LOCAL NEWS

• Commissioner's Column
• Last Call - MDAR to Host Agricultural Grant Writing Workshop - August 7th
• MDAR Energy News
• Massachusetts Tomato Contest to be Held August 18th
• Governor Patrick Proclaims August 17-23 Massachusetts Farmers’ Market Week
• Calling on Vendors
• Attention Farmers’ Market Coupon Certified Growers: Coupon Update
• What’s New in Culinary Tourism?
• Join us on Massachusetts Day at the Big E - Sept. 18th
• The Second Annual "Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week " is September 22 -26
• Got Livestock?
• Northeast Organic Farming Association's 34th Annual Summer Conference
• Food Safety Links
• UMass Extension Vegetable Program Twilight Meetings
• Attention Sweet Corn Growers!
• UMass Extension's Green School - Now accepting registrations
• UMass Extension - Weed Identification Workshops
• On Your Way to Growing Greener: Using Biological Control in Greenhouses
• New England Greenhouse Conference and Expo Featuring Orchid Production Speaker
• Multimodal Hazmat Transportation Training Seminar
• First Pioneer Scholarships Awarded to 21 Students - Two from Massachusetts
• Report: Are Northeast Farmers in a Financing Fix?
• New List-Serv Connects New England's Farmers' Markets

NEWS FROM USDA

• USDA Increases Limits for Direct Operationg and Farm Ownership Loans
• Massachusetts State Soil on Loan to Smithsonian Institution for Dig It! Exhibition
• Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Assoc. to Develop Water Conservation Technology Under Federal Grant

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Commissioner's Column

Dear Friends,

I trust that this issue of the Farm and Market Report finds you harvesting and selling furiously at our farmers’ markets, roadside stands, CSA’s, and other retail outlets. As I continue my tour of farmers’ markets and agricultural fairs, I’ve noticed the bounty of the harvest season arriving. Although some of you with greenhouses or covered crops enjoyed an early start to the harvest season, we're now also seeing field harvest ramping up and providing the diversity of fresh fruit and produce that our Commonwealth is so well known for. To that end, we've also seen very pleased consumers who are seeking and finding a bountiful and varied harvest of fresh, local products!

With the 2007-2008 legislative cycle now behind us there have been a number of very important provisions of law enacted that will certainly serve Massachusetts agriculture well! With that in mind I'd like to take this opportunity to identify a few actions that could help farming activity and businesses in Massachusetts and will also likely identify Massachusetts as a national leader in innovation.

Since our last communication, the final budget for Fiscal Year 2009 that began July 1, 2008, emerged from the House and Senate and was signed into law by the Governor. As a continued reflection of the support and interest in agriculture by the legislature and Governor Patrick, I'm very happy to report that the Department did very well! The Department will now be able to proceed with new plans and programmatic activity that we hope will further our utility to Massachusetts Agriculture. Some of you may remember the Lancaster field office for its value as a meeting location and opportunity to interact with the agency without having to travel to Boston. I am very pleased to report that we are working to present such an opportunity once again and are now proceeding with our plans to open a western office that we are hoping to co-locate with other agricultural resource service providers such as the University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service in Amherst. The end of the legislative session also brought a new "Environmental Bond” that has authorized over $100 million over the next 5 years for DAR programs. Specifically, the bond authorized $67.75 million for the Agricultural Preservation Restriction program, $30 million for the Department’s farm viability enhancement efforts that include the farm viability program, technical assistance, aquaculture support, fairs, and new programs associated with the agricultural farm energy program and efforts to bring a year round public market to Boston, and $3 million for the Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program. Beyond the budget related legislation, there were also a number of other legislative actions related to energy and "green jobs" that we also hope will bear "fruit" for Massachusetts agricultural businesses.

Although at the time of this writing the Dairy legislation has not made its way to the Governor's desk, we remain hopeful and optimistic that the enactment of the dairy legislation will provide a capstone to a year’s worth of great work, outstanding effort and involvement by the dairy industry, the administration and the legislature and, most importantly, will satisfy the charge of the Dairy Farm Revitalization Task Force and provide long term solutions that will allow Dairy to not only persist but prosper and grow in Massachusetts!

I'd also like to let the industry know that we are very aware of the severe weather events that have certainly impacted some of our farms. We have been collecting reports from farmers and field staff and have been conveying that information to our federal partners at the USDA Farm Service Agency in the event there is a need of applying for federal relief for the crop and property damage suffered by Massachusetts. With this in mind, if your crops were damaged during any severe weather events this growing season, please let us know and contact your county USDA office.

Great progress is also being made on sign ups for the agricultural specialty license plate a.k.a. “Ag Tag”. We are nearly a third of the way to our goal of 1500. At 1500 the Registry of Motor Vehicles will mint the plate, and a portion collected per plate will go to the Massachusetts Agriculture Trust Fund. The Fund will disperse grants to fund innovative programs designed to stimulate and enrich our agricultural infrastructure. Fortunately, we've been able to extend what was previously set as an August deadline to reach the 1,500 goal but nonetheless, the pressure is on and we need to get the word out if the industry is to realize this opportunity and insure the establishment of a "mooooving billboard" for Massachusetts agricultural support! Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can get copies of brochures to you for display in your retail outlet!

