Massachusetts
An occasional update on conservation activities in the Bay State
April 2008
In this Connection:
by Christine S. Clarke
I’m
proud to introduce NRCS’s new national public information campaign called
“Conservation…Our Purpose, Our Passion.”
here in the Bay State. The campaign is designed to tell the conservation story
through grassroots experiences of our customers and employees. It will remind
NRCS partners, existing and potential customers and the public that being a part
of a conservation alliance is more important now than it ever has been.
Read more...
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 The purpose and passion for conservation is shared among
many. It is shared between NRCS employees and partners who help
people help the land. And it is shared by the landowners with
whom we work. Our passion is manifested through the benefits
derived from stewardship of private lands—benefits we all enjoy,
such as cleaner water and air, improved soils and abundant
wildlife habitat.
Read more...
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 “When
you direct market your product, you want people to feel that it’s a clean
wholesome product coming from a clean wholesome environment,” says John Kokoski
when explaining how the assistance he’s received from the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service has helped him keep his Hadley, Massachusetts, dairy farm
sustainable.
Read more...
 When
Bill Taylor finished high school he wanted to find a career where he could help
the people of the world to produce the crops necessary to sustained mankind. He
started by studying plant science at Florida A&M University, then one of his
professors steered him into soils.
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AMHERST, MASS. (March 21, 2008) --
Massachusetts farmers with land in the Narragansett Bay and middle Connecticut
River watersheds and who practice good soil and water conservation are
encouraged to contact their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
office to determine if they are eligible to sign-up for the
Conservation Security Program (CSP).
Sign-up begins April 18 and continues through May 16.
Read more...
 The Northeast Organic Farming Association/Massachusetts Chapter (NOFA/Mass), the
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the University of
Massachusetts Extension have organized a series of Grazing Workshops as a
continuing education resource for Massachusetts farmers.
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 Beginning
and experienced graziers who would like to learn about the tools and resources
needed to develop grazing systems and how to improve animal growth or production
through better pasture management are invited to attend a Grazing School to be
held as part of the Natural Organic Farmers Association, Massachusetts Chapter (NOFA/Mass.)
summer conference on Saturday, August 9th.
Read more...
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The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program, through Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D, is
providing technical assistance for applying to USDA-Rural Development's annual
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant Program. Farmers and (agricultural)
rural small businesses who are planning to purchase renewable energy systems
and/or energy efficiency improvements are encouraged to apply for our grant
proposal writing assistance.
Read more...
 More
than 300 Bay State high school students from 46 public and private schools
across the commonwealth are expected to compete in the 21st annual
Massachusetts Envirothon on Tuesday,
May 6th and Wednesday, May 7th at Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton, Mass.
Read more...
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 Amateur
photographers who enjoy capturing images of the Bay State’s farms and farm and
horticultural products are invited to enter the 2008 Massachusetts Agriculture
Calendar Photo Contest. Winning entries will be published in the 2009
Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar. The contest and calendar are sponsored by
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc., the Massachusetts Department
of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS).
Read more...
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This popular business planning and technical assistance program provides
management advice and grants of up to $75,000 to implement farm growth and
sustainability strategies. Farm operators not only receive up front cash awards
for signing a 5 or 10 year Agricultural Covenant, but also receive valuable
consultations and visits from a team of experts to discuss farm production and
management, marketing, and business planning.
Read more...
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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.
Helping People Help the Land
NRCS Massachusetts State Office: 451 West Street, Amherst, MA
01002 | 413-253-4350 | fax 413-253-4395 |
www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov
Christine S. Clarke, State Conservationist
Curtis Elke, Assistant State Conservationist
Massachusetts Conservation Connection editor:
Diane Baedeker Petit, Public
Affairs Officer
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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