LOCAL NEWS
NEWS FROM USDA
IN EVERY ISSUE
'TIS THE SEASON
by Douglas P. Gillespie, Commissioner
Dear Friends:
As 2005 comes to a close, we in Massachusetts Agriculture have much
to be thankful for! While there have been very serious challenges for
farmers in just about every commodity, we have faced nothing close to
the devastation facing our colleagues in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas
and Florida because of hurricanes, or much of the Midwest from drought.
Weather has resulted in constant challenges here at home, but farm diversification
has helped our family farms survive by not being totally dependant upon
a single harvest for the year. Diversification and value-added improvements
really do buffer our farm economy during these difficult times.
Here at the Department of Agricultural Resources, it has been a year
of tremendous accomplishment by our dedicated staff and partners throughout
the state. We should take a few minutes to reflect on these accomplishments
during times of budget constraints.
The Department protected nearly 6,300 acres of Massachusetts farmland
through the APR and Farm Viability programs. APR also prepared baseline
evaluations for 70 farm properties protected recently, in an effort
to improve stewardship of the Commonwealth's investment. It is our goal
to replicate both of these accomplishments again in 2006.
The Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) saw the completion
of 46 water quality, water conservation and air quality improvement
projects on Massachusetts farms, with a state investment of $250,000.
We have increased available 2006 funding to $300,000 in hopes of further
improvements in this area.
DAR staff have travelled statewide to assist farmers and town officials
in the establishment of municipal Agricultural Commissions and passage
of town "Right-to-Farm" bylaws. As of this writing, 42 towns
have created AgComs and 18 have passed the bylaws. There is statewide
momentum in this effort, with assistance from farm organizations, non-profits,
regional planning organizations and municipal and state professionals.
I believe that this is the most important pro-active effort undertaken
by agricultural interests since the creation of Chapter 61A four decades
ago, and we will continue to push this strategy, in addition to establishing
training and a support network for established AgCom members.
On the marketing side of DAR programs, we have seen about a 10% increase
in the number of Farmer's Markets operating in Massachusetts, and our
Agri-Tourism state map has drawn rave reviews! We have created a new
campaign to highlight Agriculture as an important part of Smart Growth
in Massachusetts. Our efforts to link farms and school food service
operations has begun to show great results, and MassDevelopment has
shown interest in a major farm-to-college initiative.
The regulatory side of the agency has also been highly effective this
year. We are modernizing much of our reporting and inspection procedures
in an effort to be more efficient and cost effective. Farm Products
staff are able to complete many inspection reports via PDAs, and we
plan to expand this throughout the agency. A landmark phase-out plan
regarding import and sale of invasive plant species in Massachusetts
has been a major environmental accomplishment with the support of private
industry. Improved animal health protocols for pet shops and rescue/adoption
shelters has greatly improved our abilities to prevent or reduce disease
outbreaks in pet populations, and our continued influenza surveillance
programs within the poultry industry took on added importance this year.
Massachusetts made great strides in implementing the first phase of
National Animal ID through our premise registration database.
Personally, I had the pleasure of hosting 10 fellow commissioners, secretaries
and directors of agriculture from throughout the Northeast for a spirited
and constructive farm bill strategy discussion in Northampton this past
June, and had an opportunity to showcase Massachusetts farm success
stories with a number of farm tours. I was humbled to have been selected
by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) nationally as their
State Executive of the Year, and excited to be elected Secretary-Treasurer
of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. I hope
that each of these opportunities allows me to better serve Massachusetts
agriculture.
Season's Greetings to all, and best wishes for the new year ahead! Doug
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Wouldn't it be nice to have neighbors and town officials who understand and
support agriculture? Would it be helpful to have a town board to deal with
agricultural issues?
Agriculture needs a voice at the municipal level and
the formation of an Agricultural Commission is the best way to add that voice
for farming to YOUR town hall!!
There are 40 towns in Massachusetts that
currently have an Agricultural Commission and many more are making plans for
Spring 2006 Town Meeting. Make sure YOUR town is part of the Ag Comm.
movement!!
