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Conservation ConnectionFebruary 2005 In this Connection:
State Conservationist’s CornerIs EQIP equipped to serve Massachusetts farmers?Conservation projects in Massachusetts may look very different from those in the big farm states. Here in the Bay State, we work to address the natural resource concerns of folks who produce cranberries, greenhouse crops, orchards, fruits and veggies, as well as small dairy farms and specialty livestock operations. Soon we will be adding aquaculture to that list. Comments sought on Environmental Quality Incentives Program
A public listening session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 23, 2005, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the NRCS Massachusetts State Office, 451 West Street, Amherst, Mass. Comments may also be submitted on-line, or by phone, fax, e-mail or mail. $9 million in federal conservation programs available to assist Massachusetts farmers this yearNRCS has announced that more than $9 million in federal conservation cost-share funding is available this year to help Massachusetts farmers address natural resource concerns on their land. Feature: New Salem Farmer WHIPs Invasive Plants
Interest in agricultural commissions is growingInterest in organizing local agricultural commissions is spreading across the state and more than 30 communities are holding discussions about by-laws that will give agriculture a voice in their local government. Recent meetings in Worcester County and western Massachusetts drew participants from across the region and resulted in more communities stepping forward. More informational meetings are planned in western Massachusetts. Beverly Daignault: Celebrating a Decade as an Earth Team VolunteerThe Pittsfield, Massachusetts, field office recently celebrated 10 years of working with Earth Team volunteer Beverly Daignault. Beverly began volunteering for the Soil Conservation Service on December 5th 1994 as a sponsored volunteer through Green Thumb. She has been providing secretarial support to the Pittsfield Office, the Berkshire Conservation District, and other NRCS partners since her arrival. Partner News: Marjorie Cooper Elected MACD President
In Memoriam: Adrian MeyerWe were saddened to learn that Adrian Sumner "Beau" Meyer of Peru passed away in December. A self-employed farmer, Mr. Meyer was a tireless volunteer for the Berkshire Conservation District. He was a long time active participant on the District's Board of Supervisors, and his distinctive bird and bat houses sold through District programs are familiar to many Berkshire landowners. Born in New York City on March 7, 1928, son of Frank and Marguerite Meyer, he was a graduate of Westchester, N.Y., schools. He was an Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Meyer received the Massachusetts Tree Farmer of the Year Award. He was also a firewood processor and involved in real estate. We extend our condolences to Mr. Meyer’s family. Risk Management Strategies Northeast ConferenceSturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, Sturbridge, MA This two-day meeting focuses on production, marketing, financial, legal, environmental, and human resources strategies for smaller and limited resources producers and service providers in the Northeast. Public and private agricultural organizations are encouraged to attend. This is also an excellent conference for smaller and beginning farmers in the region. The program will include sessions on U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, a listening session with agriculture commissioners from the Northeast states, and more than 20 workshops. Spanish translation will be available throughout the conference. Exhibit and display space is available for government agencies, farm businesses and non-profits. See http://www.comteam.org/rmneconf2.pdf for the complete conference brochure with program details and lodging information. For more information call 617-636-3788, ext. 2, or email hughjoseph@comcast.net. 2004 Massachusetts cranberry production up 28 percentCranberry production in Massachusetts totaled 1.8 million barrels in 2004, a 28 percent increase from the previous year's production, according to the USDA New England Agricultural Statistics Service. Last year's production was the largest since 2000. Growers harvested 14,100 acres, 300 acres less than the previous year. This year's crop yield averaged 127.9 barrels per acre, an increase of over 30 barrels per acre from the 2003 crop. The Massachusetts' 2004 preliminary price for fresh cranberries was $56.90 per barrel. The Massachusetts' 2004 preliminary price for processed cranberries was $32.70 per barrel. The next price update for the 2004 crop will be published in July, 2005. 'Local Hero' campaign now enrolling members for 2005 seasonFarmers, grocery retailers and restaurant owners in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties are invited to join Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture's 'Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown' agricultural marketing program. The Local Hero campaign offers farm businesses great visibility through radio and print advertising, the annual Farm Products Guide - distributed to 250,000 people in the Pioneer Valley - the web site www.buylocalfood.com with its searchable farm products database, networking opportunities with food buyers and more. To learn more about how joining the Local Hero campaign can put a spotlight on your business and its locally grown products, contact Campaign Director Mark Lattanzi, 413-665-7100 or mark@buylocalfood.com. The enrollment period runs from now through March 31, 2005. CalendarFebruary 23 – EQIP listening session, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the NRCS state office, 451 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002. February 23 – How to Organize an Agricultural Commission, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the CISA Office, South Deerfield. Call 413-665-7100 for more information. March 1- How to Organize an Agricultural Commission, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Southwick Town Hall, Southwick. Call 413-665-7100 for more information. March 2 & 3 - Risk Management Strategies Northeast Conference at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, Sturbridge, MA. See http://www.comteam.org/rmneconf2.pdf for the complete conference brochure. For more information call 617-636-3788, ext. 2, or email hughjoseph@comcast.net. March 3- How to Organize an Agricultural Commission, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the New Salem Town Hall, New Salem. Call 413-665-7100 for more information. March 10 – Agriculture Day at the State House. Farmers visit their legislators to discuss issues and legislation affecting their farms and communities. Also includes a speaking program, legislator awards, informational exhibits and a reception featuring Massachusetts farm and specialty food products. Contact Mary Jordan at 617-626-1750, Mary.Jordan@state.ma.us. April 10-16 - National Environmental Education Week. Educators can participate by conducting classes, discussions, community service projects, field trips or any on a hundred different activities and projects. For free curricula and ideas see: www.eeweek.org/eeweeklinks.html. 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 NRCS field offices are located at USDA Service Centers in
Barnstable, Greenfield, Hadley, Holden, Pittsfield, Westford and West Wareham.
An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer |
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NRCS
is seeking comments from Massachusetts farmers and organizations on its flagship
conservation cost-share program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Comments will be accepted through March 21, 2005. 
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When
Carol Hillman and her former husband bought a hillside orchard in the Western
Massachusetts town of New Salem in 1968, the apple trees had been abandoned and
were badly in need of pruning. Now, some 37 years later, Hillman is again
working to reverse the wild progression of nature in the meadows surrounding her
orchard. This time the culprit isn’t neglect but invasive plants that are
threatening both her orchard and wildlife habitat. And this time she’s working
with the help of a local forester and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service. 
Marjorie
Cooper, owner of Cooper’s Hilltop Farm in Leicester, has been elected the new
president of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts (MACD).
Cooper has served as a supervisor for the Worcester Conservation District for
many years. Her association with the district grew out of her participation in
other agricultural and environmental organizations. 
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