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Massachusetts Department of
Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
Farm & Market Report
Vol. 84, No. 5, October / November
LOCAL NEWS
NEWS FROM USDA
IN EVERY ISSUE
Harvest Season Edition
Greetings!
Although the recent summer-like weather we’ve been enjoying might suggest otherwise, fall harvest season is upon us. To that end, we’re beginning to see the results, successes and failures of the 2007 growing season with hopes that the impact of persistent drought conditions will, in the end, be minimized by early season weather that allowed successful blooms and early access to fields. We understand that the USDA FSA field offices have been monitoring the drought conditions and are presently gathering data to determine the extent of loss due to the drought conditions. If based on their investigation the extent of loss warrants, FSA will work with the Governor's Office to seek a U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Emergency Designation for affected counties. For more information about the FSA’s current effort and scheduled relief programs for losses due to weather from the 2005-2007 growing seasons, growers should contact their local USDA FSA office or the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources for guidance to their local FSA Office. Although the drought conditions have clearly been a concern, as a “silver-lining”, the dry sunny days have provided great weather for fair attendance, shopping at farmer’s markets and roadside stands and the great variety of other agri-tourism opportunities. In fact we’ve learned that the Big E experienced record attendance of 1.22 million over the Fair’s 17 days, the second highest attendance since 1916! Attendance during Massachusetts Day on September 20 clearly supported that trend, with visits from Governor Patrick and Secretary Bowles, Massachusetts Day was a great celebration! Thanks go to the more than 40 exhibitors in and around the Massachusetts Building, our partners at the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and our own Department of Agricultural Resources staff members lead by our Director of Agricultural Development, Mary Jordan, who all contributed to make the fair and Massachusetts Day the great success that it was!
Related to the harvest theme, we’ve also recently concluded the Commonwealth’s 1st “Harvest for Students Week” that was proclaimed as such by Governor Patrick for the week of September 24-28, 2007. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of Kelly Erwin and her team as well as the support a variety of sources, the Department is pleased to be a part of this effort that has contributed to the service of local food products by 90 public school districts and 13 colleges in our Commonwealth. Importantly, as a result of this effort over 40 farms are currently selling to schools across the state. To further this effort, we’re also proud of our support of a new Massachusetts Farm to School Cookbook that has been developed by Amy Cotler to provide a variety of simple and creative ways to integrate local food products into school cafeteria menus. This great publication is available on line at: http://www.mass.gov/agr/markets/Farm_to_school/farm_to_school_cookbook.pdf
Fall also brings workshops and to that end we’re please to announce a series of workshops that are currently under development for our Commonwealth’s growing list of Agricultural Commissions. Using a successful strategy implemented last Fall, the agenda for these workshops are being crafted based upon the interest articulated by members from the 106 Commissions that currently populate our Commonwealth. We’ll be publishing the specific details of these workshops soon but if Agricultural Commissions have interest in specific areas, I encourage your contact to the Department or to Pete Westover (westover03@comcast.net), Cheryl Lekstrom (clekstrom@mac.com) or Irene Winkler (Irene.Winkler@ma.usda.gov) who we’ve been working with to provide assistance in the development and support of Agricultural Commissions throughout Massachusetts.
Also under development is the recently launched Massachusetts Farm Energy Program. Through a partnership with the USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants Program, as an extension of the Agricultural Innovation Center, Department has supported an effort through the Berkshire Pioneer and Patriot Resource and Conservation Districts to provide a range of services associated with farm energy conservation and development. Frequent updates regarding this effort will be provided and we’re looking forward to this effort’s lasting impact on Massachusetts farm energy issues.
Speaking of the Massachusetts
Agricultural
Innovation
Center
, the projects from the FY07 initiation of the virtual center are well under way and we’ll be posting updates of these efforts as they become available. Recently the solicitation for FY08 projects was posted and can be found under the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources at www.comm-pass.com. The focus of the AIC remains aimed at addressing immediate needs of Massachusetts agricultural commodity groups while also provide opportunities for long term economic development. In order to achieve the objectives of the AIC, the program has been funded at $1 million for FY08 with a deadline of November 9, 2007 for responsive proposals. Additional components of the AIC for FY08 include a “new for 08” agricultural economic assessment component and a re-issuing a solicitation for Marketing and Promotion efforts that are similarly aimed at enhancing the economic development and marketing of Massachusetts agricultural products and services. The new economic assessment component of the AIC is intended to provide an assessment of the impact of AIC economic development efforts. This $100,000 AIC economic impact assessment solicitation will seek to fund an effort that will measure the impact of AIC support while at the same time establish a baseline measure for the economic impact of the variety of agricultural sectors within the Commonwealth. Also currently under development, the AIC marketing solicitation will be released soon. The FY08 edition of this program will provide $150,000 and, based upon the interest expressed through previous responsive proposals, emphasis will be placed on the areas of fairs, farmers markets and enhancing buy local efforts for areas of the state where such efforts are currently limited if available at all. As with the current AIC economic development solicitation, after they are posted, all solicitations can be found on line and the Commonwealth Procurement Access and Solicitation System at www.comm-pass.com.
As suggested by the impending release of the AIC marketing solicitation, “Buy Local” has remained an area of great interest within the Commonwealth. Beyond the expansion encouraged by the AIC, the Department’s operating budget also included $200,000 to enhance the buy local efforts in western, central, northeastern, and southeastern
Massachusetts
. Accordingly, a solicitation was developed and the Department is currently reviewing the responsive proposals that were submitted to achieve the objectives of this item. As I’ve indicated in previous editions of this column, we’re our agricultural community is truly fortunate to have such universal public and governmental support and this effort to enhance “buy local” is yet another indication of that strong support. As a result of the on-going interest around “buy local” it has become clear that our farming community has a great opportunity to increase direct sales in order to meet the growing demand for local products. Already,
Massachusetts
ranks #1 nationally for the average value of direct sales realized by farmers and considering the public’s interest we’re well positioned to hold this position into the foreseeable future.
