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Massachusetts Department of Food and AgricultureFarm & Market ReportVol. 80, No. 3, May 2003In this issue:
Commissioner's ColumnGet Ready for Fair SeasonBy Douglas P. Gillespie All over the Massachusetts countryside, farmers, their neighbors and their city friends are ready for another exciting and educational season of agricultural fairs, exhibits and shows. It's all part of the celebration of the great diversity, innovation and tradition that characterizes Massachusetts agriculture in the new millennium. In that spirit, I join the members of the state's agricultural and horticultural societies in welcoming you to attend the 54 events scheduled on the 2003 Massachusetts Agricultural Fairs calendar. Members of our agricultural youth organizations - 4-H, the FFA, and the Junior Granges - will share with you all they have learned about the art, science and love of farming. There is something for everyone. Our country fairs provide you and your family with an opportunity to see agriculture in action, to appreciate the works of artisans and craftspeople and experience the vitality of rural Massachusetts. It's a great family outing that's close to home, too! All in all, a visit to one or more of our agricultural events this season promises to be a meaningful and enjoyable adventure. See you at the fairgrounds! LOCAL NEWS2003 Agricultural Fairs Directory Published
The directory provides the dates, location, and admission charge for each fair as well as attractions and entertainment. The booklet also features a list of fairs by date. For a free copy, call Massachusetts Agricultural Fairs 2003, call toll-free 1-877-627-7476. The guide is also on-line at www.mass.gov/dfa/fairs/fair_list.htm. "Fairs are a celebration of the great diversity, innovation and tradition that characterizes Massachusetts agriculture," says Commissioner Doug Gillespie. "Country fairs provide something for everyone in the family and offer a chance to see agriculture in action." American agricultural fairs have their roots in the Bay State. Elkanah Watson exhibited his two Merino sheep on the public square in Pittsfield, Mass. in 1807 and is considered "the father of American Fairs." The first fair in this country - as we know them today - was held in Pittsfield in 1814 by the Berkshire Agricultural Society. Two of three agricultural societies incorporated in Massachusetts in 1818 are still operating fairs today: Essex Agricultural Society at Topsfield and the Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden Agricultural Society at Northampton. Biosecurity for Dairy FacilitiesIn these turbulent times, disease control on the farm is serious business. The goal of biosecurity is to minimize the introduction of disease onto farms, limit the spread of disease already on farms, and reduce the risk of disease being carried between farms. This includes controlling the transmission of disease-causing agents between animals, from animals to feed and from animals to equipment that may directly or indirectly contact other animals. Biosecurity management practices are designed to prevent the spread of disease by minimizing the movement of biologic organisms and their vectors (viruses, bacteria, rodents, flies, etc.) onto and within your operation through animals, vehicles, visitors, personnel, pests, and other means. An additional factor in biosecurity is to keep the farm protected from intentional or unintentional tampering with the farm, animals or equipment which may instigate a disease outbreak. While developing and maintaining biosecurity is difficult, it is the cheapest, most effective means of disease control available, and no disease prevention program will work without it. Detailed Biosecurity Guidelines for Dairy Facilities are available on the MDFA website at www.mass.gov/dfa/animalhealth/dairy_facility_biosecurity.htm. Applications for Farm Viability Enhancement Program AvailableThe Department's Farm Viability Enhancement Program is designed to assist farmers in improving the economic bottom line and environmental integrity of their operations through the development and implementation of business plans tailored to their situations. The program has three phases: In Phase I, a farmer will work with a planning team to develop a plan to increase on-farm income and preserve the farm's environmental resources. In Phase II, funding may be available to a farmer to implement his or her plan in exchange for implementing selected elements of the plan and granting an agricultural use covenant for a five or ten year term. Phase III is a reporting phase after completion of the changes recommended in the plan. Applications are available on line at http://www.comm-pass.com or by calling the Farm Viability Program at 617-626-1725. The deadline for applications is Monday, June 30, 2002. Cranberry Viability Program Begins AnewFunding for the Cranberry Viability Program, delayed due to the state's budget crisis and bond cap ratings, has now been authorized and a new round of the program will begin. The program is administered by the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture. The purpose of the program is to improve the economic productivity and environmental integrity of participating farms through the development and implementation of Cranberry Viability (Business) Plans. The program has three phases: planning, implementation and reporting. In order to advance from Phase I to Phase II, the farm must have a plan of action to increase on-farm income and/or preserve the farm's environmental resources. In Phase II, funding