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Massachusetts Department of
Agricultural Resources (MDAR)

Farm & Market Report

Vol. 82, No. 3 , May / June 2005

In this issue:

LOCAL NEWS

NEWS FROM USDA

IN EVERY ISSUE

New Agriculture Tourism Map now available

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has been mailing and distibuting the new map throughout the state and across the country.

Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism(MOTT) and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority has assisted us in distibuting the map throughout the Commonwealth's information centers and MassPike rest areas.

As a result of an April advertisement in the Spring MOTT newspaper insert, we have received over 4000 requests from all across the 50 states, and 5 provinces of Canada. The insert was included in home delivery to all the major newspapers in the Northeast.

The map lists 295 Massachusetts farms that offer "Ag-tivities" for the whole family.

It was produced by MDAR with with funding from USDA Rural Development Agency, along with in-kind support from Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game.

To order a copy of the map(s), email your address to:
agtourism.map@state.ma.us.

If you were not listed and would like to be listed on our list of Agri-tourism farms on-line, please contact Rick LeBlanc at 617-626-1759, or email Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us.

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Massachusetts Agriculture
Calendar Photo Contest

Once again, we are looking for food and agriculture related photographs for the 2006 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar.

Amateur photographers, farmers, and students who enjoy capturing local rural scenes, farm animals and fresh produce are invited to enter the Massachusetts Agriculture Photo Contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc.

Winning photos will be featured in the 2006 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar. Click here for complete details along with link to entry form. Deadline for photos: June 1, 2005.

This is a great opportunity for farms looking for free publicity, as many past winning photographs have been written about in area newspapers. Last year's winning photographs can be viewed on our events calendar at http://www.mass.gov/agr/events/index.htm.

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Farm Viability Program Applications Due June 30, 2005

The 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, awards of $20,000 up to $60,000 may be available to a farmer to implement his or her plan in exchange for completing selected elements of the plan and agreeing to restrict the use of the farm to only agricultural uses by signing a five or ten year Agricultural Covenant. Phase III is a reporting phase after completion of the changes recommended in the plan.

Any Massachusetts farmer with at least 5 acres of land in agricultural production is eligible to apply but greater acreage is more competitive in the farm selection process.

The Farm Viability Program is in its tenth year. Over 250 farms have received business planning and technical assistance from the Program. The total value of awards to farms in this same time period exceeded $8 million. Nearly 21,000 acres of farmland has been placed under short-term Agricultural Covenants.

Applications are available at the Department’s Office in Boston, or on line at the Agricultural Resources web site www.mass.gov/agr on the Farm Viability Program page, or you can request a copy of the application by calling the Farm Viability Program at 617-626-1723. The deadline to submit applications is 4:00 PM, Thursday, June 30, 2005.

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Farmers’ Markets Seeking Vendors for '05

