February, 2006
In this issue...

Happy Groundhog's Day...Six more weeks of winter? We haven't even had the FIRST six!

FEATURES

Please lend a hand - tell us about your CISA email newsletter reading habits.

Your answers to this short, 6 question survey will help us plan future editions. Take the confidential survey here. Thank you for your feedback!

Heritage Wool Blankets Valentine's Sale: get a free tote bag and shipping! Your purchase supports our work with local sheep farmers. Details here.

Local Hero award nominations
It’s time to help CISA choose the 2006 Local Hero awardees. You may nominate in three categories: farmer, citizen and institution/organization.

Past recipients include Chase Hill Farm, The Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, Nuestras Raices, Dan Kaplan of Brookfield Farm, Ruth Hazzard of UMass Extension, and Diane Mason of Farm Family Insurance.

Download the 2006 nomination form here. The deadline is March 1.
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Emu oil on sale at Local Hero Songline Emu Farm
Click here for details.

Partner Profile: Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture

By Douglas P. Gillespie, Commissioner

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources provides programs to support, promote and enhance the viability of Massachusetts’s agriculture. It is the goal of the Department to help the state’s agricultural businesses become as economically and environmentally sound as possible. The Department’s dedicated staffers are working to fulfill this objective through a variety of initiatives and programs. These programs are as diverse as the Massachusetts agricultural industry itself.

The Department along with many other State agencies is working to implement Smart Growth initiatives within their respective programs. Of the ten Sustainable Development Principles of a Smart Growth Plan, five specifically apply to agriculture and environmentally influenced issues and their importance in community and regional planning.

The Department has been instrumental in assistance of organizing Town Agricultural Commissions across the State. To date, 50 towns have adopted an Agricultural Commission with several more anticipated this spring. An Agricultural Commission is an appointed town standing committee whose responsibilities include representing the issues and concerns of the farming community.

The Department provides information to growers and food processors on developing domestic and international markets through technical assistance and referrals. The Department collaborates with several state and federal agencies on providing market export opportunities. The Department’s Marketing Program provides both resources to farmers as well as to consumers. Brochures are developed and distributed on different marketing venues including farmers’ markets as well as agritourism destinations. The Agricultural Fairs listing outlines the over 60 agricultural fairs that are held throughout the state. Farmers participate in the “Massachusetts Grown & Fresher” Program by ordering point-of-purchase material from the Department. The Department’s newsletter - the “Farm & Market” Report provides information on programs and upcoming workshops and activities of interest to the agricultural community. This publication can be found on the Department’s website or can be directly emailed.

The ‘Farm to School’ Initiative is an opportunity for farmers to sell locally grown foods to the school foodservice programs. This program benefits both the farmer and the consumer as it can improve the nutritional value and taste of school meals, while supporting the local economy. Selling local products to schools can be good for Massachusetts’s growers who are looking for a new way to connect with local consumers.

The Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) is a grant program to provide support to agricultural operations for the mitigation and/ or prevention of impacts on natural resources, including water and air that may result from agricultural practices. Farmers are reimbursed for the approved costs of materials used to install best management practices, which improve water quality, conserve water or reduce greenhouse as emissions.

Agricultural tourism merges the world of travel with experiences of food and farming production. The Department in cooperation with the Massachusetts Highway Department implements the Agricultural Directional Signage Program that allows for the placement of agricultural directional signs along state roadways for farms located off those roadways. The Department also collaborates with other organizations to offer seminars on the details of being an agricultural destination.

The Farm Viability Enhancement Program is designed to improve the economic bottom line and environmental integrity of participating farms through the development and implementation of Farm Viability Plans. These plans are developed by teams comprised of farmers and other agricultural, economic and environmental consultants with the focus of suggesting ways for farmers to increase their on-farm income through such methods as improved management practices and diversification. Through funding provided by the Department, there is an opportunity to implement a component the Viability Plan.

Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program (APR) is a voluntary program, which is intended to offer a non-development alternative to farmers and other owners of prime agricultural land who are faced with a decision regarding future use and disposition of their farms.

The Division of Biosecurity and Regulatory Services provides technical assistance in biosecurity management practices. Biosecurity minimizes the introduction of disease and other threats onto farms, limits the spread of disease already on farms, and reduces the risk of disease being carried between farms. This division is also involved in administering the state’s pesticide, plant industries, farm products, apiary, and equine programs

The Department is the state agency responsible for determining and certifying eligible farms for the Farm Energy Discount Program, which results in a ten percent discount on utility rates. Eligible farms are those engaged in the business of production agriculture or farming for an ultimate commercial purpose.

