State House Column

Wow—it’s been a while. But, better late than never.

Budgeting Beacon Hill Style. State budgets are brutal, even in the best of times.

But spring 2010 is/was not one of the best of times – and, depending on the news that comes out of Congress this week, things could get brutal again.

How so? The state’s operating budget for FY-11 assumed that the federal stimulus wouldn’t really end in December. Instead, some $687 million more dollars in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funds would be made available to take us into 2011. Everyone with budget-writing responsibilities – the Governor, the House and the Senate – was certain that Congress would make the money available and “baked it into” their budgets.

Across the country, 30 states wrote next year’s budgets assuming increased FMAP. Massachusetts was in the top 5, with $687 million at stake. Other high-stakes states are California, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania. As a result, the Commonwealth is constructing a contingency budget.

This afternoon, Senator John Kerry assured us that the money was a done deal and to proceed as if it were there. The problem is that the rest of Congress is not so sure and that makes this week a nail-biter. Especially since the new fiscal year is just 15 days away.

What’s Another $204 Million? Despite the fact that current state revenue data projects that FY-10 will end with $70 million less than budget benchmarks, both branches informally approved more than $200 million in additional spending yesterday.

Where was much of it spent? Medicaid.

Buying Local. Spring came early this year—and there looks like a bumper crop of blackberries will need to be harvested at Harriett’s Homestead by the end of June.

And going local is the way to go. It only took about five food scares from the Far East to focus folks on what’s available down the street.

While some have started backyard gardens, for the rest of us there are some great places for 2nd Essex residents to get locally grown produce. Buying locally grown fruits and vegetables means better food. It also helps support our community. I love everything–especially the corn—at Brown Spring Farm on Rt. 113 in West Newbury. Summer annuals come from as many places as possible—especially Nunan’s in Georgetown, Sunday Farm in Merrimac. The perennial favorite for perennials—Newbury Perennial Gardens in Byfield.

Farmer’s markets are also great ways to get high end produce at supermarket prices. The Merrimac Farmer’s Market begins June 17th and lasts until September 30th every Thursday evening at the Pilgrim Church on Church Street. Several miles to the west, SpeakEasy Farm on North Broadway in Haverhill doesn’t just have fresh brown eggs—they have fresh pink and green eggs, too!

Also, check out the Grange Hall on Garden Street in West Newbury. They frequently have local produce for sale.

Route 1A in Newbury is lined with farm stands. Everyone knows Tendercrop Farm, but travel a little farther south and check out Iron Moon Farm.

Supporting Local. The 2nd Essex District also has several local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. CSA is a way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer via purchasing “shares” of the farm in return for weekly amounts of food.

Long Hill Orchard & Farm in West Newbury has a great “pick your own” feature for their CSA all season long. In June shareholders can pick peas and beans. In July & August there are tomatoes, peppers, herbs, & flowers. September & October bring gourds and pumpkins.

Great Marsh Organics, on Bridge Street in West Newbury, is also a CSA site.

Just across I-95 in Newbury, Colby Farm has its own CSA as well. Like its neighbors, Colby Farm offers a wide variety of different produce each month, and hopes to incorporate eggs and flowers when available.

Two farms in Rowley that feature CSA programs are Mehaffey Farm (185 Newbury Road) and Herrick Farm (77 Dodge Road). For the list of what both Mehaffey and Herrick Farms offer, check out their brochures: Mehaffey CSA Brochure Herrick CSA Brochure. Not only are fresh vegetables and herbs offered in the summer at Mehaffey, there are also late season, meat, flower, and egg shares as well.

If you want to learn more about CSA and find local farms, visit the LocalHarvest website.