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Hannah Grimes Center

Farm Focus Newsletter

May 2011



Topic of the Month: Monadnock Menus

 

Monadnock MenusThis month's Farm Focus E-newsletter focuses on Monadnock Menus, a community initiative from Monadnock Farm & Community Connection for farmers, restaurants and chefs in our region.   The goal is to create a community where local food is easy to find by identifying restaurants that are serving local food.

 

Find Out More:

 

Help Us Help a Monadnock Menus Member: 

 

One Monadnock Member chef asked about local grains - and we want to ask you: are there any Monadnock Region farmers experimenting with growing grains?


Farms Outside Our Region Growing Grains:
Interested In Growing Grains? 

GrowSeed

WheatBreeding Wheat for Organic Farms &  

Community Vitality

Heritage Grain Conservancy 

Thursday, July 14 and Friday, July 15

UMass Farm, South Deerfield, MA


This conference will build the foundation to develop a local organic wheat breeding program in the Northeast, and provide guidelines to breed modern and historic varieties under organic management, using selection criteria of performance in mixtures, weed competition, height and tilling capacity, different seeding rates and capacity to adapt to climate change weather extremes. We will explore how to strengthen the values and community systems that best foster a dynamic, approach to plant evolution for a sustainable future.  As we face unprecedented climate change, we are coming together to reinvigorate our skills and relationships to create a local wheat-to-bread community.  Donation per day $20. Potluck meals. View Grain Conference Flyer or contact [email protected] for more details.

Farm Focus Classifieds*
Members Sought: Small and Beginner Farmers of New Hampshire is a farmer to farmer network with the goals of connecting farmers and the community, sharing ideas and information, and accessing technical assistance and agricultural education.  Membership is $16 for a year and includes a monthly newsletter and email list serve. View more benefits on SBFNH's website.   Also, SBFNH has a grain mill available for rent by dues-paid members.

*The Hannah Grimes Center is posting these classifieds as a service to readers and does not imply endorsement.  Add your own classified ad: Send a 20-30 word description of your service or product that is directly supporting entrepreneurs to [email protected].  Make sure to include the best way to contact you.
Events to Help Your Business Innovate

Workshops for Farmers & Growers 

Nuestras Ra�ces, UMass & CISA

May 4, 11, 14 & 18, Times Vary 

Nuestras Ra�ces Farm, Holyoke, MA


Nuestras Ra�ces, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture and UMass are teaming up to offer a series of workshops for farmers and growers on the following topics: Farmers' Market 101 (May 4); Setting Up a Farmers' Market Stand (May 11 or 18); Insecticide Application and Pesticide Safety (May 14); and Composting 101 (May 19). $20 for members of Nuestras Ra�ces, $26 for non-members. Call Kevin Andaluz at 413-531-2767 for more information: http://www.nuestras-raices.org.
Nuestras Raices


Farm Financing:  

Helping New Farmers Scale the  

Capital Access Barrier

Cornell Cooperative Extension 

Monday, May 9, Noon - 1 p.m.

Online Webinar


These interactive webinars will include plenty of time for discussion and questions via chat pod.  Dorothy Suput, founder and executive director of The Carrot Project, will summarize the findings and recommendations of a national working group on farm financing, whose report Farm Financing: Opportunities to Improve the Financial and Business Environment for Small and Mid-Sized Farms Through Strategic Financing was published in July 2010.  Angela Hanson, Loan Officer with the USDA Farm Services Agency, will outline the FSA's loan programs for beginning farmers, and how these loans fit into the overall landscape of loan options for new farmers. Cost: FREE.  Register online or contact: [email protected]; 607-255-9911.
Events to Help You Connect
With Farmers & Other Experts

2nd Annual Local Farm to School Conference  

Post Oil Solutions  

Thursday, May 5, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

SIT Graduate Institute, Brattleboro, VT


Workshops all day offered for educators and administrators, farmers and school gardeners, Farm to School coordinators, school food service staff, students and interested community members. Will include: Farm and Food Curriculum Connections, School Garden Activities, Taste Test Tips, Farm Field Trips and more. Register online, free: http://f2sconference.wordpress.com.


Annual Fence Clinic

Wellscroft Fence Systems

Saturday & Sunday, May 7 & 8, 9 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.

Wellscroft Fence Systems, Chesham


Whether you are new to raising animals or if you have a seasoned green thumb but suddenly have undesired critters in your garden, Wellscroft's annual Fence Clinic (typically held the first weekend in May) is a FREE event where you can learn more about your fencing options.  Come learn how to fence in livestock like sheep, goats, poultry, horses, cattle, and much more as well as how to protect your garden, orchard or beehive from a host of varmints including deer, raccoons and bears! Public may attend either Saturday or Sunday to listen to seminars and speak with our professional staff as well as a number of fencing contractors. Come learn all you can about your next fencing project.
For more information contact: 603-827-3464, http://www.wellscroft.com.


