OUR NEIGHBORS ARE SUING THE FARM + THE TOWN OF NEWFIELDS
Our family is incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received through GoFundMe contributions, the Save the Farm fundraising agritourism event, and everyone who chooses to shop local and support Vernon Family Farm. Each donation and purchase has been a lifeline, and we want to thank all who have contributed—especially the small businesses across New Hampshire whose incredible generosity helped us reach our first major goal: paying off accrued lawyer fees and other debt after three years of relentless regulatory scrutiny.
Unfortunately, this battle is far from over.
Our neighbors have now escalated their efforts by suing the Town of Newfields, Vernon Family Farm, Vernon Kitchen, and our family personally. For the first time now, the Town of Newfields and us have to defend ourselves in court, and if you didn’t know, lawsuits usually take 12 to 18 months.
The stress and constant distraction of these legal battles have been incredibly detrimental to our ability to earn a living and sustain potential income growth. Your ongoing support has given us the strength to face each step of this journey, and we are beyond grateful for this community that stands by and believes in local farms.
Our neighbors accuse our agritourism events of not truly being agritourism. Instead, they claim we are illegally operating an event center and restaurant.
Well, here’s what NH’s Agriculture Commissioner Jasper had to say about our agritourism,
“I wish we had a 100 more farms like this one in NH. What is going on at the farm is the perfect example of how a working farm has found a way to fill a community need and sell their products at agritourism events, all of this without negatively affecting neighbors or causing traffic or parking issues.”
We couldn’t agree more.
The News About VFF
We sat down talk to Troy on the Seacoast Stories podcast. Listen on Apple or Spotify.
We’ve also had local NH and Seacoast-based publications share our story:
NH Business Review: Vernon Family Farm asks public for help in its fight against neighbors’ lawsuit threat
Seacoast Online: 'Help save the farm': Vernon Family Farm hosts fundraiser amid legal challenges
WMUR: Neighbors sue Newfields farm over complaints about noise, zoning compliance claims
NHPR: Newfields family farm and town sued by neighbors over agritourism events
Union Leader: Newfields neighbors sue town, Vernon Family Farm
While we disagree with the majority of what is written in the article below, we do feel it's important to let the neighbors speak for themselves.
Seacoast Online: Farming right: Newfields neighbors address concerns with Vernon Family Farm
A note from us:
At Vernon Family Farm, we are deeply committed to our roots in this community and to nourishing both body and spirit by growing food and creating a space where everyone can come together in celebration of it. For years, we have faced challenges, yet through it all, the support of our community has strengthened our resolve to continue our mission: to feed, educate, and offer a welcoming third space where everyone feels at home.
Our Commitment to You:
Provide Fresh, Local Food – From our fields to your table, we will continue raising quality meat, garlic, and other produce, rooted in sustainable practices that care for the land and animals. We believe in food that nourishes and sustains, grown by hands you know and trust.
Create a Safe, Inviting Space – Our farm is more than a place of production; it’s a space to connect, learn, and celebrate the food-producing land. We aim to be your third space—a place where friends, families, and neighbors can gather and enjoy our agritourism activities. All our activities highlight the food grown on our pastures, our animals, and our land.
Champion Local Agriculture – We’re here for the long haul and will continue standing up for the right to farm in Newfields. We advocate not only for our farm but for all small, local farms that make up the fabric of our community.
Offer Farm Education and Community Engagement – We believe education is a vital part of our work. Through hands-on agritourism programs, workshops, and events, we’ll continue inspiring and teaching the importance of agriculture, sustainability, and supporting local food systems.
With Gratitude + Determination
While there are hurdles ahead, with your support, we will persist. As long as we are able, Vernon Family Farm will remain a community-focused farm dedicated to producing healthy food, providing educational opportunities, and creating a positive, inclusive space for generations to come.
Together, let’s keep building a future where community, resilience, and food security grow strong.
With gratitude,
The Vernon Family
