News Release

June 19, 2002

MEDIA CONTACT: Diane Baedeker Petit, 617-626-1752, Diane.Baedeker@state.ma.us

Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership Receives $60,000 for Buy Local Efforts

REHOBOTH -- Massachusetts Commissioner of Food and Agriculture Douglas P. Gillespie, joined by other state and local officials, presented the Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) with a $60,000 check today for their campaign to promote locally grown farm products. The funding is part of a federal specialty crop grant awarded to the state Department of Food and Agriculture by the United States Department of Agriculture.

The ceremony took place at Oakdale Farms Country Barn and Garden Shop, a vegetable and small fruit farm in Rehoboth and a supporting member of the campaign. Oakdale Farm is owned and operated by Richard and Marie Pray.

The SEMAP campaign is now in its third year of encouraging Massachusetts citizens and visitors alike to support local farms, which are such a vital part of the character and economy of the South Coast region. "We are very pleased to be able to provide SEMAP with this funding to help with their "Buy Local" efforts," said Gillespie. "Through their campaign, they are helping to preserve nearly 122,000 acres of productive farmland and open space in Southeastern Massachusetts as well as to foster successful business enterprises."

"The Buy Local Campaign is an ongoing celebration where consumers relish the best local foods farms have to offer and farmers are afforded a variety of tools to build upon a foundation of profitability. Funding from the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture, coupled with the dedication and hard work of SEMAP makes it all possible," said Sue Guiducci, SEMAP Buy Local Campaign Coordinator.

SEMAP is a partnership of organizations formed to help agricultural enterprises achieve economic success by identifying needs, facilitating access to business management tools and support services, and encouraging entrepreneurship. SEMAP partners are growers, not-for-profit, educational and governmental organizations who provide services that address the vision and purpose of the partnership. Services include business, technical support, education, financial assistance, and outreach.

The Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture selected 17 projects proposed by 15 agricultural groups statewide to receive a share of $890,000 in funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's federal economic assistance package. This Federal assistance is targeted to "specialty crops" which USDA defines as any agricultural crop, except, wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts and tobacco.

After the ceremony attendees enjoyed native strawberries and locally produced ice cream to highlight the beginning of the local strawberry season and National Dairy Month.