LOCAL NEWS
IN EVERY ISSUE
DAR is excited to introduce some fresh faces on the DAR team. Some have
started recently and others will be joining us over the next few weeks.
These individuals bring with them a wide variety of skill-sets and talents,
as well as a high measure of enthusiasm and energy. They will be tremendous
asset in helping to move forward the policies and programs of DAR. In alphabetical
order:
Sean Bowen will be joining DAR as Aquaculture Specialist and will be responsible for the development and implementation of programs and policies relative to the maintenance and operation of aquaculture facilities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mr. Bowen will serve as a contact for aquaculture development in Massachusetts, and advocate for the development of aquaculture that is environmentally sound and economically efficient.
Lisa Damon: Ms. Damon joined the Department of Agricultural Resources as the Farmers' Market Nutrition Coordinator in January. Her duties include overseeing the day to day activities of the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program such as writing the state plan, training and certifying farmers and markets for program participation, assisting WIC and ELDER Affairs. Lisa.Damon@state.ma.us, Tel. 617.626.1731.
Jennifer Forman-Orth, Ph.D joined DAR in February as the State Survey Coordinator, working with inspectors from the Bureau of Farm Products and Plant Industries and providing outreach and education services to farm, forestry and landowner groups on introduced pests of concern to Massachusetts. In addition, she will coordinate the annual survey as part of USDA’s Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey. She comes from UMass Boston, where she was employed as a post-doctoral research associate. Her background is in invasive plant ecology. Jennifer.Forman-Orth@state.ma.us, Tel: 617.626.1735.
Michael Gold joined DAR as a full-time employee in 2007 and is the Administrative Assistant to the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program. He is responsible for developing and providing aggregated, customized APR information to public and non-profit professionals. Michael also provides project assistance to internal staff and subcontractors. He received his Master’s in Public Administration from Bridgewater State College in 2006. Micahel.Gold@state.ma.us, Tel: 617.626.1712.
Dake Henderson provides support for DAR field agents by providing maps of farms showing wellhead and surface water protection areas, and wetlands. He supports agents by providing maps of nearby farms during disease outbreaks; manages data distribution of endangered/threatened species data to the state’s nine Mosquito Control Projects; and also coordinates mapping efforts for any aerial spraying done by the state. Mr. Henderson is also working on a program to consolidate databases and improve accessibility within the Animal Health division. Dake.Henderson@state.ma.us, 617.626.1729.
Daniel Rhodes joined the Department as the Grants Management Specialist in November 2007. His duties include overseeing and managing grant programs within DAR. He is also the grant liaison to EEA. He is responsible for the issuance and management of all DAR/SRB procurement RFRs (Request for Response) on the Comm-PASS system; ensuring compliance in accordance with OSD regulations; and provides auditing services as needed. Daniel.Rhodes@state.ma.us, Tel. 617.626.1728.
Anna Waclawiczek (pronounced Vatz-lava-check) joined DAR in March as Deputy Chief of Staff. She is responsible for day-to-day operations, assisting the commissioner and assistant commissioner on policy and program initiatives, coordinating with sister agencies, and providing marketing support for a wide range of agricultural programs. In addition to experience in office management, Anna brings with her a strong marketing and PR background from both the private and public sector to help promote DAR’s agricultural programs. Anna.Waclawiczek@state.ma.us, Tel: 617.626.1703.
The Farm Viability Enhancement Program is designed to assist farmers in improving the economic bottom line and environmental integrity of their operations through the development and implementation of business plans tailored to individual farm situations.
Administered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the program has three phases: In Phase I, a farmer will work with a planning team to develop a plan to increase on farm income and preserve the farm’s environmental resources. In Phase II, awards of $25,000 up to $75,000 may be available to a farmer to implement strategies from his or her plan in exchange for completing selected elements of the plan and agreeing to restrict the use of the farm to agricultural uses only by signing a five or ten year Agricultural Covenant. Phase III is a reporting phase after completion of the changes recommended in the plan.
