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SEMAP's e-Newsletter
THE VINE
bog jog corn
 Issue #8                                          

October/2011  

QUICK LINKS
SEMAP Classes & Events!
Local Food Event
Funding Opportuties & Annoucements
Ag Biz Planning & Organic Farming Cost Share Apps
Renew & Advertise with SEMAP

SEMAP's 1st Annual Bog Jog was a great success! bog jog lady run

 

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!"bog jog kid

 

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! 

5% DaySEMAP Classes & Events!
 
Halloween/Harvest Fest to Benefit SEMAP! 
Saturday, Oct. 29th, 2011
5% Day @ Whole Foods Market, Bellingham MA, 12Noon - 4pm
255 Hartford Ave., Bellingham MA

Four times a year, Whole Foods Market Bellingham chooses a local non-profit organization to benefit from one of its 5% Days; in which 5% of the day's net sales are returned to the organization.  

As this is the end of the harvest season, we will be celebrating with a Harvest Fest!

Camel rides, pony rides, an exotic petting zoo with over 35 animals, games, over 40 vendors, and a costume contest, are only a sampling of what is in store for this 5% day!  
In addition, SEMAP will be offering a free Make You Own Rainbarrel workshop at the event outside!

The PERFECT Apple Pie Class w/ Rosa Galeno - Saturday, Nov. 5th 
Saturday, November 5th, 2011
Bridgewater Unitarian Church

10:00am - 3:00pm; lunch included. 
She's back!  And she's got apples...Chef Rosa Galeno returns for another SEMAP local food perserving class, this time teaching us the best methods to make a mouth watering apple pie.  Using locally sourced Macintosh and Macouns we'll whip up TWO
pies per participant to take home and freeze for the hApple ADolidays or heat up and eat!
From apple varieties to bake times and techniqies, Rosa's entertaining knowledge of all things tasty will guide us to be the best bakers we can be. 
Lunch is included (Rosa's special homemade 'Poor Man's Pasta' and of course hot apple pie!); participants are encouraged to bring their favorite pie pan!
Course fee: $75, includes two take home pies and new friends!
View photos from Rosa's Tomato Canning Adventure On SEMAP's Flickr
 
'So You Want to Be a Farmer?' Workshop Series MARCH 2012
Aspiring Farmers, Join Us
The "So, You Want to Be a Farmer" series is a chance for aspiring farmers to learn the essential building blocks of starting a new farm enterprise and to provide information on the network of existing services available. 
The five-session workshop series is comprised of:
1.) So, You Want to Be a Farmer?: The Dirty Truth;
2.) What is a Business Plan and Why You Need One;
3.) The Dollars and Sense of Financing a Small Farm;
4.) News Flash! You Don't Need To Own The Land You Farm;
5.) Farm Tour: What A Real Farm Smells Like.


SEMAP
Workshop Series - Barn Raising:  JANUARY 2012      
Marketing Your Farm Business -> Increasing Your Sales  

SEMAP's So you want to be a farmerFarms Forever Coordinator, Katie Cavanagh partners with Kelly Pelissier owner of Sage Hill Design to offer a comprehensive workshop series that guides small farms through the steps of developing a marketing plan for your farm business.
The workshop series will help you:

- Develop a branding concept for your farm.

- Develop an overall marketing campaign for your farm - plus mini-campaigns for different seasons.

- Understand and decide what marketing tools (web, print, etc.) best attract customers to your farm.

- Learn how to plan and create the framework for your farms website.

- Plan and create a WordPress website for your farm


Southeast Agriculture Mediation Workshop: Conflict Resolution Skills 
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
6PM - 8PM @ The Carver Public Library, 2 Meadowbrook Way, Carver MA 02330
This int
eractive workshop will introduce farmers and agricultural commissions to basic communication and conflict resolution skills to enhance their ability to address conflicts that arise in day-to-day dealings with customers, suppliers, neighbors, the public, etc.

Participants will take a look at their own perceptions of conflict, and also learn effective techniques for better communication, as well as managing and resolving conflict.  The workshop also includes a "conflict clinic" where participants have the opportunity to discuss real conflicts and get tips on how to address these situations.

  

Facilitated by: Courtney Breese, Program Manager at the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration (MOPC) and the Agricultural Mediation Program at MOPC & Loraine Della Porta, Deputy Director of the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration (MOPC).

 

Farmers, Eaters and Lovers of Local:  Save the Date! 

SEMAP's/BCCD Annual Farm Conference - February 25, 2012!

Saturday, February 25th, 2012 is the date for our One Day Farm Conference, sponsored by SEMAP and the Bristol County Conservation District. This all-day event will feature speakers and workshops geared toward both seasoned professional farmers and members of the public.

