LOCAL NEWS
NEWS FROM USDA
IN EVERY ISSUE
Dear Ag Friends,
The agricultural front has been a flurry of activity since our last
Farm & Market Report that I scarcely know where to begin. Let’s start with extraordinarily encouraging news. The soon to be released 2002 - 2007 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service indicates that agriculture has grown in Massachusetts by 27% in number of farms as well as farm gate value, now numbering more than 7,600 farms and nearly $490 million in the value of agricultural production. Importantly, this value does not reflect the economic multiplier of ancillary and support industries that conservatively add five times the value of our Commonwealth's agricultural production. Most recent job and employment indexes indicate that the primary industries sector is the only sector that continues to enjoy job growth and opportunity.
DAR will be evaluating the Census Report further over the upcoming weeks but one thing is fairly obvious – the passion, collaboration, commitment, and ingenuity of Massachusetts’ agricultural community have been instrumental in helping to position us to take advantage of some exciting growth opportunities ahead. And while I would like to take credit for all of this wonderful news, it is really thanks to the many before me who have worked so hard to lay the ground work to where we are today!
More good news is that the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (also known as the "Farm Bill"), has legislated unprecedented opportunities for our nation's and certainly our Commonwealth's agricultural, conservation and energy interests and clearly defines an opportunity for continued growth in our nation's food and energy security. Coupled with growing interest for “Go Locally Grown” initiatives from consumers, I feel optimistic that Massachusetts farmers can fare well during these very challenging economic times.
I am also pleased to report that our new Western office will be opening at the beginning of March 2009. It is our hope that this location will provide many farmers located in western and central Massachusetts a more convenient location to access Department resources. We are certainly excited about the large conference room area which will enable us to conduct hearings, workshops, trainings, and more. Located on the third floor of 101 University Drive in Amherst, we will be sharing the floor with UMASS Extension. Working more closely with Extension we also feel will enhance our overall service package to our farming community.
And finally, the Department is promoting new opportunities for what is a growing group of small alternative energy entrepreneurs and farmers willing to partner together to cut energy costs. Projects are moving forward on the Vineyard and Cape Cod which would allow two-three farms to purchase two-three 900 KW wind turbines, and through the new “net metering” provisions available, power 21 farms and schools. The lower energy costs are perceived to permit some of these farms to grow food year round and enter into yearlong contracts with schools to supply their food needs. Farmers interested in learning more about these proposals or opportunities for other farmers in different parts of the state, please call
Gerry Palano at 617-626-1706.
I wish that I could report that all of the news has been good for the agricultural community. However with our country facing one of the worst economic environments most of us have seen in a lifetime, DAR has not been spared having to make some tough choices. For the Department, this has meant having to severely reduce some of our grant program offerings as well as curtail plans to hire much-needed staff resources.
This has also been a tough winter for many of our farmers. Ice storms have
wreacked havoc with buildings and infrastructure as well as natural resources
that sustain several agricultural activities. Particularly hard hit have
been our maple producers, with devastating destruction of maple trees throughout
the Commonwealth, most particularly west and north of Boston.
A presidential declaration for disaster relief is meeting some of the needs of the agricultural and non-agricultural community. But many farmers have needs not addressed by this declaration. USDA in Massachusetts, at our prompting, is willing to submit to the Secretary of Agriculture a request for a Secretarial Declaration of disaster which will cover more inclusively the varying needs of farmers. Those of you who sustained damage to your farm operation due to the last series of ice storms should contact your nearest USDA office and report. Deadline for local USDA to get a report to the Secretary is in early February, so call or e-mail now!
For our dairy farmers who are struggling with the lowest prices since 2003, we recommend you take advantage of the dairy tax credit for last year, where 10 of the 12 month period qualified for tax relief. The Department will be sending forms to all our approximately 180 dairy farmers, which will enable you to apply for the tax credit immediately. We are working with our Federal partners for other remedies to help our dairy farmers get through this difficult period.
With winter winding its way, I hope your winter preparations are going well as most of you prepare equipment, tend to greenhouse production, and keep your livestock warm and comfortable. But don’t forget visit Agriculture Day on March 10th at the State House. This perennially popular event is where DAR and the Ag community showcase the wonderful breadth of programs, services, and of course the good locally-grown food our Commonwealth has to offer!
Sincerely,
Doug Petersen
P.S. A great way to support “Go Locally Grown!” right now is to please help us to reach our goal of 1500 reservations for the Massachusetts Agriculture Specialty License Plate (“Ag Tag”) by reserving yours today. As of February we are about half way there (certain very popular sports teams promoting their own specialty plates are making our efforts to reach our goal a little harder than we thought!). Proceeds from this “moving billboard” will help promote a vibrant agricultural future for generations to come. More information about the
“Ag Tag” can be found in the newsletter below.
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To the Ag Industry: Help us reach our goal though your mailing lists and
website. We have thousands of color brochures we could send you for your
spring consumer mailings. When you are doing updates to your farm website,
please link to our Ag Tag webpage: www.mass.gov/agr/agtag. Feel free to use the license plate graphic on your webpages.”
