Farmer Update: October 2022 |
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Dear Farmers and Food Producers: |
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I hope this season of abundance is treating you and your farm well! By now, I imagine you've heard SEMAP's big news: our Executive Director Karen Schwalbe is moving on at the end of this month. We're glad she won't be too far as she's heading to MA Farm Bureau, and we are seeking applicants to fill this position as soon as possible. See below for more information and please share this opportunity far and wide! In the meantime, please enjoy this abbreviated version of our monthly farmer newsletter, and reach out with any questions, concerns, or needs.
In this email you'll find information on:
- Our recent and upcoming Twilight workshops
- New grant programs for food producers
- Educational events and workshops
- Prospective local composting facility
- Opportunities for farmer feedback
- Legislative issues and opportunities
- Local farming jobs
- And more!
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With gratitude,
Shannon Hickey (she/her)
Program Coordinator
(781) 908-4466
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We are seeking a new full-time Executive Director! We are excited about this opportunity to build on SEMAP's work and continue to grow our organization and capacity to support our farmers. Please share this opening with your networks and anyone you know who you believe would make a strong fit.
Preference will be given to applications received by November 10th. We are prioritizing applicants living in Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties, as well as those with agricultural or food systems experience. Submit a resume and letter of interest as a PDF to jobs@semaponline.org. |
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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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Conservation Stewardship Program: To encourage current and new stewardship practices by developing & funding a plan to help farmers increase productivity and protect the value of their land.
- Deadline: October 21st
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Contact your local field office to apply!
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Northeast SARE Farmer Grant: To explore new concepts in sustainable agriculture conducted through experiments, surveys, prototypes, on-farm demonstrations or other research and education techniques.
- Deadline: November 15th
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Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program: To offer financial assistance for specialty crop operations that incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years in 2022 or 2023.
- Deadline: January 31st
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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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Wrapping Up Our On-Farm Twilight Workshop Series |
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This week, we were so thrilled to be joined by NOFA/Mass and Norfolk Aggie's plant science department in Walpole to take a look at soil samples under the microscope! Students, farmers, and community members came together to identify bacteria in their soils and discuss building environments that foster their growth. We really look forward to teaming up with NOFA soil scientists Ruben Parrilla and John Duke again this spring! Our most sincere thanks to all who helped make it happen!
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On November 1st at 4pm, we'll have our FINAL Twilight of the growing season at Skinny Dip Farm in Little Compton, RI. Hannah and Ben received a SEMAP TIE award to develop low-tunnels in 2018. While they have since moved on to other growing systems, they take with them some lessons learned. They currently grow kale & sprouting broccoli in high tunnels and are eager to share their findings with you. Registration is optional but helpful for a pizza headcount. I hope we'll see you there!
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Virtual and On-Farm Skills Workshops for Growers |
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Other organizations across the region are also bringing important conversations to local farmers. Check out some of the highlights below:
Thursday, Oct 20th at 4pm – Break-Even Analysis Workshop: This FREE virtual workshop is offered by Julia Shanks, food system consultant & financial expert. Julia is the author of The Farmer's Office and a wonderful financing resource for food producers.
Friday, Oct 21st at 4pm – Seed Saving Workshop: This in-person workshop is offered by Groundwork Somerville at a sliding scale starting at $8. They'll chat about seed saving techniques and the cultural & political importance of the practice. You'll also take home your own packet of seeds!
Wednesday, Nov 2nd at 8:30am – Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training: UMass Extension is hosting this on-farm food safety course to help farmers learn to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Rule. This will also cover GAP, CQP, and co-management of natural resources. The cost is $40.
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Compost Facility Seeking Southeastern MA Location |
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Black Earth Compost is looking for a farm, gravel pit, or other property to set up a compost facility in Southeastern Massachusetts. Farms interested in hosting the facility may receive a range of benefits: rent, management of animal mortalities & vegetable surpluses, and a portion of the compost offered back to the farm. Only 2-4 acres are needed and Black Earth operates 3 other sites in the Boston area without incident. Please reach out to Andrew at andrew@blackearthcompost.com to express interest or ask questions.
Additionally, Black Earth offers their nutrient-rich FSMA-compliant compost for sale to farmers for cover cropping, planting, and other needs. Farmer customers may also advertise their CSA programs to residential users of Black Earth Compost's collection service – more than 35,000 households!
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Winter Business Planning Courses Open for Applications |
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MDAR is offering two hands-on business planning courses for aspiring, beginning, and expanding farmers, both to be held this winter. Note that these courses have been postponed from their intended start date of October.
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. Begins January 12th and meets on Thursday evenings, 6-9pm in Southborough. 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. Begins January 17th and meets on Tuesday evenings, 5:30-8:30pm in Southborough. Email questions to Diego.Irizarry-Gerould@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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Provide Feedback on Massachusetts Solar Siting |
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The MA Department of Energy Resources is exploring the future of solar energy in Massachusetts, and needs your input to help determine the best locations for future solar projects. It is crucial that the agricultural community's diverse opinions on this subject are heard! The survey should only take 5-10 minutes. Please pay special attention to the question about solar siting on agricultural lands! Direct any questions to Danah.Tench@mass.gov. |
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Opportunity for Public Comment on Discrimination by USDA |
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking public comment on how it should implement a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act that aims to provide assistance to farmers who experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs. They're seeking feedback on topics like farmer payment eligibility, timeliness, standards of proof of discrimination, outreach methods, compensation amounts, oversight, and more.
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Preparing to Hit the Polls on Election Day (Nov 8) |
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SEMAP is teaming up with The Marion Institute's Southcoast Food Policy Council to bring you a candidate forum for contested statehouse races on the South Coast. Join us on Tuesday Oct 25, 6:30-8pm for a night of lively conversation about local food systems from candidates on the ballot for Bristol County's 8th and 10th districts. And stay tuned to our Facebook page for additional candidate engagement across other contested districts of Southeastern Massachusetts! |
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Please also check out this op-ed, written by the Executive Director of our partner organization CISA. Director Phil Korman asks us all to vote YES on question 4, in order to allow immigrants with some but not all documentation to apply for a driver's license. This ballot question follows the legislature's passage of the Work and Family Mobility Act this summer, and its enforcement will impact farmworkers across the state! |
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Two Surveys to Inform State & Federal Ag Programming |
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The NRCS offices in the New England states are working to identify and learn from urban and suburban farms in an effort to better provide conservation assistance to producers in non-rural environments. Historically, these farmers have had less access to NRCS programs. If you produce food in an urban or peri-urban environment, please complete this anonymous survey ASAP. It should take around 15 minutes. |
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MDAR is conducting a research study on health and wellness in the state’s farming community with the goal of identifying the conditions impacting the agricultural community’s health. They are currently working with a contractor to develop programs to support farmers & farmworkers' mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Programming will be informed by this survey, which should take only 5-7 minutes. |
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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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