Any Massachusetts farmer with at least 5 acres of land in agricultural production for the past three years is eligible to apply but greater acreage is more competitive in the farm selection process.
Typical uses of funds from the Farm Viability Program include building or repairing farm structures, modernizing field equipment, delivery vehicles and tractors, improving marketing structures, and purchasing food processing equipment.
Over 300 farms have received business planning and technical assistance from the Program in the past twelve years. The total value of awards to farms in the same time period exceeded $11 million. Over 27,300 acres of farmland has been placed under short-term Agricultural Covenants.
Applications and program information are available by clicking on this link AGR- FVEP-09-16, or on line at the Agricultural Resources web site www.mass.gov/agr, or you can request a copy of the application by calling the Farm Viability
Program at 617-626-1723. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday June 23, 2008.
USDA 9006 Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Annual Grant & Grant/Guaranteed Loan Program:
As noted in MDAR’s March 7th and 10th News Bulletins, USDA’s Rural Development (RD) annual Section 9006 Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Grant & Grant/Guaranteed Loan Program has been announced. This year’s Grant Program has two rounds, the first due April 15th, 2008, and the next due June 16th, 2008. The combined Grant/Guaranteed Loan deadline is also June 16th, 2008. In pro-active preparation of this announcement, USDA RD offices across the state have been holding general information sessions as well as grant application sessions. MDAR and the Resource Conservation Development Area (RCD’s) offices have been supporting and presenting at these sessions as well. Please stay in touch with and/or contact your local USDA RD Office for further sessions regarding this annual solicitation. The grant will fund up to 25% of total project costs for either energy efficiency or renewable energy projects and can be used in combination with other grants or incentives. Contact your local RD office and/or refer to the following link for more information on this program - www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2008/03/0072.xml.
New Massachusetts Farm Energy Program (MFEP):
In conjunction with USDA’s RD 9006 Program noted above, the two year MFEP continues with Phase One devoted to helping provide grant writing assistance for proposed projects with total costs of $200,000 or less utilizing the Simplified Application. The MFEP has selected grant writers from across the state, trained by USDA RD Staff, and they are now available, ready and willing to help farms make this portion of the process as painless as possible. A number of requests have been received to date and screened for eligibility with some now in the process of being offered assistance. The assistance is competitive so please visit the RC&D website to if you are interested learning more about this effort at www.berkshirepioneerrcd.org/mfep/forms/grant_writing_req.php.
Phase 2 of the two year MFEP, devoted to technical assistance, continues
to be organized while Phase 3, program evaluation, will follow.
Massachusetts Energy Bill:
The MA Energy Bill continues in conference as the state’s Senate and House of Representatives branches of government attempt to come to agreement on and prepare a final version to be sent to the Governor’s office for signature. As noted in last month’s F&MR, one of the many new and major provisions of the comprehensive MA Energy Bill deals with modifying the existing regulations on net metering, a modification that would significantly encourage distributed renewable energy implementation, making on-site renewable energy generation more attractive for farms as well. The original Senate Bill included an “Agricultural Net Metering” classification. Please review this latest Senate Bill as well as the House’s version @ www.mass.gov/legis/ and contact your local representatives with your comments as these two branches of government convene to finalize this effort.
Massachusetts Model Wind By-Law:
MDAR continues to participating with EOEEA, DOER, MTC and consultants regarding modifications to the existing Model Wind By-Law that could be used by communities across the state. The intent of the by-law is to help establish a reasonable set of standards for wind power development for cities and towns. Results of this effort will be found at DOER’s website, http://www.mass.gov/doer/.
Massachusetts Flower Growers Association (MFGA) Annual Growers Meeting
at Cavicchio’s.
The annual MFGA meeting held at Cavicchio’s Greenhouses in Sudbury, MA on February 20th was very well attended and quite successful educating farms about a number of issues, including Cavicchio’s brand new wood-chip fired boilers. MDAR provided a presentation of various state and federal energy related funding programs available. If you couldn’t attend, please visit MDAR’s Energy webpage at www.mass.gov/agr/programs/energy/index.htm, for more information on these programs.
