Spring is coming!
Winter is slowly coming to an end and it looks like spring isn’t too far away. Pork producers throughout the Northeast have been very busy this winter already and we are happy to share some exciting news with you!
In November, producers from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut met with Bill Winkleman and Todd Rodibaugh of the National Pork Board. Over two days, producers were educated about the new NPB strategic plan, disease management efforts, and national programs available to producers in our region. At the same time, we went discussed the progress the Northeast Pork Association has made and what our options were to move forward. There was overwhelming support from all of the producers in attendance and we decided to move forward with the legal formation of NEPA as a trade association.
In December, the same group of producers and NPB staff met via a conference call and elected a board of directors. The elections were as follows: Peter Burrows of Brown Boar Farm in Vermont as Chair, Lisa Colby of Colby Farm in Massachusetts as Vice Chair, Alicia Pedemonti of New Lives Farm in New Hampshire as the Executive Director, Roberta Browning of Browning Farm Homestead in Rhode Island as Clerk, and Hazel Secchiaroli of Secchiaroli Farm in Connecticut as Treasurer; Clark Souther of Maine and Amanda Bevard of New Hampshire were elected as board members. Our board is excited to be a part of this new organization and we look forward to serving you all in the next year!
Harvest New England Conference
During the last week of February, Hazel and Alicia attended the Harvest New England Agricultural Marketing Conference and Tradeshow. NEPA had a booth in the tradeshow and Hazel and Alicia had the opportunity to talk to a number of producers, Farmers Market managers, educators, and consumers. It was a great chance to meet with people in the New England agricultural community and let everyone know what NEPA is all about!
The event’s agenda was full of informational workshops from understanding SNAP and using it at a Farmers Market to learning how to market your farm and products to institutions, grocery stores, and various generations of consumers. It was well attended by producers from across New England.
Farmers’ Markets
The following Farmers’ Markets are looking for pork vendors:
- Branford Alps Farmers Market in Branford, CT. If interested, contact Martha Maguire at 203-494-0227 or Martha.Maguire@gmail.com
- Norwell Farmers Market in Norwell, MA. If interested in this seasonal market, contact Joan Reid at 781-659-2559 or JReid@ssymca.org
- Newton Farmers Market in Newton, MA. Two markets in this area looking for year-round vendors, contact Judy Dore if interested at JDore@newtonma.gov
Upcoming Events
March 22, 2015: Transport Quality Assurance at the NH Farm Bureau Building in Concord, NH. 9:30am-12:00pm. There is no cost. Please RSVP to Alicia at 603-504-2679 or nhpigs@yahoo.com.
March 19, 2015:The NH Pork Producers and Blue Seal Feeds are hosting a pork producer dinner on March 19th at 6:30pm. RSVP Required. Location: VFW Hall, 1 VFW Way, Milford, NH 03055 Topic: Raising Piglets Presenter: Dr. Mark Anderson, DVM. He is a large-animal veterinarian practicing for 28 years in New England, and a pork producer himself. Dr Mark’s presentations are lively, informative and always full of information suitable for both the seasoned producer and those just starting out raising pigs. Come join us, we look forward to seeing you there! RSVP by Friday, March 13 so we know how much food to prepare. Heather Holloway, Kent Nutrition Group. Heather.holloway@kentww.com or you may call/text: 508-259-2537. Dinner Served. Knowledge Dispensed. RSVP Required. Contact Us Today!