Although it’s also become clear that “local” is defined differently depending upon who you ask, the impetus to “buy local” has, in part, been driven by food safety, public concern regarding growing methods and a strong interest in supporting local community characteristics. With that and our collective interest to define “local” as a product of Massachusetts in mind, the Department is currently investigating the development and application of a “Commonwealth Quality” program that will address the public interests associated with buying local while at the same time recognizing the current and evolving standards currently applied by farmers toward the support of improved market access. Importantly, this effort will not be aimed at defining or creating new standards, rather recognizing and/or codifying the practices currently implemented and providing consumer education opportunities regarding the implementation of those practices. To that end, the Department has supported an effort by the Massachusetts Farm Bureau to begin work with commodity groups toward the documentation of industry driven Best Management Practices and the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices. Ultimately, we hope that these efforts will forge a stronger agricultural connection within
Massachusetts
and develop lasting opportunities for strengthening agriculture’s role in our Commonwealth’s economy.
With regard to the economic viability and sustainability of
Massachusetts
agricultural interests, in my previous two columns I’ve provided updates to the efforts of the Massachusetts Dairy Revitalization Task Force. After meeting every two weeks since July 27 and considering presentations on cost of production, revenue generating options and alternatives for enhancement, diversification and promotion Massachusetts Dairy, the Task Force is now in the process of developing a final report that will include findings and final recommendations relative to near and long term opportunities for stability of the Massachusetts dairy industry. As Co-Chairman of the Task Force, I’m grateful for the cooperation, assistance and enthusiastic involvement of the Industry, legislative and agency members of the Task Force and, most importantly, the members of the public including consumers, industry members and presenters from around the country who have been active participants and supporters of this process. I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize Department staff and task force member, Dr. William Gillmeister and staff Mr. Michael Demakakos and our recently hired Mr. Michael Botelho who have gone above and beyond to help with this important effort. I look forward to the successful conclusion of this important effort and the benefit that these efforts will bring the
Massachusetts
dairy farming community.
Finally, looking ahead, the Department has been working with sister agencies within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs as well as agencies from other Secretariats to bring a more comprehensive approach to resolution and support of issues that are important to agriculture in
Massachusetts
. To that end we look forward to strengthening our collaborative efforts in order to allow a fuller understanding of agriculture in our Commonwealth and how we might work together toward the realization of Agriculture’s full potential. I look forward to bringing more information about our success in these areas to you in the future. Thanks for your continued support and for your part in broadening our Commonwealth’s agricultural identity.
Best regards,
Scott J. Soares
Acting Commissioner
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The goal of the Agricultural License plates is to provide a predictable revenue stream that is not dependent on state government, so that we can regularly offer programs for farmers no matter what is happening at a state level. The programs will be supported by the friends of agriculture who are willing to make a charitable donation every two years by renewing their specialty license plates.
We launched this initiative on August 16th at the Brookline Farmers’ Market and made a pretty big publicity splash. We even got into “USA Today.” Since then, we have distributed 18,000 brochures to some 40 agricultural organizations across the state. We have had materials at fairs from Cummington to Lowell, Westport to Topsfield and many in-between.
The Department staged a big celebration and display with the help of folks from the Dairy Association. Kids could get their pictures taken with a live cow in a setting that looks like the license plate. (See more about this elsewhere in this Report.)
On the same day, the Turnpike distributed 30,000 flyers from toll booths across the state. In other words, we are very busy marketing these plates.
So, how many have we got orders for? We hit 124 as of September 27th. Given that it is just six weeks since launch, we think it’s fabulous. Now in the next 46 weeks, we have to sell 1,376. Just 30 a week will get us to that goal. At that point, the Registry will produce the plates and include them on their website. That will make the job of selling the next 1,500 easier for buyers. Once people start to see them on our cars, they can just go to the website and order.
And sometime during this whole process, we will auction off the lowest number plates including the very special # 1. Who will have the exclusive honor of traveling around with the number 1 on his or her own car? It could be YOU, so stay tuned.
If your organization has not ordered materials, please contact Mary Greendale
at mgreendale@yahoo.com, and she will send along brochures with self-mailer
envelopes, stands and posters as needed. Right now, CISA is in the lead
for most plates sold (10), but the Dairy Association is hot on the trail
at 9 and the folks at 4-H and Future Farmers of America are pressing with
8 plates each.
These groups will earn $15 for each plate they sell, and your agricultural group can, too. Check out the website for details and to download the flyer to order plates. www.mass.gov/agr/agtag. We try to update the site weekly and post the totals sold.
Some ideas of places to put brochures: Town Halls, farm stands, restaurants that feature local products, trade shows, feed stores, plant nurseries, and local fairs. In the end, though, I think we will find that direct contact will work the best as members of the ag organizations contact extended family members and friends.
Please feel free to contact Mary Greendale with any issues or suggestions.
All ideas are welcome! 508-429-2813, mgreendale@yahoo.com.
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Governor Patrick Tours Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds - Secretary
Bowles Presents Agricultural Awards.
A visit from Governor Deval Patrick, an array of awards and entertainment,
and promotion of a new license plate to benefit Massachusetts agriculture
were among highlights on September 20th, “Massachusetts Day” at the Eastern
States Exposition (The Big E) .