This summer UMass extension will be starting a project that will focus
on using locally grown shelled corn as an alternative fuel to heat greenhouses.
Corn is a renewable heat source that can be grown and used in Massachusetts
more cheaply than fossil fuels, using available and proven technology.
The production of shelled grain corn was largely abandoned in New England
because of cheap corn available from the Midwest. As the cost of corn from
outside the region rises along with fossil fuels, the equation shifts.
Several dairy and vegetable farmers who have returned to the production
and use of shelled corn for feed or for heat are finding a positive net
income from their investments. Vegetable farms that have started growing
grain corn find benefits to their crop rotation systems, reduced costs
of fuel for their greenhouses, as well as a new crop to sell. However,
barriers in equipment, knowledge and marketing links need to be overcome
to bring this fuel into more widespread use. Producers need to be assured
of a market, users need to know there will be adequate supply, and both
need to know that the system will be reliable, profitable and sustainable.
This project will help develop the necessary links between producers and
users, and will evaluate the cost and benefits for both.
Specifically, we will work with vegetable, floriculture, and dairy farmers
to build at least two model networks of producers and users that will work
together to establish an economically viable, sustainable system for producing
and/or using shelled corn as a crop for greenhouse heat. Each of these
networks will consist of at least one producer and at least four users,
but more participants are possible. We will provide limited cost sharing
to help up to ten participating growers purchase and install the equipment
necessary to burn corn in return for their help in evaluating this system
and promoting the resulting information.
We will begin accepting applications to the program from vegetable and floriculture growers starting in April. All of the information needed to apply will be posted on the UMass Vegetable IPM website by April 15th, www.umassvegetable.org and applications will go out in the April edition of the VegNotes Newsletter.
Three training sessions will be held for the Farmers’ Market Coupon Program
at the following times and locations. Trainings are required for all growers
and market managers new to the program this season. Coupons cannot be accepted
or redeemed prior to training and signing a state agreement. If you are
unable to attend any of these sessions and would like to begin accepting
coupons at your farmers’ market please contact Lisa Damon at (617) 626-1731
to make other arrangements. Growers and market managers returning to the
coupon program do not need to attend a training session. Recertification
information for returning growers and managers will be mailed out in the
coming weeks. Upcoming trainings for new growers and market managers will
be held:
Tuesday, April 22, 2008: 5:00 pm & 6:00 pm MA building, Big E, 1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield, MA
Thursday, April 24, 2008: 5:00 pm & 6:00 pm Waltham Fields Community Farm, 240 Beaver St. Waltham, MA
Tuesday, May 6, 2008: 5:00 pm & 6:00 pm - Middleboro Grange, 570 Wareham St. (Rt. 28), Middleboro,
MA
For more information please contact Lisa Damon at MDAR (617) 626-1731 or
Lisa.Damon@state.ma.us. For updates, visit the Farmers' Market Coupon Program webpage: www.mass.gov/agr/markets/farmersmarkets/coupons.htm.
For more information regarding Massachusetts Farmers’ Markets, contact David Webber at 617-626-1754 or david.webber@state.ma.us
Proposed/New Markets:
Existing Markets:
The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority is once again offering to our valuable patrons a unique opportunity to
buy and sell products at our 2008 Farmer’s Market. PUBLIC MEETING NOTICES: Notice to all Massachusetts Residents. A public meeting will be held Friday, May 9, 2008, 1:00 pm at the Deerfield Town Hall, 8 Conway Street, South Deerfield, MA and on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 1:00 pm at the Waltham Experiment Station, 240 Beaver Street, Waltham, MA to inform residents and solicit public comment on the proposed Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program (APR) Regulations. The Regulations were sunset in the mid-1990’s, during the Weld Administration. Input from both private individuals and the public sector as well as from program staff, has indicated a need for regulations to be re-established in order to standardize the Program’s policies, procedures and applicant processes. Standardization of the Program’s processes will help to further the Department’s goal of clarifying its decision-making actions. For a copy of the proposed DRAFT regulations contact Ron Hall, 617-626-1704, ronald.hall@state.ma.us.
