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Massachusetts Department of Food and AgricultureFarm & Market ReportVol. 80, No. 2, April 2003In this issue:
Commissioner's ColumnDFA Flower Show Team Brings Home the GoldBy Douglas P. Gillespie I'm pleased to announce that the Department's exhibit at the New England Spring Flower Show last month once again garnered several awards. The exhibit, which educated the public about invasive species, earned the Mass. Horticultural Society Gold Medal, Mass. Horticultural Society Educational Certificate and the Worcester County Horticultural Society Silver Medal for an educational exhibit. The Flower Show is sponsored by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and held at the Bayside Expo Center, Boston. Through signage and actual specimens (some of them live!) our exhibit featured several invasive species and their impact on native species, horticulture and agriculture. This topic tied-in well to the show theme: The Garden Journey. Among the featured invasive species: giant hogweed, gypsy moth, Japanese beetles, Asian long-horned beetle and hemlock wooley adelgid. Show judges commented that the exhibit was an "excellent presentation on invasive species" and that it "conveyed the message well" with "good inclusion of insects as well as plants." The Worcester County judges said that the exhibit was a "focused display with a clear concept and goal. Follow through on intent was successful. Display introduced a topical subject that may provoke the viewer to investigate subject further." This exhibit was produced without expenditure of state funds, thanks to contributions of materials and assistance by several businesses, organizations and individuals. We extend special thanks to the Mass. Dept. of Environmental Management's Division of Forest and Parks, the USDA Otis Methods Development Center, the USDA Forest Service's NH Field Office, Bigelow Nurseries of Northborough, Mass., and Tuckahoe Turf of Richmond, RI. And congratulations to the DFA Flower Show team for another successful show! LOCAL NEWSDisease Alert for Poultry Exhibitors & ExhibitionsAll poultry exhibitors and managers of poultry exhibitions are advised to take precautions to protect flocks against two serious poultry diseases that have broken out in the U.S. recently. Low Pathogen Avian Influenza (AI), a respiratory disease of poultry, turkeys, gamebirds and waterfowl was diagnosed in a commercial egg laying facility in Connecticut in March, 2003. Exotic Newcastle Disease (END), an acute rapid-spreading contagious respiratory disease of all birds has been diagnosed in some western states including California., Nevada., Arizona and Texas as of April 9, 2003. END is caused by a virus, it is characterized by respiratory distress (gasping), or encephalitis (brain infection), or diarrhea. Birds can die so rapidly that you may not see these signs. END is highly fatal to young chicks and it causes severe drop in egg production. Any birds that exhibit signs of these diseases should be reported immediately to the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture at (617) 626-1795. Outbreaks of Avian Influenza and Exotic Newcastle disease highlight the importance of increased biosecurity on farms and at exhibitions. The following biosecurity measures should be followed:
More information on poultry biosecurity is available on the MDFA website at www.mass.gov/dfa/animalhealth. Good News, Bad News for the 2003 Maple SeasonBy Tom McCrumm, Mass. Maple Producers Assoc.