  • Adams, Wednesday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Contact Emma Morin, 413-743-5613, Seeking eggs, breads, baked goods
  • Ashfield, Saturdays, 8:30 am– 12:30 pm, Contact Amy Klippenstein, 413-625-0011 or amy@greenspacecollaborative.com. Seeking cheese, whole grain breads, tree fruit other than apples.
  • Auburn, Saturdays, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm, Contact Ray Samek, 508-867-7363.
  • Ayer, Saturdays, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, July 30 to October 29, Contact Ruth Rhonemus, 978-772-5890 or ruth_rhonemus@netzero.net, Seeking fruit, vegetables, herbs, cut flowers, baked goods, honey, tasting opportunities.
  • Barre, Saturdays, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, May 7 to October, Contact Lisa Holloway, 978-355-0140 or lisa_d_Holloway@yahoo.com, Seeking produce.
  • Brockton/Downtown, Friday afternoons, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or jeff@massfarmersmarkets.org.
  • Brookline, Thursdays, 1:30 pm – dusk, June 16 to October 27, Contact Arlene Flowers, 617-566-8005, Seeking vendors from June 16 to July 14.
  • Charlestown, Wednesdays, 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, July 20 to end of October, Contact Colleen Justice, 617-241-8866.
  • Chelmsford, Thursdays, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, July 7 to October 20, Contact Chris Laughton, 978-251-4001 or chris@laughtonnursery.com
  • Easthampton, Tuesday, 2:30pm–6:30pm, May 3 - Oct. 25, Contact Jane Pepin, 413-527-5989, Seeking fruit.
  • Fitchburg, Tuesdays, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm and Fridays, 8:45 am to Noon, Contact Clayton Ayotte, 978-597-6995, Seeking fruit.
  • Framingham, Wednesdays, 3pm – 6pm and Saturdays, 9:00 am – Noon, Contact Joe Pratt, 508-435-4147. Seeing vegetables and fruit.
  • Haverhill, Saturdays, 8am – 1pm, July 9 to October 29, Contact Stephanie Lesiczka, 978-373-4377, Seeking eggs, cheese, breads and specialty products.
  • Holden, Tuesdays, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Contact Jacqueline Marsh, 978-874-0244.
  • Hopkinton, Fridays, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, June 24 to October 15, Contact Beth Mezitt, 508-435-6335 or bethm@westonnurseries.com, Seeking produce vendor and ethnic greens.
  • MA Turnpike Markets, Various locations at 11 service areas along MA Pike, Opening May 19, Contact David Fenton, 781-431-5192 or dave.fenton@mta.state.ma.us.
  • Melrose, Thursday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Contact Sally Frank, 781-324-9648 or sallywallace@comcast.net, Seeking eggs, poultry, cheese and preserves.
  • Middleboro, Saturdays, 9am – 1pm Contact Donna Blischke, 508-866-7799 or dblischke@adelphia.net, Seeking fruit, berries and bread.
  • Natick, Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Contact Debra Sayre, 508-653-6596 or debra@sayre.com, Seeking value added/novelty products.
  • North Adams, Contact Everett Randall 413-743-3111 or Rod Bunt, 413-664-6180 or tourist@bcn.net.
  • North Easton, Tuesdays, 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, May 17 to October 29, Contact Jean Crandell, 508-238-6049, x10 or jdewatnart@aol.com, Seeking cheese and bread
  • Orleans, Saturdays, 8:00 am – Noon, May 21 to October 8, Contact Gretel Norgeot, 508-255-8374 or greteln@capecod.net, Seeking produce
  • Pittsfield, Wednesdays only, Contact Ken Wirtes, 413-499-1012. Seeking maple syrup, cheese, asian produce.
  • Plymouth, Thursdays, 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Contact Barbara Anglin, 508-732-9962 or sgardener@aol.com, Seeking small organic growers and food crafters such as cheese, tarts and pies made with local produce, earth based artisans, as well as seafood and other meats
  • Quincy, Fridays, 11:30 am – 5:00 pm, Contact Anneli Johnson, 617-479-1601 or annelijohnson@netzero.com. Seeking eggs, cheeses, flowers, plants, tree fruit.
  • Roslindale, Saturdays, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Contact Janice Williams, 617-327-4065 or rossie@verizon.net
  • Roxbury/Dudley Town Common, Thursday, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Contact Danielle Andrews, 617-442-1322 or dandrews@thefoodproject.org, Seeking vegetables, fruit, baked goods, honey
  • Sheffield, Fridays, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Contact Sandra Snyder, 413-258-3397 or phoenixpharm222@earthlink.net,Seeking fruits, maple syrup, produce
  • Springfield/Tower Square, Fridays, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, June 3 to September 30, Contact Synthia Scott Mitchell, 413-263-6500, X 6518 or synthiam@springfieldpartnersinc.com
  • Sturbridge, Thursday, 11:00 am – 3:30 pm, Contact Andy O’Keefe, 508-753-7761, Seeking vegetable farmer and auxiliary products.
  • Topsfield, Saturdays, 7am – Noon, Jane Cook, 978-922-1648, Seeking vegetable and fruit growers.
  • Williamstown, Saturdays, 8:00 am – Noon, Contact Anne Guzzi, 413-458-3365.
  • Waltham, Saturday, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, Contact Marc Rudnick, 781-899-5344 or wfm@inspectorhomes.com, Seeking turkey vendor.
  • Worcester Westside, Mondays, 9:30 am –2pm, June to October, Contact Andy O’Keefe, 508-753-7761, Seeking vegetables and auxiliary vendors.

