A Message to our Farmers:

Our virtual 2021 Agriculture & Food conference is this February, and we're looking for presenters! Programming will focus on four tracks: Beginning Farmer, Grower, Business & Marketing, and Foodie & Homesteader.

Have a great idea for a workshop? Know someone who'd host a stellar session? Fill out our short proposal survey—we can't wait to hear from you!

Calling all beginning farmers! If you've been farming for less than 10 years, SEMAP has special resources available for you. We want to help you succeed in your farm business, so we have a program dedicated to beginning farmers. We offer special workshops tailored to your needs, 1-on-1 technical assistance, and discounts to the annual conference!

To take advantage of the Beginning Farmer program, please take our short survey at the link below. Be sure to provide your email so you can receive important information from us!

Learn more about SEMAP's beginning farmer program here.

The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance is launching a new interactive map for consumers to find HIP locations in their areas, and those locations' hours of operation. If you haven't already listed your HIP business, do it now! Here are directions on how to add your business to the platform.

The map is not yet released to the public, so please don't share at this time.

For more information, please email Mia Kortebein, HIP Coordinator at the Department of Transitional Assistance: [email protected].

We are looking for 1-2 farmers to join a new market in Canton starting this spring. Our planning team, which includes an experienced Market Manager, has two great (visible and well trafficked) location options, resident and municipal support, and tons of enthusiasm!

Reach out to Amanda Ryder ([email protected], 781-223-0868) with questions or for more information!

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has extended the deadline to apply for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) to December 15, 2020. The OCCSP is a cost sharing program that reimburses certified organic farmers and food processors up to 50% ($500 maximum) of the total certification cost. Organic operations certified for crops, wild crops, livestock and handlers may apply.

The deadline to apply for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' Stewardship Assistance and Restoration on APRs (SARA) program is December 18 at 4:00 p.m. This program helps resolve stewardship issues caused by a prior owner to restore active commercial farming on land that has already been protected through the Department’s Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program.

Funds may cover materials and contracted labor or equipment rental costs to clear or reclaim inactive fields that are out of production at no fault of the current owner. Eligible projects include clearing vegetation, pulling rocks or stumps, or reseeding or applying soil or crop amendments to inactive cropland or pastureland to bring it back into production.

The National Young Farmer's Coalition has launched the Young Farmer Grant Program to provide 50 young/beginning farmers with $5,000 each to support everyday needs from infrastructure projects, operating costs, and professional development, to off-farm expenses like childcare, housing, and student loan debt. The funds could also be used to get that extra boost to start up a new operation.

45 awards will go to businesses already in operation, and 5 will be for projects starting in 2021. Click the link below to apply or register for a Q+A session.

The USDA is accepting applications for an expansion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) through December 11, 2020. CFAP Round 2 will provide producers with financial assistance that gives them the ability to absorb some of the increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. CFAP 2 follows the first round of CFAP, which had an application period of May 26 through September 11.

As we edge toward a new year and fresh start, consider registering as a SEMAP Business Member in 2021. Membership in 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...

Membership is available at several levels. Come join us!