Reserve yours today! Help ensure a sustainable and vibrant agricultural
community for generations to come by reserving a Massachusetts agriculture
specialty license plate. We need to reach a goal of 1500 plates before
the Registry of Motor Vehicles will begin production and our Ag Tags can
"roll off the assembly line." As of February 2009 we are about
halfway there. As we work towards reaching our number, we thank our "early
adopters" for their patience and perseverance. To newcomers we hope
you will consider making an investment that says you support "Go locally
grown!"
Benefits:
- Help preserve 520,000 acres of open space and the beauty.
- Protect 13,545 jobs and the value that local agriculture has on our economy.
- Help shrink our carbon footprint by reducing the distance our food travels
to market.
- Enjoy fresher and better tasting food and the security of knowing where your food comes from.
Proceeds from the sale of these plates will go to the Massachusetts Agricultural Trust Fund to support programs and services that help farmers remain on the cutting edge in today's market i.e. innovative practices, research, improvements in managing resources, marketing, training and education. Proceeds will not be used to subsidize individual farmers or the state's Department of Agriculture.
It's easy to sign up. Simply download and fill out the Ag Tag reservation form here [PDF]. Make out a check in the amount of $40 to the Registry of Motor Vehicles; mail both the completed form and check back to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Attn: Anna Waclawiczek, 251 Causeway St., Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114. Note: These plates cannot be used on commercial vehicles. If a car or van is
registered in a company name, the new plate would need an individual's
name for registration. These specialty plates cannot replace farm plates
for equipment. We will send checks to the RMV when we have sold 1,500 plates.
Your check will be outstanding in your account for that time.
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New England’s largest agricultural marketing conference - The Harvest New
England Agricultural
Marketing Conference and Trade Show is just around the corner and there is still time to register at www.harvestnewengland.org. The first conference, in 2007, attracted over 700 attendees and this
year’s conference is shaping up to be even bigger and better. The conference
is being held at the Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA on February
25 and 26th, with two pre-conference workshops on February 24th.
The conference includes over 20 workshops, including a “Best of New England
Farmers Panel", and workshops on Food Safety, Paid vs. Free Media,
Agritourism Development, Branding and Virtual Marketing, Culinary Tourism,
Alternative Energy, Cutting Edge Market Trends, Agricultural Cooperatives,
Website Development and more! An optional farm tour will showcase two successful
area farms and a full trade show of over 80 exhibitors will feature the
latest agricultural products and services.
Two half day pre-conference workshops on February 24th include a New England
Farmers’ Market Managers Workshop and Expanding Regional Agritourism: One
Farm at a Time.
The 2009 Harvest New England Agricultural Marketing Conference and Trade Show is brought to you by Harvest New England and your six New England State Departments of Agriculture. More information can be found at www.harvestnewengland.org.
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - Each year farmers as well as agriculture officials from across the Bay State visit their legislators on Massachusetts Agriculture Day at the State House to discuss issues and legislation affecting their farms and communities. The event also includes a speaking program, ‘Agriculture Day’ awards, informational exhibits and a reception featuring Massachusetts’s farm and specialty food products.
To learn more about MA Agriculture Day at the State House, please contact Lisa Damon at lisa.damon@state.ma.us or at 617-626-1731.
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MASSACHUSETTS FARM ENERGY PROGRAM (MFEP):
The MA Farm Energy Program, a partnership of Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D, Patriot RC&D, NRCS and MDAR, continues into its 2nd year as noted in previous F&MRs. The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program offers technical and financial assistance to MA farmers for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Current major activities are:
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
The Mass Farm Energy Program (MFEP) is helping farmers determine what energy efficiency and renewable energy funding is most appropriate to their circumstances. The MFEP helps farmers access:
- The Massachusetts Farm Energy Discount Program of the Mass. Department
of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
- Electric and Gas Public Utility Energy Conservation & Efficiency Programs
- The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Renewable Energy Trust Initiatives
- The USDA/Rural Development Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) and Rural
Energy for America Program (REAP)
- MDAR’s Ag Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP)
GRANT WRITING ASSISTANCE
The MFEP with support from the MA Woodlands Institute and Rural Development will provide grant writing assistance for applications to the USDA-Rural Development's Section 9007: Rural Energy for America Program. Energy audits or renewable energy assessments should be completed before the USDA application period starts, which is expected in March 2009. Apply now for MFEP grant writing assistance at http://www.Berkshirepioneerrcd.org/mfep/forms/grant_writing_req.php
MFEP AUDITS & INCENTIVES PROGRAM
The MFEP will make referrals to existing audit and incentive programs, provide “targeted” energy audits and/or renewable energy assessments, and provide financial incentives for implementation of audit recommendations. Higher priority will be given to farmers with less access to other audits and incentives programs. MFEP audits, assessments, and consultations will be paid at 75% with the applicant responsible for the remaining 25%. See http://www.berkshirepioneerrcd.org/mfep/energy.php for complete information and to apply.
USDA’s 2009 RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM (REAP) MEETING CONFERENCES
Planning activities for next year’s USDA’s REAP (formerly known as USDA’s
Rural Development Section 9006 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant
Program) are underway. Last year, 14 MA farms benefited from this program,
being awarded approximately $730,000 in aggregate. USDA offices across
the state in conjunction with MDAR, Berkshire Pioneer Resource Conservation
Development (BPRC&D) and the MA Woodlands Institute have begun initial
informational meeting sessions and follow-up application workshops.