Proposed New Markets:

For more information on selling at farmers’ markets contact David Webber at 617-626-1754,david.webber@state.ma.us.

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Farmers’ markets open along Massachusetts Turnpike - Turnpike Authority seeks more market vendors

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority is seeking farmers and specialty food purveyors to sell their home-grown produce and made-in-Massachusetts products at farmers’ markets along the MassPike this year.

The season kicks off May 19 with Frank and Kay Magrone of Shaker Kitchen in Athol setting up shop outdoors at the Charlton eastbound service plaza from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We have 11 service areas along the turnpike, and each one of them sees thousands of visitors stopping in every day for food, refreshments and fuel,” said Turnpike Authority Chairman Matthew J. Amorello. “This is an excellent opportunity to meet a vast market.”

On a first-come, first-served basis, complimentary vending space is made available at the service areas located on the Turnpike in Lee, Blandford, Ludlow, Charlton, Westborough, Framingham and Natick. Farmers can sell their goods as long as they do not compete with the businesses that operate within the service plazas.

The Turnpike Authority helps set up the outdoor markets and provides on-the-road advertising using portable message boards.

The Magrones will be selling dip mixes, salsas, pretzels, crackers, jams and jellies individually and in gift baskets.

John Kelly of Kelly Green Acres Farm in Blandford sold freshly grown vegetables and fruits in the westbound service area in Blandford last summer and will be back again this year.

There is room for many more vendors in the markets. For more information, contact program coordinator Dave Fenton at dave.fenton@mta.state.ma.us or at 1-781-431-5192.

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Sample and sell your product at the Massachusetts Marketplace, July 30, 2005

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society will host the Massachusetts Marketplace Festival on Saturday, July 30th at Elm Bank Horticulture Center in Wellesley. Vendors from all over the Commonwealth will display and sell an array of foods, plants and crafts representing the finest products from Massachusetts' fields, farms, gardens and kitchens. Celebrating the quality and abundance of local agriculture, floriculture, specialty foods and crafts, the ninth annual festival will include a full day of food sampling, shopping and a Children's Petting Zoo.

Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to sample and gather nutritional information and recipes and purchase produce, specialty foods, plants, flowers, gardening provisions, books, gifts and unique craft items with a horticultural theme. The event will also feature a bluegrass concert.

Showcase your fresh produce, specialty foods, plants flowers and crafts to a wide audience by calling Michelle at (617) 933 4982 or via email at mross@masshort.org. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society is working with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and Massachusetts Specialty Foods Association to promote this event.

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The 2005 MNLA
Summer Meeting & Trade Show

Co-sponsored by:

Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc.
The Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association was established in 1910 to increase the success of our members and to promote environmental awareness and the highest standards of the Massachusetts nursery and landscape industry.

Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association
The Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association was established in 1947 to promote the advancement of the Massachusetts Flower Industry.

Ecological Landscaping Association
The Ecological Landscaping Association was established in 1992 to advocate environmentally responsible landscaping and horticultural practices to professionals and the public through education and networking.

Date and time: Thursday, July 14, 2005 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA

Who should attend? Nursery and greenhouse growers, retailers, landscape contractors and designers, lawncare professionals, educators, students, garden writers, and other professionals in the nursery, landscape and greenhouse industry.

Features: Educational programs; stadium and restoration tours; pesticide and MCH certification credits and much, much more!

Contact MNLA @ 413-369-4731 or mnlaoffice@aol.com for more information on attending or exhibiting at this summer showcase event! The full summer meeting program is available on: www.mnla.com

For more information on MNLA or our members, please feel free to visit our website at: www.mnla.com.

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Extension Floriculture Program
Receives Grant

The University of Massachusetts Extension Floriculture Program in cooperation with University of Connecticut Extension Greenhouse Program has been awarded $83,000 from Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) to implement a “Sustainable Greenhouse Health Maintenance Program” for farmers in southern New England (MA, CT, RI). This three year program began in April and includes hands-on training, diagnostics, pest management and cultural recommendations, an early alert system, sustainable greenhouse workshops, farms tours or twilight meetings, and base-line and post-project evaluation surveys.

