LOCAL NEWS

• Commissioner's Column
• $2.7 Million in Grants for Agricultural Innovation Awarded
• MDAR Solicits Applications for Dairy Farm Relief
• Massachusetts Agricultural Marketing Grant Awards
• Farm Viability Program Application Deadline is June 20
• MDAR Energy News
• Potential Greenhouse Opportunity?
• Farmers’ Markets Seeking Vendors
• 2007 Summer Fancy Food Show Buyers Mission: New York City
• The 2007 Summer Meeting & Trade Show
• Massachusetts Agricultural Commission Website Launch
• Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week is Coming!
• IPM Field Schools
• Weed Identification Workshops
• Seeds of Solidarity Visiting Day
• Boston to Host Second National Conference on Healthy Hospital Food
• Davenport Home Destroyed by Fire

NEWS FROM USDA

• Summer Pasture Walk Series
• Presidential Major Disaster Declaration M1701
• Clam Crop Insurance
• USDA to Look at Land Uses Across the State

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Commissioner's Column

“It’s a Good Time to be in Agriculture”

Greetings!

I’ve titled this column with a quote that I heard at the recent graduation of the Spring ’07 “Explorer” course that was held in Southeastern Massachusetts. At that graduation I had the opportunity to meet and speak with program graduates who had worked through the program to learn more about farming in our Commonwealth. The course also included an opportunity for participants to conduct a self-assessment of ability, resources and desire to, as the course description relates, explore their small farm dreams. The title quote of this column came from several participants who articulated their belief that now is a good time to get into farming as part of their reasoning for taking the course. And although anyone who knows me would likely define me as an “eternal optimist”, I fully agree with the sentiment that it truly is “a good time to be in agriculture”!

Cases in point, as recent as May 10, Governor Patrick filed and, thanks in large part to the swift action of our Legislature, signed legislation that provided $3.6 million to our beleaguered dairy industry and also set the ground work for a Dairy Revitalization Task Force that will work on long term solutions aimed at keeping dairy farming healthy and active in our Commonwealth. A week later on May 18, Governor Patrick, Senate President Murray and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Bowles joined Jeff LaFleur, Executive Director of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association and dozens of cranberry growers, grower’s friends, families and industry supporters to announce the 2007 Massachusetts Agricultural Innovation Center (AIC) grants. With a focus on enabling economic development opportunities for Massachusetts agricultural pursuits, the AIC grants will have statewide impact, helping to raise the economic profile and impact of agriculture within our Commonwealth. Finally, at the time of this writing, the Massachusetts Senate has just completed their work on the FY2008 budget and although the Senate version is not exactly the same as “House 1” (i.e. the Governor’s budget proposal) or the House version, it remains very favorable for Massachusetts agriculture, retaining a number of “ag friendly” items such as the Agricultural Innovation Center, funding for 4-H, Buy Local campaigns and shellfish propagation. Now the budget will move to House and Senate Conference committee (step 6 of the 9 step process) and as we get closer to a final budget we remain “cautiously optimistic” that the FY08 budget will be good for Agriculture.

The FY2008 budget activity as well as the dairy industry relief efforts and the AIC grants have provided an immediate benefit for Massachusetts agriculture. Perhaps as important, these positive events will enable programmatic development and industry driven initiatives that will also have lasting and sustainable impact on our Commonwealth’s agricultural industry. Indeed, a “good time to be in agriculture”!

In my last column I alluded to partnerships as an important if not essential component to creating and delivering programs and activities that are well targeted and accurate in their focus on need. Clearly, development of our administrative and interagency partnerships is well underway and to that end has already yielded great benefit for Massachusetts agriculture. We are also fortunate to have well developed relationships with federal and municipal partners that are currently providing additional benefit to individual farmers and to the Commonwealth’s farming community at large. To that end, through a letter of cooperation and with a provision of financial assistance that is matched dollar for dollar from the federal government, we are working with the USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Services and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts to expand the application and development of conservation plans for Massachusetts farmers. Importantly, conservation plans provide an opportunity for farmers to analyze and modify farming businesses while documenting practices and operational procedures that are good for the bottom line as well as the environment. This program has been well received by our farming community and we look forward to continuing our partnership that enables these services into the future.

Although it involves “conservation” of another form, we are also excited about our opportunities to help farms conserve energy while looking toward integration of renewable or alternative energy. In this edition of F&M you’ll see a brief article and survey form that I strongly encourage all farms take advantage of. As we begin development of a new renewable energy program, it is critical that we hear from our farming community to insure development of a program that is representative of the needs and interest of Massachusetts agriculture. As this program develops we also envisage strong partnerships with industry, public and private organizations and other government agencies that will work to identify and implement new opportunities in energy conservation and renewable/alternative energy utilization.

I would also like to take this opportunity to provide several updates on other matters that rely in large part on cooperation and partnerships that we are currently working on: Agricultural Commissions now number 103 and still growing! And since the last edition of the F&M, the Pilgrim Resource and Conservation District (Pilgrim RC&D) launched a new web page dedicated to agricultural commissions that can be viewed at www.massagcom.org. This page was developed by a steering committee comprised of ag-comm members from different municipalities. Accordingly, the page was designed and populated with information relevant to agricultural commission needs. Importantly, this page and the information presented therein will rely on use and input by agricultural commission members. With that in mind, although this page can be a valuable resource and communication tool for agricultural commissions, it will only be as good as agricultural commission members make it.
Generated in part as a result of recent food safety concerns (Fall ’06 spinach contamination) emphasis for recognition and implementation of GAP or “Good Agricultural Practices” and BMPs or “Best Management Practices” has been growing. In response, with the belief that operational and management practices should be defined by industry, the Department has provided support through the Massachusetts Farm Bureau to work with commodity groups to document such practices. From my previous experiences with the shellfish aquaculture I can attest that development of, or more importantly, agreement on, specific practices for agricultural production is no easy feat. Nonetheless, the opportunity provided by the documentation of industry practices increases regulatory and, most importantly, consumer confidence leading to greater marketability of the specific product. As this exciting opportunity develops, look for future updates in F&M or on our web page.

Now rapidly running out of writing space, I’d like to close with a word about our current efforts to look for a long term solution for the Massachusetts dairy industry. As a result of the same legislation that created the dairy industry relief grants, a 17 member Dairy Revitalization Task Force is being convened to examine and propose long term solutions that will reduce the volatility in milk prices that are driven by a federal pricing system and provide for a viable future for Massachusetts Dairy production. The Task Force’s work is dictated by the legislation to conclude with a reporting of findings together with legislation, if any, to the clerks of the senate and House of Representatives, the chairs of the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture and the senate and house committees on ways and means not later than October 1, 2007. Clearly, we have a great deal of work to accomplish between now and October and I look forward to reporting our progress as we move forward. Until next time wishing you all a prosperous and productive season!

Sincerely,

Scott J. Soares
Acting Commissioner

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$2.7 Million in Grants for Agricultural Innovation Awarded

May 18th, Governor Deval Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray joined Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles in announcing $2.7 million in grants to help Massachusetts farmers compete in the marketplace.

The grants, announced following a tour of Bog Hollow Farm in Kingston led by owners Lydia and Barry Mathias, are the first to be awarded through the new Agricultural Innovation Center, which was created by the Legislature last year. With no office or staff, the Agricultural Innovation Center is a “virtual” center, which uses grants to build partnerships between the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and industry support and trade organizations to develop agricultural enterprises that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

The largest of the grants – for $1.5 million – goes to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, which will conduct a competitive process to provide up to $10,000 per acre (out of a total cost of $20,000 to $30,000 per acre) for bog renovation. The additional production bog renovation makes possible will also support ancillary business development, for such products as dried cranberries and cranberry concentrate.

