Boston Flora

Tag: Massachusetts Agriculture

  • Tuesday, April 3, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm – Massachusetts Agriculture Day at the State House

    How big is agriculture in Massachusetts?  Approximately $489 million dollars of revenue is generated annually, and Commonwealth farmers are responsible for maintaining almost 520,000 acres of open space.  Please join the Massachusetts State Grange on Tuesday, April 3, when farmers and agriculture officials from across the Bay State come together to visit their legislators to discuss issues and legislation which affects their farms and local communities.  The day’s events include a program of speakers, presentations of “Agriculture Day” awards, informational exhibits and a hotly anticipated reception featuring Massachusetts’ farm and specialty food products.  You are invited to help recognize Massachusetts’ agriculture specialists and learn more about their efforts to maintain the long-term viability of Massachusetts agriculture.  Registration will take place at Bartlett Hall at the State House from 9:30 – 11:30 am.  At 10 am, there will be a Farmer Orientation on Agricultural Issues in Nurses Hall, and visits with legislators from 10 – 11:15.  At noon, the Taste of Massachusetts reception will take place in the Great Hall & Grand Staircase area.  For more information call the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation at 508-481-4766, or email info@mfbf.net.

    Photograph © 2009 Jo Landers. The original image may be viewed here.

  • Massachusetts Agricultural Calendar Photo Contest

    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(MDAR), the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. Winning photos will be featured in the 2011 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar.

    Twelve photos will be selected, one for each month. Photos will be selected that depict the diversity of agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources on the Commonwealth’s farms throughout the year.  To view last year’s winners, click here.

    Winning photographers will be credited in the calendar, will be invited to attend a winner’s ceremony at the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) in Springfield in September, and will receive copies of the calendar and tickets to the fair.

    The Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar will also feature facts and figures about Bay State agriculture, horticulture and conservation, as well as other educational resources. Information about how to order the calendar will be announced on the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Website in the fall. Calendars will also be available at selected public events.

    Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2010. For details and an entry form, visit Photo Contest Rules and regulations: or contact Rick LeBlanc at Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, 617-626-1759 or send an e-mail to him.

    http://regulus2.azstarnet.com/galleries/photos/35063.jpg

  • Massachusetts Agriculture Specialty License Plate

    Whether you drive a hybrid, pick-up, Hummer, or Smart Car, we all have to renew our license plates every two years. By reserving a Massachusetts specialty agricultural license plate, you will also help ensure a sustainable and vibrant agricultural community for generations to come. Proceeds from the renewal fee go to the Agricultural Trust Fund to fund programs and services to help the agricultural community of Massachusetts remain sustainable and vibrant for future generations. Order the “best-looking-specialty-license-plate-around” Ag Tag today! Contact Anna Waclawiczek at 617.626.1703 or Anna.Waclawiczek@state.ma.us for more information. The clock is ticking as the Agricultural Trust Fund tries to reach its goal of 1500 reservations. Once that goal is reached, the Registry of Motor Vehicles will begin production of the plates.
    As of September 2009 they are over halfway there. . As they work towards reaching our number, they thank their “early adopters” for their patience and perseverance. To newcomers they hope you will consider making an investment that says you support “Go locally grown!”

    Benefits:
    • Help preserve 520,000 acres of open space and the beauty
    • Protect 13,545 jobs and the value that local agriculture has on our economy
    • Help shrink our carbon footprint by reducing the distance our food travels to market
    • Enjoy fresher and better tasting food and the security of knowing where your food comes from

    Proceeds from the sale of these plates will go to the Massachusetts Agricultural Trust Fund to support programs and services that help farmers remain on the cutting edge in today’s market i.e. innovative practices, research, improvements in managing resources, marketing, training and education. Proceeds will not be used to subsidize individual farmers or the state’s Department of Agriculture.

    It’s easy to sign up. Simply download and fill out the Ag Tag reservation form here [PDF]. Make out a check in the amount of $40 to the Registry of Motor Vehicles; mail both the completed form and check back to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Attn: Anna Waclawiczek, 251 Causeway St., Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114.

  • 2010 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar

    The 2010 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar is now available for sale. Your purchase of this unique local calendar will show your enthusiasm for Massachusetts agriculture, and will also support the many educational efforts of Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom (MAC), the designated recipient of the proceeds. This attractive calendar will make a nice hostess or holiday gift for any friend or family member who has an interest in agriculture.

    The Mass. Agriculture Calendar was a collaboration between the U.S. D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and MAC. It was created to educate consumers about the rich diversity of agriculture in the state, while at the same time providing an attractive color calendar that is a daily reminder of Massachusetts agriculture.

    Each month of the calendar features one full-size photograph portraying a local farm or farm product in season. Photos were submitted by amateur photographers from across the state for our 2009 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar Photo Contest. View the winning photos and check out the rules for taking and sending photographs to the 2010 Mass. Agriculture contest at www.mass.gov/agr/events.

    The goal of the calendar is to serve as an educational tool for teachers, legislators and the general public, while at the same time to create an attractive color calendar that is a daily reminder of Massachusetts agriculture. The calendar offers agriculture education information for teachers including web sites and educational tips on each page. Nine non-profit agricultural commodity organizations sponsored individual calendar pages. The calendar also includes local agriculture facts, conservation facts, agriculture and horticulture related events and websites, as well as a chart showing the seasons of local crops.

    Nine non-profit agricultural commodity organizations each sponsored a page in the calendar. They are the Massachusetts Agricultural Fairs Association (July); Massachusetts Association of Roadside Stands and Pick-Your-Own (August); Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association (December); Massachusetts Dairy Promotion Board (June); Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (January); Massachusetts Flower Growers Association (May); Massachusetts Fruit Growers Association (September); Massachusetts Maple Producers Association (March); and Massachusetts State Grange (April).

    Calendars may be purchased for $10 each ($5 wholesale for 10 or more.)  Proceeds will benefit Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, a non-profit organization that works with teachers throughout the state in developing classroom materials.

    Send a check payable to Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom with your name and address to: Calendar, Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, P. O. Box 345, Seekonk, MA 02771.

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