LOCAL NEWS
NEWS FROM USDA
IN EVERY ISSUE
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FOR MASSACHUSETTS FARMERS
By Douglas P. Gillespie, Commissioner
For at least the past two decades, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has developed a “tool kit” of programs and services designed to enhance farm viability statewide. We believe that these programs represent the future face of Massachusetts agriculture; they expand value-added and direct marketing opportunities to take our consumer population and make it our success!
We now have a number of marketing opportunities, particularly farmers markets and our farm-to-school initiative, which can boast many interested consumers, but which lack farmer participation. So this column will explore those farmer opportunities.
Farmers Markets are not a new phenomenon. They’ve been part of our cities,
suburban communities and even rural areas for several decades. Last year
alone, Massachusetts saw a ten percent increase in operating farmers markets;
we now have about 115 active markets statewide, and a shortage of farmers
participating! A number of additional communities are seeking to start
markets, but are worried that they might not be able to recruit enough
farmers.
Many existing markets have openings for a wide array of farm products, not just fruits and vegetables. For example, the Newton Farmers Market, one of the top markets in the state, has been searching for several years for a bottled milk vendor with no success—a missed opportunity for a local dairy farm.
The consumer interest in farmers markets is so strong that plans are underway to develop year round public markets in both Boston and Springfield.
Selling at farmers markets has many benefits. Farmers get the retail food dollar without the cost of constructing and operating a farmstand. The market is an opportunity to meet customers face to face, and get feedback on products or ideas for new products. Even those operations with existing farmstands can use the markets as outreach and advertising to recruit new customers. Many local chefs prowl existing markets in search of local farm products, so it’s a great way to break into the restaurant market. It is also a way to participate in the federal-state farmers market coupon program, where eligible consumers receive subsidized coupons for redemption only at farmers markets.
As we enter 2006, we already have 18 additional farmers markets looking to start up this season! The list, including a contact person, follows:
- Ashland: Steve Kerlin, 508-881-0115
- Belmont: Heli Tomford, 617-484-0170, belmontfarmersmarket@gmail.com
- Brookfield: Sarah Heller, 508-867-8494
- Cambridge/Harvard University: Jessica Zdeb, 617-496-6201
- Dorchester/Four Corners: Natilie Jean, 617-287-1651
- Douglas: Marlene Bosma, 508-278-6027
- Duxbury: Sandy Sweetster, 978-452-6661
- East Cambridge: Risa Mednick, 617-461-0532
- Falmouth: Heidi Walz, quissettgardening@adelphia.net
- Harwich: Alan Hall, hall@harwich.edu
- Mefield: Laura Einbinder, 508-359-2268
- Nahant: Carol Hanson, 781-581-1271
- Reading: Michelle Ferullo, 781-942-5902
- Rowley: Debbie Streiff, 978 948-7506
- Salem: Frank Taormina, 978-745-9595, ext. 311
- South Hadley: Linda Kurowski, 413-538-5042
- Sudbury: Lee Swanson, 978-443-3747
- Winchendon: Judy Mizhir, 978-297-0560
An existing farmers' market in Franklin, (Fridays, 1-6pm) is looking for
bread and cheese vendors. Contact Carol Harper at 508-520-4907 or
charper@franklin.ma.us.
Check future issues of the Farm & Market Report for updated listings of new and existing markets seeking vendors. More
information on Farmers Markets is available from David Webber at 617-626-1754
or david.webber@state.ma.us, or from our website: www.mass.gov/agr/markets/farmersmarkets/resources_growers.htm.You may also contact the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers Markets at
781-893-8222, staff@massfarmersmarkets.org or on the web at www.massfarmersmarkets.org.
Our Farm-to-School program offers equally exciting opportunities! With renewed interest in improving nutrition for school children via the school food service system, these programs are actively buying from local farms. To date, 38 school systems are actively buying locally; some use their existing distributors but most are dealing direct with local farms. On the flip side, farmer participation is lacking, with only about 16 farms marketing through this method. I believe that this is another missed opportunity for local farms!
