Dear Friends,
We hope you have all had a happy and healthy holiday season, and that the new year is off to a good start. As we kick off another year of food systems work, we are excited about all the possibilities that lie ahead. Although we are once again facing some uncertainty around another surge in COVID-19, SEMAP is continuing to provide the service and support to our farmers and partners just as we have before, with virtual networking opportunities and training sessions.
In this email, you will also find updates on some upcoming farm business trainings from SEMAP and other organizations, as well as some updates for buyers about where you can get more fresh, local produce this winter. We hope you find something to help you get through the next few months as we await the warmth of spring.
With gratitude,
Karen Schwalbe
Executive Director
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Meet Our Keynote: Ray Archuleta, Soil Health Academy |
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SEMAP is excited to officially announce the keynote speaker for our upcoming Ag and Food Conference, Ray Archuleta of Soil Health Academy. With over 30 years of experience in soil science at NRCS, which led him across the entire country, Ray is an expert on all things soil. Prior to that, Ray served with the Peace Corps in Guatemala as a Livestock Specialist. After his retirement from the NRCS in 2017, Ray founded Understanding Ag, LLC, and Soil Health Academy, LLC, in an effort bring his soil teachings to an even wider audience. Ray also owns and operates a 150-acre farm near Seymour, Missouri along with his wife and family.
This year's conference will be a one-day virtual forum on Sunday, February 27. While we wish we could return to an in-person conference, we hope you will join us for an insightful event including discussions on silvopasture, gleaning, and farmer mental health. We will be announcing more details over the next few weeks, so be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram as well as checking our website.
To register for the event, head over to our website for sign up information and details. Tickets are available on a sliding scale, with scholarship options available and a Super Supporter ticket for anyone interested in sponsoring another attendee. If your farm or business would like to sponsor the conference, information is available upon request. We look forward to seeing you there! |
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Farm Financial Planning 101 Workshop on February 2nd |
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Join SEMAP and The Carrot Project in a free workshop tailored for beginning farm managers and aquaculturists. Speaker Cian Dalzell is an experienced farmer and business advisor. He'll share some bookkeeping fundamentals, basics of loans and grants, and more! This is a great opportunity to get comfortable with financing, as well as connect with other local new food producers.
The event will be held on Wednesday, February 2nd, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm, and registration is free but required. As the next growing season approaches quickly, this workshop will help beginning farmers and fishers get a sense for the finance side of food business management. We hope to see you there!
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News For Farmers and
Food Professionals
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State Farmland for License in Lakeville
Fifty-three acres of state-owned farmland in Lakeville are available for license! There are eight parcels open, and farmers may apply for multiple parcels with one application. Preference will be given to beginning farmers, veterans, and socially disadvantaged & limited resource farmers.
If you would like us to review your application before submitting it – deadline is January 14th! – please email [email protected].
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National Young Farmers Coalition Launches 2022 Survey, One Million Acres Campaign |
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National Young Farmers Coalition is currently running two programs to help in the critical fight for land access and to support farmers. First, the 2022 survey for young farmers is now live, and is the best opportunity for young farmers to speak on their experiences and contribute the fight for the future of agriculture. Every five years, NYFC collects data on farmers across the country to better report on the challenges and needs of young and beginner farmers.
Second, NYFC has launched the One Million Acres Campaign, aimed at making equitable access to land for beginning farmers a major piece of the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. Applications to be a Land Advocacy Fellow are due January 15th, and accepted fellows will receive mentorship, advocacy training, and a $3,000 stipend, as well as a trip to the November 2022 Young Farmer fly-in in Washington, D.C.
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UMass, NCIS Offer Workshop in Beginning Farm Business Management
UMass and National Crop Insurance Services is offering a free workshop series for farmers looking to develop their business skills. Sessions begin January 27th, and include discussions on financial planning, marketing, and more. To register, email either Tom Smiarowski or Paul Russell from UMass Extension with your name, email and city/town and state.
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NOFA Tri-State Bulk Order Available this Month
Growers from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut can order an array of agricultural supplies at a low cost from the annual NOFA Tri-State Bulk Order. Soil amendments, cover crop seeds, potting soil, tools and more are available for order through the end of January.
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CISA Leading Advanced Farm Financial Management Series |
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) is hosting a virtual Farm Financial Management workshop series this February 10, 17 and 24. The workshop will focus on improving farm business health, profitability, and managing cash flow, and includes one-on-one assistance. The workshop will be led by Elaine Lemmon of Kitchen Table Consultants, an experienced CSA farmer and farm financial consultant. |
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Apply for a TIE Award
Do you have an innovative idea that would increase your farm's efficiency or reduce your costs? Are you excited to share this innovation with others in the farming community? Apply for SEMAP's TIE (Technology, Innovation, and Excellence) program. Applications are due on February 1st, and are very brief.
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Training for Business Preparedness and Responding to Disruption with The Carrot Project |
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Join farmer and Carrot Project business advisor and lead trainer Cian Dalzell for a four-session online training series on preparing your business to respond to disruption. Sessions will explore and practice implementing tools that enable you to understand the impacts of disruption on your business’s financial health, steer operations with confidence, and stay in business as circumstances change.
These trainings are designed for farmers, aquaculturists, and food business owners with moderate or greater experience in operations and who have an established financial record-keeping system in place. Two separate series are available, run from late January through February, and can be mixed and matched to fit your schedule.
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Subscribe to SEMAP's Farmer Newsletter here.
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Winter Farmers Market Guide Now Available! |
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SEMAP has compiled a list of regional farmers markets open during the coming winter months. Our guide includes information on hours and days of operation, address, and SNAP and HIP accessibility. If you are looking for a local market to do your winter shopping for produce or other goods, check out the list on our website!
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Flying Carrot Farm Opens Virtual Farm Stand for Winter
Flying Carrot Farm in South Dartmouth has reopened their virtual farm stand for orders, and are currently offering eggs, vegetables, and produce from other local sustainable farms. Orders can be made Friday-Monday for on-farm pickup on Tuesdays, or delivery in Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and New Bedford on Tuesday afternoons.
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Holmestead Harvest Taking Delivery Customer Applications for 2022
Holmestead Harvest, offering local produce, meat, eggs, and snacks, is currently accepting applications for new delivery customers for 2022. Service is available in Weymouth, Braintree, Duxbury, Scituate, Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Abington, Whitman, and now Taunton!
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Tiverton Farmers Market Announces New Sunday Hours
The Tiverton Farmers Market has announced new Sunday hours for their market, beginning with the current Winter Farmers Market. The market will now be open from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sundays throughout the year, in hopes of making the market more accessible. The market will be at its usual location at Sandywoods, and will feature more local food and farms. You can find more information, including market lineups, on their website.
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Home Delivery in Westport & Dartmouth Areas
The Neighborhood Farm, new to Westport but veterans in all-natural farming, is still offering home delivery of their produce all throughout the winter. If you live in the Westport or Dartmouth areas, order online for Friday delivery!
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For even more local food and farm happenings, check out our event calendar.
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The SEMAP team is excited to continue our newest Vine segment where we share what we're reading, watching, and/or listening to that's relevant to farming and food systems!
This month, we've been tuned into The Urban Farm Podcast. Produced by The Urban Farm, this show is all about getting in touch with the food revolution. Host Farmer Greg Petersen conducts insightful and fun interviews with the people leading the way in innovative growing, from regenerative farmers to urban growers, and healthy food advocates from across the world. Episodes are brief and digestible, and come out twice a week.
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 January, be on the lookout for...
- Apples
- Beets
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Collard greens
- Garlic
- Kale
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Pumpkins
- 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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