Informational workshops have been completed in South Deerfield and Rutland
MA.
Scheduled informational meeting and grant writing sessions are as follows:
- Wed., Feb. 4, 9 AM – Noon at Cape Cod Cranberry Experiment Station Library, 1 State Bog Road, E. Wareham, MA – REAP Info Session.
- Fri., Feb 13, Conference Room, Hadley Rural Development Field Office, 195 Russell Street,
Hadley MA, 9 am - noon: Grant Writing Session.
- Wed., Feb. 18, Lanesborough Community Room, Lanesborough Town Hall, 83 N. Main St.,
Lanesborough MA, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm: REAP Info Session.
- Wed., March 11, Pittsfield/Lanesborough or Hadley (depending on applicant readiness),
9 am - noon, Place TBA: Grant Writing Session.
- Tues., March 17, Hadley Rural Development Field Office, 195 Russell Street, Hadley MA,
9 am - noon: Grant Writing Session.
All farms are encouraged to attend, More information can be found at www.berkshirepioneerrcd.org/mfep/index/php.
USDA NRCS CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANT (CIG) SOLICITATION
On January 16, 2009, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the availability of funding for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process with applications accepted from all eligible non-federal government or non-government organizations or individuals.
CIG enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address pressing natural resource concerns. Examples of target areas for this year's funding that are applicable to anaerobic digestion include:
- Improved On-Farm Energy Efficiency (e.g., biobased energy opportunities;
methane recovery)
- Water Resources (e.g., innovative animal manure management systems)
Funding for CIG is made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). All proposed CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers. CIG is not a research program, but rather a tool to stimulate the adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success.
CIG will fund projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation,
including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Technologies and approaches
that are commonly used in the geographic area covered by the application,
and which are eligible for funding through EQIP, are not eligible for funding
through CIG. The federal contribution for a single project cannot exceed
$2 million. At least 50 percent of the total cost of the project must come
from non-federal matching funds (cash and in-kind contributions) provided
by the grantee.
Applications must be received in the NRCS National Headquarters by close of business March 2, 2009. The complete Announcement of Program Funding is available at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig
ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS COUNCIL RENEWABLE ENERGY SEMINAR
SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL AGRICULTURE THROUGH REWNEWABLE ENERGY
As the cost of fuel increases, the availability of renewable energy is playing a greater role in supporting the sustainability of the agricultural industry in New England. Recognizing the growing importance of renewable energy, this EBC program will focus on the use of renewable energy generation technologies, including anaerobic digestion technology, and energy efficiency opportunities. The feasibility and the economics of these various technologies and projects will be reviewed. Presentations will also address the aggregating of various feed stocks in order to enhance the economic viability of projects. Farm waste, food processing plant waste, and municipal sludge are just a few examples of feed stocks that can generate biogas to produce electricity and hot water.
Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009
Time: 7:30 a.m. Registration and Networking; 8:15 a.m. – 12:00 noon Program
Location: TBA
Contact: Paul P. Tangredi,413.789.3530, ptangredi@ecsconsult.com
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1) Have you completed your 2009 Culinary Tourism Survey? If not download
preferred version ( .doc, .pdf ). Culinary Tourism is an exciting opportunity for you to market your
farm business to a new customer: the Culinary Traveler. Culinary Travelers
are looking for unique and memorable eating and drinking experiences, on
and off the farm. Do you host a culinary farm event or festival? Sell a
unique prepared food product at your farm stand? Offer a farm tour, culinary
class or sell directly to area restaurants or want to? The Massachusetts
Department of Agricultural Resources would like to hear from you. Contact
Culinary Tourism Coordinator Julia Grimaldi at julia.grimaldi@state.ma.us for more information.
2) March Culinary Calendar Event Submissions are due Feb 23. Submit a one-two line event description including a link to your website to julia.grimaldi@state.ma.us.
3) Culinary Tourism Newsletter coming soon!
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March 4, 2009 (Wednesday) - New Location! Spring Hill Suites by Marriott (Devens Common Center)
Technical Sessions & Exhibits
Join us for a professional conference and vendor exhibit hall focused on
food waste management and composting infrastructure in Massachusetts. Topics
include:
- Carbon offset credits for organics related projects
- Local anaerobic digestion project updates
- Alternative uses of compost for storm water management /green building
applications
- Massachusetts food waste collection programs at a hotel, hospital, school,
university, convention center, municipal drop-off, supermarkets
- Agency updates from the Department of Agricultural Resources and Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection Commissioners
March 5th , 2009 (Thursday) – Compost Facility Open Houses
A second day is available for compost facility open houses, including on-site
equipment demonstrations. This is a terrific networking opportunity --
last year’s Summit attracted over 200 attendees from 14 states.