DAR contracted with Kelly Erwin, a former staff member, to coordinate Farm-to-School efforts in Massachusetts, as she has done a great job! Kelly has developed market information, tips to consider in this market, and other useful information. Kelly can be reached at 413-253-3844 or via email at kelerwin@localnet.com.
In a nutshell, we have found that schools are able to pay competitive prices for farm goods, and desire a diversity of fresh products. Minimally processed products are popular, such as peeled potatoes, carrot sticks, and others. Over time, if there’s good communication, school food purchasers can begin to buy a surprising volume and diversity of products! Think of the educational aspect: you are gaining access to the entire family by feeding the children at school! Check it out at: www.mass.gov/agr/markets/Farm_to_school/index.htm
Recently, this market has expanded greatly as MassDevelopment has begun exploring Farm-to-College opportunities! More information on this opportunity is also available from Kelly Erwin, but we appreciate this boost from MassDevelopment CEO Bob Culver.
The statewide initiative to establish municipal Agricultural Commissions continues to enjoy great momentum! To date, 49 cities and towns have voted to create an AgCom, and 30 have adopted local “Right-to-Farm” bylaws. With your help, both of these numbers could double in the next year! I’ve often said that this initiative is the biggest pro-active step taken by Massachusetts farmers since the creation of the Farmland Assessment Act nearly four decades ago. AgComs provide a place at the municipal policy table for farms, and the bylaw creates local awareness about the importance of local farms.
We are now entering Town Meeting season, so the time is perfect to get the movement going in your town. For more information, check out our website: www.mass.gov/agr/agcom/index.htm. If you live in the four Western Massachusetts counties, you can contact Pete Westover for assistance at 413-665-4077 or westover03@comcast.net, Middlesex, Worcester and Norfolk county farmers can contact Cheryl Lekstrom at 508-935-6936 or clekstrom@mac.com, while those in Southeastern Massachusetts can work with Irene Winkler at 508-295-1317 ext. 130 or irene.winkler@ma.usda.gov
So opportunities abound for Massachusetts farmers to improve marketing and long term farm viability! Don’t sit on the sidelines. Check these out, and see how they might benefit your farm and your future!
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Smart growth protects natural resources by reducing land consumption and
channeling development away from critical water supply, habitat, farm, and other
important lands. EOEA's Sustainable Development and
Urban Environments and Smart Conservation
goals are realized when municipalities pass and developers use smart growth
consistent land use techniques, such as the twelve included in the Massachusetts
Smart Growth Toolkit. The Toolkit provides local officials, developers, and
citizens with tools to develop in ways that protect and restore these critical
natural resources and encourages new residential and economic growth.
The Massachusetts
Smart Growth Toolkit provides the materials necessary to promote greater
understanding of a variety of smart growth measures along with the substance
necessary to customize the techniques to local circumstance. This is a very
visual resource with extensive images, graphics, maps, and diagrams, as well as,
case studies, slideshows suitable for both the general public and practitioners,
and model bylaws.
Events are scheduled around the state either as Toolkit-only sessions or within other workshops. These outreach sessions focus on the Toolkit as a whole or on one or more specific smart growth techniques. For a listing visit: http://www.mass.gov/envir/sgtk.htm
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The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, in cooperation
with Berkshire Grown, announces a new Agricultural Business Planning Course to be offered late
January-March, 2006.
MDAR will once again provide experienced instructors, a nationally acclaimed NxLevel© curriculum tailored for agriculture, dynamic guest speakers and wonderful peer networking opportunities through its popular course “Tilling The Soil of Opportunity”. More than 250 agricultural businesses in Massachusetts have completed this course to date, and all have given it high marks for its effectiveness and immediate utility in their businesses. Each session leads to completion of a chapter in a comprehensive and adaptable business plan. By the end of the 11 session (one per week), farm business operators have a document and an understanding they can take to lenders, family members, potential customers and others who need to see a well thought out approach to sustainable operations and profitability. This course also qualifies as borrower training through FSA.