As of March 25th most producers were looking at about a third of their expected crop, with mostly dark syrup being made due to continued sunny days near 60 degrees across the region. Those producers with vacuum experienced a huge run over the cold, rainy period of March 20-22, when much light syrup was made. During the same time, trees not on vacuum ran hardly at all. Most all producers are reporting higher than average sap sugar content, most likely due to the unlimited sunlight the trees received last summer. One small producer in the eastern part of the state has reported his best season ever, and other reports tend to show that central and eastern Mass. producers are doing better than those in western Mass. This week the much-sought-after cycle of 20's-40's for most of the maple region ought to give maple producers some more time to stretch out the season. This is how one local producer summed up the 2003 sugarin' season: "The weather has been just awful, I think we are all crazy!!!!" HELP!! Edgar and Helen Gould need someone to run one of their evaporators. Their main boiler man had to go back home to Maine. Edgar and a helper would be on hand to assist. If anyone knows of anyone who might be able to help them out, please contact them at goulds@mtdata.com or 413-625-6496 or 413-625-6170. Ag. Directional Signage Packet Now On-line
An agricultural directional sign is a special highway sign that directs motorists to farms that are open to the public, but not located on state highways. These blue signs feature the "Massachusetts grown...and fresher!" logo, several icons for products the farm produces, a directional arrow and the name of the farm. If your farm is not in a high-visibility location, an agricultural directional sign can help increase business. The updated packet features a new fact sheet, easy to follow instructions, photos of the signs, and sample product icons, in addition to the detailed criteria sheets and application forms required by the MassHighway Department. The Agricultural Directional Signage Program is managed in cooperation with the Massachusetts Highway Department and in collaboration with the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. For more information on the program, contact Diane Baedeker Petit at 617-626-1752, Diane.Baedeker@state.ma.us or visit the above web page. Farmers' Market OpportunitiesThe following markets are looking for vendors for the 2003 season. For information on specific markets, get in touch with the contacts listed below. For general information on Massachusetts farmers' markets, contact David Webber at 617-626-1754, David.Webber@state.ma.us.
For the following markets contact Jeff Cole at the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets, 781-893-8222, or thefmfm@speakeasy.net. Organic growers especially needed.
New Farmers' Market Planned for HopkintonWeston Nurseries is sponsoring a Farmers' Market to complement its involvement in the new "People, Places and Plants" television show that starts this spring. The market is being planned for Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, starting in late June or early July. Space is available for about six vegetable and fruit growers, and would also like to have dairy products, bakery products, cheeses, gourmet jams and spreads, honey products, fish and eggs. Space for vendors will be rented at $25 per market day. Hopkinton is located near the Route 495 and Mass Pike interchange. The nursery is located conveniently about three miles east of exit 21A on Route 495. Parking for both trucks and customers is well placed. The nursery will provide publicity, signage, and grocery bags. For questions, expressions of interest, applications and market rules, please contact Tim Kiely, Garden Center Manager, Weston Nurseries, 93 East Main Street, Hopkinton, MA, 01748. Phone: 508-293-8079, Email: TimK@WestonNurseries.com Mass Turnpike Markets Continue for 2003 SeasonThe Massachusetts Turnpike Authority is once again making free space available to local farmers at all 11 of its service areas along the MassPike. Space will be made available on a first come, first served basis for farmers to sell farm products and goods that are made in Massachusetts and that do not compete with MassPike service area vendors. Interested growers can contact David Fenton at 781-431-5192 or email dave.fenton@mta.state.ma.us. The market will commence the week of May 11th and continue through the late fall. UMass Laboratory Diagnoses Turf And Landscape ProblemsAccurate diagnosis for a turf or landscape problem can often eliminate or reduce the need for pesticide use. The UMass Extension Urban Forestry Diagnostic Laboratory provides analysis, identification and ecologically sound management strategies for diseases and insects of woody plants, turf insects; and weeds in turf, landscapes and nursery operations. Identification of turfgrasses is also offered. The laboratory is available to commercial landscape contractors, turf managers, arborists, nurseries and other green industry professionals. Weeds, turf and woody plant insects, and woody plant disease samples as well as turfgrass samples for identification are accepted. UMass Extension specialists provide accurate problem diagnosis and offer pest management strategies that are research based, economically sound and environmentally appropriate for the situation. Send specimens and payment (payable to UMass) to Urban Forestry Diagnostic Lab, 160 Holdsworth Way, Holdsworth Natural Resources Center, UMass, Amherst, MA 01003. A woody plant disease analysis is $50.00. All insect, weed and turfgrass