Who We Are
History:
Southeastern Massachusetts has a rich and diverse heritage of farming, with agricultural enterprises that range from dairy to vineyards to orchards, specialty herbs, and shellfish farms. These agricultural and aquacultural operations are increasingly challenged by the region's rapid growth and suburbanization, and by market factors that make it difficult to keep farming profitably.
Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) was formed in 1998 to help the region's farmers and aquaculture operators navigate the many agencies and organizations that provide technical, business management, educational, or financial support to farming operations in the region, and to address assistance needs identified within the farming community. The Partnership began as a network of service providers that promote viable agricultural operations in the Southeastern Massachusetts region, which includes Bristol and Plymouth Counties, Cape Cod, and the Islands.
In 2004, SEMAP incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and became a nonprofit organization. But the Partnership, now represented by our Operating Board and Coordinating Council, remains the heart of our organization. And our vision remains the same: a secure, profitable agricultural industry in Southeastern Massachusetts.
Mission:
SEMAP's mission is to help agricultural enterprises in Southeastern Massachusetts achieve economic success.
We work towards this mission through two main program areas
(Please see Programs & Services for more information):
Structure:
SEMAP Operating Board
The Operating Board meets every other month and provides governance and oversight of the organization.
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Carolyn DeMoranville, President - Director, UMass Cranberry Station
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Fred Dabney, Vice President - Quansett Nurseries/Mass. Ag. Land Preservation Committee
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Paul Vigeant, Treasurer - Asst. Chancellor, UMass Dartmouth
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Sue Guiducci, Clerk - Bristol Conservation District/Dartmouth AgCom
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Doug Gillespie - Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
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Barbara Hanley - Shy Brothers Cheese
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Jon Jaffe - First Pioneer Farm Credit
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Margie Baldwin, Marion Institute / How On Earth: The Store
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Pat Bebo, UMass Extension Nutrition
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Mark Begley, Beach Point Oysters
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Philip Boucher, Tranquil Lake Nursery / Mass. Nursery and Landscape Association
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David Brownell, Aries Farm / Bristol County Farm Bureau
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Kathy Carroll, UMass Extension
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Bill Clark, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
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Roberta Clark, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
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Chris Clegg, Four Town Farm
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Anthony Cucci, Trustees of Reservations
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Ernest Fisher, Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources Farm Viability Advisor
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John George, George Farms
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Adrienne Kravitz, Flavors of NE, Kravitz Cranberries
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Jeff LaFleur, Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association
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Keith Mann, Mann Farms / Plymouth County Farm Bureau
- Janet Marshall, Community Member
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Jim Mathes, SMILES Mentoring
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Darrin Mendes, Triple S Farms
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Mike Melo, M & C Café and Restaurant
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Mary McBrady, Massachusetts 4-H Foundation
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Trip Millikin, Boston Private Value Investors/Westport Ag. Com.
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Dianne Moores, Red Fox Farm
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Jim Moores, Red Fox Farm
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Jim Munger, Stoney Meadows Farm
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Susan Phinney, Whole Foods Market
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Andy Pollock, Silverbrook Farm
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Barbara Purdy, Forbidden Fruit Farm
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Briana Sheldon, First Pioneer Farm Credit
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Deb Swanson, Plymouth County Cooperative Extension
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Ron Smolowitz, Coonamessett Farm / Barnstable County Farm Bureau
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Becky Turner, Dartmouth Grange Community Shared Use Kitchen
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Tony Vieira, UMass Dartmouth Professional and Continuing Education
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Nicole Vitello, Manic Organic CSA
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Steve Ward, Plymouth County Farm Bureau
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Peter Whelan, Community Member
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Diane Baedeker Petit, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Michael Dragunas, USDA Farm Services Agency
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Tom McGarr, USDA Rural Development
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Paul Russell, USDA Farm Service Agency
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Scott Soares, Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources
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David Webber, Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources
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Irene Winkler, Pilgrim Resource Conservation & Development Area Council
Staff:
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Sarah Kelley, Executive Director
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Sarah Cogswell, Buy Local Coordinator
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Katie Cavanagh, Farms Forever Coordinator
Join us! Any organization or individual wishing to contribute to an economically viable future for farming in Southeastern Massachusetts is invited to join SEMAP. Call Sarah Kelley at 508-295-2212 x 50 to learn how you can become involved.
Last Updated On: 4/18/08
Find Local Farms!
Visit SEMAP's UPDATED
online farm guide!
Click the 'Find local farms' link to go directly to the guide, or enter your search term below.
Special thanks to MDAR, Farm Fresh RI, and Island Foundation for supporting the online farm guide.
Support SEMAP!
Please help us sustain and expand our efforts to support local farms. We can now accept credit card donations through our 501(c)(3) fiscal agent, UMass Dartmouth Foundation: click here to make a donation.