The day’s special events were centered around the Massachusetts Building
on the Avenue of States – an attraction that features replicas of the original
capitol buildings of each New England state. Now in its 89th year and managed
year-round by the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR), the Massachusetts
Building offers fair attendees an opportunity to take a virtual tour of
the state’s landmarks, sample Bay State cuisine, and shop for Massachusetts-made
products.
Before exploring the Massachusetts Building and other attractions with Governor Patrick, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles joined Acting DAR Commissioner Scott Soares in promoting the state’s newest specialty license plate - the “Ag Tag.” Fairgoers had a chance to pose with a live tableau that mirrors the Ag Tag’s cow-and-produce design – including a cow from Talvy Farm in North Brookfield. In honor of Massachusetts Day, toll takers at several Massachusetts Turnpike interchanges distributed leaflets advertising the new license plates. Since unveiling the Ag Tag a month ago, DAR and its partners have taken reservations for 5 percent of the 1,500 orders needed for the Registry of Motor Vehicles to begin producing the plates. Ag Tag sales are expected to yield $60,000 annually for a new Massachusetts Agriculture Trust Fund.
Bowles and Soares presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Ag Tag designer Susan Bergeron West of Brimfield, and announced winners of this year’s Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar Photo Contest, and the Massachusetts Dairy Industry Promotion’s “3-A-Day” poster contest.
First, second and third place dairy poster winners, respectively, are:
Leanna Malone of Burgess Elementary School in Sturbridge, Rachel Cloutier
of North Brookfield Elementary School, and Michelle Jasiel of Our Lady
of the Sacred Heart School in Springfield.
Calendar contest winning photos and honorable mentions are included in
the new 2008 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar (click here for front and back
cover)published by Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom in cooperation
with DAR and the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation
Service. Each winner received certificates, two Big E tickets and two complimentary
calendars. Winning calendar photographers are:
- January – Kelley DeBettencourt of Edgartown (Pig resting at Martha’s Vineyard
Agricultural Fair)
- February – Pennington Geis of Hatfield (Wool basket by Jager Farms Icelandic
Sheep, Haydenville, taken at the MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair, Cummington),
and honorable mentions to Julian K. Robinson of Oak Bluffs (“Ewe and Lambs”)
and Ralph Savery of Plymouth (“Skeins of Yarn”)
- March – Tom McCrumm of Ashfield (Sugarhouse and maple buckets at his South
Face Farm, Ashfield)
- April – Susie Mulliken of New Braintree (Tilling the soil at Howe’s Farm, New Braintree), and honorable mention also to Susie Mulliken (“Goat”)
- May – Rosalind Makowiec of East Longmeadow (Greenhouse taken at Meadowbrook Farm, East Longmeadow), and honorable mention to Ralph Savery of Plymouth (“Dahlia”)
- June – Emily Turteltaub Nelson of Ipswich (Jersey cows taken at Appleton
Farms, Ipswich)
- July – Ralph Savery of Plymouth (Woodsmen’s Day at Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural
Fair), and honorable mention to Linda Hoffman of Harvard (“Habernero Peppers”)
- August – Linda Hoffman of Harvard (Bright Lights chard at Old Frog Pond
Farm, Harvard)
- September – Jerry Horbert of Uxbridge (Hand picking apple at Keown’s Farm,
Sutton), and honorable mention to Ludlow Agricultural Commission and photographer
Celeste Chenier of Ludlow (“Father’s Day Discussion”)
- October – Emily Turteltaub Nelson of Ipswich (Pumpkins at Flat Hill Orchards,
Lunenburg), and honorable mention also to Turteltaub Nelson (“Hay Scarecrow”)
- November – Bernie Kubiak of Amherst ("Sheep in the Mist" in Hadley)
- December – Ruth Owen Jones of Amherst (Christmas Tree Wagon W.D. Cowls
Tree Farm)
Calendars can be purchased for $10 each, with proceeds benefiting Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, a non-profit organization that works with teachers to develop classroom materials. Send check payable to: Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom to PO Box 345, Seekonk, MA 02771.
* Big E Attendance Totals - The Eastern States Exposition had its second highest attendance ever at 1,227,889 over the course of 17 days. Three attandance
records were set: The 1st Wednesday at 73,258; second Monday, 66,790; and
the second Tuesday, 56,974.
DAR hosted an agriculture booth at the entrance to the Massachusetts Building. This year we had a mural painted within the booth depicting an apple orchard (Apex Orchards) by Jeanie Schermesser of Erving. Thanks to those folks in the agricultural industry that assisted with staffing the Department's booth.
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The interest in energy on farms across the state keeps growing stronger.
The past couple of months brought more new developments including the following
articles.
In addition, click here for our energy webpage:
New Massachusetts Farm Energy Program:
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) recently announced a Massachusetts Farm Energy Program to be developed and implemented by the USDA’s Resource Conservation & Development Areas (RC&D’s). We believe it’s the first of its kind in Massachusetts devoted to agriculture across the entire state and in tandem with state and federal resources. Click here for details.
As part of providing farms technical assistance for energy efficiency,
energy conservation and renewable energy, a major emphasis of this program
will be to collaborate with all of the existing energy programs and organizations
to ensure a successful integration of the new program with all existing
programs. The program is expected to start in 2008 with initial planning
beginning this Fall. There will be more to come as the program development
progresses.
