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Massachusetts Department of Agricultural ResourcesFarm & Market ReportVol. 79, No. 3, May/June 2002In this issue:
COMMISSIONER'S COLUMNSpring Brings New ArrivalsBy Douglas P. Gillespie Spring is finally here! As everything turns green, this is one of my favorite times of the year, with a barnful of new arrivals, new growth in our fields, bogs and orchards, and our neighbors and customers excited by all that Spring brings to the farm! Hopefully this optimism can carry on through the many challenges of the year ahead. As this is the first opportunity since my appointment as Commissioner, and swearing-in at "Agriculture Day", I want to take the opportunity to thank Governor Swift and Secretary Durand for their confidence, and I look forward to being a part of their team in support of Massachusetts Agriculture. I also want to especially thank all of the DAR staff for the warm welcome that I have received during the past month. These are folks who have really stepped up to face the adversities facing state government right now. They care about our industry, and take pride in their work. They have each assumed extra work to fill the voids left by budget cuts and early retirements, and I am extremely proud of them! DAR has recently been looked upon as a model, for our progressive "toolbox" approach to providing assistance to the agricultural community. We must continue to maintain these innovative approaches, while recognizing that our primary constituency-farmers of Massachusetts - is changing, just as state government is. Our commodities are changing; for example dairy barns are being converted to horse boarding stables and wholesale growers are becoming retailers. Many farm families are doing their work part-time, and supplementing their lifestyle with off-farm employment. DAR must change to meet this new face of Massachusetts Agriculture, as we head into our second 150 years! I look forward to continuing to strengthen the team approach between DAR, farm organizations and commodity groups, land preservationists and environmentalists, and all the other constituents that we interface with. Together we will be a strong force to reckon with as we move forward! Thank you again for making the past month a very memorable one for my family and me! Gov. Swift Swears in Gillespie as New Agriculture Commissioner
A fourth-generation Massachusetts farmer, Gillespie comes to the Department of Agricultural Resources from his most recent position as Assistant Executive Director for the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation in Ashland, Mass. He has been with the Farm Bureau since 1990 and has also served as Director of Member Relations and Director of Government Relations. Gillespie is in his fourth year on the Weston Board of Selectman; has been active on the State Commission for the Conservation of Soil, Water and Related Resources; has been a board member of the Weston Land Trust; and has been Vice Chairman of the Recycling and Solid Waste Advisory Committee for the Town of Weston. Gillespie has also held positions in marketing, News Room and publishing, here in Massachusetts and in the Midwest. Gillespie's wife Denise is the daughter of several generations of central Texas ranchers. Doug, Denise and Seth live on Doug's family sheep farm in Weston. DAR Celebrates 150 Years of ServiceNew Logo, "150 Faces of Mass. Agriculture" Project Introduced
The Department has set a goal of highlighting 150 people who are impacted through the services of the agency. The 150 "faces" will be selected over the course of the coming year and will be featured on the Department's web site (www.mass.gov/dfa) in this on-going project. "Anyone who eats, drinks milk, uses water, owns a pet, has a lawn or garden, educates children, plans family activities, or enjoys the scenic Massachusetts countryside is touched by the Department of Agricultural Resources," explains Kent Lage, the Department's chief of staff. "Farmers are our most obvious constituency, but the well-being of all citizens of the Commonwealth depends on a secure food supply, healthy animals and sound environment." The first person to be featured was Russell Davenport of Shelburne Falls, Mass. Davenport is owner of the Davenport Maple Farm, a 120 head dairy farm, maple sugaring operation and restaurant. He is currently chairman of the state Board of Agriculture. "We felt that it was very appropriate to feature Russ as the first 'Face' since he is the current chairman of the Board of Agriculture, a body in which the Department has its roots," says Lage. "Future 'faces' will include folks from all business sectors and all walks of life touched by the Department." The Department of Agricultural Resources is seeking photographs of people to be featured in the 150 Faces of Massachusetts Agriculture project. Project guidelines are available on the DAR web site at www.mass.gov/dfa/150 or contact Diane Baedeker Petit at 617-626-1752, e-mail Diane.Baedeker@state.ma.us for more information. 