Are you a beginning or small farmer in eastern MA? Do you need help registering your farm with the USDA Farm Service Agency? Do you want to accept Senior Farmers Market Nutrition and WIC Coupons at your local farmers market? What about SNAP and HIP? Do you have questions for Extension or MDAR representatives?
If you answered “yes!” to any of these questions, register and save the date for the New Entry Farmer Resource Fair. This unique event will bring together essential farm service providers so you can get all your questions answered and register for programs right on the spot!
We encourage you to schedule an appointment in advance with the vendors for personal 1:1 support in the application process. We will email you in advance to let you know what documents to bring to your appointment.
What service providers will be attending?
USDA Farm Service Agency County Office:* Register your farm with FSA at the fair. Registering your farm allows you access to FSA programs, loans, and other USDA grant opportunities.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): Take an NRCS led field walk focused on conservation practices and opportunities. Learn about EQIP and other funding opportunities which you can take advantage of after registering with FSA.
UMass Extension Vegetable Team: Scout for pests and learn pest identification.
UMass Extension Risk Management Team: Learn about crop insurance to protect your investments on the farm.
USDA Food and Nutrition Services:* Apply at the fair to accept SNAP payments. An FNS representative will be taking virtual appointments during the fair to walk you through the application process to secure your FNS number.
MA Dept of Agricultural Resources, Farmers' Market Nutrition Coupons:* Apply at the fair to be able to redeem the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition and WIC coupons.
MA Dept of Transitional Assistance: Apply to become a Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) Vendor and for SNAP Equipment Grants.
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project: Participate in a hands-on soil quality assessment workshop with the New Entry Farmer Training Team. Take home your own soil quality testing equipment.
*Pre-scheduled appointment times are required.
In addition to these great opportunities, wander through the historic barn to learn about and meet other important farm service providers.
Confirmed guests include:
MDAR Produce Safety Program - Learn about Commonwealth Quality Program (CQP) and MGAPs (MA Good Agricultural Practices) and get your produce safety questions answered.
UMass Extension Vegetable Team: The UMass Extension Vegetable Team provides both research and educational programs for a diverse and thriving vegetable industry in Massachusetts and the region. The members of the Vegetable Team specialize in various topics related to vegetable production and are available to respond to questions and concerns of commercial vegetable farmers.
Land for Good - Learn about Land For Good's land matching programs, Build-A-Lease toolbox, and other great landowner and farm seeker resources.
New Entry Food Hub - Learn about market channel opportunities through the New Entry Food Hub.
We are currently accepting vendor applications for the resource fair. Vendor Registration here.