MDAR - Farm and Market Report - September, October 2003

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has been very busy in recent weeks as we aggressively work to get several important programs fully implemented. $175,000 in Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program projects addressing water quality and water conservation issues on farms have been approved, and are moving forward. Fully subscribed rounds of both the Farm Viability Enhancement Program and the Cranberry Viability Program are moving ahead. In fact, we are also moving to renew or extend covenants for the early rounds of Farm Viability as well.

We are pleased to be able to honor the bond bill earmark and provide $180,000 in funding for the Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP), which will enable them to continue their excellent technical services and programs assisting the agricultural sector in southeastern Massachusetts. Our Aquaculture program will be implementing a new mini-grant program, and we are working with MassGIS and USDA/NRCS to complete the soil digitization mapping program in Franklin and Plymouth counties to finish off the entire state!

We are also pleased to partner with NRCS in providing a total of $400,000 to the conservation districts in Massachusetts to hire technical assistance specifically to reduce the backlog in farmers waiting for NRCS Conservation Farm Plans. I personally believe that this investment will pay handsome dividends in helping farmers be the best environmental stewards possible.

The Agricultural Preservation Restriction program staff are busy completing several dozen projects this fiscal year, using a mix of state, federal and local funds. We will be able to protect about 3,500 additional farmland acres this year, and reduce the waiting list for the popular APR program.

Our Animal Health, Biosecurity and Dairy Division is expecting additional responsibility from the feds in implementing both "Mad Cow" surveillance and testing, and the proposed National Animal Identification & Tracking System. Subject to congressional appropriation, it is slated to be each state's responsibility to implement the "Premise Identification" portion, or register and identify each site in the state where livestock, poultry or horses are kept. The second phase of the federal program is expected to be individual animal identification and tracking, and this will be a huge undertaking. This means that animals will be identified (probably through a microchip) and then by using scanners that animals movements will be tracked and made part of their permanent history. This means animals moving to fairs and shows will be scanned in, and scanned out when they leave! It going to take some getting used to, but it is the new world in which we live!

The Regulatory and Consumer Services Divisision is making great strides to streamline our licensing, inspection and product registration operations. By July 1 we expect to have every departmental form, regulation or approved policy available online at our website: www.mass.gov/agr.

Doug Gillespie

Ag-tourism Massachusetts Highway Map

Attention Ag-tourism Farms: The Dept. has received a $49K grant from USDA's Rural Development to produce a full-size Ag-tourism Massachusetts Highway Map. This is an excellent opportunity to list all farms that offer an aspect of tourism on thier farm. Agri-tourism can be farm-based accommodations, meals, activities, farm festivals/events, and retail activities where the traveling public interacts directly with the farm family/farm workers.

We plan to produce over 200K maps to be distibuted this spring throughout the Commonwelath. Surveys have recently been mailed out. If you have not received one and would like to be listed, please contact Rick LeBlanc for a survey by March 17th at 617-626-1759, 413-545-2353, or email to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us.

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BIOTERRORISM and ANIMALS: Awareness and Response Workshops

Animals may play a significant sentinel function in the event of a bioterrorist assault. Many of the potential biological warfare agents affect animals as well as humans. Any individual working with or providing care for food-producing and/or companion animals is invited to attend a BT Awareness and Response Workshop. The workshop will prepare you to recognize the clinical syndromes that may signal a possible bioterrorist event.

You are encouraged to attend, especially if you represent one of the following positions: Animal Control Officer, Animal Shelter Staff, Animal Laboratory Employee, Backyard Farmer, Board of Health Members, Companion Animal Owner, Companion Animal Groomer, Companion Animal Boarder, Companion Animal Trainer, Emergency Management Personnel, Feed and Grain Store Employee, Horse Stable Owner, Horse Trainer, Livestock Market Employee, Livestock Owner, Livestock Transporter, Municipal Animal Inspector, Pet Store Employee, Public Health Officer, Riding Instructor or a Veterinary Care Provider.

