Two Franklin County farms are benefiting from a total of $400,000 awarded to six farms throughout Massachusetts to improve their operations.
Thanks to funding through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, D.A. Smiarowski Farms in Sunderland has received $120,000 and Long Plain Farm in Whately has received $40,000. The state provides farmers with business planning and technical assistance in addition to grants through its APR Improvement Program.
Dan Smiarowski’s 175-acre farm in Sunderland will use the money to help increase asparagus production over the next few years from 18 acres to 25 acres. Smiarowski intends to create a large, dedicated shed in which to package the asparagus. Asparagus production currently takes place in a 24-by-28-foot garage. Smiarowski said he has been wanting to build an asparagus shed for several years, and that a larger facility will ensure greater product safety.
Long Plain Farm intend to use its grant money to help offset the construction costs for a tobacco barn and storage facility. The project is estimated to cost $56,425. The 100-acre farm, which grows vegetables, flowers and tobacco, is owned by Scott and Wayne Hutkoski in their 15th year of partnership.
As the farm moves away from growing squash, pumpkins and cucumbers, and opts to produce more root crops, the proposed facility will provide much-needed storage. Long Plain Farm recently lost two large onion accounts due to a lack of adequate storage.
Aside from the planned construction of the structure — which will include a modern, efficient vegetable washing and packing station — Long Plain Farm plans to be able to offer larger orders to its wholesale buyers.