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Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
Farm & Market Report
Vol. 85, No. 3, June / July
LOCAL NEWS
NEWS FROM USDA
IN EVERY ISSUE
Dear Friends,
Planting season is now nearly behind us and although we experienced a few bouts of frost here and there in early spring that did impact some of our orchard growers, it looks as though it is shaping up to be a bountiful growing season. Assistant Commissioner Scott Soares and I just recently concluded another of our “Listening Tour” events, this time heading south to Westport, Dartmouth and Dighton. Similar issues continue to come up, namely, the killer costs of fuel and fertilizer, and for many, labor availability. MDAR has been having a series of meetings with the major players in the labor market to see if we can develop a strategy for training and connecting laborers to our agricultural community. Any thoughts or ideas you might have would be useful.
As you are probably well aware, the Farm Bill finally passed. Good news
for Massachusetts! Specialty crops, which play a leading role in Massachusetts
agriculture, will be in the loop to receive federal assistance in the promotion
and development of our specialty food markets. There have also been changes
in the Farm and Ranch Protection Program, making it much easier to work
with our federal partners in the purchase and development of APR’s, changes
to the Dairy support program that will include the development of a “payment
rate adjustment for feed prices”, increases to organic cost share payments
as well as additional support and changes within the nutrition title including
increased emergency food assistance funding and a name change to the “Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program” formerly named the Food Stamp Program.
Closer to home, the Department is anxiously awaiting the outcome of the budget conference committee after seeing very favorable support from the House and a reduced budget from the Senate. Obviously, an ideal scenario for the Agency’s FY2009 budget would include the House’s proposed budget amount and we’re hoping that the House of Representatives’ budget figures for MDAR will prevail in negotiations with the Senate. We are working closely with EEA to try to ensure that this happens.
Our APR regulation hearings have come to a close with comment period having ended on May 27th. Several dozen comments are now being incorporated into the Department’s deliberations. We’re hoping final regulations will be completed by the fall of this year. Speaking of which, twenty-eight new APR’s are slated to close by June 30th, 2008, twenty-eight representing only two less than the agency’s high-water mark of 30 during the 30-year history of the program.
We were very pleased to have recently completed the delivery of over $300,000 in Agricultural Innovation Center Agriculture Marketing Grants to thirty-six organizations for innovative marketing proposals. This year’s awardees included organizations from across the Bay State – from Nantucket to Great Barrington and covered a plethora of diverse projects from providing continuing education for Christmas trees growers so they can remain competitive to expanding a farmers’ market in a disadvantaged inner-city neighborhood where there are high rates of hunger. Pending budget outcome, our expected next round of grant solicitations for the Agricultural Innovation Center will be this fall and will be broadly advertised when available.
The Department has recently completed a reorganization which incorporates a new Division of Agricultural Technical Assistance, headed by Acting Director Gerard Kennedy. Farmers can now access the technical expertise of the Department under one roof. In addition we have named Michael Cahill Acting Director of the Division of Animal Health and Lee Corte-Real as Acting Director of the newly named Division of Crop Inspectional Services and Pesticide Management. All other appointments and Divisions remain the same.
We are very pleased to announce the hiring of Bob Ritchie as our new General Counsel. Bob comes to us as former Assistant Attorney General heading up the AG’s municipal law division. During this time, Mr. Ritchie worked closely with former DAR General Counsel Larry McCormick and the Commissioner’s staff on a wide range of legal matters affecting agricultural resources and the economics of agriculture in the Commonwealth. He will bring his extensive background in municipal law to his new position as DAR General Counsel to assist in fulfilling the goals and objectives of the agency and to contribute to the agency’s work in advancing the vitality of agriculture throughout the Commonwealth.
We also have a new Commonwealth Quality Program Coordinator, Michael Botelho, on board. Michael previously organized the Dairy Revitalization Task Force and has considerable experience as a businessman familiar with setting up new ventures. He will be researching and developing a ‘seal of quality’ program that emphasizes Massachusetts locally grown products, highlights best management practices, agricultural product safety and the quality and freshness of the Commonwealth’s agricultural products.
I look forward to seeing many of you over the next few months at some of the local farmers’ markets I will be visiting throughout the Commonwealth and that are now up and running. Massachusetts now boasts over 160 farmers’ markets – proof positive that buy local initiatives are a thriving component of our agricultural community. I also look forward to seeing many of you at some of the agricultural fairs taking place throughout the summer – these fairs are a great opportunity for farmers to showcase the rich agricultural diversity of Massachusetts and for visitors to connect with our vibrant agricultural heritage. A current listing of farmers’ markets is available on our website and a fair schedule will be coming out very shortly.
Finally, don’t forget to reserve your MA Agriculture Specialty License Plate! With its new “Go Locally Grown!” tagline, we are getting great response from not only the agricultural community but also the public at large. Proceeds go to the Massachusetts Agricultural Trust Fund for innovative programs that will help ensure the vibrancy of the agricultural community. We can send you an application or you can download a form on our website. Have a great growing season!
Best regards,
Doug Petersen, Commissioner
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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 online at the Agricultural Resources website 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.
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The 2008-2009 application for the Agricultural Environmental
Enhancement Program (AEEP) is now available. AEEP provides support to agricultural operations to help implement
conservation practices intended to mitigate sources of non-point pollution on
farms from run-off and atmospheric deposition. Since 1999, the program has
funded 270 projects statewide which
improve water quality, conserve water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and conserve energy respectively.
Growers and producers have received almost $3 million to help them address
environmental concerns on their farms.
Examples of funded
projects include the installation of animal manure waste systems, pesticide
storage facilities, fencing to keep livestock out of wetlands, energy efficient
pumps, solar pumps, photovoltaics, trickle irrigation systems, and water control
structures to hold chemigation water on cranberry bogs. Projects are selected
based upon their potential to impact the most sensitive resources including
drinking water, wetlands and DEP priority
water bodies.
Reimbursement of up to $25,000 will
be awarded on a competitive basis. Persons submitting successful proposals will
be required to sign a contract with Agricultural Resources. NOTE: All funding is subject to appropriation. Deadline is June 30, 2008.
For a copy of the application form and for more
information on previously funded practices visit the AEEP website: www.mass.gov/agr/programs/aeep/
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Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 6:30 PM - CISA Offices - One Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield
Please come join Craig Richov and Gerard Kennedy from the MA Department of Agricultural Resources as they provide information on two signature Department programs – the Farm Viability Program and the Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program. Applications will be available.
Farm Viability Enhancement Program – This popular business planning and technical assistance program provides management advice and grants of up to $75,000 to implement farm growth and sustainability strategies. Farm operators not only receive up front cash awards for signing a 5 or 10 year Agricultural Covenant, but also receive valuable consultations and visits from a team of experts to discuss farm production and management, marketing, and business planning. Typical uses of funds from the Program include building or repairing farm structures, modernizing field equipment, delivery vehicles and tractors, improving marketing structures, and purchasing food processing equipment.
Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) - AEEP provides funding to agricultural operations to help implement conservation practices which prevent impacts on natural resources. Since 1999, the program has funded 237 projects statewide which improve water quality, conserve water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy respectively. Examples of funded projects include the installation of animal manure waste systems, pesticide storage facilities, fencing to keep livestock out of wetlands, energy efficient pumps, solar pumps, photovoltaics, trickle irrigation systems, and flumes. Projects are selected based upon their potential to impact the most sensitive resources including drinking water, wetlands, DEP priority water bodies, and ACECs. A maximum of $25,000 per farm is available. Awards are typically in the range from $5,000 to $20,000.
If you can’t attend but still want to learn more about these programs, visit the Department of Agricultural Resources Web Site www.mass.gov/agr or call the Farm Viability Program at 617-626-1723 to request an application, or 617-626-1773 for AEEP. The deadline to submit applications is June 23, 2008 for FVEP and June 30, 2008 for AEEP.
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USDA 9006 Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Annual Grant & Grant/Guaranteed Loan Program:
As noted in the last issue of MDAR’s F&MR, USDA’s Rural Development (RD) annual Section 9006 Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Grant & Grant/Guaranteed Loan Program is off and running. This year’s Program has two application rounds, the first completed April 15th, 2008, and the next due June 16th, 2008. The combined Grant/Guaranteed Loan deadline is also June 16th, 2008. 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):
Also as noted the previous F&MR, 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 USDA 9006 projects. Originally targeted at projects with total costs of $200,000 or less utilizing the Simplified Application, the program has recently expanded to the Full Application as well, i.e. projects over $200,000. A number of projects are being assisted, ranging from energy efficiency to renewable energy of various technologies. Phase 2 of the two year MFEP, devoted to technical assistance, continues to be developed, planned and organized in parallel to Phase 1, including preparation of an RFPQ/P for engineering consultants, rebate and technical assistance quantification for energy efficiency and renewable energy audits and projects, and overall Phase 2 program design.
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 previous F&MRs, 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 that provides for more eligible renewable technologies, such as anaerobic digesters and biomass, than just wind and PV. 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 Outdoor Wood Hydronic Heaters (OWHH) (Outdoor Wood Boilers) – New Regulations
New Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations have been drafted for outdoor wood boilers, now referred to as outdoor wood hydronic heaters (OWHH). These regulations have been posted for the public hearing and here are the relevant web links for the documents:
http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/hearings/owbphn.htm - public hearing notice
http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/regulations/newregs.htm#owb - the documents
Public hearings are scheduled at 4 locations across the state from June 12th through June 19th. Testimony may be presented orally or in writing at the public hearings. Written comments will also be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on July 3, 2008. If your agricultural business currently relies on outdoor wood boilers, or plans to rely on this technology in the near future, now is your chance to review and comment on these regulations which will take place shortly thereafter.
Massachusetts Bio-fuel Crop Trials
The Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EOEEA), the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources (DOER), the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will be working with research professors from the UMass Amherst MA Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences to develop trial crops for switchgrass and crambe. The trials will be directed and project managed by UMass Amherst’s Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences under the direction of UMass Research Professors Stephen Herbert and Om Parkash, and weed extension specialist Randall Prostak.
The intention of both trials is to research the development of a sustainable fuel crop on marginal land, i.e., one not considered a good candidate for food production. Both the switchgrass and crambe trials will be grown on UMass Amherst lands as well as voluntary farms external to Umass who expressed interest in this venture. The intent of including farms external to UMass Amherst is to further those farms interest in alternative bio-fuel crops as well as to provide additional scientific data relevant to various geographies, soil types, etc for the trials. Samples of harvested products on the external farms will be utilized to evaluate a number of plant properties. The switchgrass trial will further the research completed last year. Crambe will be grown for the first time. Switchgrass is a perennial with interest in its cellulosic properties; crambe is an annual with interest in its oil seed properties. A very informative, well attended, one day mandatory orientation workshop took place May 20th, for both switchgrass and crambe, at the UMass Amherst Research and Education Center trial crop farm in Deerfield. The orientation included 8 (eight) farms external to UMass.
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$300,000 in Agricultural Marketing Grants Awarded Organizations given funding for innovative initiatives to support local agriculture. MDAR announced recently that nearly $300,000 in grant funding will be disbursed to 36 organizations for innovative marketing proposals under the 2008 Massachusetts Agricultural Marketing Grants program. The Agricultural Marketing Grants are awarded to projects that promote and enhance the Commonwealth’s agricultural industry. This year’s awardees include organizations from across the Bay State – from Nantucket to Great Barrington – that seek to promote long-term viability and vibrancy of the Massachusetts agricultural community through education, new marketing techniques, and promotion of “buy local” initiatives. “The breadth of innovative ideas and overall response was overwhelming,” DAR Commissioner Douglas Petersen said, adding that the Department accepts proposals from agricultural fairs, farmers’ markets, commodity trade group associations, agricultural service organizations and non-profit organizations including agricultural commissions. “From something simple like providing continuing education for Christmas trees growers so they can remain competitive to expanding a farmers’ market in a disadvantaged inner-city neighborhood where there are high rates of hunger, the proposals were inspiring and bring hope for even more great things for Massachusetts agriculture and the local economy in general.” In selecting awardees, DAR looked for projects that met at least one of the following criteria: promotes Massachusetts agriculture; educates consumers about Massachusetts agriculture or products; increases the economic potential of the state’s farming industry; or offers technical marketing assistance to one or more agricultural entities. The department gave special consideration to proposals aimed at contributing to the development of new or alternative agricultural products or pursuits, increasing opportunities for direct sales, and enhancing opportunities for farmer and public participation in Massachusetts agricultural fairs. For a complete list of awards click here.
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It is no too to late for growers and market managers to register for the
Farmers' Market Coupon Program for the 2008 market season. USDA has recently
approved phone trainings which can be arranged at a convenient
time for growers or managers. In addition, in person trainings can
also be organized if preferred. 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.
Growers and market managers returning to the coupon program do not need
to attend a training session. Returning growers and markets are encouraged
to return their recertification form as soon as possible in order to participate
in the 2008 Coupon Program.
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.
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For more information regarding Massachusetts Farmers’ Markets, contact David Webber at 617-626-1754 or david.webber@state.ma.us
Proposed/New Markets:
- Allston/Harvard University, Wednesdays, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, June 18 to October 29, Seeking specialty vendors such as jams, chocolates, cut flowers, oils, crafts, Contact Theresa McCulla at (617) 495-8052 or tmcculla@camail.harvard.edu.
- Bedford, Monday, 2:00 pm – 6:30 pm, June 16 to October 20th, Seeking cheese, Contact Susan Grieb, slgrieb@comcast.net or 781-275-3991.
- Canton, Dates and times to be announced, Contact Monica Bassila, (781) 830-8475, or monica.bassila@state.ma.us
- Dedham, Wednesdays, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Mid July to October, Contact Louise Reohr, (781) 686-9027 or louisereohr@hotmail.com.
