December/January Newsletter, MFBF

MFBF Office Headquarters Address

249 Lakeside Ave
Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: 508.481.4766 | Fax: 508.481.4768

**Click here for a full color pdf newsletter**

Dr. A. Richard Bonanno Elected to Second Term as President of Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation

MFBF President, Dr. A. Richard Bonanno, was reelected to his second two-year term of office at the ninety-first Annual Meeting of the MFBF, held December 1st through 2nd in Fitchburg, MA. Eighty-four voting delegates represented the eleven counties that make up the Federation. The delegates also voted to re-elect Edward Davidian of Northborough to a second term as Vice President.

Dr. Bonanno is the owner and operator of Pleasant Valley Gardens of Methuen, where he raises potted flowering plants, bedding plants, vegetable transplants, and grows fifty acres of fresh market vegetables.

He is also one of the country’s foremost experts on weed management. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in weed management and plant physiology at Cornell University and Oregon State University. He later went on to become a tenured professor at North Carolina State University. After returning home to take over the operation of his family’s business, he was recruited by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to help educate New England farmers about weed management. He does this as a part-time weed scientist for the UMass Extension Service, a position he still holds today.

He has held many leadership roles on a variety of agricultural groups, including serving as past president of the New England Vegetables and Berry Growers Association, the New England Council for Plant Protection, the Northeastern Weed Science Society, and the Essex County Farm Bureau. For more than 20 years, he was chairman of the science policy committee of the Weed Science Society of America. Currently, he also is New England’s only representative on a committee that is working to improve the relationship between the nation’s farmers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

PLEDGES NEAR $200,000 IN MASSACHUSETTS FARM BUREAU’S FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN WITH UMASS

The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is partnering with the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in support of the Agricultural Learning Center. With a total contribution of $500,000, paid over three years, the Center’s cornerstone building will be named “Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Hall”. Farm Bureau is well on its way toward reaching that goal, with current pledges totaling almost $200,000.

The Agricultural Learning Center at UMass Amherst will serve as a hands-on “living” laboratory for students and the general public who are interested in food, farming, landscape, and other enterprises relying on natural resources. The Center will have areas dedicated to livestock and horses, fruits and vegetables, cranberries, turf and nursery crops and so much more; and will offer training in both traditional farming methods and new innovations developed through ongoing agricultural research.

Situated within easy walking distance of the heart of campus, the Agricultural Learning Center will provide students with an interactive experience in agriculture. It will also make the scientific and educational resources of the university available to a larger community, drawing visitors from across the Northeast to workshops, courses, demonstrations and conferences at a state-of-the-art Center. The Agricultural Learning Center is destined to become the focal point for agriculture in the region!

With YOUR support and upon passing structural approval, the fully renovated, historic 19th Century historic horse barn will be relocated to its new location on 25 acres abutting the UMass Amherst campus, and be renovated to serve in its new capacity as a learning laboratory. Just as it was once was a showcase for Mass Aggie, the barn, “Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Hall,” will be the heart of the Center.

As more and more people are rediscovering the importance of local and sustainable agriculture, and as more students are becoming interested in farming, the time is right to establish the Agricultural Learning Center to address the needs of students, farmers, and citizens. Please join the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and give generously to fund the creation of the Center, which will benefit agricultural education, outreach and research. All donors will receive permanent recognition inside the building. Consider joining MFBF President A. Richard Bonanno, PhD, and Vice President Edward Davidian, and their families, in pledging to become a member of “The President’s Circle” (details on the pledge form included in this issue), or giving at a level appropriate to you and your business.

To make your contribution to the Campaign for the Future of Massachusetts Agriculture, in support of the Agricultural Learning Center’s Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Hall, please complete the pledge form and mail to the specified address. Thank you for your generosity!

John Dougherty Named Chair of AFBF Equine Advisory Committee

John Dougherty, Chairman of the MFBF Equine Committee, was recently appointed to a one-year term as chairman of the American Farm Bureau Federation Equine Advisory Committee. This committee advises the AFBF Board of Directors on national policy regarding equine issues.

John has an extensive background in the equine industry, managing Briggs Stable in Hanover, MA since 1968. He has been President of the Hanover Hunt Riding Club for the last fifteen years, and has managed many horse shows for Briggs Stable and other local riding clubs. John is also on the MFBF Legislative and Forestry Committees, the Plymouth County Farm Bureau board of directors, and is a member of the Hanover Board of Health.

President’s MEssage By A. Richard Bonanno, Ph.D., Massachusetts Farm Bureau President

First, thank you to Doug and the entire staff of the MFBF. We truly have a dedicated, knowledgeable, and experienced staff that always gets the job done. I appreciate all their efforts. As a volunteer, I know that we would accomplish very little without them. I also thank the MFBF Board and Officers for all of their hard work. I appreciate all of their viewpoints and feel that the decisions we make as a Board are a true consensus that benefit everyone. I will focus my comments this morning on some major areas including AFBF, the YF&R Committee, governmental issues, membership, insurance, FLAME, and philanthropy.

At the national level, we have made forward progress with AFBF. We have demonstrated that we can change AFBF policy but are still working on the harder part, which is the prioritization of issues. While there are some differences, we do have similar needs. We have agreed on transportation, child labor law, guest workers, food safety, and many issues related to policy at EPA. Dairy continues to be somewhat of a problem. We did help to change AFBF policy but the implementation of this has not been smooth. Regional differences among dairy farmers persist and I certainly welcome any help you can provide me with national dairy policy.

At the state level, this has certainly been the year of the animal. We have dealt with many issues that Brad will cover not the least of which is the animal welfare issue. As most of you know, we have been sparring with the HSUS in Boston. We are trying to defeat their bill banning certain practices in favor of a bill we support creating a livestock care and standards board. For the moment, we appear to have averted a ballot question but the fight is not yet over. Brad has been a true leader with many issues. He has proven to be articulate, forceful, and knowledgeable. His prior experiences at both DAR and Monsanto have proved to be very beneficial to our organization.

Animal issues have also made it to the local level, including a proposed ban on piggeries in Haverhill. We are working with local farmers, DAR, and UMass to prevent the passage of this ban. Towns are flexing their “home rule” wings and we need to help temper the amount of that flex. For example, we were successful in working with the town of Acton who wanted to restrict the types of agricultural practices that could be used on town-owned land.

Our visibility in the Commonwealth is increasing. Our new building in Marlborough is a common meeting point for many groups. Their destination is no longer the “4-H” building but the “Farm Bureau” building. We have been asked by DAR to take the leadership role at Ag Day at the State House. We will continue to work with DAR, the commodity groups and legislators to make this a worthwhile event. Our new role will put us at the podium and further increase our leadership on agricultural issues in the state.

I have been very pleased with the resurrection of our Young Farmer and Rancher Committee under the direction of Jamie Cruz and co-chair Drew Locke. They have had several meetings, worked with neighboring states, and Chris Grant, Essex County farmer and UMass senior, won the New England discussion meet competition held at the NHFB annual meeting in November. In addition, Terri Lawton was accepted in the Partners in Ag Leadership Program at AFBF, a very competitive 2011 class with only 16 members accepted nationally.

