CISA's February E-Newsletter
 
Feb. 2008
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Tapping into Maple Season

As winter slowly warms into spring, the maple trees of New England will begin their magic. Maple sugaring has been a highly respected art form for generations. The first recorded description of the sugaring process came in 1606 as part of a narrative about the Micmac people of eastern Canada. In 1663, English chemist Robert Boyle told associates in Europe, "There is in some parts of New England a kind of tree whose juice that weeps out its incision, if it is permitted slowly to exhale away the superfluous moisture, doth congeal into a sweet and saccharin substance, and the like was confirmed to me by the agent of the great and populace colony of Massachusetts." Massachusetts is now the sixth highest state producer of maple syrup, generating about 50,000 gallons annually-worth over two million dollars!

Maple syrup production is dictated almost entirely by the weather. Alternating warm days and freezing nights are ideal conditions for sugaring. This winter the ground didn't freeze thoroughly, which means that the sugar run may be short this year. A shorter season could result in lower production-equating to higher costs for consumers-but it may still be too early to tell. "The price of maple syrup is high due to the poor season last year along with the strength of the Canadian dollar," says Local Hero farmer Joe Raskett of Hardwick Sugar Shack. "The production of maple syrup is determined on a yearly basis, so forecasting future prices or production is often difficult and unreliable."

As this year's maple season kicks off, you won't have to travel far to enjoy the delights of local sugarmakers' labors: syrup, candy, sugar, and cream. In fact, many of those same farms offer seasonal pancake houses, the majority of which open in late February. There is no better way to warm up to the spring season than with a plate of hot cakes covered in fresh maple syrup. Or, for serious maple enthusiasts, take a tour of the sugarmaking facilities and learn how the magic happens. We strongly recommend all of the Local Hero member pancake houses, including:

For a complete listing of Local Hero maple sugarmakers and suppliers, please visit our online Farm Products Guide.

CISA Appoints Interim Director
Margaret Christie, Director of Special Projects, has been appointed CISA's Interim Executive Director and will serve in this position during the organization's search for a new Executive Director. Margaret was CISA's Executive Director from 1997 through 1999. She returned to CISA in the fall of 2003 to start the Senior FarmShare program, served as Program Director, and now develops new projects such as CISA's work on infrastructure. A seven-member Search Committee is in the process of meeting with candidates for the Executive Director position, and will recommend one preferred candidate to CISA's full Board of Directors.




"Where's the Beef?"
With one remaining USDA-inspected slaughterhouse in the state that is booked through springtime, CISA is working to support the case for re-establishing local meat processing infrastructure in Massachusetts. As the demand for local meat continues to grow, this is an urgent issue for our area's farms. CISA is collecting hard data to bolster the argument for new livestock and poultry processing services by distributing over 600 surveys to Local Hero farms, and other livestock and poultry growers around the state with the help of agricultural organizations like NOFA-Mass, Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, New England Small Farm Institute, the Pioneer Valley Sheep Breeders' Association, and informal farming networks.

Results from 100 preliminary responses, primarily from Western Massachusetts, suggest that there is overwhelming interest in securing reliable processing services in the Pioneer Valley for respondents' 800 beef cows and dairy culls, almost 1,000 lambs, goats, and sheep, and 1,600 chickens and turkeys that need to make their way to market this year. CISA plans to share a full analysis of survey results by late spring. For more information about CISA's slaughter survey, please contact Jessica Cook.

Farmers' Markets Emerge for 2008 Season
Spring is on its way in, and farmers' markets are preparing for the upcoming season. Thanks to the support of Pioneer Valley consumers, farmers' markets are in great demand and are cropping up in new locations across western Mass. CISA is collaborating with a number of community partners and three farmers' markets in South Deerfield and Springfield-at both the Mason Square Health Center and the Jewish Community Center-to ensure the success of these emerging markets.

