The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources released an additional $5.5 million in Food Security Infrastructure Grants on September 30th. This marks the third round of grant announcements in the $36 million program, which funds food infrastructure improvements such as increased harvest storage capacity, produce wash stations, refrigeration, and delivery vehicles.

About one-third of all 1,353 applications were submitted within the last two days of the deadline on Sept. 15—more applications than any other state program at any point. The unexpected volume of applications has slowed the review process. Currently, rounds four and five are being reviewed together, with an expected total of eight rounds in all. The October 15th deadline will extend to the later part of November. All applications will receive a response either way.

The Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Agriculture understand the delayed review process will make for a tight timeline for farmers finishing their projects by the original June 2021 deadline. Farmers who succeed in getting a grant and have issues completing their projects by the original timeline may request extensions on their projects until June 2023. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Successful grants will have to go through the contracting process with the Commonwealth. Remember: no money can be spent on the project until you have a fully executed contract.

Andrew Thornhill of Silverbrook Farm in Dartmouth featured in SouthCoast Today last month.

This season's drought has been tough on farmers across the state, and Southeastern Massachusetts is no exception. Summer 2020's hot, dry conditions may result in delayed fall planting, reduced yields and undersized produce.

SEMAP wants to help you. Let us know how we can assist in your drought management/mitigation strategies, from technical assistance to government-level advocacy.

Email kschwalbe@semaponline.org to get in touch.

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program is offering Farmer Rancher Grants to commercial farmers and ranchers who want to explore sustainable solutions to problems through on-farm research, demonstration, and education projects. Applications are due by December 3!

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: mia.kortebein@mass.gov.

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.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources will be holding a public meeting of its Agritourism Study Commission on Monday, October 19 from 1–2:30 p.m. This commission was created through legislation (H.4962) to better understand the issues around agritourism, create recommendations and report to MA's legislature.

SEMAP Executive Director Karen Schwalbe sits on the Agritourism Study Commission. If there are agritourism issues that you would like brought to the Study Commission's attention, please reach out and let us know what the issues are.

The meeting will be open to the public and information will be posted at this link.

The Massachusetts Sportsmen’s Council is working to arrange a meeting with the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board to discuss crop damage from bear and deer in Massachusetts. To gain a full overview of crop damages, the Council is requesting information on damages including farm name and location. Please fill out the quick survey on the Farm Bureau's web site.