NEWS

Can’t get to the farm?
Have the farm come to you!
Want to increase your market? Go to work!

In 2005, CISA, along with a number of other partners, launched the Farm2City program. This initiative aimed to both broaden access to locally grown food among the urban residents of Hampden Co and to open up new markets for local farmers. One of the ways we achieved our goal was by creating Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) distributions at local workplaces.

CISA’s Workplace CSA program helps employers provide their employees with convenient access to fresh, affordable produce by connecting them with a local farm. Employees are offered the benefit of purchasing a share in the farm’s harvest. The farmer delivers the shares once a week from June through October right to the workplace. Farmers develop a direct relationship with the workplace and are able diversify their market. Employees pick up fresh food right at work. It’s a win-win.

Over the last two seasons we have partnered with local employers and farmers to create a number of successful Workplace CSA sites. For the upcoming 2007 growing season, we would like to continue to expand this program within and beyond Hampden Co and are looking for new farms and employers to participate. If you are a diversified vegetable farmer looking for a new market, or if you are affiliated with an employer that you think could benefit from this program, contact CISA at 413-665-7100 or
workplacecsa@buylocalfood.com for more information.

CISA Annual Meeting February 28

Come celebrate CISA’s accomplishments in 2006 and learn about our plans for 2007 at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at the Red Barn at Hampshire College. We’ll combine engaging speakers, great success stories from Local Hero members and CISA programs, and a bountiful locally-grown pot luck feast. All in the rustic, not-stuffy-at-all environment of the Hampshire College Red Barn. Good food and good friends getting together to celebrate the hard work of local farmers and all who support them.

This year we are celebrating local food and culture by inviting author Patricia Klindienst to talk about her book, “The Earth Knows My Name: Food, Culture, and Sustainability in the Gardens of Ethnic America,” which happens to feature two local gardens and gardeners from Leverett and Amherst.

Want to lend a hand? We could use 4-5 volunteers to help with the meeting. Please call Jennifer at 413-665-7100 to let her know you are interested.

To learn more about Patricia Klindienst and her book, click here.

New England Farmers' Direct Marketing Conference and Trade Show
February 28 and March 1, Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA
Early Registration Deadline – February 2nd
Info: www.harvestnewengland.org

The New England Farmers’ Direct Marketing Conference and Trade Show to be held February 28 – March 1, 2007, is fast approaching. Register by the early registration deadline of February 2nd to save on registration costs.

The conference is the best opportunity in 2007 to learn new marketing ideas and fine-tune strategies for business success. You should attend if you are a grower, value-added producer, planner, economic developer, government leader, farmers’ market manager or interested in agriculture!

Multiple educational workshops are planned for both seasoned farmers and newer operations.

A diverse trade show of over 60 exhibitors (with more signing up weekly) will showcase an array of products and services for the agricultural industry. Current exhibitors include everything from seed and equipment companies, to nursery products, co-packers, insurance agents and more. Roadside stand operators seeking to diversify their product line will find a wide array of unique specialty food companies from New England. A complete list of exhibitors can be found on the conference website at www.harvestnewengland.org.

Some of the conference highlights include:

Nationally renowned agrimarketing expert, Jane Eckert will speak on how to “Market with More Creativity than Cash.” Jane helped increase revenues at her family’s farm by more than 300% and developed a special plan designed just for farmers. Today, Eckert’s Country Store and Farms in Belleville, Illinois is a top tourist attraction that draws over 500,000 guests annually. A lively and informative “Best of New England” panel will feature some of the top farm marketers from all six New England states discussing the latest trends, successes and challenges.

“Kitchen Table Direct Marketing” will feature the real life experiences of William and Cathy Emmons of Cloudland Farm, Woodstock VT and Jan and Dale Wentworth, The Warren Farm and Sugarhouse, North Brookfield, MA, This interactive workshop will provide practical ways to combine sales and marketing thinking with the financial information to know when things are really working – or not.

Other conference highlights include workshops examining opportunities for farmers in the growing culinary tourism and group tour markets, good agricultural practices, value added workshops, business planning, website design and promotion, and lots more! In total, 25 workshops are planned. A special half-day farmers’ market managers workshop is also being held on February 28 that will focus on New Marketing Opportunities and Building Alliances.

A complete agenda along with conference speakers and workshop descriptions can be found at www.harvestnewengland.org.