Primarily, CISA is seeking vendors for the markets. The Mason Square market will be held at the Mason Square Health Center on Saturday mornings. This market is largely supported and organized by the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. For more information about joining this market, please contact CISA or Tasha Moultrie at the Food Bank, 413-247-9738, ext. 113. The Jewish Community Center Farmers' Market in Springfield will take place on Fridays throughout the season. Contact Belle Rita Novak at 413-737-1724. Finally, Local Hero member Poppi Kelley (Bloody Brook Farm) is investigating the potential for a farmers' market in South Deerfield. Time and location are not set at this time. If you are interested in hearing more or have specific suggestions, contact Poppi at poppi_kelley@hotmail.com or 413-665-2048.

As the season gets closer, look to CISA for more information about Farmers' Markets in the Valley. For further questions about farmers' markets in the area, please contact Tracie Butler- Kurth at CISA.

Joining a CSA? Now is the Time
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a membership-driven farming model. People become "members" or "shareholders" by paying up front, or pledging to pay over the course of the season, for a portion of the upcoming season's bounty. Most CSAs distribute shares of vegetables, but there are also meat, herb, flower, or fruit based CSAs in the area. Members receive a monthly or weekly distribution of the farm's produce, which is most often picked up at the farm or another designated location (some CSAs deliver to urban areas or workplaces).

This model provides great benefits to the farmer and to the shareholders. The farmer receives payment up-front, which supports the spring start-up costs and allows the farmers to focus on growing, rather than marketing their products. All members share in the risk associated with farming, alleviating, in part, the financial burdens of an unforeseen loss. For the members, participation in a CSA allows a personal relationship with the farmer and can be a very cost-effective way to get fresh, local veggies. A CSA can also become a social community, with member events (i.e. potlucks, festivals, workshops, etc.).

CSA membership is not for everyone. Many farms allow shareholders a certain amount of choice in what vegetables to take home, but the quantity and variety is limited by that week's harvest. If you are unable or unwilling to plan your meals around what is in your share in a given week, you may want to consider other options, such as visiting farmstands or your local farmers' market.

Every CSA, like every farm, is unique, so shop around until you find one that matches your needs. Many CSAs in the Valley reach their membership capacity well before the season starts, so if you're interested, now's your chance to sign up! For a list of Local Hero CSAs, please visit our website.

Get an Ag Tag, Give to CISA
Purchasing a Massachusetts Agriculture Specialty License Plate now benefits your choice of an agricultural organization- like CISA-in addition to the Massachusetts Agricultural Trust Fund. The specialty license plates were first made available for order in August, but production of the plates will not begin until a minimum of 1,500 plates are ordered. So far, 300 of the necessary 1,500 plates have been reserved. The remaining 1,200 plates must be ordered by August 2008, or the plates will not become available for Massachusetts drivers.

All proceeds from the purchase of an "Ag Tag" go towards the Agricultural Trust, but $15 of that can now be targeted to CISA by simply checking a box on the downloadable form. For more information about getting an "Ag Tag," please visit MDAR's website.


Local Flowers for Your Valentine Make this Valentine's Day particularly sweet with an arrangement of local flowers or treats. LaSalle's Florist will put together a local bouquet for the big day if you call ahead. You will also want to check out the local greenhouses and garden centers that are open year-round in our searchable Farm Products Guide. (HINT: Check the hours open on the left side of each listing.) If flowers aren't your thing, go for maple sugar candies, socks from local wool, or for the real non- traditionalist, opt for local pickles for your sweetheart!

Winter Workshop Series on Selling to Restaurants, Retailers, and Institutions
Selling directly to restaurants, retailers and institutions can be a great way to expand your business and develop a reliable customer base. This workshop series is designed to help farmers respond to the unique challenges in reaching out to and maintaining relationships with direct wholesale purchasers. Local Hero members pay $6/per workshop or $15 for the series; non-members pay $12/workshop or $30 for the series. Dinner is provided.

