MFBF Office Headquarters Address

249 Lakeside Ave

Marlborough, MA 01752

Phone: 508.481.4766  508.481.4766| Fax: 508.481.4768

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

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July/August News & Views Sponsors

Farm Family Insurance

Farm Credit East

Devine Millimet

Pete's Tire Barn

ESI Solar Power

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Presidents Corner By A. Richard Bonanno, Ph.D., Massachusetts Farm Bureau President

Congratulations to Terri Lawton of Norfolk County, former Young Farmer & Rancher Chair, for her acceptance into the PAL program.  As stated by AFBF, “It is with great excitement that we extend to you an invitation to participate in Class 6 of the American Farm Bureau’s Partners in Agricultural Leadership (PAL) program. You were chosen from a select group of individuals.  We are thoroughly impressed by the quality of your application and interview, as well as the dedication you have already given to being an advocate for agriculture.”  Terri will spend the next year participating in this program.

As of this writing, I have just returned from Washington, DC and the Council of Presidents meeting.  This meeting is an opportunity for the 50 state Presidents to sit down together, obtain briefings from Congress, the Administration, and AFBF staff, and to offer advice to the AFBF President and Board.  As usual I come back from DC hopeful about some issues and upset over others.  Congressman Frank Lucas, Chair of the House Ag Committee promised continued oversight of EPA in their quest to bring new regulations to the Ag community regarding dust, water, and air.  Chairman Lucas also reminded us that there is a new crop of Freshman Congressmen on the House Ag Committee, including our own Jim McGovern, who need our feedback and our help to educate them about agricultural issues.  Many of us have met with Mr. McGovern over this past year and have found him to be eager to broaden his base of knowledge regarding all aspects of U.S. agriculture. 

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood highlighted safety issues and indicated that any exemptions for agriculture, or changes in weight limits for interstate movement of trucks and trailers, would not be at the expense of assuring the public that our vehicles are roadworthy and safe to drive.  He also indicated that allowances would be made for our larger trucks as fuel mileage standards are increased over time.  Finally, Senator Pat Roberts, Ag Committee member, said that agriculture would likely suffer disproportionately compared to other areas of the budget as additional cuts are made.

In other national and state news, the United Egg Producers (UEP) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have agreed to support Federal legislation to increase the minimum size of cages for laying hens over a period of years.  In return, HSUS has agreed not to pursue legislation or ballot questions at the state level.  We are not sure how this will play out in Massachusetts.  We all realize that HSUS is here because they consider Massachusetts to be a great state in which to raise money.  After all, they had previously indicated that Massachusetts is one of the 5 best states in the U.S. for the humane treatment of animals.  In any event, it will likely take a few months to sort this all out. 

Hearings will be conducted this summer on many of our pressing issues, including the MFBF bill filed to create a livestock care and standards board.  This bill has support from many groups including NOFA and the Mass Veterinary Medical Assoc.  Massachusetts farmers have a long history of providing quality care of their livestock and this will not change.  As always, I appreciate your thoughts and criticisms. 

Rich Bonanno, President
rich@mfbf.net

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MA Investment Tax Credit for Farms -Existing and Proposed by Brad Mitchell, Director Government Affairs

Many farmers aren’t aware of it, but they may be eligible for a 3% Investment Tax Credit for the purchase and lease of “tangible personal property” related to the business – essentially any equipment, building or structure with a usable life of 4 or more years.  The same credit is also available to manufacturers and fisherman. More information and appropriate forms can be found at:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ehedterminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Start%2C+Grow+%26+Relocate+Your+Business&L2=Taxes+%26+Incentives&sid=Ehed&b=terminalcontent&f=mobd_tax_incentives_itc_info&csid=Ehed

The only catch is that a business has to be incorporated in order to qualify for the tax credit. Recognizing that many farms and fishing operations are relatively small, and are not incorporated or eligible to incorporated, MFBF worked with Representative Carolyn Dykema to file a bill to extend the ITC to unincorporated farms and fishing operations. HB 3354 – An Act to promote economic stimulus in small businesses based on natural resources. Very simply, this bill would extend the ITC available to incorporated farms and fishing operations, to those which are not incorporated.  The bill has nearly 30 co-sponsors and will be heard by the Joint Committee on Revenue.  A hearing date has not yet been scheduled

The Commonwealth has a history of providing significant tax credits to large corporations. Sometimes this has ended badly, as with the corporation which moved production to China shortly after receiving such a credit. What we are looking for is a very modest tax credit for small businesses in Massachusetts - one that will help farmers and fisherman to spend a little more than they might otherwise. Consider the following:

• A 3% tax credit on a $100,000 barn will only cost the Commonwealth $3000 dollars. However, that is $3,000 dollars that the farmer will have to pay for another summer employee or for a down payment on a new tractor from a local dealer. Both would provide stimulus to the local economy.