- Dracut, Saturdays, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, August 2 to August 30, Seeking produce, honey, jams, preserves, Contact Shannon at 978-458-4478 or recreation@dracut-ma.us
- East Boston, Thursday, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Contact David Kulick, (617) 568-4028 or kulickd@ebnhc.org
- Fairhaven, Sundays, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, June 22 to October 19, Seeking farmers, cheese, baked goods, herbs, flowers, Contact Ann Richard, 508-991-8315 or ann.richard@gmail.com
- Falmouth, Thursday, Noon – 6:00 pm, June 19 to October 23, Seeking growers from Barnstable, Bristol and Plymouth Counties, Contact Heidi Walz, 774-278-8314 or quissettgardening@comcast.net
- Fitchburg, Downtown, Contact Ellen DiGeronimon, 978-345-9603 or ellen.d@net1plus.com
- Marlboro, Day and time to be announced. Contact Diane Sullivan, 508-460-3715 or dsullivan@marlborough-ma.gov
- Osterville, Contact Terri Perry, flowersticks@comcast.net
- Pittsfield, Saturdays, Contact Jeff Winslow, 413-447-7000 or artgrowth@yahoo.com
- Plymouth/Court Street, Saturday, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm, June 21 to October 25, Seeking fruit, dairy, herbs, cheese, beef, Contact Barbra Anglin, 508-732-9962 or sgardener@aol.com
- Sudbury, Contact Lee Swanson, 978-443-3747 or sudburyhist01776@verizon.net
- Westfield, Thursday, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Contact Lisa McMahon, lisa@thedistrictwesfield.com
- Winchester, Saturday, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm, Seeking dairy, bakery, meats, eggs, Contact Fred Yen, 781-856-0761 or fredyen@att.net
Existing Markets:
- Andover, Saturday, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm, July 12 to October 11, Seeking cheese, Contact Susannah Poland, 978-475-6159 or susannah89@gmail.com
- Barre, Saturday, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, May 10 to October 25, Seeking produce, Contact Earl Cooley, 978-355-0140 or lisa_d_holloway@yahoo.com
- Belchertown, Thursday, 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, June 5 to October 16, Seeking bread, cheese, farm crafts, fruit and berries and certified organic produce. Contact Heidi Bradway, 413-323-0048 or heidissomethingmore@yahoo.com
- Belmont, Thursdays, 2:00 pm – 6:30 pm, June 12 to October 30, Seeking cheese and maple vendors, Contact Heli Tomford, (617) 484-0170 or belmontfarmersmarket@gmail.com
- Beverly, Monday, 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm, Seeking cheese, Contact Melissa Dimond, 781-346-6726 or mdimond@thefoodproject.org
- Boston/City Hall Plaza, Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 28 to November 26, Seeking dairy, cheese, meat, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or jeff@massfarmersmarkets.org
- Boston/Copley Square, Tuesday and Fridays 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 20 to November 25, Seeking dairy, cheese, eggs, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or jeff@massfarmersmarkets.org
- Brimfield, Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, April 26 to October 18, Contact Sue Gregory, (413) 245-9977 or sue@hitchcockacademy.org
- Brockton City Hall Plaza, Friday, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm, Seeking fruit, vegetables, breads, jams, plants, Contact Silvia Carvalho, 508-580-7123 or scarvalh@ci.brockton.ma.us
- Brookfield, Sunday, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Seeking organic produce and other locally produced items, Contact Sarah Heller, 508-867-0460 or tiptop@gohls.com
- Buzzards Bay, Friday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, July 11 to October 31, Seeking fruit, vegetables, baked goods, flowers, Contact Ed Silvia, 508-982-8612
- Cambridge/Central Square, Mondays, 11:30 am – 6:00 pm, May 19 to November 24, Seeking cheese, dairy, milk, cream, yogurt, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or jeff@massfarmersmarkets.org
- Cambridge/Charles Square, Friday, Noon – 6:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Seeking eggs, fish, Contact Tim Garboski, 508-446-5806 or afrmr@aol.com
- Cambridge/Harvard University, Tuesdays, 12:30 pm -6:00 pm, mid June through October, Seeking meat, dairy, cheese and ethnic produce vendors. After two highly successful seasons, the market looks forward to an expanded third season. Contact Theresa McCulla at (617) 495-8052 or theresa_mcculla@harvard.edu.
- Cambridge/Kendall Square, Thursday, 11:00 am – 2:30 pm, June 1 to November 6, Seeking fruit and vegetables, Contact Sam De Liddo, 617-225-2440 or Samuel.deliddo@biomedrealty.com
- Cambridgeport, Saturday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Seeking eggs, fish, Contact Tim Garboski, 508-446-5806 or afrmr@aol.com
- Carlisle, Saturday, 8:00 am – Noon, July 12 to Late October, Contact Gail Constable, 978-371-1925 or gaela@comcast.net
- Carver, Sunday, Noon – 4:00 pm, June 8 to October 26, Seeking Bread, jams, jellies, eggs, fruits, berries and limited space for earth centered crafts, Contact Mike Nash, 508-866-2428 or ccmouse@thecia.net
- Charlestown, Wednesdays, 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, July 16 to end of October, Contact Colleen Justice, 617-241-8866.
- Chicopee, Wednesdays, 11:00 am – 3:30 pm, Seeking vegetables, Contact Jim Sroka, 413-552-1545, x311 or jsroka@valleyopp.com
- Cohasset, Thursdays, 2:30-6:30, June 12 – October 16 Seeking produce, cheese, dairy, eggs, oils, bread. Contact Darcy Schramn, 781-383-0170, d.schramn@comcast.net.
- Easton, Tuesday and Saturday, May to October, is seeking to add new vendors for its established Farmers' Market, especially certified organic growers and vendors selling meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruits and other locally produced products. Contact: Jean at 508-238-6049 or Jean@nrtofeaston.org.
- Fields Corner, Saturday, 9:00 am – Noon, July 5 to October 25, Contact Pat Cooke, 617-825-3486 or patrickcooke@verizon.net
- Framingham/Village Green, Thursdays, 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Seeking dairy, meat, ethnic vegetables, cheese, eggs, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or jeff@massfarmersmarkets.org
- Great Barrington/Saturdays, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, May 10 October 25, Seeking pasta, granola, fish, jams, jellies, butter, milk, cheese, Contact Rosemary Levine, 413-528-8950 or rosemarylevine@yahoo.com
- Great Barrington/Wednesdays, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, June 18 to August 27, Seeking vegetables and fruit, Contact Michelle Derr, 413-528-0457 or wic@chpberkshires.org
- Great Falls/Turners Falls, Wednesday, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 7 to October 29, Seeking organic farmers, plantings, Contact Don Clegg, 413-774-6719 or sealeggsdc@yahoo.com
- Greenfield, Saturday, 8:00 am – 12:30 pm, May to October is seeking cheese, poultry, meats, eggs, annuals/perennials. Contact Devon Whitney-Deal at 413-625-9907.