If you are interested in the formation of an Agricultural
Commission or the passage of a Right to Farm by-law in your town, please attend
one of these six informational meetings in your local area to learn more:
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The winning photos from this year’s Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar Photo Contest have been selected and published in the 2006 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar. The calendar, published by Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc., in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, features a winning photograph each month, plus several honorable mention winners in selected places.
The 2005 Massachusetts Agriculture Photo Contest winners are:
- January: James DiCentes, Leicester, Photo: Johnson Farm, Leicester
- February: Ian Ralph, Charlton City, Photo: Llamas at Benson Farm in Rochdale
- March: James Burns, W.Concord, Photo: Harvard Maple producers
- April: Jeanine Vitale, Northboro, Photo: Horses at South Mill St. Farm,
Hopkinton
- May: Fran Charron, Hatfield, Photo: Yellow Lily at Smith College Spring
Bulb Show, Northampton
- June: Tami Kokoski, Hadley, Photo: Kaci with Glowbug at the Three County
Fair, Northampton
- July(and Cover): Derick Veliz, Acton, Photo: Verrill Farm, Concord
- August: Dwight Sipler, Stow, Photo: Honeybees at Small Farm, Stow
- September: Karen Cook, Amesbury, Photo: Peaches at Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury
- October: Fran Charron, Hatfield, Photo: Pumpkins at Malinowski Farm, Hatfield
- November: Barbara Meredith, S. Carver, Photo: Cranberry Harvest at Rocky
Maple Bogs, Wareham
- December: Dwight Sipler, Stow, Photo: Hay tedder at Small Farm
The winning photos portray local farms and products throughout the seasons. The calendar also includes Massachusetts agriculture facts, conservation facts, agriculture and horticulture related events and websites, and a chart showing when local crops are in season.
Calendars may be purchased for $10 each ($5 wholesale for 10 or more. We encourage farmstands and farmers markets to sell them).
Proceeds benefit Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, a non-profit
organization that works with teachers throughout the state in developing
classroom materials. Send a check payable to Massachusetts Agriculture
in the Classroom with your name and address to: Calendar, Massachusetts
Agriculture in the Classroom, c/o Debi Hogan, PO Box 345, Seekonk, MA 02771.
"This calendar will educate consumers about the rich diversity of agriculture in the Bay State," said Douglas P. Gillespie, Massachusetts Commissioner of Agricultural Resources. "I'm sure folks will enjoy viewing these attractive pictures throughout the year while learning about farming in Commonwealth."
“The Massachusetts Agriculture calendar also offers people an opportunity to learn about conserving natural resources on a farm and in their own backyard,” said Cecil B. Currin, Massachusetts State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. “I’m happy that NRCS was able to partner with the state ag department and Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom on this educational project.”
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Need help sorting those piles into usable information and making informed plans for the future? Applying for a loan or state/federal grant program? Need to explain your plans to a business partner, family member or regulatory agency? Ready to face a smaller pile next year? Gather with your peers for a few evenings in a friendly setting with professional guidance and develop some workable plans for your farm enterprise!
MDAR can offer four farmer-friendly learning formats in 2005-06 – but only if you let us know now that you plan to come! As soon as we have enough interest in an area, we’ll contact you to with a specific location. Start dates are somewhat flexible, but courses with insufficient enrollees will not happen again until 2007. The NxLevel course (#1 below) is much loved by those who have taken it
– and we cannot hold it this year if it is not enrolled by December 23.
1) For Experienced Farmers - The nationally and locally acclaimed 11 session (one per week) NxLevel course “Tilling the Soil of Opportunity” – successfully completed by over 230 MA ag businesses in the last seven years. Join our experienced Instructor and a team of topic experts on market research, legal issues, budgeting and financials, personnel management, cash flow and income projection, and all those things you need an excuse (and help) to address. Limited to twelve already-working farms, this course runs January-early April. Fee is $300 per business (more than one person may attend) including all materials and paid individual follow up technical assistance. Farmers have had high praise for this course!