For more information on these program as well as many other programs and initiatives offered, please refer to our website: www.mass.gov/AGR.
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Proposed new farmers market in Springfield seeks farmers
Synthia Scott-Mitchell of Springfield Partners, Inc. and manager of the Tower Square Farmers Market in downtown Springfield is seeking farmers interested in helping to start a new farmers market in Springfield. The location she is working on has access from major street, is on a bus route, and is near mixed income housing. Synthia is hoping that this market will meet the needs of residents of adjoining low-income neighborhoods who have limited access to fresh, locally grown food. To learn more about this opportunity, contact her at 413-263-6500x6518 or email synthiam@springfieldpartnersinc.com.

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Farmers' Market Workshop

If you have been considering selling at farmers' markets but just are not sure if its for you, plan to attend the "Consider Farmers' Market Workshop" to be held Tuesday, April 4th at Brigham Hill Community Farm in North Grafton, MA. Topics will include developing a farmers' market plan, risk management, making the transition from wholesale to retail and more. Speakers will include both experienced and new farmers who currently participate in Massachsuetts farmers' markets. Stay tuned for more information, or contact David Webber at 617-626-1754.
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Guest viewpoint
Town-to-Town Campaign on Genetic Engineering to contest Big Biotech at Massachusetts town meetings
by Ben Grosscup, NOFA/Mass Town-to-town campaign organizer

In recent years, towns in Massachusetts and across New England have been passing resolutions to oppose agricultural genetic engineering. In 2006, NOFA/Mass will continue this effort. These town-based initiatives have come largely in response to the failure of federal and state agencies to regulate genetically modified crops. The success rate of these efforts has been impressive: Since 2002, 11 towns in Massachusetts have passed resolutions against genetic engineering and since 2000, some 83 towns in Vermont have done the same. Just last year, towns in Maine have begun similar kinds of initiatives. Read more...

Ben Grosscup has been hired as the NOFA/Mass organizer for the 2006 campaign. He invites you to help with this effort, deepen your understanding of these issues and educate others by getting in touch with him at ben.grosscup@nofamass.org or 413-658-5374.

Do you have a point of view to express on this or any other topics of local interest? CISA will publish, at its discretion, guest essays from members of the community. Send your submission for consideration to the editor who may edit for content, clarity or length.
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NEWS

Is the farm running you, or are you running your farm?
Looking to balance your life with your farm? Looking to increase farm profit while caring for the land, the farmer, and the farmer’s family? Learn how to make decisions that incorporate your goals for farm management and quality of life.

Holistic Farm Management helps you develop a clear, practical, focused vision for your future and the future of your farm, and helps you get there in an economically, environmentally and socially sound way.

Join CISA and the Pioneer Valley Women’s Agricultural Network for a two-part Introduction to Holistic Farm Management Workshop on Wednesday, February 22, and Wednesday, March 15th, 2006 from 1:00 3:00 PM at the CISA offices, 1 Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield. Participants will develop draft Holistic Management plans on their own after the first workshop. We will review the draft plans as a group during the March 15th workshop.

Workshop facilitators: Vivianne Holmes, Extension Educator, UMaine, Director of the Maine Women’s Agricultural Network, and Certified Holistic Management Educator, and John Gerber, Professor of Plant Sciences and Sustainability Studies at UMASS-Amherst.

Cost: $25 ($5.00 discount, $20, for CISA Local Hero members). Includes materials. Free childcare is provided for those who pre-register. To register call Jennifer at CISA, 413-665-7100 or email jennifer@buylocalfood.com. Click here for directions to CISA.

More information about Holistic Farm Management is available at:
www.holisticmanagement.org.

The Pioneer Valley Women’s Agricultural Network is funded by the USDA/RMA, Harry Chapin Foundation, andCISA, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture.
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Meatrix 2: Trailer Makes Anticipated Online Debut

An online trailer for the upcoming animated film The Meatrix 2: Revolting debuts today at www.themeatrix2.com. At long last, fans of the original Meatrix and the public at-large can view the trailer to the long-awaited sequel to the Internet’s most popular animated advocacy film. The 20-second series of clips offers glimpses of the ramped-up action, romance and manure that are promised in this next Meatrix installment, slated for release in mid-March.