identification samples are $25.00 each. Management strategies are provided with disease, insect and weed diagnosis. For more detailed submission instructions go to www.umassgreeninfo.org or www.umassturf.org and click on "Diagnostics" or call 413-545-3208. Turfgrass disease samples should be directed to the UMass Turf Disease Diagnostic Lab. For more info specifically on turf disease diagnostics, contact Dr. Gail Schumann at (413) 545-3413 or click on "Diagnostics" at www.umassturf.org. Mass. Cheese Producer Wins National AwardHillman Harvest Cheese, Colrain won second place in the Hard Goats Milk Cheese class - in the 2003 United States Championship Cheese Contest in Milwaukee. Cheesemakers and buttermakers in 21 states entered 681 cheeses and butters that were judged March 10-12 in Milwaukee. Owner Carolyn Hillman was excited about winning the silver! This biennial contest featured 35 classes in total, and judges selected gold, silver and bronze medalists in each class. Entries were received from 21 states including Massachusetts. Hillman has close to 40 dairy goats, lots of kids, and makes five varieties of aged goat milk cheese. NOFA/Mass Hires Organic Ag ExpertThe Northeast Organic Farming Association of Massachusetts (NOFA/Mass) has hired Ed Stockman as its first Organic Extension Educator. He will provide informational and educational services to farmers, gardeners and others interested in organic agriculture. Mr. Stockman is an agrobiologist and holds both B.S. and M.S. degrees in biology. He grew up in a farming family and has been an organic vegetable and berry grower for 31 years. Anyone having questions about organic growing methods or about transitioning to organic practices can contact him at Summit Farm, 131 Summit Street, Plainfield, MA 01070 or 413-634-5024 or stockman@bcn.net. Horse Manure Management InitiativeA partnership of agricultural, equestrian and conservation groups are announcing the Horse Manure Management Initiative (HMMI). The initiative is an effort to help small-scale horse owners and stables, often in suburban and urban communities, manage the horse manure generated by their operations. This by-product is too often left in a pile behind the barn, often in wetland areas. Surface water quality is a resource concern in these situations. Horse owners have indicated an interest in receiving technical and financial assistance in addressing this situation, but want that assistance to be voluntary, not regulatory. The Massachusetts Farm Bureau; Mass. Stable Owners, Operators and Instructors Association; Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk and Norfolk conservation districts; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and the Patriot Resource Conservation & Development Council are sponsoring a partnership effort to link the providers of technical and financial assistance with horse owners. The HMMI will demonstrate improved surface and groundwater quality in the area of Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk counties, with other locations to follow as sponsorship and participation grow. HMMI will also identify horse owner concerns and address them through education, outreach, and public policy. The following technical and financial assistance is available through the initiative:
For more information, contact Dwane Coffey, Patriot RC&D Coordinator, 319 Littleton Rd. Ste. # 302 Westford, MA 01886, 978-692-1904, x108. Swine Information DayMassachusetts pork producers are invited to join the New Hampshire Pork Producers Council for it's 7th annual Swine Information Day and Auction on Saturday, May 31st from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Deerfield, NH fairgrounds on Route 43. The event includes a pig roast, mini-trade show, 4H & NHPPC food concession, and educational information. Special guest: Nicole Boettger, Assistant Director for Producer Outreach from the National Pork Board. Piglet auction at 1:00pm Admission and parking are free and the facility is handicapped accessible. The event will be held rain or shine. Out-of-state buyers must bring a blanket permit from their state department of agriculture for the transportation of livestock Call Steve Corsetti at 603-768-5545 or Forrest Esenwine at 603-529-2758 for more information. See Your Product on WGBH 2 & 44, June 1-7, 2003Are you interested in showcasing your product on a television program with an audience of more than one million viewers? Do you thoroughly enjoy and appreciate public broadcasting? If your answer is YES, then it is time to get involved in the WGBH AUCTION! Get valuable television exposure at minimum cost and take advantage of this irresistible opportunity by donating your products to the WGBH AUCTION. Contact Trishia at 617-300-4207 or trishia_lichauco@wgbh.org for more information. NEWS FROM USDANRCS Unveils Web-based Registry for Technical ExpertsThe USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service has unveiled a web-based registry of technical experts, making it easier for landowners to locate service providers and achieve conservation goals. "Our online registry will become a convenient resource. We are building a directory of certified conservation professionals from the private sector, nonprofit organizations and public agencies who can provide technical assistance and conservation services directly to landowners," NRCS State Conservationist Cecil B. Currin said. Technical assistance includes conservation planning and design, layout, installation, and checkout of approved conservation practices. TechReg-the technical service provider registry-will allow interested