Finally, many of you may have heard that Massachusetts has been selected as the host of this year’s Farm Aid Concert. The sole mission of Farm Aid, which incidentally is headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, is to promote and preserve the family farm. Our hosting of this full day event should put a nice spotlight on the diversity of Massachusetts family farms and we are working actively to identify how Massachusetts farms can be involved in this world renowned event. For more information about Farm Aid please see http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2723595/k.EE67/Family_Farmers_Good_Food_A_Better_America.htm Hope to see many of you there on September 20 at the Comcast Center in Mansfield.

Best of luck to all of you as the season progresses. Let’s hope for just the right amount of sun and rain, with a record harvest.

Best regards,


Doug Petersen, Commissioner

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MDAR to Host Agricultural Grant Writing Workshop -
Few Spots Still Left

What: Successful Ag Grant Writing Workshop
When: Thursday, August 7th, 2008
Where: Brigham Hill Community Farm, North Grafton (directions at http://www.community-harvest.org/dir.shtml#bhcf)
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. with light dinner at beginning of workshop
Cost: none
R.S.V.P. Linda Demirjian at 617-626-1733 or Linda.Demirjian@state.ma.us

MDAR offers a variety of grant programs to the agricultural community and it is our goal to ensure that the pool of applicants includes a diverse spectrum of that community. To this end, DAR will be hosting a grant writing workshop on Thursday, August 7th to benefit grower groups and farmers who may be interested in applying. One upcoming DAR grant program is the Agriculture Innovation Center (AIC), with a deadline of August 29th, 2008 to submit grant proposals. AIC grants are awarded to proposals that address Massachusetts agricultural concerns in innovative ways with up to $250,000 awarded to prospective grantees. This year DAR is looking for AIC proposals that:

• Develop and implement energy efficient and cost reducing greenhouse heating systems
• Develop on farm bio-fuel crop production in Massachusetts
• Diversify dairy operations including enhanced viability of producer / handler facilities for the Massachusetts Agricultural Industry.
• Address the labor issues affecting Massachusetts Agriculture

Any questions concerning the Agricultural Innovation Center grant need to be submitted to Daniel Rhodes daniel.rhodes@state.ma.us by Friday, August 15th. For more information on what is needed for a complete proposal click here: http://www.mass.gov/agr/ag_innovation_center_rfr_09.pdf .

Those interested in learning more about this and other grants including the Agriculture Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP), and Farm Viability Program (deadlines TBD for June 2009) are invited to join this workshop.

DAR is pleased to announce that the workshop will be run by Mary Greendale, who as Associate Director for the MA Department of Communities and Development, headed up the division that awarded over $50,000,000 in grants each year from several state and federal programs. She was routinely and intricately involved in designing the program criteria and applications and in overseeing awards. Following that, Mary served MDAR under Commissioners Healy and Gillespie and was involved in program development like AEEP and Farm Viability, among other things.

Workshop Overview:

By using several different state, federal and private grant programs as examples, the workshop will consist of a complete walk-through of the RFR process:

• Introduction: common acronyms and language to create a common vocabulary for the day.
• Determining the basics: purpose of the grant program, objectives, eligibility, etc., through interactive exercises, participants will read and pull from samples just what the grantors are saying.
• Developing the proposal: tips on identifying the end-goal of the project and working backwards to build the proposal followed by a practice session to match outcome objectives with actual intentions.
• Writing the proposal: how to get to the kernel without using more words than necessary while addressing the interests of the grantors. Some time will be spent specifically on developing budgets.
• Designing an application: If the proposal involves creating a program for farmers to apply to – like the Renovation Grants for CCCGA – associations need to design the farmer’s application before they respond to the RFR. How to do that.
• Avoiding common errors: assorted tips and warnings to avoid common mistakes.
• Handouts: A list of the most common grants available for agriculture and their contact info as well as a CD of the PowerPoint presentation.
• Questions: participants are invited to ask questions and Mary Jordan, Director of Agricultural Development at the Department of Agricultural Resources will give a brief overview of specific programs at DAR.

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MDAR Energy News

Massachusetts Energy Bill:

Well it’s now official: The MA Energy Bill, officially known as Chapter 169 of the Acts of 2008, "An Act Relative to Green Communities” was enacted and signed into law by Governor Patrick on July 2, 2008 at a ceremony held at the Boston Museum of Science. This new energy legislation is quite comprehensive and will make some significant changes to a number of energy related topics in our state, impacting state owned vehicles and buildings, municipalities, communities, utilities and consumers alike, including agriculture. Most all of it intends to prioritize and promote energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and ultimately protect our environment and has been said by some to be model energy legislation for the nation. There is quite a bit of legislation to absorb and on a variety of topics, but the following are probably the sections within the bill most relevant to impacting agriculture:

Section 11: Within this section are provisions that:

1. Continue and increase the mandated electric and natural gas energy efficiency programs as well as collecting the renewable energy fund from the state’s distribution companies;
2. Provides an option that would allow Municipal Power & Light Companies to participate in the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust (RET) Fund.