Locations are chosen for their suitability for informal sessions where dialog and food are a key feature of the evening. Registration is limited to 12 agricultural enterprises, with the option to bring a partner for the same $300 per business fee if space permits. This fee, representing a small portion of the true course cost, includes all materials and programs plus individual post-course technical assistance to help complete your business plan. Payment options are available if the up-front cost is a significant barrier for an otherwise qualified applicant.
If you are growing an existing agricultural business, contemplating making significant changes (including transfer of property or operations to another owner/generation), or just need a tune-up using a well organized and easy to use format - this course is for you.
In the past six years, we have had participants whose businesses were grossing from $5,000 to $5,000,000. This course is not intended for farms in early start-up mode. You must have current access to land and facilities to implement your plan, and you must have at least a year of experience operating an ag-related enterprise. If you are still in the idea stage and need to test your assumptions before beginning, we will refer you to other excellent options. Not sure? Call to discuss.
Contact: Rick Chandler (413) 577-0459 or rchandler@umext.umass.edu.
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Free Consultation and Follow-Up!
Here’s a great opportunity to speak with a professional advisor in a confidential, one-on-one session on these important topics:
· Estate planning and farm transfer issues
· Tax planning
· Record keeping and accounting
· Borrowing and credit
· Crop insurance
· Business planning and business structure
The sessions will be held between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. in these locations:
· March 7 at the UMass Dartmouth Campus, Fall River
· March 8 at the Clarion Hotel, Northampton
· March 9 at the Farm Bureau offices, Ashland
This is an individual consultation, not a workshop or group setting. The agenda for the discussion is yours. The consultation is confidential and free of charge. You may bring a spouse or business partner and relevant documents to get the most out of your session.
New this year! After receiving your initial consultation, you are eligible for up to $200 for a follow-up session. You can go into greater depth and detail on these topics with another session with an advisor of your choice.
You must sign up in advance. Call 413-323-4531 for reservations and directions.
You may reserve up to two one-hour slots on different topics. For more
information contact Kathy Ruhf at 413-323-9878 or kzruhf@verizon.net.
This program is being sponsored by the MA Department of Agricultural Resources and the New England Small Farm Institute through the USDA Risk Management Agency’s Crop Insurance Education Program, in partnership with SEMAP, CISA and the MA Farm Bureau Federation. The Project sponsors are not liable for any advice you receive or actions you take as a result of these sessions or any subsequent sessions you arrange. Firms and affiliations are listed for information purposes only. No endorsement of a firm or product is implied.
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On March 29th and 30th the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) will be hosting the annual Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism in Springfield. This conference features a number of nationally known speakers and workshops on a variety of tourism-related topics. The workshops help develop valuable hands-on skills, share tourism "best practices" and success stories both within the state and around the country. This year, MOTT has made a special effort to provide several workshops designed to address the needs of rural communities interested in promoting outdoor adventure, natural, cultural and agricultural experiences to both residents and visitors in the Commonwealth. We encourage you or a representative to register for the conference and attend these valuable workshops and a networking session that could provide valuable information and strategies for your business and/or organization.
A Rural Tourism Development session to be held on Wednesday March 29, will be presented by Peter Jorgenson, founder of Heartland Consulting in Iowa, who provides services to organizations seeking to develop and enhance their programs in heritage tourism. As Group Travel Manager for the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area, Jorgenson began a program in agri-tourism in 1999 that has received national attention. Part of his session will focus on evaluating a region or community's natural, cultural and agricultural resources; the baseline information needed to develop strategies that promote the considered use and experience of these resources by visitors and residents.
Following this session on Wednesday afternoon, an informal networking gathering
is being planned to provide conference attendees an opportunity to share
ideas, learn about other opportunities and programs that might assist in
promoting the wise use of natural, agricultural and outdoor resources.