- Groton, Friday, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, July 11 to October 10, Seeking dairy/cheese vendor, Contact Lili Ott, 978-448-1192 or liliott@juno.com
- Harvard, Saturday, 9:00 am – Noon, August 8 to Mid November, Seeking dairy products, cheese, flowers, Contact Jen Sundeen, 978-456-8974 or jensundeen@charter.net
- Haverhill, Saturdays, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, July 19 to November 1, Seeking specialty items, baked goods, honey, flowers, Contact Stephanie Lesiczka, 978-373-4377
- Hingham, Saturday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, May 24 to October 25, Seeking bread, fall vegetables such as potatoes, turnips, squash, Contact Sylvia Schuler, 617-827-5335 or hinghamfarmersmarket@yahoo.com
- Hopkinton, Friday, Noon – 6:00 pm, June 20 to Mid October, Seeking cheese, fish, bread, Contact Beth Mezitt, 508-435-6335 or bethm@westonnurseries.com
- Lanesboro, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Seeking fish, cheese, meat, organic produce, pasta, value added products, Contact Ken Wirtes, 413-499-1012
- Lee, Friday, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, May 8 to October 8, Contact Jen or Phil Leahey, 413-446-2004 or leaheyfarm@yahoo.com
- Lenox, Friday, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 9 to October 17, Seeking jams, jellies, fish, pasta, butter, eggs, milk, cheese, Contact Rose Levine, 413-528-8950 or rosemarylevine@yahoo.com
- Lexington, Tuesday, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, June to October, Seeking goat and cows milk cheese, other dairy products, lamb and sausage, Contact Lori Deliso, 781-863-6375 or LDSS1@rcn.com
- Lynn, Thursday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, July 3 to October 30, Seeking cheese, fruit, prepared foods, crafts, Contact Melissa Dimond, 781-346-6726 or mdimond@thefoodproject.org
- Mansfield, Thursday, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Seeking bread, cheese, Contact Beth Flint, 508-339-7115 or bflint1@comcast.net
- Mattapan, Saturday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, July 12 to October 11, Seeking farmers and bakers, Contact Vivien Morris, 617-414-6878 or vivien.morris@bmc.org
- Medford, Thursday, Noon – 7:00 pm, June 19 to October 23, Seeking all types of farmers, Contact Nikole Torres, 617-894-3757 or nikolet@gmail.com
- Medway, Monday 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm July 14 to August 25, Contact Judi Notturno, 508-533-3488, or ownyourownlife@comcast.net
- Middleboro, Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, June 14 to October 25, Seeking bread, honey, fruits, berries, eggs, jams and jellies and earth related crafts, Contact Mike Nash, 508-866-2428 or ccmouse@thecia.com
- Orange, Thursday, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 22 to October 16, Seeking cheese, prepared foods, crafts, Contact Joseph Cuneo, 978-544-7834 or josephcuneo@msn.com
- Oxford, Sunday, 10:00a m – 1:00 pm, Seeking corn, fruit, Contact Diane Castelo, 508-987-6002 or dcostelo@town.oxford.ma.us
- Peabody, Tuesday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Seeking bread, specialty items, Contact Blair Haney, 978-538-5770 or blair.haney@peabody-ma.gov
- Pepperell, July to October, Seeking cheese, produce, eggs, bread, meat, crafts, Contact Jim Friend, 978-433-0927 or jfriend@town.pepperell.ma.us
- Plymouth, Thursday, 2:30 pm– 6:30 pm, June 19 to October 30, Seeking fruit, potted and cut herbs, herbal wreaths, grass fed beef, fish, honey, Contact Barbara Anglin, 508-732-9962 or sgardener@aol.com
- Quincy, Friday, 11:30 am – 5:00 pm, June 20 to October 31, Seeking honey, eggs, fish, preserves, Contact Anneli Johnson, 617-479-1601 or annelijohnson1@netzero.net
- Rehoboth, Sunday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Seeking all types of farmers, Contact Bob Peasley, 508-336-4779
- Revere Beach, Thursday, Noon – 6:00 pm, Mid July to October, Seeking baked goods, fish, dairy and meats, Contact Mary Ann Zizzo, 781-485-6156 or mzizzo@partners.com
- Rochester, Saturday, 8:00 am – Noon, May 10 to October 25, Seeking jam, jelly, crafts, conventional produce, flowers, fruit, Contact Meredith Ciaburri, 508-763-4905 or Meredith@theartisankitchen.com
- Roxbury/Dudley Town Common, Tuesday and Thursday, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, June 3 to October 30, Seeking baked goods, meat, eggs, cheese, produce, Contact Fern Hickey, 617-442-1322, x13 or jhickey@thefoodproject.org
- Saugus, Tuesday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Seeking all types of farmers and plant products, Contact Peter Rossetti, Jr, 781-233-1855 or peterrossettijr@aol.com
- Shelburne Falls, Friday, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, May 30 to October 10, Contact Ivy Palmer, 413-625-8174 (no calls after 7pm) or pitchforkfarm@yahoo.com
- Somerville/Davis Square, Wednesdays, Noon – 6:00 pm, Seeking dairy products, Contact Jeff Cole, 781-893-8222 or jeff@massfarmersmarkets.org
- South Boston, Monday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, July 28 to October 27, Seeking produce, baked goods, Contact Mary Lou Rosher, 617-464-5858 or marosher@sbchc.org
- Springfield Cooperative, Saturday, 7:00 am – 11:00 am, May 3 to October 25, Seeking Summer vendors from July through October, no fee, Contact Al Fini, 413-786-1012 or finiplants@aol.com
- Springfield/Mason Square, Saturday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, July 12 to October 4, Seeking fruit, flowers, herbs, honey, crafters, Contact Tasha Moultrie, 413-297-5495 or tasham@foodbankwma.org
- Springfield/Tower Square, Wednesday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, June 4 to September 24, Seeking produce, Contact Annette Scheidecker, 413-733-2171 or ascheidecker@towersquare.net
- Topsfield, Saturday, 7:00 am – Noon, July 12 to September 27, Seeking vegetables, fruit, eggs, Contact Jane Cook, 978-922-1648
- Ware, Saturday, 10:00 am – 2:00pm, May 10 to October 25, Seeking all farm products and crafts, Contact Melissa Weise, 508-397-9042 or info@warefarmersmarket.org
- Wayland, Wednesday, Noon – 5:00 pm, June 25 to October 8, Seeking cheese, meat, Contact Peg Mallett, 508-358-2283 or pegm@comcast.net
- Westford, Tuesday, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, June 24 to October, Contact Gloria Gilbert, 978-392-1424 or gloria.gilbert6@verizon.net
- Worcester/Chandler Street, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm, June 16 to October 27, Seeking organic produce, honey, maple, specialty crops, Contact Andrew O’Keefe, 508-753-7761
- Worcester/UMass Medical, Tuesday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm July 8 to October 30, Seeking organic produce and specialty crops, Contact Andrew O’Keefe, 508-753-7761
 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.
This year’s annual MassPike Farmers Market Program will begin on Thursday, May 22, 2008 and run through fall 2008. We invite all Massachusetts farmers to sell their freshly grown fruits and vegetables as well as their made in Massachusetts products. On a first come, first serve basis, free selling space is made available at all eleven (11) service areas. Farmers can sell their goods as long as they do not compete with the service area stores and restaurants.
