUTOS

HIRED AUTOS

BODILY INJURY (Per person)

SCHEDULED

AUTOS

NON-OWNED

AUTOS

2801 C 0955 04/01/2025 04/01/2026 BODILY INJURY (Per accident)

PROPER IV DAMAGE

(Per accident)

1,000,000

E UMBRELLA UAB

EXCESS LlAB

"HET RETENTIONS $1000

OCCUR

CLAIMS

DED

-MADE

EACH OCCURRENCE

2801 E 0339 04/01/2025 04/01/2026 AGGREGATE

Vni WCSTATU- I loTFTTORY LIMITS I I ER

5,000,000

5,000,000

WORKERS COMPENSATION

AND EMPLOYERS' LIABIUTY y IN

ANY PROPRIETOR/PARTNER/EXECUTIVE

OFFICER/MEMBER EXCLUDED?

(Mandatory in NH)

If yes, describe under

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIONS below

N/A 2801 W 0869 02/25/2025 02/25/2026

E.L, EACH ACCIDENT

E.L. DISEASE - EA EMPLOYEE

E.L. DISEASE-POLICY LIMIT

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIONS / LOCATIONS / VEHICLES (Attach ACORD 101, Additional Remarks Schedule, if more space is required)

Peter Wagner is excluded from Workers Compensation coverage as an officer.

NH Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food is listed as additional insured on above policy 2801 G 2845.

Email: nicole@applecrest.com

CERTIFICATE HOLDER CANCELLATION

NH Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food

1 Granite Place

Concord NH 03301

1

SHOULD ANY OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED POLICIES BE CANCELLED BEFORE

THE EXPIRATION DATE THEREOF, NOTICE WILL BE DELIVERED IN

ACCORDANCE WITH THE POLICY PROVISIONS.

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

Nicholas Miller

ACORD 25 (2010/05) © 1988-2010 ACORD CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

The ACORD name and logo are registered marks of ACORD

USDA Agricultural Marketing ServiceU.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

7%e m/ Equipment-Only Grant Proposal should mdude a project narrative that descrlhes the overall scope of the project and how,t aligmWith the program goals and prioritm. Applicants must attach dacumentatmi to substantiate the costs ofeach piece ofequipmeatwinch can include contracts, catalog pricing, or binding quotes provided by license commercial entitles.

APPLICANT INFORMATION

Applicant Organization

Name:

UBl:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

Physical Address

Street:

City;

State:

Zip:

[

APP1.ECREST FAKM ORCHARDS, LLC

[603) 926-3721

admin@applecresCcDm

133 Exeter RD

Hampton Falls

New Hampshire

03844-2004

M.atlteg..,AMlfiSS (if different from above)

Street:

City:

State:

Zip;

PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT

List the person who will be t

awarded.

Name:

Title:

Phone Number;

Email Address:

I contact for any cotrespondetice and is responsible for signing any documentadon should the grant be

TODDWAGNER

Vice President

adniin@applecrest.com

DISTRESSED COMMUNITIES INDEX

Using the fikfr/'sted Cnmmunities Index Map, provide the community distress score for the county fics) benefiting ft omyour project

Note: US. Territories are not repaired to submit Distressed Communities Index data.

Click the + or • button to add or remove items as needed.

FOR EXAMPLE:

County 1: Enter County name Distress Scorel: Enter County Distress Score

+ County Distress Score

- Rockingham 29.2

-

TYPE OF APPLICANT

Seiect applicant type:

ra Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors.

For-profit entities operating middle-of-the-supply-cliain artivities such as processing, aggregation, or distribution of targeted

S agricultural products, whose activities are primarily focused for the benefit of local and regional producers, and that meet the eligibilityrequirements of the SBA small business size standards are eligible. For more information on these size standards, please visit SBA s

Size Standards webpaee. For a quick check on whether your business qualifles, please use the Size Standards Tpoj,.

[j Nonprofit organizations operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities.such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targetedagricultural products

Q Local govemment entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targetedagricultural products

Q Tribal governments operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted

agricultural products.

Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or

n invest in equipment that will benefit multiple producers middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation,

distribution of targeted agricultural product.

PROJECT TITLE

Provide a descriptive project title in IS words or less in the space below.

"Building Resilience Through Expansion of Cold Storage Capacity to Strengthen Local and Regional

Food Systems"

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Include a project summaty of250 words or less suitable for dissemination to the public. A Project Summary provides a very brief (one sentence,

if possible) description of your project. A Project Summary includes:.1. The name of the applicant organization that ifawarded a grant will establish on agreement or contractua! relationship with the State

Applicant to lead and execute the project,

2. The project's purpose, deliverables, and expected outcomes and

3. A description of the general tasks/activities to be completed during the project period to fulfill this goal

Applecrest Farm Orchards seeks to remedy pinch points in Granite State middie-of-supply-chain fresh apple

availability. Installation of refrigeration equipment to expand on-farm cold storage capacity will increase

Applecrest's ability, as an apple producer and aggregator, to harvest, store, pack and distribute a greater

volume of NH grown fruit over extended time periods.

Given Applecrest's highly diversified and vertically integrated operations, we are uniquely positioned to

provide immediate and tangible impact to NH food markets through reducing waste, increasing harvest

volumes, improving supply-chain availability, and bringing income and financial stability to fellow NH

growers. Further, the project will provide local distributors, retailers and value-added producers with

greater quantities of in-demand local products.

USDA investment in Applecrest and this project would produce a positive, significant and prompt

"movement of the needle" in NH's efforts to strengthen its agricultural mid-channel supply-chain and

improve overall food system resiliency.

PROIECT PURPOSE

OPERATIONS IDENTIFIER

Provide where within the Middle of the Supply Chain the requested equipment be used:

□ Processing

S Aggregation

r~1 Distribution

n Value Added Production

Other

TYPE OF AGRICULTUREAL FOOD PRODUCTS PROCESSED WITH THE EQUIPMENT?

Remove Product Row Add Product Row

# ProductType

1 Apple

SCOPE OF WORK

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CURRENT BUSINESS OPERATIONS INCLUDING SERVICES BEING OFFERED IN THE

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS AREA.

Applecrest is a highly diversified, veteran-owned, third generation family farm boasting llQ-acres of

permanently conserved, open space land. On an annual basis, Applecrest employs over one hundred staff

members. We grow a multitude of crops throughout the entire growing season including vegetables, berry

fruits and tree fruits. Our year-round retail farmstand is dedicated to Applecrest grown and value-added

products, as well as other locally and regionally sourced goods. We have an on-site restaurant, ice cream

stand and farm bakery.

Applecrest operates a renowned pick-your-own program for flowers, herbs, strawberries, blueberries,

raspberries, peaches, nectarines, pears, pumpkins and apples. In addition to producing a sunflower trail and

corn maze, we host dozens of seasonal festivals featuring cider donuts, a corn roast, BBQ grill, animal

barnyard, tractor rides, live bluegrass music and more. At height of season, our farm will draw upwards of

10,000 guests per day, securing Applecrest's position as a premier leader in Granite State agritourism.

Beyond being one of the oldest, largest and highest producing apple farms in NH, Applecrest is one of select

few NH growers to not only produce our own fruit but, also aggregate and store apples from a wide network

of other local farms and independent producers. A portion of these apples are utilized on-farm as value-

added processing fruit, peeled and cored for pie production or pressed to sweet cider and then bottled for

retail or distributed bulk to local NH wineries and hard cider makers. The majority of Applecrest's

aggregated apples, however, are graded and packed on our processing line and ultimately distributed

throughout the local NH supply-chain to various end markets ~ restaurants, wholesalers, value-added bulk

processors, food co-ops, grocery stores, institutions and/or other NH farmstands.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE SPECIFIC NEED THAT THE REQUESTED EQUIPMENT WILL ADDRESS.