“It is fully appropriate that the cranberry industry would be the centerpiece of the Agricultural Innovation Center’s first grant year,” said Governor Patrick. “It is in our best interests to keep the Massachusetts cranberry industry alive and well and thriving in the global marketplace. The $1.5 million provided by the Agricultural Innovation Center is the Commonwealth’s investment in making that happen.”

Senate President Murray, who was instrumental in passing the legislation that created the Agricultural Innovation Center, also stressed the need to help the region’s cranberry growers find new ways to compete.

“Every year, our cranberry farmers lose more ground to their counterparts up north because they haven’t been able to keep up with the advances that keep this industry competitive,” said Senate President Murray. “These grants will help farmers begin to rehabilitate their bogs, which is expected to double their yield of cranberries and cut their water use in half.”

Agricultural Innovation Center grants, which require substantial matching funds from industry and other sources, have also been awarded to nine other projects across the state to help producers of Massachusetts crops improve their output and develop new business opportunities. In all, 22 proposals requesting more than $5 million were submitted for consideration.

“Massachusetts farmers are facing challenges, and the solution is innovation,” said Secretary Bowles. “Thanks to the support of the Legislature, the Agricultural Innovation Center is here to help Massachusetts agriculture find new ways to compete.”

The projects funded in part by the Agricultural Innovation Center are:

• Cranberry Bog Renovation-Innovation Program ($1.5 million) – Massachusetts cranberry growers selected through a competitive process initiated by Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association will receive up to $10,000 per acre toward the total cost of $20,000 to $30,000 per acre for cranberry bog renovation. Renovation will increase yield and provide new opportunities for ancillary business development (e.g. new dried cranberry plant, cranberry concentrate plant) and opportunities for reinvestment.
• Adams Family Slaughterhouse ($300,000) – Funds will be put toward rebuilding a USDA-inspected slaughterhouse in Athol that burned to the ground in December. As one of only two facilities available to Massachusetts livestock operations, a restored Adams Family Slaughterhouse will help small to mid-sized livestock producers capitalize on the demand for locally produced meat.
• Massachusetts Shellfish Aquaculture Innovation Consortium ($200,000) – This funding will strengthen a collaborative effort between Massachusetts shellfish growers, the Northeastern Massachusetts Aquaculture Center, and the Southeastern Massachusetts Aquaculture Center. Their efforts will promote visibility and acceptance of Massachusetts cultured shellfish, refine innovative hatchery and grow-out techniques, and provide educational and industry development opportunities.
• Feed, Nutrient, and Other Alternatives for Dairy and Livestock Farms ($185,000) – This University of Massachusetts project will develop management strategies to achieve increased grain production and provide guidelines to optimize nutrients in feed, resulting in cost savings and greater efficiency in Massachusetts dairy and livestock production.
• Integrating Pasture Management ($170,000) – Another UMass project will produce a range of tools and management practices that will contribute to improved economic and environmental conditions associated with pasture-raised livestock. Primary tasks include assessing forage species for varying soil conditions, increasing energy utilization from grazed and supplementary forages, and assessing feeding and watering systems.
• Building Infrastructure for Massachusetts Farms ($117,000) – Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), a nonprofit organization that links farmers and communities in western Massachusetts, will develop business development opportunities for bagged salad greens and Massachusetts-produced organic and conventional dairy products, capitalizing on rising consumer demand for fresh, local agricultural products.
• Ethnic, Immigrant, and Refugee Farmer Business Training and Technical Assistance ($77,000) – Nuestras Raices, a nonprofit organization based in Holyoke, will engage the Commonwealth’s large and growing immigrant, refugee, and ethnic populations in producing and consuming Massachusetts farm products by providing farmer training, technical assistance and support; outreach and marketing to urban ethnic populations, as well as food entrepreneurship training. These efforts will allow greater access to ethnic crops and expand the farm business capacity of targeted ethnic populations.
• Sustainable Pollination Strategies ($71,500) – Working with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ chief apiary inspector, this University of Massachusetts project will work to address concerns related to reduced pollination capacity for cranberry production and examine alternatives that could be available in the event of catastrophic loss of traditional honey bee pollination.
• Demonstration Small-Scale Farm Wine, Cider, and Juice Production Facility ($55,000) – This project will develop a small-scale winery and cider production facility at UMass–Amherst’s Cold Spring Orchard Research and Education Center, to be used to develop innovative methods for wine, juice and cider production optimized for Massachusetts, produce technical and instructional publications for Massachusetts growers, and host workshops and demonstrations for establishment of prospective farm wineries. This project will capitalize on growing public interest in and opportunities for fruit, berry, and grape producers to diversify and add value to their agricultural products.
• Mobile Poultry Processing Unit Training and Replication ($24,000) – Community Teamwork Inc., a Lowell–based nonprofit organization, will, in conjunction with the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project and New England Small Farm Institute, create a Mobile Poultry Processing Unit to meet current and growing demand from small- to mid-scale poultry producers for on-site processing.

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MDAR Solicits Applications for Dairy Farm Relief

Information Sessions Scheduled in Ashland, South Deerfield, and Brookfield

The state Dept. of Agricultural Resources (DAR) will hold three meetings over the next two weeks to help Massachusetts dairy farmers apply for emergency relief grants. The DAR’s first meeting for dairy farmers takes place tomorrow (May 31) at the Massachusetts Farm Bureau in Ashland.

Additional sessions are scheduled in South Deerfield on June 6, and Brookfield on June 13. Gov. Deval Patrick approved a $3.6 million emergency assistance fund for the dairy industry as part of an FY2007 supplemental budget signed into law May 18. The deadline for eligible farmers to apply for grants from the fund is 4 p.m. on June 22, 2007. DAR Acting Commissioner Scott Soares anticipates that relief checks will be issued about three weeks later.

MDAR mailed application packages to dairy farmers last week, and application materials and instructions are also available on the department’s web site:
www.mass.gov/agr/dairy/legislative_relief.htm.

Dairy farmers who have questions about relief payments, their eligibility or the application process are encouraged to attend one of the information sessions scheduled by the DAR, or to contact the department at 617-626-1700. Details about the grant process will be outlined for farmers at the following lunchtime meetings (all of which run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

• Thursday, May 31 at the Massachusetts Farm Bureau, 466 Chestnut St., Ashland
• Wednesday, June 6 at the Municipal Office Building, 8 Conway St., South Deerfield
• Wednesday, June 13 at Brookfield Town Hall, 6 Central St., Brookfield.

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Massachusetts Agricultural Marketing Grant Awards

The Department recently awarded $150,000 in agricultural marketing grants to the following organizations. Proposals were requested that focused on increasing consumer awareness of Massachusetts agriculture, or that offered technical assistance to one or more Massachusetts agricultural entities. Nearly $1 million was requested from 40 organizations.