On the membership side we have made some progress. We are reporting a 3.5% membership gain to AFBF giving us Navigator status. Doug will give a full report but we need to do more to attract farmers, foresters, sportsmen, and the public. I am hopeful that we will create a new membership category geared to the public to further grow our membership. I want to thank Cheryl Lekstrom and our Membership Committee led by Ed Lawton. Also, I have been very pleased with attendance at all the County annual meetings this year. I especially want to acknowledge Franklin County that has seen a 3-fold increase in attendance in just the last 2 years.

We continue to work with our insurance partners Farm Family and American National. We have been discussing many issues that will enhance our relationship. Tim Walsh, FF CEO, is always willing to talk and that is good for both of our organizations. During 2012, we will be negotiating the membership list purchase agreement that we have with Farm Family. We will need to make a decision on the future of our relationship. There are many issues to discuss and I welcome any input that you can provide me during these negotiations. Both Steve Charette, MA FF General Agent and Alex Dowse, our Past President and FF Board member, will also be a part of these discussions.

On the FLAME front, we have had a successful year. Everyone is paying their rent and MFBF has been able to stop financially supporting the livestock market. FLAME has generated a positive cash flow and we have been paying down our debt to the counties. As of this date, all debts have been paid except for one payment still due to Middlesex County. I am pleased with this accomplishment. As you know, FLAME is the only one of our corporations that is for profit. The livestock market part of FLAME provides a great service to our members but it is finally about time that it no longer a financial burden to MFBF.

As many of you know, we have entered into an exciting partnership with UMass which will create a new center for undergraduate education with the cornerstone of that center being the MFBF Hall. In these times, raising $500,000 is not an easy task. However, in the 2 months since the MFBF Board unanimously voted to support this project, we have tentatively received pledges for over $180,000. Our Vice President, Ed Davidian is chairing this committee. I want to thank him and all those that have pledged their support and, in some cases, have already written checks. All contributors will be recognized permanently in the Hall. If your farm or your family wants to make a larger donation, we welcome that and you will receive a more prominent recognition on the walls of the foyer. I welcome all of you to participate in this project. Please fill out a pledge form this morning. Checks, while welcome, are not required today. We will collect your pledges at the end of the session today and can send them directly to UMass for you.

At the conclusion of my second year as your President, I want to thank you all for the opportunity to serve the MFBF. I am proud of our accomplishments but I also recognize that we have plenty on our plate and must continue to work together for the greater good. I will certainly be working hard for you. Thank you for the opportunity.

Chris Grant wins N.E. Discussion Meet

Three Young Farmer & Ranchers from Massachusetts traveled to the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in November to represent Massachusetts at the New England Collegiate Discussion Meet, where Chris Grant of Essex County was proclaimed the winner.

The Discussion Meet contest is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant.

This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. The judges are looking for the contestant that offers constructive criticism, cooperation, and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions. The topic Chris addressed was, “Have farmers and ranchers effectively utilized social media to educate and influence the public? What strategies can be implemented to expand the interaction between producers and consumers?”

The participants are given approximately one minute to prepare before they begin their opening comments, so the pressure is on from the start. After a five minute discussion, they are allowed an additional minute to prepare then deliver their closing argument. Chris, along with Adam Frye and Ryan Mackay, prepared for the competition by viewing past discussion meet performances on YouTube and meeting with Farm Bureau staff for some coaching tips.

Following up on his success in New Hampshire, Chris will be heading to the upcoming AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers meeting in Grand Rapids, MI this February, where he’ll go head-to-head with forty-seven other contestants representing 32 states. We wish him the best of luck!

Farmers and Consumers Stand together in Haverhill
by Brad Mitchell, Director of Government Relations

It was one of the best turnouts I have ever seen for a hearing, and the first time I have seen farmers and consumers standing (and sometimes shouting) together on an issue. The scene was the Board of Health hearing in Haverhill Town Hall on November 15th.

The background to the story is the usual Not-In-My-Backyard (NIMBY) saga and a lesson in civics that you didn’t get in 9th grade:

A local farmer wanted to lease some APR land in Haverhill to keep his pigs on for the winter. Neighbors and a local housing developer heard about the plans and protested. Even though the pigs had yet to set hoof on the property, they were concerned about odors. Unfortunately this all occurred right before elections, and while the protesters were a vocal minority, they outnumbered the farmer. The mayor’s office opposed keeping the pigs at the property and the BOH found a way to justify stopping him – legally at least, because there was no real justification. The farmer filed an appeal to DEP and in and effort to render the appeal moot, the town proposed regulations to outright ban the keeping of pigs in town.

Preventing the farmer from keeping pigs at a specific location without cause was bad enough. An outright ban on the keeping of pigs would have impacted not only the half-dozen other farms in Haverhill already keeping pigs, but would have created a nasty precedent for other towns in the Commonwealth. Farm Bureau and a number of area Agricultural Commission mobilized opposition to the proposal.

We sent our usual Action Alert out to Farm Bureau members in Essex and Middlesex County. However this time, we did something a bit different. We also attached a letter that they could email out to their customers asking for their support. The letter was geared towards the “buy local” supporters - farm stand, CSA, Farmers’ Market customers and pointed out the impact such bans could have if other towns followed Haverhill’s example. We asked them to write to the town or attend the meeting. While we knew many Farm Bureau members had both loyal customers and extensive email lists, we really didn’t have any clue as to whether they respond to such a request.

The result was overwhelming. About 130 people showed up at the hearing to oppose the proposed ban and we were told that the town received dozens of emails and phone calls. About half of those at the hearing were farmers and half consumers. Both groups spoke up in opposition and it was amazing to hear how in sync the comments. I couldn’t have scripted better testimony. Whenever one speaker finished and sat down, nearly the entire group clapped and cheered.

As a result of this effort, the city appears inclined to drop the proposed ban. We won’t know until the next BOH meeting in January, but I spoke with two of the three members of the BOH who seemed more interested in starting an Agricultural Commission in Haverhill to help address concerns with farms.

I know many Farm Bureau members who have email lists with hundreds and even thousands of customers on it. Many are staunch supporters of local agriculture. If we can make them vocal supporters, and involve them in our regulatory and legislative efforts, MFBF would have a much more influential voice on Beacon Hill and in town halls across the Commonwealth. Based on the results of Haverhill, there is tremendous potential for us to partner with our customers for the benefit of Massachusetts Agriculture. The concept of a “Friend of Agriculture” membership, which was approved at the Annual Meeting, dovetails perfectly with this.

Please think about how you would like to communicate with your customers on such issues, and how MFBF can help. We are going to be doing a lot more of this in the future.

Massachusetts Agriculture Day at the State House

SAVE THE DATE:

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012

From the Berkshires to the Cape and Islands, to the Farmers’ markets in Boston, each year this exciting event draws hundreds of farmers, agriculture officials, legislators, and industry leaders from across the Commonwealth. For one full day, participants gather at the State House to celebrate Massachusetts agriculture and discuss issues and legislation affecting their farms and communities.

The event includes a speaking program, “Agriculture Day” awards, informational exhibits and a reception featuring Massachusetts’ farm and specialty food products.

Massachusetts’ 7,691 farms maintain some 517,879 acres of open space and generate $364,481,000 in crop sales and $125,338,000 in livestock sales*.

