Dear Friends,
It's officially summer, and we hope you're staying cool! Local farmers are working hard in the heat to grow and harvest delicious food. Sit back in the shade with a fresh salad, blend up locally-sourced yogurt into a smoothie, or grill up some locally-raised meats for your next barbecue.
If you want to join in on the farming fun, there are plenty of agritourism events to look forward to this season. Check out which farms near you are offering pick-your-own, outdoor yoga, and other events in this newsletter.
For farmers, we've gathered the latest opportunities to strengthen your business and skills–including technical assistance, land protection programs, calls for vendors, and more.
As always, please reach out with any questions or thoughts on local food in southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. Happy reading!
Sincerely,
Karen Schwalbe
Executive Director
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2021 Farmers Markets Guide |
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2021 Farmers Markets Guide
Our guide to farmers markets in Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties this season is now live! Check it out to find your nearest markets, where to use SNAP/HIP, farmers' market coupons, and more.
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News For Farmers and
Food Professionals
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Order Your Local Food Guide
Our 2021 Local Food Guide is being printed right now! We can't wait to share 50 pages full of local food and farms in Southeastern Massachusetts. The Local Food Guide is a resource for everyone from home gardeners to shop owners to community service providers. You'll find farmstands, markets, fun farm events like pick-your-own fruits, CSA availability, and much more.
Pre-order a box for your farmstand, storefront, farmers market, or office now! We'll deliver right to your door.
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Farm Business Assistance
Did you know? SEMAP provides direct business and marketing support for farmers and ranchers in Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties. We can help with digital marketing, e-commerce, labor management, SNAP/HIP operations, and more. If you'd like to meet with us, learn more and apply now.
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2022 Census of Agriculture
NASS conducts a census of all agricultural operations every five years. For America’s farmers and ranchers, the Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future, and their opportunity. Sign up to be counted now, especially if you've started a farm or ranch in the past 5 years!
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APR Program Deadline Extended
MDAR is currently accepting applications for the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program. The Program purchases the non-agricultural value of the farmland in exchange for a permanent deed restriction which prevents uses and activities that may impact the present or future agricultural use and viability of the property.
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Farmers Market Celebration
Running from June 21 to September 19, 2021, the 13th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration showcases essential markets across the nation making a difference for farmers, ranchers, and communities. Market shoppers and supporters can vote for their favorite market to win funding to help expand the market’s reach and impact.
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Be Featured in a Video!
What you do in a typical day? Why did you become a farmer? What makes your business unique?
We are planning a series of short social media videos highlighting farmers in Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties. Take viewers on a day in the life on a Southeastern MA farm! If you're interested, email olivia.hart@semaponline.org. |
Plymouth Waterfront Festival Seeking Vendors!
Every August, the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce holds
its Plymouth Waterfront Festival throughout Plymouth’s historic
waterfront. Vendor spaces are available for food producers!
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Fall River Open Air Market Seeking Vendors!
Fall River is getting a new Open Air Market! They are seeking one or more farmers who are interested in selling produce at the market.
The market will feature makers, artists, artisans, farmers, prepared food vendors, musicians and small businesses. To register as a vendor, email stephferreira@live.com. |
Local Farmers Seeking Land
A local food professional and excavation business owner are seeking 8-10 acres in or around Little Compton, Westport, or Dartmouth. The land would house his business, family home, and small-scale farm. Contact theholistictrick@gmail.com with leads. |
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New England Leopold Conservation Award
Leopold Conservation Awards recognize extraordinary achievement
in voluntary conservation, inspire other landowners through their example,
and help the general public understand the vital role private landowners
playing conservation success. Apply or nominate a winner by July 15!
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Find more events and opportunities
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Fall River Farmers Markets Launch! |
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This June, SEMAP launched our three annual markets in Fall River:
The best part? All three markets participate in the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)! This means that any SNAP dollars you spend at the market will instantly reload back onto your EBT card. You can then spend those reloaded dollars anywhere you can use SNAP. HIP helps make locally-grown fruits and vegetables more accessible to all!
All markets are open to the public! We're so excited to spend time in the Fall River community over the next few months. Come say hello to vendor Lane Gardens and pick up some seasonal fruits, veggies, and herbs!
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Extended Hours at Moonrose Farm
Moonrose Farm in Rehoboth has extended their farmstand hours this summer! Visit them on Fridays through Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. for locally-grown vegetables, flowers, eggs, and more.
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C.N. Smith Blueberry Picking
C.N. Smith Farm in East Bridgewater will be opening their fields for blueberry picking in July! Stay tuned to their web site and Facebook page to find out when PYO blueberries begins.
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Canton Farmers Market Community Events
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New Bedford Mobile Market Accepting Location Requests
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Yoga at Hope Alpaca Farm
Join yoga instructor Christine Reed at Hope Alpaca Farm in Little Compton, RI on July 11th! Meet the alpacas, grab a healthy snack from Charlotte's Cafe, and enjoy a relaxing morning of yoga. Sign up on their web site.
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Yoga at White Barn Farm
Join White Barn Farm in Wrentham for some outdoor flows for all skill levels! Karen Ring and Christy Kantlehner will be teaching outdoor yoga classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
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DTA HIP Map is LIVE!
The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance has launched their new interactive map to help find HIP-accepting farms nearest to you.
Check it out!
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Elliot Farm Offering Shares
Are you a local family that has suffered a hardship due to the coronavirus? Please fill out the below form to apply for a free farm share courtesy of this fundraiser. A farm share is a $275 gift card to Elliot Farm (202 Main St, Lakeville, MA 02347), and can be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and essential groceries. |
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As more fruits and vegetables become available, 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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Over the next month, be on the lookout for...
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupes
- Green beans
- Raspberries
- Broccoli
- Chard
- Corn
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Onions
- Peppers
- Summer squash
- Tomatoes
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Welcome New + Renewed SEMAP Members! |
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the state. We let you enjoy picking beautiful tulips in the spring and
sunflowers in late-summer with your friends and family exclusively at
our U-Pick farm. With around 6 acres of fields, we are among the few
farms in the United States that grows more than 200,000 tulips.
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SEMAP has just launched a new Local Food Jobs page on our web site! You'll find local food and farm job listings relevant to Southeastern Massachusetts.
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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!
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PO Box 80625
S. Dartmouth, MA 02748
Executive Director:
(508) 524-2601
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