The service areas available for the Farmers Market are located in Lee (east/west), Blandford (east/west), Ludlow (east/west), Charlton (east/west), Westboro(west), Framingham (west) and Natick (east). If you are interested in participating in this year’s program or have any questions, please contact David Fenton at (413) 572-3171. You can also send an e-mail to: dave.fenton@masspike.com. The MassPike is looking forward to a successful 2008 Farmer’s Market Program!
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The Department held two Public Hearings on the proposed APR Regulations, May 9th in Deerfield and May 13th In Waltham The hearings went well and produced comments from a diverse group of stakeholders. To that end, the Department has received very articulate, constructive comments during the hearings that are now being reviewed. Written comments for the APR regulations 330 CMR 22.00 were also accepted through May 27th. The Department appreciates the great interest that remains in our Nation’s oldest state farm land preservation program and applauds the attention that many have provided toward the emerging regulations.
Department staff will review the official transcript of the hearings and all written comments and make necessary changes. After changes, if any, have been incorporated into a new version of the proposed Regulations, the Department will prepare the filing and publication forms necessary to effectuate promulgation of the APR Regulations. The Department hopes to have the Regulations promulgated by the end of the 2008 calendar year. Any questions should be directed to the Department APR staff and future updates will be provided through the Farm and Market Report.
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Date: July 23, 2008
Sponsored by: Massachusetts Flower Growers Assoc. (MFGA) and Massachusetts Nursery Landscape Assoc. (MNLA)
Location: The Crane Estate, Ipswich, MA
Join Massachusetts' largest green industry associations - MFGA and MNLA - for their fifth annual collaborative event, the 2008 Summer Meeting and Trade Show on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at one of the region’s most scenic, historically important and ecologically diverse landscapes…The Crane Estate.
Featuring – Judy Sharpton, Growing Places Marketing, Atlanta, Georgia. Judy has over 20 years experience in advertising and promotion specializing in store design and renovation, development of product-based promotion plants and development of customer communication programs. Judy will present a two-part Store School. She will cover consumer trends and how you can respond to trends at your store level and store layout from entrance to cash wrap.
Examples of more Educational Programs:
- Choosing Drought Tolerant Plants
- Growing and Marketing Perennials Panel
- Water Quality; Irrigation, Nutrient Management and Pesticide Efficacy
- All About Ticks
- New Products and Technologies for Hardscapes
- Landscape Integrated Pest Management Walk-About
- Current Regulations You Should Know About
- What are Drought Advisories
- Pesticide Regulations Update
- Trade Show
- Pesticide Credits
Tours of the famous Crane Estate - The 2,100 acre Crane Estate preserves one of the region’s most scenic historically important and ecologically diverse landscapes. Richard T. Crane, Jr.'s purchased the property in 1910. In the decades that followed Castle Hill came to exemplify the American Country Place Era with its farm and estate buildings, designed grounds and gardens, and diverse natural areas. The Cranes hired some of the century's most notable architects and landscape architects. The first house built atop Castle Hill, an Italian Renaissance Revival villa designed by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, was razed and replaced in 1928 with the 59-room Stuart-style mansion designed by architect David Adler you see today. The Great House is furnished with period antiques. Whether it is innovative exhibits, first-rate tours, or cutting edge education, all attendees are sure to find themselves involved and inspired. For more information go to www.mnla.com.
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The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has begun to work
on a new initiative called Culinary Tourism, a program that presents an
exciting opportunity for Massachusetts growers to market their product
to a new customers; the “Culinary Traveler”. Culinary Tourism includes
all unique and memorable culinary experiences. Some examples of culinary
tourism include dining in a restaurant that offers menus highlighting seasonal,
local ingredients, a “behind the scenes” farm tour, a visit to a dairy
farm to taste and purchase a specialty cheese, purchasing farm fresh produce
at a local farmers’ market or farm stand, and/or wine tasting at an area
winery. We will be sending out a survey to gauge grower’s interest in promoting
culinary tourism opportunities at their farms as well as their interest
in selling their products to restaurants. In the meantime interested growers
may contact Culinary Tourism Coordinator Julia Grimaldi at 857-498-2632
or julia_grimaldi@state.ma.us
for more information.
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More than 100 public school districts, colleges, and private schools in
Massachusetts have already chosen to serve locally grown foods to their
students, but even more schools will be looking for local products as they
plan Mass. Harvest for Students Week celebrations in the fall.
- Is there a school to which you would like to sell products, just for the "Week", in order to build consumer awareness of your farm and of farming in general?
- Are you considering developing some long-term sales relationships with schools and think this fall might be a good time to start?
- Have you tried selling to schools in the past but it didn't work out?
- Would you like to provide products to schools through a distributor, but want the schools to know the products came from your farm?
The Mass. Farm to School Project provides free technical assistance to farms and schools hoping to create sustainable farm to school connections. Contact them at 413-253-3844 or kelerwin@localnet.com. Promotional materials and suggestions for Mass. Harvest for Students Week are also available from the Project, or from the web page www.mass.gov/agr/markets/Farm_to_school/.
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This issue of Vegetable Notes includes an application form
for farmers who would like to be part of the Shelled Corn project. We have
funding to provide cost-share for purchase of one corn furnace or boiler per
farm (up to 50% of the cost, maximum $3000 per farm) for a limited number of
farms. Although we may not be able to provide cost-share funds for all growers
who are interested, we will be able to provide useful information and contacts to
all interested growers; as well as advising dairy farmers on switching to fuel
production and finding markets for their product. Our goal is to foster a
regional network of renewable energy producers and users, with a focus on grain
corn but also including other types of renewable energy. The
emphasis of this project is on making the best possible use of our land for
food and fuel production and not to detract from our ability to grow food
crops. We're envisioning a system where fuel crops become a valuable
rotational crop in vegetable farms and an alternative revenue stream for dairy
farmers.
We have posted an application on our website, www.umassvegetable.org. If you are interested in applying to be a part
of one of these regional networks and receiving cost share for the purchase of
a biomass furnace please fill out the application and return to it the address
listed on the application form.
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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.
- Small Ruminant Management, Wednesday, June 4, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Crystal Brook Farm, 192 Tuttle Road, Sterling, MA
- Transitioning to Organic Dairy / NRCS Resources, Saturday, June 21, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Robinson Farm, 42 Jackson Road, Hardwick, MA
- Organic Dairy Transition, Thursday, July 10, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Colrain Dairy Farm, 270 Greenfield Road, Colrain, MA
- Raising and Marketing Grass-Fed Meat, Thursday, July 24, 10:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Wheel-View Farm, 212 Reynolds Road, Shelburne,
MA
Through the USDA Grassland Reserve Program, the Wheelers received technical and financial assistance from NRCS to clear approximately 20-acres of overgrown pasture and EQIP funds to improve the management of nutrients on over 100 acres of hay land.
- Small Scale Dairies and Alternative Forages, August 18, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. - Bostrom Farm, 95 Green River Road, Greenfield,
MA. With assistance from NRCS, the Bostroms will make barnyard improvements
to manage runoff from feeding and loafing areas, livestock access to pastures
will be improved, and a CNMP will be developed to improve nutrient management
on hayland.
