Hi there!

I hope this finds you well and in a good rhythm on your farms.

As part of an ongoing conversation with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau, we're

distributing a survey organized by UMass Extension to collect data for the state about the May 2023 frost damage. The survey is brief, and designed with the goal of getting valuable information to the state for determining relief efforts for farmers who experienced losses. You do not need to be a fruit farmer to participate or be eligible for assistance - vegetable producers, nurseries, and most farmers that experienced loss are welcome to submit information. Details on the survey and information from extension are below. As always, please feel free to reach out to me at ian@berkshiregrown.org for any questions.

It is also recommended that farmers report losses to their local FSA office. Even if you don't have insurance, and aren't looking for any FSA services, the FSA serves as a collection point of data that helps policy makers make decisions. The survey is not intended to replace reporting to the FSA. For Berkshire county, our office is in Pittsfield, and contact information is below with extension's release.

As dive into summer, we're thinking ahead to our Winter Workshops for farmers, and are gathering information for possible workshop topics, as well as potential 1:1 consultation relationships. If there are any topics you would love to see a workshop address, or any projects on your farm that you might want consultation for, please feel free to send me an email or give me a call at the Berkshire Grown office: (413) 528-0041.

Some updates in this month's farmer newsletter:

Thanks!

Ian Brunell

Program Manager, Business Members

The freeze events of February 3-4 and May 18, 2023, had significant impacts on agricultural sectors including tree fruits, berries, vegetables, ornamentals, and others. Now that losses are evident for most crops, UMass Extension and our partners* hope to generate timely reporting on losses at the state and regional levels. If you produce agricultural crops (including nursery stock) and you experienced crop losses due to the February 3-4 deep freeze and/or the May 18th freeze, please report them by filling out this survey: https://umassamherst.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b2BKrQXOUpV8aNg) SURVEY DEADLINE: July 31.

This data will help document the extent of crop and economic losses and will inform the public and decision-makers who may be considering actions that would provide emergency funds to Massachusetts producers. Some growers may also receive insurance payments or be eligible for low-interest FSA loans or other USDA disaster programs. However, data from these programs will take many months to report, and may under-report losses in some sectors. Producers should also report losses to their local FSA office as soon as the extent of the damage can be assessed--this survey is not intended to take the place of reporting to FSA.

If you have questions about this survey, please contact cclay@umext.umass.edu.

rebecca.savarese@usda.gov 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for the Organic Market Development Grants (OMDG) Request for Applications (RFA) to August 8, 2023. 

Through OMDG, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will issue up to $75 million in competitive grants. Eligible entities include businesses that produce or handle organic foods, non-profit organizations, tribal governments, and state and local government entities to fund projects designed to expand and improve markets for domestically produced organic products. OMDG is intended to increase the consumption of domestic agricultural commodities by aiding in the expansion of markets or development of new markets, marketing facilities, and uses for such commodities. For example, applicants may seek funding to develop and launch new consumer products using rotational grains or invest in infrastructure like processing equipment to give producers better access to markets.  

Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov by August 8, 2023.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the opening of the financial assistance application process for eligible farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) directs USDA to provide this assistance. Since the law’s passage, USDA has worked diligently to design the program in accordance with significant stakeholder input.

“The opening of the application process is an important step in delivering on our commitment of providing financial assistance to those who faced discrimination in USDA farm lending, as swiftly and efficiently as possible,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA will continue to work with our national vendor partners and community-based organizations to make sure eligible farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners have clear information about what is available to them, how to apply, and where to obtain assistance with their questions at each step of the way.”

The program website, 22007apply.gov, is now open. The website includes an English- and Spanish-language application that applicants can download or submit via an e-filing portal, information on how to obtain technical assistance in-person or virtually, and additional resources and details about the program.

Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination by USDA in its farm loan programs prior to January 1, 2021 and/or are currently debtors with assigned or assumed USDA farm loan debt that was the subject of USDA discrimination that occurred prior to January 1, 2021, are eligible for this program.

Press Release Here

ACCEPTING FARMS NOW!

Join TLI and its Education Committee in gathering data on regional livestock farms! TLI is offering FREE baleage and soil testing for livestock farms in MA, RI and CT.

Email Sarah at sarah@thelivestockinstitute.org to sign up!

Please feel free to contact me at ian@berkshiregrown.org

Click for more information

Apply for scholarships here

Workshop Schedule here

Join CISA, UMass Extension, and Dave Wissemann of Warner Farm on July 13th at 4:00pm for an up-close look at how they are optimizing their water resources and water distribution systems to ensure the sustainable production of crops throughout the season and in the face of increasingly uncertain growing conditions. The workshop includes a farm walk to see irrigation equipment and a detailed explanation of how the farm’s systems are designed and maintained. Following the farm walk, join us for further discussion and some locally made drinks and snacks.  

Over the past several seasons, farmers at Sawyer Farm have been experimenting with different ways to plant row crops into perennial white clover and reduce tillage using a series of innovative practices. Join CISA, UMass Extension, and Sawyer Farm’s Lincoln Fishman for a close look at transplanter shoe adaptations designed to reduce soil disturbance and weed competition in perennial clover and cash crop production. They will also discuss research underway with UMass through a SARE Partnership Grant. In addition, Berkshire Conservation District will display their no-till drill seeder, which is available for rentals and can be used for mixes or single species applications from clovers and orchard grass to rye and soybeans. This in-person workshop will be followed with an on-farm networking opportunity.