• $7,750 – Boston Public Market Association, Boston, MA in cooperation with the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers’ Markets, Waltham, MA for the development of a promotional campaign for “Transit-Oriented Markets”. This project will promote the 49 farmers’ markets located near MBTA stops. The MBTA grid will be adapted to highlight stops that have farmers’ markets near them and promote websites where markets’ hours and locations can be found. Posters and produce bags with this information will be developed. Temporary directional signage for markets will lead consumers from public transit stops to nearby farmers’ markets.
• $12,250 – Bristol County Conservation District, Westport, MA, on behalf of the Dartmouth, Rehoboth, and Westport Agricultural Commissions. To fund Phase I of a program to support the transition of Massachusetts dairy farms to partial or full value-added production. Technical assistance will be provided to identify and confront the barriers to entry in terms of risk and finance, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and labor.
• $1,425 - Catamount Farmers’ Market, Shelburne Falls, MA. Funds will be used for the development and printing of the Catamount Farmers' Market recipe book.
• $7,000 – Eastern States Exposition, Springfield, MA. To assist in the promotion of an artisan cheese and wine contest featuring products from Massachusetts.
• $3,000 – Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Greenfield, MA. To assist in the promotion of two featured events, Fiber Twist and Cider Day via the Internet and advertising materials.
• $2,000 -Great Barrington Farmers’ Market, Great Barrington, MA. Funds will be used for the construction of a website to promote the market.
• $3,175 Groundwork Lawrence, Lawrence, MA. Funds will be used for outreach to restaurants to encourage them to shop at the Lawrence Downtown Farmers’ market and to outreach to the public through English and Spanish radio advertisements.
• $750 – Hatfield Agricultural Fair and Harvest Festival, Hatfield, MA. To assist in the start up of a new agricultural event in Hatfield.
• $4,875 - Massachusetts Farm Wineries and Growers Association, Lincoln, MA. To support the development of a website and educational vignettes to inform consumers about the growing, production and availability of Massachusetts fruit and grape wines.
• $1,600 – Massachusetts Maple Producers Association, Ashfield, MA. To fund a maple sugaring educational project for quality control and best management practices.
• $23,900 - Mass Woodlands Cooperative, South Deerfield, MA. Funds will be used to develop marketing materials and strategies to promote locally grown Forest Stewardship Council certified value-added products, to educate the public about buying local and building green, and to increase the economic potential of Massachusetts forest-based businesses.
• $5,900 – New England Apple Association, Hatfield, MA. To produce “Image of Apples,” which will supply a wide range of professional graphics for the Association’s print and electronic promotions, including the Internet; create archive of MA orchards and New England varieties; and become a reliable source of free, high-quality images of apples and orchards for farms, educational organizations and the general public.
• $5,000 – Northeast Organic Farming Association, Barre, MA. For the production of a local dairy product guide featuring organic and non-organic milk and value-added dairy products.
• $1,750 – Plymouth Farmers’ Market, Plymouth, MA. For the development of a website for the Plymouth Farmers’ Market.
• $2,750 - Quincy 2000 Collaborative, Quincy, MA on behalf of the Quincy Farmers’ Market for the development of a website for the Quincy Farmers’ Market.
• $5,750 – Revere Beach Partnership, Revere, MA on behalf of the Revere Beach Farmers’ Market. Funds will be used for farmers’ market banners, flyers, postcards, and to work with high school students to produce a farmers’ market video to be broadcast on local cable TV.
• $5,180 – Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership, Wareham, MA. Develop an online mapping tool that will store information about existing farm delivery routes to local sites and buyers so that buyers (and nearby farmers) can search for existing routes near them by day of week and time of day. Buyer can then find out which farms are already delivering nearby and farmers will be able to maximize their sales per route. This will result in providing accurate, intuitive and valuable information for rebuilding local Business to Business distribution routes.
• $2,000 – The Thanksgiving Harvest Festival at Red Apple Farm, Phillipston, MA. To promote the collective effort by farmers and locally owned businesses featured in the Thanksgiving Harvest Festival to consumers through radio advertising.
• $49,943 -University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. Implementation of a Marketing Strategy to promote locally grown ethnic crops produced by Pioneer Valley Grower’s Association. The funds will go towards salary, labor, production costs for 7 acres of crops, phone marketing and product delivery.
• $4,000 - UMass Cold Spring Orchard, Belchertown. Develop a consumer survey of new apple varieties. Sample apples, analyze, and produce report findings, along with booklet that would list nurseries where trees could be purchased.

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Farm Viability Program Application Deadline is June 20

This popular business planning and technical assistance program provides business help, and grants of up to $75,000 to implement farm growth and sustainability strategies. Farm operators not only receive up front cash awards for signing a 5 or 10 year Agricultural Covenant, but also receive valuable consultations and visits from a team of experts to discuss farm production and management, marketing, and business planning. Learn more about the Farm Viability Enhancement Program or get an application on line at http://www.mass.gov/agr/programs/farmviability/index.htm, 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 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, June 20, 2007.

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MDAR Energy News

Energy Efficiency/Energy Conservation/Renewable Energy

In the coming months, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will be increasing its involvement in regard to energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy opportunities for the agricultural community. To that end, MDAR recently hired a renewable energy coordinator, Gerry Palano, whose primary function will be to “cultivate” the greening of our farming industry, as a means to reduce both energy costs and environmental pollution, through energy efficiency and renewable energy applications.

A variety of ideas relevant to outreach, education, potential technologies, technical assistance, financial incentives and collaboration with other organizations are being explored. As importantly, the existing obstacles and challenges that face our agricultural community pertaining to this topic need to be understood and addressed if we are to make realistic progress greening our farming communities. Therefore a variety of communication tools are also being assessed in order to provide effective communication with the agricultural community.

As an initial step for this effort, it would be appreciated if all agri-businesses would please take a moment and fill out the one page form (click on either .doc version, or .pdf version) to the best of your abilities and either email, fax or mail back to Gerry Palano: Gerald.Palano@state.ma.us, Fax: 617-626-1805, or mail to : Gerry Palano, Renewable Energy Coordinator, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114

If you don’t know an answer just leave it blank or use a “?”. Whatever information you can provide on your energy costs and end usage will be extremely helpful for MDAR’s energy efforts going forward.

The intent is to spend no more than 15 - 20 minutes of your valuable time filling out the form in order to provide us some initial relevant information. If you need more room, please feel free to add additional lines or attached pages. Meanwhile, please look for further information on this topic on our website and future newsletters and/or announcements. Thank you for your initial participation!

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Potential Greenhouse Opportunity?

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has been made aware of a proposed biomass power plant project in Russell, MA. The 50 megawatt electric generating plant will use wood chips as a fuel and operate year round as a base plant feeding into the electric grid. The project is in the final stages of permit approvals and hoping to begin construction by mid-2008 and be on-line by mid-2010.

The proposed project is interested in any ventures that could utilize the year round waste heat generated from this process, including greenhouses. If you have any thoughts or interests or would like to find out more regarding this matter, please contact: William B. Hull, CEO, Hull Forest Products, Inc., 101 Hampton Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259, Tel # 860-974-0127, hull@hullforest.com.

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Farmers’ Markets Seeking Vendors

Many new and existing Farmers markets are looking for vendors. For more information contact David Webber at 617-626-1754 or david.webber@state.ma.us.

Proposed/New Markets:

• Andover, Contact Suzanna Poland, 978-475-6159
• Cambridge/Kendall Square, Thursdays, 11:00am – 2:00pm, Seeking produce, meat, cheese, etc., Contact Rose Fisher, 617-577-7354 or rmfisher@m-g.com
• Falmouth, Contact Jay Zavala, 508-564-4140 or jayzavala@comcast.net
• Hardwick, Sundays, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Contact Bill Cole, 413-477-6525 or hardwickfarmersmarket@comcast.net
• Harvard, Saturdays, 9am–Noon, Contact Jen Sundeen, jensundeen@charter.net, 978-456-8974
• Hubbardston, Sundays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Contact Elaine Peterson, 978-895-0645 or hhollow@att.net
• Leominster, Saturdays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Doyle Field, Contact Tamara Buckley, 978-386-2379, or tarmara@carraigfarm.com
• Lowell, Burbecks Ice Cream Stand, Contact Gary Francis, 978-937-0772 or gary@garysicecream.com
• Mattapan, Saturdays, 9:00 am - Noon, Contact Vivien Morris, 617-414-6878 or vivien.morris@bmc.org
• Needham, Contact Tara Gurge, 781-455-7523 or tgurge@town.needham.ma.us
• Provincetown, Saturday, 11:00 am - 4:00pm, on Commercial Street, next to Town Hall. Contact Andy Pollock, 508-991-5185 or farmsilverbrook@aol.com
• Westford, Tuesdays, 4:00 pm – 7:00pm, Town Common, Contact Gloria Gilbert, 978-392-1424 or Gloria.gilbert6@verizon.net
• Westport, Saturdays, 8:00 am – Noon, July 7 to September 29, Seeking produce, plants, artisans, Contact Beth Easterly, 508-636-4427 or eaae@verizon.net