Farm Energy Webinar

Iowa State University Extension

Wednesday, May 11, 10 - 11 a.m.

Online Webinar


Iowa State University Extension offers this webinar as part of a series of farm energy conservation and efficiency educational materials being developed through the ISU Farm Energy Initiative. The purpose is to increase farmers' awareness of opportunities for improving efficient use of farm energy. Online registration: http://farmenergy.exnet.iastate.edu.


2011 New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival

NH Sheep & Wool Growers Association 

Saturday & Sunday, May 14 & 15, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Sunday ends at 4 p.m.)

Hopkinton State Fairgrounds, Contoocook


The 35th annual festival will feature sheep shearing, fiber animals, dog herding demonstrations, sheep dog trials, youth shows and activities, fiber shows, spinning and weaving demonstrations, fleece judging and sale, breed displays, educational programs, special workshops and lectures, as well as, over 100 vendors: http://www.nhswga.com/events.

 

Holistic Orchard Intensive

NOFA NH

Saturday, May 28, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Maple Frost Farm, Langdon


NOFA NH is delighted to have Michael Phillips, author of "The Apple Grower", discuss the key role fungal duff management and optimal nutrition plays for fruit trees and woodsy berries. We will meet in a homestead orchard in southwestern NH at the tail end of spring bloom, an excellent time to identify the insect and disease dynamics faced by all New England growers.  This is guaranteed to be an informative day for both the diversified CSA grower and thinking home orchardists. The cost for the day-long workshop is $65 for NOFA members/$75 for non-members. To register, send an email to [email protected] and please put Holistic Orchard Workshop in the title.
News & Resources to Inform & Inspire
 MMMonadnock Menus Goals:
Getting Local on the Menu 

Originally Posted on Monadnock Menus Blog 


The Monadnock Menus Program has a full plate of goals - to create a community where local food is easy to find, increase the number of restaurants and cafeterias serving local food, and encourage more eaters to choose local food wherever we eat.  As Monadnock Menus develops this program we glean ideas and resources from other programs such as the Vermont Fresh Network, New Hampshire Farm to Restaurant Connection, and Monadnock Matchmaker Event.


ToolsTools for Selling to Restaurants,  

Retailers & Institutions

Keys to a Successful Relationship

Originally Posted on CISA 


Selling directly to restaurants, retailers and institutions can be a great way to expand your business and develop a reliable customer base. This tip sheet is part of a series (all available at www.buylocalfood.com) designed to help farmers respond to the unique challenges in reaching out to and maintaining relationships with direct wholesale purchasers. When you approach restaurant owners, chefs, retailers, and purchasers at hospital, college and workplace cafeterias, you need to be prepared and professional. What follows are some tips for getting started and for keeping the relationship going strong over the years. View Selling Tipsheet.

ProsConsPros & Cons of Selling Directly to Restaurants

Originally Posted on ATTRA News, October 2009


PROS FarmFork
  • Easy first sale
  • High margin
  • Purchase by the carton
  • May buy a little or a lot
  • Good market intelligence
  • Local
  • Reliable customers
  • Do not require a standard pack
CONS
  • Small order size/frequent delivery
  • Picky-require top quality
  • Slow pay
  • Require personal attention
  • High turnover of buyers
  • Must have a harvest schedule in advance
  • Require a specific delivery time window, such as 9 to 11 a.m.
Read ATTRA's Tips: http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter



Funding Opportunities

Farm Start

Farm Start Seed Capital Available

From Farm Credit East, Yankee Farm Credit & CoBank


FarmStart was created to assist beginning farmers and new cooperatives through start-up, providing investments in working capital of up to $50,000. Repayment of these funds is up to five years. Our purpose is much deeper than just providing the funds, though. FarmStart is envisioned as a key element in the success of startup ag businesses. Not only will recipients have the opportunity to develop a successful credit record, but also to learn the discipline of effective cash flow management.

Who is eligible?
Farmers, forestry producers, fishermen, farm related service businesses and cooperatives, generally in their first three years of business.  View Farm Start Flyer for more details.


EQIP Organic Initiative Program 

Application Rankings Cut-Off Date May 20, 2011


USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers this funding opportunity for certified organic producers and those transitioning to organic production who implement resource conservation practices on their agricultural enterprise.  Details at: http://www.nh.nrcs.usda.gov.

 

 

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

Applications Due June 15 & 30, 2011


USDA is providing funding for up to $61 million in guaranteed loans and $42 million in grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Funds are available to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements and conduct studies to determine the feasibility of renewable energy systems.  Applications for clean energy project grants and combined grants and loan guarantees are due June 15, 2011.  Applications for renewable energy Feasibility Studies grants, Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance grants are due June 30, 2011. View Details.