New England Association Conference
October 28-30, 2010

About the New England Association of RC&D Areas

The New England Association of Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Areas consists of 15 RC&D Councils covering the six New England states. RC&D Councils are nonprofit organizations, organized and directed by local people to meet local needs. RC&D is a unique program that is led by local volunteers who build partnerships to work on projects that improve economic development, enhance the environment, and improve the quality of life in their areas. RC&D Areas are designated by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture with RC&D technical and financial assistance program funds.
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About the 2010 Regional Conference

"Feeding Ourselves, Fueling Ourselves"
October 28-30, 2010

in collaboration with the MA Department of Agricultural Resources
and the
New England Association of RC&D Areas

             



The 2010 New England RC&D Conference will be hosted by Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D Council of western MA. Last year's conference, "Feeding Ourselves," focused on food security. This year's conference "Feeding Ourselves, Fueling Ourselves," will continue that theme with emphasis on the relationship between energy and food security. The conference will showcase "buy local" efforts; public, private, and nonprofit partnerships; and will highlight energy projects of New England RC&D Councils, particularly those of Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D. The central event of the conference will be a tour of select farms that have implemented noteworthy energy efficiency improvements & renewable energy projects with assistance from the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program. The tour will highlight the energy, environmental, and economic benefits of each farm's project, describe the strategic partnerships that helped make the projects possible, and provide training opportunities for specific technologies. New Englanders pay up to 56 % more per kWh for electricity, 40% more per therm for natural gas, and 23% more per gallon for propane than the US average. Agricultural energy costs directly impact the viability of many New England farms. RC&D projects help sustain farms and working landscapes, protecting the rural character of our region. The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program, a joint project of the MA Dept. of Ag. Resources, USDA-NRCS, Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D, and Patriot RC&D, is one of the programs that will be highlighted at the Conference.
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New Englanders pay the highest energy rates than any other region of the Lower 48 states. Electricity and fossil fuel costs have increased by 30% or more in the last few years. The impact on farms has meant a dramatic increase in costs related to power, refrigeration, heating, ventilation, lighting, transportation, fertilizer and feed. Rising energy costs reduce the profit margin for all farmers and directly threaten the viability of farms across New England. The 2010 Conference of the New England Association of RC&D Councils will address the critical issues of energy costs and sustainable energy and will highlight efforts taking place across the region to address these issues.

  • Celebrate the creative and innovative efforts of New England farmers, funders and advocates
  • Reach more than 150 community leaders and USDA staff in all six New England states working on issues of agricultural sustainability and energy
  • Join in educating conference participants about technologies that can be replicated on New England farms
  • Influence community level planning decisions and future cost-share programs for farm energy projects throughout New England

To Participate as a Conference Sponsor

Contact Ann Gibson, Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D, agibson@berkshirepioneerrcd.org
413.256.1607

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