Section 49: Among a variety of things, this Section redefines applications for the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund, primarily by allowing non-electric renewable technologies to be considered as part of funding programs, including solar thermal, micro-combined heat and power units less than 60 kW, geothermal heating and cooling projects, and biomass thermal and storage and conversion technologies connected to qualifying generation projects.

Section 78: This Section redefines net metering, including provisions for an Agricultural Net Metering Facility, as follows:

1. Allows for renewable energy generation capacity up to 2 megawatts in three different classes, Class I 0-60 kW, Class II 60-1,000 kW and Class III 1,000-2,000 kW,; Class I does not specify any particular technology, renewable or otherwise; Classes II & III are specified to be either solar, wind or agricultural net metering facilities as defined below; additionally provides for a neighborhood net metering facility, as further defined below, to be either a Class I, II or III net metering facility;
2. Provides for on-going month-to-month crediting of one’s account for excess generation, as well as provides for designating excess generation to other distribution customers for credit for Classes I&II solar and wind net metering facilities and for Class III solar, wind and agricultural net metering facilities; provides for neighborhood net metering crediting for the customers served by the facility;
3. Values the monthly credit at close to retail value versus the existing average monthly clearing (wholesale) price, though it varies between the different Classes; Class I allows credit for solar and wind net metering facilities only for all electric bill charges except for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs charges; Class II allows credit for solar, wind, and agricultural net metering facilities for all electric bill charges except energy efficiency and renewable energy programs charges; and Class III allows credit for wind, solar and agricultural net metering facilities for all charges except the energy efficiency and renewable energy programs charges and for the distribution kilo-watt hour charge charges, unless you are a municipality or government entity; neighborhood net metering does not allow for distribution kilo-watt hour charges in addition to energy efficiency and renewable energy programs charges;
4. Incorporates agricultural net metering by way of defining an agricultural net metering facility as a renewable energy generating facility operated as part of an agricultural business that generates electricity that does not have a generation capacity of more than 2 megawatts and is located on land owned or controlled by the agricultural business and is used to provide energy to metered accounts of the business; agriculture has the same meaning as provided in MGL Section 1A of Chapter 128 and renewable energy includes by reference a number of power conversion technologies including solar, wind, those using biomass, energy crops, animal or food wastes, ocean & tidal, fuel cells, qualified hydro, etc;
5. Defines other net metering facilities as: wind, a facility that uses wind to generate electricity; solar, one that uses sunlight; and neighborhood, one that is owned by or serves the needs of a group of 10 or more residential customers and is located within the same neighborhood as the customers it serves.

For more information on the landmark Energy Bill, please visit: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3modulechunk&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Agov3&b=terminalcontent&f=features_2008-07-02_energy&csid=Agov3
For a complete 84 page version, please visit www.mass.gov/agr/programs/energy/chapter169actsof2008.pdf

New Massachusetts Farm Energy Program (MFEP):

The 2nd phase of the Berkshire Pioneer RC&D MFEP continues to make progress, with an RFQ/P advertised for energy consultants interested in providing technical assistance in the form of energy audits to farms across the state. Interested responders are due August 18th, 2008. A bidder’s conference is planned for July 29th, 2008. The MFEP hopes to have Phase 2 services available to farms early this fall. For more information on this program, please visit: www.berkshirepioneerrcd.org.

Massachusetts Bio-fuel Crop Trials
The MA bio-fuels crop trials were publicized on July 17th, 2008 on WGBH’s Greater Boston Program hosted by Emily Rooney. David Cash, Assistant Secretary for Policy of EOEEA, and Brooke Coleman, President/CEO of New Fuels Alliance, had a panel discussion on biofuels in MA. Video of progress of the crop trials, including Professor Stephen Herbert and Bob Williams of Mt Toby Farms, made the introduction piece. Here’s the link to a copy of the program: http://streams.wgbh.org/online/gb/gb.php?file=gb20080717biofuel2.mov&title=Massachusetts'%20effort%20to%20expand%20biofuel%20usage

The crop trials are the result of a combined effort of 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) 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 intention of the 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.

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Join us on Massachusetts Day at the Big E - Sept. 18th

Join us at the Big E –Eastern State Exposition to celebrate Massachusetts Day on Thursday September 18, 2008 on the lawn of the Massachusetts Building. We are looking for interested growers, food producers, restaurants/chefs, cook book authors, and/or performers to sample their talents, home-grown tastes, as well as any other Massachusetts-crafted products. Spend the day walking through the life-size replica of our state's original capitol while you learn about the people, products and attractions Massachusetts has to offer. For more information, please contact Rick LeBlanc, Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us, 617-626-1759, 413-205-5506.