The Massachusetts Fruit & Vegetable Council (MN&VNC) is proud to provide new materials which can be used throughout the year. The resources can help you spread the important message about the health benefits of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Included on this web page please find four new resources which will help you to integrate the fruit and vegetable nutrition message into your programs or community activities. The information can be used in a newsletter; health education materials; distributed at fairs, made available to clients or patients in a waiting room; submitted to a local newspaper or used as background information for an interview. You decide what makes the most sense to your group or organization.
To view the materials go to: www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/nutritioncouncil.
More than 300 Bay State high school students from 46 public and private
schools across the commonwealth are expected to compete in the 21st annual
Massachusetts Envirothon on Tuesday, May 6th and Wednesday, May 7th at
Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton, Mass.
This year’s competition has been expanded to accommodate an increased number of participants. Each team will participate on their choice of one of the two field competition days at Hopkinton State Park. The four teams that score the highest in the field competition will then go on to finals on Saturday, May 17th at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster.
At the outdoor field competition event, teams of five students will rotate through four “eco-stations” where they will demonstrate their environmental knowledge through hands-on activities such as soil analysis, plant identification, tree measuring and investigation of water insects. Alternate team members will also be formed into teams and compete at eco-stations.
Each team will also give a presentation on their research into the year’s designated current issue before a panel of judges that includes environmental professionals from government agencies, non-profit organizations, academia and private industry. The final competition on May 17th will consist of only each finalist team’s current issue presentation.
This year’s current issue is “Outdoor Recreation and the Environment.” In preparation, teams are asked to go outdoors and explore recreation issues in their own community. Teams will identify a key recreational issue or opportunity, and make recommendations for steps that their community should take to address it.
“Students who participate in the Massachusetts Envirothon today will be the environmental and clean energy innovators of tomorrow. The hands-on nature of this competition is key to its success in engaging students to think critically about a range of environmental challenges and devise creative, effective solutions,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles said. “With this year’s theme of Outdoor Recreation, what better place to host the Envirothon than the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s wonderful Hopkinton State Park?”
Teams prepare for the Massachusetts Envirothon throughout the year through classroom curricula and workshops. Teams research the current issue in their own community prior to the event. Many teams also work to earn Community Research and Community Action awards.
For more information on the Massachusetts Envirothon visit www.maenvirothon.org.
Massachusetts Envirothon 2008 - REGISTERED TEAMS as of 3/28/2008
| Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Ashland High School Barnstable High School Bedford High School Chelmsford High School David Prouty High School Dexter-Southfield School Doherty Memorial High School Essex Co. Ag. & Tech High School Fitchburg Alternative High School Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech High School High School of Science & Technology Holly Hill Farm Hoosac Valley High School Hopkinton High School |
Lawrence Academy Leicester High School Lexington High School Middleborough High School Millbury Memorial High School Minuteman Regional High School Mohawk Trail Regional High School Monson Enviro. Action Team Mount Saint Joseph Academy Newton North High School Nipmuc Regional High School Northampton High School Old Rochester Regional High School Oliver Ames High School Pembroke High School Provincetown High School |
Quabbin Regional High School R.C. Mahar Regional School Somerset High School South Hadley High School South High Community School South Shore Charter Public Sch Southeast Regional Voc-Tech High School Springfield Central High School Sutton High School Taconic High School Tahanto Regional High School Tantasqua Regional High School Uxbridge High School Weston High School/Land's Sake Willow Hill School |
The Northeast Organic Farming Association/Massachusetts Chapter (NOFA/Mass),
the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the University
of Massachusetts Extension have organized a series of Grazing Workshops
as a continuing education resource for Massachusetts farmers. Topics at
each event will vary, but will include pasture management, organic transition
and herd health, forage species, soil fertility, fencing and water systems,
and summer and winter grazing. All pasture walks will take place from 10:00
- 1:00 (unless otherwise noted). Please bring your own lunch.
