There's always something going on in the Valley—from farm festivals and seasonal events to workshops, film screenings, farm summer camps, and more. Sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter for the latest events and happenings.

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Food Preservation Workshop
Thursday, September 2nd, 6:30pm
River Valley Market, Northampton MA
CISA's Margaret Christie will lead this discussion on home food preservation. Spaces are limited, so contact the co-op to register at (413) 584-2665.

Massachusetts Food Preservation Workshop Days: NOFA
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Locations around the state
Preserving food that we grow or purchase locally can save money, increase our self-reliance, and enable us to enjoy the wonderful flavor of local organic produce year round. These workshops will focus on various topics such as lacto fermentation, pickling, water bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, drying, culturing, and root cellaring. All workshops are $50, some discounts may apply. Contact Ben Grosscup, 413-658-5374

Friends of Red Gate Farm Dinner
Saturday, September 11, 4:30pm-8pm
Red Gate Farm
The directors of Red Gate Farm invite you to the 7th annual Friends of Red Gate Farm dinner. Enjoy refreshments on the lawn while visiting with farm directors and staff. Will we then dine in the big barn on wholesome grilled fare, vegetarian dishes, and delightful desserts. The evening will be finished with coffee and tea and a short visual presentation of the year in review. Ages 15-adult. Space is limited, please contact 413-625-9503 to reserve your tickets. $25 per person.

Plant a Living Seedbank
Sunday, September 12, 10am-2:30pm
Umass Organic Farm, South Deerfield
Plant rare grains from world genebanks and traditional farmers to help create a community seedbank. The morning closes with a potluck lunch.

Nutrient Dense Farming Training with Dan Kittredge
Sunday September 12, 9am to 4pm
Enterprise Farm, Whately MA
Part 5, Working with Plants, of 6-part series (contact organizers if you missed earlier sessions).  Principles and practices for growing nutrient dense crops will be discussed and demonstrated throughout the series.  The course is based on the premise that if all of the environmental factors are ideal for the crop that is being grown, it will perform to the potential of its DNA.  This series will also help farmers to network and share their experiences using these techniques in the western Mass and New England region.  For more information:  www.realfoodcampaign.org, davepays@gmail.com.

Massachusetts Raw Milk Dairy Days
Saturday and Sunday, September 11-12
Ten dairies in Massachusetts will hold open houses to showcase the farms that provide safe, healthy raw milk to thousands of customers. Visitors to the farms will be treated to tours, milking demonstrations, and lessons on proper management of healthy dairy animals. Contact Winton at winton@nofamass.org with questions. Local participating farms include: Chase Hill Farm in Warwick, The Farmstead at Mine Brook in Charlemont, Robinson Farm in Hardwick, Sidehill Farm in Ashfield, and Upinngil Farm in Gill.

Homeschool Half Days
Wednesdays, September 15-December 8, 9:30am-12pm
Red Gate Farm
Every Wednesday morning we will be doing different farm activities. Participants can sign up for as few or as many mornings as desired. Our mornings together will revolve around a central theme with time alloted for unstructured play. For more detailed information please visit our website or call the farm office. Ages 6-12. Call 413-625-9503 to register. $10 for Red Gate Farm members/$15 for non Red Gate Farm members.

Are Value-Added Products Right For You?
Thursday, September 16, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Franklin County Community Development Corporation
Join us for a tour of the Western MA Food Processing Center and learn how to assess whether adding a value-added product to your business is a good idea. Amy Shapiro and Larry DiLuzio will provide a comprehensive look at business considerations, regulations and requirements and the economic impact of creating a value-added product. Kate Kerivan of Bug Hill Farm will share her personal experience about being a value-added producer.  Cost is $10 for Local Hero Members, $15 for non-members. Dinner is included.  Please RSVP by September 13th to Devon at 665-7100 x22.

Seedlings
Friday, September 17, 9:00am-11:30am
Friday, October 15, 9:00am-11:30am
Friday, November 19, 9:00am-11:30am
Friday, December 10, 9:00am-11:30am
Red Gate Farm
A new morning drop-off program for four and five year olds. Once a month, this age group is invited to join us for a few hours on the farm. We will learn together as we explore the farm. Our daily routine will include taking care of animals, unstructured play, snacktime, and learning centered around a daily theme. A healthy snack will be provided. Ages 4 and 5. Please call the farm office to register. 413-625-9503. $15 for Red Gate Farm members/$20 for non Red Gate Farm members.

