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Massachusetts Department of
Agricultural Resources
Farm & Market Report
Vol. 81, No. 5 , October / November 2004
LOCAL NEWS
NEWS FROM USDA
IN EVERY ISSUE
MDAR is co-hosting two meetings about forming agricultural commissions. The purpose of each meeting is to introduce farmers, municipal officials, interested residents and organizations to the concept and benefits of a town agricultural commission.
Farmers and officials from communities that have created ag commissions will speak on the benefits of organizing a commission, why they organized, how they organized, and what they are doing. Commissioner Gillespie will present the state's perspective at both meetings.
NOVMEBER 18, 2004 HAMILTON-WENHAM COMMUNITY HOUSE, Hamilton, MA 6:45PM to 8:00PM Co-sponsored by the Patriot Resource Conservation & Development and a grant from the Coastal Zone Management Agency.. For more information contact Mary Greendale, 508-429-2813 or by email mgreendale@yahoo.com.
DECEMBER 8, 2004, MARION SOCIAL CLUB, Marion 5:30PM to 7:30PM Co-Sponsored by the Westport, Dartmouth and Middleboro Agricultural Commissions, Pilgrim Resource Conservation & Development and a grant from the Coastal Zone Management Agency. For more information contact Barbara Link 508-336-3823 or by email barbaralink@earthlink.net.
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Barns, so typical of the New England landscape only a few decades ago,
are quickly becoming a “lost breed”. In today’s changing agricultural economy,
hundreds of these sturdily built local landmarks are lost every year. A
barn preservation workshop, sponsored by the PreservatiON MASS Barn Preservation
Task Force, aims to slow this trend. PreservatiON Mass is a statewide non-profit
organization dedicated to preserving the Commonwealth’s historic and cultural
resources.
The all-day workshop, “Preserve MASS BARNS!”, will be held Saturday, November 6th in Petersham, Massachusetts at Harvard University’s Forest Fisher Museum. Presentations by barn specialist, Frank White of Old Sturbridge Village, and barn restoration and timber frame experts, Jack A. Sobon and Arron J. Sturgis, will answer basic questions about old barns. Topics include: the most common types of historic barns, how old barns were put together, how to assess a barn’s condition, how to prioritize and plan repairs, identifying what repairs you can do yourself, and a look at successful barn preservation projects. Michael Steinitz of the Massachusetts Historical Commission will discuss available grants, protective listings, and preservation restrictions for historic barns.
The workshop fee is $35.00 for pre-registration, no later than Tuesday,
November 2nd, and $45.00 for late registration and at the door. Registration
forms are available on-line at www.preservationmass.org or at PreservatiON MASS, Old City Hall, 45 School Street, Boston, 02108, telephone 617-723-3383.
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The Request for Response (the application) for the Agricultural Environmental
Enhancement Program (AEEP) is now available. There are TWO (2) due dates
for the response/application – November 26, 2004 and April 1, 2004. The program has expanded this year to include funding activities that improve air quality in addition to funding water quality and conservation measures on Massachusetts’ farms. Eligible growers include all commercial agricultural operations in the Commonwealth including shellfish growers. Funding is made available for installing best agricultural practices. Examples of installations include: pesticide storage shed, trickle irrigation, flumes and manure storage areas.
This year $250,000 is available with a maximum of $24,000 per farm. All
projects must be completed by June 30, 2004. For more information or to
get an application, look on the DFA website www.state.ma.us/agr (and search
under Programs for AEEP). You can also get an application at your county
USDA offices or by calling the Coordinator, Susan Phinney at 617-626-1772
or via email,susan.phinney@state.ma.us.
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A comprehensive set of resource materials are now available to assist farmers better understand and address non-point source pollution issues on their farm. Potentially, these issues, if un-addressed, could contribute to a decrease in water quality. Funded by a grant from the Department of Environmental Protection’s the Source Water Assessment and Protection Program, the “Guide For Farmers to Protect Water Quality” is now ready and available free. To request a copy of the 3-ring binder contact Susan Phinney, at 617-626-1772.
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Here is a low-cost, low-risk opportunity to get product feedback from international buyers and develop business relations and sales. There will be some 20 international buyers in Boston on Thursday, January 13, 2005. There will be 30-minute meetings to meet with each buyer that you have pre-selected prior to the mission. You may use the meetings to cultivate new export sales, solidify relationships with current buyers, or gain primary feedback about your products in specific international markets. The cost is $75.
Buyers will be looking for a vast range of products from a variety of market segments including retail, foodservice, ethnic and healthy/organic. The list of buyers is being finalized. You may obtain FREE pre-meeting assistance including information to develop export pricing and quotations. To review details about the event including buyer profiles and/or sign up for assistance, please contact bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is working closely with Food Export USA Northeast to coordinate this event. www.foodexportusa.org www.mass.gov.gov/agr/.