Special guest David Tuttle, Director of Rural Development for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, will attend and be able to discuss federally-funded
programs to promote rural development. Afterwards, the wine and cheese
tasting reception sponsored by the Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources
will further the opportunity for camaraderie!
On Thursday, March 30, another useful workshop entitled "Connecting Your Audience to the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Massachusetts Through Thoughtful Interpretive Experience Design" will be offered by Tim Merriman, Executive Director of the National Association of Interpretation.
For registration information and a full conference schedule, visit the MOTT website at www.massvacation.com/jsp/static_in/governor/welcome.jsp?cat=183. The 2 day conference registration is $230. There is also a one-day rate
of $180 that allows for attendees of all sessions on March 29th including
two workshop choices, keynote luncheon speaker from Disney University,
along with a wine and cheese reception, and the gala annual dinner banquet.
If you have any questions, please contact either Ellen Fitzpatrick at ellen.fitzpatrick@state.ma.us or 617/626-1412; Marion Larson at marion.larson@state.ma.us or 508/792-7270x111 or Rick LeBlanc at Richard.leBlanc@state.ma.us 617/626-1759.
Please let us know if you plan to attend! We look forward to seeing you at the conference!
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University of Massachusetts, Amherst – Campus Center
February 2, 2006 9 am to 1 pm - Coffee served at 8:30
A series of presentations will be given on how to avoid fish diseases. Included in the program will be warmwater diseases, coldwater diseases, commercial perspectives and legal restrictions.
Talks will be presented by:
Daniel Marchant - Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Ken Simmons - Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Keith Wilda – Australis Aquaculture
Sasha Dyer - Australis Aquaculture
There is no charge for the workshop. To register: Call Craig Hollingsworth
at (413) 545-1055 or email chollingsworth@umext.umass.edu.
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The 2006 Agricultural Composting Registration Annual Report Forms have been sent to all persons who were registered in 2005. The completed report forms must be received at the DAR office in Boston on or before February 28,
2006. Failure to complete the Annual Report will result in the expiration of the current Registration. If you believe that you should have received an Annual Report Registration Form and you haven’t received it yet, call Bill Blanchard at 617-626-1709 immediately.
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SEMAP is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help agricultural enterprises
in southeastern Massachusetts achieve economic success. SEMAP works towards
this mission through two main program areas:
- Market Development:
Working to create demand locally for locally-produced agricultural
products.
- Business/Technical Assistance: Providing targeted business education and assistance to local
agricultural enterprises.
Tues. Feb. 7, 10:00 am-3:00 pm: “Schedule F & Beyond: Get Organized, Get the Latest, & Get Help on Farm Taxes.” Led by Jon Jaffe & Briana Sheldon of First Pioneer Farm Credit.
Thurs. March 2, 9:00 am-3:00 pm: Cut Flower Business and Production Workshop. Led by Lois Stack of UMaine, Paul Lopes and Bess Dicklow of UMass, and Jon Jaffe of First Pioneer.
Tuesday March 7, 8:30 am-3:00 pm (one-hour slots): 1-on-1 Business Assistance for Agricultural Enterprises. Led by farm business experts and your farm needs.
For details and registration info., visit www.umassd.edu/semap/ or call Sarah Kelley, 508-295-2212 x 50 or email skelley@umassd.edu.
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The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has received funding
from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to reimburse certified organic
farmers up to 75% ($500 maximum) of total certification costs.
These funds are available to farmers inspected and certified and/or inspected and receiving renewal of certification between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006. Applications for reimbursement are due by October 15, 2006.
The cost-share program aims to assist eligible organic crop and livestock
producers in transitioning to the National Organic Program and to provide
an incentive to adopt the national standards.
