Dear Friends,
While many of us are still digging our way out from underneath the snow and ice, it might be hard to believe that Spring is just around the corner. Soon enough, the cold will be gone, and we'll be surrounded by warm colors and seedlings.
Before all of that, though, we have some more excitement planned for this month. In just a few weeks we will be hosting the 15th Annual Agriculture & Food Conference on February 27th. The event is coming together quickly, and we're excited to introduce our speakers in the coming weeks! Workshop and panel topics range from labor retention strategies to alternative berry production methods, from value-added herb production to integrating livestock & forestry operations – and much, much more! Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for more details, and get your ticket today!
In this month's newsletter, you will also find updates from some of our local farms as they either prepare for the upcoming season or continue their winter offerings. There are also some important resources for farmers, including a farm succession planning workshop and a state agriculture planning listening session later this month.
With gratitude,
Karen Schwalbe
Executive Director
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2022 Ag and Food Conference Sponsors Wanted! |
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At this time, we are still looking for local businesses to sponsor and support the conference. This year's conference will be a one-day virtual forum, meaning businesses will have access to a farther reaching audience as travel will not be a barrier to attendance. We are offering a variety of sponsorship packages, including features during every workshop, ad placement in out print and digital program, and a spotlight on the front page of our website. |
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Meet The Newest
SEMAP Members
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SEMAP is growing! Several new members have joined us in the past few months, and we are excited to introduce you to them!
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Grow Cocktails in New Bedford is a new business focused on brining the flavors of the season from their backyard right to you in a delicious canned cocktail. For bartender quality, vodka based, creatively crafted cocktails, be sure to look for Grow Cocktails at a nearby restaurant or liquor store. |
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Roots Farm in Tiverton is a family-owned, certified-organic farm focused on regenerative practices and great vegetables. They provide produce year-round through their seasonal farmshares and local farmers markets. They are currently hiring full-time crew for the upcoming season as well! |
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Teal Farm in Rochester provides local eggs, plants and produce all year round! As long as the flag is up at their farm stand, they have some of their great products in stock. |
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Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset is a certified-organic non-profit farm. On top of fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers, they also offer many educational experiences as well. |
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Stargazer Hollow Farm just arrived in Berkley this past November, and are hoping to build up their local connections fast. Offering heirloom vegetables, cut flowers, and Indian Runner Ducks, plus more! |
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Acres to Grow Farm in Scituate is a small homestead "with big dreams and small productions" for the South Shore |
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News For Farmers and
Food Professionals
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Update Your Local Food Guide Listing for 2022!
With Spring right around the corner, we are beginning work on our annual Local Food Guide for the 2022 season. Every year SEMAP distributes over 10,000 copies of our Buy Fresh Buy Local Guide for the Southeastern Massachusetts region. As we prepare to put together our newest edition of the guide, now is the time to update your virtual listing and order copies for your business.
This guide is a great resource for businesses and consumers, including detailed listings for farm stands and farmers markets, seafood and fisheries, restaurants, value-added producers and many more! View last year's virtual guide here then update below!
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Farm Succession School Beginning February 15th |
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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 retiring that you don't know how to answer? Can the farm support two generations?
MDAR is hosting Land For Good’s Farm Succession School for Massachusetts farmers this winter! This is an opportunity for senior generation farmers to talk with peers, learn from advisors, and get support on the challenging process of farm succession and transfer planning.
Succession planning is a process of exploring how to transfer the farm business and assets to a future owner. This series provides farmers and farming partners with the structured and sustained support to make decisions, engage their families, and organize the legal and financial mechanics.
The series will be held in-person in Greenfield as a three-session program between 9:00am – 4:00pm on Tuesdays, February 15th, March 8th, and March 29th, with snow dates on each Friday of the same weeks.
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TNGS Virtual Open House for Greater-Boston Prison Garden Volunteers
The New Garden Society (TNGS) is looking to meet Boston-area Green Industry professionals – farmers, horticulturists, arborists, landscapers – who may be curious or inspired to join their team in 2022. All interested in learning more can attend a virtual open house on Sunday, February 6th. This session will include Q&A and a presentation from some of last year's volunteers.