On-line AGENDA: www.massrecycle.org/OrganicsAgenda.pdf
NEW On-line RSVP and Payment Option! https://co.clickandpledge.com/advanced/default.aspx?wid=25015
The new 2007 USDA Ag Census shows that agritourism income totaled $5.3
million, up from $665,000 in 2002! The Department is updating and reproducing
the Agricultural Tourism Map, utilizing funds from a recent
USDA Rural Development - Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEIG). We invite
all of the Massachusetts Agri-tourism farms that feature ‘tourist-type’
activities/ experiences at your operation to participate. It is anticipated
to have the second printing of this map completed and ready for distribution
by this upcoming spring. Approximately 200,000 Maps will be printed and
the map will be distributed at State Highway Visitor Rest Areas, Regional
Tourist Councils, Chamber of Commerce as well as other entities providing
tourist information.
To be included in the map, your operation must offer a component of Ag-tourism.
Examples include: farms that offer bus tours, Bed & Breakfast Farms,
pick-your-own, hay-rides, corn mazes, picnic tables, educational demonstrations,
farm restaurant, etc. The Department would like to showcase our farms that
produce the majority of products that are sold, have regular hours of operation
open to the public at least 5 days a week and 7 hours a day on either a
seasonal or year-round basis.
If you would like to be part of the Ag-Tourism Map, and to request a registration
form please contact Melissa.Guerrero@state.ma.us or Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us or call 617-626-1730. Registration Deadline is February 20, 2009.
DAR is currently updating its Massgrown list of Community Supported Agriculture farms. Growers with CSA’s are encouraged to go to: www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/csa.htm to see if their farm is listed.
CSA farms currently on the website will receive a survey in the next several days to update their information. Growers not currently listed should contact David Webber at david.webber@state.ma.us or 617-626-1754 to receive a survey.
Congratulations to Massachusetts’s resident Lucinda Williams who was recently elected by fellow cattlemen and women to serve as Cattlemen’s Beef Board chair. Having grown up as the daughter of a Colorado cowboy and rancher, Lucinda has strong roots to the beef industry. Today Lucinda continues the tradition as she and her husband Daryl manage a 250 acre dairy and crop farm in Hatfield. In addition to her daily duties on the farm, Lucinda has been an active and long-standing member in the agricultural community who has shown a steadfast commitment to the Massachusetts dairy industry and the Commonwealth’s family farms. Lucinda’s efforts include extensive work that contributed to the Massachusetts Dairy Farm Task Force and ultimate passage of the Massachusetts Dairy Farm Preservation Act.
The American Farm Bureau Federation boasts membership at over 6.2 million
members in 2008 marking 48 consecutive years of growth. The top five largest
percent membership gains were Delaware at 29.5%, Massachusetts and Virginia
tied at 6.7%, followed by Maryland at 6.5% and Utah at 5%.
The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Mission: To protect the rights, encourage the growth, and be of service to our members, in the best interest of agriculture.
March Membership Drive
Join MFBF so we can accomplish together what no one can do alone! If you
are new to Farm Bureau, join during March and receive 16 months of membership
for the price of one year. Visit www.mfbf.net to take advantage of membership
benefits that more than pay for your annual membership dues. Contact MFBF
at 508-881-4766, Ashland, MA.
A very successful, first ever, state wide gathering of Agricultural Commissions
was held on January 23 & 24, 2009 in Worcester, Mass. Over 150 people
were greeted by Commissioner Douglas W. Petersen,
Representatives Michael Rodrigues and Denis Guyer. Attendees had the opportunity to meet non-profit, local, regional, state and federal technical assistance providers who provided detailed information about how to fund AgCom initiatives; develop public relations plans and raise the visibility of agriculture in the community; effectively inventory farmers and farmland at the local level; keep farmers on the land through farm transfer and farm succession planning; manage and resolve conflicts; and how to work effectively with town boards by understanding wetlands, zoning, health regulations affecting agriculture. Participants also learned about Buy Local and Farm to School programs, and federal, state and local tools for protecting farmland. Conference Sponsors included Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture (MSPA), Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF), American Farmland Trust (AFT), Pilgrim RC&D Area
Council, Inc.
Irene Winkler and Kelly Savery Powers did a stellar job of organizing and seeing all the details through. Some of the items of special interest were work done by Boxford’s and Barnstable’s AgComs in modifying overly stringent Board of Health stable regulations, advice from Attys Bob Ritchie and Frank DiLuna on interpreting farmstand regs and other legal issues, Cris Coffin’s point that AgComs can reduce the local match requirement for APR’s by passing Right to Farm Bylaws and tracking building permits requested on protected farmland, information about the $50,000 state conservation tax credit, and the need for AgComs to monitor the conversion of unprotected farmland for development (for which developers must pay $10,000/acre to the town).
On Saturday AgCom members gathered to discuss whether or not to organize a statewide association of AgComs and developed plans for followup meetings on the topic. Guest speakers Kathryn Ruhf from Land for Good and Daniel Ross, Ex. Director of Nuestras Raices, Inc. challenged, educated, and entertained the attendees with thought provoking concepts.
We invite AgComs around the state to a follow-up two conferences:
Barnstable AgCom is Hosting a Regional Gathering of Cape AgComs
Saturday February 14, 2009 - the Barnstable Senior Center, 825 Falmouth Road (Route28) Hyannis,
MA from 9 am – 2pm.
