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‘Beyond Excited’: Longtime Employees Taking Reins At Popular Farm In Western Mass ‘Beyond Excited’: Longtime Employees Taking Reins At Popular Farm In Western Mass
‘Beyond Excited’: Longtime Employees Taking Reins At Popular Farm In Western Mass These longtime farmhands are sprouting into farm owners. After a combined 18 years of helping to keep things running at Franklin County’s popular Kitchen Garden Farm in Sunderland, employees Max Traunstein and Lilly Israel are set to purchase the business. If all goes to plan, Traunstein and Israel, both 31, will take over operations from owners Caroline Pam and Tim Wilcox in the spring, the farm announced Monday, Feb. 26. “Both are graduates of agriculture programs at the University of Massachusetts and have worked alongside Tim and Caroline to make the farm into a successful business,” t…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
Maple Syrup Shortage Prompts Canada To Tap Into Half Of Its Strategic Reserve Maple Syrup Shortage Prompts Canada To Tap Into Half Of Its Strategic Reserve
Maple Syrup Shortage Prompts Canada To Tap Into Half Of Its Strategic Reserve Maple syrup producers in Canada are in a sticky situation, as a shortage has forced them to use a significant portion of their strategic reserve.  Quebec Maple Syrup Producers has used almost 50 million pounds of syrup from its reserve, according to a report from Bloomberg.  That accounts for nearly half of the reserve, the news outlet reported. Quebec Maple Syrup Producers reports that it represents 11,300 maple producers and regulates the production of maple syrup in the province. Quebec is the world's largest producer of maple syrup. CNN Business reported that …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Invasive Insect Spotted In Massachusetts Invasive Insect Spotted In Massachusetts
Invasive Insect Spotted In Massachusetts A new invasive insect that has been a point of consternation for farmers for years has been discovered in Massachusetts. The spotted lanternfly, which hails from southeast Asia before it made its way stateside in 2014 has reportedly been found in Worcester County in recent weeks, causing concern for some in Worcester County. Lanternflies target the sap of certain trees, including grapevines, fruit trees, and other plants, potentially devastating them. The infestation is currently secluded to a single cluster of three trees in the area, according to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultu…

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by Zak Failla
News
Mysterious Seed Packets Arriving In Mail Could Be A Scam - Don't Plant Them Mysterious Seed Packets Arriving In Mail Could Be A Scam - Don't Plant Them
Mysterious Seed Packets Arriving In Mail Could Be A Scam - Don't Plant Them People who have received mysterious seed packages through the mail are being advised: Do not plant them. Agriculture departments in 30 states are warning people about unsolicited seed deliveries that appear to be coming from China. The USDA is aware that people have been receiving these odd seed packets and is working with Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection to investigate the situation. The USDA urges anyone who receives unsolicited seed packets to hold onto them, as well as their labels and packaging, and contact their state plant regulatory office: Connecticut: (203) 97…

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by Kristin Palpini