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CSA Week is Coming! February 20-26th
SEMAP is excited to participate in this year's CSA Week, put together by The CSA Innovation Network. If you have a CSA offer for the coming season, and would like SEMAP to promote it during the event, please reach out via email to [email protected]
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MassGrown Exchange Offering Variety of Local Produce
MDAR's state-wide online exchange for local food has grown immensely this past year, with nearly 400 businesses listing their products. Shoppers can find nearby apples, carrots, squash, and more now, plus more variety throughout the entire year.
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NOFA Tri-State Bulk Orders Extended Through 2/6
NOFA/Mass has extended their tri-state bulk order deadline through midnight this Sunday, February 6th! Growers from MA, RI and CT can order an array of products at a low cost from suppliers like Progressive Grower, Vermont Compost, Fedco, and others. Completed orders will be available March through May at many pick-up sites, including in Wareham, Sherborn, and Providence.
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State Farmland Plan Listening Sessions: Feb 15-16th
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), partnering with the UMass Donahue Institute, has begun developing a Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan to address the farmland needs and goals of the Commonwealth. The goal of this plan is to expand the scope and approach to farmland protection in Massachusetts.
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Subscribe to SEMAP's Farmer Newsletter here.
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February 20-26 is CSA Week! |
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The CSA Innovation Network is once again holding their annual CSA Week from February 20-26! This event is designed to promote CSA across the country, and we are thrilled to be doing out part for Southeastern Massachusetts. Many of our farmers are already announcing their plans for CSA and gearing up for the coming season, including:
This is a great time of year to support your local farm by signing up for a CSA. Many farms have limited space, so getting in early is the best way to make sure you are in. Plus, CSA has become a crucial piece of farm sustainability, especially over the past two years, and its a great way to support your local farms. Check out CSA Innovation Network for more information on the importance of CSA and find one nearest to you! |
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Olson's Greenhouses Early Spring Openings Now Available |
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Avian Flu Has Returned to US, Keep Your Birds Safe!
APHIS has recently confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds on the east coast. Bird and poultry owners are encouraged to protect their animals from contact with wild birds, and practice good biosecurity.
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NOFA/RI Winter Conference on Regenerative Ag on March 6
Join NOFA/RI on Sunday, March 6 for their 10th Annual Winter Conference! The focus of this year's event will be on regenerative agriculture, and discuss the potential it has to reshape the future of farming. The conference will feature keynote addresses from Leah Penniman, Dr. Vern Grubinger, Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, and Ray Archuleta. |
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Coastal Foodshed Now Offering Two Delivery Days for New Bedford SNAP Customers
Coastal Foodshed has expanded their delivery options for SNAP customers in New Bedford. Delivery is now available on Wednesday and Friday through WhatsGood, in addition to ordering online for pickup at the New Bedford location
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For even more local food and farm happenings, check out our event calendar.
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February is Black History Month, and with that in mind we have been looking for content to improve our understanding of issues facing black farmers. One piece that stood out to us was this episode of Reveal, a weekly investigative public radio show and podcast.
"Losing Ground," a production of PRX and the Center for Investigative Reporting, tells the story of Eddie Wise, a black farmer in North Carolina who finally achieved his dream of owning a farm in 1991, and how he spent the next 25 years fighting with USDA to get the support he needed, until eventually his farm and home were taken away from him. This raw and poignant audio essay paints a picture of the history of racial discrimination against black farmers, through the Pigford case to the present day.
We highly recommend taking the time to listen to this story, as well as exploring some of the following resources in an effort to better understand the intersection of race, civil rights and agriculture.
Books:
TV/Film:
Podcasts:
Have something you've seen, heard, or read that you think fellow farmers & foodies would like, too? Send your recommendation to [email protected]
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As the growing season continues, SEMAP wants to update you on current and upcoming produce in season in Southeastern Massachusetts. We hope this helps you plan recipes and get the most out of local food! |
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Throughout February, be on the lookout for...
- Apples
- Beets
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Collard greens
- Garlic
- Kale
- Microgreens
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Winter squashes
And don't forget about year-round local products like meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood!
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Have you checked out our Local Food Jobs page recently? 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 [email protected]. |
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Renew Your SEMAP Membership or Become a Member Today! |
Consider registering as a SEMAP Member. 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!
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PO Box 80625
S. Dartmouth, MA 02748
Executive Director:
(508) 524-2601
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