The following is a list of the workshops being offered. Morning workshops are held from 10am - 12pm, and Evening workshops are held from 6pm - 8pm:

Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy March 23, 2004 evening,
Dedham Public Library March 24, 2004 evening,
Framingham Public Library March 25, 2004 morning,
Cambridge Public Library March 25, 2004 evening,
Plymouth Public Library March 30, 2004 morning,
Wellesley Public Library March 30, 2004 evening,
Westford Public Library March 31, 2004 morning,
Lincoln Public Libray March 31, 2004 morning,
Waltham Public Library April 1, 2004 morning,
North Andover Public Library April 1, 2004 evening,
Tufts Libary, Weymouth April 6, 2004 evening,
Jones Library, Amherst April 8, 2004 evening,
Wareham Library April 13,2004 morning,
Foxborough Library April 13, 2004 evening,
Worcester Public Library April 14, 2004 morning,
Williamstown Public Library April 14, 2004 evening,
Harwich Public Library, April 15, 2004 morning,
Leominister Public Library April 15, 2004 evening,
Lynn Public Library April 27, 2004 morning,
Middleboro Public Library April 27, 2004 evening,
Mashpee Public Library April 28, 2004 morning,
Wilmington Public April 28, 2004 evening,
Westfield Public Library April 29, 2004 morning,
Palmer Public Library April 29, 2004 evening,
Hingham Public Library May 4, 2004 evening,
Newburyport Public Library May 5, 2004 morning,
Gardner Public Library May 5, 2004 evening,
Attleboro Public Library May 6, 2004 morning,
Lee Public Library May 6, 2004 evening,
Gloucester Public Library May 12, 2004 morning,
Truro Public Library May 12, 2004 evening,
Greenfield Public Library May 13, 2004 morning,
Ipswich Public Library May 20, 2004 morning.

For more information, contact Maxene Armour at (617) 626-1812 or email: maxene.armour@state.ma.us

Farmers' Markets Seeking Vendors for upcoming Season

For the following markets contact the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets, 781-893-8222 or thefmfm@speakeasy.net:

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority is once again making space available at no charge to local farmers to sell their produce, as well as made in Mass. products at all 11 of their service areas along the Mass Pike. All products that do not compete with the businesses that operate within the service plazas will be considered. This season's markets will open May 13 and continue through the Fall. For more info., contact David Fenton at 781-431-5192 or dave.fenton@mya.state.ma.us.

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Massachusetts Poultry Enhancement Council Open Meeting

An informational meeting will take place, Thursday, March 25th at the Thayer Memorial Library, 717 Main Street, Lancaster and will focus on issues facing all aspects of poultry production in Mass. You are encouraged to bring your ideas and concerns. The following is the meeting agenda:

Farmstead Cheese Making Workshops Scheduled

The Training Center for Farmstead Milk Processing at Westminster Dairy, in Westminster VT, at Livewater Farm is presenting a series of two-day workshops in making cheese and other dairy products on the farm, taught by Peter Dixon and special guests.

Through making cheese and other dairy products and receiving classroom instruction at Westminster Dairy, participants will learn the fundamentals of milk processing and how to set up and improve their own farmstead cheese businesses. Lunches and course materials, including many tried and true recipes, will be provided. Cost is $250, payable on arrival. Contact Peter Dixon at Westminster Dairy, 1289 Westminster West Rd., Westminster, VT 05346. Tel. 802-387-5110 or Email pdixon@sover.net for further details and to sign up.

Schedule as follows:

April 17-18: Four Blue cheeses from sheep, cow and goat milk, including Bleu de Gex (tomme-style).
May 1-2: British cheeses: Caerphilly, Colwick, Cheddar (cloth-bound), and Chesire.

The Five Dirty Dozen of Turf and Landscape Workshop

Five UMass Extension Educators from the Turf and Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Programs will each select their top "Dirty Dozen" for a workshop intended for garden center employees, landscape professionals, turf managers and nursery growers. The workshop will be held on Thursday, April 8th at the Moakley Center at Bridgewater State College. The "Dirty Dozen" includes the most commonly asked about and difficult to manage pests or problems encountered by Green Industry professionals. The most effective management options for each pest, in an IPM framework, will be discussed. The impact of cultural practices with regard to pest occurrence will be included. The following is the workshop agenda:

New Extension Web Spotlight

UMass Extension is pleased to announce the advent of a new feature on the UMass Extension web site, our "Faculty Spotlight." This profile of a faculty or staff member will be used to spread the word on innovative and interesting research and educational work going on in the Extension programs. We are looking forward to these stories changing on a frequent basis so that we have a chance to showcase as many of our colleagues as possible.