For a copy of the organic certification cost reimbursement application
please contact Ellen Hart at (617) 626-1742 ellen.hart@state.ma.us
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Save the Date! If you have been considering selling at farmers' markets but just are not sure if its for you, plan to attend the "Consider Farmers' Market Workshop" to be held Tuesday, April 4th at Brigham Hill Community Farm in North Grafton. Topics will include developing a farmers' market plan, risk management, making the transition from wholesale to retail and more. Speakers will include both experienced and new farmers who currently participate in Massachsuetts farmers' markets. Stay tuned for more information, or contact David Webber at 617-626-1754 or david.webber@state.ma.us.
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Take
advantage of the enormous good will and recognition enjoyed by CISA's 'Be a
Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown'(TM) brand by joining the Local Hero campaign for
the 2006 season. Local Hero farm members enjoy a wide range of benefits,
including a free listing in CISA's widely distributed Farm Products Guide (circulation 250,000) and on its website, www.buylocalfood.com;
use of the Local Hero brand on their farm products, marketing advice and
assistance and much more. Make 2006 the year your farm receives the benefit of
the widely recognized Local Hero brand. Enrollment information is available at
www.buylocalfood.com or by calling Jennifer Williams, administrative assistant at CISA, 413-665-7100. Enrollment deadline is March 31. Membership is open to farmers in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties, the Quabbin region of Worcester County and the eastern edge of Berkshire County.
Campaign Director, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture
1 Sugarloaf Street, Second Floor
South Deerfield, MA
01373
Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30-5:30; Friday
8:30-12:30
t: 413-665-7100 toll-free: 866-965-7100 f:413-665-7101
http://www.buylocalfood.com
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The University of Massachusetts Extension Agriculture and Landscape Program
will once again sponsor a seminar series for back yard gardeners and beginning
or part-time farmers and landscapers.
In the tradition of the Mass Aggie Seminars, the 2006 UMass Small Farm
and Garden days will feature UMass Extension Educators and UMass Amherst
faculty. Instruction will emphasize how to produce food and manage landscapes
and small farms in a sustainable manner. A broad and diverse range of topics
will be presented, covering specifics within several areas including livestock,
tree fruit, berries, vegetables, flowers, landscape plants, and turf.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, February 18, Peabody - Growing/Pruning
Apples
Saturday, February 25, Belchertown - Growing/Pruning
Apples
Saturday, March 4, Peabody - Growing/Pruning Stone
Fruit
Saturday, March 11, Hardwick - Pruning Grapes
Saturday, March 18, New Salem - Pruning Blueberries & Raspberries
Saturday, March 25, Waltham - Vegetable, Fish, and Fruit Day
Saturday, April 1, Waltham - Lawn & Landscape Day
Saturday, April 8, Belchertown - Growing/Pruning Stone Fruit
Saturday, April 22, Waltham - Horses, Livestock & Heritage Breeds
Day; Includes Pesticide Safety & Equipment
Preregistration is required. For a registration form go to www.MassAggieSeminars.org or call 413-545-0895 to have one mailed or faxed to you.
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University of Massachusetts Extension presents Potential Pests, Possible Solutions, Wednesday, March 29th, at the Radisson Hotel - Brockton, MA.
UMass Extension, in cooperation with its local partner Plymouth County Cooperative Extension and the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, will sponsor an important symposium for green industry professionals and municipal employees with horticultural responsibilities: landscapers, arborists, garden center personnel, foresters, tree wardens, and state and town agency personnel that work in the areas of pest management and public relations.
Potential Pests, Possible Solutions is a research-based caterpillar update, including information on the winter moth project and what may be a potentially big year for gypsy moth. In addition, other potential "invasive" plants, insects, and diseases that may be looming on our horizon will also be featured. The program will address strategies that government agencies and green industry professionals may implement to work together in addressing these problems. The closing presentation will highlight the myriad of new pesticide products, their unique modes of action, and how they may be utilized in a management program for both established as well as potential invaders.
Once again, the conference focus will be on providing you, the Green Industry Professional, with the information you will need to better serve your clients this next season. Five pesticide contact hours available for categories 29, 36, and Applicators License. ISA, MCA, MCH, and MCLP credits have been requested.
