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A Message from the Director
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We are grateful for all the hard work from the Ag & Food Committee, M&C Café, the SEMAP board, our volunteers, and especially our presenters for a successful 12th Annual Ag & Food Conference. Thank you! Nowhere else on the Southcoast can you find that much food and farming knowledge in one location. The keynote by Dr. Michael Hoffman of the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions got the day off to a serious start talking about the effect of climate change on our food system by breaking down a typical meal and discussing how each food item would be affected by climate change. It was a sobering look at what the future holds for agriculture.
Continue reading here about SEMAP's work on local fiber, opportunities for Beginning Farmers, our new job posting, the Local Food Guide, and upcoming legislative events.
With thanks,
Karen Schwalbe
Executive Director
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SEMAP Hiring Program Coordinator
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Join our team! SEMAP is hiring a part-time program coordinator to help coordinate workshops and events for several of our grant-funded projects. Please share widely with your networks!
Deadline to apply March 29th.
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SEMAP TIE Grants Now Available
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We're now accepting applications for our TIE Grant Program! This program funds local farm projects related to technology, innovation, and excellence. Awards range from $500 to $3,000 depending on the merits of the project. Deadline to apply March 31st.
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Farmers: Join us on Ag Day, March 27th
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SEMAP will be hosting a Legislative Coffee with several legislators from Southeastern Massachusetts at the Statehouse on Ag Day, March 27th. The Legislators want to hear from farmers about what the biggest issues are for our region. Make sure your voice is heard.
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Update Your Local Food Guide Listing
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It is critical that you ensure that SEMAP is communicating the most up to date information about your farm or agriculture-related business. Help us do our job by updating your Local Food Guide listing.
The Local Food Guide promotes local farms, farmers markets, farm service providers,
and the following organizations which source locally, or sell local products:
restaurants, bakers, caterers, seafood, beer, wine, spirits, and fiber & clothing vendors.
Renew your SEMAP Membership to ensure your listing gets our member recognition. Not sure if you are a member? Email [email protected]
We also have advertising opportunities available for the Local Food Guide.
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Vendor Booth Display Workshop, March 20th
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Coastal Foodshed and the New Bedford Farmers Market together are hosting a workshop to share tips, tricks, and techniques about how to display your vendor booth at markets. Hear from seasoned vendors on what works best to increase sales and build relationships with your loyal customers. The workshop will include dinner. Space is limited! Reserve your spot.
Learn more
.
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Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Found in Massachusetts
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The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has announced that a single dead specimen of the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was reported in Boston. Please check for signs of spotted lanternfly adults in any potted plants that you may have received over the holiday season and to report any potential sightings of this pest on MDAR's online reporting form by taking photographs and collecting a specimen if possible. Learn more.
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Healthy Incentives Program Update
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The Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) is planned to resume on May 25, 2019. Please remember that clients can use their SNAP benefits at farmers markets all year.
For the latest retailer information on the HIP program, visit the DTA's HIP page for vendors.
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MDAR Survey for CSA Farmers
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MDAR's Division of Agricultural Markets is developing a directory of CSA farmers that are interested in partnering with corporate headquarters in Massachusetts as drop off sites. If you are a CSA farm, please take 2 minutes to
complete this survey
. This will help MDAR begin building a directory of CSA farmers that are interested in partnering with businesses. Questions, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
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The BCC Sustainable Agriculture Program
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The sustainable agriculture program at Bristol Community College has a new look, and a new program coordinator. Professor Kimberly Amaral Newton has taken up the position of program coordinator after the long-time coordinator, Jim Corven, retired last August. Since taking on the program, Prof. Newton has secured a $15,000 grant from the Koppelman family to help refurbish and greatly expand the growing capacity of the college, including constructing a series of modular greenhouses to extend the growing period into the school year.
Continue reading.
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SEMAP Member Announcements
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UMass Waltham Field Station Update
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The University of Massachusetts is planning to close the Waltham Field Station on December 31st, 2019. This decision will cause many farm-related nonprofit organizations to lose their tenancy at the facility. The Boston Area Gleaners, who are one of many tenants at the facility, have summarized the potential impact on themselves and many other affiliated organizations including
Waltham Fields Community Farm, Waltham Land Trust, Grow Native Massachusetts, Massachusetts Federation of Farmers Markets and GROW Community Gardens. Read more about the closing, and what you can do to help. Learn more here.
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Marshfield Garden Planning Workshop
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The Marshfield Agricultural and Horticultural Society is offering a garden planning workshop. In this participatory workshop, you'll learn organic strategies for small-scale gardening from succession planting to season extension. Bring your garden dimensions as the class will also sketch garden plans and create planting schedules for your specific site. Gardeners of all experience levels are welcome. Learn more.
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Osamequin Farm Seeking Volunteers
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The Osamequin Cooperative Farming Project in Seekonk is looking for late winter volunteers.
Volunteers be focusing on blueberry pruning and field maintenance, with the added perks of bonfire burn piles and maple syrup boiling! Join them on Wednesdays and Sundays for the rest of March: 3/20, 3/24, 3/27, and 3/31.
Interested parties can
sign up as a volunteer
on their website or email Sarah directly at [email protected]
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Round the Bend Farm's Open Farm Days Scheduled & Meat Shares Available
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Open Farm Days Include f
amily-friendly farm tours at 11am & 2pm, w
orkshops for both kids and adults, and items available for
purchase including
Paradox Acres non-GMO, grass-fed meat,
Apponagansett Farm seasonal, chemical-free produce,
Hana's Honey (from RTB hives),
MA Maple Syrup,
Nilsa's Herbal Teas & Botanicals, apparel,
and more!
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Round the Bend Farm will now be running the CSA program sourced from their very own Paradox Acres animals raised right on the farm.
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Executive Director
Outreach Coordinator
Outreach Intern
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