The Vine - February 2021
#AgFood21 is this weekend!
We're so excited to welcome you to our 2021 Agriculture & Food Conference on Sunday, February 28–Tuesday, March 2! Whether you’re a professional farmer or food business owner, or just want to learn more about the Southeastern Massachusetts food system, the Ag & Food Conference is for you. This year's virtual conference includes webinars, workshops, networking sessions, and more with other local food advocates across the region and beyond. Join us from your desk, field, barn, greenhouse, or anywhere you can hop online!
Kick back with a can of Berkley Beer's limited-time Smoked Vienna Lager, created in partnership with SEMAP, while you sit in on the sessions.

Check out our conference web page to find the schedule, speakers, and a preview of our brand-new online platform. If you experience any issues or have questions about registration, please email olivia.hart@semaponline.org.
Thank you to our 2021 Ag & Food Sponsors:
News For Farmers and Food Professionals
Post Jobs, CSAs, and Seed Trades at Ag & Food
Did you know the 2021 Agriculture & Food Conference online platform has message boards for job postings, seed exchanges, CSA offerings, and more? Join other farmers and food professionals across the region to exchange resources, and advertise directly to locavores looking for a CSA this season. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your business and network!
Update Your
Local Food Guide Listing
SEMAP is gearing up to create our 2021 Local Food Guide, and we want to include your Southeastern MA farm or food business. Do you have any changes to your listing from last year? Want to list your business for the first time? Fill out our information form!
Rye Tavern Farmers Market Seeking Vendors
The Farmers Market at Rye Tavern is a new farmers market seeking vendors for the 2021 season. This brand new market will have lots of familiar farmers/vendors, with a few new ones! It will be held each Monday from 11-2pm, with a special "Senior/Immune Compromised" shopping hour from Noon - 12. Interested? Email melissa.ryetavern@gmail.com.
Applications should be postmarked by March 8.
Urban Farming Conference
The Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference (UFC) will convene local and regional experts, advocates, and innovators to support urban farming. This conference is designed to advance opportunities and address barriers in cultivating a resilient Urban Farming sector.
Farm Labor Management Webinars
This interactive series will present highlights from recent research and extension projects focusing on labor management and decision-making on small and mid-sized produce and livestock farms. Each session will include ample time for questions and discussion, providing multiple opportunities to connect and share with other session attendees. Our goal is to share knowledge and information educators and technical consultants can use in your work with farmer clients, and that researchers can use to inform future inquiry.
Cynthia Hayes
Memorial Scholarship
The Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON), the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), and Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) have partnered together to create a scholarship in memory of Cynthia Hayes, co-founder and former director of SAAFON. We hope to honor her vision with this scholarship empowering younger generations to continue her work.
Free Webinar: Farm Succession Planning
Are you unsure who will take over your farm? Feel like your family needs to start talking, but you don't know where to start? Have questions about passing on the farm that you don't know how to answer?
This webinar series is an opportunity for farmers and farm families to learn the basics of farm succession planning, how to get started, where to find advisors and additional resources, ask questions of succession planning experts, and get support on this challenging process.
March 16 - Getting Started with Your Farm Succession Planning:
Resources, Tips and Where to Get Assistance
March 23 - Financial Considerations for Your Farm Succession Planning:
Taxes, Viability and Retirement
March 30 - Legal Considerations for Your Farm Succession Planning:
Business Entities, Estate Planning
For more farmer-facing news, sign up for SEMAP's Farmer Newsletter.
Buy Local News
SEMAP x Berkley Beer Special Edition Lager
SEMAP has partnered with Berkley Beer Company to create a limited-edition smoked lager, just in time to enjoy during the 2021 Agriculture & Food Conference! Kick back with a can in hand while you learn and network with local food enthusiasts across the region and beyond. Stop by Berkley Beer to pick yours up now.
Fall River Winterbridge
Viva Fall River presents a curated, safe, seasonal experience featuring outdoor activities, vendors and community giveaways. Come warm up by the fire pits, or chill out and listen to some music.
Bogastow Farm Project CSA Signups Open!
A new farming operation in Millis, MA is seeking signups for its first CSA season. Bogastow Farm Project will tentatively host a CSA drop site once a week in Worcester, or deliver with a fee that can be paid directly to the farm or as a contribution to local community fridges. Otherwise, CSA pick ups will be on site as a contactless pre-packed bag or box. 

Payment plans are encouraged and preferred! Anyone interested in signing up with a payment plan can email bogastowfarmproject@gmail.com.
The CSA is Rooted in Black History
This Black History Month, read about the pioneer of the CSA model Booker T. Whatley, and what we can learn from his vision today—via Mother Earth News.
Winter Markets Guide
Winter is upon us, but buying local is always in season! Farmers markets across Southeastern Massachusetts are opening in person and virtually. Check out our Winter Market Guide for more information and updates.
Edible SouthCoast CSA List
Edible South Shore & South Coast is rounding up a comprehensive list of CSAs in Southeastern Massachusetts! Check it out in both list and map view and pick the best farm share for you.
More Ordering and Delivery
SEMAP is maintaining a resource list of farms and local food producers offering accessible options throughout the pandemic. View the list on our web site.

Know any other farms or businesses we might have missed? Email us at info@semaponline.org.
Jobs
Become a SEMAP Member
Renew Your SEMAP Membership or Become a Member Today!
Consider registering as a SEMAP Member in 2021. Membership in SEMAP helps us continue to provide promotion and support to farmers and consumers across Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond.

Members receive a host of benefits, including...
  • Access to business development and farming/gardening resources
  • Discounts to events like the Ag & Food Conference
  • Priority event sign-up
  • Special thank-you published in our Local Food Guide

Membership is available at several levels for businesses and individuals. Come join us!
PO Box 80625
S. Dartmouth, MA 02748 
Executive Director:
(508) 524-2601