• A good portion of that $100,000 dollars will go to local workers – carpenters, roofers, electricians, etc.

• Farm spending often occurs in rural communities. In the recent/current economic crisis, rural areas of Massachusetts have been hit the hardest.

• An investment in Massachusetts farms and fishing operations is not just an investment in a single small business; it is an investment in the Commonwealth’s food system.  As one farmer put it to me – “nobody is going to pick up their barn and move it to China.”
  

Stay tuned to future newsletter articles and email Action Alerts for hearings on this bill. Your support will be needed.  In the meantime, if you see your Senator or Representative please ask them to support HB 3354.

Brad Mitchell
Director of Government Relations
brad@mfbf.net

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No Plans? Consider AFBF Convention... by Liz Smith, Membership Coordinator

These days, as a farmer in New England with our short growing season, you’re probably busier than a one-toothed man in a corn-on-the-cob eating contest. Taking a break and relaxing for a week sure would be nice, but it’s not practical at this time of year.  However, what will you be doing in January?  When winter sets in and the outside chores have dwindled, you may find that it’s the perfect time to get away.  Why not join us at the 93rd AFBF annual meeting, to be held in beautiful Hawaii? The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation has put together a number of exciting optional tours for the 2012 AFBF Annual Meeting in Honolulu, January 8th through the 11th. The various tours are designed to give participants opportunities to experience the sights, sounds and agriculture of Oahu. They are also offering a number of pre/post conference tours to Hawaii (Big Island), Kauai and/or Maui in case one island is just not enough.

Hawaii is unique in many different ways. Aside from the obvious geographical features of being a chain of islands with active volcanoes, it is the only state where coffee is grown and is the home of the only royal palace, Iolani Palace, on US soil.  Hawaii has no billboards, no rabies, no snakes and no seagulls. Its alphabet has only 12 letters, which makes for some long and strangely-spelled names.  For example, the state fish is the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a… try saying that three times fast! (It means “triggerfish with a blunt snout like a pig’s.”)  What Hawaii does have is diversity.  There are no racial or ethnic majorities. It is, statistically speaking, the “melting pot of the Pacific.” Its residents are Caucasian, Asian, native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders. What does that mean to you?  A culinary bounty awaits you as you sample your way through many ethnic foods from Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, to Filipino, Portuguese, Thai and Hawaiian food without ever leaving the city of Honolulu.

All those restaurants rely on Hawaii’s farmers to supply them with the meat, dairy and produce their customers enjoy.  In terms of revenue generated, Hawaii’s top five agricultural products are greenhouse and nursery products, pineapples, sugar cane, macadamia nuts, and coffee. Hawaii’s farmers raise livestock products including beef cattle, dairy, eggs and hogs, aquaculture, and a wide variety of fruits and vegetable crops include avocados, bananas, guavas, papayas, and taro. Through the AFBF tours you’ll learn about Hawaii’s unique tropical crops and year round growing cycles.  For more information, please contact John Conners at 508-481-4766, or by email at: john@mfbf.net.

 

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USDA Invites Applications for Value Added Producer Grant to Assist Farmers

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced that applications are being accepted for grants to provide economic assistance to independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives and agricultural producer groups through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program.

“By creating value-added products, farmers and ranchers can expand economic opportunities, create jobs and keep wealth in rural communities,” Merrigan said. “These funding opportunities will promote business expansion and entrepreneurship by helping local businesses get access to capital, technical assistance and new markets for their products and services.”

Application deadline is August 29, 2011. For further details about eligibility rules and application procedures, see the June 28, 2011, Federal Register. Value-Added Producer Grants may be used for feasibility studies or business plans, working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy projects. Eligible applicants include independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, and agricultural producer groups. Value-added products are created when a producer increases the consumer value of an agricultural commodity in the production or processing stage.