Lack of sufficient cold storage capacity poses a significant hurdle to Applecrest's ability to inject a greater,

more reliable quantity of apples into NH's mid-channel of the food supply chain. This inadequacy has

negative upstream and downstream trickle effects, generally hampering Applecrest's overall capability to

further contribute to the regional food ecosystem and its resilience.

At present, Applecrest is positioned as one of few NH farms equipped to not only produce apples but, also

aggregate, store, process, pack and distribute on behalf of a network of partners throughout the Granite

State. A recurring refrain from our collaborating partners, however, is the need for more apples to be

harvested, packed and/or distributed over a greater seasonal period. The attached Letters of Support from

a representative cross-section of our food system allies attest to this fundamental supply-chain gap.

From a producer standpoint, Applecrest's current storage capacity constraints significantly limit the amount

of fruit we're able to seasonally harvest and store. These cold room deficiencies frequently force us to leave

substantial quantities of quality fruit unharvested (whether it be our own or, that of other growers). It is left

to rot on the tree or the ground, resulting in regrettable food waste of good, saleable fruit. When our

storages are at full capacity, excess harvested apples are often temporarily staged in non-refrigerated areas,

merely waiting in limbo for cold storage space to be freed-up via our packing and distribution operations.

This forced practice contributes to premature fruit degradation, reduced shelf-life, poor pack-out quality,

lost opportunity and diminished financial returns for all concerned.

As for the NH wineries and cidermakers with whom we partner, these producers continually seek a greater

volume of Applecrest's value-added bulk raw juice, a core component of their products. Unfortunately, cold

storage limitations compel our focus towards fancy apple distribution, thus, severely limiting the quantities

of processing fruit we can store and press within seasonal time constraints. As a result, these companies are

often forced towards alternative options sourced out-of-state.

From the standpoint of Applecrest's end-market partners in distribution, value-added bulk processing and

direct-to-consumer retail, they too all suffer from overall inadequate apple supply. They simply seek greater

volumes of Applecrest aggregated fruit over a further prolonged period.

Installation of the proposed refrigeration equipment into Applecrest's already existing and ready-to-fit

insulated storage room would boost our apple storage capacity by 15,000 bushels per season. This 30%

increase in refrigerated space will solve our existing fundamental storage deficiency and very favorably

address a host of the above-cited bottlenecks to NH's agricultural middie-supply-chain.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE IMPACT THIS EQUIPMENT WILL HAVE ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL PRODUCERS, MARKET

OUTLETS, AND MORE.

Given Applecrest's highly diversified and vertically integrated operations, our farm is uniquely positioned

within NH's agricultural ecosystem. For over 100 years, Applecrest has continually brought meaningful,

positive impact to a broad spectrum of businesses within NH's overall mid-channel food supply chain.

Installation of the proposed refrigeration equipment, beyond simply increasing Applecrest's apple storage

capacity, would result in substantial favorable ripple effects across the entire network of farm producers,

processors, distributors and retailers with whom our farm collaborates.

Over any given season, Applecrest will typically contract with nearly thirty local independent small

growers and commercial NH apple orchards. Increased storage capabilities would ensure our farm's

ability to harvest, store and aggregate an increased volume of these producers' fruit. Beyond further

contributing to NH's annual state-wide agricultural productivity, this increased harvest and storage

capability would result in reduced unnecessary waste, increased fruit quality and provide an elevated,

more reliable quantity of fruit entering the supply-chain. For Applecrest's some thirty-partner producers,

this will translate positively to their economic bottom-line and bolster these growers' overall long-term

viability.

On the value-added processing front, Applecrest conducts trade with over a half-dozen NH wineries,

cidermakers and bulk processers. With our farm's increased capacity to harvest, store, ship and/or press a

greater volume of utility-grade fruit, our value-added producer partners would avoid current seasonal

disruptions in fruit/juice availability, experience reduced need to source product out-of-state and enjoy a

longer and more sustainable supply of the locally produced products so critical to their operational and

business success.