Registration is $65 (lunch is included in the registration), checks are payable to University of Massachusetts. Send to: Potential Pests, UMass Extension, French Hall, 230 Stockbridge Rd., Amherst,
MA 01003.
For more information, contact UMass Ext., (413) 545-0895, eweeks@umext.umass.edu, or Deborah Swanson, Plymouth County Ext., at (781) 293-3541, dswanson@umext.umass.edu.
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Thursday, March 23, 2006
Stockbridge Hall, University of Massachusetts Amherst
This one-day conference is designed for Arborists, Tree Wardens, Municipal Managers, City Planners and Landscape Architects who are involved in the management of property, both private and municipal. The theme for this year's conference is: GROWING GREEN- STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS.
Our keynote speakers for the 2006 conference will be Dr. Roger Harris, Associate Professor in the Horticulture Dept. at Virginia Tech University Blacksburg, VA and Dr. Susan Day, Assistant Professor in the Forestry Dept. at Virginia Tech University.
Dr. Harris, an expert on tree root growth and plant propagation, will speak on proper transplanting and planting of trees. Dr. Day's research focuses on tree root growth in compacted soils and how infrastructure design can accommodate tree roots through porous paving materials and structural soils.
Additional topics include identification of plant health care problems, proper design, and planning ahead for new insect and disease problems identified in New England. ISA, MCA, SAF, MCH, MCLP and ASLA credits will be awarded.
This annual conference is sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Extension, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation and the USDA Forest Service.
Registration is $60 (lunch and parking are included in the registration), checks are payable to University of Massachusetts. Send to: Tree Conference, UMass Extension, French Hall, 230 Stockbridge Rd., Amherst, MA 01003.
For more information, go to www.umassgreeninfo.org or contact the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program at (413) 545-0895 or eweeks@umext.umass.edu.
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On Sunday March 26, Massachusetts Agriculture in Classroom(MAC) will celebrate its 25th year of educating teachers, school children and the public about local farming, nutrition and the environment with a Gala Dinner. The event honors Fred Winthrop, former Massachusetts Commissioner of Agriculture, for all his agricultural
and environmental achievements including his key role in the formation
of MAC.
This is a great opportunity to meet and greet new and past MAC board members, farmers and friends of Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, while you help us continue our programs to bring the message of local agriculture to the public. $50 per person. To request an invitation, call 508-336-4426 or email dchogan@sprynet.com. Reception begins at 4 p.m. at Coolidge Hall on the Topsfield Fairgrounds.
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Are you a success story?
And are a first generation immigrant or refugee? The Department is looking for success stories of immigrants and refugees who have been successful in starting a farm operation anywhere in New England. We are assisting the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants who have received a USDA grant to develop a work plan to assist immigrants and refugees get into agriculture in Massachusetts. One aspect in developing the work plan is to interview those that have been successful in getting started (we also want to know about those who have not been successful) to find out what obstacles they faced and what kind of assistance would be helpful.
As the average age of our farmers continues to increase, we need to find
new sources of the next generation of farmers. Many immigrants and refugees
have agricultural experience in their native lands and provide the agricultural
community with a potential resource for both labor and possibly the next
generation of farm owners. So if you know of an immigrant or refugee that
has been successful (or not) in getting started in agriculture, preferably
in Massachusetts, but anywhere in New England, please send the information
to kent.lage@state.ma.us or larry.dixon@state.ma.us. Larry Dixon is the coordinator for the USDA grant at the Office for Refugees
and Immigrants, 617-727-7888, ext.330. Thanks for your help.
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The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) would like to remind Massachusetts farmers that they can sign-up any time for federal
conservation cost-share programs that
will help them address natural
resource concerns on their land. A conservation plan is required as part of the application
evaluation process, so farmers are encouraged to call or visit their
local USDA service center to schedule a time to complete the necessary paperwork
and begin the conservation planning process. USDA service center locations are
listed on-line at http://offices.usda.gov or in the
phone book under Federal Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture. General
program information is available on the NRCS Massachusetts website at www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov.