The Meatrix 2 Flash animation stars our favorite farm heroes, the young-pig, Leo, the trench coat-clad cow, Moopheus, and the sultry poultry fighter, Chickity. The Meatrix 2 brings the trio on a new adventure when Leo is taken to a factory dairy farm where he learns the ugly truth about how the animals are raised, what they eat, and their horrendous living conditions. To get the behind-the-scenes scoop and back story on the making of Meatrix 2, visit www.themeatrix.com/blog.

Visitors to the site will also be able to sign up to receive the film delivered directly to their inboxes upon release. Additionally, the Web site that houses the film will soon offer a host of resources to teach viewers about the dark side of the factory dairy farm industry and offer tools to get involved in the sustainable dairy movement. The site will also promote the Eat Well Guide an online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs from sustainable farms, stores and restaurants in the U.S. and Canada.

The Meatrix 2: Revolting was produced by Sustainable Table and Free Range Studios . Sustainable Table is a consumer campaign launched to help fill the gaps in the sustainable food movement, and to help direct consumers to the leading organizations working on the issue. Free Range Studios offers top-quality design and Flash animation services to companies and organizations whose vision goes beyond turning the world into a strip mall.

The Meatrix was a 2005 Webby Award winner, and has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success on the independent film festival circuit. In November 2004, the film won Best Documentary Short at the Fourteenth Annual Environment Media Association Awards (EMAs) in Los Angeles. It also has received awards from the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, the Gynwood Foundation, and Media Rights’ Media That Matters Film Festival.
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Farmer grant, training and other opportunities Can the Farm Viability program help your farm? Workshop slated for March 2 at CISA office The Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP) is designed to assist farmers in improving the economic bottom line and environmental integrity of their operations through the development and implementation of business plans tailored to their situations. Come and learn more about this innovative program at a meeting to be held on Thursday, March 2, 5:30-8 p.m at the CISA office, 1 Sugarloaf St., South Deerfield. [directions] Pizza will be provided for those who RSVP to CISA, 413-665-7100. Dinner will be served from 5:30-6; the meeting will run from 6-8 p.m. Beth Cook and Faye Omasta, Local Hero farmers who have successfully applied and won grants, will be present to share information on how the application process works, what it is like working with the program consultants and how implementing their plan affected their farm business. “It’s a great program and a way to get a lot of information about your business and some financial assistance from the state,” says Margaret Christie, CISA Program Coordinator. Administered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the FVEP has three phases which include planning, implementation and evaluation. If you can’t attend but still want to learn more, visit the Department of Agricultural Resources Web Site or call the Farm Viability Program at 617-626-1725. Please RSVP for this meeting by calling CISA, 413-665-7100 and speaking with Jennifer Williams. John LaSalle stopped by the office recently with some incredibly fragrant freesias, (here he is holding marigolds) grown in his greenhouse in Whately. What a great gift for Valentine's Day - locally grown flowers! Tilling the Soil of Opportunity: an in-depth planning course for Massachusetts Agricultural Enterprises MDAR will once again provide experienced instructors, a nationally acclaimed NxLevel© curriculum tailored for agriculture, dynamic guest speakers and wonderful peer networking opportunities through its popular course “Tilling The Soil of Opportunity”. Only one course in will be held in 2006, in Lenox, just off the Mass Pike in Berkshire County. It is scheduled to begin February 6. More than 250 agricultural businesses in Massachusetts have completed this course to date, and all have given it high marks for its effectiveness and immediate utility in their businesses. Each session leads to completion of a chapter in a comprehensive and adaptable business plan. By the end of the 11 session (one per week), farm business operators have a document and an understanding they can take to lenders, family members, potential customers and others who need to see a well thought out approach to sustainable operations and profitability. This course also qualifies as borrower training through FSA. Registration is limited to 12 agricultural enterprises, with the option to bring a partner for the same $300 per business fee if space permits. Payment options are available if the up-front cost is a significant barrier for an otherwise qualified applicant. If you are growing an existing agricultural business, contemplating making significant changes (including transfer of property or operations to another owner/generation), or just need a tune-up using a well organized and easy to use format - this course is for you. In the past six years, we have had participants whose businesses were grossing from $5,000 to $5,000,000. This course is not intended for farms in early start-up mode. You must have current access to land and facilities to implement your plan, and you must have at least a year of experience operating an ag-related enterprise. If you are still in the idea stage and need to test your assumptions before beginning, we will refer you to other excellent options. Not sure? Call to discuss. Contact: Rick Chandler (413) 577-0459. Enroll ASAP to ensure your space – you may enroll right up to the day the class starts. Enrollment is limited to 12 businesses. You may bring another person from your farm at no extra charge if space permits. Do You Know Potatoes, But Not Computers? Innovative Business Systems Offers Discounted Small Business Computer Courses to Local Hero Members Innovative Business Systems (IBS) of Easthampton, who have donated significant technical support to CISA, are now offering discounted small business computer courses to Local Hero Members. Dave Del Vecchio, Vice President and General Manager of IBS, says, “We believe in supporting CISA and local farms. IBS is a local business, too, and we want to keep our community strong and thriving.” The courses, including “Understanding My PC,” “PC/Notebook Security and Best Practices” and “Computing in a Networked Environment” are designed to help non-technical small business owners, or even families, to use computers to their best advantage. They are being offered to Local Hero Members for $75 per class (discounted from $95) or $195 for all three classes (discounted from $235). Originally formed as a custom database management system design business, IBS has expanded to provide computer hardware and networking. They understand that many businesses cannot afford their own IT departments, and IBS works efficiently and effectively to fill that need, as well as providing expert consultation to businesses with in-house information technology staff. IBS has maintained a strong focus on customer relationships since its inception in 1987. For more information, visit their website at www.for-ibs.com or call IBS at 413-584-4274. Organic Certification Costs Reimbursement Program The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has received funding from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to reimburse certified organic farmers up to 75% ($500 maximum) of total certification costs. These funds are available to farmers inspected and certified and/or inspected and receiving renewal of certification between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006. Applications for reimbursement are due by October 15, 2006. The cost-share program aims to assist eligible organic crop and livestock producers in transitioning to the National Organic Program and to provide an incentive to adopt the national standards. For a copy of the organic certification cost reimbursement application please contact Ellen Hart at (617) 626-1742. Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) USDA Rural Development State Director David H. Tuttle has announced the availability of nearly $19.5 million nationwide to support the development of value-added agricultural business ventures through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program. The annual Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for the 2006 Value-Added Producer Grant s (VAPG) funding cycle was published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2005, and is available here. Grants may be made to independent producers, farmer and ranch cooperatives, agricultural producer groups and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures for planning activities and working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products. Applications are being accepted until March 31, 2006. For more information on the program, you may access the Rural Development website or contact Richard Burke in the Rural Development State Office at phone (413) 253-4319.

