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The Vine - June 2018
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A Message from the Director 
 
SEMAP has so many fun events going on this summer and we hope to see you at some of them. 

Get ready for a fantastic day at Bristol Aggie on Saturday.  This weekend we are trying something new - our first wool pool event, as part of our collaboration with the Southeastern New England Fibershed, along with Bartlett Yarns from Harmony, Maine and co-hosted with Bristol Aggie. A wool pool is where sheep farmers combine their fleeces for sale to one processor to take advantage of a better price per pound.  It is one of the ways we are trying to support farmers and provide economic opportunities for the region.  If you have recently shorn wool fleeces consider bring them to the Bristol Aggie on Saturday.  The details are here.

We follow the Wool Pool with a serious look at farm losses the dairy industry.  The film Forgotten Farms  highlights the plight of dairy farms and their fight for survival.  There will be a tour of the Bristol Aggie Dairy before the film, local ice cream and milk served and a panel discussion with local dairy farmers afterward.  Continue reading...

Sincerely,
Karen Schwalbe
Executive Director
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Wool Pool at Bristol Aggie, Tomorrow (6/16)

SEMAP, The Bristol Aggie Animal Science Dept. & The Southeastern New England Fibershed are organizing a wool pool pick up tomorrow at Bristol Aggie in Dighton. If you have pre-skirted fleeces and would like to sell them (and potentially have them made into value-added products!) stop by Bristol Aggie Animal Science Building from 10am-1pm. Learn more.
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Forgotten Farms Screening, Tomorrow (6/16)
  SEMAP & The Bristol Aggie Animal Science Dept. are also hosting a screening of the award-winning documentary film "Forgotten Farms" which chronicles several local New England dairy farmers & examines the dramatic decline in dairy farms from 12,000 dairy farms 50 years ago to just 2,000 left today. An optional tour of the High School's campus will start at 2:30pm at the Gilbert Hall Auditorium, on the west wing of the building. The film screening will start at 4pm, and will be followed by a panel discussion with local farmers & the filmmakers. Register HERE so we know how much local cheese & ice cream to get!
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Farm Spotlight: Medway Community Farm

Since 2009, The Town of Medway has been leasing out a small 7-acre parcel of farmland carved out between Winthrop Street and the Chicken Brook to the Medway Community Farm, a nonprofit enterprise that has much broader goals than simply growing high quality and nutritious vegetables. Over the years, what was originally a very small growing operation has blossomed into a true community resource, providing both food and education for the Medway community. Back in May, I stopped in at Medway Community Farm to see what all the buzz was about.  Continue reading here .

By: Jonathan Gray
SEMAP Outreach Coordinator


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Next Twilight: Pastured Poultry, June 27th at Copicut Farms in Dartmouth
SEMAP's 3rd Twilight Grower workshop of the season will be  June 27th, 6pm at Copicut Farms in Dartmouth, MA which will focus on their pastured poultry operation.  Pre-registration required.

The rest of our Twilights Grower Series & Local Libation Series include:

Twilight Grower Series:
July 11th, Bristol Aggie Student Farm Tour, Dighton, MA
September 13th, Direct Seeding & The Jang Seeder, Freedom Food Farm, Raynham, MA
October 2nd, Seed Saving Demonstration, Ivory Silo Farm, Westport, MA
October 24th, Post Harvest Crop Handling & Storage, Skinny Dip Farm, Little Compton, RI

Local Libation Series:
August 21st,  Buzzards Bay Brewery Tour,  Westport, MA
October 12th, Bradford Distillery Tour,  Hingham, MA
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New F3 Farmers Market in Fall River Seeking Vendors
The new Farmers Market in the Flint Neighborhood of Fall River is hosted by Groundwork Southcoast and is a key food access point as the only farmers market accepting SNAP/HIP benefits in the City of Fall River. The Market will run for 8 weeks on Tuesdays from 2-6pm starting 7/10/18 and ending 8/28/18. All types of vendors & community organizations are welcome! A market application & more information is available here. Questions can be sent to Maura Ramsey at mramsey@groundworksouthcoast.org
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Last chance to buy an ad in our Local Food Guide!
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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Sustainability and Equity in the Massachusetts Food System: A Progress Report
"Just two years since the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan's completion, dozens of efforts around Massachusetts have risen to the challenge. From state agencies to volunteer community-based organizations, each is playing a unique role in changing how food is produced, distributed, processed, marketed, consumed and disposed of. Many of these efforts are collaborative; many represent efforts to engage multiple different food system sectors. Collectively, these efforts are helping to build the public's understanding of the food system; addressing issues of fair access to jobs, land, and food; and working to ensure that each process that makes up the food chain stewards resources carefully and supports businesses, communities, and families. This report tells just some of the stories of programs, projects, and people working toward the goals of the Plan."   Continue reading on the MA Food Collaborative's website.
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Last Call to Update Your Local Food Guide Listing
Email Jon (jgray@semaponline.org) with any updates to your listing in the Local Food Guide.
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New England Alpaca Fiber Pool Hiring Customer Support/Admin Assistant
The New England Alpaca Fiber Pool (NEAFP), located in Fall River, MA -  is the largest alpaca fiber processor in the United States. As an agricultural service provider with a focus on natural fiber based U.S. textiles, we are looking to add a dynamic member to our team to help us grow and serve our alpaca farm customer base across the country. This position is for a Customer Support / Administrative Assistant whose primary role will be to provide great customer support while assisting in the day to day business activities associated with receiving, processing, and shipping orders.  Learn more.
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3-Acre Plots of Rochester Farm Land Available
Rochester farmland with multiple 3-acre fields,12-16" deep fertile top soil, road frontage on MA State Rt-105, possibility for a farmstand, owner willing to assist in building hoophouses & other tasks. Short or long term lease available.   View the property here.

Farmers across our region are seeking affordable land.  If you own farm or forest land, post it to New England Farmland Finder & SEMAP will promote it, both services offered free of charge. 
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Marshfield Farmers Market Seeking Manager
Marshfield Farmers' Market is seeking a person to run the Market on Fridays 12-6:30pm to manage vendor and customer needs, handle tokens and money, other managerial duties.  Position is paid.  Details available by contacting Lorrie at 781-635-0889 or farmersmarket@marshfieldfair.org.  Market runs through October 12th.  Potential for additional tasks/hours if desired.
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Job Opportunities
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Upcoming Events
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Contact Us

Executive Director

Outreach Coordinator


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Meet our Members!


Round the Bend Farm, Dartmouth, MA




Marshfield Farmers Market,
Marshfield, MA




Anawan Farm, Rehoboth, MA




Speedwell Coffee, Plymouth, MA
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