Dear Friends,
It's the height of summer, and lots of exciting things are going on for Southeastern Massachusetts agriculture. Fairs, farmers markets, pick-your-own, and other agricultural activities are in full swing.
We're excited to see our 2021 Local Food Guide booklet cropping up at local food spots across our region. After a year off from printing, we think this edition is our best one yet! We hope you enjoy our one-stop resource for local farms, food, and agritourism in Southeastern Massachusetts. You'll find more information about the Guide and options to order a box of copies later in this email.
Though the fall seems like a long way off, planning ahead is important when it comes to local food and farming. If you've ended up with more locally-grown food than you can eat (it happens to all of us!), consider putting produce in the freezer to use later. If you're a farmer, we'd love to help you strategize for next season through our Business Assistance program. You'll find more information about this service later in this email as well.
As always, please reach out to the SEMAP team with any questions or thoughts on the local food landscape in Massachusetts. We hope you have a great month, and hope to see you at a farmers market or other event in our region soon!
Sincerely,
Karen Schwalbe
Executive Director
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2021 Local Food Guide is Out!
Our ultimate guide to local farms and food in Southeastern Massachusetts is available now! Find our 50-page booklet at a farm, farmers market, or community organization near you.
Want to order a box for your business or office and show your commitment to local food? Fill out this form to order now! It's completely free and we'll deliver right to your door.
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Haven't gotten a chance to check out our printed Local Food Guide yet? You can still check out our digital Local Food Guide! It lists all the information included in the printed guide, plus links to directly visit business' websites.
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News For Farmers and
Food Professionals
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SEMAP Business Assistance
This growing and market season, you've probably learned a lot. Have you dealt with new or continuing issues this year? SEMAP is here to help! We provide direct business and marketing support for farmers and ranchers in Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties.
We may be able to help you with:
- Marketing and online content
- E-commerce
- Land access
- Labor laws and management
- On-farm safety
- Bookkeeping
- Grants and financing
- Business planning
- Diversifying production
- Regenerative practices
- Farmers market support
- SNAP/HIP support
- And more!
If you have a need in one of the areas listed below (or a topic that’s not listed), please apply! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. We may be able to assist you directly, or arrange a free or low-cost one-on-one consultation with a graphic designer, accountant, web developer, business advisor, financial consultant, farmer, or other professional.
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Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program
Are you a swine, chicken, or turkey producer who suffered losses due to insufficient access to processing facilities during the coronavirus pandemic? USDA’s Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP) provides financial relief for those losses and costs associated with depopulation due to COVID-19. This new program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.
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The Natural Farmer
Seeking Submissions
The Natural Farmer, NOFA's quarterly publication, welcomes contributions from writers, story tellers, scientists, growers, conservationists, food justice activists, eaters, and more! As long as the content relates to agriculture, food, or the land - TNF wants to hear from you.
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Scituate Farmers Market Seeking Food Vendors
Scituate Farmers Market is growing this year and aims at promoting sustainability. We are trying to educate the public and provide the tools they need to eat and live sustainably. Please reach out if you think your product may be a good fit!
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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 olivia.hart@semaponline.org.
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Call For Presenters!
The Massachusetts Food System Forum: Reconnecting and Rebuilding will be held on December 8, 2021 in Sturbridge, MA. If you are interested in presenting on your work, leading a skill share, or moderating a topical breakout group, please submit a short proposal using this form by July 31.
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USDA Racial Equity Public Comment Period Extended
If you are a farmer or an organization that works on behalf of farmers, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals and/or groups who’ve faced barriers in accessing USDA programs, you have until Saturday, August 14 to submit your comments on how the agency can advance racial justice and equity for underserved farmers and communities.
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Google Reviews
SEMAP is leading a project to help farm businesses set up Google business listings and promote Google reviews. Positive reviews make your business's name appear in more Google searches (like "farms near me"), help bring in more customers, and reach a wider audience. Not sure if you have a Google business listing? Want to get noticed in more searches? Please email olivia.hart@semaponline.org.
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Find more events and opportunities
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National Farmers Market Week
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Did you know that August 1-7 is National Farmers Market Week? Celebrate our local farmers markets by shopping and posting pictures with the hashtags #FarmersMarketWeek, #FarmersMarketsAreEssential and #LoveMyMarket. Stay tuned to SEMAP's Facebook and Instagram where we'll be highlighting our regional markets throughout the week.
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Buy Local App
SEMAP and the Massachusetts Coalition of Local Food and Farms are launching the Eat Local MA mobile app to help eaters find local food and farms. Starting on June 30th, download the app on your iOS or Android device, and use the map directory or mobile searchable directory to find farms, markets, fisheries, specialty food producers, craft beverages and more--All locally made!
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Southcoast Food Policy Council
The Southcoast Food Policy Council is a group of community representatives, social service providers, food producers, consumers, and others building policy and strategies that strengthen our regional food system, improve community health, and eliminate food insecurity. Want to add your voice? We invite people interested in joining the Southcoast Food Policy Council, at all levels of engagement - whether you would like to join the leadership, participate in a working group, or join in on quarterly public meetings, to contact Christine Smith, SFPC Program Manager at csmith@marioninstitute.org.
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Kingston Farmers Market
Kingston's monthly farmers market is THIS Sunday 8/1 at the Kingston Collection! Sunflowers from Crooked Barn Flower Farm, Kombucha from Indie Ferm is back, and Bogside Acres is re-stocked with their Steaks, ground beef, & chorizo patties from Bogside Acres, fresh veggies from Patti's Patch, and much more!
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Ward's Berry Farm on WBUR
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North Attleboro Farmers Market T-Shirt Contest
Win a free T-shirt from the North Attleboro Farmers Market! Visit the market, do some shopping and take a picture of what you got! Post the picture into a comment on this post with the hashtag #nafarmersmarket.
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Anawan Farm Sunflower Picking
Anawan Farm in Rehoboth is bringing back their famous sunflower picking hours for this year! Book a half hour to pick 12 to 24 blooms, plus other beautiful florals. Don't miss out!
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Farm to Table Dinner at Soule Homestead August 7th!
Who is excited for the return of Soule Homestead's most delicious fundraiser? We are so happy to welcome our friends back to the farm to celebrate an evening of local food. Learn what's on the menu and register now!
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C.N. Smith Blueberry Picking
C.N. Smith Farm in East Bridgewater is offering pick-your-own for blueberries and other seasonal produce! Stop by the farm before the season is over.
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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...
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupes
- Watermelon
- Celery
- Chard
- Leeks
- Tomatoes
- Turnips
- Corn
- Garlic
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Plums
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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!
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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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