Farm Leasing Workshop & NOFA Mass Winter Conference
The Nuts-and-Bolts of Farm Leasing: Securing Access to Farmland in
Berkshire County
Are you a Berkshire County farmer operating some or all of your business on leased land? Looking to finally get a handshake lease in writing? Are you a landowner (individual, non-profit, or public entity) who leases or hopes to lease your land to a farmer? Want to understand the different types of lease arrangements, what makes a strong lease, and who should be reviewing your lease?
December 5, 2023, 5:00pm – 7:15pm
(Snow date: December 12, 2023 5:00pm – 7:15pm)
The Stationery Factory (North Room), 63 Flansburg Ave, Dalton, MA
Organized by American Farmland Trust and Land For Good, this in-person workshop will be a deep dive into everything you need to know about leasing farmland in Berkshire County. The workshop will feature speakers from Land For Good, Three Maples Market Garden, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Conservation Works, and The Legal Food Hub.
There will be time for Q&A followed by a mix/mingle—an opportunity for farmers and resource folks to connect and peruse the resource materials table. This event and dinner are FREE. Advance registration is required. The event is limited to 40 farmers, so reserve your spot now by registering here! Reach out to Jamie Pottern, jpottern@farmland.org, 413-240-4621 with any questions.
This workshop series is part of the Land for Farmers project, supported by Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant #2021-49400-35642 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Many thanks to Berkshire Natural Resources for their additional financial support.
NOFA Mass Annual Winter Conference
NOFA/Mass is holding their annual Winter Conference on January 13 2024 in Worcester from 9 AM – 6PM. This one-day event provides a place to learn, gather, and kindle relationships in community with farmers, local food enthusiasts, land care professionals, advocates, elders, young leaders, and everyone in between! With new climate challenges to tackle, we come together in the new year to share knowledge and celebrate the joys and accomplishments we’ve cultivated. Register here today!
The Farm Transition Grant Program is a competitive matching grant program for Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives to support the diversification of existing farm operations, transitioning to value-added agricultural production and sales, and other venues in which a majority of products sold are grown in the state.
Categories include New Farmer Micro Grants, Infrastructure Investment Grants, and Research and Development Grants, ranging from $5,000-$49,999. Deadline: Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 4:00pm. For more information, visit the Farm Transition Grants Website.
Launched in 2020, the New England Farmer Microgrants Program (NEFMP) is a grant program that provides direct financial support to farmers across New England. The program seeks to address some of the key barriers faced by farmers in the region: access to farmland, farm succession/transfer planning, and the adoption of regenerative farming practices.
The program’s Farmland Access, Succession, and Transfer Support Grants provide direct financial assistance to farmers for projects that facilitate farmland access, succession, or transfer. Some examples of eligible projects include: farmland purchase or leasing transaction costs, consultant and attorney fees, surveys, appraisals, agriculture conservation easement fees.
ELIGIBILITY: For the 2023-24 cycle, eligibility for FAST grants is limited to farmers located in Maine, Rhode Island, or the Eastern counties of Massachusetts (Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket). Click here to see the grant guidelines.
Deadline extended: Applications for the 2023-24 FAST cycle will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until January 31st, 5:00pm.
Second Round of MA Farm Resiliency Fund
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. You can read the Press Release Here.
USDA Designates 10 Massachusetts Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas from May Freeze, 7 Massachusetts Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas from July Rain and Flooding
This natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.
Triggering Disaster: Freeze occurring from 5/17/2023 – 5/18/2023
Application Deadline: March 11, 2024
Primary Counties Eligible: Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Worcester
Triggering Disaster: Rain and Flooding from 07/09/2023 – 07/16/2023
Application Deadline: 03/31/2024
Primary Counties Eligible: Berkshire, Bristol, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Norfolk, Worcester
For more information on Flooding Relief click here.
For more information of Frost Loss Relief click here
MDAR is seeking reports from impacted farms to evaluate the extent of damage from recent flooding. Please contact MDAR Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff Alisha Bouchard and Director of Produce Safety Michael Botelho with your report. We also encourage you to reach out to Sue Scheufele (508 397 3361) at UMass Extension so that they can also be made aware of the extent of damages.