For more information on any of these sessions, contact Winton Pitcoff, NOFA/Mass, at winton@nofamass.org or 413-634-5728; Steve Herbert, UMass Extension, at 413-545-2250 or sherbert@pssci.umass.edu; or Tom Akin, NRCS, at 413-253-4365 or thomas.akin@ma.usda.gov.
More details about each of these sessions, including directions to the farms, can be found at www.nofamass.org/programs/organicdairy/index.php. Download a printable version of this information at www.umass.edu/cdl/2008Graze.pdf.
MASSACHUSETTS FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, INC. - Request for Proposals - Farmers
Live Animal Marketing Exchange (FLAME)
Procuring Entity: Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
466 Chestnut Street, Ashland, MA 01721
Douglas P. Gillespie, Acting Executive Director, 508-881-4766, doug@massfarmbureau.com
Deadline for Responses: June 1, 2008
Purpose of Request:
Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, Inc. (MFBF) is the majority stockholder
of Farmers Live Animal Marketing Exchange (FLAME). The facility, located
on Great Road in Littleton, MA has successfully marketed cattle, swine,
sheep, goats and other species since it opened its doors in 1967. Despite
decreases in numbers of livestock within the region, FLAME has become the
largest livestock market in New England, drawing animals from all six states
as well as some from outside the region.
FLAME has become an essential part of livestock marketing, providing a site for weekly auctions and related transactions. The current business model has resulted in an operational deficit, which remains despite an adjustment of fees. MFBF is seeking proposals for alternative operational strategies, including, but not limited to, a leasing of the FLAME facility by a private vendor or another organization, partnerships with MFBF from other organizations, state or federal support for existing operating model, or other possibilities. Any and all creative proposals are encouraged.
Background Information:
Meet with international buyers the day before the Summer Fancy Food Show, June 28th. We are offering a low-cost opportunity to meet with visiting buyers from Canada, Moscow, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Costa Rica in New York City the day before the 2008 Summer Fancy Food Show.
We will set you up with one-on-one buyer/supplier meetings that you choose
(first-come, first-served). You will set up at a draped table and we move
the buyers to meet with you. The early registration fee is $75 and the
early registration deadline is May 26, 2008. For registrations received
after that date, the fee will be $125. The final deadline to register for
this unique opportunity is June 6, 2008.
The buyers mission will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001. For more information contact bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us.
June 26-28, 2008 - Ioka Valley Farm, Hancock, MA - In association with the biennial conference of the New England Christmas Tree Alliance.
The 50th anniversary celebration of the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association (MCTA) will be celebrated at the Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock, Massachusetts on June 26-28, 2008. Ioka Valley Farm is nestled in the Berkshires and Taconic Hills in the Hancock Valley. Ioka is an Indian word meaning beautiful. The farm is located just minutes from Pittsfield, MA, Albany, NY, and Bennington, VT. All the New England states, eastern New York, and Canada are expected to attend.
MCTA, the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association, came into formal being on November 22, 1958.
www.christmas-trees.org/
NECTA, the New England Christmas Tree Alliance with representatives appointed from all New England associations, was formed in the mid 1990’s and has organized biennial winter conferences in Nashua, NH. The first very successful on-farm biennial conference was celebrated September 2006 on the Tonry Farm, Hampton Falls, NH.
Initial plans for the June 26-28, 2008 conference include:
• Special motel rates have been negotiated with Jiminy Peak and other local motels. On site camping is available for self contained units; other local campgrounds are available. Many Berkshire museums and cultural events as well as Jiminy Peak activities may be of interest to all family members so plan an extended stay!