Please join us in recognizing Massachusetts’ farmers; learn more about efforts to maintain the long-term viability of Massachusetts’ agriculture; and celebrate Massachusetts agricultural products!

For more information, contact Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation

at (508) 481-4766 or info@mfbf.net.

Mass Dairy Farms To Receive Tax Credit

The state announced some of Massachusetts’ 175 dairy farms will be eligible for $3 million in tax credits after the Patrick Administration uncovered an error in the state’s 2010 Dairy Farmer Tax Credit Program.

Last month, the state’s board of food and agriculture determined an error had been made in the 2010 Dairy Farmer Tax Credit Program. Using an independent agricultural economist, the board recalculated the tax credit employing econometric data from 2006 through 2009.

In 2008, Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law the Dairy Farm Preservation Act into law. One of its provisions was the creation of the tax credit to offset federally imposed milk price constraints. Under this provision, farmers can obtain an income tax credit for producing milk in any month when the farm price for milk falls below a “trigger” price, established by the state’s Department of Agricultural Resources, to reflect the cost of production. Farms receive the credit after they file their state tax returns.

Harvest to Hand

Are you looking for a local harvest festival, farmers market, pick-your-own, locally made products or family-friendly farms? Harvest to Hand is here to help promote a sustainable way of life for local agriculture across the United States. Consumers have easy access to fresh farm products, events and home-spun goods right at their fingertips through our free Harvest to Hand app. We are continually

growing. If you know of or represent a local food or farm venue, please feed our listings using our form. Use the “Enter Your Information” link above. Harvest to Hand is currently available for the iPhone® and iPod touch®

Horse Farm of Distinction 2013

The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation’s “Horse Farm of Distinction” program was established to recognize and present to the public those Massachusetts horse farmers who set high standards and achieve a level of excellence in overall horse health, farm management, and compliance with public safety.

Farm Bureau intends that the “Horse Farm of Distinction” program be known as a prestigious award and that those who achieve it are granted recognition by their community and their state. It is our intent that the promotion enhances the positive image and visibility of the Massachusetts horse industry.

Qualified equine professionals evaluate horse farms participating in the program and it is our intention that participants will find these evaluations beneficial to their operation.

The program has been developed, and is overseen by the Equine Advisory Committee of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation.

Program Rules:

Applicants must be Regular (not Associate) members in good standing with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation at the time of judging.

Awards will be presented at a ceremony to take place at the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, and are valid for the succeeding calendar year

Applicants must have at least five years of involvement in the Massachusetts horse industry.

Horse Farm of Distinction signs shall remain the property of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and may be reclaimed at any time that Farm Bureau determines that the farm fails to maintain the standards of the program.

There shall be a non-refundable annual application fee of $25 for first-time applicants, and $15 for renewing applicants. Fees cover the cost of administering the program. No farm will be judged unless fees are paid.

The sign shall not be displayed at or moved to other premises.

Judges’ evaluation sheets will remain the property of Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation

SBA Disaster Loans Available in Berkshire County

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced recently that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes located in Berkshire County in Massachusetts as a result of severe weather including excessive rain and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Lee that occurred on Sept. 4 - 14, 2011.

“This county is eligible because it is contiguous to one or more primary counties in New York. The Small Business Administration recognizes that disasters do not usually stop at county or state lines. For that reason, counties adjacent to primary counties named in the declaration are included,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to assist eligible entities affected by the same disaster,” said Skaggs.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. With the exception of aquacultural enterprises, agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA.

Loan amounts can be up to $2 million, with interest rates of 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for small businesses. Terms can be up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. The agency sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may also apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than July 23, 2012.

New Game Teaches Students to Distinguish Fact from Fairy Tale

The popular agricultural gaming site MyAmericanFarm.org just released a new game for students in kindergarten through second grade.

“Fact or Fairy Tale,” is a trivia-like game that helps kids learn valuable science lessons. The game is fun and fast-paced, allowing kids to help a character named Jacob Justthefacts discover the truth about where their food, fiber and fuel are produced. As they play, students are encouraged to continue helping Jacob uncover the truth by evaluating which statements are facts or fairy tales. After answering enough questions, participants are rewarded with a new stamp to add to their Passport for Sustainability—the tool that helps youth keep track of their journey through the various My American Farm online games.

The new game is one of 15 games that will be featured at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting, Jan. 8-11 in Honolulu. The game kiosks will be located in the Farm Bureau Tradeshow and the Foundation Booth, as well as near the Cyber Café and exhibitor seminar rooms.

The new My American Farm game also will be featured at the Agriculture Ali’l Luau event at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Jan. 9. State Farm Bureaus seeking more information about the game should contact Curtis Miller (curtism@fb.org) at 202-406-3700.

The My American Farm educational gaming resource is a special project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. The site and resources are made possible through the generous support of title sponsor, Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. To take advantage of the free My American Farm resources, games and activities, visit www.myamericanfarm.org.

Boxwood Blight Found in Connecticut

In October 2011, boxwood blight (Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum) was positively identified in Connecticut. This is the first confirmed incidence of boxwood blight in the United States.

This disease has not yet been found in Massachusetts, but the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is conducting a nursery survey.

For information on this emerging issue, including identification and management, refer to this fact sheet provided by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station:

http://extension.umass.edu/landscape/news/boxwood-blight-found-connecticut

Ellen Weeks

UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program

French Hall

230 Stockbridge Rd.

Amherst, MA 01003

(413) 545-0895

Fax. (413) 577-1620

http://www.umassgreeninfo.org

Sustainable Agriculture Online this Spring

University of Masssachusetts’s new Certificate Program in Sustainable Food and Farming is expanding due to increased student demand. This is an online program which we offer to complement our on-campus Sustainable Food and Farming major at UMass.

This spring, UMass will be offering an overview and introduction to sustainable agriculture in an online format for the first time. Enrollment is limited to 15 students

In this course you will study the ethical, practical and scientific aspects of agricultural sustainability including economic, social and environmental impacts of food and farming. You will use systems thinking tools to compare industrial and ecological agriculture, and ultimately each student will develop a holistic management plan for a farming system.

Course number: PLSOILIN 265
(online only) - SPIRE 70695

Dates: January 23 - May 1, 2012

Instructor: Katie Campbell-Nelson,

Contact: kcampbel@psis.umass.edu

Glenn Cook honored as 2012 John Ogonowski Award Winner

Local farmer Glenn Cook is the 2012 winner of the John Ogonowski Award. The award was presented at the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Annual Meeting, held December 1-2, 2011 in Fitchburg, MA. MFBF President Dr. A. Richard Bonanno made the announcement at the annual awards banquet, and presented Glenn with a plaque and an engraved award. Glenn offered a humble and heartfelt acceptance speech, thanking those who nominated and voted for him, and acknowledging the esteemed company of the other nominees. “I’m truly honored just to be nominated along with this group of incredibly dedicated people, some of whom served as my mentors.”