A regional gathering of Western & Central Mass. AgComs is scheduled for March 28, 2009 at the Deerfield Town Hall, 8 Conway Street, South Deerfield, 8:30 AM to 4 PM. Three specific topics of concern to the region will be presented: Climate Change and How the Farm Community Can Respond, Growing Enough Food for Tomorrow and Innovative Marketing of Local and Value-added Products by case studies. To register ($10), contact CISA, 413-665-7100, Jennifer@buylocalfood.org, or Pete Westover, 413-665-4077.
117 Massachusetts towns and cities have Agricultural Commissions and 83 have adopted Farm Preservation by-laws with many more being voted on this spring. Visit www.massagcom.org to find out if your town has an AgCom and see the results of the State Wide gathering. Or Contact:
Irene Winkler, USDA-NRCS, Pilgrim RC&D, irene.winkler@ma.usda.gov, 508-295-1317 x130 (Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes & Nantucket Counties)
Pete Westover, Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources, westover03@comcast.net, 413-665-4077, (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden & Hampshire counties)
Cheryl Lekstrom, Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources, clekstrom@mac.com, 508-835-2452, (Essex, Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk & Worcester Counties).
Saturday, March 28, 2009 - Western and Central Mass Ag Commission Conference
Deerfield Town Hall, 8 Conway Street, South Deerfield
Don’t miss this important gathering for Ag Commissions, farmers, foresters
& forest landowners, planners, and others.
AGENDA WILL INCLUDE:
- Climate Change and Agriculture – How the Farm and Forest Community Can Respond to Changes in Growing Seasons, Storm Events, Pesticide Requirements…
- Growing Enough Food for Tomorrow – Local Food-Growing Issues, Getting Young People onto the Farm, Building Town Wide Coalitions of Growers and Processors…
- Innovative Marketing of Local and Value-added Farm Products – Case Examples of Successful Marketing Projects, Available Resources…
SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE:
- Vern Grubinger, University of Vermont
- Jay Healy, Former Massachusetts Agriculture Commissioner
- David Wolfe, Cornell University
- Ruth Hazzard, UMass Extension Agriculture & Landscape Program
- Daniel Ross, Nuestras Raices, Holyoke
- Kelly Erwin, Mass Farm to School Project
- Deb Habib, Seeds of Solidarity
- Margaret Christie, CISA
- Larry DiLuzio, Greenfield Food Processing Center
- Others, Including Western Mass Farmers and CSA Managers
TO REGISTER: Call or email Jennifer Williams at CISA, jennifer@buylocalfood.org
or 413-665-7100
$10 Registration Fee Includes Lunch from Flayvors of Cook Farm, Hadley.
For more information and a printable registration form, please visit http://www.buylocalfood.com/March28Flier.pdf. For all other questions, please contact Pete Westover at 413-665-4077.
March 4, 2009 9:00am - 4:00pm. University of Massachusetts Collaborative Services Facility (CSF)
333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545-4169, 508 856-3362. Sponsored by:
UMass Extension, UMass Department of Nutrition, MA Department of Agricultural
Resources (MDAR).
Recent contamination outbreaks for tomatoes and spinach have raised concerns about the safety of fresh produce. UMass Extension, UMass Department of Nutrition, and the MA Department of Agricultural Resources have teamed up with partners to implement a USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training & Certification Program for growers and other fresh produce handlers.
At the training, you will learn more about:
- bacteria and other harmful microorganisms commonly associated with fresh
produce.
- the costs and impact of diseases and outbreaks caused by foodborne pathogens.
- strategies for controlling potential microbial food safety hazards before
planting and throughout all phases of production, planting, production,
harvesting and postharvest handling
- the USDA Third Party Audit process.
You will also:
- receive a manual filled with GAPs resources.
- receive a CD loaded with templates needed to maintain records to verify
USDA GAPs that can be customized for your farm.
- participate in a mock USDA GAP audit.
At the end of the session, you will receive a certificate of participation including hours.
Presenters:
- Featured Speaker: Wesley L. Kline, Ph.D.: Dr. Kline is an Associate Professor with the Department of Agriculture and Resource Management at Rutgers University, NJ and an Agricultural Agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County, NJ. He is an expert in GAP training and implementation and has successfully completed the USDA GAPs auditor’s course. He received his PhD in Vegetable crops from Cornell University and has extensive international experience in countries such as El Salvador, Honduras, Somalia and Ecuador.
- David Nyachuba, Ph.D.: Dr. David Nyachuba is an Assistant Professor at UMass?Amherst Department of Nutrition. He is also Director of UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Food Safety Program. Dr. Nyachuba teaches several food safety courses. In the lab, he studies foodborne pathogenic bacteria with an emphasis on Listeria monocytogenes.
- Rich Bonanno, Ph.D.: Rich is an Extension Educator with UMass Extension and is a co-Principal Investigator on the UMass GAP project. He is also responsible for weed management in vegetable and small fruit crops. Rich serves as a Public Member to the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Board and is a Past-president of the New England Vegetable & Berry Grower's Association.
If you have questions contact David Nyachuba at 413-545-0552, dgn@nutrition.umass.edu or Rich Bonanno at 978-361-5650, rbonanno@umext.umass.edu. Directions to UMass CSF: www.massachusetts.edu/csfdirections.html.
