Dear Friends,
Can you believe it's almost September already? Throughout the past month, SEMAP has been tabling at farmers markets, visiting farms across our region, and celebrating our farmers for enduring a trying season.
As the summer winds down, we're saying goodbye to more than just long days and warm nights. Next month, our Communications and Outreach Coordinator Olivia will conclude her time at SEMAP. Olivia joined us last August, and has helped with our Annual Meeting, Agriculture & Food Conference, and many other initiatives during a tough pandemic year. She has loved working with the local food and farming communities in Southeastern Massachusetts, and plans on visiting many more farms and farmers markets in our region in the future. We're sad to see her go, but she leaves SEMAP in a much stronger position.
On another note, the coming months may seem uncertain and difficult to plan due to the resurgence of COVID-19 variants. Current national guidance suggests masking indoors regardless of your vaccination status. As the situation continues to evolve, we'll keep you up-to-date on new developments relevant to local food and farms.
As always, please reach out with any questions or thoughts on the local food landscape in Southeastern Massachusetts. We hope you have a great month!
Sincerely,
Karen Schwalbe
Executive Director
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Though we're sad to bid Olivia farewell, that means SEMAP is seeking a new Communications and Outreach Coordinator to manage our newsletters, social media, event tabling, website, and membership, as well as contribute to a project to better connect farmers and low-income communities.
Apply now and share with your networks! We're looking forward to welcoming a new member to the SEMAP team.
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Our friends at Bettencourt Dairy Farm in Rehoboth need your help! In a recent storm, the barn was destroyed by high winds. Contribute to their fund to rebuild and save their cows.
"This is where your food comes from and it's not an easy lifestyle," says farmer Bonnie Deveau. "We do it because we are farmers at heart, win or lose." Please help out and contribute if you can!
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News For Farmers and
Food Professionals
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SEMAP Grant Writing Workshop
Join SEMAP and expert grant-writer and farm business consultant Rose Wilson in this free online grant writing workshop on Sept 15th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm! This workshop will focus on the new round of the Food Security Infrastructure Grants, expected to be announced soon.
Rose will walk participants through each element of the grant, as well as provide strategies to improve your application and increase your chances of receiving an award. This workshop is open to all, but information will be particularly relevant to farmers and fishers, including those who unsuccessfully applied for previous rounds of FSIG.
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Declare Storm Damage to Farm Service Agency |
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Some farmers in SE Mass suffered crop losses with Hurricane Henri. If you are one of those who did, please contact your local Farm Service Agency office even if you don’t plan on looking for Emergency Disaster Assistance. FSA makes the determination to ask the Governor for an Emergency Disaster Designation based on the amount of damage in a county. If you declare your damage, it will help your neighbors as well.
Contact your local FSA office with agricultural loss information:
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Plymouth County
Wareham Service Center
Farm Service Agency Office
Address
8 Thatcher Lane
Wareham, MA 02571
Contact
Bailey Stokes
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Bristol County
Taunton Service Center
Farm Service Agency Office
Address
104 Dean St
Taunton, MA 02780
Contact
Julie Viveiros
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SNOW Vendor Applications Open!
The SNOW outdoor winter market in Swansea is seeking vendors! Apply to attend the market on November 27 (November 28 rain date). |
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Boston Local Food Festival Seeking Vendors
The 11th Boston Local Food Festival has extended their vendor application deadline to August 30! Learn about the festival guidelines and apply now.
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Greenhouse Availability
Greenhouse space is available at 794 Horseneck Road, South Dartmouth—formerly the home of Quansett Nurseries. While the nursery is no longer in business, much of the infrastructure remains and is available to rent.
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Be Featured in a Video!
What you do in a typical day? Why did you become a farmer? What makes your business unique?
We are planning a series of short social media videos highlighting farmers in Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties. Take viewers on a day in the life on a Southeastern MA farm! If you're interested, email kschwalbe@semaponline.org.
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Cranberry Bog Renovation Grant Program
This grant program addresses potential challenges to the Commonwealth’s cranberry industry by working to add value to the industry’s producers, products, and services.
For cranberry growers with 3+ years in commercial management role. $15,000 per acre, up to $75,000 for infrastructure, excavation services, vines, and more.
Deadline: Sept. 17
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SNAP Equipment Grant Program
Free SNAP processing equipment is available for direct-marketing farms and farmers’ markets. Eligibility is limited to applicants who do not currently have working equipment that was received through previous federal grants. New or replacement equipment available, including iPads, card readers, receipt printers, and more.
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Subscribe to SEMAP's Farmer Newsletter here.
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2021 Massachusetts Tomato Contest |
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Farm Spotlight: 2 Rock Oyster Farm
Curious about oyster farming in Southeastern Massachusetts?
Check out our latest spotlight on 2 Rock Oyster Farm in Duxbury, MA!
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Commissioner Visit Recap
Last month the SEMAP team welcomed MA Commissioner of Agriculture John Lebeaux to Southeastern Massachusetts. Check out our recap on our blog!
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Boston Local Food Festival
The 11th Annual Boston Local Food Festival is September 19th, 2021! Bring your family and friends to eat, shop and discover local food from across New England.
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Powers Farm Main Street Market
The next monthly market at Powers Farm in Randolph is on Sunday, September 12th! Shop local food, crafts, baked goods, and more.
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Marshfield Fair
Catch the last few days of the Marshfield Fair this weekend at the Marshfield Fairgrounds! Check out baking and cooking contests, cattle showcases, horticulture awards, 4-H awards, and more.
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Anawan Farm Hayrides
Anawan Farm in Rehoboth is starting back up their farm hayrides on September 10! Learn more and reserve your ride now.
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Middleboro Grange Fair
Come to a traditional Grange Agricultural Fair with exhibits, food, music, raffles,chicken dinner (reservations required) and auction!
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The King Farm is a Century Farm!
The King Farm in Dartmouth is now officially recognized by the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation as a century-old farm!
Learn why this matters below.
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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 launch a new Vine segment where we share what we're reading, watching, and/or listening to that's relevant to local farming!
This month, we encourage you to check out the episode "Soil: The Dirty Climate Solution" of the podcast "How to Save a Planet." This hour-long segment features two farmers in New York and Minnesota who are both bucking modern agriculture conventions in favor of healthy soils. Explore how simple changes in the way we farm can harness the incredible power of soil to help save the planet. |
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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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Over the next month, be on the lookout for...
- Apples
- Cranberries
- Peaches
- Pears
- Raspberries
- Watermelon
- Beets
- Garlic
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chard
- Potatoes
- Pumpkins
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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.
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Renew Your SEMAP Membership or Become a Member Today! |
Consider registering as a SEMAP Member in 2021. 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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