Local Hero member Green Fields Market seeks Produce Manager
We need an enthusiastic, personable, and energetic team player with outstanding people skills, a savvy business sense and creativity. Our Produce Manager will have a chance to utilize operational expertise, skills as a coach, supervisor and leader while continuing our tradition of offering high quality, organic produce to our loyal clientele. The successful candidate will have personnel management, purchasing, merchandising and financial experience in a retail setting as well as knowledge of organic growing practices.

We offer a stable business and a supporting management infrastructure within our co-op as well as the support and networking opportunities that come with being among a community of over 200 other successful retail cooperatives nationwide. Green Fields Market is a natural foods cooperative owned by 1,500 members, we are in our 30th year of operation. Please send a resume and cover letter to Produce Manager Search Committee, Green Fields Market, 144 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301.

New slaughterhouse opening in Seymour, CT
Offers options for farmers in wake of Adams Farm fire

Dan Carmel of Berkshire County announces that he is opening a slaughterhouse in Seymour, CT (between Waterbury and New Haven). The slaughterhouse will start out as a custom slaughter operation, but he expects to have is USDA stamps and cryovac machine sometime in March 2007.

This is a promising development and a welcome addition to the livestock infrastructure in the Northeast, which has been damaged by the loss of two slaughterhouses (one in VT and Adams Farm in Athol) in the past 6 months.

Pioneer Valley farmers will be able to transfer their animals to Dan’s trucker, who is based in Florence, for delivery to the Seymour, CT site. Dan is also arranging to bring meat back to the Valley for pickup at local businesses. Anyone interested in contracting with Dan for his slaughter and butchering services can reach him on his cell phone, 413-212-1334.

News from NESAWG

Northeast Sustainable Ag Working Group (NESAWG) is pleased to announce the latest update of its popular publication “Northeast Farms to Food: Understanding Our Region’s Food System”.
This comprehensive and user-friendly investigation of the Northeast food and farming system was first published 2002 and updated in 2004. The latest update of this three-volume set focuses on the federal Farm Bill which is due for reauthorization this year. This Update contains “snapshots” of the Northeast that relate to the role and impact of federal farm policy on our region. For those not familiar with the Farm Bill, we hope this update offers an informative peek into this complex legislation.
The 2006 update is available here as a PDF file. For other NESAWG publications, including the original 2002 publication and the 2004 Update, please see our publications page.

NESAWG recently added a 2007 Farm Bill Resources page to its website. It has a little something for everyone, whether you’re new to federal farm policy or a certified wonk:
• Northeast priorities for the next Farm Bill
• Background on the Farm Bill
• Profiles about the Northeast and its policy needs
• Resources and links for more details, current proposals and bills, and other groups working on our issues
You can view it here.

Join the Massachusetts Town-to-Town Campaign on Genetic Engineering
Pass a Resolution Against Genetic Engineering in Your Town

Since 2002, one hundred and twelve towns and cities in New England have passed resolutions opposing genetic engineering in food and farming. Last year, nine more Massachusetts towns passed similar resolutions, bringing the total number of Massachusetts towns opposing genetic engineering to twenty-one. This widespread advocacy at town meetings across New England is one of the most promising signs that we can stop the biotech industry from hijacking the world's food supply.
We at the Massachusetts Town-to-Town Campaign on Genetic Engineering would like to invite you to organize a resolution against genetic engineering at your next town meeting. Since 2002, we have educated the public about the threats of genetic engineering to food safety and local food security, and empowered people to use local government to raise their voices and find solutions to these problems.

By passing resolutions against genetic engineering in your town meeting, you will be educating your community about this common threat, providing a model of grassroots political engagement, and building political support to change policy at the state and federal levels. We will support your local activities to educate your town about genetic engineering and local governance. We can provide:
* An informational packet on how to get your town to pass a resolution opposing genetic engineering.
* Public speakers that can come to speak to your community group about the threat of genetic engineering and how you can help stop it by getting involved with the campaign.
* Various educational documentaries that speak to different audiences on the different aspects of genetic engineering.
* Resources on finding alternatives to genetic engineering in your local public school system such as "farm to school programs" that povide local and organic food for school.

To learn more about this effort, visit our web site: http://www.nofamass.org/programs/townmeeting.php

To get involved, contact me by email (ben.grosscup@nofamass.org) or telephone (413-658-5374) and I will get you started.

Towards a GMO-Free Future,

Ben Grosscup
Coordinator Massachusetts Town-to-Town Campaign on Genetic Engineering
Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter
22 High St #1, Amherst, MA 01002.

