Farmer Update: August 2022 |
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Dear Farmers and Food Producers: |
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Another year, another climate challenge. It's hard to believe it was just last August that we were crossing our fingers for clear skies. In August 2021, 2% of the state was in drought; today, with 95% of the state in drought, both the perseverance of farmers and the abundance you all are producing is astounding. Particularly in Southeastern Massachusetts, extreme drought is pervasive, yet farm stand shelves are overflowing. We are in constant admiration, and are at the ready to assist wherever we can. Reach out for whatever you may need, including farm stand or market promotion, record-keeping assistance, and more!
In this email you'll find information on:
- An opportunity for good farm publicity (and bragging rights!)
- Exciting news for MA food security
- Our upcoming on-farm event
- New grant programs for food producers
- Farm vendor opportunity
- Educational events and workshops
- Calls for farmer feedback
- Local farming jobs
- And more!
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With gratitude,
Shannon Hickey (she/her)
Program Coordinator
(781) 908-4466
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37th Annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest is NEXT WEEK! |
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'Tis the season for one of our favorite events of the year: the 37th Massachusetts Tomato Contest, hosted by our friends at MDAR! This year's event will take place on Tuesday, August 23rd at Boston Public Market. You can submit your entries there on Tuesday morning, or on Monday at one of the many drop-off locations around the state, including at Bristol Aggie in Dighton.
Submissions will be judged on flavor, firmness, color, and shape. There is also a category for heaviest tomato. You must complete a brief registration form. This is a fun opportunity to get your farm's name out there, and earn bragging rights and a trophy too! Southeastern Massachusetts is always well-represented on the podium, with last year's winners including Langwater Farm, Freedom Food Farm, C & C Reading Farm, and Ward's Berry Farm. We hope to see your farm up there this year!
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Take a look at a few of the currently open grant, reimbursement, and award programs below, then check out a complete list on our webpage!
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EBT/SNAP Equipment Grant: To provide free SNAP processing equipment to direct marketing farms and farmers’ markets. ALERT: This is a very simple application, reviewed on a rolling basis!
- Deadline: September 23rd
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REMINDER: SEMAP can assist Southeastern Massachusetts farmers in grant applications. We can help you determine your eligibility, walk through the application together, review before submission, offer a letter of support, or any combination of these! Apply for assistance here or email Shannon at shickey@semaponline.org with any questions.
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New Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) Vendors Announced |
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More than 100 new HIP vendors were announced this week by MDAR and the MA Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), dozens of which serve Southeastern MA communities! HIP helps families purchase more healthy, locally-grown fruits, vegetables, and plant starts, and it increases the incomes of MA farmers! We are thrilled that this crucial program is becoming more accessible to farmers and consumers alike.
If you are one of the newly-approved vendors, please attend an on-boarding training tomorrow, Thursday August 18th at 9:30am. Register HERE. If you are unable to attend or need more personalized assistance, reach out to dta.hip@mass.gov or directly to James at jlehner@semaponline.org.
Once your HIP terminal is fully operational, please let James know so we can spread the word, including by updating our virtual Local Food Guide!
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Seeking Topic Requests for Upcoming Land Transfer Event |
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SEMAP is excited to be planning a day-long summit on transferring & acquiring farmland, relevant to landowners and land-seekers alike! With much assistance from our friends at Land for Good, we will be hosting this important event in-person in November. At this time, we are hoping to hear from YOU about what topics you'd like to learn about at this event! If there's anything regarding land & succession planning that you've been curious about or struggling with, let us know so we can discuss it!
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Fall Farmers' Market Vendor Opportunity |
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Looking for a fall outlet for your produce, meat, dairy, or other local food product? Boston University's fall farmers' market, which begins on September 8th, is seeking vendors of all types. Markets will be held on the Charles River Campus in Boston on Thursdays from 11am to 2pm, through O ctober. They are waiving their vendor fee this year, so the only cost of participation is parking – $12/market. Reach out to BU Sustainability Director Lexie Raczka for more information and to apply: araczka@bu.edu or (617) 358-5551. |
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Spots Available in Fall Farm Business Planning Courses |
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Exploring the Small Farm Dream – For those who are thinking about or in the planning stages of a starting their own farm, including those who are expanding a hobby to an income-generating scale. Cost of attendance is $100 per enterprise. Likely to be held in the Springfield area on Wednesday evenings. Email questions to Jessica.Camp@mass.gov.