In June, the President signed an Executive Order establishing the first WHRC chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. To better coordinate Federal programs and maximize the impact of Federal investment, the White House Rural Council will work throughout government to create policies to promote economic prosperity and a high quality of life in our rural communities.

Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken significant steps to improve the lives of rural Americans and has provided broad support for rural communities. The Obama Administration has set goals of modernizing infrastructure by providing broadband access to 10 million Americans, expanding educational opportunities for students in rural areas, and providing affordable health care. In the long term, these unparalleled rural investments will help ensure that America’s rural communities are repopulating, self-sustaining, and thriving economically.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $150 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov for additional information about the agency’s programs or to locate the USDA Rural Development office nearest you.

 

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Notice to Hispanic and/or Women Farmers
COMPENSATION FOR CLAIMS OF DISCRIMINATION

If you believe that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) improperly denied farm loan benefits to you between 1981 and 2000 because you are Hispanic, or because you are female, you may be eligible to apply for compensation.

You may be eligible if:

• You sought a farm loan or farm-loan servicing during that period; and

• The loan was denied, provided late, approved for a lesser amount than requested, or approved with restrictive conditions, or USDA failed to provide an appropriate loan service; and

• You believe these actions were based on your being Hispanic, or your being female.

If you want to register your name to receive a claims packet, you can call the Farmer and Rancher Call Center at 1-888-508-4429 or visit the following website: www.farmerclaims.gov.

In 2011, a claims administrator will begin mailing claims packages to those who have requested one through the Call Center or website. The claims package will have detailed information about the eligibility and claims process.

For guidance, you may contact a lawyer or other legal services provider in your community. If you are currently represented by counsel regarding allegations of discrimination or in a lawsuit claiming discrimination, you should contact your counsel regarding this claims process. USDA cannot provide legal advice to you.

 

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From the Desk of the Executive Director by Douglas Gillespie

Isn’t the Summer just about the best time to be a farmer!  The crops turn green and the harvest is on.  Customers start coming by the farm stand, the farmers markets, or waiting to pick up their CSA shares.  If you are a wholesaler, the deliveries are more regular, and if your crop is a Fall harvest, you look ahead with anticipation!

It is also a great time for Farm Bureau.  We wrap up one membership year and begin another, start planning county and state annual meetings, and enjoy farm hospitality as several counties hold their Summer picnics.

Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation has concluded our 2011 membership year with our second consecutive year of membership losses.  On the bright side, our shortage was smaller than the previous year, and Farmer memberships increased!  That bodes well for the long term stability of your organization.

The continued loss of Associate members is a disturbing trend.  At a time when interest in local agriculture is escalating, these Associate members should have some loyalty to a farm organization that is supporting their cause.  MFBF leadership and committees are exploring ways to grow this membership category in the coming months.

Our legislature is busy holding hearings on dozens and dozens of bills that impact agriculture.  Brad Mitchell is at the State House several days each week, and our members are called upon to testify for and against bills of particular concern.

The kickoff of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ “Commonwealth Seal of Quality” program at Verrill Farm in June was an opportunity to showcase the foresight of Farm Bureau leaders in Massachusetts.  This program, which allows Massachusetts farms to become certified as meeting high standards in food safety, environmental stewardship and other areas, would not have been possible without Massachusetts Farm Bureau’s project to develop “Best Management Practices” for farms on a commodity basis.  This project began in 2007, and our website, www.mfbf.net, now provides links to BMPs for Shellfish Aquaculture, Cranberries, Orchards, Small Fruits & Vegetables, Maple, Livestock & Horses, Horticulture, Nursery & Greenhouse, and just completed Dairy.

Farm Bureau is working alongside NOFA-Mass on legislation to provide for sales of raw milk in Massachusetts with adequate oversight.  We are also working with livestock producers to provide for a state meat inspection program our surrounding states have, so these producers can offer local meat products.  We are working to expand available corporate tax credits to non-corporate Massachusetts farms.

Green energy is yet another opportunity for Massachusetts farms to play a positive role in implementing public policy.  The recent start of operations of Biodigesters on farms in Rutland and Sheffield are a huge feather in the collective cap of Massachusetts agriculture.

