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A Message from Board Member Liz Wiley
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Every year in March, agriculture gets its rightfully deserved recognition at the State House in Boston. Massachusetts Agricultural Day, or more commonly referred to as Ag Day, is an opportunity for our local growers - farmers, fishermen, aquaculturists, Aggie students, Buy Local cooperatives, 4-H, FFA and agricultural enthusiasts to have their voices heard by our State Representatives and Senators.
This year an estimated 200 farmers and more than 35 agricultural organizations attended.
Sincerely,
Liz Wiley
SEMAP Board
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Consider an advertisement in our Local Food Guide!
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We print over 15,000 copies of our Local Food Guide and distribute them throughout Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties through farms, farmers markets, Chambers of Commerce, Visitor Information Centers, restaurants, B&Bs, health food stores, retail markets, as well as regional county fairs and community events.
Discounted rates available to SEMAP members.
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We could use a hand every once in a while. If you'd like to help us out on our mission to preserve and expand access to local food and sustainable farming in Southeastern Massachusetts -
fill out this volunteer interest form!
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SEMAP & Coastal Foodshed Co-hosting Marketing Workshop on April 30th
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Coastal Foodshed & SEMAP are excited to bring you a super useful social media marketing workshop with help from The Branding Edit. This workshop is designed to help farmers, and farmers market vendors and managers leverage their social media accounts to grow their farm, business, and brand. This is a free workshop.
It will be held Monday April 30th, from 5-8pm at 1213 Purchase St, New Bedford, MA. Admit one per person.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Registration is required.
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Advance our Local Food System: Post your underutilized land to New England Farmland Finder!
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At SEMAP we're always hearing stories from farmers who would like to grow more acreage, start a new venture, or explore other markets - but a big issue is connecting those farmers with landowners who have land available. If you or someone you know owns property that is agriculturally underutilized, even if its forested, post it to
New England Farmland Finder. Or, if you will be retiring from the farming profession in the next few years and would like to ensure your land remains agriculturally productive, post your property as well.
This resource will ask you all the right questions that growers will need to know before negotiating to utilize your land (like if there's access to water, farm infrastructure, etc.). Once you post a property,
let us know, and we will help to advertise your property if it is likely to be agriculturally useful for our region.
Learn more.
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Get SMART: The New Massachusetts Solar PV Incentive Program has Provisions Specific to Farms
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A new state program regulating incentives for solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays is expected to be up and running this summer. Under the 2018
Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program
, incentives are structured to promote a range of on-farm PV applications, including systems installed on buildings and over vehicle parking areas, and "dual-use" ground-mounted PV systems interspersed with crops or livestock on agricultural land. Continue reading...
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| Image Source: Greenfield Recorder |
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Update Your Local Food Guide Business Listings
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Don't forget to update your Local Food Guide or Farm Fresh Guide listing.
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MA Craft Beverage Workshop, April 23rd
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The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and MDAR have teamed up to present a series of Craft Beverage Workshops to support the Commonwealth's craft beverage industry. Geared toward Massachusetts producers of beer, wine, cider, and spirits, the event will focus on marketing practices and brand strategies designed to attract culinary tourists. Held in
South Natick, MA. Learn more.
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BCC Offering Summer Permaculture Course
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Permaculture is the design of food systems and social structures to provide for human needs while restoring ecosystem health. This course will offer a foundation in permaculture history, principles, ethics, design process and application of techniques and best practices for whole systems design. Learn more.
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Open Enrollment for UMass Summer Online Sustainable Food & Farming Courses
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Courses include: Botany for Gardeners, Organic Gardening and Farming, Topics in Herbalism, Sustainable Agriculture, Land Use Policies & Sustainable Farming, Food Justice and Policy, Plants in Our World, Forest Incomes for the Small Farm, Hemp Production (pending), Organic Vegetable Production, Post-harvest Handling of Fruits & Vegetables, Professional Development in Sustainable Food and Farming, Sustainable Site Design and Planning, Soil Science and Management, and Intro to Botany.
Learn more.
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Coastal Foodshed Hiring Assistant Farm Stand Manager
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Launching this June, Coastal Foodshed will be implementing the New Bedford Farm Stand, which will sell produce from local farms, to New Bedford communities with limited access to local food. The Farm Stand will operate at 4-5 pop-up sites throughout New Bedford at schools, neighborhoods, and public parks. The position is an hourly seasonal role; 30-35 hours/week for 22 weeks (June-October) with an additional 10 hours in May (training) and 10 hours in November (wrap up). In addition to operating the farm stand, this role will also include a farm apprenticeship at a local farm to gain agricultural knowledge and skills.
Learn more.
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Redbrook Farmers Market Seeking Vendors
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Redbrook Village in Plymouth, boasts 1,400 acres of preserved forest, walking trails, kayak launches, ponds for fishing, swimming, and a lively community of homeowners.
The Redbrook Farmers Market runs every Wednesday from 3pm - 6:30pm on the Village Green. It will start in July for the 2018 season.
Learn more.
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Cranberry Vine Catering Seeking Experienced Sous Chef
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This position is responsible for assisting the Owner with overseeing culinary functions for multiple catering venues and in private homes. You will manage and lead a team of associates and oversee all safety and sanitation as it pertains to the account. Learn more.
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Weatherlow Farms Hiring Shopkeeper and Farmers Market Coordinator
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Weatherlow Farms seeks two enthusiastic individuals to represent the Farm at local farmers' markets and their new farm stand.
Learn more.
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Resources & Opportunities
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View farmers markets across Bristol, Plymouth, & Norfolk Counties
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Find land to farm, service providers, farmer education, farm funding, information on land transfer, and more!
This online version of our Local Food Guide contains SEMAP member farms and local food businesses, as well as a list of farmers markets in our region.
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Executive Director
Outreach Coordinator
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Contribute to the Vine
Have an event, job posting, or article to share in our next Vine Newsletter?
Want your farm or business highlighted in a SEMAP Spotlight?
Become a SEMAP Member today to post your news!
SEMAP Business Membership starts at only $75/year
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