2) For Ag Businesses seeking a boost - a new “Cluster” approach to farm business development. Limited to 10 existing ag businesses, this format includes facilitated monthly group meetings, plus separate bi-monthly meetings of each participating business’s “advisory board” which includes all key decision makers in each farm business. The group meetings focus on and solve common issues. The individual meetings of the farm boards (with the Coordinator facilitating) emphasize private one-on-one implementation of plans and problem solving. The Coordinator for this format has extensive experience using this model with small businesses in RI and MA, and has made a specialty of working with farms. Begins mid winter and continues as arranged by participants for up to one year. Fee is $400 per business. Invaluable individual attention!
3) For Farmers needing more from their Schedule F - a unique financial and business planning tool known as “The Financial Bridge”. It starts from your existing IRS Schedule F (the farm tax form) and uses simple worksheets and an experienced Instructor to develop meaningful financial statements and analysis tools for your ag enterprise. You will attend 3 working sessions, learn how to flesh out the summary data already in the Schedule F, and then receive a workbook and software disk to make the forms interactive based on simple spreadsheets. We will use a simple computer lab for the trainings so we can all learn together and from each other. To use this tool, you must have access to a computer with Microsoft Office/Excel. Visits to your accountant and tax preparer will be shorter, more useful and cheaper! Family meetings will be better informed. The data gathered will make your annual farm tax experience less painful and more informative. Limited to 10. Fee is $75. Make sense of your tax report!
4) For New Farmers - MDAR partners with the New England Small Institute to offer a four-session (one per week) “Explorer” course for those contemplating or just beginning a new farm enterprise. Limited to 12 new and/or entry stage farmers, NESFI has offered this course in Belchertown at their home location, and has begun distribution of the materials and concept nationally. MDAR is making it available in other locations around Massachusetts. Fee is $150 per business. This course can start whenever and wherever there is sufficient demand.
The fee for each of these formats is significantly subsidized by MDAR and its regional partners. We have found that farm businesses prepared to make at least this small investment in planning and analysis are also likely to get the most out of the time involved. In all formats of MDAR courses, we can discuss some accommodation if the cost is a serious barrier.
December is when we must decide whether or not to hold these courses – and where. Each course and location has a registration minimum, so we need to hear from you no later than December 23. Please call or email NOW while you are thinking about it to make your interest known. Give us your name, address, phone/email and which type of session(s) interests you most. We will send you an application and additional information.
Contact:
Rick Chandler, MDAR,
25 West Experiment Station, UMass, Amherst, MA 01003,
413-577-0459, rchandler@umext.umass.edu.
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SEMAP (Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership) is holding its second annual B2B Networking Event Monday, Dec. 5, 2-5 p.m. at UMass Dartmouth’s Advanced Technology & Manufacturing Center in Fall River. Local growers and food producers will have the chance to meet potential new buyers, while local restaurants, chefs, schools, food processors, and other food purveyors can connect with nearby growers who can supply them with fresh, locally grown products and produce. A brief program will feature successful partnerships that have developed through SEMAP’s 2005 B2B Network and guidance for attendees on identifying suitable B2B partners for their own farm or business. Plenty of time will be available for discussion, Q&A, and networking.
The goal of SEMAP’s B2B Network and the B2B Networking Event is to bring regional growers/producers into contact with nearby businesses interested in buying local produce to bring the freshest, most flavorful meals to their customers, to support the region’s agriculture and aquaculture efforts, and to reduce the negative effects of long-range transport of the food that we eat. “As more attention is paid to nutrition, obesity, fuel costs, pollution, and food system security, the appeal of ‘buying local’ continues to grow,” stated Cindy Scheller, SEMAP’s B2B Network Coordinator. “Many chefs have long been proponents of using fresh local produce to create the best fare for their customers, but now the idea is really beginning to go mainstream.”
This season the 2005 SEMAP Business-to-Business Network had over 120 members including fruit and vegetable growers, orchards, apiaries, shellfish producers, restaurants, caterers, chefs, public schools, private universities, food processors, distributors, and many more. The upcoming meeting kicks off the 2006 B2B Network and a season of facilitating even more local partnership opportunities. “The 2005 B2B Network generated tremendous interest among growers, buyers, and other regional partners—the number of participants nearly quadrupled from the pilot year of the program,” said SEMAP Executive Director Sarah Kelley. “We are optimistic that the Network will continue to generate profitable partnerships in 2006. The more diverse the Network’s members, the better, so we encourage all interested producers and buyers to attend the meeting.”