Summer is a great time for Massachusetts agriculture!  It’s a great time for Farm Bureau!  If you haven’t renewed your 2012 membership, this column is the last one you’ll read from me.  Please send in your renewal, and be a part of the revolution we call Massachusetts Agriculture!

Douglas P. Gillespie
MFBF Executive Director

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Buy Local” Quality Seal for Forest Industry

Referencing more than 300 years that farming, fishing and forestry have been indispensable  to New England’s landscape and economy, Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Commissioner Scott Soares unveiled the new Quality Seal for Forest Products before

environmental,  agricultural and forestry officials as well as industry leaders and local well-wishers gathered at Heyes Forest Products in Orange, MA.

The Quality Seal for Forest Products is intended to replicate the success of the Buy Local campaign for food products with locally grown and harvested forest products.

“Forest products have always been part of a rich, diverse agricultural history in Massachusetts,” Commissioner Soares commented. “Commonwealth Quality provides consumers an assurance that they are receiving a product that was harvested and manufactured in Massachusetts using sustainable practices that promote responsible land management.”

“What we hope it will do is provide the industry the ability to increase its marketability based on the standards of operation they employ,” Soares added. The seal will also be made available for locally grown and sustainably harvested cord wood. Andy Finton, director of conservation science for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts, stated that locally grown wood products help support local foresters and harvesters, and encourages family forest owners to keep their forest as forest and protect wildlife habitat.  “Some areas of our state are 90 percent forested with many small communities tucked into vast swaths of canopy cover,” Finton explained. “We have over 3 million acres of forest in Massachusetts. Relative to our size, we’re the eighth most forested state.”

“One advantage we owe to our forests is exceptional water quality. Towns like Springfield and Pittsfield rely on reservoirs that are shielded by the Berkshire forests,” Finton stated. “Our water in Boston is protected by forests around the Quabbin reservoir. And these forests also sequester large amounts of carbon.  In fact, forests in the Northeast absorb 12 to 15 percent of the carbon put into our atmosphere.”

“With so many landowners living in such close proximity to desirable forestland, development pressures are intense. The need for both protection and good stewardship is essential,” Finton stated. “The Nature Conservancy has long believed that the forest products economy is an important part of the conservation equation, and we see the Commonwealth Quality program as a useful  strategy for sustainable forest resource management in Massachusetts.”

Fred Heyes, the owner/operator of one of five designated Commonwealth Quality suppliers, spoke of the future of farms and forests in Massachusetts being dependent on developing a demand for local products. Heyes’ 42-year-old wholesale and retail business sells 2.5 million feet of lumber and specialty products locally, as well as around New England and beyond. “Very little of the wood each of us consumes in Massachusetts is locally grown,” Heyes commented. “Less than 5% of wood products purchased in Massachusetts are from Massachusetts forests.”

To illustrate this point a tall pine tree was displayed whole but cut into logs, pulp and residuals and representing the average annual usage of forest products for each and every person,each year. Also displayed next to the tree was a pile of boards equal to the board feet in that tree, and on top of that pile a very small pile of boards equal to the 5% of our needs we now source locally.

David Short of Amherst Woodworking & Supply, Inc. in Northampton, another Commonwealth Quality supplier, spoke of the difference between the carbon footprint created from the molding and flooring manufactured within 40 miles which had been logged, sawn, dried and supplied fromHeyes Forest Products versus products grown in China such as bamboo - which is actually a grass. Short explained that these products are marketed as “green” despite the fact that the bamboo is grown where there are little to no environmental standards and is a highly industrially product that has an enormous carbon footprint due to its transport to markets around the globe. Additional Commonwealth Quality suppliers, not present, include Gurney’s Sawmill, East Freetown, Specialty Wood Products in Cheshire,and W. R. Robinson Lumber, Wheelwright.

For further information on the Quality Seal brand for Massachusetts grown, harvested and processed products - using practices that are safe, sustainable and don’t harm the environment - visit: http://www.mass.gov/agr/markets/commonwealth_quality.htm

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Ma Agriculture Officials Announce First CQP Participants

Reflecting a growing national focus on locally produced food, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) Commissioner Scott J. Soares today announced the first farms certified under the state’s Commonwealth Quality seal program (CQP), a new state initiative designed to help consumers identify high-quality products that are responsibly produced, harvested and processed in Massachusetts.