 

Participants will choose from more than a dozen workshops and speakers on topics including:

  • backyard poultry
  • using public lands for farming
  • bees and beekeeping
  • building the farmer/chef relationship
  • and many more!

This information-packed day includes a locally sourced lunch (yes, in February!), and will all take place at the Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton, MA.

Registration starts in November - we'll keep you posted! 

 

Sustainable Events!

Visit SEMAP at the 2011 Connecting for Change Conference in Downtown New Bedford!  CFC2011

What are we excited for?
ACTIVITIES including:
- 2 Day Farmers Market!  (Saturday & Sunday)
- Locally sourced lunch from area growers!
 
  
WORKSHOPS
including:
- KALE: History, Culture & Cooking
- The Pleasure of Little Known Herbs, Weeds and Foraged Foods (w/ Eva Sommaripa & Didi Emmons)
- 4-Season Gardening w/ Jessica Duphily Cook
 
KEYNOTES
including:
- Ben Hewitt, author 'The Town That Food Saved'
- Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now!

SEMAP Member Announcements

Winter Market Look out! 


Attleboro Farmers Market - YEAR-ROUND! 
This October 16 is our first Farm to Table event - "Pot Luck of the Harvest" 
 
Bring your favorite to share with fellow market goers and vendors, we'll provide tables, seating and flatware. Of course we'll have music too! 

  

Marshfield Farmers Market - 'Winter Series Market'
There will be a once a month "winter series" market. These markets will be held on Saturdays from 10 am until 1 pm in the 4H barn.

The winter series schedule is November 19, December 17 and then the last Saturday of each month from January until May. Vendors at platos radishesthe winter markets will be offering meats, prepared foods, baked goods, coffee, limited produce and crafts. Please come down and support our wonderful local vendors!

Plymouth Farmers Market - Monthly Markets @ Plimoth Plantation

The Plymouth Local Foods will be held every second Thursday of the month at Plimouth Plantation.  Check back for more information, or visit www.plymouthfarmersmarket.org
Also...SNAP NOW Available at Plymouth Farmers Market!

Fairhaven Farmers Market - Winter Dates! 
Starting on Sunday, October 23 we will hold the market indoors at Nemasket Gallery at 56 Bridge Street.  The market will be held indoors from 1-4pm on the following Sundays:
Oct.23rd
Nov. 20th
Dec. 18th
Please join us for several of the same farmers and vendors that have been with us all season.  Stock up for the Fall and holiday season at this indoor market!
For more info please contact Ann Richard at 508-991-8315 or ann.richard@gmail.com

Winter Market @ Kennedy Country Gardens, Scituate
-
Sundays, select dates Nov.-March 
Dates:
Sunday, October 16th, 23rd & 30th
Sunday, November 6th & 13th
Sunday, December 18th
January through March - Every Sunday starting 1/8 - 3/25 
ALL MARKETS ARE 11:00 - 3:00pm
Location: 85 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy, Scituate

UMass Dartmouth Winter Market Series - Thursdays, once a month - dates TBA
More information coming soon!

  

Local Food Events

 

Visit SEMAP at:  

Trustees of Reservation's 3rd Annual Harvest Festival @ Westport Town Farm!  Saturday Oct. 15th - 12Noon - 4pm 

Westport Town Farm, 830 Drift Road, Westport, Massachusetts.

The public is invited to join in the celebration, with local food, music, family activities and a one-day farmers market featuring Westport area farmers. Youngsters will have the opportunity to paint pumpkins, join a scavenger hunt, and interact with goats, cows and alpacas from nearby farms. Guests will be encouraged to tour the historic buildings, stroll the scenic grounds and enjoy the ambiance of one of Westport's most beautiful places. 

For more information please call the Trustees' office at 508-636-4693, ext. 13.  

Or email sconnors@ttor.org.SOCO fall fest


Visit SEMAP at:
SOCO's Fall Fest - Sunday Oct. 16th, 11pm - 4pm
Sterling Point Farm, 1137 Walnut Plain Rd., Rochester

Join us for a fun-filled day of food tasting by Russell Morin Fine Catering, apple cider, horse shows and training demos, face painting, live entertainment courtesy of Admirals Bank, music and more!

  

Chef's Collaborative - Farm to Fork Harvest Picnic - October 16th 

Schartner Farms in Exeter, Rhode Island - Sunday, October 16, from 4 - 7 p.m.

Join Some of Rhode Island's Best "Farm to Fork" chefs Sunday, October 16, from 4 - 7 p.m. at Schartner Farms in Exeter, Rhode Island, for a wonderful Harvest Picnic.  

