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 About BFNMass
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 The Beginning Farmer Network of Massachusetts (BFN/Mass) is a collaborative group of farmers and farm service providers dedicated to beginning farmer success in Massachusetts. By creating more space for networking and collaboration amongst Beginning Farmers and Service Providers we hope to bring together people who want to work on similar issues, who want to share information and lessons learned, and who can inspire each other by the work they are already doing.
Network Functions:
- A reliable website and referral network so that beginning farmers can effectively find the information and services that they need.
- In-person meetings to allow beginning farmers and stakeholders to meet each other, network, find points of collaboration, and work together toward common goals.
- Provide information to help farmers stay connected and thrive such as blog articles, farmer profiles, and the events calendar.
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| Getting Involved |
 BFN/Mass needs your help! You can help in a number of ways:- Upload your farmer resources and events to bfnmass.org. Or tell us what resources you have used that should be on the site.
- Volunteer to help plan or set up for the Fall Forum farmer and service provider networking event in November.
- Write a blog article on a topic relevant to beginning farmers.
- Send us examples of successful farmers who you think we should highlight for BFN/Mass.
- Please share with us any feedback or topics you would like us to cover to improve the quality of BFN/Mass.
Contact Margiana Petersen-Rockney at margiana@comteam.org or 978-654-6745 ex. 5734 or 401-330-7153 (cell) to get involved.
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With support from ...
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Support for this program is provided by USDA NIFA's BFRDP grant #2010-49400-21765 |
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Greetings!
Summer has been flying by, the growing season is in full swing, and BFN/Mass has been doing some great work!
In mid July BFN/Mass organized a meeting with Mass  Commissioner of Agriculture, Greg Watson to discuss beginning farmers and ways that the Mass Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and BFN/Mass can work together to help beginning farmers access the tools they need to succeed. We met at New Entry Sustainable Farming Project's Ogonowski incubator farm site where we met several of New Entry's beginning farmers. Our discussion focused on what BFN/Mass does and ways that we can grow and develop to better connect and serve beginning farmers in the future. Everyone left the meeting feeling excited and energized as we move forward!
 Last year the first annual BFN/Mass Fall Forum brought together 200 farmers and farm service providers. We are planning the second annual fall forum to take place in mid-November. The exact date will be announced soon. We are looking for a few people who would like to join the Fall Forum planning team. Let us know if you are interested in helping with the event!
There are lots more exciting events and announcements below. Please read on!
Sincerely,
Margiana Petersen-Rockney
BFN/Mass Coordinator
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| Invitation for new farmer nominations to the BFN/Mass Steering Committee |
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The BFN/Mass Steering Committee is comprised of individuals who work in the field of agriculture and are dedicated to the mission and goals of BFN/Mass. 
We are inviting nominations for two beginning farmers
with 0-10 years of farming experience to join the volunteer Steering Committee to help guide and shape the future of BFN/Mass.
The commitment is small and the impact is huge! The time commitment includes bi-monthly conference calls, periodic email correspondence and several in person meetings annually. Interest or skills related to marketing/outreach, social media, and event planning are especially needed.
Most importantly we are looking for people with energy and passion for helping beginning farmers and farm service providers connect and thrive. Please lend us your voice to help meet the needs of beginning farmers in Mass!
To nominate yourself or others, please send us a brief  letter of interest and contact information. Tell us what motivates you to be involved with BFN/Mass, what farming experience you have and what you feel you bring to the team. Please send nominations to: margiana@comteam.org
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Website Update
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The BFN/Mass website is a wonderful resource for all farmers, not just beginning farmers. Some new website features include:
Many organizations and farm service providers have already added their services and events to the resource map, but there are many left out there who still need to sign up. Simply go  to www.bfnmass.org and click "user login" and the website will direct you to create an account. You can upload resources, add events, or sign up to receive an e-mail when a new resource or event is added to the site.
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Thanks to our partners!
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BFN/Mass is a collaborative network comprised of many types of farmers and farm service providers. Thank you to all, whether you are a formal partner, attend our annual Fall Forum, or have helped advise us through the development process! We really value your help that makes this network one which successfully serves beginning farmers and farm service providers. Please offer any comments, suggestions, and ideas. Your feedback is always appreciated.
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In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, contact USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, D.C., 02050-9410 or call 1-866-632-9992 Toll Free; or 1-800-877-8339 Federal Relay Service; or 1-800-845-6136 (In Spanish); or 1-800 795-3272 between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time; or (TDD) 720-2600. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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