Our first spotlight features Extension Professor Frank Mangan, a member of the faculty of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in the College of Natural Resources and the Environment and of the Vegetable team in the Extension Agriculture and Landscape Program. To view the spotlight, please cllick on: http://www.umassextension.org/faculty_staff/spotlight.html .
For more information, contact Joe Shoenfeld - UMass Extension, Communications and Marketing at 413.545.5309.

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Staying on the Farm: New Alternatives in Farming in the Pioneer Valley

Like Old MacDonald¹s farm, many farmers continue with time-honored practices, but they also supplement their income with creative farm-based businesses. A program will be held on Saturday, March 20th from 1 PM to 4 PM at the White Church Community Center, 16 Memorial Stareet, Old Deerfield.

This program will offer local farmers and the public the chance to network and will be a valuable opportunity to exchange information and ask questions. How did the business get started? What have been the challenges and stumbling blocks? What worked, what didn't, and why?

Future farmers and anyone who wants to preserve agricuture in the Pioneer Valley will have the opportunity to meet and hear from several area farmers about what they¹re doing. Meet Clifford Hatch from Upinngil who¹s started a communty growers venture, Carolyn Hillman who makes prize-winning cheeses from her goats' milk in Colrain, Stockbridge Farm's John Warchol with his 3000 lavender plants and Cynthia Herbert who dyes and weaves their Keldaby mohair. Other panelists are Bill and Norma Coli from Blue Heron Farm in Charlemont, Carolyn Wheeler from Shelburne and Richard Odman who runs the farm program at Northfield Mount Hermon.

After the initial presentations, audience members will join in a discussion about finding financial solutions to the question of how farming can be self-sustaining and profitable today. There will be light refreshments from local farms. For more information, call the Pioneer Valley Institute at (413) 775-1254 or e-mail herbert@gcc.mass.edu.

Transferring the Farm Workshop

Transferring the Farm is a day long workshop designed to help farmers and farm families make informed decisions about tranferring the farm to the next generation.

It will be held on Wednesday, March 31st, from 8am to 3pm, at the Sturbridge Host Hotel, Route 20, Sturbridge. $25 registration fee. The workshop will address details on retirement and estate planning, legal approaches to protect assets from taxes, tools used to transfer farm assets, and goal setting to address transfer planning. Hosted by Land Link Vermont at the Univ. of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the New England Small Farm Institute and the Northeast Center for Risk Management Education For more information, contact Deb Heleba at 802-656-0233 or Kathy Ruhf at 413-323-4531.

Conservation Options and Estate Planning Workshop

Held at Discovery Center, Turners Falls, MA
March 27, 2004 (Saturday), 9:30 A.M. - 12:00 Noon

Join us to learn about land conservation tax benefits, land protection options and estate planning with nationally recognized tax attorney Todd Mayo, Leigh Youngblood, Executive Director of the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, Gerrit Stover, Director of the Valley Land Fund and Robert A. Levite, Esq., UMASS Extension.

This workshop will be held on Saturday, March 27th at the Discovery Center, Turners Falls from 9:30 AM to 12:00 Noon. Pre-registration is preferred. Donation $5 per family. Contact Mount Grace for details, directions and to register: 978-248-2043 or Email at: landtrust@mountgrace.org Sponsored by UMASS Extension, Mount Grace Land Trust, Rattlesnake Gutter Trust and Franklin Land Trust.

Massachusetts Farmers in the News

Organic Certification Costs Reimbursement Program

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources sources has received funding from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to reimburse certified organic farmers and certified organic processors up to 75% ($500 maximum) of total certification costs.