Join the Local Hero Campaign today!
We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for membership in CISA’s 2006 Local Hero™ campaign!

Local Hero membership offers farmers, grocery retailers, chefs, nursery growers and landscape professionals access to the widely recognized and respected Local Hero™ brand. Join over 200 local farm and related businesses and share the benefits of being part of this exciting program. There are four membership options which offer choices to fit all businesses from a basic Farm Products Guide membership to a premium high-visibility multi-ad membership.

Local Hero members not only enjoy access to the powerful Local Hero brand but the behind the scenes networking and creative problem-solving offered by experienced CISA staff. Our goal is to help your business thrive!

Local Hero membership is available to farmers growing locally grown farm products and the businesses that buy and sell them (grocery stores, restaurants, farmers markets, landscape and garden centers and garden designers) in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, western Worcester and eastern Berkshire counties.

To download membership forms for the 2006 Local Hero program, click here.

Have questions about the Local Hero program? Contact Campaign Director Mark Lattanzi at 413-665-7100 or mark@buylocalfood.com.
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Women’s Voices in the 2007 Farm Bill

The Women, Food, and Agriculture Network are hosting a questionnaire to hear from you: women farmers, landowners, health professionals, activists, mothers, eaters of food, drinkers of water, or concerned citizens to learn about women's priorities for the 2007 Farm Bill. Your input is valuable even if you think don't know much about the Farm Bill or you're not a farmer. In fact, we are seeking input from women from all walks of life, including farmers, landowners, educators, students, activists, and others with an interest in food and agriculture.

