"History of Agriculture as Told by Barns" with John Porter and sponsored by the Friends of the Conway Public Library and the NH Humanities
The program will follow the progression of barn styles that evolved to handle the increased productivity required to meet the needs of a growing population and respond to changes in society caused by the railroad and the Industrial Revolution. Mr. John Porter, author of “Preserving Old Barns: Preventing the Loss of a Valuable Resource,” will demonstrate how these majestic barn structures represent Yankee ingenuity, hard work, and skilled craftsmanship, as well as providing a link to our past that adds to the state’s scenic beauty.
Raised on a dairy farm in Lebanon, NH, Mr. Porter graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. Degree in Animal Science, and then went on to get a master’s degree from Cornell University in Animal Nutrition and Farm Management. He served as a Dairy Specialist for the UNH Cooperative Extension from 1974 until his retirement in 2006. He authored “Preserving Old Barns” and in December 2007, was editor and contributing author of “The History and Economics of the New Hampshire Dairy Industry.” Mr. John Porter is a UNH Extension Professor/Specialist, Emeritus and NH Humanities Council presenter.