- Infrastructure on Mixed-Livestock Farms, Tuesday, September 9, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tufts University Farm, North Grafton, MA
This series of workshops has been funded by CROPP Cooperative’s Farmers Advocating for Organics (FAFO) Fund.
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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.
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June 26-28, 2008 - Ioka Valley Farm, Hancock, MA - In association with the New England Christmas tree Alliance Biennial
Conference.
The 50th anniversary celebration of the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association (MCTA) will be celebrated at the Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock, MA. 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.
This is a special meeting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding
of the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association. Expert speakers have been
brought in from far and wide. For those of you who need pesticide credits,
this is the place to be (4-5 Credits available).
For those of you who have tree growing questions, there will be experts available for you to quiz personally and there will be many successful tree farmers from all over the Northeast including Canada who are always open to sharing their secrets. You will not find a more knowledgeable group of Christmas Tree growers assembled in any one place.
For those of you that are involved with Christmas trees and are not members of an association, or perhaps have things all figured out, you will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of new technology, plant science, exhibits, marketing information, etc. that will be available for you at this meeting.
MCTA, the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association, came into formal being on November 22, 1958.
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.
Conference will include:
- Field tours, demonstrations, seminars, pesticide credits, alternate program
- Leab Family Farm ----four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter) of farm fun for ages 1 -101 which include: the sugar house experience and pancake breakfasts, strawberries, beef, Uncle Don’s barnyard, blueberries, pumpkins, and Christmas trees. http://www.taconic.net/iokavalleyfarm/
- State associations to hold their summer meetings if required.
- Tents and nearby buildings for meetings, seminars, meals, and exhibits.
A large outdoor area in addition to tent space will be available for commercial
exhibitors and demonstrations.
- A locally grown and raised banquet featuring Ioka grass-fed beef is planned
for Friday June 27th. A pancake breakfast “in their own” seasonal restaurant
adjacent to their sugar house is available Saturday by registration. Food
booths for lunch available on site.
For those interested in starting a tree farm, this is the way to find out if it is something you would like to do, what’s involved, and how to get started. A lot of heartache and money can be saved by attending this meeting. 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!
Go to the MCTA web site to print out agenda and registration forms www.christmas-trees.org or contact the association Secretary Julie Gauld, PO Box 242, Sterling,
MA 01564 For registration questions call Julie at (978) 365-5818 or e-mail
bandjevergreen@aol.com. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.
A meeting like this will probably not re-occur for another 50 years. Don't miss out!
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August 8-10, 2008 - Keynote Speakers Mark McAfee and Arden Andersen
Educational: Over 150 workshops on organic farming, gardening and land care, homesteading, sustainability, nutrition, spirituality, food politics, activism, and more. Special workshops specifically for children and teens. Enlightening keynote speeches on raw milk and sustainable agriculture.
Entertaining: Family contra-dance, zydeco, drumming, Old-fashioned Country Fair, live music, farmer's market, games and fun.
Economical: Modest registration, inexpensive dorm rooms, and camping and wholesome organic meals.
Registration and for more information, visit www.nofamass.org or call Julie Rawson at (978) 355-2853 or julie@nofamass.org.
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The Northeast Farm Credit associations and CoBank recently awarded a total
of $38,000 to 14 organizations as part of the Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement
Program. The grants help recipients carry out programs that promote Northeast
agriculture, support youth programs, and generate a greater understanding
of the Northeast’s vital agricultural, commercial fishing, and forest products
industries among the nonfarm public.
Recent Massachusetts grant recipients:
- Eastern States Big E FFA Planning Committee will apply its $8,000 grant to support their FFA Star Award program. This program attracts FFA students from throughout 14 eastern states to compete in four categories that recognize and reward excellence in agriculture. The program takes place in September at The Big E.
- Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) of Massachusetts will use its $1,000 grant to support public television efforts that educate consumers about local agricultural products.
- Massachusetts Farm to School Project will use its $1,000 grant for its “Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week” promotion, which is in its second year. Through this program, efforts are made to have schools purchase products directly from farmers.
- Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) of Massachusetts will use
its $1,000 grant to create workshops for youth and young farmers at the
NOFA summer conference. The conference develops a greater understanding
of agriculture and organic production through workshops, exhibits, and
guest speakers among participants throughout the Northeast.
The program is a shared effort of First Pioneer Farm Credit, Farm Credit
of Western New York, Yankee Farm Credit, Farm Credit of Maine, and CoBank.
Individual awards are granted in April, July, and December each year. Proposal
submission dates: April 1, August 1, and December 1. Contact: Robert A.
Smith, First Pioneer Farm Credit, 2668 State Route 7, Suite 21, Cobleskill,
NY 12043. Phone: 518.296.8188, AgEnhancement@FarmCreditWNY.com.
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Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom has put together a schedule of 13 Educational Summer Workshops on the Farm. These workshops may be taken individually or you may choose to participate in our 3 Credit Summer Graduate Course for Teachers. www.umass.edu/umext/mac/Workshops/workshops.htm.
- Thursday, June 26, Organic Gardening at the School and Farm, Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset
- Tuesday, July 1, Open Space and Farmland Protection at The Doyle Conservation Center of The Trustees of Reservations, Leominster
- Wednesday, July 2, Buying Local at Cooper's Hilltop Dairy Farm in Rochdale and Breezy Gardens in Leicester
- Tuesday, July 8, Grazing, Pasture and Pasture Crops for Biofuels, UMass Crop and Animal Science Research Education Farm, South Deerfield
- Thursday, July 10, Horticultural Therapy Adaptations, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown
- Wednesday, July 16, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Agriculture, Then
and Now: everything Old is New Again, Hancock Shaker Village, Hancock
- Thursday, July 17, Dairy Farming, Milk and Ice Cream Production at Shaw Farm, Dracut
- Wednesday, July 23, Chickens, Embryology and Heritage Breeds at Diemand Egg Farm in Miller’s Falls
- Thursday, July 24, Pollination, Beekeeping and Fruits and Vegetables at Meadowbrook Orchards, Sterling
- Thursday, July 31, Local Foods and Global Connections to the Foods We Eat, Manda Farm in Plainfield
- Wednesday, August 6, Heritage Breeds, Heirloom Seeds, Local Foods and Sustainable Agriculture at Moon in the Pond Farm in Sheffield
- Thursday, August 7, Soils, Farm Viability and Agricultural Entertainment at Randall’s Farm in Ludlow
- Tuesday, August 12, Dairy Goats, Ruminants and Making Goat Cheese, 5th Grade teacher Robert Cote’s Farm in Pascoag, Rhode Island
Join us for one of more of our summer workshops and try out some hands-on
activities for the classroom while you explore local farms. Each workshop
runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offers classroom-ready educational activities
and focuses on a different area of agriculture with exploration of the
work that takes place at that farm. The $30 fee for each workshop includes
the educational program and tour, all educational materials and activities,
and ten professional development points with a related classroom activity.
Lunch is also included with ten of the fifteen workshop. Details of the
workshops at www.aginclassroom.org.