These funds are available to farms and/or processors inspected and certified and/or inspected and receiving renewal of certification between Oct. 1, 2003 and Sept. 30, 2004. Applications for reimbursement are due by Oct. 15, 2004.

The cost-share program aims to assist eligible organic crop, livestock producers and food processors in transitioning to the National Organic Program and to provide an incentive to adopt the national standards.

For a copy of the organic certification cost reimbursement application please contact Ellen Hart at (617) 626-1742, or at ellen.hart@state.ma.us.

For questions regarding the certification process or to apply to be certified organic, contact: Baystate Organic Certifiers, Don Franczyk, Certification Administrator: 978-297-4171 dfranczyk@starpower.net.

Maple Kick-Off

The fifth Annual “March is Maple” kick-off was celebrated at Boyden Brothers Sugar House in Conway on March 5th. There was a reading of the Governor’s Proclamation for March is Maple Month, ceremonial tree tapping, and sugar house tour.

Restaurants from the Berkshire to Boston have teamed up with Bay State maple sugar producers to market Massachusetts Maple Month by featuring special menus that highlight maple in fine cuisines. Massachusetts sugar makers rank 8th in the nation, producing over 40,000 gallons of delicious syrup each year, with a retail value of over $1.5 million dollars. Sugar makers that incorporative agri-entertainment into the sugaring season add anther few million dollars to the rural Massachusetts economy.

For more information on maple sugaring in Massachusetts and restaurants featuring maple meals, visit www.massmaple.org.

It's Time for America in Bloom (AIB)
Planting Pride in our Communities

NEWS FROM USDA

Veneman Launches E-Gov Initiatives to Meet the Needs of USDA Customers

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman recently announced that e Government initiatives would be a special focus of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2004. "E Government is an important part of President Bush's Management Agenda to improve the operations of government," Veneman said during remarks via satellite to the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting. "The computer has already taken its place next to the plowshare and tractor as indispensable to farmers. USDA's e Government initiatives will standardize processes and provide tools to unleash the fuller potential of information technology. Our goal is to operate more efficiently in order to be more responsive to the needs of American agriculture and consumers."

Veneman said that visitors to the USDA website, www.usda.gov, will begin to see a new design, which is the first phase in efforts to make the website a more powerful and improve access to USDA information and science. "The new look will be followed by improved functionality," Veneman said. "We will continue adding features for users, culminating in August with the launch of 'MyUSDA.gov' to provide a customized version of the USDA homepage for individual users based on their unique needs."

Other features that users will see soon include a "customer statement." Customer statements will put a whole range of USDA services and programs into a single report at the fingertips of agricultural producers. For instance, farmers would be able to view their contracts in various conservation programs, payments under commodity programs and information on loans and crop insurance. Veneman said that farmers and ranchers will even be able to cross-reference that data with interactive maps of their operations using geographic information systems, or GIS, technology with overlays for roads, soil types, water and other geographic features.

"Producers will have quick and easy access in a single gateway to the volumes and volumes of maps and geospatial data generated by USDA," Veneman said. "Instead of traveling to a county office, farmers and ranchers will be able to log on from a computer to apply for loan deficiency payments over the Internet."

The goal is to provide integrated service around customer needs. For example, USDA is preparing a new Commodity Market Information System, or CMIS, to bring together many sources of commodity information from our various agencies in one place. The CMIS will be up-to-date and searchable providing user-friendly access to the more than 3,000 commodity-related reports USDA produces every year.

Community Food Projects Grants Program Requests Applications

The USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service has issued a request for applications for approximately $4.6 million in 2004 funding under the Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program-the major funding source for the nation's community-based food and agriculture projects. The CFP program supports projects that help meet the food needs of low-income people, increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs, and promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues. It also helps to improve infrastructure, foster long-term planning, or create innovative marketing activities that benefit both agricultural producers and low-income consumers.

Grant requests for projects of up to three years' duration may seek funding up to $300,000, which must be matched dollar for dollar with nonfederal resources. Only private, nonprofit organizations are eligible to receive CFP funds directly, but they are encouraged to collaborate with public and private, for-profit entities. CFP also provides funds for regional and national training and technical assistance programs.