Results of the questionnaire will shape the policy work of Women, Food, and Agriculture Network in the coming year. Results will also be compiled in a report to share with other organizations working on Farm Bill policy. Click here to fill out the 10 minute survey

Your answers are confidential. If you have any further questions about this questionnaire, please contact Cassi Johnson, WFAN Program Associate, at 319-354-3760.
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Small Bites
Food and farming news from around the US and world

CISA director speaks at meeting in northeast MA

Wal-Mart Halts Food Donations
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. said Thursday it will no longer donate nearly expired or expired food to local groups feeding the hungry. Instead, that food will be thrown away, a move that some charities consider wasteful.

Apetite is up for locally grown food
Homegrown chains satisfy local cravings
Two articles from the Pacific NW on the growing locally grown movement.

The baker who beat McDonald's

Are backyard and free range poultry producers adequately prepared for avian flu?

As demand increases for organics, more offshore suppliers meet US needs

When it pays to buy organic: Consumer Reports analyzes cost/benefit of organic foods

Organic Trade Association seeks organic title within next Farm Bill
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WORKSHOPS, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

February 9
Low Impact Development -the nitty-gritty
This workshop will go into detail about Low Impact Development and its importance for managing growth and protecting rural character. Andrea Cooper of MA EOEA will speak about a variety of ways that towns can incorporate LID practices now. She will also discuss how towns can adopt a LID bylaw and regulations, talk about LID site planning and design specifications and tell how LID methods can help meet Phase II and state stormwater requirements. Please plan to attend, and spread the word to town boards and staff you meet as well as members of local environmental groups, business owners, developers and residents. 5:30-7 p.m, Doyle Conservation Center, 464 Abbott Avenue, Leominster. FREE but please RSVP to Debbie Shriver; wwlp@commonwaters.org; 978.534.0379.

February 12
BUILDING SENSIBLY with Scott Neilson
One in the series from Living into Change, A Winter Series on Living Resourcefully presented by the Pioneer valley Post Carbon Council and Woolman Hill.Look beyond the huge house built with materials from across the globe. A home with a reasonable footprint, energy efficient design, and local materials may be in your future. 3 p.m. All events are free. Locally produced refreshments will be served. For directions to Woolman Hill, please visit www.woolmanhill.org

Dairy products (like these from Chase Hill Farm) are a great way to buy local in winter! Ask for "what's local" in your grocery store dairy case.

February 16
Outside the Not So Big House: Creating the Landscape of Home. Lecture and reception with garden luminary Julie Moir Messervy. Explore a groundbreaking approach extending the presence of home onto the land. Embrace the habitat of home with one of today’s great landscape designers. Held at MassBay Community College, Wellesley Hills, MA. Visit www.newfs.org for complete info. Preregister at lreed@newfs.org or 508-877-7630 x 3303 or sign up at the door. $25 members $30 non-members Reception at 7 pm includes book signing followed by the lecture at 7:45. Co-Sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum, Mass Horticultural Society, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, and Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture. 508-877-7630.

February 26
LOCALLY GROWN – In Your own backyard. One in the series from Living into Change, A Winter Series on Living Resourcefully presented by the Pioneer valley Post Carbon Council and Woolman Hill. This session will provide an overview of planning a garden, soil nutrition, composting systems, and resources for gardeners. We will also have information for those interested in buying directly from their farming neighbors.
3 p.m. All events are free. Locally produced refreshments will be served. For directions to Woolman Hill, visit www.woolmanhill.org.

March 9th
Getting the Help You Need on the Farm: Employees, Interns, and Apprentices
A panel of women will share their experiences with many aspects of farm labor.
Panel includes Judy Gillan, Executive Director of the New England Small Farm Institute (NESFI), Lilian Jackman, owner of Wilder Hill Gardens in Conway, and others.
6:30 p.m. FREE. Location: New England Small Farm Institute, 275 Jackson Street in Belchertown. Directions to NESFI.
For more information, check the Pioneer Valley Women’s Agricultural Network page:

The Pioneer Valley Women’s Agricultural Network is funded by the USDA/RMA, Harry Chapin Foundation, and CISA, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture.
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March 11
Expand your Gardening Horizons: The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association’s Spring Gardening Symposium. Featuring Ruah Donnelly, author of The Adventurous Gardener, speaking on “Plant Sleuthing in the Northeast.” Numerous workshops on topics such as: native ferns and perennials, yoga for gardeners, gardening magic with children, beyond tulips and daffodils: unusual bulbs for spring, feng shui in the garden, flowering shrubs - going beyond the ordinary, algae filtration systems, conifers for connoisseurs, grow Japanese irises confidently, multiplying your plants. 9 am to 1 pm; Frontier Regional High School, 113 North Main St. - South Deerfield, MA. $20. Preregistration is required as seating is limited. Info here or contact Rae Davis at margaretraedavis@msn.com or (413) 625-0168.