In the last three years, about 4,000 refugees have resettled in Massachusetts. Many of these refugees, people who have fled their countries because of persecution or the fear of persecution, come from agrarian backgrounds. All refugees are in need of employment. These refugees are assigned to a Resettlement Agency or Volunteer Agency (volag) such as Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, or Jewish Family Services. These volags provide services such as resettlement, English as a second language, and employment services. With the help of the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants, a relationship was developed with Lutheran Social Services and Bigelow Nurseries of Northborough. In the spring of 2008, twelve refugees from the Worcester area began working at Bigelow. The employment relationship was a win-win situation for employees and employer. One major benefit of working with volags is that all refugees referred by volags are legal to work in the US. As the employment liaison, Lutheran Social Services also provided Bigelow the help they needed to make sure any issues were handled and also prepared Bigelow Nurseries for what it means to work with refugees. This year, volags hope to replicate this program throughout the State to connect with grower businesses similar to Bigelow. If interested in exploring this employment solution, please call Mitch Klasky at (617) 727-7888 x 330.
Topsfield Fair celebrated its 190th anniversary in 2008 and has reached
another landmark already in 2009. The agricultural fair, known for its
giant pumpkins, animals and agricultural displays, has been named one of
the top 50 fairs in North America by Carnival Warehouse the nation’s largest
source of news and information about fairs, festival, carnivals and events.
Topsfield, number 42 on the list with an over-all attendance of 466,000,
was one of only two new fairs to added to the “Top 50” list in 2008. Wilson
County Fair in Lebanon, Tennessee made number 41 on the list with an attendance
466,119. Named number one fair in the country was the Texas State Fair
in Dallas, Texas that ran from September 26 through October 19 with an
attendance of 2,024,000.
James O’Brien, General Manager of the oldest continually operating county fair in the country, said this week that he is happy and excited to have the fair named to such a prestigious list. Topsfield Fair and Eastern States Exhibition in West Springfield are the only two fairs in New England to make the top 50 list.
O’Brien said he compliments everyone who worked and volunteered at the
fair in October for this award, “Everyone worked hard, that, along with
the wonderful support of the general public during difficult times made
this award possible. We had wonderful weather, great entertainment and
displays and I look forward to the same this year.” The 2009 fair runs
from October 2-12 and O’Brien said plans are already in full-swing, “We
start planning the fair for the following year when we are still in the
midst of a current event.’’
Matt Cook, who announced the Top 50 Fairs list in late December, said he
felt North America’s fairs performed surprisingly well with gas prices
at record levels. “Weather hurt many of the fall fairs in September and
October or we may very well have seen a significant increase in attendance
this year,” Cook added. For more information: Sally O’Maley, sally@topsfieldfair.org,
978-887-5000.
Access to farmland is one of the biggest challenges for new farmers. For
many, leasing may be an effective strategy. Leases can offer you affordable,
flexible and secure access to farms, land, and buildings. Find out about
leases and leasing -- what's in a lease, types of leases and how to negotiate
a good lease. Here's how to learn more. Land For Good is offering workshops
and an online tutorial on leasing for farmers.
WORKSHOPS: Sessions will be held at conferences in Massachusetts, Vermont
and Maine. Register for one of the conferences listed below and take the
leasing workshop.
* Randolph Center, VT. February 14-15, 2009: NOFA/Vermont Winter Conference
* Sturbridge, MA. February 26-27, 2009: Harvest New England Conference
* Dighton, MA. March 7, 2009: Southeast Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) Conference
ONLINE TUTORIAL: Four short, easy and informative modules will give you basic information, lease examples and lots of linked resources. Visit www.landforgood. org to take this free tutorial.
ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: For workshop participants and those completing the tutorial. Get details at workshops, at our website or email info@landforgood. org mailto:info@landforgood. org.
For more information and resources, visit www.landforg ood.org/leasing. Land For Good is a nonprofit organization specializing in working land. We work with farmers, landowners and communities on farmland access, tenure and succession. Funding for this project was provided by the Northeast Center for Risk Management Education, the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service.
The New Entry Sustainable Farming Project has recently launched a new Farmland Matching Service to help farmers in Massachusetts identify parcels of land suitable to start a new enterprise, expand an existing farm business, or both. If you are a farmer in need of land, or a landowner (or landowning organization) looking to fully utilize your land and need a farmer, please visit our website at www.nesfp.org (go to “Resources” section under the heading For Farmland) or call the office at (978) 654.6745 for more program information and to register for the Farmland Matching Service. Our website includes an interactive farmland map, county by county farmland resources, sample lease agreements, and many more resource links!
Sign-up is continuing for federal conservation programs under the 2008 Farm Bill and a conservation plan is required in order to participate. If you own or manage farm or forest land, contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office soon to begin the planning process.
NRCS conservation professionals will discuss with you your conservation objectives, help you identify resource concerns and suggest alternatives for treatment. They will also identify conservation programs that may provide you with financial assistance for implementation of certain practices.
New conservation provisions in this Farm Bill (the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008) simplify existing programs and create new programs to address high priority environmental protection goals. For example, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) now includes more forestry practices. In Massachusetts, financial and technical assistance through EQIP is available to help greenhouse operations with water quality and conservation practices.