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The Second Annual "Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week " is September 22 -26

One hundred and sixty-seven public school districts, sixteen independent schools and seventeen colleges in Massachusetts reported they served locally grown foods to their students during the last school year. Many more expressed interest in doing so in the future. Are you participating in the farm to school market?

Schedule a Farm Tour for School Food Service Directors during Mass. Harvest for Students Week!

---The Mass. Farm to School Project staff will help with invitations and publicity suggestions if you would like to bring school customers, current or potential, onto your farm to promote sales during Harvest for Students Week. This is an excellent way to create customer loyalty and better understanding of farming . Email kelerwin@localnet.com or call us at 413-253-3844.

Schedule a Publicity Event with a School Food Service Customer During Mass. Harvest for Students Week!

-- Contact a food service customer to see if she/he would like to take a picture of your farm products being delivered to send to the newspapers; will organize a local foods lunch with you, an elected official or school administrator, and students in the cafeteria; or invite you to a student or parent gathering to "meet your customers".

Acquire New School Customers!

--The MFTS Project received numerous requests for farm referrals in May and June from public school districts, private schools, and colleges around the state. Many schools are looking for local farmers from whom they can directly purchase food for Mass. Harvest for Students Week and beyond. In other cases, they're looking for farmers who will sell local products to the distributors which are servicing them. Let us know your sales requirements and desires and we'll do our best to make an appropriate school customer referral.

Materials Available for Promoting Farm to School Efforts !

-- Farmers and school consumers may contact the Mass. Farm to School Project, 413-253-3844, or Rick LeBlanc at MDAR, 617-626-1759, or go to www.mass.gov/agr/markets/Farm_to_school/ for further information (limited quantities).

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Got Livestock? Cows, Sheep, Horses, Goats….

You need to attend this workshop. EPA regulations for medium and small livestock producers have been revised. Find out how these new permitting requirements will affect your farm!

Wednesday August 6th - 6:30 pm - Williams Farm Sugarhouse, 477 Greenfield Rd. (Rt. 10), Deerfield, Massachusetts

• Denny Dart, EPA New England Region Chief of Water Enforcement - Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Regulations for Medium and Small Producers
• Thomas Akin, Agronomist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans, Role of NRCS
• Certified Crop Advisor, Invited

Sponsored by Franklin Conservation District ~ Sirum Equipment ~ Crop Production Services ~ Helena Chemical ~ Field Services, LLC
Franklin Conservation District, Hayburne Building - 55 Federal Street Greenfield, MA 01301, 413-772-0384 ext. 110

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Northeast Organic Farming Association's 34th Annual Summer Conference

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.

Grazing School at the 34th Annual Northeast Organic Farming Association Summer Conference

Saturday, August 9, 2008 - 8.30am-8pm - Beginning and experienced graziers who would like to learn about the tools and resources needed to develop grazing systems and how to improve animal growth or production through better pasture management are invited to attend a Grazing School held as part of the NOFA Summer Conference. All conference attendees are welcome to participate in the Grazing School workshops. The Grazing School is organized by Mass Grass, a state-wide grazing group of Massachusetts livestock farmers, leaders and educators from agricultural organizations, including UMass Extension, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter. The workshops are followed by a pasture walk at the UMass Pasture Center featuring a field tour of test plots (28 mixtures) and discussions on species identification, grazing management and fencing. For more information about the Grazing School workshops, visit www.massgrass.org, or contact Kate Rossiter, NOFA/Mass Organic Dairy Coordinator, (413) 498-2721, or krossiter@nofamass.org.

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Food Safety Links

Keep it Local - Keep it Safe - With area farmstands and farmers’ markets overflowing with the season’s bounty, and consumers flocking to Massachusetts farms in ever increasing numbers, it’s important to keep in mind some simple precautions to keep your customers healthy and safe.

Listed are web based resources with a variety of practical tips and information to keep your agricultural and food products safe.

Food Safety for Producers and Processors from the New England Food Safety Consortium

This New England Extension project features fact sheets and materials to ensure good farming practices that can help to reduce food-borne illness. Topics include sources of bacterial contamination, guidelines for training, worker health and hygiene, field sanitation, use of sanitizers, temperature control, and manure application. http://www.umass.edu/umext/nutrition/programs/food_safety/producers/index.html

Guidelines for Farmers’ Markets from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

These guidelines explain permitting requirements for the sale of foods at farmers’ markets and vendors selling at farmers’ markets.
http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/environmental/foodsafety/farmer_market_guidelines.pdf

Food Safety for Farmers’ Markets from Kansas State University

This document has a very good review of all issues relating to food safety, specifically for farmers markets.
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf2260.pdf

Residential Kitchens: Questions and Answers from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

This material explains what products can be made safely and legally in your residential kitchen as well as the steps for getting your home kitchen licensed. http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/environmental/foodsafety/residential_kitchens_faq_brochure.pdf

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UMass Extension Vegetable Program Twilight Meetings for 2008

Verrill Farm Twilight Meeting, 11 Wheeler Rd., Concord MA. Tuesday, August 19, 4-7 pm. Sponsored by UMass Extension, the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association, and by Crop Production Services and Fieldworks. Highlights: how to identify cucurbit diseases and what to do about them; cover crops for weed suppression including white clover between plastic and sudangrass before corn; heirloom tomato varieties (25 named varieties in the stand every day!); farmstand marketing highlights such as multicolored and heirloom varieties, email newsletter, and special festivals; energy conservation practices in the farmstand. (978) 369-1069.