Thanks to the Solidago Foundation for a grant that is helping us continue our work this year.

Politics and the Farm Bill
Ever wonder why New England farmers never seem to get as much benefit from the federal farm bill as farmers from other regions? A quick glimpse at this map may show you why.

USDA Agricultural Census wants you
If you are a farmer or backyard grower who produces $1000 in value of product in a year – whether you sell it or not – you are eligible to participate in the Agricultural Census. Participating is very important to the future of New England agriculture – the more people who participate in the census, the more the region can show that agriculture matters here and is worthy of federal funding for programs like crop insurance, disaster assistance and more. If you live in Franklin, Hampshire, Hamden or Berkshire Counties and want to participate, contact Sue Tomkins, 413-354-6380. She will put you on the list to receive the census forms when they are mailed in 2008.

Workshops, Events, Announcements

Ecological Landscaping Conference in Springfield this year

The Ecological Landscaping Asociation (ELA) Annual Conference and Eco-Marketplace will be taking place March 1-3 at its new location, the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA. This year's conference features Keynote Speakers Paul Stamets and Elaine Ingham.

Paul Stamets is a preeminent mycologist who has uncovered fungi's ability to heal drastically damaged landscapes. Michael Pollan, author of Botany of Desire, calls Mr. Stamets a visionary whose revelation on "the possibilities fungi hold for healing the environment will fill you with wonder and hope." Dr. Elaine Ingham is one of the world's preeminent experts on soil fertility and health. Her research provides deep insight into the relationship between soil and plants. Dr. Ingham will be giving a full day Pre-Conference workshop on March 1st.

The conference includes a range of tracks, including a full day Friday track led by Dave Jacke, a leading proponent of permaculture design and author of the very comprehensive series, Edible Forest Gardens. Friday, Jeff Carlson from the Vineyard Golf Club speaks on techniques and strategies gleaned from his experience at the forefront of chemical-free turf management. Saturday features a lecture on growing unusual fruits in a temperate climate by acclaimed garden writer Lee Reich, PhD.
Saturday will also include lectures on sustainable landscape design by landscape architect Walter Cudnohufsky as well as author Jeff Lowenfels speaking on building soil health in residential gardens.

This conference features many other speakers beyond those mentioned here. There will be demonstrations, workshops and vendors too! The ELA’s Eco-Marketplace will have 30 or more vendors offering a wide range of products for creating healthy landscapes.

For more information please visit www.ecolandscaping.org or call 617-436-5838.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner - find fleecy gifts for family and friends

Craigieburn Farm Alpacas invites you and your family to visit our farm and meet the delightful and whimsical alpacas that provide this wonderful fiber. Shop from our selection of elegant sweaters, jackets, shawls, hat, gloves, socks, yarn and rovings. The farm will be open Saturday and Sunday’s, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM through March or by appointment. We are located at 243 W. Pelham Rd. in Shutesbury. Contact us at 413-253-4485 or steve.rice@alpacas4u.com. Visit our website for more info.

Benefit Wildflower Seed Sale January 15-March 15
Features 285 varieties collected at Garden in the Woods and Nasami Farm, with proceeds supporting the plant conservation work of New England Wild Flower Society. For a catalog and order form visit http://www.newfs.org/seeds/ or phone 508-877-7630. Many new varieties of woody plants, wildflowers, and ferns offered along with droll tips by Society Nursery Director William Cullina.

Volume Pre-Orders Benefit Conservation
New England Wild Flower Society announces that volume pre-orders for wildflowers, native trees and shrubs, and ferns are accepted with a $250 minimum order and a minimum two-week advance order, for spring pick-up at Garden in the Woods, Framingham, or Nasami Farm, Whately Massachusetts. All purchases benefit the Society's plant conservation programs. Contact Nicola Cataldo at ncataldo@newfs.org or 508-877-7630 for details.

Beginning in Beekeeping: Warm Colors Apiary
Warm Colors Apiary will again offer its popular entry-level beekeeping course; “Beginning in Beekeeping”. This is a hands-on program designed to provide new beekeepers with the knowledge and basic skills necessary to succeed keeping honeybees. This six-session course meets each month. Sessions start February 21 and end August 19. Dan Conlon is the instructor. Dan received the 2004 Beekeeper of the Year Award from the Eastern Apicultural Society Inc. In 2005, Dan was also State Beekeeper of the Year, presented by the Massachusetts Beekeepers Association. To register or to find additional information visit our website; www.warmcolorsapiary.com or call Warm Colors Apiary at 413-665-4513 and ask to speak with Bonita or Dan.