Existing Markets:

• Adams, Wednesday, 1pm – 5:00 pm, May 23 to October 24, Seeking eggs, honey, maple syrup, garlic, Contact Emma Morin, 413-743-5613.
• Amherst/Boltwood Marketplace, Saturday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, April 2 to October 27, Contact Kathryn Grandonico, 413-253-7879 or info@amherstlincolnrealty.com.
• Ashfield, Saturday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, May 26 to October 6, Seeking cheese, fruit, poultry, pork, Conatct Amy Klippenstien, 413-625-0011 or amy@sidehillfarm.net
• Auburn, Saturdays, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Seeking vegetables and fruit, Contact Ray Samek, 508-867-4763 or produceboy@aol.com.
• Ayer, Saturdays, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, July 14 to October 27, Seeking all types of vendors, Contact Ruth Rhonemus, 978-772-5890.
• Barre, Saturdays, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, May 12 to October, Seeking produce, Contact Earl Cooley, 978-355-0140 or lisa_d_holloway@yahoo.com.
• Belchertown, Thursdays, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, May 31 to October 18, Seeking breads, fruits, berries, jellies, heirloom and organic vegetables, plants, herbs, farm type crafts, Contact Heidi Bradway, 413-323-0048 or heidissomethingmore@yahoo.com
• Berkshire Area/Lanesboro, Wednesday and Saturday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Seeking organic products, asian produce, meat, cheese, fish, Contact Kenneth Wirtes, 413-499-1012.
• Beverly/Cabot Street, Mondays, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Seeking products other than vegetables and baked goods, Contact Melissa Dimond, 781-346-6726 or mdimond@thefoodproject.org.
• Boston/City Hall Plaza, Monday and Wednesdays, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, Seeking cheese, meat, dairy, soap, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or jeff@massfarmersmarkets.org.
• Boston/Dewey Square, (Boston Public Market) Wednesdays, 11:30 am – 7:00 pm, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or staff@massfarmersmarkets.org.
• Brockton City Hall, Friday, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm, July 6 to October 26, Seeking fruit, vegetables, baked goods, flowers, herbs, Contact Janice Fitzgerald, 508-580-7123 or jfitzgerald@ci.brockton.ma.us.
• Brookline, Thursdays, 1:30 to Dusk, June 14 to October 25, Seeking mushrooms, Contact Arlene Flowers, 617-566-8005.
• Buzzards Bay, Friday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, July 6 to October 26, Seeking all products, Contact Edward Silvia, 508-982-8612.
• Cambridge/Central Square, Mondays, 11:30 am – 6:00 pm, Seeking soap, cheese, meat, dairy, eggs, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or staff@massfarmersmarkets.org.
• Cambridge/Charles Square, Firdays, Noon to 6:00, June 8 to November 16 and Sundays, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, May 20 to November 18, Seeking fish, eggs, Contact Tim Garboski, 508-446-5806 or afrmr@aol.com.
• Cambridgeport, Saturdays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, June 9 to October 27, Seeking fruit, eggs, cheese, Contact Tim Garboski, 508-446-5806 or afrmr@aol.com.
• Charlestown, Wednesdays, 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, July 18 to end of October, Seeking all types of products, Contact Colleen Justice, 617-241-8866.
• Chelsea, Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Mid July to end of October, Seeking fish, Contact David Dumaresq, 978-454-3434 or ddumaresq@juno.com.
• Cohasset, Thursday, 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm. June 14 to October 18, Seeking farmers and other food vendors, Contact Ana Abruzzee, 781-383-9539 or maemma143@comcast.net
• East Boston/Constitution Beach, Saturdays, Contact Jackie Rosatto 617-276-7589 or constitutionbeach@yahoo.com
• East Charlemont, Friday, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm and Saturday, 8:00 am - Noon, May 25 to October 6th. Contact Ivy Palmer, 413-625-8174 or pitchforkfarm@yahoo.com
• Easthampton, Saturdays, 10am–2pm, June 2 to September 29, No fee for area farmers and artists, Contact Alexei Levine, 413-529-2900 or info@themassageschool.org.
• Easthampton, Tuesdays, 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm, May 1 to October, Seeking fruit. Contact Jane Pepin, 413-527-5989 or janepepin@rcn.com.
• Easton, seeking to add new vendors for its established Farmers' Market, especially certified organic growers and vendors selling meat, cheese and other locally produced products. May ­ October; Tuesdays and Saturdays. Contact: Jean at 508-238-6049 or Jean@nrtofeaston.org.
• Framingham/Village Green, Thursdays, 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Seeking cheese, soap, eggs, meat, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or staff@massfarmersmarkets.org.
• Franklin, Friday, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, June 22 to October 12, Seeking bread, cheese, eggs, Contact Michelle Reid, 508-541-6301.
• Gardner, Thursdays, 9:00 am – Noon, May 10 to October 25, Seeking fruit, vegetables, asparagus, Contact Nadine Smith, 978-345-2661.
• Great Barrington, Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Seeking cheese, fish, Contact Rose Levine, 413-528-8950 or rosemarylevine@yahoo.com.
• Greenfield, Saturdays, 8:00 am – 12:30 pm, End of April – October, Contact Devon Whitney-Deal, 413-625-9907, or devonwd@gmail.com. Seeking eggs, meat, cheese, hanging plants and any other annual/perennial flower plants.
• Groton, from 3 pm to 7 pm starting on July 6 - Oct. 5. As in years past, it will be at the Williams Barn, 160 Chicopee Row, Groton, and we are looking for dairy products, especially cheese, and for maple syrup and jellies.
• Hingham, Saturdays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Seeking fall vegetables, corn and bakers. Contact Marti Amdur, 781-749-0691 or mamdur@comcast.net
• Holden, Tuesdays, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Seeking vegetables and small fruit, Contact Jacqueline Marsh, 978-874-0244.
• Holyoke, Thursdays, Noon – 5:00 pm, May 3 to October 24, Seeking beef, cheese, crafts, homemade goods, produce, Contact Jennifer Perez, 413-322-5510 or perezj@ci.holyoke.ma.us.
• Hopkinton, Fridays, Noon - 6 starting June 22, Seeking all types of vendors, Contact Beth Mezitt, bethm@westonnurseries.com or 508-435-6335
• Lawrence, Wednesdays, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, July 11 to October 31, Contact Rose Gonzalez, 978-974-0770 or rgonzalez@groundworklawrence.org.
• Lenox, Fridays, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Seeking pasta, cheese, fish, fruit, Contact Rose Levine, 413-528-8950 or rosemarylevine@yahoo.com.
• Lowell, Fridays, 8:30 am - 2:00 pm. Seeking baked goods, honey, or any other products made from the heart. We also have more space for farmers, but all farm produce must be Massachusettsgrown. Contact: Becky Adams 978-459-0551 or badams@comteam.org
• Lynn, Thursdays, 12:30 pm – 7:00 pm, Seeking prepared foods for lunch seeking customers, Contact Melissa Dimond, 781-346-6726 or mdimond@thefoodproject.org
• Mansfield, Thursdays, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, July 19 to September 27, Seeking bakery items, Contact Beth Flint, 508-339-7115 or bflint1@comcast.net.
• Marlboro, Day and Time to be announced, Contact John Riordan, 508-229-2010, or jriordan@marlborough2010.com
• Marblehead, Saturdays, 9:00 am – Noon, June 16 to October 20, Seeking dairy farm, fish, Contact Don Morgan, 781-631-1243 or dlmorgan@verizon.net, Seeking dairy farm, fish/lobster, produce.
• Marshfield, Fridays, 1-6pm, June 1 thru October @ Marshfield Fairgrounds. Contact person, not manager. 617.645.1662, tmcalabrese@comcast.net.
• MA Turnpike, Various locations, May 17 through the fall, Seeking fruits, vegetables, pumpkins, Contact David Fenton, 413-572-3171 or dave.fenton@masspike.com.
• Natick, Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, June 9 to October 20, Seeking value added products, Contact Debra Sayre, 508-653-6596 or debra@sayre.com.
• Newton/Fridays, 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm, July 6 to October 26, Contact Judy Dore, 617-796-1525 or jdore@newtonma.gov.
• New Bedford/Brooklawn Park, Monday, 2:00 pm to Dusk, July 9, to October 29, Seeking organic products, Contact Karl Glosl Jr., 508-995-5019 or karlglosl@verizon.net.
• North Adams, Saturday, 8:00 am – Noon, July 14 to October 27, Contact Rod Bunt, 413-664-6180 or tourist@bcn.net.
• North Easton, Tuesdays and Saturdays, May 8 to October 30, Contact Jean Crandell, 508-238-6049 or jean@nrtofeaston.org. Seeking produce, plants, and cheese.
• Northfield, Thursday, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, May 31 to September 27, Seeking cheese, beef, poultry, fruit, crafts, Contact Linda Smiaroski, 413-498-2921 or lsmiaroski@earthlink.net.
• Orange, Thursdays, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 24 to October 18, Seeking cheese, prepared foods, jams and jellies, Contact Joseph Cuneo, 978-544-7834 or cuneovalleyview@aol.com
• Orleans, Saturday, 8:00am-12:00pm, May 19 to October 6, Seeking local vendors that live on Cape Cod and grow or make their own natural or organic products, Contact Gretel Norgeot at 508-255-8374 or orleansfm@comcast.net
• Otis, Saturday, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, May 12 to October 13, Seeking maple syrup, honey, cheese, specialty products, Contact Jeannette Myer, 413-269-9931 or turtlerunfarm@webtv.com
• Peabody, Tuesdays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Contact Blair Haney, 978 538-5770 or blair.haney@peabody-ma.gov
• Plymouth, Thursdays, 2:30 pm- 6:30 pm, June 21 to October, Seeking bakers, cooks and food crafters who prepare foods with local and organic ingredients. Contact Barbara Anglin, 508-732-9962
• Quincy, Friday, 11:30 am – 5:00 pm, July 6 to October 26, Seeking produce, honey, cheese, meat, crafts, Contact Anneli Johnson, 617-479-1601 or annelijohnson@netzero.net.
• Rehoboth, Sunday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, June 17 to End of October, Contact Bob Peasley, 508-336-4779
• Revere Beach, Thursday, Noon – 6:00 pm, July 19 to October 25, Seeking produce, plants, baked goods, pastries, bread. Contact Mary Ann Zizzo, 781-485-6156 or mzizzo@partners.com.
• Rochester, Saturdays, May 5 to October 27, Seeking fruit, pottery, jewelry, cider, value added products, jams/jellies, cheese, meats, cranberries, Contact Meredith Ciaburri, 508-763-4905 or Meredith@theartisankitchen.com.
• Roslindale, Saturdays, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Seeking produce, specialty products, flowers, plants, Contact Janice Williams, 617-327-4065 or director@roslindale.net, Seeking specialty products, additional farmers, flowers, plants.
• Sheffield, Fridays, 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm, May 11 to October 12, Seeking eggs, plants and flowers, Contact Barbara Davidson, 413-229-8091 or seffbarbara@yahoo.com.
• Somerville/Davis Square, Wednesdays, Noon – 6:00 pm, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or staff@massfarmersmarkets.org.
• Somerville/Union Square, Saturdays, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, June 9 to October 27, Seeking products other than vegetables and fruit, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or staff@massfarmersmarkets.org.
• South Boston, Mondays, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 28 to October 29, Seeking produce and baked goods, Contact Mary Lou Rosher, 617-464-5858 or marosher@sbchc.org.
• Springfield Cooperative, Saturdays, 7:00 am – 11:00 am, May 5 to October 27, Seeking summer vendors, any products from June through October, such as organic products, fruits and vegetables, Contact Al Fini, 413-786-1012 or finiplants@aol.com.
• Springfield/Tower Square, Friday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, June 1 to September 28, Seeking baked goods, fruit, vegetables, Contact Annette Scheidecker, 413-733-2171 or ascheidecker@towersquare.net.
• Topsfield, Saturday, 7:00 am – Noon, Seeking produce, Contact Jane Cook, 978-922-1648.
• Turners Falls, Wednesdays, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 9 to October 31, Seeking vegetables, fruit, plants, grass fed beef, tree fruit, organic vegetables. Contact Suzette Cobb Snow, 413-863-9026 or scobb.homeopath@verizon.net.
• Waltham, Saturdays, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, June 16 to November 3, Seeking mushrooms, seafood, turkey, goat cheese, Contact Marc Rudnick, 781-899-6230 or wfm@inspectorhomes.com.
• Ware, Saturday, 7:30 am – 1:30 pm, Mid May to Late October, Seeking all types of products, Contact Frank Tripoli, 413-330-7636 or Tripoli@hotmail.com.
• Worcester Common, Friday, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm, June 22 to October 26, Contact Andy O’Keefe, 508-753-7761.
• Worcester Eastside, Thursdays, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm, June 19 to October 25, Contact Andy O’Keefe, 508-753-7761.
• Worcester/Umass Medical, Tuesday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, July 10 to October 25, Contact Andy O’Keefe, 508-753-7761.
• Worcester Westside, Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 – 2:00 pm, June 18 to October 31, Contact Andy O’Keefe, 508-753-7761.