Applications must be submitted electronically by close of business on April 14, 2004. For further information, contact Elizabeth Tuckermanty, Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program, telephone 202/205-0241, e-mail etuckermanty@csrees.usda.gov.

USDA Releases $1.5 Billion for Voluntary Conservation Programs

On January 28, USDA released $1.5 billion in fiscal 2004 conservation program funds following Senate approval of the omnibus appropriations bill. The funding for programs mandated by the 2002 farm bill and administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) includes about $1.2 billion for financial assistance to farmers and $305 million for technical assistance. With the funding allocation, NRCS state offices can begin writing contracts with farmers and ranchers nationwide, easing the backlog in programs to improve soil, water, air, and at-risk habitat on working lands.

The Conservation Security Program (CSP) will receive $40.7 million. By lifting the previously imposed spending cap, the appropriations bill prompted calls for USDA to revise the proposed CSP rule to make it a comprehensive, national entitlement program. In a press release from January 22, 2004, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), criticized the rule for "unilaterally and arbitrarily restricting enrollment and funding for this promising new program. Any supplement or final rule," said Harkin and Smith, "must be true to the CSP as signed into law - a national program that is open to any farmer or rancher who meets its substantial conservation standards."

NRCS implements $6.5 million in Massachusetts’s conservation projects in 2003

Massachusetts’s landowners, working in partnership with NRCS, implemented some $6.5 million worth of conservation projects in 2003 that will safeguard water quality, preserve farmland, improve wildlife habitat and protect wetlands across the Bay State. NRCS programs provided cost-share assistance for the projects.

Plymouth County farmers - primarily cranberry growers - received the most federal cost-share assistance for conservation projects through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) at a total of more than $744,000. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals.

Other areas of the Commonwealth that received significant EQIP funding were Worcester County at $489,000; Franklin County at $454,000; and Hampshire County at $327,000. Statewide, dairy and livestock producers received more than $1 million in conservation assistance through EQIP.

Barnstable County received more than half of Massachusetts' funding allocation for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) at $304,000 for projects such as coastal grassland and salt marsh restoration. The remaining $296,000 funded a variety of wetland, fish passage, grassland and woodland projects statewide.

Some 1,600 acres of prime Massachusetts’s farmland will be protected from development in the coming year with more than $2.8 million in federal funding through the federal Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program (FRPP).

Cranberry growers in Plymouth and Nantucket counties received more than $766,000 through the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) to take cranberry bogs out of commercial production and restore them to natural wetlands.

"I'm pleased with the conservation work that we have accomplished in the commonwealth this year," said State Conservationist Cecil B. Currin. "Although limited resources may have prevented us from providing cost-share assistance to some applicants, I hope that we can do even more this year and encourage farmers to take advantage of the wealth of technical expertise available from their local NRCS office."

Agricultural commissions a growing trend in Mass. towns

Pilgrim Resource Conservation & Development Area Council offers Ag Commission Toolkit on CD-ROM.

The Pilgrim Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area Council has developed a unique resource for farmers, residents and town officials concerned about maintaining farms and farming in their community. "A Toolkit for Organizing a Town Agricultural Commission" is a package of materials on CD-ROM that will guide the user through the process of organizing an agricultural commission.

Town agricultural commissions are appointed town-standing committees that encourage the pursuit of agriculture, and sustain the community's farm businesses and farmlands. Ag commissions are addressing local priorities such as agricultural business development, increasing public awareness of the many benefits that agriculture provides, leadership development, outreach and education to increase the visibility of farms as businesses, and farmland protection. Ag commissions also help farmers network with service providers, resolve potential problems in the early stages, and encourage political activity.

Agricultural commissions are being organized throughout southeastern Massachusetts as a result of the Pilgrim RC&D Area Council's and existing agricultural commission's efforts, as well as financial support from the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture and in-kind support from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

"This partnership is empowering farmers and town residents to organize town agricultural commissions by providing them with much needed coordination assistance, information and planning tools," said Pilgrim RC&D President Bill Napolitano.

