Dear Farmers and Food Producers: |
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With the busy season underway, we hope you are off to a good start! We at SEMAP know that it's tricky to prioritize business planning, grant-writing, and other off-farm responsibilities this time of year. If you've got those kinds of tasks at the bottom of your To Do List and could use a bit of support, please get in touch. We can meet you where you're at, weed while we chat, or otherwise accommodate the busy season.
We also plan to revive our Twilight Grower Series this spring and summer, and are looking for farmers & fishers who would be willing to host an event or share their expertise with the regional agricultural community! If you would like to welcome local farmers to your property for a skill-share, you have a Twilight topic in mind, or you have questions about this program, please email me at shickey@semaponline.org or call/text me at (781) 908-4466.
In this email you'll find information on:
- A chance for one-on-one time with legislators & MDAR staff
- Current grant programs for markets & food producers
- Market opportunities
- HIP vendor applications
- Educational events and workshops
- Local farming jobs
- And more!
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With gratitude,
Shannon Hickey (she/her)
Program Coordinator
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Your Legislators Are Hitting the Road and Heading to Farms |
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Want to show off your farm or fishery to MA legislators and administrators this season? Interested in sharing your thoughts on agriculture & climate with those who have the power to create change?
SEMAP will soon be hosting our annual tour of Southeastern Massachusetts farms & fisheries with MA Commissioner of Agriculture John Lebeaux and several MDAR staff members. We intend to host tours for state and federal legislators and their teams this year, too! This is a great opportunity to share your challenges and successes with folks with a direct line to policy & funding.
Participation in a tour requires only an hour of your time this summer or fall. If you are interested in your business being a stop on one or more of these tours, please email shickey@semaponline.org. |
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Take a look at a few of the currently open grant, reimbursement, and award programs below, then check out a complete list on our webpage!
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Farmers' Market Microgrant: For farmers' markets pursuing projects to support their vendors, expand marketing initiatives, and facilitate programs that serve disadvantaged communities & improve food access.
- Deadline: May 27th
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MA Urban Agriculture Program: For projects that promote strategies to address food insecurity and to increase access of fresh, local produce in urban neighborhoods with low-moderate income residents.
- Deadline: May 31st
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MA Food Ventures Program: To increase access to healthy, affordable food options and improve economic opportunities for low to moderate income communities.
- Deadline: June 6th
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Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP): For proactively adapting to climate-related risks, implementing mitigation practices, and becoming more financially & ecologically resilient in the face of climate change.
- Deadline: June 10th
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REMINDER: SEMAP can assist Southeastern Massachusetts farmers in grant applications. We can help you determine your eligibility, walk through the application together, review before submission, offer a letter of support, or any combination of these! Apply for assistance here or email Shannon at shickey@semaponline.org with any questions.
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MDAR is offering two hands-on business planning courses for aspiring, beginning, and expanding farmers, both to be held this October and November.
Exploring the Small Farm Dream β For those who are thinking about or in the planning stages of a starting their own farm, including those who are expanding a hobby to an income-generating scale. Cost of attendance is $100 per enterprise. Email questions to Jessica.Camp@mass.gov.
Growing Your Farm Business β For farmers who have been operating a farm business in Massachusetts for at least the two prior years, and are looking to develop a business plan and financial projections. Cost of attendance is $150 per farm. Email questions to Michael.Parker@mass.gov.
These courses are also a great chance to network with and learn from other MA farmers in similar stages of business development. Applications are now open, but will close once each course is full β apply soon!
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Livestock Webinar Series for Beginners |
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Cornell Cooperative Extension is hosting a Beginner Livestock Webinar Series over the next several months. The first two webinars have already occurred, but there are still six relevant sessions to come! They cover topics ranging from regulatory information and livestock auction strategies to species-specific tips & tricks.
All sessions are held on Thursdays from noon to 1:30pm. Register for $10 total and attend as many of the below sessions as you'd like:
- June 2nd β Intro to chickens
- June 16th β Intro to cattle
- June 30th β Intro to swine
- July 7th β Intro to sheep & goats
- July 21st β Meat science & regulations
- August 4th β Livestock auctions
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Exhibitor Openings at The Big E |
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Massachusetts businesses and organizations are invited to apply for the opportunity to exhibit during The Big E, which this year will be held September 16thβOctober 2nd in Springfield.
