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Farm & Market ReportVol. 79, No. 2, March/April 2002In this Issue
Commissioner's ColumnWishing You Greener PasturesBy Jonathan L. Healy My father used to say that one's greatest strength is also one's greatest weakness, too. I'm afraid that axiom applies to me as well. I've loved being your ag commish. We have accomplished a lot and I thank you all for your great support of Massachusetts agriculture. Since I have cared so much about this job, I haven't been able to do it less than full bore. My goals for the Department have been the same as my goals managing our family farm, i.e., I am a steward who simply wants to leave things I have touched in better shape than when I found them. Our Department now has a great farm viability program, an ag business training program that has gotten outstanding reviews from the farm community, and new programs like the agro-tech and environmental enhancement program. We have great, hard-working Department personnel that go the extra mile to help our farmers stay economically viable and environmentally sound. My thanks to our great Department personnel, the farm community, and the Weld-Cellucci-Swift administrations for allowing me to be your Commissioner. Best wishes to the other nine DFA folks who are also taking early retirement. I hope to continue working toward keeping Massachusetts and New England farms and forests viable, so I know our paths will cross in the future. And please keep in touch, especially if I can help you in any way. I can promise you that I'm not going to Washington! It's Jay Healy, c/o Hall Tavern Farm, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370. Phone is 413-625-9008.(e-mail to come sometime soon!) My thanks and best to all of you! Specialty Crop Funding AnnouncedThe Department of Food and Agriculture has selected 17 projects proposed by 15 agricultural groups statewide to receive a share of $890,000 in funding provided by the USDA's federal agricultural economic assistance package. This Federal assistance is targeted to "specialty crops" which USDA defines as "any agricultural crop, except wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts and tobacco." This can include non-food crops like nursery, floriculture, or Christmas trees. MDFA is administering the funds through a competitive bid process. The Department of Food and Agriculture requested proposals that clearly promote Massachusetts agriculture from Bay State agricultural organizations, commodity groups, cooperatives, non-profit organizations, collaboratives, and other entities that directly support agricultural initiatives. Farmers seeking funding for activities on their own farms were not eligible. The funds are for one year only. Organizations and projects that will receive funding are:
New Web Address for MDFAA new Massachusetts state government web "portal" (www.mass.gov) was launched in January and is designed to make it easier for citizens to find information and do business with state government. All state agencies have been asked to adopt a consistent web site URL (uniform resource locator) or address. The Department of Food and Agriculture's new address is www.mass.gov/dfa. Our consumer marketing site, known as MassGrown, has been integrated into the department's main site and can now be found at www.mass.gov/massgrown. FARM-CITY CONNECTIONSAgriculture in the Classroom Celebrates 20th AnniversaryAt its annual meeting in February, Mass. Agriculture in the Classroom celebrated 20 years of service to the agricultural and educational communities. The program began in 1982 with a meeting called by former Agriculture Commissioner Frederic Winthrop, Jr. Accepting a plaque citing the Department's support and involvement for the past two decades was current Food and Agriculture Commissioner Jay Healy, who serves as an advisory board member. New board members representing a wide range of interests were introduced: Cynthia Cranston, Cranston's Tree Farm, Ashfield, representing the Mass. Christmas Tree Association, Mary McCaffrey, Spring Rain Farm, East Taunton, representing the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association, Kurt Parliment of Leicester, representing Old Sturbridge Village, Tim Skeehan of Russell's Garden Center, Wayland, representing the Mass. Flower Growers' Association. Re-elected officers were: President, John Lee, Allandale Farm, Brookline, Vice President, Jim Munger, Stoney Meadows Vegetable Farm, South Dartmouth, Vice President, Jerry Myers, Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Secretary, Marjorie Cooper, Cooper's Hilltop Dairy Farm, Rochdale, Farm Bureau. Representatives of many other agricultural commodities and groups make up the rest of the 33 member board. Twenty-year members recognized were Marjorie Cooper, Henry Hicks representing Mass. Council of Social Studies and Janet Christensen, Mass. Department of Food & Agriculture. Ag in the Classroom offers curriculum, a resource directory, newsletters, mini-grants, workshops and meetings such as the successful statewide "Growing Minds through Mass. Agriculture" held in Auburn in January. For more information, visit www.aginclassroom.org or write Ag in the Classroom at P.O. Box 345, Seekonk, MA 02771. Boston Public Market Continues Search for Site and FundingFriends of the market, now officially the Boston Public Market Association, are finalizing a development proposal which will be extremely