Northeast Renewable Energy Group:
MDAR has become part of a multi-state agricultural renewable energy group (NEASDA Renewable Energy Group, NEASDA-Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture) devoted to promoting renewable energy technologies for our farms. States involved include all the New England states plus New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania & Delaware. The first order of business currently underway involves sharing of information including state energy programs, policies, pending legislation, existing obstacles, existing projects and applications. As a first step it is hoped this knowledge will be useful toward understanding what others states are doing and possibly advancing successful activities from one state to another. There will be more to come on this group’s activity as the group’s development progresses.
USDA Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Grant Awardees Announced:
Congratulations to the eight rural Massachusetts businesses and farms including Sylvan Nursery, River Rock Farm, Smith Country Cheese, Inc. and Santos Brothers Farm Partnership who were recently announced as grant awardees of USDA’s annual Section 9006 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant Program. This program is part of the U.S. Farm Bill which gets renewed every five years with 2007 being the current renewal year. Legislation is still pending regarding the funding amounts and areas to be prioritized for the coming five years. For more information on this year’s winners, click here .
Massachusetts Dairy Farm Revitalization Task Force – Energy is Agenda Topic:
As part of an effort to maintain long term stability for our dairy farms, a variety of energy technologies and issues were presented and discussed at one of the several public meetings held for revitalizing the dairy farms. This particular meeting was held at Sturbridge Village on September 7th. Biomass, anaerobic digesters and wind were featured presentations as well as discussions on how to cost-effectively realize these applications on a smaller scale. The context of net metering was also discussed. Minutes from the meeting can be found under the Dairy Task Force link on our website.
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Due to increasing demand for conservation planning assistance on Massachusetts
farms, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural
Resources (MDAR), and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts
(MACD) have agreed to contribute additional federal and state resources
to accelerate delivery of conservation technical assistance.
The agreement among NRCS, MDAR and MACD will strengthen a partnership between
federal state and local organizations that has been recognized as the Accelerated
Conservation Planning Partnership (ACPP). Through the ACPP, Bay State farmers
can get help with planning, designing and implementing conservation practices
that contribute to agricultural viability, improve water, protect soil
and plant health, and restore wildlife habitat.
NRCS and MDAR are contributing $225,000 each to the effort. The $450,000 is in addition to the technical and financial assistance that NRCS provides to local farmers. Last year, NRCS delivered more than $2.7 million in technical assistance and nearly $12 million in financial assistance for natural resource conservation in Massachusetts.
The ACPP was established in 2004 by NRCS, MDAR and MACD when the groups
joined forces to improve the delivery of federal and state conservation
programs and services to Massachusetts farmers. MACD employs nine conservation
planning and administrative staff through the ACPP, who are housed in USDA
service centers across the state.
“The ACPP has grown into a vibrant and successful partnership that has made significant contributions to accelerating conservation planning in the commonwealth,” said Christine S. Clarke, NRCS State Conservationist for Massachusetts. “Our agency’s workload associated with the 2002 Farm Bill programs has steadily increased over the past five years, which makes it challenging to meet the demand for conservation planning on local farms.”
“Several state programs have come to rely on the ACPP as an effective vehicle for delivery of services. For example, to be eligible for the state Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program, a farmer must have an updated NRCS conservation plan. Development and updates of those plans have been facilitated by the ACPP” said Scott Soares, Massachusetts Acting Commissioner of Agricultural Resources. “And, to apply for the state Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program a farmer needs NRCS soils and land use maps that can now be produced by MACD staff.”
Farmers who would like assistance with conservation planning should contact their local USDA service center. 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.
The NRCS is an agency of the USDA that helps people conserve, maintain,
and improve our natural resources and environment. NRCS has seven Massachusetts
field offices in Greenfield, Hadley, Holden, Hyannis, Pittsfield, Westford,
and West Wareham, which work with local conservation districts and other
partners to serve farmers and landowners throughout the commonwealth.
The MDAR's mission is to support, promote and enhance the long-term viability
of Massachusetts agriculture with the aim of helping this state’s agricultural
businesses become as economically and environmentally sound as possible.
MACD is an association of the 14 conservation districts in Massachusetts,
which were established under state law to carry out programs for the conservation
and wise management of soil, water and related resources. Each district
is governed by a board of supervisors – locally elected citizens who volunteer
their time and leadership to the conservation effort.
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January-March 2008 in Southeast MA and one other location to be determined
– let us know you will attend!
Working with key local partners, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) offers NxLevel©’s widely acclaimed "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity" (TTS) agricultural business planning course. This innovative, farmer friendly course focuses on existing* agricultural businesses that can benefit from an organized look at their current operation to plan for growth and change.
Over 240 Massachusetts farmers have completed TTS. Many have commented that the farm-to-farm networking during the class was one of the biggest ongoing benefits, and some past participants are still getting together on their own.
The course instructor guides participants through creation of a business plan to guide decision making on the owner/operator’s farm. MDAR has enhanced the course’s 35 hours of classroom time with individualized technical assistance and confidential financial planning. The instructor visits every participant’s farm/ag enterprise at least once during the course.
About the Course:
- TTS is facilitated by a nationally certified and experienced Instructor,
and is overseen by the Director of the MDAR Agricultural Business Training
Program
- Guest speakers are drawn from local businesses and service providers to
personalize the key concepts of many sessions
- After the course ends, students can receive additional individual technical
assistance in topic areas most important to complete a working business
plan. Basic costs are included for this service.
- The business plan each student creates can simplify eligibility for federal,
state and local assistance programs
- This course qualifies as a "Borrower Training Program" for the
USDA Farm Service Agency, and can enhance efforts to secure funds from
any lender
- Some courses include extra sessions on special topics, depending on class
needs and schedule
2007 Participant Quote: "It gave me a better understanding of how to work my finanaces, and to set down on paper and organize myriad components of my farm business. The instructor’s enthusiasm and heart felt interest were important, and learning with other farmers was important as well”.