MA Farm Service Agency is also asking any affected producers to report flood damage to their FSA County Office as soon as possible. Reporting damages is important for ensuring relevant FSA programming is made available to eligible producers. Also be reminded that several programs require timely reporting of losses/adverse situations in order to maintain eligibility. To report damage, please contact your local County Office.
Handling Flooded Produce: What Farmers Need to Know
To assist farmers in evaluating flood-damaged crops to ensure compliance with state and federal law, MDAR’s Produce Safety Team has developed “Handling Flooded Produce: What Farmers Need to Know and Conducting Risk Assessments.” Conditions are rapidly changing, and the Team will update this document and other resources as needed.
Additionally, MDAR has begun compiling a resource page and potential actions for impacted farmers to take. This list will also be updated as we become aware of additional resources.
MDAR Programs and Services
BOSTON — Following devastating storms that washed out roads and flooded fields and farms, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle visited Western Massachusetts two days this week to meet with farmers impacted by the storm. Commissioner Randle joined state and local officials to survey the damage and discuss how the state could help communities in recovery and mitigation efforts.
On Wednesday, Commissioner Randle met with 30 farmers in Deerfield, Hadley, Hatfield, and Northampton, while other MDAR staff were on the ground throughout the Valley to assess the damage and provide technical assistance. The Commissioner also joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Rural Affairs Director Anne Gobi in Conway on Thursday to offer support.
Although MDAR is still assessing the damage, the agency estimates at least 75 farms have been impacted, with over 1,000 acres of crop losses. That number will likely climb since land remains submerged and inaccessible due to standing water, with more rain forecasted. Today, MDAR’s Produce Safety team will visit farms in Deerfield, Florence, Hadley, Sunderland, and Whately to complete assessments of impacted farms. Read MDAR’s Press Release here.
(Vermont) Flood Related Resources for Farmers:
Thank you to Food Solutions New England for compiling this list.
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has a comprehensive list of resources available for farmers.
- If you have crop insurance contact your local Farm Service Agency to report losses.
- Apply for assistance through the Center for an Agricultural Economy’s emergency loan fund here.
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets will provide state level information for farmers as it becomes available.
- NOFA will award up to $2,500 in grants per farm affected by natural and unnatural disasters. They are also gathering information to coordinate support and recovery efforts for farmers. If you are a farmer, please share information here.
- Farm First has dedicated farmer peers available to talk to any farmers this week. Farmers can access our resource coordinator, counselor, or peers by contacting:
- (802) 318-5538 during daytime work hours (8:00 AM-4:30 PM M-F)
- (877) 493-6216 outside of daytime work hours
- Email: Eva Griffin at EvaG@farmfirst.org
Berkshire Grown’s Guide to Local Food and Farms is the region’s most comprehensive guide to farms, farmers markets, and restaurants offering local foods — use it to find farm stands, CSA farms, pick-your-own farms and orchards, as well as locally sourced value-added products like charcuterie, preserves, and fermented foods. Learn where SNAP, HIP, Market Match and other benefits are offered at farm stands and grocers in the Berkshire region as well as a reference section for the food pantries spread across the county. Keep the 2023 Guide to Local Farms & Foods handy and use it frequently!
Complete list of MDAR Grants here.
Need assistance grant writing? Feel free to reach out to Ian Brunell, Berkshire Grown Program Manager, Business Members, at ian@berkshiregrown.org about possible grant writing assistance in our network, and possibly some funding to help pay for that assistance.
Financial Assistance Application Process Opens for USDA Farm Loan Borrowers Who Have Faced Discrimination
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
Registration for the 2023 Farmer & Producer Winter Workshops is open! Featuring four different and informative topics. All virtual workshops will be presented on the Zoom platform. Grazing School, held in April and an all day workshop, led by Sarah Flack will be in person.
Advance registration required. Zoom links to the workshops will be emailed the day before for each workshop. For more information, contact Jordan Archey, Program Manager for Business Members, at jordan@berkshiregrown.org
Not a Member? Join Berkshire Grown Business Membership and receive discounts on these workshops, as well as receiving other great benefits aimed to help your farm or food business grow. Click here for more information.