useful in their continuing search for a suitable site for the indoor year-round market. The publication will assist the group in contacting developers and potential funders for the project. For more information on the proposal and progress, contact Janet Christensen, 617-626-1735, or e-mail David.Webber@state.ma.us or gbialecki@hillbarlow.com. New Massachusetts Ag Mediation Program AnnouncedThe Massachusetts Office of Dispute Resolution (MODR) has been certified by the USDA's Farm Service Agency to administer an Agricultural Mediation Program for the Commonwealth's farm community. As a qualifying state under Title V of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987, Massachusetts, through MODR and with input from the Department of Food and Agriculture (MDFA), will address the pressing need for agricultural mediation, both for credit issues and for a host of other problems that arise on a daily basis. The provision of mediation services for agricultural loans, agricultural credit, farm program compliance, wetlands and other agriculture related issues is a natural extension of MODR's current services to the Massachusetts community. For over 12 years, MODR has been successfully mediating wetlands, conservation, hazardous waste, land use, coastal access and other environmental disputes affecting the Commonwealth and its citizens. In addition, MODR has extensive experience mediating banking and commercial loan disputes through its court programs. Real estate in the Commonwealth is at a premium, notes Commissioner Jay Healy, and farmers and growers are often located in densely populated residential areas. "Our Department is frequently asked to facilitate disputes between farmers and neighbors, local and state regulators on issues including environmental compliance, zoning, and right-to-farm issues. Using MODR, a trusted and experienced neutral, to assist in this process will be a giant step forward for many longstanding disputes, and for agriculture in general." Contact MODR Program Coordinator Israela Brill-Cass at 617-727-2224, or Israela.Brill-Cass@state.ma.us, for further information. Third Annual Statewide Rabies Vaccination Day Planned for April 6Cities and towns across the Commonwealth will hold low-cost rabies vaccination clinics on Saturday, April 6th as part of the Third Annual Statewide Rabies Vaccination Day. The Department of Food and Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Health started this program to raise awareness of rabies and increase compliance with state vaccination laws. All dogs, cats and ferrets living in Massachusetts are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies. Pet owners are encouraged to bring the family pet to be vaccinated against rabies on April 6th to locations designated by cities and towns. The cost of the vaccination will be about $10 per animal. Check with your Town or City Hall for the local place, time and cost. A list of participating towns will also be posted on the DFA's web site, at http://www.mass.gov/dfa. Statewide Rabies Vaccination Day is co-sponsored by the DFA and Mass. Department of Public Health, and in cooperation with the Mass. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the Mass. Veterinary Medical Association and the Cape Cod Veterinary Association. This year, the Governor will also declare April as Rabies Awareness Month. Environmental BriefsAgro-Environmental Technology Grant Program Application ResultsTwenty-eight proposals were received requesting a total of $792,279.38 in funding. The funding to be awarded for this program this year is $111,682. Applicants will be notified in late April about the funding decisions. For further information contact the coordinator, Susan Phinney, 617-626-1772, Susan.Phinney@state.ma.us. AEEP Program on HoldA second round of funding for the Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program was anticipated and applications were received in October 2001. Unfortunately due to the affects of the State's budget cuts on the Department, none of the proposals for the second round will be funded. All applicants should have received a letter explaining this information. It is anticipated that further funding will become available in the late summer at which time an announcement will be made that applications are available. For further information contact the coordinator, Susan Phinney, 617-626-1772, Susan.Phinney@state.ma.us. AEEP Partners with Coastal Zone Management to Fund FarmersFederal funds awarded to DFA's Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program from the state Coastal Zone Management (CZM) office for five projects have been to farmers to improve water quality in coastal watersheds. These projects range from installing manure storage pits on dairy farms to flumes for a cranberry grower. Fencing and above ground fuel storage tanks containers were also funded. These projects will take place in the Cape Cod, Nashua and Parker watersheds. For more information contact Susan Phinney at 617-626-1772, Susan.Phinney@state.ma.us. 2002 Farmers' Market OpportunitiesThe following farmers' markets are seeking vendors for the 2002 season. Please call the contacts below for more information. For general information about selling at farmers' markets, contact David Webber at 617-626-1754 or David.Webber@state.ma.us
For the following markets contact Jeff Cole at the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets, 781-893-8222 or 1-800-628-6336.