Tina Smith and Paul Lopes (University of Massachusetts) and Leanne Pundt (University of Connecticut) will work with growers to prevent problems in greenhouses, identify pests, nutritional and cultural problems and to use sustainable greenhouse practices. Information gathered throughout the growing season will be disseminated to growers throughout southern New England (MA, CT, RI) via website, email and fax as an early alert system.

As part of this grant we will distribute “New England Greenhouse Update”, timely information collected from growers in MA, CT and RI which will be posted on a website. To receive NE Greenhouse Update via email please email a note containing your name, company and address to: Tina Smith, tsmith@umext.umass.edu or Paul Lopes, lopes@umext.umass.edu, University of Massachusetts Extension Floriculture Program.

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UMass Turf Research Field Day

Turf managers and their asssociates from across the Northeast Region are invited to attend University of Massachusetts Turf Research Field Day on Wednesday, June 22, 2005.

Field Day 2005 will be held at the recently dedicated Joseph Troll Turfgrass Research Center on River Road in South Deerfield, Massachusetts. As always, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the researchers and educators of the UMass Turf Team, and to hear about and see current turf research underway at UMass. Several ongoing studies will be highlighted at Field Day, including an array of National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) trials. The half-day agenda will include a trade show, and Green Industry vendors and exhibitors will be on hand. At the close of the formal program, a cookout lunch (included in the price of registration) will be provided. Pesticide re-certification contact hours have been requested from all six New England States.

For complete Field Day 2005 information, including registration information, visit: http://www.umassturf.org/education/annual_events/field_day.html

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UMass Extension's Landscape Message

The Landscape Message is compiled from information gathered by Extension scouts monitoring landscape sites statewide. The message contains current, local information useful to landscapers, arborists, turf managers, and nursery growers.

25 messages are produced per year, and released on Fridays: bi-weekly during the month of March; weekly for the months of April, May, and June; bi-weekly during July, August, and September; and monthly October through February. The following information is available for landscape plant materials and turf:

- What insects are emerging that week
- Disease occurrences and potential disease problems
- Weeds to watch for
- Growing degree day and plant phenology reports
- Cultural problems and solutions
- Pest management strategies, including IPM

The Landscape Message can be accessed online at no charge at http://www.umassgreeninfo.org. E-mail and fax subscriptions are available for a $50 fee; contact eweeks@umext.umass.edu for details, or visit www.umassgreeninfo.org.

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UMass Extension -
Weed Identification Workshops

Correct weed identification is an important first step in the development of an effective weed management program. Using a classroom presentation, potted weed herbarium and weed walk, UMass Extension Specialist Randy Prostak will help participants enhance their weed identification skills. Feel free to bring a weed or two to identify. Workshop held rain or shine (lunch not provided), 9 am - 3 pm.

4 pesticide contact hours available; MCLP and MCH credits will be offered.

Broadleaf and Grassy Weeds
July 27 - Elm Bank, Wellesley
July 28 (bilingual Spanish/English) - Elm Bank, Wellesley
August 11 - Cape Cod

Grassy Weeds in depth
Sept. 1 - Amherst

Cost $90/person (pre-registration required, space is limited). Registration is first-come, first-served through the mail. For a registration form, go to www.umassgreeninfo.org or call (413) 545-0895.

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Scouting for Pests and Problems of Turf and Woody Ornamentals in the Landscape

Twilight Meetings - Learn how to put IPM practices to work efficiently. Join us in a walk through the landscape for demonstrations of IPM tools and techniques, as well as a close look at some of the most common cultural problems and troublesome insect, mite, and disease problems. Topics to be discussed and demonstrated include using plant phenology, monitoring techniques, and using growing degree days to effectively manage pest problems. Although the focus is on woody ornamentals, this year's workshops will have a somewhat larger turf component than in the past. Workshop held rain or shine, 5 to 7 pm.

2 Pesticide contact hours for categories 29, 36, 37, and Applicators License available. ISA, MCA, MCH, and MCLP credit requested.

Choose one of three locations:
May 26 - Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain
June 2 - Cape Cod Community College - W. Barnstable, MA
June 9 - Stanley Park - Westfield, MA

Cost is $50. Dress for walking; workshops are held rain or shine. Bring a clipboard, pencil and hand lens.

