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CONSERVATION CONNECTION
An occasional update on conservation activities in the Bay State
August 2004
In this Connection:
by Cecil B. Currin
While we are still swamped with FY2004 Farm Bill projects, we must already
look ahead to FY2005, which is just around the corner. Next fiscal year we will
still be very busy with EQIP, WHIP, FRPP and GRP along with beefing up our
technology, training for technical assistance, and improving Farm Bill program
delivery, not to mention ushering in the Conservation Security Program (CSP).
Read more...
(WASHINGTON, DC) July 27, 2004
— Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman has announced that up to $1
million is available in fiscal year 2004 Conservation Partnership Initiative
(CPI) grants for state and local governments, tribes and nongovernmental
organizations that have a history of working with agricultural producers.
Read more...
(AMHERST, Mass.) August 6, 2004 – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) in Massachusetts is seeking local volunteers to collect data for
area streams and water bodies this fall as part of World Water Monitoring Day.
Volunteers will serve on NRCS’s Earth Team, the agency’s on-going volunteer
program.
Read more...
(COLRAIN,
Mass.) July 30, 2004 -- As a child growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Bob Ramirez visited a farm
through a program for city kids. That visit made such an impression on him that
12 years ago, Ramirez and his wife Cynthia bought a farm in this hilltown and
started raising angora goats. Today, with technical assistance from NRCS, the 29 award-winning goats at Keldaby
Farm peacefully graze the hilly pastures surrounding the farmstead where the
Ramirez’s sell mohair wool, weave woolen clothing and run a bed and breakfast.
Read more...
(AMHERST, Mass.) July 2, 2004 -- Now that summer is here, backyard
enthusiasts are in the midst of another gardening season. Whether your backyard
is a lively neighborhood gathering spot, a quiet retreat, or a botanical
showpiece, the sounds of birdsongs, the sight of butterflies and the benefit of
mosquito-eating insects are a welcome addition to any yard.
Read more...
(AMHERST, Mass.) June 21, 2004 -- Amateur photographers who enjoy capturing
local rural scenes, farm animals and fresh produce are invited to enter the
Massachusetts Agriculture Photo Contest sponsored by the Massachusetts
Department of Agricultural Resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service and Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. Winning photos will
be featured in the 2005 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar.
Read more...
(HADLEY, Mass.) June 19, 2004 -- Federal and state officials joined Mapleline
Farm owners John and Elaine Kokoski on June 19 as they cut the ribbon on their
new on-farm milk processing facility in Hadley. The Kokoskis also highlighted
recent farm conservation work at the event.
Read more...
(WEST WAREHAM, Mass.) June 18, 2004 -- The Plymouth County Conservation
District (PCCD) marked a decade of helping cranberry growers develop plans to
protect the region’s natural resources on June 18th with a tour of three
cranberry operations involved in the District’s ten-year-old Cranberry Farm
Planning Program. Awards were also presented to cranberry professionals.
Read more...
(AMHERST, Mass.) June 15, 2004 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Under
Secretary Mark Rey has approved a request to realign Worcester County from the
Berkshire-Pioneer Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area to the
Patriot RC&D Area, effective immediately. This move affects Worcester County
communities and groups that may seek federal assistance with natural resource
conservation issues.
Read more...
(Beltsville, MD) The Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education (SARE) program recently unveiled a new website designed to
help farmers and ranchers increase profitability, protect the environment, and
improve rural communities. Located at
www.sare.org the site is a source of information on cutting-edge sustainable
farming and ranching technologies, useful contacts, and funding sources for
research and education initiatives.
Funded by the USDA Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service, SARE works with producers, researchers and
educators to promote sustainable agriculture through a competitive grants and
education program. Now, information gleaned from years of research conducted in
partnership with the nation's most innovative producers is available from the
comfort of your own home.
- August 16 - 20th Annual Massachusetts Tomato Festival featuring the
Tomato Contest and Sweet Corn Festival, on Boston City Hall Plaza, 11:00 am to
2:00 pm. The tomato contest is open to all Massachusetts commercial tomato
growers. Sponsored by the Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources and the New
England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association. For more information, visit
http://www.mass.gov/agr/markets/tomato_contest.htm or call David Webber at
617-626-1754..
- August 26 – Grazing Pasture Walk, 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm at
Rose Hill Dairy, Regina Robinson, Hardwick, Mass. Sponsored by USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service, New England Small Farm Institute and
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE). Contact: Barbara Miller,
USDA-NRCS, 413-253-4380, Sue Ellen Johnson, NESFI, 413-323-4531, or Larry
Shearer, SARE, 413-624-3978.
- September 17-October 3 - Eastern States Exposition (The Big E),
1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Visit the Team USDA booth in the
Stroh's Farm-a-rama Building for information on local agriculture, nutrition,
conservation, forestry, and farm programs. Visit
www.thebige.com for more information.
To receive the Massachusetts Conservation Connection by
e-mail, to be removed from the list, or to submit news items, please send an
e-mail message to Diane.Petit@ma.usda.gov.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership
in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our
natural resources and environment.
NRCS Massachusetts State Office: 451 West Street, Amherst, MA
01002 | 413-253-4350 | fax 413-253-4395 |
www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov
Cecil Currin, State Conservationist
Jeffrey Anliker, Assistant State Conservationist
NRCS field offices are located at USDA Service Centers in
Barnstable, Greenfield, Hadley, Holden, Pittsfield, Westford and West Wareham.
Visit www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov for
addresses and phone numbers.
An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
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