Effectively Managing Diseases of Vegetables
Best Practices for Plant Disease Management Strategy
Wednesday, January 18th 6:00-8:00pm
$10 Members/$15 Non-members
General tips will be presented that form the foundation of both organic and conventional disease management. Recommendations based on research results will be covered for cucurbit diseases (powdery and downy mildews, Phytophthora blight) and basil downy mildew. Additional diseases will be discussed based on grower input.
Presented by: Meg McGrath
Meg McGrath is an Associate Professor with Cornell University located at the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center since 1988. She conducts research and extension activities on optimizing management of diseases affecting vegetable crops and herbs within organic as well as conventional production systems. Research topics include investigating fungicide resistance in the cucurbit powdery and downy mildew pathogens, monitoring occurrence of diseases, and evaluating management practices: fungicides, biopesticides and other organic fungicides, resistant varieties, cultural practices including reduced tillage and mustard biofumigation.
Making Spreadsheets Work For Your Farm
Crop Planning & Record Keeping For Direct Sale Vegetable Farmers
Tuesday, February 7th 6:00-8:00pm
$10 Members/$15 Non-members
How do you grow over 50 different crops for 500 shareholders who are coming to coming to your farm to pick up 13lb of vegetables for 24 weeks? Explore the answer to this puzzle in this workshop, where Dan will present and review the spreadsheets that has kept his farm running over the years.
Presented by: Dan Kaplan
After seven years of working on farms in New England, California, and Europe, Dan Kaplan became the farm manager at Brookfield Farm in 1994 and stayed there until retiring at the end of the 2020 season. By 2006, Brookfield Farm annually grew 30 acres of vegetables which supplied a 500-share CSA for 10 months of distribution.
Profitable Meat Marketing
Pricing for Increased Profit & Sales
Tuesday, March 7th 6:00-8:00pm
$10 Members/$15 Non-members
You are raising and selling local meat, but are you making a profit?
Learn marketing techniques and how to use the NEW Cornell Meat Pricing Tool to develop prices that deliver a profit in every channel.
Presented by: Matt LeRoux, Extension Associate, Cornell University
Matt has over 20 years of experience serving farms through Cornell Cooperative Extension, non-profits, and consulting. Specializing in market strategy, Matt works with a diverse mix of produce and livestock farmers and food businesses. Career highlights include developing the Marketing Channel Assessment Tool for produce growers and the Cornell Meat Price Calculator.
Grazing School at Gould Farm
Best Practices for Pasture Management
Thursday, April 13th 9:00am-4:00pm
$40 Members/$50 Non-members
Presented in partnership with Berkshire Agricultural Ventures
In this all-day workshop we will discuss the basics of how set up a new grazing system, and how to troubleshoot and improve an existing one. We start the day from the perspective of pasture plants, and then shift to look at grazing from the perspective of the livestock. This will provide a solid understanding of how to meet the needs of the plants and livestock from the soil up. Topics will include how to use the “Graziers Toolbox” including varied stock densities, trampling and different regrowth periods, pre & post grazing heights to use livestock to improve the pastures as well as fertility inputs, soil testing and reseeding strategies. We will cover “Pasture Pitfalls” as we look at common problems and how to identify the cause and come up with low cost solutions. We will do the “Pasture Math” to calculate paddock sizes, acreage needs and stocking rates. We will look at how to maximize pasture intake for the livestock to lower feed costs and improve livestock wellbeing and productivity. We will also discuss how to observe and monitor the soils, plants and livestock so that we can better understand if our grazing systems are working the way we want them to, and what we can do to make them better.
Presented by: Sarah Flack
Sarah is an author, consultant, and speaker who specializing in grass-based livestock farming systems. She takes a practical approach in applying the science of agronomy and grazing, combined with farm business planning, to allow farmers to make well informed decisions. Her goal is to help create more farms with successful grass-based management systems, empowering farmers to create positive change for pastures, soils, livestock, and farmers quality of life. Sarah is author of The Art and Science of Grazing, Organic Dairy Production and co author of The Organic Dairy Handbook, Vermont Grass-Based Beef Profitability: Lessons and Budgets, and Transitioning to Organic Dairy as well as many articles.
Register here or use the form below.