Gathered at Verrill Farm in Concord, state agricultural officials, University of Massachusetts Extension Center for Agriculture (UMass Extension) educators and local farms also provided new details about the food safety standards CQP products must meet. Based upon the USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Program, the sustainability standards adapted for CQP include practices such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which reduces the use of pesticides and provides an ecological approach to crop management.

“This program provides a unique opportunity for our agricultural community to exhibit its commitment to excellence, while offering consumers assurance that they are purchasing high-quality products from local growers,” said Commissioner Soares.

Comprised of a combination of industry best management practices pertaining to soil health, water conservation, insect control, and food safety, these specialized standards serve as a prerequisite for farms certified to sell products using the Commonwealth Quality seal. There are currently 20 farms certified to participate in the program, which has endorsements from the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers’ Association and the Massachusetts Fruit Growers Association.

Launched in September 2010, the program has been gaining ground with prominent trade organizations and Massachusetts farms alike. More than 50 farms have applied for certification.

To become licensed to use the seal, applicants must perform a self-audit to determine their current level of eligibility and make improvements as needed before achieving certification through DAR. Agricultural goods also must be grown, harvested and processed within Massachusetts in order to qualify. As additional agricultural sectors come on board,each will have its own domain-specific set of standards that focus on safety and sustainability.

“The Commonwealth Quality seal takes the guesswork out of determining what it means for a product to be ‘local’ or ‘sustainable’; it signifies that the associated product has been grown on a Massachusetts farm using approved practices for growing, harvesting, and handling,” said Steve Verrill, owner of Verrill Farm and Commonwealth Quality advisor. “The program promotes these practices by offering continuing education for participants, with emphasis on continuously improving sustainability, food safety, and soil conservation.”

“The Seal of Commonwealth Quality provides assurance to our customers that food safety and environmental stewardship are practiced daily on our local farms,” said Dr. Rich Bonanno, president of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation. “We are proud to announce our endorsement of the program.”

Commonwealth Quality establishes a clearly defined set of standards for program participants. This highly structured program and the collaboration behind it represent a significant advancement over traditional state label programs. As a result, consumers will be able to easily identify and enjoy certified products, knowing they are grown, harvested and processed in Massachusetts using practices that are safe and environmentally friendly.

For more information about Commonwealth Quality, visit mass.gov/cqp.

The following farms are certified CQP producers:

    Allandale Farm, Brookline

    Billingsgate Farm, Plympton

    Brookfield Orchards, North Brookfield

    C.N. Smith Farm, East Bridgewater

    Cooks Valley Farm, Wrentham

    Davidian Brothers, Northborough

    Dowse Orchards, Sherborn

    Foppema’s Farm, Northbridge

    Four Town Farm, Seekonk

    Mann Orchards, Methuen

    Morning Sun Farm, Rehoboth

    Parlee Farms, Tyngsboro

    Pease Orchard, Templeton

    Pleasant Valley Gardens, Methuen

    Springdell Farm, Littleton

    The Farm Stand, Colrain

    The Farmer’s Garden, Rehoboth

    Verrill Farm, Concord

    Volante Farms, Needham

    Wilson Farm, Lexington

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MA FArm Bureau Membership Benefit Information by Cheryl Lekstrom

being a member of Farm Bureau is an essential part of supporting agriculture and a safe, local food supply. We gain our strength in numbers.  We have over 6200 members across the state.  This represents credibility within our community, county, on Beacon Hill and in Washington D.C.  Our membership is an indicator of our resources, interests, skills, talents and finances.

Massachusetts is rich in agricultural heritage and we know how important it is to help people recognize the importance of keeping agriculture in our future. We have a solid record for positive action on issues that concern all landowners in Massachusetts, including protecting the environment, private property rights, a safe food supply and affordable taxes.

While each membership helps build farmer influence and helps members stay abreast of all the latest trends in agriculture, each membership helps Farm Bureau remain the strongest voice for agriculture on Beacon Hill. It pays to belong if you take advantage of the many benefits of membership including the opportunity to use many unique to agriculture insurance products, services and discounts. 