Directions: If you are traveling East on Rt 2, turn RIGHT at Emerson Hospital, then RIGHT at the next stop sign. Stand will be approximately 2+ miles on your right. If you are traveling West on Rt 2, turn LEFT at the intersection AFTER Rte. 126. That is Sudbury Rd. Stand will be approximately 2+ miles on your right

Bonanno Farm (Pleasant Valley Gardens) Twilight Meeting, 255 Merrimack St., Methuen, MA, Wednesday, September 24, 4-7 pm. Sponsored by UMass Extension and New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association and by Crop Production Services and Fieldworks. Highlights: cultural practices for growing susceptible crops in a Phytophthora-infected field; identifying and controlling cucurbit diseases; irrigating 6 acres with trickle irrigation using a sand filter for river water; growing lettuce all season through heat and cold; marketing packaged romaine hearts and baby lettuce.

Directions: From I-495, take exit 46 toward Pleasant Valley. Turn left off the ramp at Merrimack St/RT-110. After three-quarters of a mile, turn into the farm driveway after Messina Ave., park near greenhouses. If questions, call 978-361-5650.

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Attention Sweet Corn Growers!

The UMass Extension Vegetable Program is pleased to announce the newest addition to our list of publications. With funding and assistance from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Vegetable Program has put together a farmer-friendly guide for using IPM in sweet corn. Using IPM in the Field: Sweet Corn Insect Management Field Scouting Guide provides quick and easy instructions with plenty of color photographs for recognizing pests and damage, setting up traps, scouting, deciding when to spray, and using the latest control methods. Bound with the Guide, a Record Keeping Book is designed to help growers keep scouting records and trap counts for the season in one easy-to-use compact spiral-bound booklet. The Record Keeping Book is also available separately. We are providing these books free of charge to those who are interested and are also posting the documents as downloads on our website www.umassvegetable.org. If you would like a copy please contact Courtney Huffman at 413-577-3976 or umassvegetable@umext.umass.edu with your name, address, and email or phone number.

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UMass Extension's GREEN SCHOOL - Now Accepting Registrations

Choose from three specialty tracks:

• Landscape Management
• Turf Management
• NEW THIS YEAR - Arboriculture, specifically geared toward professional arborists

Green School, a comprehensive 11-day certificate short course for Green Industry professionals taught by UMass Extension Specialists and University of Massachusetts faculty, begins November 6, 2008 in Milford, Mass. This popular course is designed for landscape professionals, lawn care specialists, arborists and other horticultural practitioners wishing to gain an understanding of horticultural fundamentals and strategies, as well as their relationship to environmental quality, but who can't fit a full academic course into their schedules. Green School students come away with the knowledge needed to make environmentally appropriate decisions related to turf and plant selection, arboriculture, plant maintenance, and pest and nutrient management.

Green School runs November 6 – December 18, 2008. It is held 1 to 2 days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Milford, MA.

Green School’s curriculum is based on research and information emphasizing environmental stewardship and integrated pest management (IPM). Participants develop an understanding of how proper management practices impact natural resources such as soil and water.

In addition, Green School is also helpful for people preparing to take the following professional certification exams: Massachusetts Certified Arborist (MCA) offered by the Massachusetts Arborist Association, Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist (MCH) offered by the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association and the Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professional (MCLP) offered by the Associated Landscape Contractors of Massachusetts. A discount rate on study materials for these additional association exams will be available from the respective organizations to students attending Green School.

The full schedule is at http://umassgreeninfo.org/programs/green_school.html. For more information or to have a registration form mailed, call UMass Extension at 413-545-0895.

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First Pioneer Scholarships Awarded to 21 Students - Two from Massachusetts

$31,500 to Support Agriculture Careers - First Pioneer Farm Credit recently awarded $1,500 “Investing in First Pioneer’s Future” scholarships to 21 remarkable students. “We are proud to announce this year’s list of winners,” said Sandy Prokop, a dairy farmer from Middleburgh, NY and chair of the First Pioneer Young, Beginning and Small Farmer Committee. Prokop added, “The scholarship program reflects First Pioneer’s commitment to the long-term strength of Northeast agriculture. That’s why we are pleased that the selected students all aspire to reach their lifelong goals of making a difference by pursuing agricultural careers. Students were selected in a competitive process from states that First Pioneer Farm Credit serves, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.”