For more information, contact the NRCS office at your 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.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS) is gearing up to conduct the annual Agricultural Resource Management
Survey (ARMS). ARMS is USDA’s primary source of information on the production
practices, resource use and economic well-being of America’s farm operations
and farm households. ARMS gives U.S. farmers the opportunity to set the
record straight about the issues that affect them – and to ensure that
policies and programs are based on accurate, real-world data that comes
straight from the producers themselves.
The information from ARMS is used not just by USDA, but also by Congress, farm groups, agribusinesses and others who make the decisions that shape the future of U.S. agriculture. In fact, just about every federal policy and program that affects U.S. farmers and farm families is based on ARMS data. For example:
- When considering federal disaster assistance for producers, policymakers
rely on ARMS as a source of baseline data.
- USDA’s Office of Energy Policy and New Uses relies on ARMS data to estimate
farmers’ annual expenses for fuels.
- ARMS provides annual cost-of-production estimates required by Congress
for more than 15 commodities covered under farm-support legislation.
- ARMS data underpin USDA’s estimates of net farm income and demonstrate
agriculture’s contribution to the gross domestic product.
This is why participation in ARMS is so important. Producer participation
in ARMS ensures that decisions affecting farmers, their families, their
businesses and their communities are based on the facts, straight from
the source. NASS will collect data on the economic well-being in mid-February
and continuing through the end of April. Producers will have the option
of responding via one of the following data collection methods:
- Mail – Participants fill out and mail back the questionnaire that was mailed
to them.
- Internet – Secure, online reporting is the timeliest, most cost-effective
method.
- Personal interviews – An interview with an enumerator may be conducted
to assist with data collection.
The information provided by survey respondents is confidential by law.
NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes data only in
aggregate form, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be
identified. NASS will publish the farm economic data in the annual Farm
Production Expenditures report, to be released August 6, 2009. All reports
are available through the NASS website: www.nass.usda.gov.
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Massachusetts has applied for and
received an allocation of funding to provide monetary assistance to producers
under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). The funds will be disbursed
to assist in cleanup and restoration of areas affected by the Ice Storm
of December 2008.
Farmers are encouraged to contact their local FSA Office to apply for cost
share assistance for fencing repair in livestock areas and debris cleanup
in Fruit Orchards and Maple Sugar bushes.
The FSA State Committee has set up an initial sign-up deadline of February
27, 2009 for this program so please get in touch with FSA right away. There
are some activities producers should be completing now such as documenting
the losses and cleanup by taking pictures and keeping receipts and a record
of time spent in cleanup.
If producers have to hire in custom machine work, get written estimates
and keep copies of bills for labor e.g. operator and dozer cost per hour
or 2 men and a chainsaw cost per hour etc. If you are doing your own cleanup,
then record man hours spent even if it cleanup is already underway.
Producers should visit their county FSA office to update or establish their
eligibility and delineate property. In Berkshire County, the office is
in Room 208 of the Federal Building at 78 Center Street in Pittsfield Producers
will also fill out the application for the Emergency Conservation Program
cost share assistance. Please bring available documentation including photos,
receipts, invoices etc.
County FSA Offices are open from 8:00 until 4:30 Monday thru Friday. To find your local office go to www.fsa.usda. gov.
IN EVERY ISSUE
- Sid Wainer & Son Offers Small Farm Assistance - Sid Wainer & Son is a hundred year old produce and specialty foods
company, representing the finest farms in the US. After many years of developing
seasonal crop plans with small farms, Sid Wainer & Son is offering
an opportunity for small farms within the northeast to acquire new markets.
Sid Wainer & Son will arrange pick up and distribution to restaurants,
independent markets and market terminals, offering the small farms an opportunity
to survive in this competitive marketplace. If a small farm needs assistance
and wants to take advantage of this effort, contact Henry Wainer at farmassistance@sidwainer.com.
- For Sale - 300' spools of used aluminum coated steel wire. (Used for training grape
vines.) Have 12 plus spools. Best offer. Alan Greendale 508-561-4571.
- Town Requests Proposals to Operate a Community Organic Farm - The Town of Medway seeks proposals from qualified non-profit organizations to enter into a 5 year lease agreement to establish and operate a Medway Community Organic Farm on at least 2 acres and up to 4 acres of Town owned property at 50 Winthrop Street or/ 44 Adams Street in Medway. Proposals are due February 17, 2009. Click HERE for the Request for Proposal dated 1-6-09.
- We look optimistically to 2009. At Empire we are celebrating our 20th year of serving New England Farms & Orchards with a full line of retail & wholesale packaging. To our many customer we Thank You. All others give us a call to discover what many already know. Empire Packaging has great service and fair pricing . (508) 426-7813 or (800) 562-5520.