Tufts EarthfestFarmers are invited to participate in a farmers' market as part of the Tufts University Earthfest on Monday, April 22 from 11:30 am -1:00 pm in the student campus center. This is a campus-wide free time, so there will be many students in attendance. There will be music and various forms of entertainment. Contact Erin Allweiss at 617-627-1235. Agriculture Day at the State HouseMassachusetts farmers and food producers:
visit with your legislators on Massachusetts Agriculture Day at the State
House to discuss issues and legislation affecting their farms and communities
on Wednesday, April 3rd. The day also includes a speaking program, awards
to legislators, and a reception featuring Massachusetts grown farm products.
The Massachusetts Agriculture Promotion Board (MAPB)coordinates "Ag Day"
in conjunction with MDFA. The Ag Day 2002 program includes: 10:00 - 11:30 am: Registration
outside of the Great Hall and Farmer/legislator meetings in respective
offices. 11:30 am: Speaking
Program at the Grand Staircase. Speakers: Invited: Governor Jane
Swift, Secretary of Environmental Affairs Bob Durand, and MAPB chairman
Ken Nicewicz. Agriculture Day Recognition Awards: the MAPB will recognize
legislators who have supported local agriculture in the past year. 12:00 pm: A Taste
of Massachusetts Reception in the Great Hall. Grower organizations
will present Bay State specialties including ice cream with maple syrup,
farmstead cheeses, turkey, parsnip soup, lamb, deviled eggs with caviar,
fresh shucked oysters and littlenecks, apple cranberry crisp, cranberry
juice and milk. Some 25 agricultural organizations will staff information
tables throughout the Great Hall. For more information, contact Mary Jordan, 617-626-1750, Mary.Jordan@state.ma.us or Rick LeBlanc, 508-792-7711x17, Richard.Leblanc@state.ma.us. ClassifiedsRed Fire Farm in Granby MA is seeking small scale food processors to develop value added products such as heirloom tomato salsa and jams from the farms surplus and seconds. The opening of the Greenfield food processing center offers an opportunity to better utilize this food which otherwise goes to waste. If you are interested in further discussing these possibilities please contact Ryan at 413-467- SOIL or redfirefarm@juno.com. Do you need mousers? The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society has a feral cat relocation program for barns. They are spayed or neutered, current on Rabies and distemper and have been tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Aids. We relocate across the state. The society is also looking for the donation of a farm or land to house our feral cat sanctuary on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Call 978-462-0760 or email mrfrs@mrfrs.org and ask for Stacy LeBaron. We will help Massachusetts farmers with a free help-wanted ad in The Caretaker Gazette. We have Massachusetts subscribers who want to work on your farm. Contact:THE Caretaker Gazette, PO Box 5887, Carefree, AZ 85377. 480-488-1970, www.caretaker.org. WANTED - 3-Point Rotary Tiller - PTO driven. 48-54inches. Call 508-238-9948 or email thewelcomes@earthlink.net FOR SALE: 75 Crested Blue Swedish ducks (some cross breeds and most have the rare tufted or crested heads). Good egg layers. These are all adult offspring from a MA DFA inspected flock. $4.00 each. 508-278-5017 or info@ArrowheadAcres.com. Conservation Farm Planners - Conservation District seeks two individuals (part and full time) to assist farmers in developing natural resource farm plans. B.S. in agriculture or natural resources. 1 yr. experience, strong written, verbal, interpersonal and computer skills. Letter and Resume to PCCD, 15 Cranberry Highway, West Wareham MA 02576 or fax 508-291-2368. Looking for Assistant Farm Manager/Horticultural Therapist for 2 acre certified organic farm, which serves as a therapeutic/vocational training site for homeless men and women. 