The 2008 Massachusetts recipients are:

Keith Boyle, East Bridgewater, MA, Stockbridge School of Agriculture
The Mass. Department of Education named Keith its Plant Science Student of the Year and also its Outstanding Vocational Student of the Year. Keith looks forward to attaining the education he’ll need to own his own cranberry business one day.

Jessica Hunt, Orange, MA, Cornell
A budding entrepreneur, Jessica has her eye on the future of the New England dairy industry. Labeling diversification as key to its sustainability, Jessica plans to promote “Buy Locally Grown” by bottling and marketing their farm’s milk one day.

First Pioneer Farm Credit is the largest lender to agriculture in the Northeast. It extends in excess of $2.6 billion in loans from 15 branch offices across New England, New York, and New Jersey. In addition to providing loans and leases, the organization offers a full range of agriculture-specific financial services, including tax and estate planning, record-keeping, appraisal, farm business consulting, payroll services, and crop insurance. For more information, log onto the First Pioneer Web site at www.FirstPioneer.com. To apply for a 2009 First Pioneer scholarship, candidates should contact a First Pioneer Farm Credit branch office. An application will be on the First Pioneer Web site in January 2009 at www.FirstPioneer.com.

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Report: Are Northeast Farmers in a Financing Fix?

Are the Northeast’s small farmers in a financing fix? “Research Results on Financing Gaps and Program Opportunities” is a new report that reflects the experiences of 706 farmers across New England and New York who have tried to secure farm financing, but who have often been denied or otherwise prevented from accessing financing that would help strengthen their businesses. The report offers the first set of data that takes a close look at requests for financing by small, mid-sized and limited-resource farmers in the Northeast, as well as reasons for their denial. The study found that 25% of small farmers who applied for financing can’t get the money they need and that small farmers with a variety of business characteristics may benefit from alternative financing services and business technical assistance. The report answers questions such as:

• Why can’t 25% of farmers applying for financing get the money they need?
• What are the characteristics of farms that are having difficulty securing financing?
• What size of loans are small farmers seeking?
• What type of financing would be helpful for small farms?

The report was spearheaded by The Carrot Project (TCP), a not-for-profit organization working with financial institutions, foundations, investors, and farmers to make new loans and guarantees available to small and mid-sized farms, farms with limited resources, and farms using ecologically friendly practices. The information gleaned from this survey, which documents a clear need for new farm financing solutions in the Northeast, will guide TCP’s development of alternative financing programs and related business technical assistance to meet the needs of the region’s farmers who do not have access to existing credit programs.
The Carrot Project envisions a U.S. farm sector that is diversified by size and type of farm. Thriving small and mid-sized farms are critical for regional food security and have significant positive impacts on local economies, the social fabric of rural communities, and the natural environment. Yet before any farm can have such positive impacts, it must become financially secure and viable.

You can download a copy of the report, and see highlights and key findings, at: www.thecarrotproject.org/programs.
Contact: Dorothy Suput, 617-910-8499 or dsuput@thecarrotproject.org.

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New List-Serv Connects New England's Farmers' Markets

Farmers' markets from all over New England are now able to communicate by email thanks to a new list-serv, the New England Farmers' Market Exchange (NEFME) launched this week by Cooperative Development Institute (CDI).

"The response has been incredible," says Lynda Brushett, CDI Senior Cooperative Development Specialist, "Markets are discussing everything from including craftspeople and artists in their markets to vendor insurance and liability issues, to bee control and more."

This list-serv is a free, easy and convenient place to:

• Exchange ideas and resources
• Get and give advice
• Discuss issues
• Share challenges and successes
• Find out what other markets are doing
• Receive news about markets, workshops, publications
• And much more

The NEFME is a venue for finding new as well as tried and true ways markets, their sponsors and support organizations can help the region's hundreds of markets and thousands of market vendors be even more successful. For more information or to subscribe to the New England Farmers' Market Exchange list-serv, please contact Laurie Siggillino Broussard at the Cooperative Development Institute: Tel. 413-665-1271 or toll free: 877-NE COOPS; Email: info@cdi.coop.

Support for the list-serv comes from Northeast Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education as part of an initiative to strengthen farmers' markets across the New England region. Other farmers' market resources can be found at www.cdi.coop.

CDI is in its fourteenth year of building a vibrant cooperative economy through the creation and support of successful, cooperatively structured businesses and networks in diverse communities across New England and New York. CDI also seeks to engage nationally to advance innovative cooperative economies.

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NEWS FROM USDA

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USDA Increases Limits for Direct Operationg and Farm Ownership Loans

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer has put into place another new farm bill provision, increasing the limits on loans to $300,000 -- up from $200,000 -- for direct farm ownership and operating loans. Farm Service Agency (FSA ) loan limits had remained unchanged since 1984.

Direct loans are a resource for farmers to get the credit they need to build and sustain family farms and ranches. The increased loan limits are expected to help farmers whose credit requirements could not previously be met by the FSA loan limits. In addition, some existing FSA borrowers who have already reached the previous limit of $200,000 will now be eligible to obtain additional credit from FSA.