*Prerequisites:
- Participating businesses must have been operating for one or more years
(work on other ag enterprises may be considered).
- Participants have current access to land and at least minimal facilities
for their enterprise (owned or leased).
If you consider yourself to be a start-up or an idea-stage business, we offer a shorter, more appropriate course – “Explorer” - using a similar approach.
Session Titles:
1. Take Stock of Your Resources
2. Basic Planning and Research
3. The Legal Terrain
4. Manage from the Ground Up
5. Bring Your Product to Market
6. Reap the Benefits of Market Strategies
7. Get Your Budgets in Line
8. Analyze Cash Flow and Financial Statements
9. Cultivate Your Money Resources
10. Harvest Your Future - Using Your Plan – GRADUATION!
Course Structure:
Classes meet once per week during a 10-12 week window. Each of the sessions addresses a component/chapter of your business plan. The course is cumulative, with each session building on the last until the participant completes the whole business plan. Therefore, you should not sign up if you must miss more than one session.
The time and effort each participant puts into completing lessons and participating in class will be his or her most valuable investment in refining their farm-based business. We are happy to provide referrals to alumni of our programs (probably in your own region) to help you decide if this course is for you.
Participant Quote: "The course is remarkably useful in providing the knowledge of issues that businesses must take into account." “It is organized well and was nicely targeted to farms.” (two 2007 participants)
How do I Find Out More/Sign Up for the 2008 Southeastern Massachusetts Course?
When? Classes will start on Thursday January 10, 2008. Classes will run from
6-9pm. Classes will end on or around March 20, 2008.
Where? University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Fairhaven Facility (Old AT&T
Building). 200 Mill Road, Fairhaven, MA 02719. This modern facility will
afford us a number of technological and comfort advantages.
Deadline? The deadline for completed applications is November 15, 2007.
Class Size? Enrollment is limited to 12 businesses. You may bring another person from
your farm at no extra charge if space permits. The course will be cancelled
(and fees refunded) if we do not enroll at least 8 qualified businesses.
When your application is accepted, you will be asked to pay a course fee of $200, which includes the course text and workbook, additional handouts and individual technical assistance. If this fee is an absolute barrier for an otherwise qualified candidate, we can sometimes arrange a split payment or alternative sources for a portion of the funds.
Out of State Participants? Contact the Director (below) for consideration
as part of a waiting list. If the course does not fill with in-state participants,
we may make a few spaces available at a slightly higher registration fee
and without eligibility for post-course services.
For additional information and an application form, contact:
Rick Chandler, ABTP Director, MDAR, 25 West Experiment Station, University
of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 , Phone: 413-577-0459, email: rchandler@umext.umass.edu
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The Northeast Region Sustainable Ag Research & Education Program has posted the New Partnership Grant Application to its web site at www.uvm.edu/~nesare/. Follow the "agricultural professionals" links to download the forms (in Word) and instructions (as a pdf).
This grant program is for agricultural service providers who are exploring
new approaches to sustainability in collaboration with one or more farmers.
The postmark deadline for proposals is December 4, 2007 for awards in the
spring. If you have any questions about the program or would like a printed
copy of the application, call them at 802-656-0471 or send email to nesare@uvm.edu.
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Better student nutrition and a boost for Farm Sales are the dual aims of a new groundbreaking book, Fresh From the Farm: The Massachusetts Farm to School Cookbook. The book, which is now available on-line through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources website, is a tool for school food service staffs, training them how to work with farm-fresh food and introduce more local produce into school lunches. Print copies will published and distributed to every school district in the state through the MA Department of Education, who will soon list it on their website as well, where school food service directors also procure their food
With the new federal mandate to include more produce in school lunches and the increasing discussion of childhood obesity, the schools are under enormous pressure to improve school lunches. But, they have tight budgets and limited food preparation time. Fresh From the Farm: The Massachusetts Farm to School Cookbook contains 46 recipes using seasonal produce, many emphasizing valued-added farm produce such as already sliced carrots or peeled butternut squash, to ease school preparation time. The book is jammed with easy-to-follow educational tips on preparing fresh produce and seasonal buying, along with resources for procurement from nearby farms. All recipes include a nutritional analysis and safety guidelines. There is an addendum for educators with classroom lessons, focusing on the importance of fresh food and the farm to table connection, with a lesson plan development bingo game for educators on how to integrate the book’s concepts into existing mandatory school frameworks.
The book’s recipes were tested statewide for their ease of preparation and student receptivity. School food service professionals submitted requests, some of the recipes, as well as ideas on how to make the book effective. As a result, this empowering book liberally refers to and quotes specific personnel who participated in the project. For example, Tammy Jervas, Food Service Director at the Richmond Consolidated Schools and an enthusiastic supporter of serving fresh foods, contributed a tomato sauce recipe, using fresh harvest tomatoes.
This book project was a unique collaboration, supported by an advisory board of members from, The Massachusetts Farm to School Project, The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, The Massachusetts Department of Education, the School Nutrition Association of Massachusetts, as well as several school nutritionists and food service directors. The MA Department of Agricultural Resources, The Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture and the MA Department of Education were its major funders.Although Ms. Cotler currently sells real estate with Cohen & White Associates in West Stockbridge, she has worked as chef, culinary educator, cookbook author and farm to table advocate for 24 years. She was director of Berkshire Grown, a non-profit supporting local food and farms, and has consulted and lectured nationally on farm to table issues.
Contact: Amy Cotler, Farm to Table Consultant, 413 232 7174. amy@freshcotler.com.