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2007 Summer Fancy Food Show Buyers Mission: New York City

On Saturday, July 7th, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is offering a low cost, low risk opportunity for Massachusetts specialty food companies to meet with 10 international food buyers from seven different international markets; Canada, Chile, Kuwait, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. These buyers are interested in specialty foods, beverages, high-end specialty and gourmet foods. MDAR will schedule 20 minute one-on-one meetings with the buyers of your choice. This is a great opportunity to get feedback about your product’s overseas potential, build relationships with potential customers and develop new sales.

The deadline to register for this buyers mission is June 16, 2007. The meetings will take place the day before the Summer Fancy Food Show, July 7th, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. For more information please contact Amy Bobrick 617-626-1724 or Bonita Oehlke 617-626-1753.

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The 2007 Summer Meeting & Trade Show

Sponsored by: Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association & Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association
Education Sponsor: UMass Extension Amherst

Date and time: Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Location: Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, MA

Massachusetts' largest green industry associations, MNLA and MFGA invite you to attend their fourth annual collaborated event, the 2007 Summer Meeting and Trade Show on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. Join us for a full day of educational programs organized and sponsored by UMass Extension, trade show and tours of Tower Hills’ beautiful gardens and grounds.

Research conducted Dr. Bonnie Appleton, Professor of Horticulture from Virginia Tech, about the production, harvest, and planting of bare root trees in the landscape will be presented. An on-site planting demonstration will be conducted. If the production, harvest, and planting of trees for landscape use is looked at historically, the horticulture industry didn't start with root balls packaged in burlap, rope, and wire, or in containers of a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. It started with - to be precise - bare root fruit trees. For a number of reasons (roots too deep in root balls, root deformities, soil/substrate interfaces, root ball weight, etc.) it may be time to return to the true "roots" of the industry, namely bare root. This newer use of bare root planting doesn't involve the traditional bare rooting of small dormant deciduous trees or evergreen seedlings, but rather the bare rooting of sizeable caliper landscape trees, and not necessarily when dormant. A cooperative effort between two consulting arborists and a university researcher is currently under way to further explore and validate this concept. The demonstration will feature a couple of root balls that will be bare rooted and examined to show why this process can be so beneficial.