Peter A. Sweet, Seekonk Tree Farm, 32 Seekonk Cross Rd., Great Barrington,
MA 01230, psweet1@roadrunner.com Phone: (413)-528-0050.
*PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT GUIDE FOR INSECTS, DISEASES AND WEEDS OF TREES
AND SHRUBS IN NEW ENGLAND
Price: Replacement update alone $26, update plus three-ring binder $30,
2008-09 Edition. Pesticide label registration changes every year in all
states and you can only legally apply pesticides according to the current
year’s label. This updated 2008-09 guide tells you what is current and
legal for use in all the New England states and is the way for you to stay
current with pesticide information. If you already have the 2003 version,
this is the updated supplement for pesticide information. Remember, if
you’re a pesticide applicator, it’s the law! Created by UMass Extension
professionals, this manual offers the latest on virtually all the insects,
diseases, and weeds of woody plants in New England; current and legal listings
of chemical compounds labeled for the management of these pests; integrated
pest management (IPM) considerations for most of these pests; environmentally
friendly alternatives in pest management such as horticultural oils, soaps,
biologicals, etc.; and Growing Degree Day (GDD) information for most of
the insect pests of woody plants.
*PLANTING AND MAINTAINING SUSTAINABLE LANDSCPAES: A GUIDE FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS
AND THE GREEN INDUSTRY - Price: $15.00. An updated and reprinted collection
of fact sheets, including Trees and Shrubs for Low Maintenance Landscapes;
Recommendations for Planting and Maintaining Trees and Shrubs; Integrated
Pest Management and Plant Health Care; Streetscape Design and Planting;
Selecting Turfgrasses for Low Maintenance Sites; Turf Pesticides and the
Environment; Children’s Protection Act and School IPM Plans; and Guidelines
for Planting within the 100 Foot Wetland Buffer.
*CULTURAL PRACTICE PROBLEMS OF TREES AND SHRUBS IN THE LANDSCAPE AND NURSERY
- Price: $17.00. A concise compilation of the most recent research on cultural
practice problems of trees and shrubs in the landscape and nursery. Highlights
the many cultural practice pitfalls associated with woody plants in the
nursery, landscape, and urban forest. Written for professional horticulturalists,
landscape designers, municipal grounds managers and master gardeners.
ORDERING INFORMATION - Order online at: umassextensionbookstore.com - Call
the UMass Extension Bookstore at 413-545-2717.
To have an order form mailed or faxed, contact UMass Extensin at 413-545-0895
or eweeks@umext.umass.edu. All orders are shipped USPS Media Rate, charged
at a standardized rate of $5.00 for the first item ordered, and $1.00 for
each additional item per order. Allow 7-10 business days for delivery.
Make checks payable to: UMass. Send to: UMass Extension Bookstore, Slobody
Bldg., 101 University Dr. - Ste A4, Amherst, MA 01002-2385
The Massachusetts Flower Growers' Association will sponsor a scholarship award of up to $4000.00 depending on length of study.
Eligibility:
1. Applicant must major in a course of study in Floriculture, Horticulture
or related agricultural sciences.
2. Applicant must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for
a minimum of one year prior to submitting an application.
3. Completed applications must be submitted by May 15th of the year to
be awarded.
Click here for details; Click here for application [PDF].
Massachusetts Dairy Industry Promotion Committee announces its Third Annual
3-A-Day of Dairy poster contest.
Contest rules:
Be original, be creative, and try to include a slogan to promote strong
bones and healthy eating. Contest is open to all children in Massachusetts
grades K-6. All entries will become the property of Mass. Dairy Industry
Promotion.
All entries must be received by April 25th. Winners will be notified by May 9, 2008.
1st Place = $200 Savings Bond, 2nd Place = $100 Savings Bond, 3rd Place
= $50 Savings Bond
Winning entries will be enlarged and displayed in the dairy booth the Mass.
Building at the Big E. Winners will receive four tickets to the Big E and
an invitation to be in the parade on Mass. Day.