Building Direct Wholesale Relationships. Feb 25, 6:30- 8:30pm at the CISA office. Come learn how to approach and begin selling to restaurateurs, retailers, and institutional purchasers. Alden Booth from The Peoples' Pint, Gary Colec and Chris Cavallari from Serio's Market, and Matt Perpetua from Baystate Health will provide their perspectives on buying directly from farmers. Please register with Claire by February 20th.

Packing, Labeling and Handling Standards. March 10, 6:30-8:30pm. Standards for packing, handling, delivering, and labeling products for direct wholesale can be less flexible than for other markets. This workshop will focus on those logistical details of selling directly to wholesale customers.

Pricing, Invoicing and Record-Keeping. March 24, 6:30-8:30pm. Learn how to price your product in a way that is competitive but realistic about your costs. Also learn how to develop strong invoicing and record-keeping systems, which is vital to keeping direct wholesale relationships going smoothly. Funding for this project was provided by the Northeast Center for Risk Management Education, the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Stay tuned for details, and contact Claire Morenon at 665-7100, ext 16 with questions and to RSVP.
Local Hero Members: Join for 2008
The early bird deadline has passed but there is still plenty of time to sign up for Local Hero 2008.

Make sure your favorite farm or food business gets the promotion it needs by joining Local Hero today. Independent market research shows that customers that see and recognize the Local Hero logo buy locally more often than those who don't.

For membership materials, contact Tracie Butler- Kurth, 413-665-7100 (ext. 12). Members are welcome to join anytime, but must join by March 14th for inclusion in the printed Local Hero Directory.

Holy Smokes Goes Mobile!
Holy Smokes, a Local Hero restaurant that burned down last June, is back in business as a catering firm. Besides creating catered dinners centered around their tasty slow-smoked BBQ, Holy Smokes is featuring 100-mile dinners with seasonally available produce. To make this happen, Leslie, Lou, and Seth are looking to re-connect with local farms. Farmers interested in developing ongoing relationships with Holy Smokes should call their new number 413-367-0040 or visit them online .

Real Pickles Highlighted in Brown Alumni Magazine
Dan Rosenberg, owner of Local Hero member Real Pickles, was highlighted in a Brown Alumni Magazine's (November/December 2007) article about "out of the ordinary" gifts that Brown alumni design, make or sell. The piece touted his use of vegetables from local, organic, family farms for his pickled wares.

Nourse Farms Celebrates 75th Anniversary
The January 2008 issue of Country Folks Grower featured an article on the history of Local Hero member Nourse Farms. Established in 1932 as a strawberry nursery, the business has grown to offer more than 75 varieties of small fruit plants and its operations encompass some 400 acres in Whately, Hatfield and Montague.

Local Hero Farmers Quoted on Slaughterhouse Needs
John Wheeler (Wheelview Farm) and David Freeman (Freeman Farm) were quoted in a Daily Hampshire Gazette article (12/31/07) about the need for a federally-inspected slaughterhouse in the region. The article provided an overview of the Adams Farm Slaughterhouse fire and subsequent rebuilding efforts. CISA is working to gauge the region's capacity for the region to support an additional slaughterhouse, as mentioned in the slaughter article above.

Ready for a Change?
Has your Local Hero bumper sticker seen better days? We'll gladly send you a new one so you can keep spreading the word that local is better. Just e-mail Tracie Butler-Kurth to request a new bumper sticker. Be sure to include your mailing address and phone number.


Saturday, February 9
Mass Ag in the Classroom Conference
This statewide Conference for teachers entitled "Growing Minds Through Massachusetts Agriculture," offers educational and networking resources, activity ideas and framework connections for pre-K through 12th grade classroom teachers. The programs will help bring agriculture to the classroom and inspire the next generation of farmers. The conference will be held from 9:00am-3:15pm at the Baird Middle School in Ludlow, Mass. To find out how you can get involved, please visit their website.

Sunday, February 10
King Corn Showing in Williamstown
 Images Cinema in Williamstown, Mass. will be showing the nationally acclaimed film King Corn at 2:30 followed by a potluck and discussion upstairs at the Red Herring. King Corn tells the story of two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation. For more information about the film, visit King Corn's official website.