Direct farm loans are made by FSA with government funds. FSA also services these loans and provides direct loan borrowers with supervision and business planning so they have a better chance for success. Farm ownership, operating, emergency, and youth loans are the main types of loans available under the direct program. Direct loan funds are also set aside each year for loans to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers.

Farmers interested in applying for a direct operating or farm ownership loan should contact their local FSA office. For more information about these and other types of loans, visit the FSA's home page at http://www.fsa.usda.gov and click on "Farm Loan Programs."

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Massachusetts State Soil on Loan to Smithsonian Institution for Dig It! Exhibition

USDA LOANS DESIGNATED SOIL FOR EACH STATE AND TERRITORY - A little slice of Worcester County is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. A “monolith” of Paxton Fine Sandy Loam – the official Massachusetts state soil – is on loan to the museum from the U.S. Department of Agriculture along with 53 other designated state and territory soil samples in a new soils exhibition that opened on July 19 at the National Museum of Natural History.

The 5,000-square foot exhibition is called "Dig It! The Secrets of Soil." In addition to the soil samples, "Dig It!" also includes interactive displays, hands-on models and videos. The exhibition will be featured at the natural history museum for nearly two years. The designated state soil samples—or monoliths—are part of a gallery of monoliths representing all the states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands. An extensive map created by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will offer visitors the "big picture" by allowing them to learn more about soils around the world.

The Massachusetts monolith was dug at the Buck Hill Conservation Center in Spencer several years ago. A monolith or soil profile, usually about six feet deep, shows the soil's natural layers. Its extraction from a soils pit is the first step in a lengthy process in creating a monolith, which is mounted and preserved. A soil monolith usually measures 48 by 8 inches. In 1991, the Massachusetts State Legislature designated the Paxton series as the Official State Soil of the Commonwealth. The series was established in Worcester County in 1922 and is named for the town of Paxton where it was first described and mapped. Paxton soils occur on about 400,000 acres of the 5.3 million acres in Massachusetts, predominantly throughout the state but excluding Cape Cod and the Islands. They are also mapped throughout southern New England and include portions of New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.

"This exhibition will remind the public of the importance of healthy and productive soils," said Christine S. Clarke, NRCS State Conservationist for Massachusetts. "Soils are a vital resource that should be protected. We need to do what we can to increase public awareness about their significance." NRCS, USDA's lead agency for soil conservation, constructed the monoliths with assistance from many partners, including the Soil Science Society of America and the National Association of Conservation Districts. USDA first exhibited most of the monoliths at a centennial celebration of the soil survey on the National Mall in 1999. The Paxton series consists of very deep, well-drained loamy soils on glacial till uplands. Paxton soils are well suited to cultivate crops, hay and improved pasture. Additional land uses include suburban housing and woodland.

The exhibition also explains how a soil is named. Each state has a designated soil that is represented by a soil series with special significance to a particular area. Of that number, 20 states, including Massachusetts, have recognized their representative state soil through official legislation. Soils that share similar origins, as well as chemical and physical properties, are grouped and labeled as a soil series. Soil scientists usually name a soil series after a town or landmark in or near the area where the soil was first recognized. Representative soils also have been selected for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.

Through the use of its knowledgeable and skilled soils staff around the nation, USDA donated its technical expertise in soils to assist the museum in developing the exhibition. USDA-NRCS employees possess extensive knowledge of the nation's soils. The agency's soil scientists conduct soil surveys nationwide. Those surveys are now available on the Internet. With a click of a mouse, anyone can access abundant soils information at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov. Additional information about "Dig It! The Secrets of Soil" can be found at http://forces.si.edu/soils. Information about USDA-NRCS's Soil Survey Program nationwide can be found at http://soils.usda.gov. Information about the "Dig It! tour can be found at http://www.sites.si.edu.

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Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Assoc. to Develop Water Conservation Technology Under Federal Grant

The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association (CCCGA) is one of 45 organizations across the country recently awarded a Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). CCCGA will receive $33,416 to explore technology to decrease water usage and reduce potential nutrient run-off when bogs become overly saturated and excess water can not be removed.

USDA has announced $14 million in CIG nationally to fund projects in 40 states to develop and refine cutting-edge technologies and approaches that will help farmers conserve and sustain natural resources on their operations. CIG targets innovative, on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.

By installing inline water control devices in subsurface drainage systems, growers will be able to quickly drain excess water from their bogs into their existing bog ditches and also exploring the possibility of irrigating cranberry beds from the bottom-up, rather than only relying on the conventional top-down approach through irrigation systems. The devices will hold back or release water into cranberry bed ditches, enabling growers to adjust the water level in a cranberry bed according to need. When a grower is ready to irrigate, the inline gate can be opened, allowing the water to enter the cranberry beds.