For more information or to register, please contact Cindy Scheller, SEMAP B2B Network Coordinator, 508-642-9004 or at caddisco@verizon.net. Additional information is available on the SEMAP web site: www.umassd.edu/semap.
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Thursday Jan. 12: SEMAP B2B Workshop: “Economics and Strategy of Local
B2B Sales” 1:00-3:00 pm, UMass Dartmouth Professional and Continuing Education
Center, 800 Purchase St. (Corner William St.), New Bedford. Registration:
$30.00. www.umassd.edu/pce/newbedford/welcome.cfm
Led by Michael Rozyne and Kate Howell of Red Tomato, a Canton-based non-profit broker of locally grown produce. Red Tomato draws on its many years of experience in the wholesale produce market in developing its curriculum. Training topics will be tailored to attendees and may include:
· Economics and strategy of the deal:
• the language of margins, mark-ups, and profit measures
• who earns what share? farmers, truckers, distributors, retailers, brokers
• what wholesalers earn
• what retailers earn
• what brokers earn; who needs them? Why bother?
what truckers earn; Why aren’t there more of them?
• consolidation of multiple growers’ product; fighting against inefficiencies of small-scale consolidation
• small-scale models that work
·
Selling to the global produce market:
differentiation; adding/creating value
• produce speak: words, style
• evolution of a relationship
• cold calling protocol
• basis for trust and commitments
• direct-store-delivery
• matching products to markets
-- What can one farmer do? Alone? With others?
To register, contact Cindy Scheller, SEMAP B2B Coordinator, 508-642-9004, caddisco@verizon.net.
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The New England Vegetable & Berry Conference and the New England Fruit Meeting have officially merged into the New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference, which will be held every two years. The conference will be held this December 13, 14, 15 at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, NH and will include 24 educational sessions over 3 days, covering major vegetable, berry and tree fruit crops as well as various special topics. A Farmer to Farmer meeting after each morning and afternoon session will bring speakers and farmers together for informal, in-depth discussion on certain issues.
This conference is put together with close collaboration between growers and Extension from across the region. The steering committee gathers the best speakers from within our region and across the country to let you know about the latest innovations and advances in the fruit and vegetable industry.
Twenty-five educational sessions over three days will mix the best theory and practice regarding major fruit, berry and vegetable crops. Virtually every session – from “Strawberry I” on Tuesday morning to “Sweet Corn School” on Thursday afternoon will include the perspective of both farmers and Extension staff and researchers.
A “Farmer to Farmer” session will be held after each morning and afternoon
session to allow speakers and farmers the opportunity for informal, in-depth
discussion of the issues they find to be most critical.
The 3-day educational program offers 4 concurrent sessions each morning and afternoon. On Tuesday, December 13 the sessions are on strawberries, tomatoes, biorational and biological pest control, potatoes, leafy greens, root crops, and tree fruit. On Wednesday, December 14 sessions are on tree fruit, pumpkins, blueberries, soil health, greenhouse tomatoes, and organic. The sessions on Thursday, December 15 are on viticulture, sweet corn, cucurbits, brambles, winter growing, sweet corn, peppers and eggplant, and cut flowers.
The Annual Banquet of the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association will be held during the conference, on Wednesday evening. The speaker will be Roger Swain from ‘People, Places, and Plants’. Roger also hosted ‘Victory Garden’ for many years.
The pre-registration fee to attend any part or all of the conference or trade show is $60 for the first member of a farm business and $30 for each additional member (family or employee) when pre-registered with first member. The pre-registration fee for students (high school or college) is $20 each when pre-registered by the instructor. There is an additional fee of $10 for 1st/2nd person for late registration or walk-ins. Pre-registration must be received by November 30, 2005. An earlier distribution of this press release contained inaccurate information on registration fees. The fees list above are accurate.