Wednesday, February 13
Ghanaian Farmer Gives Lecture
 Interested in meeting a farmer from Ghana? Amherst Fair Trade Partnership is sponsoring a lecture by Cecelia Appianim, a member of a cocoa farmers' cooperative from Ghana. Ms. Appianim will give a talk about how fair trading practices have transformed farmers' lives in Ghana and brought a previously unknown level of prosperity to communities in her homeland, and elsewhere in the Third World. The program will start at 7:00pm at Amherst College. For more information about her visit and getting involved in the local Fair Trade movement, please contact the Amherst Fair Trade Partnership.

Wednesday, February 20
USDA Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency and Value Added Producer Grant Programs Informational Meeting
Come and learn eligibility and application requirements for the Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency and Value Added Grant Producer programs. The meeting will be held from 9:30am-12:00noon at the CISA office (One Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield, Mass.). For more information on these programs, please visit their website. Please RSVP to Madeline Broadhurst at USDA/RD by February 14th at 413- 585-1000 ext. 4 or by e-mail.

Tuesday, February 26
Omnivore's Dilemma Book Discussion
 Join in a discussion of Michael Pollen's book Omnivore's Dilemma led by Linda Hickman at Carnegie Library in Turners Falls, Mass. The discussion will take place from 6:30 to 8:30pm. For more information, contact the library at (413) 863- 3214.

Saturdays, Weekly
Enterprise Farm Winter Market
Enjoy a variety of local produce at a Winter Farmers' Market every Saturday from December through March at Enterprise Farm in South Deerfield. The market is open from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. For more information call (413) 320- 6652.

Thursdays March 6, March 13, March 27, April 3, 2008
Exploring Your Small Farm Dream, Greenfield, MA
 This series of workshops are designed to help you think through your small farm dream. The goal of the program is to help you decide whether starting an agricultural business is right for you and, based on that decision, to help you plan practical next steps. This workshop will be held in Greenfield, MA from 6:00- 9:00pm. Registration is $125. For more information about the course or to register, please visit their website or contact Rick Chandler at 413-577-0459.

March 6-8
Ecological Landscaping Association Conference
Come to the 2008 Annual Ecological Landscaping Association Conference and Eco-Marketplace. This year's conference at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield is entitled "Revisioning the Landscape: An Ecological Approach." For more information, please visit their website.
Job Opening: Farm Manager. Established PYO orchard in the Pioneer Valley with a loyal customer base seeks farm manager. Experience with tree fruit and marketing preferred. Position is year-round and requires experience with tree fruit and marketing, as well as tractor operation and equipment maintenance. Salary is commensurate with experience. Call 413.665.4689.

Job Opening: Director of Health Education for the Holyoke Public Schools. This is a wonderful opportunity for the right person to make a huge impact on the what/why/how health education is taught throughout the system, grades K-12. The job description can be found at our Web site, along with directions on how to complete an online application.

Job Opening: River Valley Market Coop will be hosting a job fair on February 13, 14, 21, and 22 from 10-4pm at the Franklin-Hampshire Career Center, Northampton Office (178 Industrial Drive). Online applications and details are available on our website.

Job Opening: Red Fire Farm, an established certified organic produce farm, the largest CSA serving the Boston area and the Pioneer Valley, and a provider in local wholesale and retail markets, has several openings including a year- round Assistant Farm Manager, vegetable growers, apprenticeships, and a chef/food educator. Positions may include housing. Detailed job descriptions can be found at our Web site. To apply, contact Ryan or Sarah at 413-467-7645, redfirefarm@gmail.com.

Job Opening: Opportunity to apprentice on a 2-acre Organic Farm/Garden in Whately. Learning includes timing for successional plantings, weeding, and harvesting; soil maintenence; pest management; winter storage. 2-3 days/week negotiable. Learn, help and share in the harvest. Contact Bill Hewitt at 413-665-3508 (home) or 413-527-5973 (work).