Pesticide credit: 2 contact hours will be offered for categories 29, 36, and Applicator's License. ISA, MCA, MCLP and MCH credits requested.

Enrollment is limited, so register early. Registration is first-come, first-served through the mail. For registraton form, go to www.umassgreeninfo.org or call (413) 545-0895.

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Now Available: 2005 New England Guide to Weed Control in Turfgrass

The updated 2005 New England Guide to Weed Control in Turfgrass contains extensive information about currently registered turf herbicide products, including specifics on application, timing, and environmentally responsible use. The guide is available as a free, downloadable PDF file at the following location: http://www.umassturf.org/publications/online_pubs.html

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NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals

The Northeast Organic Farming Association’s Organic Land Care Program is pleased to announce the accreditation of 31 new Organic Land Care Professionals. Each of these professionals has completed the intensive, five-day NOFA/Mass Course in Organic Land Care and passed an examination demonstrating their understanding of organic principles and practices.

A complete list is available at the Program’s website: www.organiclandcare.net.

These accredited professionals have agreed to provide services according to the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care: Practices for Design and Maintenance of Ecological Landscapes to those customers who request it.

The demand for organic landscaping services has never been greater. Growing public awareness of the hazards associated with the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, plus new legislation mandating least toxic and nontoxic alternatives to conventional land care, are fueling rising public and community interest in organic land care.

The NOFA Organic Land Care Program extends the vision and principles of organic agriculture to the care of landscapes where most people live, work and carry out their daily lives by educating professionals and the general public.

About 400 land care professionals from eight states and Canada have taken the course in the last four years in Connecticut or Massachusetts. These professionals include landscapers from large and small firms, landscape architects, garden center employees, municipal groundskeepers and property managers.

For more information about the NOFA Organic Land Care course in Massachusetts, contact Kathy Litchfield, coordinator, at (978) 724-0108, kathylitch29@yahoo.com.

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Carribean hospitality, restaurant and institution buyers to Boston on June 7th

Take this opportunity to tackle the Carribean’s tourism industry and meet with foodservice buyers from Jamaica and Barbados.

A Buyer's Mission will be held in Boston, MA on June 7th for one day only.

Buyers are looking for specialty foods, fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, dairy products, seafood, and meat and poultry. One-on-one matching meetings with buyers will be set up for you based on your selections from the buyer's descriptions.
For more information please contact Bonita Oehlke bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

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Food Bank - Job Posting - Executive Director

This is a full-time, salaried position that reports to the Chair of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director has the overall responsibility of implementing the mission of The Food Bank. The Executive Director will provide leadership to The Food Bank’s staff as they work to achieve the organizations goals and 2005 strategic plan. The Executive Director is responsible for articulating the problem of hunger and The Food Bank’s response to its many constituencies, including the Board of Directors, volunteers, staff, member agencies, donors, policymakers and the general public. The Executive Director will strive to build these constituencies into an effective team to work toward the reduction of hunger in Western Massachusetts.

The deadline for submission of a cover letter and resume is June 3, 2005. The search will continue until the position is filled. For consideration, mail resumes to The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, P.O. Box 160, Hatfield, MA 01038 or email to Christine Dutton at christined@foodbankwma.org . Visit www.foodbankwma.org to learn more about The Food Bank. It is our hope that we will have a new executive director by the end of the summer.

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9th Annual Swine Information Day and
Piglet Auction

The New Hampshire Pork Producers Council in cooperation with the UNH Cooperative Extension is sponsoring it’s 9th Annual Swine Information Day and Piglet Auction.

Saturday, May 28th from 10am – 3pm at the Deerfield, NH fairgrounds on Route 43.

Free admission * Handicap accessible * Free parking * Rain or shine

* Merrimack County 4H food concession

* Educational information on swine housing (11am) and swine health & welfare (1pm)

Piglet auction at 2:00pm

Call Ed Merrill at (603) 934-2383, Forrest Esenwine at (603) 529-2758 or Tina Savage at (603) 539-3331 for more information.