Additional information on the New England Vegetable and Berry Conference and the New England Fruit Meeting, including downloadable registration material, may be found at http://www.newenglandvfc.org/.
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Winter Flower Growers' Program
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
9:00 AM - 3:10 PM
Mahoney's Wholesale Growing Division, 200 Wildwood St., Woburn, MA
Tour Mahoney's greenhouses and attend our day-long educational program. Topics will include: Purchasing Fuel Oil; Issues Affecting Your Business (Invasive Plants, Labeling Law, Health Insurance, State Programs); New Pest Management Products for Spring 2006 (1 Pesticide Recertification Credit); and Garden Center Panel: Changes We Are Making for the 2006 Season.
Co-sponsored by Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association and University of Massachusetts Extension Floriculture Program,
Contact: Bob Luczai, bluczai@ballseed.com, Tina Smith, tsmith@umext.umass.edu or Paul Lopes, lopes@umext.umass.edu.
Plant Nutrition for Greenhouse Crops
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, Rte. 20, Sturbridge, MA
This program is designed to provide practical information on plant nutrition for greenhouse ornamentals. Bring your pH and EC meters to be calibrated, or if you need a refresher on using them! $35 registration fee includes coffee, lunch and handouts.
Co-sponsored by University of Massachusetts Extension Floriculture Program and Northeast SARE,
Click here for Registration Form and Details
For more information, Tina Smith, tsmith@umext.umass.edu or Paul Lopes, lopes@umext.umass.edu.
Seven-Week Course: Integrated Pest Management for Greenhouse Crops
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Dates: Thursdays, February 2,9,16,23 March 2,9,16, 2006
Place: French Hall, University of Massachusetts Campus, Amherst
This progressive seven-week course is designed to provide basic, practical information on common greenhouse pests including identification, monitoring and management strategies for greenhouse crops.
Click here for Registration form and details
For more information, contact tsmith@umext.umass.edu.
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Oakes Plimpton,
Market Manager of the Arlington Massachusetts Farmers' Market recently published
a book entitled "Farms and Farmers of the Arlington Farmers' Market, 1997-2005.
The book looks not only at the history of the farms who participate in the
market and how they grow their produce but also at the history of farming in
Arlington which once boasted 60 farms. Some of the farms featured include,
Kimball Fruit Farm, Pepperell, Dick's Market Garden, Lunenburg, Nicewicz
Orchard, Bolton and Busa Farm of Lexington, among others. For more information
contact Oakes Plimpton at plimag@rcn.com or
781-648-5117. The cost is $8.00 mailed.
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Gallo Family Vineyards, announced the formation of the first annual Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards. The program, honoring the highest caliber of artisanal food producers, will recognize excellence across a variety of food categories and will include a signature “Never Stop Growing Award” for the family-owned business that serves as an inspiration for other food industry professionals.
The Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards is designed to recognize and promote artisanal food producers who have been in business at least three years, and demonstrate excellence in preserving and supporting traditional ways of growing and producing food products.
Entries, which are being accepted through January 31, 2006, will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of industry judges, representing various disciplines within the culinary world.
Applications and additional information can be found on Gallo’s website at www.gallofamily.com.
A product award from a well-known organization with nationally known and
respected judges can bring consumer and trade attention to your product
to increase sales.
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The good news is that cranberry consumption is on the rise. How do consumers percieve the the cranberry? How often do they purchase cranberry products and when? How much of a role do the health benefits play? A new report answers those questions based on responses from a nationwide survey on consumer attitudes about cranberries. The survey was sponsored by the Cranberry Marketing Committee and finacially supported in part by the USDA Federal State Marketing Improvement Program through a cooperative agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the Wisconsin Cranberry Board.
To review the survey visit:
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Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, January 17-20, 2006
The Northeast Buyers Mission will be held in Boston on January 20th, 2006, after stops in Philadelphia, PA, and New York, NY. Buyers from Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are invited to meet with you. Last year, the Northeast Buyers Mission produced over $1.3 million in actual sales with projections of over $17 million! Plus, almost 400 new distributor relationships were formed.
The registration deadline is December 16th and the fee is $125. To receive profiles and buyers attending the mission, please contact Bonita Oehlke, bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us 617-626-1753.
