SEMAP's 1st Annual Bog Jog was a great success! 

With help from our fabulous VOLUNTEERS, staff, event sponsors and community members the results were as follows: 
214 runners raising $6,550 (with $1,750 of that total coming from sponsorships).  

"This is the best food I've ever had at a race!"

We received great feedback during and after the event especially regarding the all local lunch provided by SEMAP Member Farms & Businesses and the gorgeous race course provided by AD Makepeace.  Folks are excited for the 2012 event and are already guessing a higher number of participants for next year!
 "...your race on Saturday was particularly great as it introduced me to a new site, I got to see the Makepeace headquarters up close and the after run food was ...well, in a word the best after-race food ever. Local greens, Mayflower IPA and chowder at 10 a.m. How great is that!"

THANK YOU to those who volunteered and participated!

Annie S. - Dave & Patty Cogswell - Judy H. - Kate L. - Sarah K. - KIM & LINDA! - Tihonet Village Market Staff - Brittany L. -  Deb & Mike Hood - Carolyn & Nancy - Scott G.- Joe B. - Erin W. - Jesse F. - Jen D. - Angela P. - Suzanne C. & Jeff C.

Join us next year! 

Applications for NRCS programs may be submitted at any time. A conservation plan is the essential first step to participating in federal conservation programs. Landowners can start the conservation planning process with the assistance of NRCS staff now and be ready for the next round of federal funding when it's available. 

USDA service center locations are listed on-line at http://offices.usda.gov  

General program information is available on the NRCS Massachusetts website at www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov   

The Carrot Project Seeks Applications for its Farm Loan Fund

http://nesare.org/get/farmers/ 

Eligibility

To apply, you must be a farmer in the Northeast SARE region. You need not be farming full time, but your operation should have an established crop or animal product that you sell on a regular basis. Institutional and incorporated farms may apply, but the primary activity of that farm must be to produce and sell food under the kinds of economic constraints that affect commercial growers. Many community-supported farms qualify, but farms where the primary mission is educational normally do not.

2011 School Garden Grant Project: Helping Gardens Grow 

Learning about the process of growing food helps children develop a deep understanding of the connection between healthy eating and a healthy body. School gardens offer an opportunity to integrate math, science and health curriculum into a dynamic, interactive setting. They also provide a base of knowledge that allows children to take an active role in healthy food choices.

• $2000 grant offer to schools, districts or school-affiliated nonprofit organizations.
• Yearlong support and mentoring from FoodCorps.
• Access to a resource center providing curriculum, coaching, materials and ideas.
• Participation in gardening discussions and forums with expert assistance.  

Apply from August 17-December 31, 2011  

Application at 

http://wholekidsfoundation.org/gardengrants.php  

MDAR offers three formats serve the broad spectrum of individuals who make up Massachusetts agriculture: 

Explorers - For those who are thinking about getting into farming or expanding a hobby to an income-generating scale, "Exploring the Small Farm Dream" delivers experienced Instructor guidance and timely peer group feedback for making informed decisions about whether and how to proceed in farming. Five sessions over 6 weeks on weekday evenings in Amherst and Marlborough. Cost per enterprise - $125.

UPDATE - There is currently a waiting list for this course. 

Planners - For those a step or two beyond Explorer who have access to land and a stronger sense of what they want and are capable of doing, "Planning for Start-up" provides a gut check before making more significant investments of time and money. Requires completion of Explorer, or prior self guided completion of the Explorer workbook. Applicants must have already reached the decision to farm on a revenue generating scale. Six sessions over 8 weeks on Saturday mornings in Amherst and possibly also in Marlborough based on regional demand. Cost per enterprise - $175.

Established Farmers - For those already operating an agricultural enterprise with at least two years of production and sales records, and who need to develop a comprehensive business plan on paper, "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity" offers a chance to assess, regroup, assemble documentation for decision making, consider redirection, plan expansion, or approach ownership transfer. This course draws on extensive peer experience, Instructor knowledge and guest speakers - with the addition of substantial individual technical assistance at course conclusion. 10 sessions over 11 weeks on weekday evenings in Amherst and Marlborough. Cost per enterprise - $225.

Explorer and Tilling the Soil courses are limited to 12 farms/potential agricultural businesses, with an option to bring a key partner at no extra cost. Planner is limited to 10. Full attendance is required to get expected results. Fees are kept low through MDAR support.

Please request additional details and an application for the course that fits you best. Courses fill quickly in the Fall. Email requests to [email protected], or visit Agricultural Business Training Program.

 USDA Organic Cost Share Program Applications Due  

Applications are due for Organic Cost Share Reimbursement. The Department has been awarded funds from the United States Department of Agriculture through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program to reimburse certified organic farmers (crop and Livestock) and processors up to 75% ($750 dollars maximum) of the total certification cost. 

Reimbursement is available to production and processing operations certified and/or receiving continuation of certification during the period of October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. In order to receive reimbursement, please submit forms to the Department by no later than October 15, 2011. http://www.mass.gov/agr/markets/organic_cost_share.htm, or contact Ellen Hart, 617-626-1742, [email protected]s.