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NESFP is looking for farmland to use as a training site for immigrant farmers,
as well as farmland that could be leased by individual farmers who have
completed the NESFP training.
NESFP works with immigrants who have agricultural experience to use their
skills to become farmers in Massachusetts by providing trainings, technical
assistance, and a place to farm. Participants in the program begin by completing
an 18 week winter training program, where they develop farm plans, marketing
skills, and risk management strategies. After completion of the course,
farmers are eligible to use up to an acre of land at one of NESFP's training
sites in Dracut or Lancaster. For two to three years, the farmers will
receive continued technical assistance as they gain production and marketing
experience. Participants pay an annual rental fee to the project that covers
land preparation, irrigation, sanitary facilities, and storage. The impact
of NESFP extends beyond the immigrant community, and results in benefits
for landowners and preservation of open space and farmland.
NESFP is looking to establish a permanent training site by leasing or purchasing
an existing farm with 20+ acres of farmable land and some facilities. These
may include a barn, sheds for storage, cooling facilities, irrigation /
access to water, and even a farmhouse where a site manager could live and
farmers could gather. The project is very open to varied suggestions and
opportunities for access to and use of a property. In addition, NESFP is
seeking 5-10 acres of farmland in the Dracut area for one of our farmers
to lease. Please contact Britt Lundgren at NESFP if you are interested
in learning more, Britt.Lundgren@tufts.edu, 617-636-3788, or click here for the the NESFP website.
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Sponsors: New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association & New
England States Cooperative Ext.
When: Saturday November 6, 2004 ALL DAY
Where: White’s of Westport, MA 66 State Road, Route 6, Exit 9 east or Exit
10 West off I-195
Program start: 9:30 AM
Registration: There is a $10 registration fee for those who are not members
of NEV&BGA. This does not include lunch.
-30 min- Recycling Plastics Into Pellets For Use as a Greenhouse Fuel.
This is an update on research being conducted at Penn State University
by Bill Lamont .
-30 min- Update on High Tunnels by Bill Lamont, Penn State University. Bill is co-founder of the Center for Plasticulture and conducts extensive research projects on the use of high tunnels on vegetable, fruit and flower crops.
-30 min- Getting Weather and Frost Predictions On Line by Carolyn Demoranville,
UMass Cranberry Station and Alan Dunham, National Weather Service in Taunton.
-30 min- Food Safety: Field Sanitation, Safe Handling of Food; Record Keeping
and Requirements For Establishments That Serve the Public by Rita Brennan
Olson, UMass Dept of Nutrition. Rita will provide advice on preventing
food-borne illness during production, handling and marketing
-12:00 Lunch. Reservations are required. Contact John Howell at 413-259-1203
by October 31,2004.
-30 min- Plectosporium Disease on Cucurbits Dr. Rob Wick from UMass will bring us up to date on identifying and managing this disease is becoming serious in New England.
-30 min- Trap Cropping and Other Ways to Manage Cucumber Beetles Ruth Hazzard,
UMass. Ruth has been achieving good results by using beetle-attractive
trap crops and other methods to protect cucurbits. This work was funded
in part by a grant from NEV&BGA
-30 min- Diseases on Purchased Cuttings and Plants Rob Wick, UMass. Rob will discuss diseases to look out for on transplants, seedlings and cuttings coming ento the greenhouse and farm and greenhouse and how they can put other plants at risk.
-60 min- Choosing Sprayers, Update on Nozzle Tips and Equip Maintenance
Rick Clark, Orchard Equipment, Conway, MA. Rick will discuss the pros and
cons to consider when choosing sprayers. He will tell us about the latest
2 in nozzle tips and discuss general equipment maintenance, including choice
of lubricants. NOTE: You will earn 3 hours toward pesticide recertification
by attending the afternoon part of this meeting.
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Are any of the brassica crops – anything from cabbage to turnips, bok choi
to broccoli, salad greens to kale – important on your farm? Are you thinking
of moving in some new direction with your brassicas – new crop choices,
new markets, a different production system? Do you have some production
problems – disease, insect, weed, nutrient -- that you would like to find
a better way to solve? Do you wish you knew which brassicas bring you the
best profit? Would you like to extend your production season?If the answer
to any of these questions is “yes”, then this project might be for you!
A new two-year project is starting up and we are looking for growers to
participate.
