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The Vine - January 2020
A Fond Farewell to the 
SEMAP Community

It's bittersweet that I announce I will be stepping down from the SEMAP team later this month.  Working for this organization has been such a pleasure, and over the past two and a half years since joining the SEMAP staff, I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to get acquainted with the many nooks and crannies of the food system of Southeastern Massachusetts, including the people and places that make it so special.


Sincerely, 
Jonathan Gray
SEMAP Outreach Coordinator
Alderbrook Farm Stand Closing, Open House to Celebrate Allen & Nancy Manley, January 12th

Alderbrook Farm Stand in Russell Mills Village Historic District in Dartmouth closed for the last time on December 31st, 2019. In honor of their 20 years of extraordinary contributions to the community, a celebration of Allen and Nancy Manley of Alderbrook Farm in Dartmouth will be held Sunday, January 12th, at the Dartmouth Grange 162.

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Ag & Food Conference Keynote: Building the Local Grain Economy in Southeastern Mass

At our 13th Annual Agriculture & Food Conference we'll be having a keynote panel of Jim Amaral from Borealis Breads and Doug Mosel from the Mendocino Grain Project to discuss the opportunities for expanding our local grain production and consumption right here in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Additionally, a partial list of our workshops has been released on our website, and our always tasty locally-sourced lunch is in the works. 

Our early bird discount is available until January 31st. Our Member Discount is available by emailing info@semaponline.org


Sponsor, Exhibit, or Donate Farm Products to the Ag & Food Conference!

Our Annual Conference is a hub of learning, conversation, and good food. 

Make the most of the opportunity to connect with the agricultural community by signing up as a sponsor for our event, or s etting up a table at our exhibitor fair. Learn more here.

Our locally-sourced lunch is always a big hit. Have your business featured by make a donation of vegetables, fruit, meat, or preserves for our delicious conference lunch by emailing info@semaponline.org
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NOFA/Mass Winter Conference, January 11th

This day-long conference features a wide variety of workshops on many aspects of regenerative organic growing, food systems policy, and land management appropriate for growers and organizers of all scales. Highlights include the  50+ vendors at their conference trade show, and t his year's learning tracks including a ctivism, organizing and policy, food as medicine, cover crops for multiple scales, and soil health.


Massachusetts Healthy Soils Plan Listening Session, 
January 16th

The State is developing a Healthy Soils Action plan and this workshop and listening session will support the development of that  plan. Planners will ask community members and stakeholders from the  southeastern region and beyond to explore the role of healthy soils across the  spectrum of land uses, from specialized ecosystems to agriculture to built lands,  and to assist us in developing recommendations for conserving and enhancing soils in Massachusetts that preserve their most important functions.

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Looking Forward: Farmland Forever, January 28th

MDAR would like your perspective on all aspect of the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program. Join APR landowners, advocates, and MDAR staff for a regional public event at Bristol Aggie HS to review the program to help guide its future. This will include updates from the listening sessions in 2018-2019, and policies, procedures, regulations, guidance, and efforts to improve and modernize the APR Program. The session will be January 28th, 6-8pm at Bristol Aggie's Gilbert Hall Library, Room 212, located at 135 Center Street, Dighton, MA. Please note:  Last month's Vine incorrectly stated this event would be January 30th.

Landing on the Right Acre: Storytelling for and by Farmers, January 30th

The Young Farmer Network is hosting Landing on the Right Acre: a storytelling event for and by farmers in partnership with Land for Good on Thursday, January 30th, 6:30PM - 9:00PM. Join them at Machines with Magnets in Pawtucket to enjoy locally sourced food prepared by renowned chef Ben Sukle, drinks from the Machines with Magnets bar, and the company of your fellow farming community as they share some of the successes, pitfalls and takeaways from their journey toward finding land. Come prepared to laugh, sigh, and learn more about farmland access in Rhode Island.