Complete book on-line http://www.mass.gov/agr/markets/Farm_to_school/index.htm
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The Northeastern IPM Center recently awarded grants through the Northeast
Regional IPM Competitive Grants Program and the IPM Partnership Grants
Program, totaling more than $1 million. Both programs focus on addressing
real-world IPM challenges through research, outreach, and education. More
awards and details at: http://NortheastIPM.org
IPM Partnership Grants Program
The IPM Partnership Grants Program helps the Northeastern IPM Center serve as a regional focal point for collaboration, communication, and stakeholder participation in fostering the development and adoption of IPM. In fiscal year 2007, this program has awarded more than $500,000 in grants to 22 project directors. Some of these grant recipients are carrying out multiple projects, with a total of 27 funded projects falling into six project types that address or identify regional IPM priorities in different ways.
IPM Working Groups identify and prioritize IPM needs relating to specific crop types or IPM settings:
- Community IPM Working Group (Lynn Braband, Cornell Univ., with Mary Kay
Malinoski, Univ. of Maryland)
- Red Tomato IPM Working Group: Communicating IPM Benefits to Consumers (Michael
Rozyne, Red Tomato, Inc.)
- Vegetable IPM Working Group (Ruth Hazzard, Univ. of Massachusetts)
IPM Priorities projects address important IPM research or extension issues identified throughout the region:
- A Partnership for Developing IPM Protocols for Bed Bug Management (Jody
Gangloff-Kaufmann, Cornell Univ.)
- Guardian Plant Systems for Greenhouse Integrated Pest Management (Carol
Glenister, IPM Laboratories, Inc.)
- Fostering IPM as a Resource Conservation Practice in Collaboration with
the Natural Resources Conservation Service (Ruth Hazzard, Univ. of Mass.)
Regional IPM Publications promote IPM implementation by sharing information:
- Developing a Fungicide Resistance Management Guide for Vegetable Growers
in the Mid-Atlantic Region (Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Univ.)
- Web-based Vegetable IPM Resource Database; Northeast Vegetable and Strawberry
Pest Identification Supplement (Ruth Hazzard, Univ. of Massachusetts)
- Production of IPM In and Around the Home –– Northeast Guidelines (Jennifer
Grant, Cornell Univ.)
- Development of a Pest Identification and IPM Manual for Christmas Tree
Growers and Conifer Producers in New York and New England (Elizabeth Lamb,
Cornell Univ.)
- Web-Based IPM Insect Guide for Arborists (Christopher M. Donnelly, Connecticut
Ag. Expt. Station)
IPM Planning and Assessment Documents help agencies and IPM practitioners assess the status of pest management for a given crop or setting and describe practices that growers and others can follow to implement IPM.
- IPM Tactics Survey for Ornamentals; Ongoing Crop Profile Updates; Green
Pepper Pest Management Strategic Plan (PMSP) for Delaware, Eastern Shore
Maryland, and New Jersey (Susan Whitney King, Univ. of Delaware)
- IPM Tactics Survey for Christmas Tree; Peppers PMSP for New England (James
Dill, Univ. of Maine)
- Raspberry Crop Profile for New England (Sonia Schloemann, Univ. of Massachusetts)
More details about these grants programs and specific projects will be available on the http://NortheastIPM.org website. The Northeastern IPM Center will release the Requests for Applications for 2008 grants programs this fall.
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The Northeast Farm Credit associations and CoBank recently announced the award of $34,325 to 13 organizations as part of the Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program. The grants help recipients carry out programs that promote Northeast agriculture, support youth programs, and generate a greater understanding of the Northeast’s vital agricultural, commercial fishing, and forest products industries among the nonfarm public.
Since its inception in 1996, the Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program has award more than $855,000 to 285 grant recipients.
The program is a shared effort of First Pioneer Farm Credit, Farm Credit of Western New York, Yankee Farm Credit, Farm Credit of Maine, and CoBank. Individual awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are granted three times each year.
Sample of recent grant recipients:
Winter Traveling Dairy Tour/New England Land Grant Universities. This $5,000 grant was awarded to send students from land grant universities, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, on a weeklong educational tour of Northeast dairy farms. During the trip, students gain a front-row view of top dairy operations in action, enhance their education and prepare for future careers in the dairy industry.
Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association. This $4,525 grant is to support a leadership development program for the next generation of Massachusetts cranberry growers. The program exemplifies quality education and experiences for tomorrow’s agriculturists.
Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor, Inc. This $2,000 grant is earmarked to support efforts to link local farm products with markets across the 35 towns of northeastern Connecticut and south-central Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Dairy Energy (MADE). This $2,000 grant provides funding for a consortium of 12 Massachusetts dairy farmers working on a project to produce energy from waste.
Grow Hartford. This $1,000 grant will bring agriculture to the city. This dynamic urban program helps 15 young teenagers cultivate vegetable crops the Hartford, CT inner city. Program activities include planting and harvesting produce, field trips to nearby farms, and a structured curriculum that encourages young people to find solutions to community food problems.
Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program, Created: 1996.
Total grant dollars: $855,056 - Total projects supported: 298
Proposal submission dates: April 1, August 1, December 1
Contact: Robert A. Smith, First Pioneer Farm Credit, 2668 State Route 7,
Suite 21, Cobleskill, New York 12043, Phone: 518.296.8188, AgEnhancement@FarmCreditWNY.com.
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University of Massachusetts Extension announces the availability of its
ever popular Garden Calendar for 2008, “Plants for Shade.”
