SEMAP's e-Newsletter
THE VINE
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Greetings!
As we launch into a new year we are excited to continue our work and to serve more farms and families in southeastern Mass. Through The VINE and this email list we are now reaching out to over 5000 individuals.
This number has more than doubled in the last 2 years. While this is very positive, SEMAP wants to improve on its service to the community and we want to take advantage of this increased reach to do it.
We ask that you take 5 to 10 minutes of your time and complete SEMAP's 2013 Farmer & Eater Survey. This survey will determine ways in which SEMAP can best support and expand the region's local food system through our services to farmers and eaters.
Results will also guide our potential name change, role as convener, and how to be a better on-line resource.
Thank you for your time and feedback.
Sincerely,
Bridget Alexander
SEMAP Executive Director
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SEMAP FARMER WINTER POTLUCK SERIES
The Winter Farmer Potluck Series w/ The Carrot Project continues on: 
Wednesday February 20th, 2013
5:30pm
Anawan Grange Hall
243 Winthrop Street, Rehoboth MA
(intersection of Rts. 44 & 118)
Enjoy a warm meal with friends and new acquaintances at our Winter Potluck Series! Information on The Carrot Project will be on hand at the event including updates on programs and loan opportunities available specifically for small farms in Southeastern MA.
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REGISTER TODAY!
A Conference for Farmers, Families & Foodies
Want to see more?
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LOCAL FARM & FOOD EVENTS!
How To Filet and Cook Whole Fish
January 25, 2013 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Scituate Maritime Center on First Cliff
Free to members, $5 to others (refunded upon paid membership).
South Shore Seafood Exchange is hosting a cooking demonstration with local fisherman Frank Mirarchi and owner of The Roman Table Cynthia Gallo-Casey. This event provides awareness about issues striking the local fishing industry and information about the new business model currently being created. Frank is going to provide the fish filet demo and both Frank and Cynthia will prepare the fish as well as explain various cooking alternatives and recipes.
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Farmer Announcements & Opportunities
NFU APPLAUDS USDA's NEW MICROLOAN PROGRAM
WASHINGTON (Jan. 15, 2013) - National Farmers Union (NFU) applauds U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on today's announcement of a new microloan program designed to help small and family operations, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers secure loans under $35,000.
"The next generation of family farmers are critical to the continuation of the long tradition of agriculture in our country," said NFU President Roger Johnson. "Today's announcement is a tremendous benefit to those looking to enter into farming." Read more...
NOFA/Mass BULK ORDER DUE: JAN. 31st, 2013
Orders are due January 31st. Your order will be ready for pickup at a site near you on Saturday, March 16th. Customers can buy useful things for the farm and garden: mineral amendments, fertilizers, potting soils, compost, cover crops seeds, pest control, animal health products, potato and allium seeds. No order is too small or too large, and you can support NOFA/Mass in the process. Click here to order.
NOFA/Mass 2013 WINTER GROWING WORKSHOP SERIES
Online registration for the Winter 2013 Massachusetts Growing Greens for the Winter Market Workshop Series is open.
AG CENSUS - Complete your form online!
Conducted every five years by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Census aims to capture a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches and those who operate them. Census forms will be mailed out in late December, and responses are due by February 4th, 2013. Producers also have the option to complete their forms online.
Your response is important. Results of the Census are used to serve farmers and their communities today, and help benefit the future generations of farmers tomorrow. Legislators at various levels of government use the data when shaping farm policy, and agri-businesses factor it into their planning efforts. For more information about the Census, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call 1-800-4AG-STAT (1-888-424-7828).
PROCESSING YOUR POULTRY: LOGISTICS, REGULATIONS, and RESOURCES
Feb. 7, 12:30-4:30pm 201 Westboro Rd., Grafton MA - Jean Mayer Administration Building, Room 217This workshop will focus on what the Massachusetts poultry grower needs to do in order to legally sell meat through CSAs, farmers markets, directly to consumers or to restaurants. Register online.
RIACD FARM EQUIPMENT NEEDS & COOPERATIVE SOLUTIONS REPORT
RI Association of Conservation District's Farm Equipment Needs and Cooperative Solutions for Southern New England.
This report is the result of a year-long study made possible by a USDA/NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant, and by the Rhode Island Agricultural Partnership through a van Beuren Charitable Foundation Grant. View the FULL REPORT here.
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SURVEY ON FARM PROFIT PROGRAM
University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension and UMass Cooperative Extension are seeking your input to develop an educational program aimed at building capacity in existing farms to improve their net farm profits. In order to show interest and secure funding for this program, we need your help. Please take the online survey at the link below to help make the case. The survey should only take a few minutes of your time.
Your input is anonymous and will be extremely helpful in shaping this program and procuring funding. Here is a link to the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5MNBLPS
BEGINNER FARMER NETWORK LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE!
A new website aimed at beginner farmers throughout MA has been launched by The Beginner Farmer Network of MA. This website is the product of a collaborative process with beginning farmers and farm service providers (including SEMAP!) throughout the state who want the information and services for beginning farmers to be coordinated and easy to find. Visit the new site at www.BFNMass.org.
NEW ONLINE FARM PROPERTY CLEARING HOUSE - New England Farm Finder
This new website, www.newenglandfarmlandfinder.org offers landowners a place to post available farms and farmland. With links to informational resources and complementary programs, this service fills an urgent need identified by task force research.
LAND JOBS STUFF
Visit this online bulletin board for jobs, equipment, housing, etc.
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Happy Eating!
SEMAP Staff - Bridget, Sarah, Kristen |
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