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Update your Local Food Guide Listing by March 15th
Every year SEMAP distributes over 10,000 copies of our Buy Fresh Buy Local Guide to the Southeastern Mass region.

Advertising opportunities are available.

Ensure your business Local Food Guide listing is up to date. >>> Update your listing by March 15th. <<<

Get additional recognition in the Local Food Guide with a Membership!  
>>>  Become a SEMAP Member . <<<

Not sure if it's time to renew your membership?
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Campus Farmer Summit, February 22nd

Hosted at Stonehill College in Easton, MA, c ampus farmers, students, and representatives from non-profits and agencies will connect in person about what makes campus farms successful. This forum provides an opportunity for stakeholders working at the intersection of food justice, environmental sustainability, food access, and healthy eating to discuss challenges and opportunities. Partners from the nonprofit sector join us in conversation about what colleges and universities can do to forge deeper community alliances and strengthen our regional food system.


UMass Online Sustainable Food & Farming Spring Courses

Farmers and farm apprentices may be interested in complementing their practical experience with online education offered by the UMass Amherst Stockbridge School of Agriculture with a Certificate in Sustainable Food & Farming. Registration for the program's Spring semester is now open. Registered students may preview the online classes beginning on January 14. Classes officially begin on January 21st. Winter Course offerings include: Introduction to Permaculture, Pasture Management, Raising Cows, Sheep & Goats, Cultivation of Edible Mushrooms, Pastured Poultry, Soil Fertility and more.

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NOFA Tri-State Bulk Order Deadline January 31st

NOFA can help you keep costs low by ordering directly from suppliers, who often provide NOFA with discounted prices and by coordinating various pick up sites across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The Bulk Order allows members to access hard-to-find items and save on shipping costs. Customers can pick up their order on a set date in March each year. Deadline to order is January 31st.


NOFA/RI Winter Conference, March 8th

This is NOFA/RI's largest educational event of the year with a full day of workshops presented by locally known and nationally recognized speakers in organic and sustainable agriculture, networking sessions, their annual meeting, and a delicious potluck meal. Whether you're a farmer, gardener, community or home grower, educator, enthusiast, or eater there's something at the conference for you. Held in Bristol, RI.


Northeast Grainshed Symposium, January 30th

Learn about a consumer marketing plan to shine a light on beers, bread, and spirits that use locally grown grains. This symposium will help strengthen local farms and connect the local grain supply chain in the Northeast. Attendees from all sectors are welcome including researchers, farmers, processors, brewers, bakers, distillers, restaurant owners, craft beer bar managers, and more. Held at Trillium Brewing in Canton, MA.


Pollinators in Our Landscapes Conference, February 26th

UMass Extension's Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program seeks to encourage communication between Green Industry professionals including landscapers, land managers, arborists, licensed pesticide applicators, and other landscape practitioners with professional beekeepers, researchers, and state officials who share the common goal of maintaining and encouraging pollinator health in Massachusetts. Held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Milford MA.

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Member Announcements

Soule Homestead Children's
School Winter Break Farm Camp

Do you have a child that loves to be outside?  The Soule Homestead Education Center in Middleborough has the perfect spot for your child to spend time during breaks from school, like Martin Luther King Day on January 20th.  Additionally, February and April Vacation week programs and their Summer Camp will include plenty of chances to dig in the garden, spend time with our animals, make crafts and play all while enjoying the beautiful 120 acres of the Soule Homestead!





Weatherlow Farms 2020 Spring Bouquet Subscription

Enjoy eight weeks of farm-grown and arranged bouquets, featuring the most beautiful blooms that May and June have to offer. Arrangements are likely to include anemones, ranunculus, poppies, sweet peas, and larkspur. Each week's bouquet is accompanied by an information-packed email to the subscriber with a detailed list of the flowers and foliages in that week's bouquet, an in-depth profile of one ingredient including natural history and growing information, and updates from the flower fields.

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