This project is funded by the Northeast SARE program and led by UMass Extension
and the Connecticut Agricultural Expt. Station. Would you like to be one
of nine growers who will each set their own goals for “achieving high quality
Brassica crops” on their farm? Farmers’ goals can be related to their crop
choice, their markets, their production practices – or their profits. You
will get assistance from specialists in marketing, financial analysis,
nutrient and pest management, or organic production to help you reach your
goal, plus an annual stipend. You’ll attend one winter seminar each year
and receive regular farm visits during the summer. We’ll make sure you
get the help you need to reach your goal!
For more information, please call or email to: Ruth Hazzard (rhazzard@umext.umass.edu, 413-545-3696), Andy Cavanagh (413-577-3976), or Kim Stoner (203-974-8480).
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October 27, 2004
UMass Extension will host an informational meeting about the risks of Ramorum
blight for nursery, garden center and other interested green industry staff.
The first meeting will be on Wednesday October 27, 2004 at 4PM at the Radisson
Hotel in Milford, MA.
In 1993, Phytophthora ramorum was found in Europe in Rhododendron and Viburnum.
During the late 90's, it spread to California and Oregon. As of September
2004, it has been found in 21 states. So far, Massachusetts has been free
of this disease.
Topics to be covered:
* Biology and host range
* Symptoms
* Results of current detection survey activities
Anyone working with nursery stock brought in from out-of-state (landscapers,
garden centers, nursery growers) are urged to attend. The USDA is working
hard to limit the spread of this potentially difficult blight by surveying
nurseries in affected states and by educating as many as possible working
in the green industries in as yet unaffected states. Presenters will be
staff from UMass Extension, MDAR, and MDCR.
No registration is necessary and there is no charge. For more information, contact (413) 545-0895 or greeninfo@umext.umass.edu
Directions: Take Rt. 495 south to exit 19. At the bottom of the exit ramp
take a right, then take your first right between the Burger King and Mobil
gas station. The Radisson in down the road on the left. If taking Rt. 495
north, go left at the bottom of the exit ramp.
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Horticultural Destinations in Massachusetts http://www.umassgardencalendar.org
This theme was selected to emphasize the rich history of public and private display gardens in the Commonwealth. By focusing on a selection of highly regarded horticultural destinations, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Extension Educators wish to encourage gardening enthusiasts to take advantage of the access to these gardens. Visiting these amazing spaces will introduce gardeners to incredible plants, inspirational design, and a renewed appreciation for all who endeavor to provide horticultural beauty and open space to the gardening public.
***BULK ORDERS:
For 10-50 copies to the same address, the cost is $7.00 each plus shipping and handling; more than 50 copies, $6.00 each plus shipping and handling. Shipping and order form at website or call (413) 545-2717.
***To order single copies:
Order form at website or use the form below and send $11.00 (payable to UMass) to UMass Extension
Bookstore, Draper Hall, 40 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003-9244.
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Massachusetts Specialty Foods are featured exclusively in the 4 new “A
Taste of Massachusetts” gift baskets offered by Pemberton Farms. The baskets
are showcased on the Pemberton Farms website and are available just in
time for holiday ordering.
These beautiful “A Taste of Massachusetts” Baskets offer a wonderful solution
for holiday and gift giving. Spread the word and forward this information
to your family and friends! Pemberton Farms is making a generous donation
to the Massachusetts Specialty Foods Association on each basket sold. To
view the individual baskets and for ordering information, click here.
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Best of the Bay State has proudly launched their 2004 gift boxes celebrating
the Massachusetts specialty food industry with a focus on the creative
and exceptional gourmet delights available within the Bay State - perfect
for gift giving.
Susan Sullivan, company founder, formerly owned Sudbury Soup. A percentage
of the profits go to the Greater Boston Food Bank and the Massachusetts
Specialty Foods Association. Best of the Bay State is certified by the
Small and Local Business Enterprise as a woman owned business.
Please visit the website at www.bestofthebaystate.com, or visit Duck Soup at 365 Boston Post Rd, Sudbury. For further information call Susan Sullivan @ 508-481-5016, 508-904-6618 or Susan@bestofthebaystate.com.
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2004 -- Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today
announced USDA's plan to purchase up to 27 million pounds of cranberries and
cranberry products to be donated to child nutrition and other domestic food
assistance programs.
"This purchase will provide our federal food program recipients with
nutritious products," said Veneman.
In fiscal year 2004 which ended Sept. 30, USDA purchased 13 million pounds of
cranberry products, including 11.3 million pounds of cranberry-apple juice and
1.4 million pounds of cranberry sauce. USDA purchased 11 million pounds of
cranberry products in FY 2003 and 31 million pounds in FY2002.