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

Features: Education Programs, Trade Show, Pesticide credits, MCH Credits, Field Workshops & Tours

Speaker highlight: Dr. Bonnie Appleton has been a professor of horticulture with Virginia Tech for 20 years. Dr. Appleton is an author of over 650 magazines, newspapers and newsletter articles as well as five books.

To register, go to www.mnla.com, or contact: Rena M. Sumner, Executive Director (413) 369-4731 mnlaoffice@aol.com.

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Massachusetts Agricultural Commission Website Launch

The Pilgrim Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Agricultural Commission Website, www.massagcom.org.

This website was planned and designed by Massachusetts AgCom members for MA AgComs, AgCom steering committees, farmers, town and city elected and appointed officials, and interested public.

The AgCom Website will:

• Serve as a central point, clearinghouse, for all AgCom's to refer to for information, and to see what other AgComs have accomplished.
• Provide AgComs with the tools they need to pursue their work.
• Highlight what AgComs are doing.
• Inform AgComs of special events, action needed, and what's coming.
• Be a resource for farmers, cities and towns needing information about AgComs (from how to organize to what they do).
• See that new AgCom members feel supported and confident.
• Connect AgComs and farmers to needed programs and services.
• Celebrate local agriculture!

This site is intended to evolve and improve with input. After viewing the site, comments and contributions of information that you would like to are invited. Email to info@massagcom.org.

Recognition goes to the Website Advisory Group for their guidance, wisdom and creativity. Thank you to Priscilla McGilvray, Marshfield; Jeff Chandler, Duxbury; John Mickola, Ashby; Jim Munger, Dartmouth; Ellen Smith, Carver; Darlene Anastas, Middleborough; Tom McCrumm, Ashfield; Gaby Immerman, Cummington; Laura Grabski, Boxford; Nathan L'etoile, Northfield & MFBF; Cheryl Lekstrom and Pete Westover, MDAR; Kelly Savary-Powers and Diane Baedeker-Petit, NRCS; Brian Wick, CCCGA & Website Developer.

This site has been made available through generous funding by the Island Foundation, The Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

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Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week is Coming!

The first annual Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week has been scheduled! From September 24 through 28, 2007, schools and colleges across the state will be encouraged to serve locally grown foods in their cafeterias. It is expected that many schools will be looking for local products in order to participate in the Week.

Mass. Harvest for Students Week is an opportunity for farms to sell to schools for the first time, or to move extra product off of the farm. Whether you are considering a one week interaction for the sake of high visibility in the community, or hoping to begin a long-term profitable sales relationship, here are a few tips to consider:

• To whom do I sell? The most convenient place to look for schools is on a route that you already travel. If you don’t usually make deliveries, choose schools that are nearby. Customers should be made aware of minimum or maximum order sizes and of the products you wish to sell. Be clear with them about whether you wish to begin selling consistently to them or if this is just for the Week. Some schools are willing to pick up, but the majority require deliveries.
• What will they purchase? Schools vary greatly on what they will purchase. Salad ingredients and fresh fruits are popular, but many schools are interested in a variety of vegetables. Colleges and private schools can be more flexible in terms of what they will buy and may even purchase dairy, meat, or seafood items. The general rule is the more variety and flexibility, the better.
• When should I contact them? ASAP! Many public school and some college food service directors are gone from mid-June until mid-August. Most are planning their September menus in June. Call food service directors and offer a list of what may be in season during the Harvest Week as soon as possible, so that you have the purchasing details worked out before September arrives.
• Will I get a decent price? Preliminary data suggests that farms selling to schools are pleased with the prices they are getting and that delivery costs can be built into the price of the products without difficulty. Cutting out the middle man allows for a greater profit margin.
• How do I contact them? For public school districts, there is contact information about the food service directors on our website at: www.massfarmtoschool.org. For colleges or private schools use the phone book or internet and ask for the food service director. It’s best not to call midday, when they’re busy with lunch.

Need some advice about selling to schools? Contact Kate McKenney, Program Coordinator of Mass. Harvest for Students Week, at the Mass. Farm to School Project, at 413-584-4410 or 413-253-3844 or kate@massfarmtoschool.org. The Mass. Farm to School Project also has free posters and seasonal availability charts which you can share with your school customers, and will be organizing promotional events for the Week. Email your ideas for Harvest Week promotion!

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IPM Field Schools

Why IPM Field Schools?

• Do you wish you knew how to tell all the ‘corn worms’ and ‘cabbage worms’ apart?
• Are all the new cucurbit diseases driving you crazy?
• Do you wonder what to look for, when, and how, in order to make sure you catch problems early?
• Do you wonder what you could do to prevent problems, and which spray options would work best?
• Do you want workers or interns on your farm to be trained in pest management?

If you answer is yes to any of these questions, the IPM Field Schools are for you! The best way to learn IPM is in the field, face to face with the crops and pests. This series will provide participants with tools, resource materials, and most importantly, practical experience with scouting, identification and decision making. The 2007 IPM Field Schools will be held from May through September to follow the succession of crops and pests through the season.
At each of the IPM Field Schools there will be a microscope set up, and specialist from the UMass Disease Diagnostic Clinic for on-site disease identification. We will also look at and identify weeds at all stages of growth – cotyledon, seedling, and those making seeds and perennial roots or corms.

This series will cover topics and management practices for both organic and conventional farmers. Whether you can attend one or the whole series of field schools, come join us to learn some new skills and confidence for managing sweet corn, cucurbits, and a wide range of other vegetable crops. Cost: $20/person per Field School. Discount! If you sign up for four or more Field Schools, or if the total number attending from your farm (for the season) is four or more individuals, the cost is only $15/person per Field School.

The IPM Field Schools are funded in part by grants from the MA Department of Agricultural Resources, EPA Region I, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Northeast IPM Center/USDA CSREES.

The series is also sponsored by Crop Production Services and DeCran Ag Supplies with support of the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association.
Pesticide Applicator Training Credits: 2 contact hours will be given for each field school (private applicators).

For more information contact: 413-577-3976 or umassvegetable@umext.umass.edu.
Details and directions at: http://umassvegetable.org/ed_programs/meetings/winter_meetings.html
Refreshments served, courtesy of the Mass. Association of Roadside Stands and PYO Farms, www.massfarmstands.com

Field School Dates and Locations

June 19 (Tuesday) 4-7 pm, Warner Farm, Sunderland, MA
At Warner Farm, Mike Wisseman grows 110 acres of vegetables including corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, summer and winter squash, pumpkins. The farm sells mainly wholesale to area markets, with some direct marketing including pick-your-own strawberries and peas. Their fall corn maze draws a big crowd, and highlights a new theme each year. Click here for more details and directions

July 24 (Tuesday) 4-7 pm, Foppema’s Farm, Northbridge, MA
Founded in 1983, Foppema's Farm is a 50 acre farm run by Ken and Lisa Foppema that features orchards with a variety of tree fruits, small fruits including blueberries and pick-your-own strawberries, greenhouse tomatoes, and diverse vegetable crops. They market primarily through their farmstand. They have worked closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service EQIP program, which has helped them install drainage systems to reduce erosion, deer fencing, and a pesticide mixing and loading facility as well as use IPM on the farm. Click here for more details and directions

August 8 (Wed) 4-7 pm, Golonka Farm, Hatfield, MA
Jim Golonka grows 20 acres of diversified vegetables, all sold through his farmstand located on Rte 5&10 in Hatfield. Having used IPM in sweet corn for 15 years, he is experimenting with releases of Trichogramma wasps for ECB control. His farmstand carries high quality broccoli throughout the season, even in the summer heat.