Growing plants in shade is a challenge to many gardeners, which may be
why many settle for the monotony of monochromatic groundcovers such as
pachysandra for their shade gardens. While there is nothing wrong with
groundcovers, the opportunities to include colorful flowering plants should
not be overlooked. In addition, there is a wide range of variation in foliage
texture and color among plants tolerant of shade conditions. This calendar
will help gardeners look beyond common and overused plants for shade.
Shade can be very complex and successfully growing plants in shade requires some thought and careful planning. We include information on how to analyze factors such as light duration and intensity, and site features such as drainage and soil pH, as well as helpful lists of plants tolerant of shade or low-light conditions.
The 2008 UMass Garden Calendar includes photos and descriptions of shade tolerant plants selected by the UMass Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry staff as suitable for Massachusetts gardens.
As always, each month features
* An inspiring garden image.
* Daily gardening tips for Northeast growing conditions.
* Daily sunrise and sunset times.
* Phases of the moon.
* Plenty of room for notes.
* Low gloss paper for easy writing.
To order send $12.00, payable to UMass, to Adams Direct Mail Services, 99 Elm St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Bulk orders of 10-24 copies are available at $9.00 each, 25-49 copies are $8.00 each, and orders of 50 copies or more cost $7.00 each, plus shipping and handling. For an order form and chart of shipping charges, go to www.umassgardencalendar.org. For more info., contact the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program at (413) 545-0895 or eweeks@umext.umass.edu.
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USDA announces Accelerated sign-up for Farm Conservation Program in Massachusetts
MA farmers who would like technical and financial assistance in managing
their natural resources are encouraged to apply now for the federal Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) has been authorized to conduct an accelerated sign-up period
for EQIP while work on the next federal Farm Bill continues.
Applications must be received by Tuesday, November 13, 2007. Farmers should call or visit their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible to begin the conservation planning process and complete the necessary paperwork.
USDA service center locations are listed on-line at http://offices.usda.gov. General program information is available on the NRCS Massachusetts website at www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov.
EQIP helps farmers improve production while protecting environmental quality by addressing such concerns as soil quality, grazing land conservation, irrigation efficiency and comprehensive nutrient management. With financial and technical assistance from NRCS, farmers will promote environmental quality on farmland, address water quality and quantity challenges, and protect valuable fish and wildlife habitat.
In fiscal year 2006, NRCS funded 113 EQIP contracts with Massachusetts farmers to implement $3.86 million in conservation practices on 7,894 acres of land.
NRCS is an agency of the USDA that provides leadership in a partnership
effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources
and environment. NRCS has seven Massachusetts field offices in Greenfield,
Hadley, Holden, Hyannis, Pittsfield, Westford, and West Wareham, which
work with local conservation districts and other partners to serve farmers
and landowners throughout the commonwealth.
Pasture Walk Series
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, UMass Extension, the Northeast Organic Farming Association/Massachusetts Chapter will host a series of pasture workshops for livestock owners this summer. All pasture walks will take place from 10am to 1pm, with the exception of the Woolly Mammoth Farm workshop. Please bring your own lunch to the afternoon walks.
Please visit the sponsors' web sites: www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov, www.umass.edu/cdl/news.html or www.nofamass.org/programs/organicdairy for dates, locations and details.
Some $400,000 in federal and state funding will soon help Massachusetts
farmers with energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts. A Massachusetts
Farm Energy Program will be developed with funding from the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR).
The two-year statewide program will develop a streamlined process for energy efficiency audits and renewable energy assessments for Massachusetts agricultural producers. It will also provide incentives for farms to adopt energy recommendations and will develop the potential for rebates and future investment in on-farm energy projects.
NRCS has awarded a total of $150,000 in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to the Berkshire-Pioneer Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D), based in Amherst, and the Patriot Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Inc. (Patriot RC&D), based in Westford; each will receive $75,000 to develop and implement the program.
MDAR is providing a $250,000 Agricultural Energy Audit and Implementation Grant to the Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D, which will provide overall program management.
“The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program is the first-ever federal-state collaborative energy initiative to be administered on a local level in the commonwealth,” said Christine S. Clarke, State Conservationist for NRCS in Massachusetts. “At a time when farmers are being hit hard with skyrocketing energy bills, this program will help them save thousands of dollars a year through energy efficiency and alternative and renewable energy sources. The project also aims to reduce over 500 metric tons of CO2 emissions.”
“We hope to collaborate with energy utilities, non-profit groups and private industry to determine on-farm energy needs and maximize resources,” said Darlene Monds, Coordinator for the Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D and project manager. “Our first step will be to form a steering committee and working groups and we encourage anyone interested in participating to contact us.”
For information on the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program, contact Darlene Monds, Coordinator, Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D, 413-256-1607 x1, darlene.monds@ma.usda.gov.
IN EVERY ISSUE
- Farm for Sale - The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is currently is accepting proposals for
the purchase of Echodale Farm, subject to an Agricultural Preservation
Restriction (APR). Echodale Farm is located at 45 Park Hill Road
in Easthampton. The farmhouse is a 2-family dwelling, with each unit containing
two bedrooms and 1 bath. There is a 3,000-square foot barn, and a total
of 141 acres, of which 80 acres is tillable, used in recent years to grow
corn, hay, soybeans, and winter rye. TPL has been working for two years
with the Pascommuck Conservation Trust (PCT) and the City of Easthampton
to permanently protect Echodale Farm, thereby creating a 500-acre block
of land that will forever be preserved as open space and agricultural land.
For more info., visit www.tpl.org/echodale or contact Jenna
Ringelheim 617-371-0514.
