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A Message from the Director
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This summer saw SEMAP and the Livestock Institute of Southern New England's 4th Annual Farm to Tapas - our most successful to date. Farm to Tapas celebrates the fruitful bounty of our region with splendid local dishes prepared by local chefs under the sea breezes of South Dartmouth and this year held at Barneys Joy Creek Farm graciously hosted by Kissy Russell. Guests, farmers, chefs, sponsors, and volunteers - thank you for your support - we really felt the love! Be sure to check out the fun we had - view the SouthCoast Today's event photos.
September brings us to the nominal end of the season, certainly for the tourists' draw to the Southcoast and the changing schedules the school year brings, but the corn and tomatoes still dominate and fall greens and winter root crops are just around the corner.
Continue reading on the SEMAP website.
With thanks,
Karen Schwalbe
Executive Director
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SEMAP Twilight at Freedom Food Farm,
September 13th
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Join SEMAP for the next installment of our Twilight Grower Series on September 13th, 6-8pm at Freedom Food Farm in Raynham. Freedom Food Farm is an 88-acre diversified and holistic farm currently in its 6th growing season.
A special focus of this twilight will be on Freedom Food Farm direct seeding methods, especially, the use of the Jang Seeder.
Jang Seeders allow for precision seeding of a range of seed crops. The seeders can be quickly configured with a multitude of different seed rollers, each with holes of varying number and dimension to allow accurate singulation of very small- through medium-sized seeds, including pelleted seeds, and some larger seeds.
The Twilight will be from 6-8 pm at 471 Leonard Street in Raynham, MA.
The event is rain or shine. Please arrive promptly at 6pm. Pre-registration is required. Tickets are $5 for Beginning Farmers (10 years or less farming) and $20 for the General Public.
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SEMAP Seed Saving Demo at Ivory Silo Farm, October 2nd
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Join SEMAP for a demonstration on seed saving hosted at Ivory Silo Farm in Westport, in partnership with the Freed Seed Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to foster a regionally adapted seed stock for area growers. The farm is currently building infrastructure to serve as a hub for seed processing and education and partnering with local growers on seed saving efforts. Tickets are $5 for Beginning Farmers or $20 for General Admission. Event is 6-8pm.
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Local and Affordable: Massachusetts-Grown Produce Less Expensive Than Grocery Store Produce
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As the growing season peaks and Massachusetts farmers harvest peaches, tomatoes, and dozens of other crops, a survey released by the
Massachusetts Food System Collaborative finds that fresh produce is usually less expensive when purchased directly from the Massachusetts farmers who grow it than it is at grocery stores. The survey recorded prices at 11 farmers markets and 22 grocery stores, all within five miles of the nearest farmers market. In most cases, comparable items were more affordable at the farmers market, with the statewide average price of a basket of 14 common items costing 25% less.
Continue reading here.
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Farm Business Planning Courses Offerred this Fall & Winter by NESFP
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The course meets for 8 evening sessions filled with information and activities that will help you write your farm business plan.
The course is designed to help you create a written plan to start or expand your farm business.
If you are new to farming, it is recommended that you take our Explore Farming workshop before registering for this class so that you can best assess what resources you currently have and what resources you will need to start farming before creating a written business plan. Classes are held in Beverly, MA on Tuesday evenings Oct.-Dec. 2018, or Jan.-Feb. 2019. The c
ost is $400, and scholarships are available.
Learn more here.
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Mass Farm & Sea to School Conference
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On Thursday, December 6th, the Massachusetts Farm & Sea to School Conference will bring together over 400 diverse stakeholders from across the farm to school movement who are working to source local food for institutional cafeterias and foster innovative food and agricultural learning opportunities in our state. Early Bird registration closes October 15th.
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Groundwork Southcoast Harvest Bash, October 5th
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Groundwork Southcoast
is a grassroots-fueled, neighborhood-scale initiative aimed at reclaiming vacant, contaminated, and underutilized and and waterways for community benefit in the
environmental justice neighborhoods in Fall River and New Bedford.
They provide food access, youth development, jobs, and job training in their communities.
Join Groundwork Southcoast for their 1st Annual Harvest Bash held at Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery.
This fundraiser is to launch their school year Green Team, which is their youth employment and environmental leadership program. There will be good drinks and food, wine tastings, raffle, silent auction, music, guest speakers, and more!
Purchase tickets here.
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Still Time to Take Our Farmers Market Survey
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SEMAP is working with regional partners to gather thoughts directly from shoppers about how and why you choose to shop for local food - or why you choose not to. Please give a few minutes to fill out this survey, and share it with friends!
Take the survey.
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SEMAP Member Announcements:
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Weatherlow Farms Hosting Field-to-Barn Dinner, September 16th
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Weatherlow Farms is hosting a uniquely curated, hyper-seasonal culinary experience for their final Field-to-Barn Dinner of the season. Dishes crafted by Culinary Director Beau Vestal feature Weatherlow proteins and florals alongside local produce which create a delicious summer evening meal. Drinks are included with the meal. There is limited seating available. The event is 4:30-7:30pm.
Learn more and purchase tickets here.
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Osamequin Farm Launching Cooperative Farm and Community Nonprofit in Seekonk, September 29th
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All are welcome to join
Osamequin Farm in celebrating the launch of a new cooperative farm project and community non-profit organization! September 29th, 4-8pm, rain or shine, they'll have food, live music, games for kids, and a tour of the farm. Come meet the farmers and give them your input on what you'd like to see unfold at Osamequin in the coming years. Kindly RSVP to [email protected]. Location: 80 Walnut Street, Seekonk, MA
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Executive Director
Outreach Coordinator
Outreach Intern
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Contribute to the Vine
Have an event, job posting, or article to share in our next Vine Newsletter?
Want your farm or business highlighted in a SEMAP Spotlight?
Become a SEMAP Member today to post your news!
SEMAP Business Membership starts at only $75/year
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