There are many opportunities to be involved.  Contact your county leaders to volunteer your knowledge, skills, voice your opinions, become a board member or delegate, join an advisory committee, or attend leadership development workshops.

The Benefits of Student Membership

Full time students, ages 16 to 25, may enjoy all the benefits of Farm Bureau membership at a greatly reduced rate of $25.  This includes about a 5% savings on your personal automobile insurance policy through Farm Family Insurance, your own copy of News & Views delivered electronically, your own membership card and number – which doubles as a discount card that provides savings of up to 50% off with more than 175,000 Access partners.  The discount card is zip code driven, so log onto mfbf.net, activate your card and start shopping.  Look for county internship opportunities, activities and workshops.  Student members are encouraged to participate in meetings and share information, but are not entitled to vote or hold office.  Members, ages 18 to 35 may participate in the Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Committee.  Email jamie@mfbf.net to find out when the next YF&R meeting or farm tour is.

The Benefits of Gold Membership

Regular members of Farm Bureau may upgrade their membership to support Farm Bureau at the Gold Membership level.  This goodwill gesture directly supports agriculture and the organization that looks after your best interests. Gold membership entitles you to vote on issues, sit on committees, receive all membership services and statewide recognition. 

If you own a horse, cow, llama, alpaca, mule or donkey, Farm Bureau membership is for you. Receive a 10% discount on services at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Large Animal Hospital.  Our members saved over $10,000 in services last year.

Even breweries enjoy Farm Bureau membership discounts at Grainger’s.  The 10% savings, with free shipping on internet orders is a real savings on their bottom line.  Grainger offers over 900,000 industrial supply products and provides maintenance, repair and operational solutions for your business.  Did you know that Grainger is available 24/7 to get you the parts to fix that chainsaw, pump, motor, heating and cooling system, and fleet of trucks?  And Grainger has a natural disaster emergency response plan to keep you up and running during the toughest challenges, 24 hour emergency service, 1-800-CALL-WWG.

Upon application, Agricultural Commissions (AgCom) receive complimentary membership in Farm Bureau® to keep up to date on the latest trends in agriculture.  For example:  how to consider and recommend an agricultural exemption for any By-law or ordinance your municipality may be considering.  If you don’t see your town listed, vote to join Farm Bureau at your next AgCom meeting.  Then fill out an AgCom specific application available in PDF format at www.mfbf.net, (Membership, Become a Member, AgCom Membership Application).  View the application to see all the technical assistance we can provide! Or contact us at our new Headquarters, 249 Lakeview Avenue, Marlborough, MA  01752, 1-866-548-MFBF.

Current members:

Falmouth	Danvers
Granby	Hyannis
Boxford	Belchertown
Yarmouth Port	Millers Falls
Framingham	South Denis
South Deerfield	Holliston
Harwich	Northfield
Dunstable	Brewster
Southwick	Dracut
Lee	Montgomery
Lincoln	Great Barrington
Huntington	Carver
Rehoboth	Plympton
Middleboro	Berlin
Oakham	Phillipston
Rutland	West Boylston
Templeton

 

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RENEWAL REMINDER

Active MFBF Membership - Renew your Farm Bureau Membership on time so that you don’t lose the chance to save 5% on your Farm Family personal auto policy, 3% on your SFP-10® or Country Estate package.  Check the deck page on your policy to see how much you saved with your membership!

More advantages of your Farm Bureau Membership – 175,000 “Access” discounts by activating your membership card.  Tufts Large Animal Veterinary Hospital Services – save 10%, and much more!  Visit www.mfbf.net, click on Member Benefits.

Your county Farm Bureau is hard at work building an organization that represents you and protects the business environment in which you operate.  Farm Bureau’s agricultural and rural advocacy is one of the most important reasons to be a member.  And our mission is implemented every day at the county, state, and national level.  Farm Bureau is the steady organized presence with a plan and has been taking action as directed by its members since November 1921.  We are the steady noise level that’s been representing the local voice of the agricultural majority for 91 years. 

It pays to belong, if you use the benefits!  (Your savings will be more than the cost of your dues.) 