Growing Your Farm Business – For farmers who have been operating a farm business in Massachusetts for at least the two prior years, and are looking to develop a business plan and financial projections. Cost of attendance is $150 per farm. Will be held in Southborough on Tuesday evenings. Email questions to Michael.Parker@mass.gov.
These courses are also a great chance to network with and learn from other MA farmers in similar stages of business development. Applications are now open, but will close once each course is full – apply soon!
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Apply for NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) |
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The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), a payment program for established agricultural stewards looking to enhance their conservation and/or production. Produce, livestock, forestry, and commodity producers may be eligible. Payments are awarded annually for a 5-year contract term, and there is no limit on how many contracts a farm can receive over time. The average award is $20,000 and the maximum award is $200,000 per contract.
Start working with our local NRCS office now to see if this could be a good fit for you! Drop by the Wareham office or reach out to Mia Halter at mia.halter@usda.gov to get started. |
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NESAWG Seeking Board and Committee Members |
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The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG) is looking for five new board members to lend their voice, experience, and perspective to the organization's board of directors. Recently undergoing an intentional transition to a BIPOC-led organization, NESAWG is hoping their new and expanded board will be ready for critical systems analysis and the creation of an organizational Theory of Change that centers BIPOC voices.
NESAWG is also seeking the contributions of folks who may be interested in this work but do not have the capacity to commit to a board. Several working committees seek members and require less time & energy than a board position. Apply to the board or a committee by September 30th.
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Complete a Brief Survey About Your Farm Financing Challenges |
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The developing Sustainable Agriculture Finance (SAF) Hub is growing farmer and rancher access to financial resources. It will feature a searchable database and free, efficient access to both public and private funding opportunities including grants, loans, venture capital, slow money, and more. The SAF Hub is also developing education and training resources such as a list of finance red-flags, grant application check-lists, and strategies to organize for easy applications.
To help them develop these publicly accessible tools, please complete a 5-minute survey about your financing needs and challenges. Survey respondents will be entered to win a care package of Vermont farm goodies! |
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Assessing Urban Agriculture Needs in Plymouth County |
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Our friends at the Plymouth County Conservation District recently received a grant to assess the urban agriculture community within and around Plymouth County. They are looking to identify the needs and challenges of urban agriculture in order to plan future programming that is beneficial to urban food producers. Please complete one of the following two surveys if you are involved in urban agriculture in or near Plymouth County. Each survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Reach out to Kaylee McKenna at plymouthccd.office@gmail.com with any questions. |
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Wampanoag Experience, Hosted by Round the Bend Farm |
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On Saturday, September 17th, Round the Bend Farm in Dartmouth is hosting A Wampanoag Experience alongside Wampanoag Nation. Join for a Powwow, traditional games, Indigenous foods, Wampanoag song & dance, native craft vendors, and more. This event is free and open to all! We are looking forward to attending and hope you are, too! |
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Dartmouth Grange Fair is BACK on September 9th and 10th |
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Family-favorite Dartmouth Grange Fair is back this year! This beloved agricultural fair will be held on Friday Sept 9th 4-8pm and Saturday Sept 10th noon-8pm. Join the Grange for food, music, exhibits, carnival games, an auction, and more! Admission is FREE so mark your calendars now! Information about submissions to exhibits and contests will be available soon at the link below. |
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For more workshops, webinars, and other opportunities, check out our event calendar!
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SEMAP maintains a Local Food Jobs page on our website! 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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Consider registering as a SEMAP Business Member. Membership with SEMAP helps us continue to provide promotion and technical assistance to farmers across Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond.
Business members receive a host of benefits, including...
- Member Spotlight on SEMAP's blog
- Access to business development resources
- Discount ads in Local Food Guide
- Free boosted Facebook posts
Membership is available at several levels. Come join us!
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PO Box 80625,
S. Dartmouth, MA 02748
Executive Director:
(508) 524-2601
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