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The Vine - June 2019

Request a box of our free Local Food Guides here.
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Find your nearest Southeastern Mass Farmers Market  here.
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E-commerce & Website Basics for Farms, July 9th
Do you need a farm website? Are you ready to start selling your products online? Come to SEMAP's Website and E-Commerce Basics workshop to learn more.  We will go over how to secure a domain name and how to get a website up and running.  We'll also go over options for online shopping functionality, how to accept credit card payments and how to make it all work to enable customers to pay for CSA subscriptions, purchase tickets to on-farm events, order value-added items for pick up, delivery, or shipping. This is a free event for beginning and direct market farmers.  

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Farm Machinery Maintenance Workshop, July 15th
Join SEMAP and an expert mechanic with over 40 years of troubleshooting and repair experience with everything from weed whackers to wide-body aircraft who will share his expertise to help you keep your farm machinery in tip-top shape!  

You will walk away knowing how to identify important components of your equipment motorized and non-motorized, what tools must be in your toolbox, and how to perform basic preventative maintenance on your farm machinery.  You will receive an annual preventative maintenance and servicing schedule.  Q&A session follows the workshop. This is a free event for beginning and direct market farmers.  Held at Under the Sun Farm in Dighton.

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Hand Pollination Workshop, July 17th
The Freed Seed Federation and the Young Farmer Network  are collaborating for an evening of plant sex!  Heron Breen (Fedco Seeds) and Hannah Traggis (Massachusetts Horticultural Society) will be instructing participants in hand pollination for seed saving and plant breeding.  This basic but crucial skill will empower folks to ensure varietal purity in seed growing, and make crosses for new varieties in the garden or on the farm. The focus will primarily be on squash, tomatoes, and peppers.  Tools will be provided, as well as food and refreshments.  Though there will likely be plenty to eat, feel free to bring something to share.  This event is free.  If you plan on attending, please RSVP to  freedseedfederation@gmail.com  so we have a realistic expectation of group size and can plan accordingly.  Held July 17th, with food at 5pm, and workshop from 6-8pm. Located at  Ivory Silo Farm in Westport MA.

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Tractor Rollover Protection Structure Rebates
The National ROPS Rebate program provides rebates for up to 70% of the cost of tractor rollover protective structures (ROPS)  up to $865 maximum rebate value. The rebate funds cover the cost of the ROPS kit, shipping charges, tax, professional installation, and a sun canopy. Applying for this is a straightforward process with clear steps. 
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New SARE Publication: When Do Cover Crops Pay?
Farmers around the country are planting cover crops on millions of acres to protect and improve the soil, and the more that farmers use cover crops, the more they value this conservation practice.  Cover Crop Economics , a new report published by USDA-SARE looks at the economics of cover crops to help farmers answer that big question: "When do cover crops pay?"   The key, says North Dakota farmer Justin Zahradka, who has been planting cover crops since 2011, is to "look at cover crops as an investment rather than a cost."

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Crush Wine Festival, July 14th 
Award-winning wineries from across the state of Massachusetts will be pouring samples of over 75 delicious local wines and meads. You'll meet the winemakers, try their wines, and hear about their winemaking inspirations! Plus you can buy bottles of wine to take home! The event is Sunday, July, 14, 2019 at Lombardo's in Randolph, MA.

Learn more.
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Protected Farmland For Sale in Dartmouth
Two large (and expensive) parcels of protected farmland are for sale in Dartmouth, offered by the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust. The no broker fee offer is open for a limited time. Offers must be received by 5:00pm on Tuesday, July 16.

Learn more.
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SEMAP Member Announcements
Greenhouses & Compost Still Available at Quansett Nurseries

Quansett Nurseries in South Dartmouth still has several items for both sale and rent. 

For rent, they have several propane-heated greenhouses available. 

For sale, they have compost & greenhouse hoops.  The compost is mostly based from potting soil, which is ideal for improving soil.  The greenhouse hoops are for  14' x 100-125' greenhouses. 

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Anawan Farm Seeking Farmers for Touch-A' Tractah' Day, July 13th
Anawan Farm located in Rehoboth, MA is hosting a "Touch-A' Tractah' Day." The goal is to bring awareness to the important roles farms play in all of our communities. 

"We know its busy season. It is ours as well. However, we feel the reality of No Farms, No Food is closer than actual public perception. We are looking for farmers willing to take a
few hours to educate the public by offering up their equipment for a few hours on July 13th."

Anawan Farm has 4 tractors & a few newer pieces of equipment to display. If you are a "no-till" farmer who can bring hand tools to display, they'd love to have you as well. And please, by all means, if you can participate, bring information from your farm!

The event will be  Saturday, July 13th from 10am-1pm.  If you are interested in participating, please contact 401-486-5281 or  pam@anawanfarm.com.
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Round the Bend Garlic Festival, September 21st
Round the Bend Farm is hosting a special Open Farm Day on Saturday, September 21st, featuring their very first Garlic & Art Festival! In addition to the usual local produce and products they sell during Open Farm Day, there will be a day-long harvest celebration of garlic and local artisans. They will have an art show featuring work created by various artists, including farmers who also make art. There will an artists' reception, and food and drink for sale as well. Save the date!
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Redbrook Farmers Market Seeking Vendors
The Redbrook Farmers Market in Plymouth, beginning July 10th, is seeking specialty food vendors, meat vendors, cheese vendors, artists, crafters, and more. The farmers market runs every Wednesday, from 3-6:30pm. Read the market guidelines here, and f or more information, contact Kim Houdlette, at khoudlette@admakepeace.com.
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Meet our Members!

Osamequin Farm
Seekonk, MA






Little State Flower Co.,
Portsmouth, RI



Homestead Farm
Rehoboth, MA


A.D. Makepeace,
Wareham, MA
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