The annual award is given to a Farm Bureau member who has shown distinguished service to the organization and to the agricultural community as a whole. The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) established the award in 2001 as a memorial to John Ogonowski, longtime MFBF board member, county leader and victim of the September 11th terrorist attack. John was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 11 that crashed into the World Trade Center. John was actively involved in the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, renting land to immigrant farmers from Cambodia and then serving as a mentor to them as they learned how to farm in this region. John loved farming and was also very active with the Dracut Land Trust, working to preserve open space for future generations.

Glenn has had a lifelong love of farming. He began his career in agriculture while still in high school, co-managing a farm in Hamilton. He went on to receive a degree in horticulture, specializing in the cultivation of fruit. Over the years he worked at a number of nurseries and orchards, and also taught at Essex Agricultural Institute. Glenn and his wife Karen purchased farm property in Amesbury and later merged their business with his parents’, forming Cider Hill Farm. Some 30 years later, the farm produces over 70 varieties of apples along with an assortment of peaches, pears, plums, small fruit, vegetables and chickens.

Following in John Ogonowski’s footsteps, Glenn has shared his passion for agriculture by mentoring over 85 international agricultural exchange students from 20 different countries. By sharing his knowledge and expertise of sustainable farming, this agricultural ambassador has an ever widening impact. Glenn is also devoted to being green and this year has reached his goal of providing 100% of the energy needs for the farm through renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. He continues to pursue innovative farming techniques and remains deeply committed to this way of life and the community in which he lives.

County Membership Awards

This year’s membership growth is strong given the economic challenges facing the nation. What is the secret to our success? Dedicated and involved members, their elected leaders, allied businesses, strong programs and benefits, Farm Family Insurance agents are the strong force behind our membership retention. This sets a positive tone as we move into 2012!

Congratulations to the Worcester County Farm Bureau on achieving the Farm Bureau Trophy for attaining the highest percent total membership growth and new-to-Farm Bureau Regular member gain (just ahead of the Essex County Farm Bureau and Berkshire County Farm Bureau who both qualified in a three way tie with the most number of volunteer recruiters enrolling new members). Twenty nine members were recognized at their county Farm Bureau annual meetings for enrolling new-to-Farm Bureau members! The Bristol and Plymouth County Farm Bureau’s are still known for their highest retention rate and with a little push could capture the title next year! All eleven county Farm Bureaus received a $200 voucher towards an American Farm Bureau event (leadership, national annual meeting, Young Farmer & Rancher conference) for achieving over 5% Regular member enrollments. Keep up the GREAT work!

You don’t have to be a farmer to join Farm Bureau. Every Farm Bureau member may be part of our awards program by enrolling new members. We’ll help you become familiar with the Farm Bureau programs and services and volunteer to share this information with a friend, neighbor or business associates who would benefit from these programs and our advocacy. At 86% we are starting the New Year well on our way to achieving statewide quota of 5806 members by June 30, 2012. Join your county Farm Bureau’s March Membership Drive and earn cash, lapel pins and Farm Bureau apparel while you help your County Farm Bureau achieve awards. We’ve always relied on our members to refer a new member. Building our membership builds our resources that build farmer influence that is so important to remaining viable.

Farm Family Insurance Producers Recognized for Dedication to Farm Bureau Membership Enrollment

Seven Farm Family Insurance Agents are recognized with the President’s Plus One Award for enrolling at least one more member than they did last year. Past MFBF President and Insurance Committee Chair, Alex Dowse awarded the recipients: Frank Bingham, Richard Simonian, Mike Emond, Dale Johnson (not pictured), Diane Mason Arnold, Mark Sylvia, and Kay Spencer.

Diane Mason Arnold -
Farm Family Agent of the Year

This award is presented to the agent who is nominated by their County Farm Bureau and voted on
by the State Board of Directors as an exemplary agent, achieving successes both qualitatively and
quantitatively in membership enrollment, involvement with the County Farm Bureau Board of Directors
and service to clients.

We all win when we learn from each other. The perpetual Farm Family Agent of the Year Award Plaque is displayed in the Board Room of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation headquarters in Marlborough

Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation 2012 Horse Farms of Distinction Designation

Thirty-three (33) Massachusetts horse farms and stables geographically located throughout the Commonwealth received this designation. The MFBF Horse Farm of Distinction program was begun in 1990 to recognize and present to the public those Bay State horse farms who set high standards and achieve a level of success in overall horse health, farm management and compliance with public safety. The thirty-three farms being honored achieved a final score of at least 85% using the judge’s scorecard. Not all farms that applied received this prestigious designation.

Joan Travers, volunteer program coordinator, assigns horse industry professionals and representatives of Farm Bureau’s Equine Advisory Committee, staff members, Farm Family Insurance agents and Farm Bureau affiliates to judge the applicants between June and August each year. Applications are due April 30, 2012 for the MFBF 2013 Horse Farm of Distinction judging.

Recipients are recognized at the state Annual Meeting banquet and farms are showcased in a PowerPoint presentation in the trade show exhibit area. Visitors to the farms may see the Horse Farm of Distinction signage at the stable or farm. When the Farm Bureau tabletop display is exhibited at over 25 events annually, visitors are excited to view the Horse Farm of Distinction “And the Winners Are” brochure to see if their local horse farm is listed.

Photo: by Dwight Sipler

Student representatives and Clifford Taylor, Agricultural Manager from the Essex Agricultural Technical High School, Hathorne, accept the Horse Farm of Distinction designation for their school at the MFBF Annual Meeting, Fitchburg.

and the winners are...

Berkshire County:

Sommer Hill Farm, Donald Sommer, Adams

Undermountain Farm, Tjasa Sprague, Lenox

Bristol County:

Bristol County Agricultural High School, Dighton

Chipaway Stables, Inc., David Costa, Acushnet

Johnson & Wales University Center for Equine Studies, Rehoboth

Teaberry Farm, Kathy Jacques, Taunton

Cape Cod & Islands:

Highlander Farm, Megan Hawkes-Romiza, East Falmouth

Holly Hill Farm, Nancy W. Venezia, Marstons Mills

Sea Horse Farm, Bud & Marcia Nugent, Harwich

Smithfield Farm, Janice Foster, East Falmouth

Woodbe Farm Inc., Tracey A. Olsen, Vineyard Haven

Essex County:

Essex Agricultural Technical High School, Hathorne

High Tail Acres, LLC, Dawn DelTorchio, Newbury

Sons of the Wind, LLC, Julie Bottum, Merrimac

The Barnyard Maples, Gale D. Meserve, Byfield

Hampden County:

Kline View Stables, Holly Turner, Southwick

Silvercryst Farm, Paul A. Gregoire, Southwick

Hampshire County:

Twin Orchard Farm, Charles Kaniecki, Southampton

Middlesex County:

Andimar Farm, Laurie C. Marchant, Billerica

Berryfield Farm, George Berry, Lincoln

Harmony Horse Stables, LLC, Kathryn Cecere, Littleton

Larkspur Farms, Gerald Cupp, Littleton

Pompositticut Farm, Jackie Kane, Hudson

Sterling Riding Stables, Dawn Frazer, Pepperell

The Ponderaia, Laine Raia, North Reading

Plymouth County:

Briggs Stable, LLP, John Dougherty, Hanover

Creek Crossing Farm, LLC, Alyssa Trifone, Hingham

Lazy Stallion Friesians, Caren A. Polillio, W. Bridgewater

Whit Acres Farm, Kristen Whittaker, Norwell

Worcester County:

Deer Run Farm, Robert P. Goodman, Sutton
Summergate Farm, Sue Storbeck, Bolton

Walking High Farm, Becky & Harry Kalagher, Douglas

Winterberry Farm LTD, James & Sandra C. Kunkel, Dudley

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
by Douglas P. Gillespie

As is the tradition at this time of year, it is my pleasure to report to you on the challenges and achievements of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation during the past year. It has been a good year, and a successful one, thanks to the incredible staff that you have working for you. We have a great team, and I am thankful every day for the tremendous effort that they make on your behalf.