Job Opening: Part-time Bookkeeper/ Office Manager 10-15 hours/ week bookkeeping at The Farm School in Athol, MA. The Farm School is an educational farm delivering hands on programming to children and adults in the craft of farming. Contact Jennifer Core, Associate Director at 978-249-2656.

Job Opening: Coordinator sought for newly forming non-profit Boston Area Gleaners. Ongoing for the last three years, harvesting some 564 boxes of produce (over 10,000 pounds) for charity, mostly going to Food For Free, a Cambridge food pantry that delivers. Low stipend and possible lodging. Contacting farmers, gleaning the produce and fund raising (administration) involved. E-mail Oakes Plimpton for further information.

Internship: Export Development Intern. Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources seeks a student for a paid internship position ($13-15/hour; up to 20 hrs./week) in Boston. The ideal candidate will have experience, education, or a strong interest in subjects relating to food marketing and export market development. Strong communication and computer skills are necessary. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Mary Beth . For questions, contact Bonita.


Wanted: Ashfield/Conway House to Rent. With gardening space, fireplace, 2 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, 1-year lease with option to extend. We are a married couple, nonsmoking, no animals, no children, flexible start April - July 08. Linda Farmer/Kim Matland 413-244-8314.

Wanted: Ashfield/Conway Farmland to Buy. A portion with southerly exposure and a good solar window to build/renovate a passive solar house and an herb garden. Favorable leaseback for farming. Linda Farmer/Kim Matland 413-244-8314.

Wanted: Farmland. Farm couple with 20 years combined experience seeks 30-50 acre farm for sale in Franklin or Hampshire county for a start-up organic vegetable operation. Please contact Elise at 413-522-9122.

Wanted: Used small farm/market garden tools, equipment, and supplies. Please call Rachel at 413-268-7548.

Wanted: Farmland. 10 acres+ sought by farmer interested in raising sheep. Prefers the Colrain, Shelburne, Buckland area. Contact Ginger Wall.

For Rent: 8-12 acres for lease in Northfield in the 1,000 year floodplain. The land has been out of agriculture for the past 28-29 years. For more information, please call Michael and Natalie Nobel at 413-498-2724.

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.

For Rent: Charlemont farmhouse with up to 10 acres tillable land. Excellent soils. 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath, large garage and barn space. Perfect for small farm operation with opportunity for farm stand. Rent negotiable. Please call 413-834-8873.

For Rent: Pasture available in North Amherst. Approximately 5 acres of pasture available (has been idle for 4 years) with access to brook. Needs new fencing. Willing to trade rent for fence installation. Sheep? Goats? Cows? All considered. Joe or Sarah 413-230-3137.

For Rent: Farm/pasture land in Southampton is available for lease. Approximately 12 acres. Contact Susan at 413-527-2230.

For Sale: Exceptional 17th Century Saltbox Colonial Reproduction; crafted from antique Yellow Pine timbers, Civil War era brick, antique glass and hand planed White Pine. The main house features an impressive Gunstock timber frame, plaster walls, antique Yellow Pine or stone tile floors, and state of the art systems. The connected 28'x38' timber frame barn is fully insulated & heated. Beautifully sited on a private 21 acres, 12 acre open field, pond, surrounded by Warwick State Forest, Warwick, $799,900. Call Tami or Joanne at Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors - 413-665-3771 x109/x103. MLS# 70700941.

For Sale: Perennial/annual nurseries are a multibillion dollar industry, and this site offers state-of-the-art greenhouses with automatic heat, ventilation & irrigation systems; attractive office building w/ radiant heat, kitchen, handicap bath; old P&B barn; mature perennial/ornamental shrub display gardens; display area w/ irrigation system; 13.9 acres in an area of protected farmland; move your business or start one here. Land could be subdivided! Montague Center, $399,900. Call Tami or Joanne at Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors - 413- 665-3771 x109/x103. MLS# 70504237.