Staying abreast of Exporting Trends - Identify Resources for Export Development!
In today's fast-paced business environment, you need news, information and tips quickly. You need it delivered to you in a clear, concise, modern medium. Seek out Expert Help, learn what is involved in exporting, including product labeling, financing and shipping requirements. The locations of the Small Business Administration export assistance centers can be found at www.sba.gov/oit/export/useac.html. For government programs that support export development including step by step recommendations visit www.foodexportusa.org.
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Learn how to design ecological landscapes. Build your business on the health
of the earth. Be one of the first in the country to become accredited in
Organic Land Care.
The 5th Annual Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)’s Course in Organic Land Care will be held on January 10, 11, 12, 17 and 18, 2006 (snow dates Jan. 19 and 20) at the Doyle Conservation Center, a newly constructed “green” building, in Leominster, MA.
Sponsored and organized by the NOFA Organic Land Care Program, this is
a five-day, intensive, 32.5-hour course designed to provide professionals
with the education needed for an understanding of organic land care from
design to maintenance. The curriculum is based on Standards for Organic
Land Care: Practices for Design and Maintenance of Ecological Landscapes,
written by NOFA’s Organic Land Care Committee. These Standards, first published
in 2001 and revised annually, extend the vision of organic agriculture
to the care of the entire landscape and are the first of their kind in
the country.
Course faculty include respected scientists and experienced organic land
care practitioners, who instruct the following classes: Principles and
Procedures; Site Analysis, Design, and Maintenance; Rain Gardens/Storm
Water Infiltration; Soil Health; Soil Foodweb; Fertilizer and Soil Amendments;
Composting; Lawns; Lawn Alternatives; Planting and Plant Care; Wetlands;
Pest Management; Wildlife Management; Disease Control; Weeds; Mulches;
Invasive Plants; and Client Relations. Four case studies are included in
the course.
At the end of the course attendees will be able to incorporate methods and materials that respect natural ecology and the long-term health of the environment into the care of their own landscapes or ones that they manage. Those who pass the optional exam offered at the conclusion of the course become NOFA accredited organic land care professionals, able to use the NOFA Organic Land Care Logo, be listed on the www.organiclandcare.net website, be published annually in the NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care
and have the opportunity to represent NOFA at organic land care events.
Over 200 land care professionals from eight states have taken NOFA’s course. These professionals include landscapers from large and small firms, landscape architects, garden center employees, municipal groundskeepers and property managers. Small business owners, entrepreneurs, homeowners, land trust and conservation organization staff and many others have also found the course extremely valuable.
Sarah Little, Ph.D., Coordinator, MA Pesticide Awareness Collaborative,
author of Pesticide Reduction Resource Guide for Citizens and Municipalities
of Massachusetts, believes:
"The NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care provides the foundation
for a trusting relationship between the landscaper and the client who are
working together to create a healthy and sustainable property. We have
found these Standards, along with the NOFA course which teaches them, to
be an absolutely essential base for our state-wide efforts to move the
public towards healthier and more ecologically sound suburban practices."
For more information or to receive registration brochures, contact Kathy
Litchfield, NOFA/Mass Organic Land Care Course Coordinator, at (978) 724-0108,
kathylitch29@yahoo.com,
or visit www.organiclandcare.net
and register online.
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The 2006 UMass Winter School for Turf Managers will run from January 2, 2006 through February 16, 2006. Although acceptance to Winter School is determined on a case-by-case basis and not by first-come-first-serve, applications received on or before September 16, 2005 will receive favor over applications received after that date.
Winter School is internationally renowned and geographically diverse.
Established in 1927 by Professor Lawrence S. Dickinson, this course was
the first of its kind and has made an outstanding contribution to turf
management around the world. The Class of 2006 will celebrate as the milestone
75th graduating class (Winter School was on hiatus from 1941-1943). Many
UMass Winter School for Turf Managers graduates hold positions as superintendents
of prestigious golf courses, managers of other fine turf areas and in associated
aspects of the turf industry throughout the United States, Canada, Australia
and Europe.
