Several years ago,
farmers in Maine, New Hampshire and
Vermont began taking advantage of
changes in the law in their respective
states and raising deer. The herds
in New England are still small and
growing. As they grow, they become
more visible and well known, and
interest in the industry grows.
The venison produced here has met with
an enthusiastic response, and
indications are good that there is a
broad potential market.
To take advantage
of that potential while maintaining high
standards of production processing, and
to share helpful information with regard
to all aspects of deer husbandry, many
of the pioneering deer farmers of
northern New England formed The Northern
New England Deer Farmer's Association,
which in 1998 became Northeast Deer
& Elk Farmers, Inc.(NDEF), to better reflect the
change in the market area and the
growing number of elk farmers.
The Association
seeks to aid its members in several
ways. By arranging for specialists
to address the membership at the annual
meeting, the Association provides a give
and take with knowledgeable authorities
on topics of interest to deer and elk
farmers. Members receive a
quarterly newsletter. The
newsletter gives news and advice from
around the world, as well as
announcements of field days and other
events.
Special courses
and demonstrations on topics such as
butchering and marketing and other
subjects can be presented to suit the
membership's interests.