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The USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Serviceis offering a pilot cost-share program for
Massachusetts greenhouse operations in targeted watersheds to help demonstrate
the environmental and economic benefits of water quality and water conservation
practices in this industry. Greenhouse operations in the Ipswich River and
Parker River watersheds (sections of Essex and Middlesex counties) are eligible
to participate in this pilot program. The selected watersheds are designated as
highly stressed river basins. Read more...
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The USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service has announced the release of up to $20
million dollars for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). This nationwide
competition promotes the development and adoption of innovative conservation
technologies and approaches. Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program
funds are used to award competitive grants to non-federal governmental or
non-governmental organizations, tribes, or individuals. CIG enables NRCS to work
with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and
adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the
nation's most pressing natural resource concerns. Proposals are due March 20, 2006. Read more...
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The Taunton River, perhaps the most diverse and intact
coastal riverene ecosystem in all of southern New England, has been selected
by USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service as Massachusetts' watershed for the
Conservation Security Program (CSP) in 2006. Farmers who have land in the
selected watershed and who practice good soil and water conservation may be
eligible for CSP payments. Read more...
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IN EVERY ISSUE
-
Help Wanted at Atlas Farm, S. Deerfield. Grow a wide variety of certified organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers and sell our products primarily at farmers' markets in Boston and Western Mass. Also sell wholesale to area grocery stores and restaurants throughout the season.
Positions available for 2006: Full-time Field Crew Leader (April through
Nov., 50+ hrs./wk.); Full-time Field Workers (May through Oct., 50 hrs./wk.);
Part-time Farmers’ Market Assistant (June through Nov., 20-30 hrs./wk.);
Part-time delivery driver (June through Nov., 8-10 hrs./wk.) For an application
or more info., email
gideon@atlasfarm.com or call 413-695-2728.
- Registered Polled Dorset Rams for sale; mature Penn State ram; RR. 3 of his sons; 1 RR, 2 QR, 2 other young rams, QR. Call UMass Livestock 413-549-3258 www.umassdorsets.com
-
Empire Packaging Company - A full service supplier of packaging for today's agriculture. Pick Your Own Berry Packaging , Farmstand Packaging , Wholesale Packaging & More (800) 562-5520 or (508) 426-7813.
- Need a property caretaker for your farm? Massachusetts farmers can run a free caretaker-wanted ad in THE CARETAKER GAZETTE. Please call (830) 336-3939 or visit www.caretaker.org.
- For Sale – Scottsman Root Harvester – single row with conveyer $3000, Call Dean at 802-848-3178.
How to Place a Classified Ad
Classified ads are accepted free-of charge on a first-come basis. 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.
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- January 31 - Feb. 2, New England Grows! Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, www.negrows.org
- February 11, Agriculture in the Classroom Conference For Teachers, Baird Middle School in Ludlow, 8:30am - 3:30 pm, Complete program at www.aginclassroom.org.
- February 23, Central Mass Flower Show, Worcester's DCU Center, www.centralmaflowershow.com.
- March 11-19, 2006 New England Spring Flower Show, Bayside Expo Center Boston.
- March 26 - Ag in the Classroom Gala Dinner, Coolidge Hall, Topsfield Fair, Call for reservations, 508-336-4426.
- April 4 - Consider Farmers Mkt Workshop, Brigham Hill Community Farm, 9-3:30pm, contact David Webber, 617-626-1754
for registration.
- May 3rd, Agricultural Day at the Statehouse, Come one come all, contact: Mary Jordan, 617-626-1759, Mary.Jordan@state.ma.us.
- May 11 - Massachusetts Envirothon, Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park, Uxbridge. Visit www.maenvirothon.org for more
information.
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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 April/May. Please send news, calendar and/or
classified information by March 17th to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us, or fax to 617-626-1850.
Sign up to receive the Farm & Market Report via e-mail (send blank
email)