The mission of the Massachusetts State Exposition Building is to showcase Massachusetts agriculture, culture, commerce and tourism through informational, educational, promotional and retail exhibits. It is an opportunity to showcase and sell to over a million attendees that come through the Massachusetts Building.
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Farmers' Markets Seeking Vendors |
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Want to expand your markets and reach new customers with your local food products? Many local farmers' markets are still seeking vendors! Check out some of the following vendor openings:
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Braintree (especially value-added & specialty produce)
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Canton (especially mushrooms & dairy)
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Carver (especially beef & dairy)
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Fairhaven (especially produce, plants, dairy & meat)
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Foxboro (especially produce)
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Hingham (especially HIP vendors, fruit & certified organic produce)
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Marion (especially produce & dairy)
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Marshfield (especially fruit, poultry & value-added)
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Medway (especially produce, maple & cut flowers)
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Milton (especially produce, fish & mushrooms)
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Needham (especially meat, dairy & eggs)
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Norfolk (especially dairy, produce & value-added)
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Plymouth (especially produce, meat & poultry)
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Scituate (especially produce)
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Wareham (especially produce)
Contact the market managers directly with questions & interest. Find contact information and more market availability below.
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Applications Open for Healthy Incentive Program (HIP) Vendors |
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The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is currently seeking applications for new HIP access points! HIP-eligible vendors include SNAP-authorized farms, farm stands, and farmers' markets that sell produce grown on-farm. SNAP recipients can purchase produce from HIP vendors with a matching incentive of $40-80 per month. View current HIP vendors across the state on DTAFinder.
The application is open to both aspiring HIP vendors and current HIP vendors seeking to add a terminal to their operation (ie. to accept HIP at both their market & farm stand at the same time).
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Opportunity to Serve Homebound Seniors with Local Produce |
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Coastline Elderly Services of New Bedford is seeking to partner with a local produce farmer who accepts FMNP senior coupons to regularly assemble and distribute bags of produce to more than 500 homebound seniors in housing sites in Greater New Bedford. Bags typically average a $22 value. If you have questions, or may be interested or able to fill this need, please contact Christine Sullivan at csullivan@coastlinenb.org. |
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Receive Technical Support with Farm Service Agency (FSA) Programs |
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Our friends at The Carrot Project have launched a new technical support program for farmers applying for loans and disaster assistance from FSA! These programs can be tricky to navigate, and Carrot Project staff are prepared to talk you through which program is right for you and help you prepare your application(s).
Did you know there are provisions in all USDA FSA programs dedicated to beginning, women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), and veteran farmers? The Carrot Project serves all farmers, but is particularly excited to assist these types of farmers.
If you farm in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut, you may be eligible to take advantage of this free or low-cost opportunity. Contact Amanda Chang to learn more at achang@thecarrotproject.org. |
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Local Farmer in Need of Barn Space to House Sheep |
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Due to unexpected renovations of their historical barn space, a local farmer is in urgent need of barn space for their sheep and lambs. They show sheep at fairs, as well as sell meat, fiber, and blankets at regional farmers' markets and fairs. They require this barn space by early fall, but would like to lease as soon as possible. They would like to be close to the South Coast if possible, but are willing to travel.
If you would like to be connected with the farmer to discuss details, please email Shannon at shickey@semaponline.org. |
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Request Feedback on Your FSIG Application |
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Whether your Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) was approved or denied, it is crucial to request feedback from the reviewers! This can help you to understand where your application's strengths and shortcomings were, especially if you plan to apply for grants or financing in the future.
Requesting this feedback is simple, quick, and free! You'll receive the feedback in the form of a completed rubric that shows how well you scored on each evaluation criterion. If you need help deciphering it, get in touch with us!
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For more workshops, webinars, and other opportunities, check out our event calendar!
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SEMAP maintains a Local Food Jobs page on our website! You'll find local food and farm job listings relevant to Southeastern Massachusetts. Here are a few picks currently on the page. Want to share a listing? Email info@semaponline.org.
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Consider registering as a SEMAP Business Member. Membership with SEMAP helps us continue to provide promotion and technical assistance to farmers across Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond.
Business members receive a host of benefits, including...
- Member Spotlight on SEMAP's blog
- Access to business development resources
- Discount ads in Local Food Guide
- Free boosted Facebook posts
Membership is available at several levels. Come join us!
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PO Box 80625,
S. Dartmouth, MA 02748
Executive Director:
(508) 524-2601
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