 

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Crop Insurance Update

Massachusetts producers will pay reduced crop insurance premiums in 2011 thanks to USDA Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) 2011 Financial Assistance Program (FAP).  The program applies to buy up policies and is available to producers in RMA’s 16 targeted states, which include Massachusetts.  Under the program, RMA will provide a fixed premium reduction of up to $150 per crop policy for eligible producers.  The premium reduction will be automatically applied to eligible policies, and some additional rules and maximum limits apply.  Producers are encourage to obtain additional details from their crop insurance agent.

As a reminder, producers facing crop losses should understand and carefully follow RMA’s loss reporting and adjustment process.   For example, most crop insurance policies require that damage be reported to your crop insurance agent within 72 hours of discovery.  Producers must never destroy evidence of damage until a loss adjuster evaluates it.  Producers should also promptly report crop damage to the Farm Service Agency (FSA/USDA) to ensure eligibility for any available SURE Program crop disaster payments.

Finally, dairy producers are reminded of the availability of RMA’s Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) – Dairy Cattle Program.  The program provides protection against shrinking margins of milk income over feed costs.  It can pay when the actual gross margin is less than projected gross margin, based on Board of Trade prices.  For the current Federal fiscal year, which ends on September 30, 201, the LGM-Dairy Program was allocated $16 million for underwriting expenditures.  This funding is now exhausted, and LGM-Dairy is no longer available for enrollment.  However, new funding is expected to be available for October 2011, which is the beginning of the next fiscal year.  Dairy producers are strongly encouraged to contact a local crop insurance agent for help in analyzing how the LGM-Dairy Program might benefit their operations.  The LGM Dairy Cattle Program Fact Sheet is available at http://www.rma.usda.gov/pubs/rme/lgmdairy.pdf, and a FAQ is available at http://www.rma.usda.gov/help/faq/lgmdairy.html.

Custom Ag Solutions works with the 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 or www.MassAgRisk.com.  To receive information by mail, call Custom Ag Solutions at 877-227-8094. 

 

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UPCOMING 2011 MFBF County annual Meetings
-SAVE THE DATE

Aug. 29 – Plymouth County, 5:30 Social, 6 Dinner, Fireside Grille, 30 Bedford Street, Middleboro, MA, 02346-1424.  RSVP:  Lisa Blair, 508-866-9150.  Note change of venue.

Sept. 29 – Berkshire County, 7 PM, First Baptist Church, 88 South Street (Route 7), Pittsfield, MA  01201, RSVP:  Leona Butler, 413-442-6757.

Oct. 11 – Norfolk County, 6:30 PM Social, 7 PM Dinner, Norfolk Agricultural High School, 400 Main Street, Walpole, MA  02081, RSVP:  Cut Off Date  Wednesday  October 5th. Guest Speaker  Senator TimiltySandy Medeiros, 781-344-4096, Rudy.Sandy@verizon.net.

Oct. 12- Franklin County, 6 PM, Greenfield Elks, 2 Church Street, Greenfield, MA  01301, RSVP:  Joleen Jurczyk, 413-475-0666, joleenjurczyk@gmail.com

Oct. 13 – Bristol County, 5:30 PM Social, 6 Dinner, Venus de Milo Restaurant, 75 Grand Army Highway (Route 6), Swansea, MA  02777, RSVP:  Peggy Lopes, 508-822-6635.

Oct. 14 -  Hampshire County – 6 PM, Bluebonnet Diner, 324 King St., Northampton 01060-2333. RSVP Barbara Mitchell, 413-253-5532.                                                                                                                                                             

Oct. 18 – Cape & Islands, Cape Codder, 1225 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, 02601.  RSVP: Nancy Chute, 508-563-3368, ec255561@aol.com.

Oct. 19 – Middlesex County, 6 PM, The Barn at Gibbet Hill, 61 Lowell Road, Groton, MA  01450, RSVP:  Martha Keighley, 978-443-8851, Martha@bartlettgreenhouses.com or Anne Stone, 978-443-5798.

Oct. 20 – Essex, 6 PM, Coolidge Hall, Topsfield Fairgrounds, 207 Boston Street (Newburyport Highway), Topsfield MA  01983.  RSVP:  Betty Rogers, 978-372-4305.

Oct. 25 – Worcester – TBA

Oct.  26 - Hampden County – 6 PM, Monte Carlo Restaurant, 1020 Memorial Ave., West Springfield 01089.  RSVP:  Liz Hall, 413-357-6624.