As to Applecrest's aggregated, packed-out, fancy apples designated for distribution to local end-

consumers, our farm annually partners with close to a dozen different entities, from distributors and food

cooperatives, to small local farmstands, to large commercial grocery chains. Our planned refrigeration

storage upgrades will enable all these entities to rely on Applecrest's improved reliability to meet their

persistent demand for local, sustainably produced fruit. For Applecrest's partners in this stage of the

supply-chain, an affordable and consistent local supply coupled with the reduced expense of our partners

having to source out-of-state (or out of country) will bring a level of supply-chain security, end-consumer

satisfaction and greater potential for financial reward.

The positive impacts of Applecrest's increase in overall cold storage volumes will not, however, be limited

to only those entities with whom our farm currently partners. Historically, Applecrest has been unable to

accommodate new distribution inquiries received from non-partner local NH grocery stores, farmstands

and value-added producers. With capacity constraints diminished due to the installed refrigeration

equipment, our farm will now be equipped to capitalize on those requests, expand fruit distribution and

meet demand. This establishment of a significant number of new market outlets only yet further

enhances Applecrest's ability to inject a greater, more reliable quantity of apples into NH's mid-channel

food supply chain.

ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL PRODUCERS IMPACTED.

25

DOES THIS PROJECT DIRECTLY BENEFIT:

Check box for all that app!y below

[~1 Uncterserved farmers and ranchers?

n New and beginning farmers and ranchers?

[3 Veteran Producers?

□ Processors or other middle-of-the-supply businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals?

EXPECTED PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The outcomes and performance measures below provide a framework that allows grant recipients to track and evaluate project activities.

Please provide expected numbers based on the projects scope of work. Select N/A if not applicable to the specific project

OUTCOME 2; CAPACITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN FOR LOCAL/REGIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS

Indicator Description Ejqpetted Numbers N/A

2.3 Number of processing equipment units purchased and installed;

2.5 Number of aggregation, storage, distribution equipment units

purchased and installed; 1 □

OUTCOME 3: INCREASE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF LOCAL/REGIONAL PRODUCERS AND PROCESSORS j

Indicator Description Expected Numbers N/A

3.2 Number of local/regional agricultural producers who benefited

from the new or improved processing/aggregation/storage or

distribution capacity:

25 □

3.3 Number of new local/regional products processed, aggregated,

stored or distributed;

3.4 Number of new value-added products developed;

3.5 Number of new market-outlets established: 8 □

BUDGET NARRATIVE

Please be sure to list and justif' all expenses to he covered. If applicable, ensure that you have included Critical Resources and infrastructure

k'tterjs) to support the application information.

EQUIPMENT

Describe any special purpose equipment to he purchased under the grant. "Special purpose equipment" such as such as, canners, hulling

processors, reverse osmosis systems, egg packing machines, flotation tanks, roasters, or other processing equipment, packing and labeling

equipment, or delivery vehicles.

+ Equipment Item Purchase Price Acquisition

Date

Funds

Requeisted

- 1 Freon Split Refrigeration System $98950.00 SEP-OCT 2025 $98,950.00

Equipment Subtotal $98,950.00

[EQUIPMENT jUSTIFICATION

For each I-quipment stern listed in the above table describe how this equipment will be used to achieve the objectives and outcomes ofthe

project. Add more equipment by copying and pasting the existing listing or delete equipment that isn't necessary.

FOR EXAMPU;:

Equipment 1: Description and justification

Equipment 2: Description and justification

Freon Split Refrigeration System: Installed to improve overall fruit storage capacity and aggregation capabilities.

Installation of the proposed cold storage refrigeration equipment into Applecrest's already existing and

ready-to-fit insulated storage room would boost our apple storage capacity by 15,000 bushels per season.

This 30% increase in refrigerated space will solve our existing fundamental storage deficiency and very

favorably address not only Applecrest's ability to aggregate and distribute more NH grown fruit but, also

positively impact a host of the aforementioned and above-cited overall bottlenecks to NH's agricultural

middle-supply-chain.

*AppHcants must submit documentation to substantiate the costs of each piece of equipment, which can include

contracts, catalog pricing, or binding quotes provided by license commercial entities.