Dear Friends,
With the end of Daylight Savings Time and the days growing increasingly shorter as they pass, it is time to shift our focus to planning for the winter months ahead. But first, we get the chance this month to say thanks to our family, friends, and farmers. We are so grateful for all of you!
November also marks an important time for us at SEMAP, as it means it is time for our Annual Meeting. This is one of the most important days on our calendar, allowing us to share the work we've been doing. It also prepares us for the year ahead, as we hear from you all about how we can continue to support our agricultural community. We hope to see many of you there.
We are also working on gathering and sharing details on winter & holiday markets over the coming months. You should find more about how to meet your holiday needs in the letter below, as well as more news and updates from SEMAP and our partners. Happy November, and we hope to see you all next week at Annual Meeting!
With gratitude,
Karen Schwalbe
Executive Director
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Register Now! SEMAP Annual Meeting 2021 |
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Join us on Thursday, November 18th for a celebration of SEMAP’s accomplishments this year, learn more about the newly released Food System Assessment for Southeastern Massachusetts from Liz Wiley of the Marion Institute, and see highlights of SEMAP’s recent video projects.
We'll also offer space for you to provide feedback on how we're doing, what type of programming you'd like to see going forward, and how we could serve you better in the coming year. We do hope you'll join us!
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Meet Our New Communications & Outreach Coordinator! |
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SEMAP would like to officially welcome our new Communications and Outreach Coordinator, James Lehner! James joins us after spending the past two years farming in Northern Massachusetts. This experience gave him a new perspective on how to think about our food – where it comes from, how much work it takes, and just how much there is to know about plants. Prior to this, he had a background in print and radio news, as well as spent a few months as an intern in the Massachusetts State House. All of this culminates in a passion for local agriculture, writing, and public policy, which he'll combine in his role at SEMAP to connect farmers with their communities. We are so lucky to have him here!
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News For Farmers and
Food Professionals
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Many Grant Funding Opportunities Available
Are you aware of the many state and federal grant programs currently open to farmers, fishers, farmers' market managers, and other players in the local food system? Find a collection of relevant grants on our Grant Funding 101 page. What's available right now?
1) Northeast SARE Farmer Grant Program: For commercial producers who have an innovative idea they want to test using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, marketing initiative, or other technique. Grants of up to $30,000 for projects up to three years.
2) Pandemic Response & Safety Grant Program (PRS): For farmers, fishers, and farmers' market managers who have incurred costs to improving workplace and worker safety as a direct result of COVID-19. Grants of up to $20,000, and staff time may be eligible.
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MDAR Seeking to Identify BIPOC Farmers in Massachusetts for Equity Initiatives |
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The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA) are hoping to connect with farmers of color and BIPOC-led agricultural organizations in an effort to more equitably serve the Commonwealth's food producers and "promote environmental justice principles through policies, programs, hearings, funding decisions, communication, and language access."
If you would like to self-report as a BIPOC food producer and contribute to MDAR's data collection efforts, please email shickey@semaponline.org. |
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AFBF Releases New App to Highlight Agritourism
The American Farm Bureau Federation has recently launched the American Farm Trail app, designed to help farms and agricultural venues to promote their agritourism and on-farm events for free. Add your farm profile today!
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Statewide Fiber Networking Event on December 2nd
Are you a fiber farmer, processor, or artisan in Massachusetts? Join our friends at CISA on December 2nd for a statewide meet and greet event, including a presentation from the Southeastern New England Fibershed. This virtual event is free but registration is required. |
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Share Your Winter Plans with SEMAP
We want to hear what you're up to as the growing season winds down. Are you attending winter markets? Offering home delivery or farm stand hours? Hosting holiday events? Fill out this quick (3 minutes!) survey so we can share ways to reach you with consumers across Southeastern Massachusetts. |
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Apply for a TIE Award
Do you have an innovative idea that would increase your farm's efficiency or reduce your costs? Are you excited to share this innovation with others in the farming community? Apply for SEMAP's TIE program. Applications are due on February 1st, but will be accepted and awarded on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. Contact Karen at kschwalbe@semaponline.org with any questions. |
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Ten Acres of Farmland Available in Millis
Check out this 10-acre plot of arable land on a larger 200-acre estate, available for lease now. This land was previously in organic production. Some infrastructure is available, including a barn, hoop house, greenhouse, tractor, drilled well, and more! Irrigation and fencing is already in place. There is potential for on-farm farmer housing.