Out-of-state buyers must bring a blanket permit from their State Department of Agriculture for the transportation of livestock.

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NEWS FROM USDA

Summer Grazing Events for 2005

Mark you calendar now for upcoming pasture workshops sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), UMass Extension, the New England Small Farm Institute and local conservation districts.  A schedule is below but some dates are not yet finalized, so check the NRCS Massachusetts website
(www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov) for updates:

  • May 25 - Appleton Farm, Ipswich, Mass., 1:00-3:00 pm. Topics: pasture condition scoring, plant ID, early season management.
  • June 17 - Splendorview Farm, Cummington, Mass., 6:30-8:30 pm. Topics: grazing sheep, fencing.
  • July 1 - Shearer Farm, Colrain, Mass. 7:30-9:00 pm. Topic: New Zealand style calf raising - all dairy farmers welcome.
  • Mid July - New England Livestock Association Grass-Fed Beef Conference (one day). Topic: How to raise "natural" and grass-fed beef.
  • Early August - Heifer International Farm, Rutland, Mass. Topic: Multi-species grazing, great for the beginner or new grazier.
  • Late Summer/Fall - Organic dairy farms - two in Berkshire County. Horse farms - fencing, poisonous plants. Grass-fed beef operation - on-farm ultra-sound for beef grading.

All workshops are free and no RSVP necessary. For further information contact: Barbara Miller at NRCS, (413) 253-4380, barbara.miller@ma.usda.gov.

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CFNP Funding Announcement Published

The availability of Community Food and Nutrition Program (CFNP) competitive funds for fiscal year 2005 was announced by the Office of Community Services (OCS) in the April 18, 2005 Federal Register. Applications will be accepted through June 17, 2005 for approximately $2.3 million in funds.

Click here to access the announcement in PDF format .go to: or for a text version of the request for applications (RFA), click here.

Potential applicants may request an application package from OCS or download an application and application instructions from the Grants.gov web site at http://www.grants.gov, where the CFNP application will soon be available electronically.

Proposals may request up to $50,000 for projects of no more than 12 months' duration. Entities eligible to compete for CFNP funds are public and private non-profit agencies, including organizations benefiting Indians and migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Faith-based and community-based organizations as well as state, county, and local governmental agencies are also eligible to apply.

Although the objectives of the CFNP remain unchanged from last year, OCS emphasizes that CFNP is considered a capacity-building program rather than a food delivery program; projects that solely propose to purchase food will not be considered. OCS is also encouraging programs that address obesity. A list of tips on how to compose a competitive application and an analysis of changes from last year's CFNP format are available on the Community Nutrition Institute's web site at http://www.communitynutrition.org.

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USDA Announces Crop Insurance Deadline for MA Nursery - May 31st

Massachusetts nursery producers should be aware that the final date for a new applicant to apply for insurance on nursery for 2005 is May 31, 2005, according to the Raleigh Regional Office, USDA Risk Management Agency. New applications for crop year 2005 may be accepted until May 31, 2005, with coverage beginning 30 days after receipt of your signed application. The premium for a new policy is prorated according to the month coverage begins. Applications accepted after May 31, 2005, will not begin coverage until October 1, 2005. For existing policies, coverage automatically attached on October 1, 2004. The insurance year runs from October 1 through September 30.

Crop insurance provides protection for field-grown and containerized nursery plants against losses due to adverse weather conditions, fire, failure of irrigation water supply, wildlife and delay in marketability of plants resulting in reduced plant value. Insurance premium subsidies have been significantly increased in recent years, particularly at the higher levels of coverage. Producers are strongly urged to contact a local crop insurance agent as soon as possible for a premium quote and additional details.

For a list of crop insurance agents in your area, contact the local USDA Farm Service Agency office or logon to the following Risk Management Agency web site: http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/

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USDA announces Conservation Security Program sign-up in
two Massachusetts Watersheds

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced that selected watersheds in Berkshire County and Essex County are among the 202 watersheds nationwide to be included in the Conservation Security Program (CSP) in 2005. Farm owners or operators who have land in the selected watersheds may be eligible to apply for CSP during the sign-up period that runs now through May 27, 2005.

