Volume 30, No. 1| Dec. 2021/Jan. 2022
Dear MFBF member,

The latest edition of MFBF's News & Views is now online. Please click here to download a PDF version of the newsletter.
 
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Also, be sure to check out our website: www.mfbf.net!
 
Top Stories & Updates
Letter To The Membership

After careful consideration, the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Board of Directors has voted to enter into an agreement with A&B Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Westford, Massachusetts. We will be terminating our relationship with American National Insurance (formerly Farm Family Insurance). Both the new agreement with A&B Insurance, and the termination with American National took effect Jan. 1, 2022.

Click here to read more.
My resolution for 2022…
By: Warren Shaw,
MFBF President

I resolve to join with others to find ways to make MFBF grow! It’s probably not the way most people would start off their first column as Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) President, but it works for this one.

As an organization, we’ve not seen anything like sustained growth in our membership base in some time. As operating costs have increased, the reality of economics, that we as business people are very familiar with, have forced us to make changes and get leaner. Anyone who has made these difficult choices realizes that it’s a short term fix and not sustainable in an organization that looks to succeed. The real long term solution lies in growing revenue in ways other than increasing dues. 

Click here to read more.
Business Planning Virtual Workshop Series
Financial, Marketing & Risk Management Planning

All Sessions (6), Thursday Evenings 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 17, 24 & March 10, 17

Are you thinking about starting your own farm?
Are you a beginning farmer and wonder what’s out there for assistance to fund capital improvements and upgrade your equipment?
Where can I go to get production advice/information?
Do you want to upgrade your marketing outlets but don’t know how to go about doing this?
Do you want to learn how to better manage risks on your farm especially in light of recent adverse weather?
Are you a small farmer looking to grow and expand your business?

If you answered “Yes” to any of the above then this business planning workshop can help you answer those questions. 

Click here to read more.
USDA’s Dairy Margin Coverage Program Now Open For 2022 Enrollment

The signup period for 2022 coverage under USDA’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program is now underway. DMC offers effective margin protection for small and mid-sized farms and affordable catastrophic coverage for large farms. More than $1.1 billion – a record – in DMC payments are expected to be distributed to producers under the 2021 program, according to USDA data as of Dec. 6. Every dairy farmer should sign up for maximum DMC coverage by contacting their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office by Feb. 18, 2022.


Click here to read more.
Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Corner
If you would like to host MFBF's YF&R Committee on your farm for a tour, please contact YF&R Chair Heather Bonanno Baker by emailing her at heatherbonanno@gmail.com. She would love to come visit virtually and learn more about your business!

Call For MFBF YF&R Board Members
Each county Farm Bureau has two seats on the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation’s (MFBF’s) Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) committee board. Currently we have vacancies from the following counties:

Berkshire (2)
Bristol (1)
Cape and Island (2)
Franklin (2)
Hampden (1)
Hampshire (2)
Middlesex (1)
Plymouth (1)

We have approximately four meetings per year via zoom.com and in person (hybrid). We would love to have your support. If you are interested in serving, please email YF&R Chair Heather Bonanno-Baker at heatherbonanno@gmail.com

Click here to read the YF&R corner in this edition of News and Views.
 
Heather Bonanno Baker
Follow us on Facebook: @MAFarmBureauYFR
Follow us on Instagram: @mafbyoungfarmers
MFBF Member Benefits
For a full list of Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation member benefits, please visit our website: https://mfbf.net/for-members/discounts-and-benefits

Please click here to read the list of benefits in this edition of News and Views.
Visit Our Sponsors
Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
249 Lakeside Ave
Marlborough, MA 01752
508-481-4766| info@mfbf.net | www.mfbf.net