Massachusetts Farm Bureau finished the 2011 membership year on June 30th with 5,806 members enrolled in the 11 county Farm Bureaus. That number includes 2,105 Regular or Farmer members; extending for the fifth year our growth in regular members. This is a healthy sign that farmers recognize the value of Farm Bureau, and it builds loyal members who believe in the Federation. The overall membership number is down and represents our lowest membership level since the mid-1990s. Our affinity program with Farm Family Insurance that we have all become accustomed to bringing in the Associate members has let us down. The backdoor loss of Associate members has grown (we now lose about a third of our Associates at renewal time) and Farm Family’s new member intake has slowed during the past few years.

The MFBF Membership Committee, the Board of Directors and Farm Bureau staff, all take membership very seriously. It is what gives us strength in Washington DC, on Beacon Hill or in your communities. It provides political strength, and financial strength for the needs of the organization. Obviously in the current economy a dues increase is not a feasible financial option, so we must grow membership to meet our financial needs.

For several years MFBF has offered complimentary memberships to the now 148 municipal agricultural commissions. We want these farm activists at the local level to know that Farm Bureau can and will provide them with information and a support system as they do their jobs. To date, only 38 AgComs have joined Farm Bureau. So you can go out and recruit YOUR local AgCom as a Farm Bureau member.

During the past year the Board has approved a pilot program of Complimentary Introductory Memberships, and we’ve been focused on the 20,000 sportsmen in Worcester County to test this effort. Through their local sportsmen’s chapter they are given the opportunity to join Farm Bureau for a year and receive all the benefits as an Associate member. To date, only 174 have joined us. These local clubs are extremely guarded with their membership lists. One club with 800 members voted to encourage their membership to take our offer; but they’ve only given us 12 names to date. YOU in Worcester County can coordinate with Cheryl to visit YOUR local sportsmen’s club and encourage this relationship at the local level. Success or failure in Worcester County will help us determine whether or not to expand this effort statewide.

At the recently concluded MFBF Annual Meeting, voting delegates approved an amendment to the MFBF Bylaws allowing the Board to create a new low priced membership category for “Friends” or “Consumers”, etc. This proposal is an attempt to keep these complimentary members once their trial runs out. It is also an opportunity to reach out to consumers who buy at local farm stands, farmers markets or through CSA’s. These consumers support YOUR farm by buying products from you. They believe in local agriculture, and they are natural allies in our efforts to enhance opportunities for local agriculture. We need a way to bring them into Farm Bureau and motivate them to participate in our efforts to affect legislative and regulatory changes.

As an example, just last month a few farmers in Haverhill (Essex County) faced a Board of Health seeking to ban keeping of more than four pigs from that town. Through a press release and email alerts, Farm Bureau turned out at least 120 people for a Board of Health hearing in support of local farms. More than half were non-farmers in support of farms. This expanded network allows Farm Bureau to reach so many policymakers at all levels of government who we can’t effectively reach with just farmers.

This new low-cost membership program does not come without risks, however. It’s simple math! If we continue to lose a third of our Associate members each year, and Farm Family signs up new members at the suggested $20 level without substantial new growth, over three years our Associate category will evaporate and Farm Bureau (county and state combined) will lose $148,000 in annual income. This new category must be coupled with a genuine re-commitment to membership recruiting by the County Farm Bureaus. Until we reach 7,700 members, each complimentary membership costs us money, and the $20 memberships just barely pay their way. But if we have 10,000 or 25,000 new $20 members, well, now we’re talking! Our economies of scale kick in, not to mention the use of electronic newsletters and email alerts, and we’ve got more member voices throughout the state to help Farm Bureau’s effectiveness. Sound like a pipedream? It’s not! Many of YOU have customer mailing lists or email lists that you’ve used effectively in marketing your farm products. You need to share those with Farm Bureau and encourage THOSE customers to become part of the Farm Bureau network. You know that you need Farm Bureau. Well Farm Bureau needs you to step up and partner in membership growth. I hope that this is some food for thought in the upcoming debate on the bylaw amendment.

MFBF was recently recognized for the AFBF Navigator Award for 3% membership gain during 2011 as we reported 5,665 members to AFBF for the year ending Wednesday November 30th. While this “rebound is a good sign, it does not stabilize our membership challenges as we move ahead. Unfortunately, for the first time in over 50 years, American Farm Bureau will not see its nationwide membership grow. While still strong with 6 million plus members, AFBF totals will decline by 12-15,000 with the November 30th final totals.

In early November, MA Farm Bureau was notified that we had been selected to receive the AFBF Award of Excellence for Leadership Development. This award is a testimonial to the efforts of the staff, and to the willingness of our volunteers to participate in leadership development programs that will strengthen our Federation in the years ahead.

The Marlborough Farm Bureau headquarters has been a very busy meeting spot during the past year. Because of our strategic location on US Route 20 at the 495 interchange, and only a few miles from the Mass Pike and Route 2, we have become a meeting hub for farm-related organizations such as Ag in the Classroom, MNLA, MA Dairy Promotion Board, MA Board of Agriculture, MA 4-H Foundation, the MDAR Ag Business Training courses, and many other groups. We welcome this opportunity to be of service to the greater agricultural community as this was an important factor in the decision to purchase and renovate the Marlboro facility.

Last year the state board approved additional staff hours to begin a public relations program. Our Membership Coordinator, Liz Smith, has been putting her additional hours into press releases and follow-up with media contacts. We hope that you have seen news coverage that includes Farm Bureau on television, radio and the print media on legislative issues, local issues, or public interest stories. This effort will continue to expand as time allows. In addition, we hope to use the “Get Fresh With A Local Farmer” campaign to gain further public exposure.

One of the most sought after member benefits at Mass Farm Bureau is our assistance with local issues. Not a single day goes by without a few member calls needing help with a local health board, conservation commission, zoning enforcement officer or other municipal official. We try our best to provide professional, personalized service as staff time permits. However, a few cautions. The burden of this problem-solving is ever increasing. We cannot help much if you call us at the last minute. We are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice. We can provide our interpretation of laws and regulations, and suggested strategies to help the member. We also cannot be providing this service to non-members. They need to join to use our talents. Please help re-enforce this with your friends who are not members.