may be available to a farm to implement selected elements of the plan in exchange for granting the State an agricultural use (non-development) covenant on the farm. The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association is currently working with DFA to develop a working schedule for this new round and will be communicating the request for applications shortly. Anyone interested in this program is encouraged to contact Eric Langone at 508-759-1041 x.12 or elangone@cranberries.org. Cranberry Harvest Festival Moves to PlymouthThe Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association has announced that the Annual Massachusetts Cranberry Harvest Festival(tm) is moving to the Town of Plymouth. The exact location will be announced in the weeks to come. The festival will continue to be held on Columbus Day weekend beginning on October 11th to 13th in 2003. A new location will facilitate expanded opportunities involving the local community and businesses in support of the Massachusetts cranberry industry. The association affirmed that the relocation will strongly enhance the visitors' experience and better facilitate the infrastructure needed to facilitate this event. Plymouth, which was the site of the first Thanksgiving celebration hosting 1,200 acres of cranberry bogs, attributes a special blend of history, recreation, arts and adventure that is sure to please every family member. Organized by the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association, the Festival will continue to provide live demonstrations of cranberry harvesting, cooking with cranberries, children's entertainment, live music, a craft fair, rides and much more. During the course of the three-day event, visitors will learn about the harvesting activity that occurs throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. To complement the harvest activity, cranberry growers and guides will offer facts and stories about the cranberry. In addition, the new location will offer visitors the opportunity to explore the nearby sights and attractions of Plymouth. Whether its walking down the long beaches of white sand or visiting the historic downtown, visitors can expect to have an action packed weekend making for an excellent vacation during the beautiful New England autumn season. For more information on the Massachusetts Cranberry Harvest Festival(tm) call 508-759-1041 x13 or visit www.cranberries.org/festival. Massachusetts Marketplace Festival Returns to Elm BankSaturday, August 2, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm The popular summertime favorite, Massachusetts Marketplace, is returning to Elm Bank this summer! Celebrating the quality and abundance of local agriculture, floriculture, specialty foods and crafts, the festival features the finest from Massachusetts' fields, farms, gardens and kitchens. Families flock to Elm Bank to enjoy a full day of sampling, activities and horticultural information for gardeners and gourmets. Event is produced by the Massachusetts Horticulture Society, with in-kind support from the Mass. Department of Food and Agriculture, at MHS headquarters, the Elm Bank Horticulture Center, on Route 16 in Wellesley, MA. To find out more, or to reserve exhibit space, call Carolyn Weston at 617-933-4984 or cweston@masshort.org. The event is held rain or shine. Farmers' Market NewsMarket Opportunity: A new farmers' market is being planned for Codman Square in Boston. Interested growers can contact Doreen Tracy at 617-822-8182. Growers and Others Wanted! The Franklin Downtown Partnership is organizing a Farmers' Market & Harvest Festival on Saturday September 20th in downtown Franklin. We are looking for growers, producers of jam, honey, etc. to join in this fall festival where adults will enjoy the farmers' fresh produce and goods, and arts and crafts tables, and children will enjoy games, face painting and more. For more information contact Carol Harper, Downtown Manager, Franklin Downtown Partnership 508-520-4907 or charper@franklin.ma.us. Mass Turnpike Markets Continue for 2003 Season: The 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. Farmers' Market Info On-line: Information for growers interested in selling at farmers' markets is available on-line, including the newly updated Farmers' Market Directory which provides market contact information. Go to www.mass.gov/dfa/markets/farmersmarkets/resources_growers.htm. A consumer listing of 93 farmers' markets across the Commonwealth is now available on the MDFA web site at www.mass.gov/massgrown. The list is organized by county and includes links to a county map, a guide to crops by season, shopping tips, storage tips and nutrition information. The Federation of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets also offers consumer, grower and market manager information on their web site at www.massfarmersmarkets.org. Berkshire Grown Restaurant Week: June 1st-5thDine out and Support Local Farms!Berkshire Grown is offering a Spring culinary treat. Nine member restaurants will feature a Berkshire-grown three-course menu, each course featuring locally grown or produced foods at a total discounted cost of $20.03. All funds go towards supporting local agriculture. Berkshire Grown is a community organization supporting local agriculture. Berkshire Grown Restaurant Week is Berkshire Grown's way of building new community membership, thanking existing members and boosting awareness of the farm-to-restaurant connection. The event is open to all members; new members can sign up at the restaurants during that week or any time on-line at www.berkshiregrown.org, or