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Farm Credit East Supports Start-Up and Small Farms

Farm Credit East, the largest lender to Northeast agriculture, recently released information on its efforts to support young farmers and operators of small farms. The customer-owned financial cooperative provides over $4.3 billion in loans to its members, including 6,852 small farm loans and 3,139 young farmer loans (under 36 years of age).

A young farmer is defined as a farmer, rancher, producer or harvester of aquatic products who is 35 years of age or younger as of the loan transaction date. A beginning farmer has 10 years or less of farming experience and a small farmer normally generates gross annual sales of $250,000 or less.

In addition to the YBS Incentive program, Farm Credit East started FarmStart, LLP in 2005 for those beginning farmers that do not have the credit history to apply for a traditional loan. FarmStart assists startup operations by providing working capital investments of up to $50,000. A FarmStart advisor also works one-on-one with each recipient to help develop business skills during the first few years. As of May 2011 FarmStart has approved 75 investments with total commitments approved over $3 million. 

In addition to loans and leases, Farm Credit East also offers a full range of agriculturally specific financial services for businesses related to farming, horticulture, forestry and commercial fishing. Farm Credit East is governed by a 17-person board of directors from across the Northeast.

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Two Acres, Five Acres – What is the Relevance?

Five acres is the common legal reference point in two important Massachusetts agricultural laws. Both MGL 40a S3 and Chapters 61a and b reference five acres as the threshold for certain legal protections/benefits kicking in for farms. However, there are key differences in these statutes and recent changes in law have added to the confusion.

First of all, five acres does not define a farm. The main definition of agriculture is in MGL 128 S1a and has no acreage limit associated with it.

Five acres is the cutoff for farms to apply for valuations to land under Chapters 61a (agricultural and horticultural lands) and 61b (open space and recreational land). 61a and 61b allow such land to be assessed at a reduced rate. Properties must be a minimum of five acres to qualify for either 6a or 61b valuations.

Five acres was the threshold to qualify for certain protections from zoning under MGL 40a S3. However, Farm Bureau was successful in amending this law last year to allow smaller farms similar protection from local zoning. The threshold for protection under 40a S3 is now two acres. However between two and five acres, the farm must show income or potential income of $1000 per acre. Whereas properties over five acres do not have income requirements.

Note that the changes to 40a S3 did not change the acreage threshold for 61a or 61b. You still need five acres to qualify. 

Classifieds

Sale

 

Member to Member Marketplace

Island Alpaca Company, www.islandalpaca.com, 10% discount to MA Farm Bureau Members off current retail prices for alpaca goods in the farm store (except spinning equipment).  Martha’s Vineyard, 508-693-5554.

Roberts Brothers Lumber, 1450 Spruce Corner Road, Ashfield MA 01330, 10% savings on current Lumber Price Sheet, excluding delivery, planning and any other services.

Dowse Orchards, 98 North Main Street, Sherborn, MA  01770, 10% savings on farm produce.  508-653-2639, www.dowseorchards.com.

Twin City Eye Care, 867 Merriam Ave., Leominster, MA  01453, 978-537-6045, www.twincityeyecare.com. 20% discount on lenses and frames.

Member Benefits:

Budget Truck Rentals – Moving household contents or moving product to that Farmers’ Market, MFBF members get a 15% discount on Budget Truck Rentals by using MFBF account number 56000133689.  Visit www.budgettruck.com/mafbf or call 1-800-566-8422.

Prescription Rx – This benefit helps reduce prescription drug costs.  MFBF members save an average of 30% (some as high as 75%) on prescriptions.  The card is like a coupon that you use over and over again at over 75,000 national and regional pharmacies. 

Grainger sales – 10% discount and free shipping on internet orders. wwwgrainger.com. 

HORSELOVERZ.COM,-the World’s Largest On-Line Tack Shop in Hazelton, Pennsylvania.  Not just for horses, they carry a large variety of PET SUPPLIES and feature a special “DEAL OF THE DAY”.  Whether you have a dog, cat, duck, hamster, rabbit, iguana, horse, sheep, goat, pig or just a fence and lawn to care for or need to find a gift to give, visit the www.horseloverz.com website.  877-804-7810 office, 570-579-003 fax. Your Coupon Code for 10% OFF any order – MAFB2011.