Teachers: Please fill inculde School name, addess, phone, name, grade, Principal, and # of students submitting drawingsout entry form on reverse side. Questions…. call Margaret Hanson @508-867-5136. Click here for details, click here for entry form. Please mail to: 66 Smith & Hanson Rd., N. Brookfield, MA 01535.
Previous contest winners have had the opportunity to meet the Governor
during the Mass. Day Festivities. The Posters will become the winner’s
property at the end of the fair.
Amateur photographers, farmers, who enjoy capturing local rural scenes, farm animals and fresh produce are invited to enter the Massachusetts Agriculture Photo Contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. Winning photos will be featured in the 2009 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar.
Twelve photos will be selected, one for each month. ***12 photos will be selected, one for each month. We look to feature photos that represent the vitality and diversity of
Commonwealth’s farms, crops and products throughout the seasons. Last year winners can be found at www.Mass.gov/Massgrown (click on “Calendar of Events”). For farmers, its a great way to promote
your farm operation!
Winning
photographers will be credited in the calendar, will be invited to attend a
winner’s ceremony at the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) in Springfield in
September and tickets to the fair, and will receive copies of the
calendar.To view last year’s winners, click on Calendar at
www.mass.gov/agr. Deadline for photographs: June 1, 2008.
For guidlines and an entry form (in PDF) for the 2008 Calendar photo contest,
click here, or
contact Rick LeBlanc,
richard.leblanc@state.ma.us. For judging purposes, all entries have to be printed and mailed (not
emailed).
Massachusetts awards:
Beginning farmer business training and education partnership project - Judith Gillan, New England Small Farm Institute, Belchertown MA
“Exploring the Small Farm Dream,” a course in decision making and farm
planning, has been field-tested by the applicant and is ready for wider
use. The project manager will identify partners around the Northeast whose
constituents will likely benefit from the training. Orientation for these
groups will include a discussion of new farmers, their needs, and their
interests. Of the 200 service providers initially engaged, 30 will join
the project and ten will receive a full year of mentoring in program delivery,
increasing their capacity to support entry-level farmers. $135,630.
Perimeter and internal trap cropping in organic winter squash - Nancy Hanson, Hampshire College Farm Center, Amherst MA
A previous SARE-funded study of perimeter trap cropping for control of
cucumber beetle in winter squash has led to this project, where internal
trap crop rows will be tried to see if they act as additional sinks for
this beetle. Randomized, replicated blocks will be scouted for beetles
and compared with perimeter plants only and with controls, and results
will be disseminated during the 2008 NOFA conference as well as through
grower publications. $4,846.
Integrating poultry and sheep on vegetable cropping land for increased economic return and enhanced fertility - Peter Lowy, Pete and Jen's Backyard Birds, Concord MA Farms on the urban
fringe are pressured to show more profit per acre because land values are
high. The farmer will explore a diversification model where sheep and chickens
become integrated into a vegetable operation. The goal is to break weed,
disease, and pest cycles, add new farm products, and reduce labor costs
by controlling pasture growth through two-phase grazing. $7,807.
Martha's Vineyard poultry program - Ali Bertow, Island Grown Initiative, Vinyard Haven MA. There are challenges to meat production, which involves slaughter, that grow larger when farms are on an island. The project manager will expand the use of a new mobile poultry processing unit and provide training to farmers on how to raise birds for on-island markets where demand for local food is high. Outreach will be through local and mainstream media as well as the agricultural press. $9,397.
Connecting farmers and community to grow year-round sales of local agriculture
products - Kelly Coleman, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, South Deerfield
MA. An established buy-local campaign will expand to include winter products
like meat, cheese, fiber, and eggs. The project manager will develop outreach
materials and will build on an existing e-business workshop to make farmers
aware of marketing opportunities, and will also use searchable databases,
links, web pages, and e-mail to encourage consumers to buy local through
the winter. $9,968.
