Bringing us together: A project to develop and strengthen the connections to our farms

Bringing us together: A project to develop and strengthen the connections to our farms

Summary

The work completed in 2009 included the completion of the Rehoboth Farms Needs Assessment survey and report, creation of a parcel-based agricultural data set for GIS, and publication of a glossy color educational/direct marketing brochure celebrating Rehoboth Agriculture.

Objectives/Performance Targets

OBJECTIVE 1 – COMPREHENSIVE AGRICULTURAL INVENTORY/NEEDS ASSESSMENT

A 7-page questionnaire was mailed to 267 known farm enterprises. A total of 67 useable surveys were returned and coded into SPSS for statistical analysis. Each of the 4 outcomes as identified in the grant application have been achieved: An up-to-date mailing/contact list of Rehoboth farms has been compiled. The AgCom now has a prioritized list of local farms’ needs which will direct our future work efforts. This same list has been provided to Agricultural service providers serving Rehoboth farms. The AgCom has gained information which will be useful in assessing the need for changes to local regulations.

OBJECTIVE 2 – AGRICULTURAL DATASET FORMATTED FOR- AND LINKED TO GIS FOR MAPPING/ANALYSIS

A data set including parcel ID numbers for Rehoboth’s farm enterprises was created and provided to agencies with the capacity to utilize GIS for the sustainability of Rehoboth farms. These include the regional planning agency, SRPEDD, and the Trustees of Reservations which operates in Bristol County, MA. and provides mapping and information to the Rehoboth Land Trust. A map of Ag Lands protected under Chapter 61A was produced and sent to MASSGIS. A parcel-specific map showing prime agricultural soils was produced for AgCom use. A map showing the location of farms engaging in direct marketing was created and is presented along with farm products, availability, and other information in a brochure to be widely distributed in our area. It is anticipated that this mapping will, in future, provide assistance in the review of future developments planned in areas with potential impact on Rehoboth farms.

OBJECTIVE 3 – COLOR EDCUCATIONAL/MARKETING BROCHURE PROMOTING REHOBOTH FARMS

The AgCom Brochure Subcommittee selected a folding 2-sided map type format for our brochure, which is complete and was delivered from the printer this December. One side contains a map and descriptive information pertaining to Farms engaging in direct marketing. The other side contains educational information about Rehoboth farm history and agriculture today. This single page folding brochure (17x20")design is less expensive to produce than the booklet design utilized in cost estimates for the grant application, and as a result we are thrilled to have 11,000 copies of this brochure to distribute widely in Rehoboth and in surrounding towns. The text was specifically designed for persons unfamiliar with agriculture, so that they will gain an understanding and appreciation for our farms.

Accomplishments/Milestones

The Milestones as identified in the Grant Application were all accomplished although several of the dates were significantly later than anticipated. This is because Project Leader June House became employed full time (with a long commute!) subsequent to the submittal of the grant timeline, leaving little-to-no weekday time for working on the SARE grant.

MILESTONE: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE AND RECIPIENT LIST FINALIZED AND READY TO GO. Anticipated date September 30, 2008. Actual date February 6, 2009.

MILESTONE: COMPLETED SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES IN HAND. Anticipated date February 29, 2009. Actual date March 13, 2009.

MILESTONE: GIS-COMPATIBLE DATABASE SUBMITTED TO SRPEDD. Anticipated date April 30, 2009. Actual date May 18, 2009.

MILESTONE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT DISTRIBUTED TO AG SERVICE PROVIDERS. Anticipated date May 30, 2009. Actual dates spread from April through December 2009.

MILESTONE: COLOR BROCHURE READY FOR ROLL-OUT. Anticipated date August 30, 2009. Actual date December 21, 2009.

MILESTONE: ROLL OUT OF BROCHURE AT ANNUAL REHOBOTH BLOCK PARTY. Anticipated date September 2009. Actual Date: No Block Party Rollout. Brochure distribution begun December 2009 and ongoing. Since the 2008 death of the Block Party organizer (and major civic cheerleader) Larry Procopio we have found foot traffic at this event to be disappointing.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

• OUTCOMES OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT: No comprehensive listing of Rehoboth Farms existed prior to this study. 267 Farms were identified and contacted in the Needs Assessment component this project.

  In the Survey, farms were asked to rank 40 different skills/knowledge areas with regard to need for additional information and training. Likert scale responses facilitated development of mean scores for each subject, and a ranked list was created. This list has been printed and laminated and is part of the Agricultlural Commission’s travelling display, along with a complete copy of the Survey Report. It has been useful as an attention-getting piece of information in promoting the study. The Right to Farm Bylaw was ranked first in importance with farm enterprises in this list. Because of this, the AgCom included a special information panel in the color brochure to educating readers about this regulation.

  Project Leader June House presented the Survey Project at a statewide Massachusetts Ag Com conference, in January 2009, “Making a Difference in Our Communities.”

  The report, along with mailing list of Rehoboth farms, was distributed to the following Ag Agencies and nonprofits: USDA Farm Service Agency Bristol County, MA; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Bristol County Conservation District; Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership; Southeastern Regional Planning & Eocnomic Development District; Pilgrim Resource Conservation & Development Program, the Rehoboth Land Trust; and the Trustees of Reservations.

  Aside from providing answers to questions pertaining to their Ag operations, respondents were offered the opportunity to participate in future AgCom Initiatives. Of 67 respondents:
  •27 were willing to provide information and/or photographs to assist in the color brochure
  • 24 requested to be included in the direct marketing brochure
  • 25 would like to be listed on the AgCom website currently under development
  • 37 are interested in participating in future agricultural public events in Rehoboth
  •46 provided email contact information so they can receive information and updates from the AgCom and other agencies
  •8 women-owned enterprises are interested in forming a group with other women farm operators.

  OUTCOMES OF GIS DATA PROJECT. SRPEDD created several GIS maps with data submitted as part of this project. This included:
  •An updated map of Chapter 61A Agricultural Lands. A copy submitted to MASSGIS to update their information
  • Parcel based “Prime Agricultural Soils”
  • Rehoboth Farms engaged in direct marketing

  Because of the limited number of survey respondents, it was deemed inadvisable to reveal by any means parcel specific information collected in the survey. Rehoboth faces great residential development pressure and, regrettably, past experience suggests that parcel specific research findings might be accessed and used by developers seeking property for potential future developments.

  OUTCOMES OF BROCHURE. Given that the brochure was printed about 2 weeks ago we have little to report in this section. The brochure was designed with 2 primary purposes. The first is to educate the public regarding Rehoboth’s agricultural heritage and to help them understand what they see when they drive through our agricultural landscape. The second is to assist local farms with direct marking taking place on the farm.

  31 farm enterprises are listed and mapped in the “Visit Rehoboth’s Farms” brochure. 11,000 copies of the brochure were printed. Wide scale distribution of this document is scheduled to begin in January 2010. In addition, a "printer friendly" version of the brochure has been developed so that persons accessing the brochure via the Rehoboth AgCom website (currently under development) will be able to print it out on their home computer.