A number of years ago, Mass Farm Bureau created the Farm Bureau Agricultural Preservation Corporation, which is essentially our charitable foundation for local agriculture. The corporation holds some gifts of land, some gifts of preservation restrictions on farmland, and it administers the Massachusetts Farm to School Project. Specifically, during the past year we have been working on two Agricultural Preservation Restrictions in the town of Dartmouth. This project has given us the ability not only to preserve valuable farmland, but to create a new APR template that preserves a farmstead (farmhouse, buildings and infrastructure) as a part of the protected farmland parcel. In a nutshell, we are working with the grantees (the Dominican Sisters and the Town of Dartmouth) to create an envelope within the boundaries of the protected parcel, where housing and other infrastructure can be maintained “by right”, and to create a mechanism for reviewing infrastructure needs on the productive farmland through an alternatives analysis. Once perfected, perhaps this approach can be an option for the state as we deal with the challenges of allowing a farmer to live and maintain a viable business on and around these protected parcels. So we are utilizing the opportunities afforded the AgPres corporation to affect public policy, and help solve some of these challenges facing the state APR program.

Again, your Farm Bureau is strong and effective. We have these challenges that must receive your attention, but Farm Bureau will continue to be “The Voice of Agriculture” throughout Massachusetts. I thank each of you, and particularly the MFBF Board of Directors, for the personal opportunity that you have given me to serve as Executive Director. I wake every day knowing that I am working on behalf of the greatest group I know, and for a cause that is important and near-and-dear to me.

2012 Gregory Finn Scholarship Winner

Mass Farm Bureau is pleased to announce that the 2011 winner of the Gregory Finn Scholarship is Katelyn Parsons . Katelyn is the daughter of Matthew and Brenda Parsons from Hadley, Massachusetts. She is a junior at Oklahoma State University majoring in agricultural communications and animal science. Her passion for agriculture began by working on her family farm and through showing her purebred sheep. This passion led her to pursue a degree at Oklahoma State University in agricultural communications. She is currently involved on campus in programs like the Career Liaisons, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, Ag 1011 Student Academic Mentor and the College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources Student Council Public Relations Committee. She plans to graduate in May 2013 at which point she hopes to find a job in the agricultural journalism field.

AFBF: Farm Youth Labor Rule Overreaches DOL Authoritys

Responding to proposed child labor regulations, the American Farm Bureau Federation this week filed comments on behalf of more than 70 agricultural organizations in response to a proposal by the Labor Department that would limit youth employment opportunities on farms and ranches. AFBF also filed separate comments on its own behalf supplementing its views on the DOL proposal.

The coalition comments focused on what Farm Bureau and other agriculture organizations see as over-reaching regulatory efforts by DOL. Most prominent is the proposal’s potential impact on family farms. The coalition comments urged the department “to maintain the integrity of the family farm exemption approved by Congress.”

“Farmers and ranchers are more interested than anyone else in assuring the safety of farming operations,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “We have no desire at all to have young teenagers working in jobs that are inappropriate or entail too much risk.”

Stallman added that families, family partnerships and family corporations own 98 percent of the approximately 2 million farms and ranches in the country, and “their right to operate their farms with family members is specifically permitted by Congress. We don’t want to see those rights infringed.”

Farm Bureau also noted that the proposed regulation seems to go well beyond DOL’s authority. The department has the authority to prohibit youth employment in jobs that are “particularly hazardous” but the department’s proposal would prohibit youth from working in any job with “power-driven equipment.” Read literally, the department’s proposal would prohibit a youth under 16 from working in any job that had even simple power tools like a battery-operated screw driver. The coalition argued that DOL should withdraw the rule and make sure that it is following the intent of Congress in only addressing occupations that are particularly hazardous.

Another concern with the proposal cited by the coalition is a potential prohibition on youth harvesting fruits and vegetables, which would prevent high school and college students from working what are considered traditional summer jobs in rural areas. Such regulation would create an even tighter supply of agriculture labor at a time when it is much needed, the coalition said.

Register Now for 2nd Annual Beginning Farmer Conference

The 2nd Annual Beginning Farmer and Rancher Conference will take place Feb. 18-20, 2012, in Grand Rapids, Mich., at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel & DeVos Place Convention Center. The conference is presented by the American Farm Bureau Federation and Start2Farm.gov.

Beginning farmers and ranchers interested in all types of agriculture are encouraged to attend. Farm Bureau membership is not required. The conference provides an opportunity for attendees to network with other farmers from around the country and learn from experts about how to start and maintain a thriving farm or ranch business.

The “early bird” rate of $200 per person applies for all conference registrations received by Dec. 15. (The regular registration rate of $250 per person for the conference will apply Dec. 16–Jan. 17.) The registration fee includes conference materials, farm tours and meals for Saturday lunch, Sunday lunch and dinner, and Monday lunch and dinner. Attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations.

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Conference will be held in conjunction with the annual American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference. Attendees at both conferences will have the opportunity to attend sessions at the other meeting. For more information, including online registration and hotel information, visit http://2012bfrconference.eventbrite.com or email questions to info@start2farm.gov.

USDA/ NRCS updates nutrient management tools, standards

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) revised its national conservation practice standard on nutrient management to help producers better manage the application of nutrients on agricultural land, and officials hope, protect the environment and help producers save money in the process.

“We want this (new rule) to be understandable, helpful and sensible,” explained NRCS ChiefDave White. “It represents a good balance between production and environmental interests.”

The code 590 revisions would expand the use of technology, like nitrification and urease inhibitors and chorophyll meters, to streamline the nutrient management process, and allow states more flexibility in providing site-specific nutrient management planning.

The new standard would prohibit manure applications to frozen or snow-covered soils. But in a nod to critics who complained the draft proposal was “overly restrictive,” the agencies will make exceptions in circumstances - determined by NRCS and applicable state water quality control authorities - where conservation practices could be implemented to prevent “offsite delivery of nutrients.”

The NRCS-approved nutrient risk assessment for nitrogen must be completed on all sites unless the state NRCS office, with the concurrence of state water quality control authorities, has determined specific conditions where nitrogen leaching is not a risk to water quality, including drinking water. The NRCS assessment for phosphorus must be completed when phosphorus application rate exceeds land-grant university fertility rate guidelines for the planned crop(s), or the planned area is within a phosphorus-impaired watershed (and contributes to 303d-listed water bodies), or the NRCS and state water quality control authority have not determined specific conditions where the risk of phosphorus loss is low. A phosphorus risk assessment will not be required when the state NRCS, with concurrence of the state water quality control authority, has determined specific conditions where the risk of phosphorus loss is low.

NRCS staff offices will have until Jan. 1, 2013 to comply with erosion, nitrogen and phosphorus criteria for their state nutrient management standard.

DO NOT WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOUR ASSESSOR FOR CHAPTERLAND DESIGNATION by Frank Di Luna

Pursuant to G.L. c. 61A, § 13, “[w]henever land which is valued, assessed and taxed under this chapter no longer meets the definition of land actively devoted to agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural use, it shall be subject to additional taxes, in this section called roll-back taxes . . . .” Further, “any person aggrieved by any determination or assessment by the board of assessors under this chapter may within sixty days of the date of notice thereof apply in writing to the assessors for modification or abatement thereof. Any person aggrieved by the refusal of the assessors to modify such a determination or make such an abatement or by their failure to act upon such an application may appeal to the appellate tax board within thirty days after the date of notice of their decision or within three months of the date of the application, whichever date is later. G.L. c. 61A, § 19” (emphasis added).