2002 Farm Bill SignedPresident George W. Bush signed the 2002 Farm Bill on Monday on May 13, bringing to a close eight months of work to craft the bill. The key provisions of this farm bill, titled the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, include a national dairy program, increased funds for fruits, vegetable, and specialty crops, and considerable increases for environmental and open space protection programs. "The unique characteristic of this farm bill is that some of the programs contained within it have their origins either in Massachusetts or in New England, and the National Dairy Program is a case in point." Commissioner Gillespie said. "This is essentially the same mechanism used by the Northeast Dairy Compact. The difference is that the Compact allowed the marketplace to drive the safety net instead of the government." Under the National Dairy Market Loss Program farmers will receive 45 percent of the difference between $16.94 and the Boston Class I price announced by the Federal Milk Market Order. The Farm Bill limits payments to 2.4 million pounds of milk per farm, the approximate equivalent of a 135-cow farm. Producers interested in participating will need to enter into a contract which will offer payments retroactive to December 1,2001. Payments will likely start late summer or early fall. The program will terminate September 30, 2005. The Congress also included language for a program call the "Farm Viability Program" which is modeled on the Farm Viability Enhancement Program created by Commissioner Jay Healy and replicated by other states. While no funds are specifically earmarked for this program, the language does offer a starting point. The Farm Bill dramatically increases funding for the Farmland Protection Program from $53.4 million since the 1996 Farm Bill to $985 million over the life of this farm bill, which is six years. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act doubles annual spending on the Environmental Incentives Program (EQUIP) and increases the level of funding for fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops. It continues assistance to apple growers for continued low prices. The bill offers $40 million a year to assist farmers with value-added business. Massachusetts Bans Importation of DeerPrecaution Taken To Prevent the Spread of Chronic Wasting DiseaseThe Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife has joined with other northeastern states to prohibit the importation of all species of deer. This is a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) into wild or farm-raised deer. The importation prohibition takes effect immediately and applies to European red deer, sika deer, fallow deer and reindeer, all species commonly raised commercially. The farming or importation of white-tailed deer, elk or moose was not permitted prior to the newly-enacted restrictions. CWD has been diagnosed in captive deer and elk herds in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota and the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan. It has been confirmed in wild deer populations in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and most recently, Wisconsin. There are no known cases of the disease in Massachusetts. CWD is a relatively new disease and is not fully understood. It is a brain disease related to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as "Mad Cow Disease". CWD appears to be caused by an abnormal protein called a prion that occurs in the brain of affected deer. It can be spread by close contact between animals, and animals exposed to CWD-contaminated environments. Afflicted animals become gaunt, wasting away until death. There is no known transmission link of CWD from deer to humans. For additional information on Chronic Wasting Disease or the prohibition on importation of deer, contact Bill Woytek, 508-792-7270 x121 or Dr. Robert Deblinger 508-792-7270 x128, at MassWildlife's Field Headquarters in Westboro. Agro-Tech UpdateThe Department's Agro-Environmental Technology Program provides matching grants up to $50,000 to organizations and individuals for demonstration projects, feasibility analyses and applied research projects that address agriculturally related environmental concerns and stimulate development and viability in the food and agriculture industry. This year, six projects were funded totaling $111,682 with an average award of $18,644. Contracts were awarded to:
Project descriptions are available on the DAR web site (www.mass.gov/dfa) or for more information you can contact the Coordinator Susan Phinney at 617-626-1772, Susan.Phinney@state.ma.us. Maple NewsBy Tom McCrumm, Mass. Maple Producers Association The 2002 maple sugaring season finished about ten days early, just as it started. Despite fears of a poor production year due to a lack of snow, and warm, dry winter conditions, most Massachusetts producers reported an average or better than average crop. Some producers said they had their best year ever. Probably as a result of warm temperatures and the trees not being frozen, most all producers were gathering and boiling within a day or two of tapping, and just about everyone was making light or extra light amber syrup. The main western regions of Massachusetts have reported an average to better-than-average crop, with an abundance of high quality, light syrup being made. Lower elevations to the east reported more sporadic production results. Nearly everyone had better production than last year. The Mass. Maple Association summer picnic will be held Sunday, July 28th, hosted by President Jan Wentworth and husband Dale, who sugar in North Brookfield, Mass. Their small farm recently participated in the Department's Farm Viability Program. With this assistance they were able to build a fully approved commercial kitchen, in which they make all sorts of maple confections for their retail and wholesale trade. The summer picnic will include a tour of the new kitchen, instruction and demonstrations for making maple cream, and information on the Farm Viability Program. Information will also be presented on the Farm Stewardship Program, which may assist maple producers with obtaining permission to tap trees on state owned land, such as state parks and forests. USDA Announces First Round of Accredited Entities to Certify Organic