March 11
Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference
Please join us for the 16th MA Land Conservation Conference. It’s a full day of informative workshops and inspiring conversations with conservationists from across the Commonwealth. This year’s theme is Conserving Land & Community so there will be new workshops about conserving land that more fully integrates communities, artists and religious leaders as well as cultural resource protection and affordable housing needs.

The registration fee is $25 for members of the MA Land Trust Coalition or $35 for all other. You may bring your own bag lunch or pre-order one for $12. Please pre-register by March 6 we can not guarantee walk-in registrations. To register, print out this pdf.
Co-sponsored by the Mass. Land Trust Coalition & The Trustees of Reservations-Putnam Conservation Institute.

April 22
Horses, Livestock and Heritage Breeds Day with Pesticide Safety and Equipment

The University of Massachusetts is sponsoring a Horses, Livestock & Heritage Breeds Day with Pesticide Safety and Equipment, part of its Small Farm and Garden Day series. This one day educational event will be held at the UMass Eastern Extension Center at 240 Beaver Street in Waltham. This all-day program will appeal to back yard gardeners and beginning or part-time farmers. The program will feature UMass Extension Educators and University of Massachusetts faculty. Instruction will emphasize how to manage livestock and small farms in a sustainable manner. The following topics will be presented: exploring the heritage breeds of livestock & poultry, managing pastures for horses and livestock, managing nutrients and manure on horse farms, west nile, encephalitis, lyme disease, and rabies, understanding hay quality for horses and livestock, proper use of lawn spreaders and pesticide sprayers, poisonous weeds in pastures, tips for proper use of pesticides (insecticides and herbicides).

Preregistration is required. You can register for individual sessions for $20 each or for the whole day for $50. For a registration form click here or call the 413-545-0895 to have a form mailed or faxed to you.

Get ready! Sugaring season is almost upon us!

May 8
How to Prevent Injuries on the Farm. Diane Fisher-Katz, M.S.,M.D.T., a physical therapist from the Valley Medical Group, will be demonstrating and discussing how to prevent back, knee, shoulder and other joint injuries. Location: TBA. Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. For more information, check the Pioneer Valley Women’s Agricultural Network page in April.

The Pioneer Valley Women’s Agricultural Network is funded by the USDA/RMA, Harry Chapin Foundation, and CISA, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture.
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CLASSIFIED

Blue Meadow farm in Montague for sale 10+ acres, greenhouses, buildings and more. Visit this listing to see what is included.

Part time store product demonstrator and farmers market sales rep wanted. Terry Grinnan of Saw Mill Site Farm Horseradish Products is looking for someone to fill this flexible, part-time position. Duties include preparing for and implementing store sampling events and set up, staffing, sales work and breakdown at farmers markets, as well as strategizing with the owners as to marketing opportunities, networking and public relations to build brand recognition, product awareness and sales volume. For more information contact Terry Grinnan, 413-665-3005.

Help Wanted at Atlas Farm for 2006 season
Atlas Farm is a small family farm located in South Deerfield, MA. We grow a wide variety of certified organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers and sell our products primarily at farmers' markets in Boston and Western Massachusetts. We also sell wholesale to area grocery stores and restaurants throughout the season. Currently we have 10 acres in production.

We are now accepting applications for the 2006 season. Applicants should be hard-working, reliable, self-motivated, and have a valid driver’s license and their own transportation. Farm work is fun and rewarding but also very physically demanding. Applicants should have the desire to work outside even in adverse weather and be able to work early in the morning. Hours listed below are average and may fluctuate slightly throughout the season.