In Gonthier v Town of Amesbury, the Gonthiers purchased a 5.7 acre Christmas tree farm in 1987 for a business and as their primary residence. Through fiscal year 2004, the non-residential portion of the subject property qualified as and was assessed, valued and taxed as, land devoted to “agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural use.” Subsequent to the Gonthiers filing of their fiscal year 2006 application for agricultural classification, the assessors determined that the subject property did not satisfy the statutory requirements and, accordingly, denied their application.

On February 9, 2006, the appellants were assessed a roll-back tax and, on April 3, 2006, the appellants timely filed an Application for Abatement. The assessors denied the Gonthiers’ abatement application on June 8, 2006; however, the Gonthiers did not receive notice until September 14, 2006. Subsequently, the Gonthiers filed their appeal with the Board on October 11, 2006. The Board found and ruled that the Gonthiers’ appeal, filed more than three months after the date of their abatement application, was not timely.

In deciding, the Board looked to W. D. Cowls, Inc. v. Assessors of Shutesbury, 34 Mass. App. Ct. 944, 945 (1993), where the Appeals Court, in upholding the Board’s decision, reached the same result when analyzing an identical provision in G.L. c. 61, § 3, regarding time limits for an appeal to the Board relating to forest land. The Court noted that the statute imposes two deadlines.

“First, if the assessors notify the taxpayer that they refuse to grant an abatement, the taxpayer must act within thirty days of that notice . . . . Second, if the assessors do nothing they are assumed to have refused a tax abatement and the taxpayer must file with the Board within three calendar months of the application for abatement.”

Even though Cowls argued that until the assessors acted he could not have known that he was aggrieved. Not withstanding the Appeals Court still ruled that his argument “fails to take into account that the taxpayer may be deemed aggrieved – indeed, may be aggrieved – by the failure of the assessors to act.” Ultimately, the Court ruled that if a challenge is to be made to the Board, “that challenge must be brought within three months of the application for abatement.”

In making it’s decision the Board took notice of W.D. Cowls analyzing G.L. c. 61, § 3 regarding time limits for an appeal to the Board relating to forest land. In W.D. Cowls, the Appeals Court stated that the same time limits control in cases arising under G.L. c. 61A, § 19 and “in the absence of action by the assessors on an application for an abatement, an appeal to the Appellate Tax Board must be filed within three months of the date of application for abatement.”

In the Gonthier matter, the Board also looked to another Board decision being Hill v. Assessors of Sudbury, where Hill applied for an abatement of a roll-back tax on January 15, 1993. The assessors did not deny the request until June 18, 1993, more than 3 months from the date they filed their application for abatement, and the taxpayers did not file their petition with the Board until July 22, 1993. The Board found that “Hill’s petition, which was filed within thirty days of the assessors’ decision, was still late because it was not filed within three months of the application for abatement.” Accordingly, Hill’s petition to the Board, was determined to be not timely filed, and was dismissed.

The Board recognizes the harshness of the results incases of similar circumstances. However, the precedents established in W.D. Cowles and Hill require that the Board rule that any appeal of the assessors’ denial of the appellants abatement application had to have been filed within three months of their application date and that appeals, filed more than three months from the date of the abatement application, is not timely and will be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

2012 Gregory Finn Scholarship Winner

AFBF: Farm Youth Labor Rule Overreaches DOL Authoritys

Register Now for 2nd Annual Beginning Farmer Conference

American Farm Bureau Federation Membership

You belong to your County Farm Bureau. Your County Farm Bureau is the most important part of the organization. By agreements between the county Farm Bureau and the State Farm Bureau, you also belong to the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, Inc., a non-profit 501c 5 membership organization.

By agreement between the state Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation, a non-profit membership organization, you also have a national voice. That’s three memberships for the price of one and a voice at the local, state and national levels of government. In 2010 the AFBF announced fifty years of continuous membership growth. For their fiscal year ending November 30, 2011, they announced membership at 6.25 million members, just a slight decline – not bad given the national economic challenges.

Is Your 2011 Risk Management Plan Adequate for 2012?

As you make plans for 2012, you need to seriously evaluate the adequacy of your 2011 risk management plan for each segment of your farm business. While a whole farm business focus is critical, in the interest of being brief, let’s focus on the crops segment of your farm business.

Time was when the government programs almost automatically provided a pretty good safety-net and about all producers had to do was to enroll, and perhaps, idle a few acres. But times have changed. Today, the major safety-net is determined by individual proactive producer decisions. For example, if all crops are not insured or covered by NAP, producers are ineligible for SURE Payments. Furthermore, if an adequate amount of crop insurance protection is not selected, the programs will not perform up to expectations or necessary payment levels when disasters occur. Therefore, risk management planning is as important as production and marketing planning.

Across Massachusetts, 2012 expectations are that risk exposures will increase in the form of high crop values, increased price volatility, higher input costs, tighter credit requirements, the need to recover from 2011 losses, higher family living costs, and aging farm operators.

Next, one might want to compare equity to expenses and income potential. Does it make sense to manage risk by self-insuring? Just how much protection is needed for 2012?

Now, what is your strategy for 2012? Will you protect crop values, cover all or part of your input costs, put a floor under marketing contracts, recover 2011 losses, secure operating loan, and/or secure family living expenses? So, is your current risk management plan adequate for 2012 to fulfill your strategy?

Crop insurance agents now have 2012 rates and rules and are prepared to help you to complete a free Risk Management Checklist and to discuss coverage and cost control options that can strengthen your farm business plan and minimize the risk of an income interruption. Managing risks may result in improved peace of mind for you and your family in the year ahead. You can download the checklist at: http://farm-risk-plans.usda.gov/pdf/risk_management_checklist.pdf.

Custom Ag Solutions works with RMA to educate Massachusetts producers about Federal Crop Insurance Programs. To locate a crop insurance agent or obtain information about risk management and RMA’s Federal Crop Insurance Programs, please visit www.RMA.USDA.gov. To receive information by mail, call Custom Ag Solutions at 877-227-8094.

Get Involved! by Ryan MacKay

Massachusetts Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Ranchers are active agriculturists like you, between the ages of 18 and 35 and involved in production, business, and many other areas of our industry. Young Farmers and Ranchers develop leadership skills while volunteering time as active, vital members of their County Farm Bureaus. Under the current leadership of Jamie Cruz, the YF&R committee has become very active this past year by conducting routine meetings, farm tours, participating in Discussion Meets, along with many other things.

We are currently working on organizing a trip to Washington DC for something known amongst the Farm Bureau community as a “DC Fly In.” We are planning on organizing this event for sometime in late winter or early spring and we would love to gather a large group of young farmers to participate! This annual event occurs once a year, in which members of the YF&R Committee accompany our Governmental Affairs Director, Brad Mitchell into Washington, meet with our congressional leaders, receive issue updates, tour the American Farm Bureau Federation headquarters, and tour our nation’s capital. This is a great opportunity to speak directly about our “hot topics” and what they mean for our industry.

Massachusetts Farm Bureau works with young farmers and helps them grow through action. The MFBF Young Farmer and Rancher Committee (YF&R) helps young farmers acquire cutting edge information through participation in educational conferences; build a networks with fellow farmers, ranchers, and agricultural enthusiasts; earn recognition for their achievements in business excellence and leadership success; and continue their professional development growth.