individuals and organizations to apply and request certification for their skills over the internet. Once they are certified, these specialists will then be able to list their services, credentials and accomplishments in the on-line directory. Farmers and landowners can access this directory using a web browser, making it easy to locate and choose reputable service providers in their area. "TechReg is an example of our commitment to offer e-government services...to deliver programs, services and information through electronic means whenever practical," Currin said. E-government services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are conducted on the internet in a secure and protected environment. This service is an alternative way of doing business with USDA agencies, rather than driving to a USDA Service Center. To access on-line conservation services from USDA, go to http://www.sc.egov.usda.gov. To access the TechReg directory or to register to become an approved service provider in Massachusetts, see http://techreg.usda.gov. Crop Disaster Program Q&A Now On-lineIn response to over 600 e-mails with questions, suggestions, comments and concerns about its disaster programs, especially the Crop Disaster Program, USDA's Farm Service Agency has posted questions and answers at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov. New questions can be submitted and the frequently asked questions will be updated on a regular basis. FSA has also posted a two-page document that explains the basics of the CDP and how to calculate program benefits. Additionally, a spreadsheet can be downloaded that will calculate potential disaster benefits by entering a few pieces of data about crop losses. The spreadsheet will work for typical crop losses, but not under all circumstances. For example, the current spreadsheet does not handle "prevented planted" or "unharvested" acres, losses for crops with fresh and processed markets such as apples, or production that has been affected by quality. The formulas in the spreadsheet and the answers to the questions are for illustrative purposes and will not be finalized until the regulations are published in the Federal Register. Actual calculations will be performed by the FSA Service Center once sign-up begins on June 6. The USDA Service Centers can also provide additional information once sign-up begins. Veneman Announces Grants For Renewable Energy InitiativesU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman has announced $23 million in grants for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements programs to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. "These programs support the President's goal to enhance renewable energy supplies," said Veneman. "Developing alternative energy sources that reduce pollution and increase energy security is an important part of the Administration's overall energy policy." The program, available from USDA's Rural Development, was authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill and will be conducted in collaboration with the Department of Energy. Applicants for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program must be agricultural producers or rural small businesses, U.S. citizens or legal residents, and have demonstrated financial need. Rural Development grant funds may be used to pay up to 25 percent of the eligible project costs. Eligible projects include those that derive energy from a wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal source, or hydrogen derived from biomass or water using wind, solar, or geothermal energy sources. Awards will be made on a competitive basis for the purchase of renewable energy systems and to make energy improvements. Information on the grant program and other USDA Rural Development programs can be obtained by visiting: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/. New Agriculture Fact Book Now AvailableThe 2001-2002 Agriculture Fact Book published by USDA is now available. The book includes general information and statistical data about American food consumption, the agricultural sector and rural America. The fact book also describes USDA's wide-ranging programs and services, such as farm programs; exports; rural development, food safety; nutrition; management of land, water, and forests; protecting U.S. borders from pests and diseases; and scientific agricultural research. The Agriculture Fact Book 2001-2002 can be accessed on the web at http://www.usda.gov/factbook. The site includes links and other media that provide further information about agriculture, food, conservation, nutrition, food safety and related issues. Hard copies of the publication are available for sale ($26.00 per copy, ISBN 001-000-04709-4) by the Government Printing Office and can be ordered online at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/. IN EVERY ISSUECLASSIFIED 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 Food and Agriculture reserves the right to refuse any listing it deems inappropriate for publication. E-mail, fax or mail ads 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 CALENDAR
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The good news is that the severe cold and deep snows of the winter of 2003 have gone, but the bad news is that warm weather a couple weeks ago was too warm for ideal sap production. The season of 2003 appears to be summed up by "too cold too early, too warm too soon."
A new and improved "Information and Application Packet" for the Agricultural Directional Signage Program is now available on-line on the Department's web site at