-
Farmer wanted: Unique rental opportunity beginning 2008 growing season leading to possible long-term secure lease or ownership for small-scale horticulture operation in Southeastern Massachusetts. Includes approx. 5 acres of good, to-be-protected cropland, additional land, furnished farmhouse, and utilities. Letter of interest plus resume or equivalent to K. Ruhf at kzruhf@verizon.net. Deadline: December 15, 2007 or until filled.
-
FOR SALE - Kifco Water-Reel B210 with 320’ of 2.1” hose, Mercury 202 gun
w/ several nozzles, expandable high mount gun cart and offset 3pt hitch
attachment. Purchased in 2000, used approx. 10 times, stored indoors, excellent
condition. $4600 Three inch layflat hose, 759’ of assorted lengths with
camlock fittings, used 10 times, stored indoors, excellent condition. $1500.
Contact Eileen, Ol'Turtle Farm farmer@olturtlefarm.com 413-527-9122.
-
Henry Loader, hydraulic, for 8-N Ford tractor. Glendon Farm, 160 Driscoll Road, Windsor, MA 01270 413-684-3797
- 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.
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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- October 10, Tour of Old Friends Farm:Growing Organic Ginger, Sweet Corn, and Greens - 3-6 pm (rain or shine), Old Friends Farm, Amherst. For more details
call Old Friends Farm 413-253-9182 or UMass Extension Vegetable Program
413-545-3696. Register onsite; attendance is free.
- October 11, Farmers, Public Invited to Hampshire Cty Farm Conservation Tour - tour of 3 Hampshire Cty farms from 2:30-5:15pm. Tour hosted by the Hampshire
Conservation District and NRCS. Tour is free; attendees may attend all or a portion and should provide
their own transportation or carpool. More info. at Hampshire Conservation
District, 413-585-1000, ext. 5 or visit www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov.
- October 12 - 13, Northeast Highland Cattle Association's Annual Fall Gathering and Show, Mallary Arena, Big E Fairgrounds, Springfield. Show begins 10AM on Saturday, October 13, 2007...spectators welcome/no admission charge. A wonderful opportunity for interested persons to speak with multiple Highland breeders and see a sampling of their stock all under one roof. Questions? Contact Marion Beausoleil 860-429-1392 or beausoleilmc@mansfieldct.org
- October 13, "Food vs. Fuel: Is Biofuel Production from Farms Jeopardizing Our
Food Security?" 8:30AM - 03:30pm, Tufts University's Jaharis Building, 1st Floor
Auditorium, 150 Harrison Avenue, Boston. www.elpnet.org. This event held by the Environmental Leadership Program will feature
two morning workshops and an afternoon debate. Registration: $15 for Students,
$20 for non-Students. Online pre-registration will close at end of business
10/11/07. Register at www.elpnet.org/Biofuels.php.
- October 16 , Fall Flower Growers' Meeting, King Farm, Townsend, MA. Visit area greenhouse open houses of poinsettias before or after the educational program. Topics include newest perennials for '08 and production tips, energy conservation to save money on heating bills, late season growth regulator use on poinsettias, Q-strain whiteflies and ornamental seed items for 2008. Sponsored by UMass Extension and MA Flower Growers Assoc. 1 pesticide credit. Contact: Tina Smith 413-545-5306 or Paul Lopes 508-295-2212 ext. 24, UMass Extension or Bob Luczai, 781-275-8668, MA Flower Growers Assoc.
- October 26, Slow Food Gala, Worcester, MA, Lower Kimball Hall, College of the Holy Cross. 6pm: Cocktails, 7pm: Dinner. www.recworcester.org/events.
Join us for a sumptuous meal in celebration of local, organic food! All
proceeds will benefit the REC's UGROW and YouthGROW gardening programs.
- October 27, Grass finished Natural and Organic Beef and Lamb with Matt Rulevich at Woolly Mammoth Farm, S. Dartmouth, MA, 1:30PM-4:30PM. Click here for more information.
- November 1-2, Better Process Control School - Acidified Foods Only - 8am-5pm. Ramada Yonkers, 125 Tuckahoe Road, Yonkers, NY 10710. Sponsored
by NYS Food Venture Center, Dept. of Food Science & Technology - Cornell
University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, GMA Science & Education
Foundation, Associated NYS Food Processors, Inc. The Better Process Control
Schools (BPCS) certify supervisors of thermal processing systems, acidification
and container closure evaluation programs for low-acid and acidified canned
foods. Each processor of low-acid or acidified foods must operate with
a certified supervisor on hand at all times during processing. This school
satisfies the training requirements specified in both the FDA and USDA
regulations for ACIDIFIED FOODS ONLY. It is designed to provide additional
information and focus on critical issues that affect acidified foods production.
Contact: Nancy Long, 315-787-2288, NPL1@cornell.edu.
- November 3, 2007 Annual Conference - Preserve MASS Barns - Looking for practical, cost-effective ideas for restoring and rehabilitating old barns? Take Advantage of this Unique Opportunity. Click here for details.
- November 13, 2007 Greenhouse Tomato Conference, Sturbridge Host Hotel. 9am - 4:15pm. Topics
include choosing varieties, nutrient management, managing plant
vigor, biological control, hands-on grafting session, disease
identification and management, tomato plant disorders and grower panel on
growing and marketing ideas. 3 pesticide credits.Click here for more info.
If you have events you would like listed to our new ag industry calendar
webpage, http://www.mass.gov/agr/events/coming_up.htm, or
Consumer events at: http://www.mass.gov/agr/events/index.htm, email Rick LeBlanc at richard.leblanc@state.ma.us.
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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
This
publication is available in alternate formats upon request.
Next issue to be published for December / January. Please send news, calendar and/or classified information by November 26th to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us, or fax to 617-626-1850.
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