Farmers: Want to Accept WIC and Other Vouchers?

At MCA’s recent Producer’s Summit, one frustration that growers have is not knowing how to accept WIC (Women, Infant, Children) or other government vouchers that allow low income folks buy fresh, local food. Being able to accept these vouchers is important to farmers because they want to serve all facets of our community. As Linda Lewis of Lewis Orchards related at the summit, it was heartbreaking for her to have to turn away WIC customers from her farmstand on Rt 28.We believe that everyone deserves access to healthy local food.

MCA has found more information on how to accept these vouchers as part of a farmers market under the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) through MDA. But the application deadline for 2011 is fast approaching, April 1.

The 2011 Rules and Procedures for the FMNP

The Farmer Application for 2011

Depending on interest, we can host a training seminar with MDA staff on the application process for farmers selling at farmers markets. Contact Kristina asap if you are interested: kristina@mocoalliance.org.

Unfortunately, it still seems that on-farm markets can not be certified to accept these vouchers. We are in communications with staff at MDA about this and hope to have more information soon.

Producer’s Summit: Many Opportunities for Partnership

More than 50 folks filled Linden Barn for MCA’s Producer Summit on February 25.  Attendees represented current and future farmers, those farming large acreage of commodity crops, small scale diversified vegetable and livestock farmers, dairy operators, Ag Service providers and others.

Caroline Taylor, Executive Director of MCA, started the meeting by sharing a sign she saw at local Savage Dairy to illustrate the tough work that goes into any farming operation:

Cheryl Kollin, Principal of Full Plate Ventures tag teamed with Kristina Bostick of MCA to present some local Ag Trends and new models for distribution. Full Presentation here (looking for more great Farm Stats? Click Here)

Will Morrow of Whitmore Farm in Emmitsburg shared his own farm’s challenges and succeses with different market outlets including restaurants, farmers markets and groceries.

Jeremy Criss of Montgomery County Ag Services gave a brief overview of what his office offers in support and provided copies of a helpful handout detailing agricultural land preservation programs in the County.

Woody Woodroof of Red Wiggler Community Farm outlined the similarities and many differences between the smaller scale vegetable and livestock producers and the larger scale commodity crop growers and identified many places that the two groups could work together to mutual benefit despite the differences in their farms.

One effort all attending seemed to support was MCA’s new Land Link Program, presented at the meeting by Farmer and Land Link Coordinator Shannon Varley. The Program would match new and expanding farmers with landowners willing to offer long term lease arrangements.

Other new opportunities for partnership that came out of the discussion portion of the program:

- Getting and keeping labor was a real concern. MCA will be working with the County’s Ag Services Division to start a Labor Link program, similar to the Land Link program, that matches farms with workers.

-Our Rustic Roads need to be passable for heavy farm equipment but a balance needs to be struck with maintaining important erosion reducing hedgerow habitat. MCA will be conducting a ride-along with the County’s Department of Transportation to assess trouble spots that are making it difficult to drive large equipment down the road.

- The meeting has inspired a number of new ideas for better linking farms to share resources.  Pat and Chris Holmgren of Seneca Creek Joinery will be working with MCA to set up a wood chip exchange between timber related companies and farmers that can use the chips for mulch, bedding  and other farm uses.

- There is still room for improvement in communication and information sharing between farmers, MCA is looking for input on how to best achieve these goals. An online platform is a possibility.

-Absent a formal incubator program that teaches new farmers the ropes, there has been some interest in starting a mentoring program that pairs established farmers with those that are just starting out.

-More than anything, the Producers Summit was a first step toward better communication. MCA board members and ag community leaders will be meeting with Ag Services to further discuss some of these ideas and work toward better supporting farms of all types.

One of the last comments of the summit perfectly summarized the work ahead: despite the differences in the needs of  commodity and table crop producers, protecting farmland in the county is a goal that all farmers share and there are many ways to partner in this effort.

Indeed the Producers Summit was only the first effort to better support farmers in Montgomery County and MCA looks forward to the work ahead.

Have an idea? Drop us a line at info@mocoalliance.org or visit us on facebook.

Coverage of the event from Patch

Pictures from the event:

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