Target: Hunger farmers' markets in Springfield and North Berkshire, Jo Comerford, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Hatfield MA. Farmers’
markets have a range of community benefits, and one sometimes overlooked
is the potential to improve nutrition in low-income areas. The project
manager will expand markets into Springfield and North Berkshire to increase
access to local foods; this effort will be enhanced by outreach and incentives.
Expected results include measurable increases in sales, especially via
Electronic Benefits Transfer and Food Stamp reimbursement. $7,457.
Bringing us together: A project to develop and strengthen the connections
to our farms - June House, Town of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, Rehoboth MA. An inventory and assessment of farmer needs can guide planning and secure the position of agriculture as part of the local economy. The project manager will do survey work, develop the results into a report, write and produce an educational and marketing brochure for residents and businesses, and develop GIS data that will support better planning by mapping how environmental features and land-use constraints can affect community development. $7,178.
Pilot investment project -Dorothy Suput, Third Sector New England, Boston, MA. This expands on
previous SARE funding, and allows the Carrot Project, a non-profit that
seeks lending alternatives for farmers, to refine a new business model
for debt financing. The project manager will work with two farmers to test
and refine the application process, establish relationships with lenders,
and develop credibility in the lending and banking community. $10,000.
Northeast SARE offers grants to farmers, agricultural service providers, and agriculturally-oriented nonprofits. Northeast SARE serves Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
To learn more, go to www.uvm.edu/~nesare or call 802/656-0471.
Sign-up is Friday, April 18 through Friday, May 16, 2008:
Massachusetts farmers with land in the Narragansett Bay and middle Connecticut River watersheds and who practice good soil and water conservation are encouraged to contact their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office to determine if they are eligible to sign-up for the Conservation Security Program (CSP).
INFORMATION SESSIONS - farmers are invited to attend information sessions now being scheduled. Click here for dates, times and locations and please check back as additional sessions may be added.
More than 350 farmers and nearly 41,000 acres of land in MA and New Hampshire
in the Connecticut River watershed, and more than 300 farmers and nearly
20,000 acres of land in MA and Rhode Island in the Narragansett Bay watershed,
are potentially eligible for CSP this year. CSP is offered nationwide on
a rotational basis in as many watersheds as funding allows.
CSP is a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing stewardship of private, agricultural working lands and rewards those producers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations. Additional information on CSP, including eligible watersheds and a CSP self-assessment workbook is available on-line. Farmers may also call or visit their local 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.
Payments can include three components: 1) an annual stewardship component for the base level of conservation treatment, 2) an annual component for maintenance of existing conservation practices, and 3) an enhancement component for exceptional conservation effort. Enhancement activities could include limited pesticide applications, renewable energy generation, and widening existing riparian forest buffers for restoring critical stream habitat.
To apply for CSP, NRCS asks potential participants to complete a CSP self-assessment workbook – available on the web or from local NRCS offices – to find out if their operation meets the requirements of the program and qualifies for program participation.
The self-assessment process is completed using a self-screening questionnaire
for each land use to be enrolled. When this process is completed, the producer
submits the CSP workbook to the local NRCS office during the sign-up period
and meets with NRCS personnel to go over any additional needed documentation.
NRCS will then determine if eligibility requirements are met and provide
options for the producer's decision on enrollment category placement. NRCS
held the first CSP sign-up in 2004. This announcement brings the number
of watersheds enrolled to 331 across the nation, covering 247.7 million
acres that have been eligible for the program.
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.
*** If you have events you would like listed to our new AG industry calendar
webpage, www.mass.gov/agr/events/coming_up, or
Consumer events at: www.mass.gov/agr/events, email Rick LeBlanc at richard.leblanc@state.ma.us.
Published bi-monthly by:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, Governor
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Ian Bowles, Secretary
Department of Agricultural Resources, Doug Petersen, 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 June / July. Please send news, calendar and/or classified information by May 23rd to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us, or fax to 617-626-1850.