“There is also interest in evaluating a remote inline water level control structure, using a satellite-based system,” said Brian Wick, CCCGA Director of Regulatory Services. “Growers can then monitor and open or close their control gates remotely, which is especially important during an unexpected heavy rain event or in scheduling a sub-surface irrigation session.”

The satellite systems can be accessed via the Internet and have the capability to monitor water-level in the sub-surface drainage system. “This project will address both production and environmental concerns,” said Christine S. Clarke, Massachusetts State Conservationist for NRCS. “Technologically, irrigating bogs from the bottom-up could be a giant leap for cranberry growers, conserving water while preventing nutrients and pesticides from entering other water resources. The application of existing technology to enhance efficiencies in agriculture is of particular interest to NRCS. ”

CIG grants go to state and local governments, tribes, non-governmental organizations and individuals. Grantees provide matching funds to CIG bringing the total value of the approved projects to more than $28.4 million nationwide. Approved CIG projects address traditional natural resource issues such as water quantity, water quality improvement, livestock nutrient management, grazing lands and forest health, and soil resource management. The projects also address emerging natural resource issues, including agricultural air emissions, energy conservation and market-based approaches to conservation.

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IN EVERY ISSUE

CLASSIFIED ADS

• Twin purebred karakul male lambs, born 4-2, mother has papers, not wethered. Also 6 wethered lambs, variuos breeds. Good for pets and small scale wool production for home spinning. Call 508-882-3147 or 774-239-3290 (cell) or email to wardh@smoc.org.
• Atlas Farm, certified organic vegetable farm in Deerfield, MA seeks assistant farm manager. We seek applicants interested in learning about running a vegetable farm, and willing to make a multi year commitment to the farm. We are interested in training the right person and are looking for someone with 1-2 years experience on vegetable farms, some tractor experience and mostly a strong desire to learn. This person would assist the farm owners with all aspects of farm management including production, marketing, equipment work and field crew supervision. We seek someone with a solid work ethic, an attention to detail and a dedication to producting a high quality product. Maybe you're an apprentice this season and exploring your options for 2009? Or are looking to get back onto a farm and are interested in starting in 2008. Drop us a note. Competitive salary and benefits and possibility for year round position. For more information, please see our website, www.atlasfarm.com. We also have positions open for field crew workers for this season. To apply please send letter of interest and resume to sara.porth@uvm.edu or mail to Atlas Farm 8 Pine St. South Deerfield, MA 01373. Questions about position should also be directed to sara.porth@uvm.edu.
• Empire Packaging Company is your resource for Farmstand Packaging , Pick Your Own Packaging as well as a full line of wholesale packaging for the vegetable & fruit industries. (508) 426-7813 or (800) 562-5520.

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

• August 7, Successful Ag Grant Writing Workshop, Brigham Hill Community Farm, North Grafton (directions at http://www.community-harvest.org/dir.shtml#bhcf). 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm, details above.
  R.S.V.P. Linda Demirjian at 617-626-1733 or Linda.Demirjian@state.ma.us
• 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 12 - 13: Multimodal Hazardous Materials Transportation Training Seminar, Sheraton Braintree Hotel. Registration is free at: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/phmsa-ext/feedback/hazmatTrainingRegistrationForm.jsp or call (202) 366-4900
• August 18: The 24th Annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest, Boston’s City Hall Plaza Farmers’ Market. Farmers who want to submit entries can bring tomatoes to the City Hall Plaza Farmers’ Market by 10:15 am on August 18th or drop their entries off with the corresponding registration form to one of several locations around the state on August 16th or 17th. For complete details, including contest criteria and a registration form, go to: www.mass.gov/agr/markets/tomato_contest.htm
• 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.
• September 18, Join us on Massachusetts Day at the Big E. Join us at the Big E –Eastern State Exposition to celebrate Massachusetts Day on the lawn of the Massachusetts Building. We are looking for interested growers, food producers, restaurants/chefs, cook book authors, and/or performers to sample their talents, home-grown tastes, as well as any other Massachusetts-crafted products or services. For more info., please contact Rick LeBlanc, Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us, 617-626-1759, 413-205-5506.
• 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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About the Farm & Market Report

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

• Doug W. Petersen, Commissioner, Doug.Petersen@state.ma.us
• Scott J. Soares, Assistant Commissioner, Scott.Soares@state.ma.us
• Anna Waclawiczek, Deputy Chief of Staff, Anna.Waclawiczek@state ma.us
• Mary Jordan, Director of Agricultural Development, Mary.Jordan@state.ma.us
• Gerard Kennedy, Acting Director of Agricultural Technical Assistance, Gerard.Kennedy@state.ma.us
• Lee Corte-Real, Acting Director of of Crop Inspectional Services and Pest Management, Lee.Corte-Real@state.ma.us

• Michael Cahill, Acting Director of Animal Health, Michael.Cahill@state.ma.us

Next issue to be published for October / November.
Please send news, calendar and/or classified information by September 26th to Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us, or fax to 617-626-1850.