August 15 (Wednesday) 4-7 pm, Paradise Hill Farm, Westport, MA
Founded in 1990, Paradise Hill Farm is a 20 acre farm run by Ted & Shirley Robbins. Aptly named for its beautiful location, Paradise Hill Farm specializes in a wide variety of potted herbs, fruits and vegetables, and sells primarily through farmers markets in southeastern Massachusetts and RI. Click here for more details and directions

August 21 (Tuesday) 4-7 pm, UMass Crop Research and Educational Center, South Deerfield
Hear about the latest research on a wide range of topics in vegetable crops, cover crops and crops for fuel! Experiments include organic weed management for stale seedbed and between plastic; biological and chemical controls for Phytophthora capsici in squash; selection of cold hardy greens; selection for market qualities in aji dulce pepper; evaluating new ethnic crops for production in MA; cover crop planting dates for fall N uptake and spring N production; perimeter trap cropping for flea beetles in Brassica crops; edible soybean (edamame) varieties and plant dates; and switch grass for biomass. Join us to celebrate the new equipment workshop being built by the College of Natural Resources & the Environment to support research at South Deerfield. Bring disease samples to a free onsite diagnostic clinic! Refreshments will be served.Click here for more details and directions

September 18 (Tuesday) 3-6 pm, Howden Farm, Sheffield, MA
Bruce Howden and David Prouty grow a range of vegetable and small fruit crops and raises livestock on 250 acres in the beautiful Housatonic River Valley. Howden Farm is the source of the well-known Howden pumpkin and the farm is still involved with pumpkin breeding as well as growing pumpkins for retail and wholesale. In 2006 the farm installed a 1-kilowatt photovoltaic system to power the pump for their drip irrigation system. Click here for more details and directions

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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.

5 pesticide contact hours available for categories 29, 36, 37, and Applicators License. MCLP and MCH credits will be offered.

Broadleaf Weeds (plus a few grassy weeds)
July 24 - Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain
July 31 - UMass Amherst

Grassy Weeds: a more in-depth look
August 23 - UMass Amherst

Cost $95/person (pre-registration required, space is limited).
Registration is first-come, first-served through the mail. Registration forms are also available online at www.umassgreeninfo.org or call (413) 545-0895.

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Seeds of Solidarity Visiting Day

Seeds of Solidarity, 165 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange, MA
Saturday June 9, 10 am - Seeds of Solidarity Farm and Education Center in Orange MA offers a free tour on Saturday, June 9th at 10am. Seeds of Solidarity was recently featured in the celebrated international journal “Living Lightly,” Founders and farmers Ricky Baruc and Deb Habib provide an engaging tour of solar greenhouses, energy efficient buildings, abundant market gardens, solar electric and hot water systems, and biodiesel fueled vehicles, plus information about their programs that teach North Quabbin youth to “grow food everywhere.” An optional potluck lunch follows the two-hour tour on this “Solidarity Saturday.” The event is geared towards adults, but families are welcome. Says Habib, “We get calls from folks from the region and throughout New England interested in visiting our site—so we’ve created this visiting day, which is a wonderful way to meet and unite people too.” For those unable to make the June date, there will be another Solidarity Saturday on October 6th. For more information about Seeds of Solidarity and other summer and fall events: www.seedsofsolidarity.org.

Directions: www.seedsofsolidarity.org, Contact: Deb Habib, deb@seedsofsolidarity.org, (978) 544-9023 , Cost: Free. No registration required.

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Boston to Host Second National Conference on Healthy Hospital Food

Health care facilities across the US are using their purchasing power to buy healthy food that is grown in an environmentally sustainable and socially just manner. In June, health care industry leaders will gather in Boston to discuss the latest trends in healthy food purchasing, including protecting antibiotics, reducing food miles, seasonal menus and local procurement, choosing healthy meat, creating farmer’s markets and growing on-site healing gardens.

WHAT: FoodMed: Second National Conference on Healthy Healthcare Food
WHEN: June 28 and 29, 2007
WHO: A joint project of Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition; Kaiser Permanente and Health Care Without Harm.
WHERE: Seaport World Trade Center, Boston

TO REGISTER: Space is limited, register today: http://www.foodmed.org. Press passes are available, contact Stacy Malkan at smalkan@hcwh.org.

Local stories:
Fairview Hospital, part of the Berkshire Health Systems in Great Barrington, is serving milk free of the hormone rGBH and is working with Berkshire Grown, a community based organization supporting local food and farms, to serve local produce.  “Serving healthy and sustainably grown food is as essential to the health of our community as the medical care we provide,” said Siobhan McNally, MD, a pediatrician with the Berkshire Medical Center. “The hospitals’ comprehensive approach to healthy food is good medicine.”

Cooley Dickenson Hospital in Northhampton serves its own brand of Fair Trade coffee. Cooley Dickinson was also the first hospital to sign on to the “Be a Local Hero; Buy Locally Grown” initiative of the Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA).

The Massachusetts hospitals joined a growing list of hospitals around the country that have signed the Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge – a voluntary commitment to serve food that is healthier for people and the environment. Other signers include Hackensack University Medical Center, Oregon Health and Science University Medical Center, and Catholic Healthcare West, the largest Catholic health system in the Western US.

“Fairview and Cooley Dickinson Hospital are demonstrating leadership nationally,” said Michelle Gottlieb, Health Care Without Harm New England Healthy Food Coordinator. “Across the country, hospitals are changing the food they serve with a recognition that their healthcare food dollars are an important investment in preventive medicine.”

For more information: http://www.noharm.org/food/issue.

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Davenport Home Destroyed by Fire

NEWS FROM USDA

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Presidential Major Disaster Declaration M1701

Declaration Date: 05/16/2007
Disaster Description: Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding
Incident Period: April 15–25, 2007
Termination Date for Applications: 01/16/2008 - Beginning date of Incident Period: 04/15/2007

MASSACHUSETTS PRIMARY DISASTER COUNTIES (8) - Barnstable, Dukes, Franklin, Hampshire, Berkshire Essex Hampden Plymouth

MASSACHUSETTS CONTIGUOUS DISASTER COUNTIES (5) - Bristol Middlesex Norfolk Suffolk Worcester

EXPIRATION DATE: May 31, 2008 FILING INSTRUCTIONS:
Loan Limit - Producers can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production or physical losses, to a maximum amount of $500,000.

Loan Terms - Loans for crop, livestock, and non-real estate losses are normally repaid within 1 to 7 years; depending on the loan purpose, repayment ability, and collateral available as loan security. In special circumstances, terms of up to 20 years may be authorized. Loans for physical losses to real estate are normally repaid within 30 years. In certain circumstances, repayment may be made over a maximum of 40 years.

Interest Rate - The current annual interest rate for emergency loans is 3.75 percent.

Application Deadline - Applications for emergency loans must be received within 8 months of the county's disaster or quarantine designation date. Farm Loan Programs. Further information on the emergency loan program is available from local USDA Service Centers.

Clam Crop Insurance

Crop Insured - Insurance may be provided for all of your clams in the county that are at least 10 mm in size and that meet all other requirements for insurability.

Counties Available: Clams are insurable in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties. More details at : http://www.rma.usda.gov/fields/nc_rso/2007/2007maclams.pdf

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USDA to Look at Land Uses Across the State

During the upcoming June Area Survey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be out and about accounting for approximately 4 million acres on farms in New England. As part of the nationwide survey, NASS representatives will be knocking on the doors of producers on selected land to collect information about their land uses and agricultural activities. “The June Area Survey is one of the largest and most comprehensive surveys conducted each year by NASS,” explained Gary Keough, director of the NASS New England Field Office. “By providing an in-depth look at land uses and agricultural activities, the survey provides the most timely, accurate and useful information on the current condition of U.S. agriculture. “Understanding that the information we gather is only as good as the source it comes from, we are counting on the most reliable, frontline source of information for this survey – the producers themselves,” added Keough.

