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Hannah Grimes Center

Farm Focus Newsletter

September 2011



TOPIC OF THE MONTH: 

VALUE-ADDED & SPECIALTY PRODUCTS 

WalpoleCreameryThis month's Farm Focus E-Newsletter focuses on value-added and specialty products.  Whether cleaning and cooling, packaging, processing, distributing, cooking, combining, churning, culturing, grinding, hulling, extracting, drying, smoking, handcrafting, spinning, weaving, labeling, or packaging your own or others raw locally-grown ingredients, these processed products can offer you a higher financial return, open up new markets, lengthen the market season and quench some of the consumer demand for locally-produced products.

How many Monadnock Region farmers are currently producing value-added products?  According to a recent Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) report, 16 out of 39 of farmers interviewed said they produce value-added goods--and 10 said they would like to start. 

wine

If value-added products mean more profit, why aren't more of us producing these products? Farmers told the CCCD that infrastructure costs, especially in cheese production, were their biggest obstacle.  Lack of time and start-up expenses were also identified as barriers.

How can infrastructure and the other costs of developing a product be reduced?  Investigate our region's Commercial Kitchens and learn about other state and national resources that can assist with the development of new value-added and specialty products.

 

Question from one value-added producer:  I sell to retail markets on consignment. How can I make sure my product is consumed before the expiration date? One idea I have is to sell to markets that also have a deli.  I could encourage the chefs or cooks to use the product, once it gets close to its expiration date, in a special dish.  Are there ways that you avoid having your product returned to you?  Email us your suggestions or other questions.

YOU ARE INVITED!

CONNECT 2011

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Michael Shuman 

Exploring Local Economies & Vibrant Communities

Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 5:00 - 7:30pm  

   Alyson's Orchard, Walpole

 

"A study done two years ago found that a 20% shift of retail food spending in Detroit redirected to locally grown foods would create 5,000 jobs and increase local output by half a billion dollars." -Michael Shuman, BALLE from Community Food Entreprise Article 

 

This year's CONNECT event will feature Michael Shuman, one of the nation's leading experts on community economics. Shuman will discuss how a community can build a strong network of locally-owned businesses, including farms and food processors that contribute to a vibrant community and thriving regional economy. An economist, attorney, author and entrepreneur, Shuman is Director for Research and Public Policy for the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE).

 

This evening event will include delicious food and great networking with other community-minded people. Everyone is welcome! Cost: $30/person ($35/person at door). Early Bird registration: $25/person (ends September 23).   

 

Registration & more details: http://www.hannahgrimes.com/CONNECT 

Connect 2011

Farm Focus Classifieds*
Now Hiring: Part-time Monadnock Farm & Community Connection Program Coordinator.  For details visit: http://www.cheshireconservation.org.

Request for Ideas & Participation:
  October 24, 2011 is Food Day -- a day to transform the way we eat in this country by bringing an awareness of the dramatic effects that America's food system has on health, the environment, hunger, farm workers, and farm animals.  Share your ideas and ability to participate in Food Day activities.  Contact: KC Wright, edible WHITE MOUNTAINS, 603-526-9081, www.ediblewhitemountains.com.

*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 jen@hannahgrimes.com.  Make sure to include the best way to contact you.
LFG

Events to Help Your Business INNOVATE

Marketing 101 Webinar

California Certified Organic Farmers 

Wednesday, September 28, Noon - 1:30pm 

Online Webinar

CCOF

 

California Certified Organic Farmers offers an opportunity to learn the basics of how to bring your product to market including the benefits, pros, cons, and pitfalls of working with different market channels. This webinar will include a self-assessment tool to help you determine which market channel is right for your operation.  Cost: $10. Satisfaction is guaranteed! More information: http://www.ccof.org.

 

 

 

Understanding What You Need Your Website  

to Do for You Workshop

Hannah Grimes Center

Monday, October 17, Noon - 1:30pm

Hannah Grimes Center, Keene 

 

Explore Jesse James Garrett's Five Planes of User Experience for a website:  Strategy, Scope, Structure, Skeleton, Surface. Audience: Anyone with a website or thinking about creating a website.  Register at: http://www.hannahgrimes.com.
Events to Help You CONNECT
With Farmers & Other Experts

MOFGA 

Common Ground Country Fair

MOFGA 

Friday - Sunday, September 23 -25, 9am - 6pm 

University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Unity, ME 

 

The annual Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Fair combines lots of fair fun with exceptional workshops, speakers and demonstrations for farmers and homesteaders. Check out the full schedule of events at

www.mofga.org/TheFair.