Growing Fruit in the Home Garden series starts February 10

Little surpasses the joy of eating fruit from your own garden; however, growing those fruit is often a horticultural challenge. This year's Mass Aggie Seminars ("Growing Fruit in the Home Garden" -- February 10 - April 28, 2007) will help overcome the challenges with growing fruit at home. We will present programs on basic and advance apples and stone fruit (peaches, plums, and cherries), on blueberries and raspberries, on grapes, on identifying and controlling fruit pests, and even on grafting apples. Many of these Saturday sessions (such as pruning, grafting, and identifying pests) are hands on and should be both educational and fun. All sessions will be on Saturdays, and locations include Brooksby Farm in Peabody, Tougas Family Farm in Northborough, and UMass Cold Spring Orchard in Belchertown.

For a copy of the schedule, go to www.massaggieseminars.org or call the
UMass Extension Fruit Program at (413) 545-2254.

CLASSIFIED

Ongoing classes on organic cooking. Visit http://members.aol.com/lescerier/pages/classes.html to learn more.

AmeriCorps A*VISTA Position available: Youth & Garden Program Assistant
The Youth Horticulture Project, based in Brattleboro, VT, is a program of UVM Extension that helps at-risk youth develop job and life skills through growing, harvesting and marketing of vegetables. Lead young people in their work on a 1-acre organic farm, educate youth on the importance of healthy, local agriculture, and engage them directly in community service projects. Start date: April 17, 2007, deadline: March 1, 2007. To apply, send letter of interest, resume and names of two references to: sara.porth@uvm.edu. Full job description: http://tinyurl.com/2p7ktt

Land/homestead wanted to lease/buy: Looking to purchase that perfect little farm/homestead. A fixer-upper farmhouse with 2-10 acres (at least 2 open tillable) within 1 hour of Northampton, or . . . looking to lease 1/2-1 acre of tillable land within a 20 minute radius of Northampton for the 2007 season. Please call Rachel at 413-268-7548.

Farm for Sale: 20 acres of prime farmland along the CT River. Quiet country setting yet just 10 minutes from I-91. Hay fields, crop fields, woven wire & electric fenced-in pastures for rotated grazing. No commercial fertilizers used on the land. Barn w/new additions, outbuildings, portable sheds, retail shop. 1800+ feet of road frontage. Large, classic New England Colonial Farmhouse with wrap-around porch and large front & back yards. Many renovations since 2001. Lots of potential -- perfect setting for bed & breakfast; campground; retreat; stables/horse boarding or your own dream farm. Located in West Northfield, MA -- Chee Chee Mamook Farm. Contact us at alpaca0410@yahoo.com to be directed to online photos & more information.

For Sale: Tractor items.
A/C Pick Up Plow - one furrow - 2 way. Will fit Allis-Chalmers Model "B" & "C" tractors.
Also A/C Tractor Mowing Attachment (side bar mower).
Fits both "B" & "C" models. Complete with manuals. Both is good condition.
For further information contact
Terry Grinnan, prop
Saw Mill Site Farm Horseradish Products
287 Conway Road
So. Deerfield, MA 01373
p 413-665-3005
sawmillsitefarm@comcast.net
www.horseradishdirect.com.

Farm Manager of the Raymond-Ambler Farm
257 Hurlbutt Street, Wilton CT (approximately 50 miles north of New York City)
Nonprofit located in Wilton, CT seeks a full-time, year-round, salaried farm manager of 18-acre historic farm property to start up and manage 2+ tillable acres of production using organic methods and to support a strong educational mission. Candidate should have a strong interest in the principles of sustainability, experience in growing vegetables and composting using organic practices, and a desire to contribute to our educational mission and grow the farm within our resources. Candidate should be able to work with volunteers and seasonal interns. Tasks will include some building and property maintenance as needed. Salary will be commensurate with experience. On-site housing is available. Position reports directly to the Farm’s Board of Directors.
Salary and Benefits$20,000 - $30,000 per annum, commensurate with experience. Housing provided on site as condition of employment. Friends of Ambler Farm (FOAF) provides an employee benefit package including health insurance and 2-week paid vacation (during the off-season). Applicants please forward resume and references to farmmanager@amblerfarm.org by February 15, 2007.

