Jan
A Rutland livestock farmer and Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Vice President Ryan MacKay was awarded second place in American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF’s) achievement award competition last week. This competition evaluates competitor's excellence in management,…
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Do you have a farm dog that follows you around the barnyard, works alongside you, and provides constant companionship? Honor them this winter by entering them in MFBF’s Inaugural Farm Dog Photo Contest before the Dec. 15 deadline! The contest is sponsored by The Pet Food Institute and prizes will…
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The premier vegetable and fruit conference in the Northeast will take place December 13-17, 2021. Conference organizers have designed a high quality program with grower input, recruiting some of the most innovative farmers, educators and researchers across the northeast and beyond. $50 registration…
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American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule to replace the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. “AFBF is disappointed EPA is returning to an overly complicated interim water rule. Overreaching regulations…
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“The best available science and data.” It’s a phrase that carries heavy weight—or at least it should, as “the best available science and data” is the standard by which a regulatory agency is charged with conducting Endangered Species Act decisions. It is also the…
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is accepting applications for the new Farm and Food Workers Relief (FFWR) grant program first announced on Sept. 7, 2021. The program will provide $665 million to fund competitive grant applications to provide relief to farmworkers and meatpacking…
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Join Capital Area Agriculture & Horticulture Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County for five online sessions on various aspects of Greenhouse Management, Nov. 18, 2021 – Jan. 27, 2022. The Greenhouse Grower Meeting Series will be held online via Zoom. All sessions begin at…
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with Hilltown Land Trust, Kestrel Land Trust, Franklin Land Trust, and Mass Audubon, have announced that farmland owners in the Connecticut River Valley Watershed in western…
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Ivermectin is a popular treatment for parasites in livestock and is approved for use in people for treatment of some parasitic worms and treatment of external parasites. However, in recent months, this de-wormer has grown in popularity for an off-label treatment of COVID, based on misinformation. Due…
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More than 80 agricultural groups filed formal objections to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Aug. 30 rule to revoke all tolerances of chlorpyrifos. Stakeholders, by law, can object to pesticide tolerance changes or cancellations, and the EPA Administrator must then respond. In the coalition…
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All Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) benefits are now available, including leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition. The following are the most recent updates available to educate and guide you through this process. Updated: PFML Employer Toolkit Updated: PFML…
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Eligible small businesses can now apply for as much as $15,000 in grants through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. These targeted and supplemental grants do not need to be repaid and do not require businesses to accept an EID Loan. The SBA is currently accepting new…
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Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is pleased to share the news from the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association (CCCGA) that Massachusetts Governor Baker has again declared this October as Cranberry Month, which recognizes this native crop as an economic driver for the region. CCCGA,…
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Dairy Business Viability & Technical Assistance Grant This grant will fund dairy processors, producer associations, supply chain businesses, and technical assistance providers in order to enhance dairy farmer and processor business operations and strengthen market opportunities. Projects…
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rolling out a new insurance option specifically for agricultural producers with small farms who sell locally. The new Micro Farm policy simplifies record keeping and covers post-production costs like washing and value-added products. USDA’s Risk Management…
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for the new Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program and encourages eligible entities to apply now for funds. Applications must be submitted electronically through the grant portal at https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda by…
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The American Farm Bureau Federation announced the opening of general registration today for the 2022 American Farm Bureau Convention. The convention will be held in-person Jan. 7-12, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia, with a virtual option for portions of the event available to those not attending in-person.…
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The final deadline for filing a new or modified application under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program – Phase 2 (CFAP 2) with the USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) is October 12, 2021. The purpose of CFAP 2 is to provide financial assistance to producers who faced and continue to face market…
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On December 11, 2020, Massachusetts General Laws (“M.G.L.”) Chapter 94G, which regulates the use and distribution of adult-use marijuana, was amended to expand opportunities for hemp and hemp-derived products in the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (“MDAR”)…
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If you are interested in adding a Methane Digester to your Dairy Operation, please join Farm Credit East on Wednesday, October 20, at 1:00-2:30 PM Eastern, for a webinar on renewable natural gas methane digesters for dairy farms. Paul Sousa from Western United Dairies will present an overview of…
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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says a federal investment aimed at the middle of the food supply chain should improve economic conditions for producers and consumers alike. The $100 million in funding comes in the form of loan guarantees backed by USDA. They are intended to “increase…
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