The Vine - September 2023 | |
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Dear Friends,
As we approach the autumnal equinox this month, a feeling of change is in the air - and we don't just mean the cooler temperatures. Daylight, harvests, farm crews, and much more are already looking different than they did just a few weeks ago. Perhaps nothing represents the seasonal nature of farming quite like the waning of summer.
One big shift this time of year is the transition from summer crews to fall crews, with many new faces joining the farm. It is especially important to not only make sure the fall harvest is done well, but that these fresh faces are prepared to handle the rigor of farming. Labor Movement, a Maine-based organization promoting movement health for farmers and farm workers, has many great resources to help train our "athletes in overalls," including this article from last year.
This month brings many exciting developments at SEMAP as well. You may notice some slight changes to this month's Vine, but that is only the beginning. We are thrilled to finally announce our Silver Jubilee Farm to Table Dinner at historic Keith Farm in Westport later this Fall! Tickets go on sale this week, and early details can be found later in this email. Be sure to mark your calendars and get ready for night celebrating local food, farms and community. We've also got another Twilight workshop this month, updates on farm land availability (and purchases!), and so much more!
We hope you find something in this newsletter to help you through the month ahead. As always, SEMAP is here to help with your farm and food needs, whatever they may be. So break out your fall sweaters, grab a pumpkin-spice-anything, and enjoy this month's issue of The Vine.
Warmly,
James Lehner
Communications & Outreach Coordinator
jlehner@semaponline.org
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Upcoming Farm & Food Events | |
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September 21, 4-6 p.m. - Join us for the next event in our Twilight Grower Series at Heart Beets Farm in Berkley! Organic farmer Steve does wonderful fall root crops at scale, including sweet potatoes, and he’ll share some of his tips and tricks. UMass Extension will discuss pest & weed management; 1 pesticide credit is available. All are welcome. Commercial farmers are especially invited.
SEMAP’s Twilight Grower Series offers farmers and food producers the chance to connect with and learn from one another. This farmer-to-farmer educational workshop series takes place on farms across the region, allowing hands-on learning and networking opportunities. We are excited to offer free on-site child care, and a mental health professional will be present for the event as well.
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Other Farm and Food Events This Month:
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Current Food Producer Grant Opportunities | |
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Take a look at a few of the currently open grant, reimbursement, and award programs below, then check out a complete list on our webpage.
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SEMAP Business Member Updates | |
Native Tree Seedlings Available from Tree Talk Natives | |
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Fall is (still) a great time to plant native trees! Planting in fall gives trees an extra season to prepare for the stress of summer temperatures. As the air cools, trees shed their leaves and focus on growing their roots before the ground freezes. By spring they are ready to bud and leaf out, well prepared for hot temperatures ahead.
Tree Talk Natives offers a variety of evergreen, broadleaf, flowering and fruiting trees for local pickup. Through Sept. 25, Vine readers are offered 15% off their entire purchase. Trees not only provide shade for pasture-raised animals but they also create effective wind breaks.
Visit treetalknatives.com or call/text 703-401-1949. Jennifer and her team are happy to offer guidance and suggestions.
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Agroforestry Workshop at Round the Bend Farm, 9/16 | |
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On Saturday, September 16th, please join Round the Bend Farm’s Garden Manager Benoit Azagoh-Kouadio and Manifest Love farmer Josh Louro for a presentation and field walk of a newly planted 10 acre agroforestry project as part of RTB’s September Open Farm Day. They will give a presentation covering an introduction to agroforestry practices and an in-depth view of our project’s two year design and implementation process in collaboration with Meghan Giroux and Interlace Commons.
Following the talk you’ll head over for a tour of the orchard space, where the group will encounter, demonstrate and discuss early phase Alley Cropping and Windbreak practices in a diversified and integrated perennial-annual system. This is free and open to all!
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Peaceful Meadows Ice Cream Stand and Farm Purchased by Norwell's Hornstra Farms | |
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Late last month, Whitman's Peaceful Meadows Ice Cream was purchased at auction by John Hornstra of Hornstra Farms in Norwell. The ice cream stand, dairy store and 55 acres of farmland sold for $1.75 million on Tuesday, August 29.