Used books & ephemera relating to AGRICULTURE (also many other subjects including architecture, woodworking and regional history) are available for sale at:

Nancy L. Dole Books & Ephemera
32 Bridge St. 2nd floor
SHELBURNE FALLS, MA 01370
open everyday but Monday
(413) 625-9850
ndole@crocker.com

Farmland wanted. 10 acres+ sought by farmer interested in raising sheep. Prefers the Colrain, Shelburne, Buckland area. Contact Ginger Wall, Gmwall42@aol.com.

Help Wanted: Assistant Farm Manager for 2007 Season. Atlas Farm is a small family farm located in Deerfield, MA. We grow a wide variety of certified organic vegetables, herbs and flowers and sell our products at farmers' markets in Boston. We also sell wholesale to area grocery stores and grower co-ops throughout the season. We are entering our 4th season of operation and are committed to growing high quality produce. Currently 11 acres are in production with plans for expansion in 2007. We seek an Assistant Farm Manager for the 2007 growing season to assist with all aspects of production as well as supervision of the farm crew. Training by the farm manager will be provided. This is an ideal position for someone with previous farming experience looking to take on more of a management role. Salary is commensurate with experience. To begin the application process, submit a letter of interest to gideon@atlasfarm.com or mail to: Gideon Porth/Atlas Farm 8 Pine Street South Deerfield, MA 01373

JOB POSTING: NUTRITION EDUCATION COORDINATOR
20 HOURS PER WEEK NON-EXEMPT

DESCRIPTION: The Food Bank’s newly re-formed Nutrition Education Program, will create a critical interface between nutrition education and existing Food Bank programs. In doing so, it will improve and deepen our programmatic work in many ways, including:
• in our Brown Bag Food for Elders program addressing elder nutrition and health issues such as diabetes care and education;
• through service to our member agencies and their participants (hungry and food-insecure individuals and families throughout western Massachusetts) by assessing and addressing their nutrition education needs;
• and through our food distribution services by implementing a new nutritional rating system for the majority of food that passes through our warehouse, thereby helping agency partners become better informed about the food they choose to provide to participants.

BACKGROUND: The mission of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is to work with our community to reduce hunger and increase food security in western Massachusetts. Founded in 1982, The Food Bank serves approximately 80,000 people in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties. It is the central clearinghouse and leading provider of food in the western Massachusetts emergency food system, soliciting and warehousing donations from myriad sources (government commodities, industry donations, produce from our own farm) and distributing that food – approximately 6 million pounds – to a network of more than 400 human service programs (front-line food providers such as food pantries, soup kitchens, meal sites, shelters) and 75 Brown Bag sites all of which serve people who are hungry or at risk of hunger.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the direction of the Director of Programs:

• Work directly with existing Food Bank divisions, including the food distribution division, to implement a new food rating system
• Plan and conduct nutrition education workshops for Food Bank member programs, their staff and clients
• Plan and conduct nutrition education and health programs targeting low income/food insecure households
• Provide food safety training and consultation to member programs of The Food Bank
• Develop written materials for member programs, including the member agency newsletter NewsBytes and monthly and Brown Bag Beat newsletter
• Represent The Food Bank and Nutrition Education Department at various community meetings and events
• Implement and report upon MEFAP (Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program) Nutrition Education Program activities
• Implement strategic plan activities related to nutrition services
• Supervise Dietetic, VISTA, nutrition and other interns and volunteers
• Position requires travel throughout western Massachusetts including Berkshire county
• Other duties as assigned by Director of Programs or Executive Director

QUALIFICATIONS:
Registered Dietician (RD)
Background in health, nutrition or community education
Excellent supervision skills
Windows and Microsoft Office Skills
Must be comfortable working with low-income individuals and families, including children
Reliable transportation and a positive driver’s history

PREFERENCES: LDN

Fluency in Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese or Khmer is a plus for this position.

REPORT TO: Director of Programs
RATE: $13.83/hour
BENEFITS: The Food Bank offers benefits for part-time employees to include retirement contributions and generous holiday, vacation and sick time.

POSTING DATE: January 19, 2007

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is an equal opportunity employer encouraging excellence through diversity. Please email resume and cover letter to: Christine Dutton at christined@foodbankwma.org or mail to P.O. Box 160, Hatfield, MA 01038 by February 16th, 2007.. Search will continue until position filled.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, The Food Bank is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, marital or familial status. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call 202/720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Land for rent. 15 organic acres in Buckland close to Shelburne Falls. Large barn available. Owner will help skilled operator with start up expenses. Water available. Very low rent/barter possible. Call Michael 413 625-8300.

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.

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