Winter School for Turf Managers has been approved for: pesticide re-certification
and re-licensing contact hours; 23 Continuing Education Units (CEUs); Education
Points or CEUs according to program standard for the Certified Sports Field
Manager Program; and GCSAA Class A certification or renewal of certification.
Click here for complete information and application.
Contact the UMass Amherst Winter School for Turf Managers, Continuing Education,
100 Venture Way, Hadley, MA 01035, tel (413) 545-0530.
The UMass Extension Turf Program
http://www.umassturf.org
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What's grey and white and warms you all over? The new Massachusetts Heritage Wool Blankets made of locally grown, natural, un-dyed wool woven and spun in western Massachusetts! Each blanket is warm, beautiful, natural, and sales support Massachusetts sheep farmers.
Wool is versatile fiber. It is natural, renewable and locally grown. Wool stays warm when wet. Heritage Wool Blankets are made in Massachusetts from Massachusetts wool. They are a modern product with historic roots, and if properly cared for will warm your family for generations.
Massachusetts wool products used to be commonplace. But with the closing of mills throughout the region, and the global marketplace driving wool values down, few wool products are grown and made in Massachusetts anymore. "The decline of wool textile mills in New England and low wool prices turned much raw wool into a nuisance rather than a product," says Mark Lattanzi, coordinator of the Heritage Wool Blanket project for CISA. "We saw an opportunity to create a beautiful blanket that could bring more income to farmers from what was becoming a waste product." Blanket sales by local farms will help fund their sheep operations; sales by CISA will help perpetuate the project.
Massachusetts Commissioner of Agriculture Douglas Gillespie sold wool to the project this year. "When I was a kid we always had our wool made into blankets and sold them. Most of those facilities are gone; it's great that CISA has been able to locate the few remaining facilities and make a project like this possible again," says Gillespie. "There's no way that one producer could undertake a project like this. This project gives us the opportunity to market our wool together for a reasonable return. Massachusetts has a substantial sheep population but most of the flocks are very small so this is potentially a very effective marketing tool for small farmers."
To learn more about the Heritage Wool Project, visit www.heritagewool.com.
Blankets cost $125 and are available from CISA online at the Heritage Wool
web site: www.heritagewool.com. Phone orders may be placed by calling CISA toll-free at 866-965-7100, or online via a secure server: http://www.buylocalfood.com/store.html#blanket
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The New Entry
Sustainable Farming Project (NESFP) assists immigrants and refugees with farming
backgrounds to develop viable farming operations in Massachusetts. Community
Teamwork, Inc. and Tufts University sponsor the NESFP, along with multiple
partner organizations such as the University of Massachusetts, USDA Farm Service
Agency, and MA Department of Agricultural Resources. See http://www.nesfp.org
for more information on the project. The candidate's main responsibilities will
be to provide technical assistance to new and continuing immigrant and refugee
farmers on multiple aspects of farm enterprise development: finding and
leasing/buying farmland; recordkeeping, business plans, marketing strategies,
coop participation, and various farming operations. BA/BS
degree; advanced degree preferable. Agricultural training and experience in
multiple aspects of farming and farm enterprise is essential. Position based
in Lowell, Massachusetts at Community Teamwork, Inc., NESFP office.
Send cover letter and resume to: Human
Resources Department, Community Teamwork, Inc., 167 Dutton Street, Lowell, MA
01852 or by email to Mary Ann Coffin mcoffin@comteam.org.
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The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program
is once again seeking applications for its Sustainable Farmer Educator
program. This program supports skilled and articulate farmers as they travel
to meetings, conferences and workshops around the Northeast to address
topics in sustainable agriculture.
These farmer educators have covered topics as diverse as adding value,
agritourism, sustainable production, grazing and farm management. Now the
SARE program specifically seeks a farmer with a background in farm labor
issues who can offer other farmers an opportunity for discussion, coordination,
information and improved connections with service providers.
The appointment brings with it a $6,000 award that can be used for travel, meals, lodging, communications costs and compensation for hours worked as an educator. Appointments normally run one year and the application process is competitive. To learn more about the Sustainable Farmer Educators program, go to
www.uvm.edu/~nesare.
