CMG is happy to offer a free workshop to help you learn to competitively apply for grants. We have contracted Rose Wilson of Vermont to lead a virtual workshop specifically reviewing the recently released Food Security Infrastructure Grant RFR.

RSVP HERE

As the Massachusetts legislature debates how to best spend billions of federal dollars from the recent COVID relief package, the Buy Locals, NOFA/Mass, and the MA Food System Collaborative want to make sure that farmers’ voices are heard. We’re working to draft a letter of testimony to recommend targeted investments to help sustain Massachusetts farms.

To do so, we need to hear from you. There are two ways to participate:

• Join us on Thursday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. for an online listening session, where you’ll have an opportunity to discuss the challenges you’re facing and how these resources could best support you. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kfuGuqDgvGNP9vCuEesWP-wfe6wf2xeHA

• Fill in this short, online survey by the end of the day on Friday, September 24. https://forms.gle/NWmEqzytTs24YLL19 

We’ll synthesize all of the feedback we receive and will submit a letter to legislative leadership who are in charge of the deliberations. We’ll make the letter available online after it’s completed so you can see the final outcome.

Of course, you can also submit your own thoughts to legislators. We encourage you to write to your senators and representatives (https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator), as well as to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means at Erin.Walsh@mahouse.gov and SenateCommittee.Ways&Means@masenate.gov. 

Our favorite night of the year! CMG members join us for an evening of networking and friendship on Monday April 20th at Stone Cow Brewery in Barre.

This year's meeting will serve as a Resource Expo where we will bring MDAR, NRCS, FSA, Worcester County, North County Land Trust, Worcester Regional Food Hub, maker to main, NOFA/Mass and others together in one room! They will briefly describe the services they can provide to you, the farmers of Worcester County, we will provide an update to Central Mass Grown 2020 programming and the remainder of the evening will be dedicated to independent networking!

Don't miss this opportunity to talk directly with each of these supportive agencies about the needs or issues that are most important to your farm.

As always, bring a dish to share to this potluck event and our friends at Stone Cow Brewery will have an awesome selection available for purchase.

Please REGISTER as we cannot host more that 99 members at the event.