The CD-ROM contains 17 sample documents that can be customized by the user. These documents include preparations for exploratory meetings, agendas, talking points, town meeting warrant articles, meeting guidelines, support flyers, agricultural commission work plans and a brochure. The CD also contains a PowerPoint presentation that can be used when speaking to local groups about organizing an Agricultural Commission.

The CD-ROM is available for $10 from the Pilgrim RC&D Area Council. Contact the Pilgrim RC&D Office at 508-295-1317, x131, to request a copy of this informative and useful CD.

The RC&D program is administered by NRCS and promotes conservation, development, and wise use of natural resources to improve economic activity, and to enhance the environment and standard of living in communities. The program is based on the assumption that local citizens, working through non-profit RC&D Councils, and with help provided by the USDA, can develop a plan for the economic, social and environmental enrichment of their communities.

Farm Service Agency Proposes Streamlined Farm Loan Regulations

USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has proposed a rule to simplify and clarify regulations governing direct loans-emergency loans, farm operating loans, and farm ownership loans. The rule also will implement the recommendations of the USDA Civil Rights Action Team and separate the direct farm loan program regulations from those of the rural development mission area loan program. Comments on the rule must be submitted by April 9, 2004. For further information, contact William D. Cobb, FSA, telephone 202/720-1059, e-mail bill_cobb@wdc.usda.gov.

USDA ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL CROP INSURANCE PREMIUM DISCOUNTS

Massachusetts’s producers can receive an additional 5-15% discount off the net producer premium for crop insurance protection on spring planted crops with an enrollment deadline on or after March 15, 2004. In MA this includes new and renewal polices for Corn (Sweet and Grain/Silage), Potatoes, Tobacco and Winter Squash. Additional Nursery subsidies are only available for new policies - not renewals. If you have or sign up for written agreements on crops not listed, and if those crops also have closing dates on or after March 15, you can also receive the discount. AGR, AGR-lite and other policies with closings before March 15 are NOT eligible. If you have already renewed or purchased an eligible policy prior to this notice, you will automatically receive the applicable additional discount - you only need to call if you want to increase your buy-up coverage on these policies.

The largest discounts apply to policies at the 70% and greater level of coverage to make the best protection more affordable.

See a crop insurance agent for details before the March 15 enrollment deadline. If you do not have an agent, contact Rick Chandler at 413-577-0459 for a list.

These additional discounts are made available through the USDA Risk Management Agency and its cooperative agreement in Massachusetts with The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the New England Small Farm Institute.

Farm Credit Awards $37,250 to Northeast Farm Programs

The Northeast Farm Credit institutions recently awarded $37,250 to twelve organizations. The grants will help the recipients carry out programs to promote Northeast agriculture and generate a greater understanding to the non-farm public. The funds were provided as part of the Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program which supports programs and projects to enhance the food and fiber industries in the Northeast. The program is a shared effort of First Pioneer Farm Credit, Farm Credit of Western New York, Yankee Farm Credit, Farm Credit of Maine and CoBank. Individual awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are approved three times per year.

Recipients from Massachusetts:

For information about the AgEnhancement Program and on how to apply for a future grant, contact Annemarie LaZazzera, Co-Bank, at (413) 821-0233 or email: alazazzera@cobank.com.

IN EVERY ISSUE

CLASSIFIED ADS

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 Agricultural Resources 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 Agricultural Resources, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114, 617-626-1750 fax: 617-626-1850, e-mail: Mary.Jordan@state.ma.us

CALENDAR

About the Farm & Market Report

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, Governor
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Ellen Roy Herzfelder, Secretary
Department of Agricultural Resources, Douglas P. Gillespie, Commissioner
251 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1700, fax 617-626-1850
www.Mass.gov/AGR

To unsubscribe or change your address, send an e-mail message to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us or call 617-626-1759.

Next Issue to be published for April/May. Please send news, calendar and/or classified information by April 30th to Mary Jordan at Mary.Jordan@state.ma.us or fax to 617-626-1850.

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Massachusetts Department of
Agricultural Resources

Farm & Market Newsletter

Vol. 81, No. 1 , February/March 2004

In this issue:

Commissioner's Column