- Seeking Land: Immigrant & Refugee Agriculture Initiative (IMMAG), based in Westfield, MA, seeks land to expand its program to new participants and assist new farmers in establishing their own operation. Currently, the program leases space at the Nuestras Raices farm in Holyoke, MA. Both projects have farmers that have trained on this farm and are ready to begin independent operations on four to five acre parcels for vegetable production. We are searching for either individual locations (~4-5 acres) where our farmers could lease or a ~20-acre farm that IMMAG would oversee and support several farmer operations. In addition, we have a number of farmers that are interested in expanding their livestock operations. Again, we could site individual pastureland or have a collective space of ~50-100 acres. We are open to discussing what would work best for all involved. To learn more, visit www.immag.org or www.nuestras-raices.org. Please contact Shemariah Blum-Evitts, IMMAG project coordinator, at sblum@lcssne.org or 413.562.6015, with questions or to offer land/support. This can be a very fruitful partnership between a landowner and our refugee and immigrant farmers.
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 Massachusetts Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) reserves
the right to refuse any listing it deems inappropriate for publication.
E-mail, fax or mail ads to: Farm & Market Report, MDAR, 251 Causeway
Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114, fax: 617-626-1850, Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us.
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CALENDAR
- February 11: Got Food? Some do, some don't. That's the story of hunger in America since the Puritans. Come to Worcester State College to the Student Center, North/South Auditorium on Wednesday, February 11th,
2-4 p.m. Hear panelists explain the triumphs and horrors, the good works
and the unmitigated disasters that have characterized hunger relief in
Central MA in the past 300 years. The panelists, who created the "Got Food" exhibit, include Ken
Crater, Community Harvest; Tom Conroy, formerly of the Worc. Historical
Museum; Steve Corey and Maureen Power, Urban Studies. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
- February 24: Growing Regional Agritourism One Farm at a Time. As you may already know, the Harvest NE Agricultural Marketing Conference & Trade Fair will take place February 24-26 in Sturbridge MA. A wonderful program has
been put together by the NE Dept. of Agriculture. You may also know that
this year, a special half-day pre-conference program "Growing Regional
Agritourism One Farm at a Time" - from 1-5 PM with registration beginning
at 12:30. This is a special invitation for Massachusetts' farmers to join us - and
here's why.
- February 25 & 26: Harvest New England Farmers' Agricultural Marketing Conference and Trade
Show - Save the Date! Growers from across the Northeast will convene at the
Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center in scenic Sturbridge Massachusetts.
Over 700 attendees joined us for our first conference in February, 2007.
Plans for 2009 are for even a bigger and better conference. This unique
marketing conference targets New England farmers interested in learning
new marketing ideas or fine-tuning strategies for business success. Over
the course of two days, there will be over 20 workshops with a wide range
of marketing and business planning topics to be covered. Ag technology,
farmers' markets, agritourism, media relations, and starting new farmer
information are just some of the workshops planned. www.harvestnewengland.org.
- March 4: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Food Safety Training, Shrewsbury, MA
sponsored by UMass Extension with support from the MDAR. To download the GAP flyer, please click here.
- March 10: Ag Day at the Statehouse, table reservation click here, to register , email to: Lisa.Damon@state.ma.us.
- March 10: 2009 Community Tree Conference - Saving Our Trees: A Conference for Arborists, Foresters, Tree Wardens,
Sugar Bush Owners and Anyone Who Loves Trees. 9AM – 4PM, Stockbridge Hall,
UMass Amherst. http://umassgreeninfo.org/
- March 19: NH Dairy Management Conference, Have you heard about a genetic genomic evaluation and genomic selection in dairy cattle? What is genomic evaluation? What’s the reliability of a genomic proof? How does genomic reliability compare with number of daughters? Why should I use genomic bulls? These and other questions will be answered at the 33rd Annual New Hampshire Dairy Management Conference, sponsored by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension and the New Hampshire Dairy Practices Committee. For more info. call (603)787-6944 or go to http://extension.unh.edu/Counties/Grafton/Docs/09Dairy.pdf.
- March 27: 22nd Annual Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism - details at www.massvaction.com.
- April 2: Garden-Retailer Training Program: Home Fruit Production and Organic Gardening, DoubleTree Hotel, 11 Beaver St., Milford, MA. 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
For garden center employees, horticulture retailers and others interested in helping their customers with questions about home fruit production, organic gardening and pesticide products and labels. Learn about choosing and planting fruit trees and small fruits, organic pest management methods for home grown fruits and vegetables and pest management products available at garden centers. Featured speakers include Jon Clements, Ext. Fruit Specialist, UMass and Sandra Menasha, Cornell University, NY. www.umass.edu/umext/floriculture/upcoming_events/index.html
- April 15: SAVE THE DATE! The Mass. Farm to School Project will be hosting Farm to School: Asparagus
to Zucchini: the first comprehensive Mass. Farm to School Statewide Convention.
Stay tuned for further details. Mass. Farm to School Project, (413) 253-3844.
- July 22: Mark your calendar for the 2009 Great Ideas Summer Conference! Sponsored by: Massachusetts Nursery Landscape Association (MNLA) and The Massachusetts Flower Growers Association (MFGA. Education program organized by UMass Extension. Location: Sylvan Nursery, Westport, MA.www.mnla.com.
*** If you have events you would like listed to our 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.
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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
Division Directors
Next issue to be published for April / May.
Please send news, calendar and/or classified information by March 27th
to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us, or fax to 617-626-1850. To unsubscribe or change your address, send an
e-mail message to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us or call 617-626-1759.
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