Participating chefs include:

Derek Wagner of Nick's on Broadway - Jake Rojas of Tallulah on Thames

Matthew Varga of Gracie's - Chad Hoffer & Tyler Burnley of TSK - Joe Hafner in Newport   

There will be hayrides for the children, a scavenger hunt, silent auction, food & beverage, music and your favorite "farm-to-fork" chefs to mingle with.

 

It's a perfect event for families & friends. Ticket holders are encouraged to bring a blanket for the picnic. The event is $45/adult, $20/children ages 5-13, children under 5 are free. Tickets can be purchased online at http://chefscollaborative.org/events/2011-rhode-island-farm-picnic/


 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
  
"Pricing for Profits Farm Products" Workshop (UNH Ag. Ext.) - Friday Oct. 28th - 8:30am - 4pm 
Location(s): Portsmouth Country Club, Greenland, NH
Contact information: Nada Haddad or Deb Stevens, 603.679.5616, Deb.Stevens@UNH.edu 
Cost: $20 (after Oct 22, $25)
How much should I sell my tomatoes for? Is the price of my blueberries too low? What are other farms are charging? "These are questions growers ask me every season," said Nada Haddad, UNH Cooperative Extension Educator, Agricultural Resources with Rockingham County. Indeed pricing farm products for retail sales can be a difficult even for experienced growers. Yet this challenge is an important component of an effective marketing strategy. Pricing decisions must take into account all expenses and relate to market preparation and distribution channels, competition, farm image, branding and communicating the value of the product. As an entrepreneur, your ultimate goal is to know your costs and price for profits, thus keeping the farm business sustainable and successful.  

How To Run a CSA (NOFA Massachusetts) - Saturday Oct. 29th - 9am - 12pm 
Location: Many Hands Organic Farm, 411 Sheldon Road, Barre, MA 01005
Contact information: ben.grosscup@nofamass.org 
Cost: $40
With 20 years of experience running a CSA, Julie Rawson of Many Hands Organic Farm (MHOF) in Barre, MA, will discuss elements of a successful CSA operation. Topics we will cover: Highest fertility for quality and quantity food production; Maintaining top-notch organization; Intricate timing for a broad mix of crops; Planning for food storage and distribution; Creative labor management Marketing strategy, deliveries, and member services; Recordkeeping and financial viability; and much more!   
 

USDA offers conservation help for Mass. farmers and forest land owners

Massachusetts farmland or forest land owners and managers who would like help with soil erosion, water quality and conservation, integrated pest management, forest stand improvement, greenhouse efficiency, pasture and hayland improvement, invasive plant control or wildlife habitat improvement may sign-up for federal conservation programs available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 

 

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

The Carrot Project is pleased to announce that our loan funds serving farms in Massachusetts and farms and farm related businesses in Vermont will be accepting prequalified applications for our Fall deadline through November 4th, 2011 for loans of $35,000 or less.  

To download a prequalification, application or for more information, please go to: www.thecarrotproject.org/programs/loan_programs  

Or contact Benneth Phelps at: bphelps@thecarrotproject.org or 617.674.2371

  

Northeast SARE - Farmer Grant

The goal of the Farmer Grant program is to develop, refine, and demonstrate new sustainable techniques and to explore innovative ideas developed by farmers across the region. Farmer grant projects should seek new knowledge that other farmers can use and should address questions that are directly linked to improved profits, better stewardship, and stronger rural communities.
Applications due December 1, 2011 

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  

  • Agricultural Business Planning Courses January-March 2012
  •  

    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 White Barn Farmevenings 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 Rick.Chandler@state.ma.us, 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, Ellen.Hart@state.ma.us.

    SEMAP MEMBERSHIP, ADVERTISING & SPONSOR Opportunities! bfbl circle 

     

    Are you a Grower or Buyer of Local Food? 

    As a Farm Member or Tomato Approved Business you'll receive Buy Fresh Buy Local (BFBL) materials and all the promotional and educational strength of the BFBL Campaign.  SEMAP's Buy Fresh Buy Local Campaign educates the communities of Southeastern MA on the Why, Where, and How of local food with fun workshops, hands-on learning experiences and speaking engagements.  Be sure to have your local farm or business included in these promotional and educational experiences!  Learn more! 

      

    Ted_the_intern
    Ted - the intern

    Volunteers Needed! 

      

    Become a SEMAP Volunteer! - Find more information on our Volunteer page! 

     

    Volunteer with SEMAP at the following fun events!

    Bioneers: Connecting for Change Conference, Oct. 21-23rd

    February One-Day Farm Conference, Feb. 25th 

     

    Contact Sarah @ scogswell@semaponline.org  

     

    Volunteer time slots in 2hr increments - Great way to learn more about sustainable food & farming! 

    Happy Eating!

    Sincerely,

    Sarah Cogswell
    SEMAP Program Director