MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — U.S. farm financing practices, farmer’s market protocols, organic certification and size/scale of organic production in Massachusetts were all questions that Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) leaders and staff answered during a round-table forum with a Russian delegation. This discussion, which was organized by Open World Leadership Center and International Center of Worcester, focused on MFBF’s work and challenges Massachusetts farmers have experienced when using either organic or conventional production.
“These types of forums are very valuable to farmers,” said MFBF President Ed Davidian, who farms in Northborough. “During these round-table discussions, where farmers speak with other like-minded individuals from other parts of the world, we learn about one another and build off each other’s programs.”
According to the delegation less than 1 percent of Russia’s farmland is used for organic production and many supermarkets in rural Russia do not even sell organic produce. As such, they were particularly interested in learning about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s organic certification process. Chris Grant, MFBF’s Young Farmer and Rancher Committee Chair and Essex farmer, gave them firsthand knowledge of the process.
“As I am investigating the process of certifying my farm as organic, I was able to discuss the process, including costs, with this team,” Grant said. “Their questions also included concerns about feed ingredients, input costs and marketing. This type of face-to-face discussion will help them as they develop their organic market.”
The group cited several barriers to farming in Russia including investments, labor and access to good farmland.
“It was interesting to hear that the Russian farmers also are finding it difficult to acquire skilled and reliable labor for their farming operations,” said MFBF Treasurer Mark Amato, who manages a farm in Concord. “Due to a lack of infrastructure in farming communities they are unable to lure young people from the surrounding urban areas and they end up with an unreliable, unskilled workforce.”
In addition to meeting with MFBF, the Russian delegation is set to meet with various other agricultural focused organizations in the Commonwealth. Upon their return to Russia, the group is expected to take their knowledge gained from the United States to use in their day-to-day businesses.
–Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
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