by calling 413-528-0041. (Memberships start at $25.00 per individual $35.00 per family.) Participating restaurants include Baba Louie's (2 meals for l), Castle Street Café, Church Street Café, The Gateways, John Andrews, Old Inn on the Green, Rouge,Taconic Restaurant, and Wheatleigh (lunch only). All new funds received, including new memberships and renewed memberships, will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $12,000, through a challenge grant by a number of local businesses and individuals. Challengers include Four Winds, Inc, The Joseph & Carol Reich Foundation Wheeler and Taylor Insurance and The Richmond Land Trust and private donors. Three local BG member stores -- The Berkshire Coop Market in Great Barrington, The Market in North Adams and Wild Oats Community Market in Williamstown -- will donate one percent of their gross sales to Berkshire Grown during Berkshire Grown Restaurant Week! Crop Insurance Education Can Come to You!(It's more useful than you think - and, thanks to recent changes, different from what you have heard) MDFA, working with the USDA Risk Management Agency, the New England Small Farm Institute and UMass Extension, is offering training and information on the use of Crop Insurance as a tool in managing production and financial risk on farms. Some 31 agriculture professionals in Massachusetts were recently trained on the ins and outs of crop insurance - and had a chance to question agents and lenders who work with the multiple products relevant to Massachusetts. Individual commodity policies are currently available for apples, clams, corn (both sweet and silage), cranberries, nursery, peaches, potatoes, winter squash, and tobacco. Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) insurance is also available - a product that protects the bottom line for many growers of diverse crops. In 2003-04, Pennsylvania's pilot "AGR-Lite" policies may come to Massachusetts. This new product adds income coverage for livestock producers, may be available for newer farmers with less than 5 years history, and solves some other issues with regular AGR. Grower groups, commodity executives, trade show hosts and others with direct farmer contact can reach Rick Chandler at 413-577-0459 to see if we can work with you to co-host meetings, provide handouts and perhaps even hold tailored workshops on site. We have some cash to add such outreach efforts to your regular agendas. Any summer meeting opportunities would be particularly relevant, as most of the purchase deadlines for crop insurance are in the Fall. Bay State Farmers Gearing Up for Growing SeasonHere's the run down of farm activities across the state last week, according to the New England Agricultural Statistics Service: Berkshire County: Operators getting equipment ready for spring work. Only a little ground tilling (still cold and wet). A little sweet corn planting under plastic, also some potato planting. Some removal of mulch on berry fields and planting of cold tolerant fruit and vegetables. Orchard growers are still pruning their trees and some are spraying. Warm temperatures a few weeks ago shifted the trees to budding. Reports are that orchard trees wintered very well. Maple syrup production was on and off during a late sap run with below normal volume but some high quality syrup. Half an inch of snow midweek and a quarter inch of rain on the weekend. Agricultural land wintered very well because of good ground cover of snow. Frost was not too deep in these fields. Operators have very little funds for spring planting requirements. Bristol County: The season is way behind due to the cold, wet weather. Very little is planted. Apples just beginning to show bud break. But we have plenty of water. Essex/Middlesex County: Cool, wet weather has hampered fieldwork. Very little sweet corn under plastic has been planted. Forecast calls for warmer weather, which should allow for increased fieldwork. Franklin County: Cool temperatures have delayed most farming schedules in Franklin County. Most farmers agree that we're about two weeks behind schedule but that will change quickly after the weather improves. Activities this week include pruning, sub-soiling, burning low bush blueberries and uncovering strawberries. Potato and sweet corn growers are just getting started with their early plantings. Hampshire/Hampden County: A cool week with rain showers off and on. Many farmers reported this rain was needed. Vegetable farmers were planting sweet corn under plastic, potatoes, lettuce, cabbage, carrots and parsnips. Dairy farmers were spreading manure, repairing fence and seeding new alfalfa fields. Easter flower sales were excellent at the farm stands. Lime was also being applied to many fields. Plymouth County: Cranberries: One year ago, water levels were a great concern, but there is plenty of water going into this growing season. Reservoirs are back to normal or above-normal levels. Cranberry vines appeared to have wintered very well. A good percentage of the acreage was ice-sanded in January. Early cultivars are greening up nicely, but later cultivars still have their dormant red color. One frost night of significance last week. Weeds are starting to appear. Growers are applying pre-emergent herbicides, cleaning ditches, finishing renovation projects prior to vine planting. Much more optimism in the industry than 12 months ago. Worcester County: Some of the higher located fields plowed and harrowed. Some fields still too wet to drive in. A little too early to plant crops. Fruit trees still being planted, raspberries, strawberries, peas, carrots and Swiss