SEMAP Programs and Services

 

SEMAP's mission is to enhance agricultural business viability and to ensure that working farms remain a vital and profitable part of the Southeastern Massachusetts landscape both now and into the future. SEMAP helps these farm businesses achieve economic success by providing them with access to needed business and technical education and assistance, and by coordinating public outreach and market development activities in support of local agriculture. The support and expertise of SEMAP's partnership are essential to these efforts.

Market Development:

• Buy Fresh, Buy Local Campaign  
• Business-to-Business Network  
• Online Farm Guide

Business and Technical Assistance:

• NEW: Farms Forever: A new program to help sustain working farmlands and enable new and second-generation producers to begin farming in our region.
• Directory of Agricultural & Aquacultural Service Providers
• Varied courses and workshops on farm business and marketing topics (see Events for a current list).
• Agricultural Business Resources

 How We Can Help You

SEMAP strives to act as the farmer's first point of contact for obtaining business planning and marketing assistance. We organize business training and planning courses in response to the needs of our constituents. Specific areas of focus include business planning, business management, budgeting and record keeping, and diversification and marketing strategies. We also promote local farm products to the public, connect farms directly with business buyers from restaurants, markets, etc., and work to help new farms get established in Southeastern Massachusetts through farm transfer and tenure support. Please put our programs and services to work for you:

If you are:

• A local farm seeking to promote your farm and products to the public, learn more about our Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaign or contact Buy Local Coordinator Sarah Cogswell.
• A local farm seeking new local wholesale buyers from resturants, schools, retailers, etc, join our Business-to-Business Network or contact Sarah C. for more info.
• A community member seeking fresh local foods or farm products, visit our searchable online farm guide.
• A food business owner or food service buyer seeking to purchase local foods and farm products for your business, join our B2B Network or contact Sarah C.
• A farm family member seeking help to plan for the future of your farm, learn more about 1-on-1 support through our Farms Forever program, or contact Farms Forever Coordinator Katie Cavangh.
• A new farmer seeking farm land for sale or rent, contact Katie C. for information about resources and available land.
• An organization or individual interest in getting involved in SEMAP, learn about our SEMAP Council or contact Executive Director Sarah Kelley.
• A farm business seeking business planning or marketing training, check our Events page for upcoming workshops or contact Sarah K. with your ideas and needs.
• An individual or organization interested in supporting SEMAP's work, make a secure online donation or contact Sarah K. for more information.
• Unsure who to contact with your local farm or food question, email us at info@semaponline.org and we will do our best to help!

Past Accomplishments:

• Estate planning conferences
• Value-added profitability workshops
• Market research for value-added opportunities in the dairy industry, lavender, and specialty herbs
• Regional agricultural technical assistance needs assessment
• Briefings and tours for Southeastern Massachusetts Legislators and business leaders
• Appointment of a Southeastern Massachusetts farmer to the Massachusetts Agricultural Land Preservation Committee
• Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Technical Assistance Infrastructure Investment Plan
• Providing support to farmers with marketing, business planning and other farm viability topics.

 

 

 Last Updated On: 4/21/08