After 61 years in operations, the Hogg family made the decision earlier this summer to sell Peaceful Meadows at auction. With the purchase by Hornstra Farms, and their plan to bring dairy cows onto the land again, SEMAP is excited to see the land staying in agriculture and continuing to serve delicious local dairy products on the South Shore.
You can read more about the sale, Hornstra Farms and their plans for the property by clicking the button below.
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Soil Compaction Workshop at Freedom Food Farm w/ NOFA Mass
Join NOFA/MA at Freedom Food Farm on Sunday, September 24 to learn all about cover cropping to prevent soil compaction will walk us through this process, and demonstrate how to minimize compaction, which is often propelled by tillage and frequent tractor passes.
Learn More and Register
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NOFA RI Workshop on Pest and Disease Management
Get ready for a down-to-earth afternoon with NOFA-RI at Roots Farm in Tiverton, and learn about Organic Pest and Disease Management from two Mike and Kelli Roberts, who are big believers in growing nutrient-dense crops and nurturing healthy soils.
Register For Free
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MarketLink Survey for Farmers, Market Managers on SNAP Programs
MarketLink has created this survey to determine the most impactful methods for farmers and farmers' markets to engage with SNAP customers. This is an opportunity for you to contribute your thoughts, suggestions, and experiences, all of which will help them shape a more effective and inclusive program.
Take the Survey
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Community News and Updates | |
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SAVE THE DATE!
SEMAP's Silver Jubilee, Sunday, October 8!
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We are excited to announce SEMAP's Silver Jubilee, our 25th anniversary celebration! Join us on Sunday, October 8 at historic Keith Farm to celebrate the last quarter-century of SEMAP and enjoy some delicious locally-sourced food!
Tickets will go on sale this Friday, so be sure to check out the SEMAP social media pages and keep an eye on your email for the official announcement! We are excited to join you all in celebration as we mark 25 years of SEMAP and look ahead to the future!
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Climate Change and Farming Week This Month from CISA
CISA’s Climate Change and Farming Week, held this year from September 17 to 23, is a chance for farmers and allied organizations and individuals to host events that build awareness of and support for local food and farm businesses as they seek solutions to the many challenges of growing food in a warmer, wetter New England.
View All Climate Week Events
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For even more local food and farm happenings, check out our event calendar.
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While there are still many days in the field ahead as we enter the fall harvest season, we have another podcast recommendation to help pass the time and think about some of the other sides of our food system.
Chewing The Fat, a podcast series from Yale Sustainable Food Program, has posted episodes periodically since at least 2015. Their backlog of content includes conversations on a number of topics, from food waste, indigenous people in the food system, food justice movements, and more. This is a great way to think big about food and our role, but also a chance to consider how agriculture fits into these conversations even when it isn't named.
What are you listening to or reading this growing season? Have a favorite podcast for working in the field? Any books that have inspired your work or thinking? Let us know! We are always looking for your recommendations. Send any suggestions to jlehner@semaponline.org.
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Fresh crops are here in Southeastern Massachusetts! As farm stands and markets get rolling and CSAs are underway, keep your eyes open for some of our favorite local foods, including: | |
- Apples
- Beets
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cantaloupes
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Collards
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Cranberries
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Green Beans
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- Leeks
- Lettuce & Greens
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Pears
- Peppers
- Potato
- Pumpkins
- Radish
- Raspberries
- Scallions
- Spinach
- Summer Squash
- Tomato
- Turnips
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
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And don't forget about year-round local products like meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood! We hope this helps you plan recipes and get the most out of local food! | |
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 jlehner@semaponline.org
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Renew Your SEMAP Membership or Become a Member Today! |
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...
- Premium Space in Vine Newsletter
- Discounts to events like the Ag & Food Conference
- Special member listing in our Local Food Guide
- Dry-erase "Buy Fresh Buy Local" price cards
Membership is available at several levels for businesses and individuals. Come join us!
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PO Box 80625
S. Dartmouth, MA 02748
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