ProducersThe U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the first accredited entities that will certify organic production and handling operations to comply with National Organic Program (NOP) standards. The Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Massachusetts chapter is among the newly accredited organizations. "I am happy to announce that the NOFA/Mass Organic Certification Program was named as an accredited certifying agent," said Don Franczyk of NOFA/Massachusetts. "Our last hurdle to full accreditation is a site evaluation which will occur in the next 120 days." In Massachusetts, state Department of Agricultural Resources inspectors will perform inspections of farms as part of this program. NOFA/Mass. is a non-profit group that aims to keep the cost of certification for organic farmers as low as possible. The new organic standards offer a national definition for the term "organic." It details the methods, practices and substances that can be used in producing and handling organic crops and livestock, as well as processed products. All qualified organic production and handling operations must be certified to use the USDA organic seal by October 21. All agricultural products labeled organic must originate from farms or handling operations certified by a state or private agency accredited by USDA. Farms and handling operations that sell less than $5,000 worth per year of organic agricultural products are exempt from certification. More information on the National Organic Program is available on the web at www.ams.usda.gov/nop. NEVBGA Advertising Cost-Sharing ProgramThe New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association has received $15,000 in funding through MDAR as part of USDA's Specialty Crop Grant Program. NEVBGA will use the funds for an advertising cost-sharing program. Growers may receive 50 percent of the cost of newspaper ads placed between June and October, with a maximum of $500 per grower. Applicants must be regular members of NEVBGA from Massachusetts. Ads must feature the "Massachusetts grown...and fresher!" logo on at least 20 percent of the ad space and must be for Massachusetts grown fruits and vegetables. For more information and a NEVBGA membership application, contact NEVBGA, 233 Union St., East Bridgewater, MA 02333 or call 508-378-2546. 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, contact David Webber at 617-626-1754 or David.Webber@state.ma.us.
Hilltown Community Market Seeks GrowersAttention growers, artisans, cooks, bakers, performers, and community groups! You are needed for the 2003 Spring/Summer Hilltown Community Market. The feasibility of a Community Market is being discussed to offer the hilltown community a place to gather, sample, and purchase a variety of local products, enjoy demonstrations and performances by local people, and food, food, food. The Outreach Committee of Hilltown CDC is seeking the names of interested vendors and participants. Let us know about yourself and what you would like to see in a Community Market. Contact Marge at 413-296-9900 x12 or at margep@hilltowncdc.org. Classified Ads
How to Place a Classified AdClassified 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 Agricultural Resources 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 Agricultural Resources, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114, 617-626-1752, fax: 617-626-1850, e-mail: Diane.Baedeker@state.ma.us Class Action Settlement to Benefit Food and Nutrition ProgramsGrants are available to charitable organizations that provide food and nutrition programs in Massachusetts as part of a settlement of a class action lawsuit brought on behalf of Massachusetts consumers who purchased certain Indirect Vitamin Products from January 1, 1990 through December 31, 1999. In return for the release of claims by members of the Settlement Class, the Settling Defendants have agreed to pay $19,600,000 for the benefit of the Settlement Class, which funds (upon approval by the Court) shall be allocated to charitable organizations providing food and nutrition programs in Massachusetts. For more information and for grant instructions go to www.massvitaminlitigation.com. The application deadline is June 30th. 2002 WGBH Auction AdvantageThe WGBH auction is on June 2-8, 2002! We are calling on all Massachusetts food business owners to donate to Bay State Baskets - a unique marketing opportunity to showcase your products on television to more than a million viewers during the seven-day auction extravaganza. Last year, 60 local producers donated more than 5,000 food items, mail order coupons and gift certificates to fill 100 attractive baskets. Be a proud member of the Bay State and support the WGBH educational foundation. For further details, please contact Sarabeth Rogoff, acquisitions manager at the auction office at 617-300-4207 or via e-mail at sarabeth_rogoff@wgbh.org. Calendar
About the Farm & Market ReportPublished bi-monthly by: Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, Jane Swift, Governor
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Governor Jane Swift swore in Douglas P. Gillespie of Weston as state Commissioner of Agricultural Resources during "Agriculture Day at the State House" on April 3rd at the Grand Staircase. He was joined by his wife Denise and son Seth for the occasion.
One of the oldest state agencies in the nation is celebrating its 150th birthday. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, established on April 21st, 1852 and then called the State Board of Agriculture, is marking the milestone by introducing a new logo and announcing the "150 Faces of Massachusetts Agriculture" project.