The purpose of CSP is to reward the best conservation farmers for their stewardship efforts and motivate others to become good stewards of the land. CSP, part of the 2002 Farm Bill, was introduced last summer in 18 watersheds nationwide. This spring marks the first opportunity for Massachusetts farmers who practice good soil and water conservation to participate.

The CSP sign-up process requires farmers to conduct a self-assessment to determine on their own whether or not they are eligible for the program. Information on the CSP program, including maps of the selected watersheds and links to the self-assessment workbook, are available on the NRCS Massachusetts website at www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.

Farmers who believe that they may be eligible for CSP should contact the local NRCS office for Berkshire County at 413-443-1776 or Essex County at 978-692-1904 to get details on and reserve a spot at one of several upcoming informational meetings and/or workshops.

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IN EVERY ISSUE

CLASSIFIED ADS

  • For sale: Hussman cooler, 1978. 79" high, 88" long, 33" deep. Set to refrigerate or freeze. Door trim aluminum w/inlaid wood-grained look, w/white body. $425. Keith Dufresne, 413-268-7509, sugarmaker@msn.com.
  • 9+/- acres w/large farmstand & greenhouse.$500K. Contact Dot Dineen at 413-846-0671, 413-567-7200.
  • Green Market Farm Stores has positions available at the farm and farm store in New Salem, MA and at the Green Market Farm Store in Amherst. For more information contact Karen Wallman, Green Market Farm, 710 Daniel Shays Hwy, New Salem, Massachusetts 01355, 978-544-7911, FAX 978-544-7587, greenmrkt@aol.com.
  • For Sale: Rain-Flo 1400 Transplanter $900.00, Rain-Flo 2600 raised bed mulch layer with fertilizer hopper $1,900.00. call 978-264-4168.
  • For sale: Farmstand Business and/or equipment: Scales, register, countertop, baskets, boxes etc...508-487-4551.
  • Empire Packaging Company - A full line of wholesale and retail packaging for the farm & orchard. Serving New England since 1989. (508) 426-7813
  • 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.
  • 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 (830) 336-3939.

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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CALENDAR

  • May 25 - Appleton Farm, Ipswich, Mass., 1:00-3:00 pm. Topics: pasture condition scoring, plant ID, early season management. Pasture workshop, Barbara Miller at NRCS, (413) 253-4380, barbara.miller@ma.usda.gov.
  • May 28 - 9th Annual Swine Information Day and Piglet Auction, 10am – 3pm. Deerfield, NH fairgrounds on Route 43. Free admission, Call Ed Merrill at (603) 934-2383, Forrest Esenwine at (603) 529-2758 or Tina Savage at (603) 539-3331 for more information.
  • June 7, Carribean hospitality, restaurant and institution buyers to Boston, contact Bonita Oehlke, 617-626-1753.
  • June 14, Fruit Twilight Mtg., UMass Cold Spring Orchard, Belchertown, *Special Starting Time of 3:00*, Jon Clements 413-478-7219, clements@umext.umass.edu, www.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/meetinginfo/meetings.html
    Pesticide-license recertification credit (2 hours) will be offered.
  • June 17 - Splendorview Farm, Cummington, Mass., 6:30-8:30 pm. Topics: grazing sheep, fencing. Pasture workshop, Barbara Miller at NRCS, (413) 253-4380, barbara.miller@ma.usda.gov.
  • July 1 - Shearer Farm, Colrain, Mass. 7:30-9:00 pm. Topic: New Zealand style calf raising - all dairy farmers welcome. Pasture workshop, Barbara Miller at NRCS, (413) 253-4380, barbara.miller@ma.usda.gov.
  • July 14, MNLA Summer Meeting & Trade Show, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA, contact 413-369-4731 or mnlaoffice@aol.com for more information on attending or exhibiting at this summer showcase event! The full summer meeting program is available on: www.mnla.com.
  • July 30 - Massachusetts Marketplace Festival - Showcase your fresh produce, specialty foods, plants flowers and crafts, Michelle at (617) 933 4982, mross@masshort.org.

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About the Farm & Market Report

Published bi-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.

Next issue to be published for July/August. Please send news, calendar and/or classified information by July 18th to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us, or fax to 617-626-1850.

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

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