The YF&R Committee also helps young farmers lead through service. This includes providing workable solutions for issues affecting agriculture, influencing public policies that affect agriculture now and in the future, stepping up and telling the story of agriculture, and serving their communities by volunteering and making a difference.

We are seeking Young Farmers to become involved! This group is not only the future to Massachusetts Farm Bureau but the future of our industry and there is a lot of opportunity to gain knowledge for not only yourself, but to bring back to your farming operations and your county.

If you are wishing to seek more information, participate in our DC Fly In, or be added to our YF&R mailing list, please feel free to email our YF&R Chair, Jamie Cruz at Jamie@mfbf.net

MFBF Young Farmer Update
by Jamie Cruz, YF&R Chair

It is hard to believe that an entire year has gone by since I have become State Chair of the Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. As I sit here typing up an article for the upcoming newsletter, I find myself thinking about all the friends I have made, the lessons I have learned, the skills I have gained to bring to my business, and all the accomplishments that the Massachusetts Farm Bureau YF&R Committee has made in only one year.

In November of 2010, Brad Mitchell showed up at my Farm Stand. I did not really know him well at the time, except for seeing his face in Farm Bureau newsletters or reading articles he had wrote for the Farm Bureau news.

I had been a Farm Bureau member for many years as I come from a long line of vegetable Growers, my mom sits on the Middlesex County Board, the Massachusetts Farm Bureau President always stuck out to me as a strong leader, and I at the time thought I knew what Farm Bureau was all about.

Brad insisted that I attend the upcoming Farm Bureau Annual Meeting which was set to be in West Springfield. He mentioned that Farm Bureau was seeking as many young farmers as possible to attend as they were looking to revive the Young Farmer & Rancher Committee. I agreed that I would go although in the back of my head I was thinking about all the work I needed to get done and the meeting fell right during the week.

I remember sitting in a room following the Thursday night dinner with several other young farmers from around the State. Farm Bureau was seeking somebody to Chair the YF&R Committee as the past Chair was seeking to resign from her Leadership role on the Committee. To me it seemed like a challenge, so I raised my hand to show that I was interested; not knowing exactly what I was getting myself into.

Fast forward two months and I found myself on a plane to Florida for the National Young Farmer Leadership Conference with Chris Grant and Terri Lawton. I was eager to see what Farm Bureau was all about and excited to understand more about what we, as young farmers in Farm Bureau, were all about, what we did, and how we got it done.

The Conference was fantastic; there were hundreds of YF&R members from every state from all across the Country. We all had a passion for agriculture, a desire to be leaders, a strong interest in Farm Bureau and no matter how big or small our operation was, organic or conventional, vegetable or livestock, pasture raised, or feed lot; we were all there for one reason. To better our skills as leaders on our farms, off our farms standing up for our rights, interests, our future, and our grass roots organization…Farm Bureau.

Not long after we got back from the YF&R Leadership Conference we found ourselves judging FFA events, traveling to New York for their State YF&R Annual Meeting, organizing meetings here, and beginning to plan farm tours.

I think I can speak for the entire group of Young Farmers that have been actively involved in the YF&R since December of 2010 that we have had a blast working together, strengthened our skills as leaders, gained a lot of knowledge about Farm Bureau, learned how to tell our story better, made many friendships along the way and are eager to see the rest of our goals get accomplished.

This year alone we have had more frequent YF&R meetings scheduled, brought a bigger presence to the County Annual Meetings, developed a YF&R logo, attended a Discussion Meet in New Hampshire, brought back Farm Tours, attended Leadership Conferences, attended the Annual Meeting in bigger force, had Terri Lawton represent Massachusetts in the American Farm Bureau PAL Program, have Chris Grant representing Massachusetts in the National Collegiate Discussion Meet in Michigan, and brought some new traditions to the YF&R program here in Massachusetts.

We have a lot of goals that we hope to accomplish over the course of the next year including more frequent Farm Tours, incorporating the Excellence in Agriculture Award, Agriculture Achievement Award, organizing a State Discussion Meet Competition, and so much more!

We hope that you can spread the message about the Young Farmer and Rancher Committee to members in your family, employees that may work for you or to young farmers you may do business with or know. There is a lot of gain out of bringing us all together. We are the future of Farm Bureau and the future of our industry. It is important for us gain knowledge now to ensure a strong future for Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and our industry.

Jamie Cruz

YF&R Chair

Jamie@mfbf.net

Register Now for 2nd Annual Beginning Farmer Conference

Items for sale

FOR SALE: “Friday” single row straw mulcher for square bales. Excellent condition. Great for strawberries, garlic etc. $3,000. Two 12 volt Toledo digital scales for farm stand or farm market.$150/both. Call 978-609-0627, rmorehouse@juno.com

FOR SALE: Australian Cattle Dog Puppies. Registered, shots up-to-date, parents on premises. Call 508-295-5528 or email cattledog3@verizon.net for pictures and more information.

FOR SALE: Hay – 1^st and 2^nd cut – no dust guaranteed. Wholesale and retail. We deliver and unload. Work cell 774-259-6960 or office 508-252-9029. Skip & Trish at Homestead Farms.

FOR SALE: Tires. Great prices, all sizes, tire repairs, road service, calcium chloride service. Hoey Tire, Worcester. Call 508-755-6666, www.hoeytire.com.

FOR SALE: Hay 1^st and 2^nd cutting. 4’ X 5’ round and small square bales. Conway Farm’s Lakeville, MA. 508-821-0149.

FOR SALE: Vermeer 5400XL Rebel Round Baler, makes 4x4 or 4x5 bales. 48" pickup width, rubber gathering wheels, automatic chain oiler, spring loaded bale kicker ramp, restricter plate for silage baling, 540 PTO, 55HP required. Great for small haying operations. $11,000.00. Contact Coombs-Hill Farm 413-624-3012.

service

FARM MAINTENANCE: All types arena work, construction & renewal. Paddock areas built, fencing new & repairs, hydrant work, brush work, field fertilization & care. CRF Maintenance Services. www.cringfarm.com 508-234-9824.

SERVING THE FARMERS IN MASS: Helping farmers keep what they make. Experienced in dairy, beef, fruit & vegetable farming; experienced with APR, retirement planning, estate planning & taxation, tax free exchanges. Donald E. Graves, CPA, LLC, Masters Degree in Taxation & Financial Planning, Bentley College, 377 Main Street, Suite 1, Greenfield, MA 01301-3332, 1-800-286-6036, info@donaldegravescpa.com

PASTURES: Let our expertise in pasture construction and design provide you with pastoral views, solutions for your equestrian needs and elimination of boarding fees. Reclaim your woodlands into pastures. Increase your property value. Call Woodridge Farm, Lincoln, MA. 781-259-0251.

*APPRAISER/CONSULTANT: for farm/forest property. Estate planning, buying/selling, APR/CR valuation my specialty. William King 508-867-2600.

249 Lakeside Ave Marlborough, MA 01752 Phone: 508.481.4766 | Fax: 508.481.4768

249 Lakeside Ave
Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: 508.481.4766 | Fax: 508.481.4768