Sign up for our Three Credit Summer Graduate Course on the Farm, titled
"Growing Agriculture in Your Classroom" It is offered in
cooperation with Fitchburg State College. Beginning Workshop: Wednesday,
June 25, 2007 - Ending Workshop: Wednesday, August 13, 2007.
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom is please to announce our third
summer graduate credit course in agricultural literacy training for educators.
Using Massachusetts farms as your classroom, learn how agriculture can
enhance your curriculum, enthrall your students and meet many MCAS requirements.
This graduate
course offers agricultural-literacy training through fun, hands-on study and
investigation of agriculture education resources. It will assist new educators
and those who want to expand their classroom offerings as they learn how to
integrate agriculture into the classroom to create lessons and reinforce MCAS
concepts
This Summer Institute, title “Growing Agriculture in the Classroom” will
meet of Wednesday, June 25th and Wednesday, August 13th at Brigham Hill
Community Farm in North Grafton from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each participant
will also be asked to attend six additional workshops during the summer,
selected from approximately 12 workshops on various agricultural topics
offered at farms across the state. Participants must keep a journal of
their summer agricultural journey and write an agricultural education unit,
which will be presented at the final session on August 13th.
Each teachers must attend at least six additional workshops on the farm
(selected from the list below) during the summer, keep a note book and
complete a class project that will be presented on August 13th. Each
workshop runs from 9am to 3pm. More details at www.aginclassroom.org.
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Correct weed identification is an important first step in the development
of an effective weed management program. Using a classroom presentation,
potted weed herbarium and weed walk, UMass Extension Specialist Randy Prostak
will help participants enhance their weed identification skills. Feel free
to bring a weed or two to identify. Workshop held rain or shine (lunch
not provided), 9 am - 3 pm.
5 pesticide contact hours available for categories 29, 36, 37, and Applicators License. MCLP and MCH credits will be offered.
Broadleaf Weeds (plus a few grassy weeds)
July 30 - Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain
August 6 - UMass Amherst
Grassy Weeds: a more in-depth look
August 27 - UMass Amherst
Cost is $95/person (pre-registration is required, as space is limited).
Registration is first-come, first-served through the mail or online. To
register using a credit card, go to http://umassgreeninfo.org.
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Lexington High
School has been announced as the overall winner of the 21st annual Massachusetts
Envirothon, a statewide environmental education program and competition for high
school students. As the overall winner,
the Lexington team has been invited to go to Flagstaff, Arizona, July 27
to August 3, to compete in the International Canon
Envirothon.
In this year's
Massachusetts Envirothon, a field competition was held on May 6th and 7th at
Hopkinton State Park, after which the top four teams went on to compete in the
final competition held May 17th at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster.
Winners have also been announced for each ecostation in the field competition,
as well as for current issue presentations.
This year’s current issue was “Outdoor Recreation and the Environment.” In
preparation, teams were asked to identify
a key recreational issue or opportunity and make recommendations for how their community should address
it.
At the outdoor field competition event, teams of five
students rotated through four “eco-stations” where they demonstrated their
environmental knowledge through hands-on activities such as soil analysis, plant
identification, tree measuring and investigation of water insects. Each team
also gave a presentation on their research into the year’s designated current
issue before a panel of judges that included environmental professionals from
government agencies, non-profit organizations, academia and private industry.
1st through 4th Place
Overall
First Place: Lexington High
School
Second Place: Tantasqua Regional High
School, Fiskdale
Third Place: Quabbin Regional
High School, Barre
Fourth Place: Somerset High
School
Click here for a complete list of Massachusetts Envirothon Partners &
Sponsors, visit www.maenvirothon.org/partners.htm. If you have questions, contact Carol Szocik from MDAR, 617-626-1718,
carol.szocik@state.ma.us.
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Foodbank Mural to be Unveiled Friday, June 13th
The fourth mural in a multi-year public art project will be unveiled in
a ceremony Friday, June 13, at 3:30 p.m. at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts,
97 North Hatfield Rd. The 8-foot by 32-foot mural will be on permanent
display in front of the Food Bank warehouse building facing North Hatfield
Road. The murals are the work of Smith Academy art teacher Julie Muellejans
and her students, in conjunction with the Hatfield Agricultural Advisory
Committee.
Murals designed and painted in previous years by art students at Smith Academy, Hatfield’s high school, are on view at several locations in town, on tobacco barns on Route 5 and Main Street, and hanging inside the Hatfield Farm Museum adjacent to Hatfield Elementary School.
Muellejans and members of the Hatfield Agricultural Advisory Committee approached the Food Bank last fall to propose the mural at their site. North Hatfield is a busy road, and the unadorned warehouse building was an obvious site for beautification, says Muellejans. More important, the mural represents a way to draw attention to the work of the Food Bank in feeding people in the region, with its strong ties to local agriculture.
The Food Bank embraced the idea, and several staff members visited Smith Academy in January to talk with students about the organization’s mission. The students then began creating designs for the mural; the best parts of several were combined by Mullejans to produce a final design.
“It was an amazing process,” says Russell Powell, a member of the Agricultural Advisory Committee who worked with Muellejans on the project. “There were some outstanding drawings, and the students showed great imagination in communicating Hatfield’s agricultural heritage and the importance of the Food Bank’s work.” The final result, he says, is the most sophisticated and detailed mural of the four-year project.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee was formed in 2002 to address and represent agricultural issues and interests in Hatfield, particularly to promote the business of farming and its traditions, and farmland protection, including education.
The mural project received major funding from the Hatfield Cultural Council and Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom. Additional contributions of funding, materials and services came from the Bank of Western Massachusetts–Hatfield Branch, L&L Fencing, Northampton Paint Center, Paradise Copies, Rugg Lumber, Smithsonian Neighborhood Grill and Bar, and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
The public is invited to attend the June 13 unveiling. For more information,
call Russell Powell at 413-247-3232 or Robert Wagner at 413-247-0147.
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Farm Service Agency News
Acreage Reporting Deadline
ACREAGE REPORTING DEADLINE - July 15th is the deadline to report acres planted to corn, hay, tobacco, fruits, vegetables and all other crops with the exception of small grains. The deadline for reporting small grains is June 15th . YOU ARE REQUIRED TO FILE AN ACREAGE REPORT IF YOU: • Participate in a Feed Commodity Program. • Request an LDP or a commodity loan • Participate in the 10 – 15 year Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) • Participate in NAP • Participate in Risk Management Agency (RMA) Crop insurance policies There is an COC established fee for filing a late acreage report after July 15th To be considered timely filed, acreage reports for: • prevented planted acreage are required to be submit-ted no later than 15 calendar days after the final re-porting date for the applicable crop. For more info., contact a regional FSA office.