 

 

Reducing Hay Waste Webinar

eXtension 

Tuesday, September 27, 7pm

Online Webinar 

 

Reducing hay waste starts with buying quality hay and proper storage. However, waste can also be reduced though feeding management and careful selection of a feeder. Dr. Krishona Martinson, from the University of Minnesota will discuss different feeding management practices as well as new research on hay waste and economics of nine unique round bale feeders, during this free webinar made possible by My Horse University and eXtension Horses. Join us for this free webinar, on Tuesday, September 27 at 7pm EST. Register now!  http://www.extension.org.


To Build or Not to Build:  

Is a New Processor Really Needed?

eXtension

Wednesday, September 28, 1pm

Online Webinar

 

Finding a processor that does what you need, when you need it, can be challenging. Building a new facility to meet that need might seem like a good idea. Sometimes it is. But often it isn't. On this webinar, we'll discuss when building new facilities makes sense and when it doesn't, with real stories -- and lessons -- from the field. Details: http://www.extension.org.


Putting Our Money Where Our Mouths Are

PVGrows

Thursday, October 27, 9:30am-1pm

Location TBA, MA

 

Join us for an interactive session about the future of our Pioneer Valley food system. Networking: Get to know who's who- from farm and food entrepreneurs to policy-makers, distributors, processors, emergency food providers, researchers, activists, and eaters. Dialogue:  Exchange ideas with six innovative Pioneer Valley food and farm entrepreneurs, showcasing a variety of business models (for-profit, not-for-profit, and more). Financing: Learn about financial and technical assistance available to Pioneer Valley farm and food businesses. Inspiration: Our region is leading the way to a green food economy- come be a part of it!  Registration opens in mid-September. More information available here: https://sites.google.com/site/pvgrowssummer2011.


It Takes a Region 2011:  

A Conference to Build Our Northeast Food System

NESAWG 

Friday - Saturday, November 11-12

Pre-conference trainings on November 10

Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, Albany, NY 

 

This year, Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG) and partners will draw on the success of our 2009 & 2010 "It Takes a Region" conferences.  Once again, we'll look at exciting efforts underway in our region. We'll hear and build from the work groups  -- including distribution logistics, research, messaging, access & nutrition, and policy advocacy (how do we influence the 2012 Farm Bill?).  Fee: $140 (early bird registration).  Details at http://www.ittakesaregion.org.
News & Resources to Inform & Inspire
KitchensCommercial Kitchens
In & Near the Monadnock Region
Who is missing?  Contact us.


NMadeNeighbor Made:  

Do What You Do Best, 

We've Done the Rest

From Neighbor Made's Website 

 

A fully equipped, commercially licensed, shared-use kitchen in Keene's Railroad Square. Helping you build or grow your specialty food business.  One of the biggest obstacles for starting a food business is the high cost of setting up a commercial kitchen. Neighbor Made is here to help. We are a fully equipped, commercially licensed, shared-use kitchen in Keene's Railroad Square, allowing you to build your business on an as-needed basis with lowered risk and minimized start-up costs. Like Neighbor Made on Facebook


MFKMonadnock Fusion Kitchen

From Monadnock Fusion Kitchen's Website 

 

MFK"Our mission is to empower local food producers in the Monadnock Region." An affordable commercial food preparation and cooking facility for bakers, caterers, and small food processors and producers in Peterborough. 

For details and rates, please call Roy Gandhi-Schwatlo at 603-313-9768.


FCCDC

The FCCDC - Food Processing Center
The FCCDC - Food Processing Center

  Franklin County  

Community Development Corporation

From FCCDC's Website 

Have you ever been told that your recipe is good enough to bottle? That's the seed that grows into a successful food business at the Center. The Center can help you overcome the obstacles to commercial success and guide you through the process of bringing your recipe to market. With the resources of the Center and the support of the Franklin County CDC behind your business, you can realize your dream of owning your own business.


Freezing Regional Produce for  

Western New England Report 

Originally Posted on FCCDC's Website 

 

Institutional interest in purchasing regionally grown food is booming. In 2009, the Western MA Food Processing Center (FPC) recognized that there was an increasing demand for extended season, regionally grown produce in Western New England. In 2010, the FPC conducted the Extended Season Farm to Institution pilot project to determine the level of interest in and capacity for a wholesale farm-to-institution frozen product market in Western New England.

*Learn more about Storing Produce From Multiple Farms at the Post Harvest Handling & Crop Storage Workshop.

More Resources:

Funding Opportunities

From ATTRA 

 

-Northeast SARE Farmer Grants: Proposals are due December 1, 2011

-NH Agricultural Nutrient Management Grant Program: Applications due December 1, 2011

-National Organic Certification Cost Share Program: Applications due November 15, 2011

-NH Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program: Applications are due November 1, 2011

-Simply Organic Foods: No specified deadline 

 

More funding opportunities at: https://attra.ncat.org/calendar/funding.php.