chard. Some farmers using chicken manure holding from year to year. The season for planting is about two weeks behind due to the cold winter and excessive snow. We had a cooler than usual winter. Many crops started in greenhouses. A little early to tell if any loss on peaches. The cold winter "may" affect the peach crop - little early to tell. Environmental NewsWater Quality Improvement Funding AwardedThe Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program awarded $150,000 to 13 farmers in April. This year five cranberry growers, three dairy farmers, four vegetable growers and one orchard received funding to improve water quality on their operations. The farms were located across the state in Berkshire, Franklin, Norfolk, Hampden, Hampshire and Plymouth counties. Funded projects include: irrigation pumps and heads for cranberry growers, pesticide storage sheds, trickle irrigation, and cement for barnyard management areas. For more information contact Susan Phinney, Coordinator, at 617-626-1772 or Susan.Phinney@state.ma.us. Agro-Environmental Technology Program Awards FundingThirty thousand dollars was available in fiscal year 2003 to award to new and innovative projects that improve the agricultural industry in Massachusetts. Six projects were funded and include a feasibility study of a community kitchen in Dartmouth; the design of a new educational curriculum centered on agriculture for grades 2 and 7; research into extending the fruit quality of apples in long-term storage; Linking local schools with growers to buy local products; researching more efficient methods to combat Apple Scab and; researching new methods to reduce organics in runoff water. For more information contact Susan Phinney, Coordinator, at 617-626-1772 or Susan.Phinney@state.ma.us. Source Water Assessment Grant BeginsDFA has been awarded an education and technical assistance grant from the Department of Environmental Protection to work with farmers and municipal officials in Franklin and Worcester counties. The purpose of the grant is to inform dairy farmers and farmers who apply pesticides about the source water assessment program and what practices can be used to mitigate any potential impact the farm might have. Through this grant the project coordinator will also work with municipal officials in these counties to discuss the best management practices farmer use to improve water quality. The project will begin in early May when Angie Moschini comes on-board as the Project Coordinator. NEWS FROM USDANutrition Info Now Available For Home ComputersAccessing the U.S. Department of Agriculture's online National Nutrient Database is now easier than ever. A user-friendly, searchable version of the authoritative nutrition database is available for download onto personal computers (PCs) and laptops free of charge. "The accessibility of the database will make it easier for consumers to make healthy choices by providing important information to personal computers." said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman. Last year USDA announced the portable version of the nutrient database for users of personal digital assistants, or PDAs. This latest announcement extends the availability of the information to personal computers. The information lists up to 117 nutrients for more than 6,000 food items. Each item can be found in any one of 22 food-group categories. The PC-download capability is available on the USDA web site today. After an initial download and installation, the database can be accessed from the computer's hard drive. The PC application expands the accessibility of the database to more users and includes an option to search the entire database at once, or more narrowly by specified food groups. A portion modifier option is also included. For example, after clicking on carrots, raw, the user can choose from a variety of standard portion sizes. But if the user would prefer to increase or decrease the amounts, portions can be customized to suit individual needs. The search term "not" is also featured, which allows users to screen out unwanted foods by designating, for example, "carrots not raw." Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Nutrient Data Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., worked with HealtheTech Inc. of Golden, Colo., through a cooperative research and development agreement, to provide users with a downloadable search application for use on their PCs. The lab is part of the ARS Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center. ARS is USDA's chief scientific research agency. The new PC-download version requires about 70 megabytes of disk space on a hard drive. The application runs on all Windows(r) versions from Windows 98 SE (Second Edition) to the most recent edition. To download the nutrient database software, go to http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp. Under the red "Search the Nutrient Database" label, click on "Download Software." Read more about NDL's recent upgrades by visiting: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/mar03/nutr0303.htm. 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
About the Farm & Market ReportPublished monthly by: Commonwealth
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Massachusetts Agricultural Fairs 2003, an annual guide to a perennial favorite family pastime, has been published by the state Department of Food and Agriculture. The 20-page booklet lists nearly 60 major, community, youth, livestock and Grange fairs held across the Bay State every summer and fall.
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