25 weeks position, mid April thru mid October 2002. Previous exp. in ag. needed and working with special needs populations pref. $500/wk. Send resume, cover letter to: Jean-Claude Bourrut, Long Island Shelter, P.O. Box 158, Boston, MA 02122, 617-534-2526 x304, Jcbourrut@bphc.org. Non-certified organically grown Russian Banana Fingerling Potatoes for seed or table. $2.80/lb + shipping. Call Tim at Grateful Farm 508-553-3022 or afrmr@aol.com. WANTED TO BUY: Apple grinder in good used condition for small hand crank cider press. Motorized or not. Call Mark, 413-367-0042 or email scaffnet@yahoo.com. The Mass. Migrant Education Program provides educational services and referrals for health, housing, food, clothing and emergency services to children whose parents work in seasonal or temporary agricultural and fishing activities. There is no cost to your company or to your employees. Call Heather Greene at 978-657-8331 ext. 20. Empire Packaging Company: agricultural packaging that's based on New England traditions. Make us your packaging resource. 800-562-5520. For sale: 80 gal metal water tank, $50 or b/o; wood & aluminum storm window, $200 each; milk cooler air compressor, $50; oil furnace for camp or shed b/o, electric tester, $20 each; all kinds of farm books and do-it-yourself books, b/o; canner for canning, b/o. Leo Bedard, 181 Newmarket Rd., Rte. 108, Durham, NH. For sale: Golden Comet pullets. Ready to lay early Feb. $6.50 ea. 781-878-6920, leave message. Assistant Farm Manager: new permanent, fulltime position for the production of mixed vegetables on 150 acres for our growing retail farm stand and restaurant sales. Applicant should have experience with IPM, planting, cultivating, harvesting and organizing and supervising projects. Vacation, health, retirement. Verrill Farm, Concord. Call 978-369-4494 or fax resume to 978-318-0300, attn: David or Steve. Rural family with kids, livestock needed to model for professional photo project. Compensation up to $4,000. 781-608-7656 or jdkerner@netscape.net. TRACTOR TIRE CHAINS fit tire size 13.6-28. Well used but well maintained. Still have plenty of life left in them. $40. South Face Farm 413-628-3268. Sherwood Consultants now can provide technical expertise in the use of herbicides and fertilizers in addition to its usual business and financial farm services. Call: Woody Pratt at 617-232-8818 or E-mail to sherconsl@aol.com. Highly successful fish-based fertilizer now available. Approved for organic farming by ORMI. Particularly suitable for vegetables and small fruits. SCI-Distributors, Inc. Jay Tripp, 508-789-4145, Jay111745@aol.com. Subscribe to the New England Farm Bulletin. $17/year includes 2 free farm classifieds or $17 in free information booklets, monthly publication, annual almanac, New England fairs and farmers' market directory, monthly farm classifieds and features, access to rare farm topics and more! NEFB, Dept. MA, PO Box 67, Taunton, MA 02780. How
to Place a Classified Ad
Classified ads are accepted free-of-charge on a first-come basis. Limit: 25 words. Be sure to include a phone number. No display ads will be accepted. Only one ad per business/individual per issue, unless space permits. Ads may run in consecutive issues, space permitting. Ads must be of interest to Massachusetts farmers. The Mass. Dept. of Food and Agriculture reserves the right to refuse any listing it deems inappropriate for publication. Send typewritten or neatly printed copy to: Farm & Market Report, Mass. Dept. of Food and Agriculture, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114, 617-626-1752, fax: 617-626-1850, e-mail: Diane.Baedeker@state.ma.us