For Sale: Grass-Fed Lamb. A limited supply of lamb available just in time for winter recipes. Our lamb is naturally raised on pasture on our farm in Shelburne. The cuts (roasts, some chops and ground) are frozen and freezer wrapped and available for purchase at the farm. Please call ahead to reserve. Contact Springdelle Farm in Shelburne, Mass., at 413-625-6121 or email Barb.

For Sale: Fiber Flock. We have a lovely group of Border Leicester and Leicester cross ewe lambs and yearlings for sale, perfect for anyone wishing to establish a flock for fiber production and for meat. We have bred selectively for quality wool and a healthy flock. Our Border Leicester fleeces have taken blue ribbons and Champion awards in competition. Serious inquiries only, please. Please contact Springdelle Farm in Shelburne, Mass., at 413-625-6121 or email Barb.

For Sale: Chest Freezers. One 15 c. foot and one 21 c. foot. Both in almost new condition. Anyone interested in these item should contact Springdelle Farm in Shelburne, Mass., at 413-625-6121.

For Sale: Small Farm for sale. This lovingly cared for 4 bedroom antique Colonial is rumored to be one of the oldest homes on Main Street in Northfield. This property has so much to offer- Attached studio with loft, 2 Sterns built P&B barns, greenhouse, farm stand, large 4 acre tillable lot for gardening, and there is even a 2,000 sq. ft. space that in the past has been a restaurant with a separate heating system, but now awaits your plans. Phone Poppi Kelly @ 413-498-2456 or 413-230- 8337.

For Sale: Mobile Dimension Saw, Model 127, 1700 cc engine, on trailer, in good condition. Cuts accurately any diameter log, producing lumber from 1/4" x 2" to 8 1/4" x 12 1/4". 24 foot track. Includes single edger saw blade for larger lumber, split edger saw blade to cut 2 boards with 1 pass, 3 ft. end stands and various parts. Asking $8,000. 413-238-5827.

For Sale: Hitachi F-1000A in pristine condition, 12" planer, 6" long bed joiner. Heavy cast iron construction on movable stand. Asking $2,100. 413-238-5827.

For Sale: Kifco Water-Reel B210 with 320' of 2.1" hose, Mercury 202 gun with several nozzles, expandable high mount gun cart and offset 3pt hitch attachment. Excellent condition. $4600 Three-inch layflat hose, 759' of assorted lengths with camlock fittings. Excellent condition. $1500. Contact Eileen, Ol'Turtle Farm at 413-527-9122.

For Sale: Howard HR7. Working width is 60 inches and works with a 20 HP tractor or greater, 3 point hitch and PTO. In good condition. Asking $950. Call Dick Starkey, 413-774-4215.

For Sale: Large classic colonial farmhouse with wrap-around porch, barn garage, building previously used for retail on two-plus acres in a very quiet setting on a country back road. More land available for rental with purchase of house. Or choose to purchase entire 20-acre property with with fenced pastures, hay fields, prime farmland for crops, and river frontage. West Northfield, MA or email Geri J at 413-863-9763 ext 20.

For Sale: Goats. Contact Evelyn Hatch at Breezy Acres Farm 413-467-3276.

For Sale: Farm team draft horses; horse- drawn farm equipment including corn planter, cultivator, plow, harrows, mowing machine, tedder, rake, manure spreader, fertilizer spreader, baler, wagons and more. Chee Chee Mamook Farm. 413- 498-2160.

For Sale: Purebred Finn ram & wether lambs for sale. Gentle, prolific & really nice fleece. Contact Sangha Farm for more information 413-628-0026 or www.sanghafarm.com.

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 are in good condition. For further information contact Terry Grinnan, Saw Mill Site Farm Horseradish Products, 287 Conway Road, So. Deerfield, MA 01373. 413-665- 3005 or www.horseradishdirect.com.

All items in classifieds will run for two months unless re- posted. To list an advertisement in the classified section, please contact Allison Neher.



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CISA | 1 Sugarloaf Street | South Deerfield | MA | 01373