Positions available for 2006:
Full-time Field Crew Leader (April through November, 50+ hrs./wk.)
Responsible for managing a field crew of 3-4 workers in a variety of farm tasks such as planting, cultivation, and harvest. Some tractor work is also included in this position and previous tractor experience is required, although additional training will be provided. Also responsible for helping to run one farmers’ market a week. The ideal candidate for this job will be hard working, reliable, and have experience managing others. Previous experience in vegetable farming is also required. Pay range: $12-15/hour

Full-time Field Workers (May through October, 50 hrs./wk.)
Assist with all aspects of production including planting, cultivating, harvesting and wholesale deliveries. Previous farm experience preferred but not required. Pay range: $8-10/hour

Part-time Farmers’ Market Assistant (June through November, 20-30 hrs./wk.)
Assist with sales 2-3 days a week at our farmers’ market stand in Boston. Responsibilities include stand set up and take down, vegetable display and customer sales. Previous retail or customer service experience desired but not required. Boston-area resident preferred, travel to the farm not required. Pay range: $8-10/hour

Part-time delivery driver (June through November, 8-10 hrs./wk.)
Make deliveries to Boston area stores with a farm truck Tuesdays and Fridays. This person will meet our truck at Copley Square in Boston, help unload for the farmers’ market, and make several deliveries in the Boston area, returning to Copley. Previous experience driving a 14’ or larger box truck required. Pay range: $10-12/hour

For an application or more information, please email gideon@atlasfarm.com or call 413-695-2728.

Apprentice Positions, Red Fire Farm in Granby, MA for 2006.
The farm is an expanding operation that grows about 25 acres of quality organic produce, flowers and plants on a 70-acre land base. Markets include a 350 member CSA, farm stand, farmers market and wholesale. Apprentices will learn farm skills including tractor operation, harvest procedures and will also take supervisory roles for certain aspects of the farm work. Participation in the bi-weekly CRAFT farm-training program is required. The position begins April 1 and continues until the end of Oct. / Nov. Interviews for 2006 are happening now, and hiring will occur in Feb. / March. Housing is available in the farmhouse. For more information about the farm see www.redfirefarm.com . Please contact Ryan for additional information at (413) 467-SOIL or redfirefarm@gmail.com.

Cook and Food Educator position is open at Red Fire Farm. The ideal candidate will have a sincere interest in local agriculture, food, vegetables, community education, and enjoy vegetarian cooking. The position involves developing recipes that use seasonal produce for publishing in our CSA newsletter, organizing and conducting cooking demonstrations at CSA/ Farmers Markets, preparing lunch meals for the farm crew on weekdays, helping maintain a kitchen herb garden located near the farm kitchen, and help with researching and developing new processed products. Compensation includes housing in the farmhouse, and a monthly stipend of $725. Contact Ryan at redfirefarm@gmail.com. 413-467-7645 and see www.redfirefarm.com.

Farm Crew Positions: Join our crew at Red Fire Farm for the 2006 growing season. We are seeking enthusiastic, hardworking folks to help us plant, hoe, harvest and perform other vegetable farming fieldwork in our organic vegetable fields in Granby, MA. Flexible schedules –full or part time. Hours available May until October. $6.75 per hour plus produce. Most years we have carpool arrangements from Northampton. This is a good position for college students on summer recess, and others interested in getting exposure and experience with organic vegetable farming. Contact Ryan at 413-467-7645 or redfirefarm@gmail.com for more information.

Farming opportunity. Hilltop market garden in Gill with two+ acres prepared beds, orchard, small CSA, hoophouse, dairy goats, interns, permacultural approach, etc... is seeking a full time, organic grower or trainee to collaborate with current owners on the maintenance, re-visioning and development of the farm. For further info visit our web site or email dbotkin@valinet.com

Goat boarding needed. Looking for full or partial board for 6 goats in the greater Northampton area. Please call Ruth Elgers at 413-320-5215.

For Sale: 1966 John Deere 3020 gas row crop tractor. Runs excellent. Good rubber. Good tin. Three point hitch. Live PTO. One set of remotes. $9500 or BRO. 413-498-2160.

Female llama for sale. Proven breeder, nice fiber, 4 years old, experienced with goats & sheep. BO. 413-498-2160.

Package For Sale: Bred female huacaya alpaca (with free breeding 2006) along with one female and one male cria. See details of package here. 413-498-2160.

Got Wood? If you have over 20 acres of forest land and would like to discuss your management options with a licensed forester, please call Shane at Cowls: 413-549-1403.

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Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture
1 Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield MA 01373
Tel: 413-665-7100  Fax: 413-665-7101
http://www.buylocalfood.com