To apply, go to
www.uvm.edu/~nesare and follow the "sustainable farmer educator" link to download the materials. If you prefer that the application be mailed, call 802/656-0471. The deadline for receipt of applications is January 9, 2006. The award will be announced in March.
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Internet-based system allows users access to
soil survey information
Massachusetts farmers, conservationists, engineering
firms, and city planners now have quick and easy access to the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s national soils information. The USDA’s Natural Resources
Conservation Service has launched the Web Soil Survey website,
which will provide secure public access to soils data that contributes to every
aspect of public and private land use and development.
"Until now soil survey maps, which help landowners
and land use professionals make informed land use decisions, were only available
in printed form," said Cecil B. Currin, NRCS State Conservationist for
Massachusetts. "Posting soil survey information on-line is one more step in our
effort to make information more accessible to the citizens we serve."
To view the Web Soil Survey website go to http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov.
Soil surveys began in 1899 as part of the nation's
earliest conservation efforts. Known as the National Cooperative Soil Survey, it
has evolved into a partnership of state and federal agencies working together to
collect, classify, interpret and provide soils information.
The Web Soil Survey website has been designed with
three easy to use features – Define, View and Explore – and operates much like
websites that provide driving
directions. When users visit the
web soil survey, they are asked to "Define" a geographic area of interest by
selecting a state and county or just by highlighting an area. Once a location
has been defined and displayed on the screen, the user has the choice to print
the map and related information, save it to their hard drive or download the
data for use in a geographic information system (GIS).
The user can also "Explore" the designated location
for specific information on soil suitability in relationship to usage. This
flexibility provides an opportunity to build a customized report that addresses
the user's individual needs. Information can be delivered in a variety of
formats, including print, CD, DVD or other media.
Prior to the site’s launch all soil survey maps were
printed and bound into soil survey books that were free to the public at local
USDA Service Centers, NRCS field offices and public libraries. The once familiar
soil survey publications will be phased out slowly and the federal government's
initiative of electronic government information (eGov) will replace the printed
publications through the use of this site.
Currently, NRCS has soils maps and data available
online for more than 95 percent of the nation's counties and anticipates having
100 percent in the near future. The site will be updated and maintained as the
single authoritative source of soil survey information.
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IN EVERY ISSUE
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,
Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us.
[back to contents]
- Nov. 30th, CISA’s 12th Annual Meeting, The Red Barn at Hampshire College, Amherst, 6 – 9:00 p.m.
Potluck supper and keynote address by Kathy Lawrence. For more info. or
to RSVP, please contact Jennifer Williams, jennifer@buylocalfood.com
- December 1 & 2, Annual Massachusetts Farm Bureau Meeting, Peabody, Marriott
- December 5, Second annual B2B Networking Event, 2-5 p.m. at UMass Dartmouth’s Advanced Technology & Manufacturing Center in Fall River. Cindy Scheller, 508-642-9004, caddisco@verizon.net.
- December 13, 14, 15, New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, NH, www.newenglandvfc.org.
- January 10, 11, 12, 17 & 18, The 5th Annual NOFA Course in Organic Land Care, Doyle Conservation Center at 464 Abbott Street in Leominster. 5-day intensive course trains and accredits professionals to practice organic land care. Contact: Kathy Litchfield, (978) 724-0108, kathylitch29@yahoo.com.
- January 12, SEMAP B2B Workshop: “Economics and Strategy of Local B2B Sales” 1:00-3:00 pm, UMass Dartmouth Professional and Continuing Education Center, 800 Purchase St. (Corner William St.), New Bedford. www.umassd.edu/pce/newbedford/welcome.cfm,Cindy Scheller, 508-642-9004, caddisco@verizon.net.
- January 17, Flower Growers Winter Mtg., Mahoney's, Woburn.
- January 21, 19th Annual NOFA/MASS Winter Conference, Bancroft School, Worcester.
[back to contents]
Published bi-monthly by:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, Governor
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Stephen R. Pritchard, 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 January/February. Please send news, calendar
and/or classified information by January 20th to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us, or fax to 617-626-1850.
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