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Subscribe to SEMAP's Farmer Newsletter here.
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Shop Local for Your Thanksgiving Meal |
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With Thanksgiving right around the corner, consider shopping for all your holiday meal ingredients locally!
Winter squash, potatoes, and other veggies: Be sure to give the side dishes the same local touch as the showstoppers! There are still a few farmers' markets open, and winter markets are kicking off in the coming weeks. Check out markets in New Bedford, Needham, Plymouth, and Tiverton, and find year-round farm stands in our virtual guide.
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Holiday Farm Tours at Hope Alpaca Farm
Little Compton, RI's Hope Alpaca Farm has announced their holiday farm tour schedule, which will run on weekends starting November 27-28. Shop for the holidays – alpaca hats, scarves, plush, fair trade gifts, hand made alpaca crafts, and more will be available. Drop by for winter fun!
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Fall River Farmers' Markets Extended!
Farmers' markets in Fall River will now run through Thanksgiving. The market accepts SNAP and HIP, and offers a wide variety of produce for your holiday table. Stop by on Tuesdays at St. Anne's Hospital, Wednesdays at HealthFirst, and Fridays at Cardinal Medeiros Towers.
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Home Delivery in Westport & Dartmouth Areas
The Neighborhood Farm, new to Westport but veterans in all-natural farming, is offering home delivery of their produce all throughout the winter. If you live in the Westport or Dartmouth areas, order online for Friday delivery!
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Coastal Foodshed Winter Farmers' Markets
Coastal Foodshed is working with New Bedford Farmers Market to host an indoor winter market at the Buttonwood Park Warming House in New Bedford! The market will be open Saturdays from 10-2, and will accept SNAP/HIP on eligible items. Coastal Foodshed is also still offering their virtual market.
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For even more local food and farm happenings, check out our event calendar.
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The SEMAP team is excited to continue our new Vine segment where we share what we're reading, watching, and/or listening to that's relevant to farming and food systems!
This month, we're watching Gather, available to stream on Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes. This film explores the efforts by indigenous communities across the United States to restore food sovereignty and traditional foodways. It demonstrates an inspiring return to the land and to generational agricultural knowledge, and it gives us hope for sustainable local food systems! Check it out this November and let us know what you think!
Have something you've seen, heard, or read that you think fellow farmers & foodies would like, too? Send your recommendation to info@semaponline.org! |
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As the growing season continues, SEMAP wants to update you on current and upcoming produce in season in Southeastern Massachusetts. We hope this helps you plan recipes and get the most out of local food! |
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Throughout November, be on the lookout for...
- Apples
- Cranberries
- Pears
- Beets
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Collards
- Garlic
- Kale
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Pumpkins
- Winter squashes
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Have you checked out our Local Food Jobs page recently? You'll find local food and farm job listings relevant to Southeastern Massachusetts. Here are a few picks currently on the page. Want to share a listing? Email info@semaponline.org. |
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Renew Your SEMAP Membership or Become a Member Today! |
Consider registering as a SEMAP Member. Membership in SEMAP helps us continue to provide promotion and support to farmers and consumers across Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond.
Members receive a host of benefits, including...
- Access to business development and farming/gardening resources
- Discounts to events like the Ag & Food Conference
- Priority event sign-up
- Special thank-you published in our Local Food Guide
Membership is available at several levels for businesses and individuals. Come join us!
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PO Box 80625
S. Dartmouth, MA 02748
Executive Director:
(508) 524-2601
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