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service purchases a variety of high quality
food products each year for distribution by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service
for the national school lunch program, the school breakfast program, the summer
food service program, the food distribution program on Indian reservations, the
nutrition program for the elderly, the commodity supplemental food program and
the emergency food assistance program. USDA also makes emergency purchases of
commodities for distribution to victims of natural disasters.
More information about USDA programs click here.
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Sponsored by USDA/CSREES
December 2nd, 2004 - 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Stadium - Philadelphia. Held in conjunction with The 6th Annual
Future of Our Food and Farms Summit
Including Keynote Presentation Featuring Eric Bost USDA Undersecretary
USDA FNS Presented by The Mid-Atlantic Food & Farm Coalition
Are you in a minority farmer or do you work with minority farmers? Could
you use more information about what crops to grow, financing, business
planning, and budgeting? Would you like to learn about local, state, and
federal resources available to you? Then the Minority Farming Training
may be for you!
The purpose of the training, which will be offered during the 6th Annual
Future of Our Food and Farms Summit, is to discover tools and resources
that can help you make your farm more profitable. The training workshops
will also be great places to meet people, make important contacts, and
pick up resource materials free of charge.
The Minority Farming Training scholarships are valued at up to $180 each.
Most of the funds will be used to defray the registration fee; however,
a small percentage of the funds can be used for out-of-town participants
to help cover hotel costs. Scholarships are primarily intended for minority
farmers, however agricultural professionals who work with minority farmers
will be considered. Recipients will be selected on a first come, first
serve basis from among those who meet these criteria. Scholarship recipients
are required to attend three sessions on December 2nd and participate in
the training evaluation procedures to receive funding.
If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please submit a brief
letter or email that includes: Your name, job title, organization, address,
phone, email address (if you have one), and a one paragraph description
of your farm and how this workshop might help you. Entries will be reviewed
and scholarships awarded by members of the Minority Farming Training Scholarship
Steering Committee.
Please send your application by Nov. 5th to behri@thefoodtrust.org, by fax to 215-568-0882 or by mail to Scholarship Application, The Food Trust, 1201 Chestnut Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
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IN EVERY ISSUE
- For Sale: CERTIFIED ORGANIC LAYING CHICKENS. 1 1/2 years old. New Hampshire Reds, Black Australorps, and Silver Laced Wyandottes. Excellent brown egg layers. Call Rita at The HERB FARMacy, Salisbury, MA 978.834.7879
- OnTheFarm consultants provide assistance in planning and problem solving to those involved in the animal industries including producers, municipalities, governmental agencies and the legal profession. Bill Graves and Bob Duby, 413-369-4679 or onthefarm0248@msn.com.
- Position: assistant farm manager for small organic farm at homeless shelter. 25 weeks position. $500/week salary. Call for info 617-534-2526 x304.
- For Sale: 800 gal bulk tank, Crepaco Milkeeper rectangular, single fan cooler $900.00 BO 413-369-8029.
- Need help on the farm? Massachusetts farmers can place a
free help-wanted ad in THE CARETAKER GAZETTE. Just email caretaker@caretaker.org or call (715)
426-5500.
- For Sale: Selected Trees Blue, White and Norway Spruce and Frashier Firs. Most between 6 & 8 feet You dig them. $25.00 each 508-866-2839.
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, fax: 617-626-1850, e-mail: Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us
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November
- November 6, Mass. Barn Preservation Task Force Workshop, contact Sumner Perlam for more info., sebp@att.net.
- November 6, All Day Vegetable and Berry Meeting,at White’s of Westport. Reservations are required. Contact John Howell
at 413-259-1203 by October 31, 2004.
- November 6, Fostering a Local Forest Economy, Sanderson Academy, Ashfield. 8:30-3pm., $20, call 413-397-8800 or susan@masswoodlands.coop. More info. at www.Highlandcommunities.org.
- November 6 & 7, 10th Annual Ciderday, Franklin County. click www.Ciderday.com for more info.
- November 13, Farmers' Feast, Barre. 5pm., $15 for speakers and dinner. Contact Lynn Hartman, 508-355-2015.
December
- December 2 & 3, Massachusetts Annual Farm Bureau Meeting, Fitchburg, 508-881-4766.
- December 15 & 16, NE Fruit, Vegetable and Berry Conference and Trade Show, Manchester, NH. Contact John Howell at 413-259-1203.
2005
- Feb. 7-14, North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Conference, Boston, MA. Visit www.nafdma.com.
- March 15 - 16, The Northeast Regional Community and Urban IPM Conference, Manchester, New Hampshire, For more information, visit the conference web site or contact Liz Thomas, 315-787-2626.
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Published monthly by:
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 St., Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1700, fax 617-626-1850
www.Mass.gov/agr
This
publication is available in alternate formats upon request.
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