During the first two weeks of June, NASS representatives will visit predetermined areas of land in the six New England States and conduct personal interviews with the owners and operators of any farm or ranch on that land. NASS will collect information on farm numbers, crop acreage, genetically modified crop acreage, grain stocks, livestock inventory, cash rents and land values, and the value of sales. The information from the June Area Survey will be used extensively by NASS in its ongoing survey and estimation programs. The survey provides direct data, or is a critical component, for a host of NASS reports, including: the monthly Crop Production report, annual Acreage report and inventory reports for Cattle, Hogs and Pigs, and Sheep and Goats. As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. “NASS safeguards the confidentiality of all responses and publishes only state, regional, and national level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified,” stated Keough. All reports are available on the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS New England Field Office at (800)-642-9571.

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IN EVERY ISSUE

CLASSIFIED ADS

• MDAR has been notified that an APR farm is to be auctioned this summer.  Please check www.mass.gov/agr for details as they become available.
• Job Posting - Job Title: Holyoke Food & Fitness Policy Council Coordinator, Full-Time, Grant Funded. Time Frame: June 1, 2007 – April 30, 2009. Description: Employee will coordinate all aspects of the Holyoke Food & Fitness Policy Council (HFFPC) to accomplish the Council’s goals and objectives, especially those set forth in the funding proposal submitted and approved by the WK Kellogg Foundation’s Food & Fitness Initiative. DEADLINE – June 15th. HFFPC Steering Committee c/o Nuestras Raíces, Inc., 329 Main Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 - details at http://www.nuestras-raices.org/job_posting.htm
• SHEEP SHEARING SERVICES: Small flocks are my specialty. dgillespie751@att.net or call 781-929-5618.
• SHETLAND SHEEP FOR SALE:  Registered stock, All ages and colors. $150 each and up.  Shetland.Sheep@att.net.
• For Sale AgTech 3004 airblast sprayer, 150 gallon tank $5,500.00, 4'x4' digital platform scale, 1# to 5000# capacity, plug in or battery operated $1,900.00, 1985 International s-1754 148,236 miles, 22' body, electric dump, under CDL, runs great $6,900.00, 978-264-4168 or 617-645-6444.
• Farm for Sale:  20 acres of prime farmland along CT River in West Northfield, MA.  Woven wire & electric fenced in pastures.  Barn, retail/office building, outbuildings & more.  1800'+ road frontage.  Large classic New England colonial house.  Quiet country back road.  Perfect for B & B, retreat, stables, or dream farm.  No commercial fertilizers used.  More info:  call 413-498-2160 or alpaca0410@yahoo.com.
• Goats for Sale: Milking does and several kids: does, wethers and bucks.  Oberhasli, Lamancha and Recorded grades.  Kids bottle raised and well socialized - handled by children.  All very friendly.   413-569-5782. 
• Empire Packaging  is your full service source for retail bags & baskets for the farmstand + wholesale vegetable packaging.  (508) 426-7813 or (800) 562-5520. " Empire Packaging Company "  Where the customer is always treated with the respect they deserve.
• Wanted: Full or Part-time farm employment, seasonal or year-round. I am experienced with growing field and greenhouse crops - seeding through harvest (IPM and Organic/Biodynamic), using most farm equipment, intensive rotational grazing of livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, poultry), machine or hand milking (cows, sheep, goats) and working with children/young adults (4-H leader). Please contact Lisa Petricca at petricca1@adelphia.net or (413) 822-9621.
• Wanted: Free or reasonably priced used implements – 10’ transport harrow, lime spreader, cultivator, hay rake, small round baler, small plastic bale wrapper – “some work needed” is ok. Please contact Lisa Petricca at petricca1@adelphia.net or (413) 822-9621.
• JD, 14T bailer with 2 cyl wisc engine and manual. Worked three years ago. For tinkering or parts. $100, rmorehouse@juno.com.
• Rotavator, Howard HR7.  Working width is 60 inches and works with a 20 HP tractor  or greater  3 point hitch and PTO.  In good condition.  Asking $950, Call Dick Starkey, 413-774-4215, dstarkey@crocker.com.
• We will help any Massachusetts landowner who needs a property caretaker with a free caretaker-wanted ad. Please contact Gary Dunn, THE CARETAKER GAZETTE, PO Box 4005, Bergheim, TX 78004 (830) 755-2300, www.caretaker.org.
• USED Packaging and processing equipment.  Since 1987 we have been buying and selling all types of second hand equipment related to food processing.  We can save you money and time.  Jack Crowley, 978-921-4661,  CrowleyDJ@comcast.net.

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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CALENDAR

• June 7 - Essentially Essex County: Buy Fresh, 6-9PM at the historic Smith Barn at Brooksby Farm in Peabody.   Internet and live auction.  Sponsored by the Essex National Heritage Commission. Tickets $50.00 each.  For information contact: Christine Rasmussen, Essex County & Merrimack Valley Buy Local Program at 978-281-0309 or chrisras@gis.net.  Auction items at www.EssexHeritage.org
• June 9 - Grass Finished Natural and Organic Beef and Lamb with Matt Rulevich at Woolly Mammoth Farm in S. Dartmouth, 8:30AM-4:30PM
  Part of the NOFA 2007 Practical Farm Skills Workshop Series. www.nofamass.org
• June 27 - Whole Foods Market 5% Day on behalf of the Federation of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets(FMFM): Shop at any Massachusetts Whole Foods Market on Wednesday, June 27 and 5% of the sales will be donated to FMFM. Contact Hannah Freedberg, 781-893-8222 or hannah@massfarmersmarkets.org for more information.
• July 12 - Summer Meeting of the MA Fruit Growers’ Assoc. in cooperation with the Umass Fruit Program, at Bolton Orchards, Bolton. Program will begin at 10AM with a 2-hour walking tour of Bolton Orchards. Lunch (payment required) will feature a barbeque produced by Red Bones of Somerville. Afternoon program will present various horticultural and pest management topics. For complete info., www.umass.edu/fruitadvisor or www.massfruitgrowers.org.
• July 18 & 19 - Green-Blue Summit: Clean Water through Residential Integrated Pest Management , http://NortheastIPM.org/greenbluesummit.cfm REGISTER ONLINE BY JUNE 14. A registration fee of $220 will cover the full program, meals, proceedings, and a special evening at the world-renowned Longwood Gardens. Space is limited.
• July 18 - The 2007 MNLA and MFGA Summer Meeting & Trade Show, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston - 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, www.mnla.com, www.massflowersgrowers.com.
• August 10-12, The NOFA Summer Conference, Hampshire College in Amherst, http://www.nofamass.org/conferences/s2007/index.php
• August 21 - ANNUAL MEETING of the Cape Cod Cod Growers’ Cranberry Assoc., UMass Cranberry Experiment Station, Wareham, MA. The summer business mtg of the CCCGA will be held at the UMass Cranberry Station from 9 am to 1 pm. During the business meeting the official estimate of the 2007 U.S. cranberry crop will be announced. In addition to the business meeting, there will be a tradeshow, lunch, and a tour and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated State Bog. Lunch tickets must be purchased in advance. For further info. call 508-759-1041 or at info@cranberries.org.

If you have events you would like listed to our new calendar webpage, http://www.mass.gov/agr/events/coming_up.htm,
email Rick LeBlanc at richard.leblanc@state.ma.us.

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About the Farm & Market Report

Published bi-monthly by:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, Governor
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Ian Bowles
Department of Agricultural Resources, Scott J. Soares, Acting Commissioner
251 Causeway St., Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1700, fax 617-626-1850
www.Mass.gov/AGR

• Kent Lage, Assistant Commissioner and Chief of Staff, Kent.Lage@state.ma.us
• Mary Jordan, Director of Agricultural Development, Mary.Jordan@state.ma.us
• Brad Mitchell, Director of Bio-Security and Regulatory Services, Brad.Mitchell@state.ma.us

This publication is available in alternate formats upon request.

Next issue to be published for August / September. Please send news, calendar and/or classified information by July 23rd to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us, or fax to 617-626-1850.