Self-Guided Greenhouse Tours for Industry BuyersCome and see what's growing in Massachusetts greenhouses! The UMass Extension Floriculture Program and the Mass. Flower Growers' Association are sponsoring "Open House Days" at participating wholesale greenhouses throughout Massachusetts on April 24, 2002 Eastern Massachusetts and April 25, 2002 Western Massachusetts Family, wholesale greenhouses are inviting plant buyers including garden center operators, farm stands, chain store buyers, plant brokers/salesman, landscapers, municipalities, sellers of plants for fund-raisers and other industry buyers to visit their greenhouses. For more information or a brochure, contact Paul Lopes, 508-295-2212 ext. 24, lopes@umext.umass.edu, Tina Smith 413-545-5306, UMass Extension Floriculture Program, tsmith@umext.umass.edu or Bob Luczai, Mass. Flower Growers' Association, 978-952-0116. Greenhouse Grower Pesticide TrainingThe UMass Floriculture Floriculture Extension Program is sponsoring a Pesticide Training for growers of greenhouse crops on March 19. The training will be held in two locations concurrently: in Amherst at the Mass Venture Building in Hadley and at Bridgewater State College in Bridgewater, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The training will concentrate on insect and disease control for greenhouse crops. The featured speaker will be Dr. Kevin Heniz, Assistant Professor of Entomology from Texas A&M University, via a Video Conference from College Station, Texas. Contact Paul Lopes at 508-295-2212 x24, lopes@umext.umass.edu, or Tina Smith at 413-545-5306, tsmith@umext.umass.edu. Pesticide recertification credits will be available in all private categories.
CalendarMarch 14 -- Second annual New England Farm Direct Marketing Conference & Trade Show at the Holiday Inn Boxborough Woods in Boxborough, Mass.. Call Jonathan Bates at 413-529-9232 for a registration program. March 23 - Growing Organic Apples with Don MacLean, South Egremont, MA. 9:00 am- 4:00 pm. Part of the Practical Skills Workshop Series sponsored by NOFA/Mass. Cost $35,NOFA Members $30, Pre-registration required. Call Michael Faber at 413-528-4387 or email mfaber5@yahoo.com. March 30 - Blueberry Production with Connie and Ron Maribett, Kingston, MA. 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Potluck lunch. Part of the Practical Skills Workshop Series sponsored by NOFA/Mass. Cost $20,NOFA Members $15, Pre-registration required. Call Michael Faber at 413-528-4387 or email mfaber5@yahoo.com. April 3 - Agriculture Day at the State House. Contact Mary Jordan, 617-626-1750, Mary.Jordan@state.ma.us or Rick LeBlanc, 508-792-7712, x17, Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us. April 6 - Statewide Rabies Vaccination Day. Get the family pet vaccinated at a low-cost clinic in one of many participating cities and towns across the state. Visit www.mass.gov/dfa for a list of towns, or contact Mike Cahill, 617-626-1794, Michael.Cahill@state.ma.us. April 6 - Small Scale Dairying with Pat Stewart Ashburnham, MA. 9:30 am-3:30 pm. Part of the Practical Skills Workshop Series sponsored by NOFA/Mass. Cost $35, NOFA Members $30, Pre-registration required. Call Michael Faber at 413-528-4387 or email mfaber5@yahoo.com. April 21 - Introduction to Growing and Using Medicinal Herbs with Diana Riddle and Tony Lemos Shelburne Falls, MA. 10:00 am- 4:00 pm. Part of the Practical Skills Workshop Series sponsored by NOFA/Mass. Cost $35, NOFA Members $30, Pre-registration required. Call Michael Faber at 413-528-4387 or email mfaber5@yahoo.com. June 15 - Music in the Orchard, 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm at Nashoba Valley Winery, Bolton. Celebrate the season during a complete day of fun and relaxation for the whole family. Live music, winery tours and tastings. For more information or directions, call 978-779-5521 or visit www.nashobawinery.com. September 21 - The Fourth Annual North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival, "The Festival That Stinks," 10:00 am to the evening hours! At Forster Farm, 60 Chestnut Hill Rd. Orange, MA 01364 Contact: Deb Habib, 978-544-9023 or visit www.seedsofsolidarity.org.
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