NAP coverage is a great start to pro-tecting your crop investment. Please keep the following in mind: Report planted crop acres to the office by acreage reporting deadlines. NOTE: Previous year pro-duction for annual crops is due at crop reporting, July 15th! Without it, you will be assigned a reduced yield for last year. • File a Notice of loss (CCC-576) with the office within 15 calendar days of the: ? final planting date, if your planting was pre-vented by a natural disaster; ? natural disaster occurrence; ? date damage to the crop or loss of production becomes apparent to you; ? or the normal harvest date. • To receive NAP benefits, you must com-plete Form CCC-576, Application for Pay-ment, prior to the application closing date of the subsequent year. The CCC-576 requires you to provide evidence of production and note whether the crop was marketable, un-marketable, salvaged or used differently than intended. • Contact the FSA office for an appraisal to be completed prior to destroying
the crop or putting the crop to another use.
The Crop Disaster Program (CDP) provides benefits to farmers who suffered quantity and quality losses to 2005, 2006, or 2007 crops from natural disasters if the crop was planted before December 31, 2007. Producers who incurred qualifying losses in 2005, 2006, or 2007 must choose only one year to apply for benefits. Producers may apply for benefits for losses to multiple commodities as long as the losses occurred in the same crop year. Only producers who obtained Federal Crop Insurance or crop insurance coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assis-tance Program (NAP) for the year of loss will be eligible for CDP benefits. Producers must have suffered quantity losses in excess of 35 percent to be eligible for CDP. Contact the FSA county office for more details. More details can also be found at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
The Farm Service Agency makes loans to rural youths to establish and operate income-producing projects in connec-tion with 4-H clubs, FFA and other youth organizations. Projects must be planned and operated with the help of the organization advisor, produce sufficient income to repay the loan and provide the youth with practical business and edu-cational experience. The maximum loan amount is $5000. Youth Loan Eligibility Requirements: -Be a citizen of the United States or a legal resident alien -Be 10 years to 20 years of age -Live in the open country or in a town of less than 10,000 people -Be unable to get a loan from other sources -Conduct a modest agricultural income-producing project in a supervised program of work as out-lined above -Demonstrate capability of planning, managing and operating the project under guidance and assis-tance from a project advisor. The project supervi-sor must recommend the project and the loan, along with providing adequate supervision. Stop by the county office. We'll help prepare and process the application forms and answer any questions you may have about the program.
IN EVERY ISSUE
- Farmland for Lease in Westfield. 20 +/- acres of open fields formally in dairy production for forage crops with winter rye coverage. Please contact Merilyn Stevens at 413-568-7575 or email to merstevens@comcast.net. Address is: Bonnieventure Farms, 530 Pochassic Road, Westfield, MA 01085.
- SHEEP SHEARING. Small flocks are my specialty. Also llamas and angora goats. Call 781-929-5618 or email Doug.Gillespie@yahoo.com.
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- The 2008 Berry Season is approaching. Empire Packaging has a full supply of waxed pick your own trays, pulp containers and shipping trays for all your berry needs. EMPIRE PACKAGING COMPANY your packaging resource (508) 426-7813 or (800) 562-5520.
- "For Sale: Large classic colonial farmhouse with wrap-around porch, barn, garage, new building previously used for retail, all on two-plus acres in a very quiet setting on a country back road, yet just 10 minutes from I-91. More land available for rental or purchase. Perfect for extra income as B & B, stables, retreat, start-up farm or apartments. Minutes walk to river. West Northfield, MA. Email alpaca0410@yahoo.com for
more details."
- Row Spider Tine Cultivator for sale, Rainflo 1800 Mulch Lifter, 560 Mulch Layer Improved, LEINBACH 8FT HARROW RON 508-873-4408.
- For Sale: Certified organic pullets. Mixed heavy breed brown egg layers & Easter egg layers. Ready on May 18. Baystate Organic Certified. For prices and availbility, call 508-763-5901 after dark. Leave message other times.
- Pine Boards: Sugarbush Farm owner will be cutting and sawing pine lumber this summer. Sawing can be done to your specifications; wide boards are no problem. Call Bill Facey at (978) 544-7178; in Wendell, MA.
- Need a property caretaker for your farm? Massachusetts farmers can run a free caretaker-wanted ad in THE CARETAKER GAZETTE. Please call (830) 336-3939 or visit www.caretaker.org.
- Forty-six acre farm in western MA for immediate sale: 44 acres of APR land with stream, small river and beaver pond include 29 acres of harvestable woodland. The fifteen acres of excellent tillable land are currently in corn with APR assessment available. Property includes large barn and old brick farmhouse in good condition with three bedrooms, two full baths, large living room and screened-in porch with large yard and above-ground pool with large deck. House can be heated with wood furnace or oil. There is a one-acre building lot as well. Property is located on the rural part of good-sized town-Northampton Ma-with possibility of CSA. Tryggvi Jonson, 413-575-9995. (Editor's Note: For additional details on any APR lands, interested parties are encouraged to contact the Department's APR Program.)
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
- June 4: Public Officials Workshop, for more info., contact Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association, 508-759-1041, psilvia@cranberries.org.
- June 5: Hardy Har Harvest - An evening of comedy to benefit Mass Farmers Markets and to celebrate the opening of Farmers Market season (A Family Friendly
Event). The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA , 7:00pm. Featuring
Local Comedians Jimmy Dunn, and Tony V . Ticket prices: $20 Reserved Seating, $15 General admission, $5 less,
children under 17 . Tickets available at www.regenttheatre.com.
- June 13: Connecticut Cooperative Enterprise Conference, Hosted by Cooperative Development Institute. 9-4pm, Capital Community
College, Hartford, CT. Click for details and registration info.
- June 26 - 28: Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association 50th Anniversary Meeting, Ioka Valley Farm, Hancock, MA. In association with the biennial conference
of the New England Christmas Tree Alliance, www.christmas-trees.org. For more info., Peter A. Sweet, Seekonk Tree Farm, psweet1@roadrunner.com.
- July 23: The Great Ideas Summer Conference! Sponsored by: The Massachusetts Flower Growers Association (MFGA) and Massachusetts Nursery Landscape Association (MNLA) at The Crane Estate, Ipswich, MA. Join Massachusetts' largest green industry associations - MFGA and MNLA - for their fifth annual collaborative event, the 2008 Summer Meeting and Trade Show on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at one of the region’s most scenic, historically important and ecologically diverse landscapes…The Crane Estate. For more information go to www.mnla.com.
- August 9, Massachusetts Marketplace, Massachusetts
Horticultural Society, Elm Bank Horticulture Center, Wellesley, MA. If you would like to exhibit,
contact Jen Courtney, 617-933-4982, jcourtney@masshort.org.
- August 8-10, 2008: The 34th Annual NOFA Summer Conference, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, http://www.nofamass.org/conferences/s2008/index.php.
- August 19: CCCGA Annual Meeting, www.cranberries.org/growers/events.html
- August 20 - 21: North American Strawberry Growers Association holds its annual summer tour, www.nasga.org.
- November 5 - 7: New England Greenhouse Conference and Expo, DCU Center, Worcester, MA. If you are a garden center or greenhouse retailer, or grower of bedding plants, perennials, outdoor cut flowers, or potted plants, don’t miss this event! For more information about the New England Greenhouse Conference and Expo, visit the web site, www.negreenhouse.org.
*** 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.
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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
Next issue to be published for August / September.
Please send news, calendar and/or classified information by July 25th to
Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us, or fax to 617-626-1850.
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