Holyoke Harvest Farmers' Market
Saturday, September 18, 10am-2pm
Open Square, Holyoke
Local farmers, local ready-to-eat food, and entertainment at this one-time event!

Cheese Making Workshop: Making soft cheeses
Saturday, September 18, 8am-5pm
Uppingil Farm, Gill, MA
This day long workshop is part of a cumulative NOFA series, instructed by Cliff Hatch, a raw milk dairy farmer. Participants will learn to select the right quality milk, to discern what kinds of milk are appropriate for each type of cheese, and o choose what kind of bacteria to use as a starter for each cheese. This workshop focuses on making Camembert, Farmer's Cheese/Cream cheese, Brie, and Blue Chevre. $80.

Massachusetts Food Preservation Workshop Days: NOFA
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Locations around the state
Preserving food that we grow or purchase locally can save money, increase our self-reliance, and enable us to enjoy the wonderful flavor of local organic produce year round. These workshops will focus on various topics such as lacto fermentation, pickling, water bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, drying, culturing, and root cellaring. All workshops are $50, some discounts may apply. Contact Ben Grosscup, 413-658-5374.

Wonder Not! Bread Festival
Sunday, September 19, 11am-4pm
Hungry Ghost Bread, Northampton
The Wonder Not! Bread Festival is a celebration of truly local bread: meet the farmers who grew it, the millers and bakers too. Slather it with local toppings provided by an array of vendors: cheese, butter, jams, pesto , honey and more. Puppet parade at noon, live music throughout the day.

Using Quickbooks to Manage Your Business
Monday, September 20, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Greenfield Community College
Debbe Dugan of Simply Computing in Turners Falls has been providing software support to small businesses for over 10 years. She will give you a brief guided look at ways to manage your accounts payable and accounts receivable so that you can create a profit and loss report that gives you a snapshot of your business at any given time. This hands-on workshop will show trends in income and expenses to help you make better informed business decisions. Class size limited to 16. $10 for Local Hero members, $15 for non-members. Dinner is included. Contact Devon at 665-7100 x22 or devon@buylocalfood.org

Mornings on the Farm
Tuesdays, September 21-November 9, 10:00am-11:30am
Red Gate Farm
Join us every Tuesday morning as we explore the farm together. We will focus on a different theme every week, participate in fun, hands-on activities, and meet the animals! Ages 0-4, with accompanying adult. Backpack babies welcome. Please call 413-625-9503 to register. $10/adult and child, $3 each additional child. Babies under 6 months free.

Taste the View -- CISA's Annual Fundraising Gala
Friday, September 24,
Three County Fair Grounds, Northampton 
As always, the event features tantalizing treats from local farms to tempt your taste buds.  An event not to be missed. Tickets are on sale now!

Energy Efficiencies for Greenhouses
Wednesday, September 29, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Pioneer Gardens, 198 Mill Village Road in Deerfield
Are you looking to save money and fuel for your extended growing season by improving the energy efficiency of your greenhouse? The MA Farm Energy Program will share how Pioneer Gardens upgraded their greenhouses, the savings they achieved, and the funding resources currently available. John Bartok, a regional expert on greenhouse efficiency, will lead the discussion and share information. Suggested donation $5. You must RSVP by Friday, September 24th to Devon at 665-7100 x22 or devon@buylocalfood.org.

Brattleboro Wheat Workday and Celebration
Saturday, October 1, 2010, 10:00 am
SIT Farm, Brattleboro, VT
Help harvest almost-extinct ancient wheats, einkorn and emmer, delicious Rouge de Bordeaux French Heritage Wheat and robust Banatka from Eastern Europe. Harvesting begins at 10 and potluck with watermelon, cheese and einkorn bread begins at 12:30. For details, contact Eli Rogosa at growseed@yahoo.com.

12th Anuual North Quabbin Garlic and Arts festival
Saturday October 2-Sunday October 3rd, 10am-5pm
Foster's Farm, Orange, MA
 The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival was voted second best festival among hundreds of great local events in the 2010 Valley Advocate readers poll. Follow your heart (and nose) to this fabulous fall destination in Orange MA, where there’s something for everyone in the family. Amazing art, agriculture, and skills for lving.  At our tent, enjoy garlic-growing workshops then choose from a unique selection to plant or eat.  Savor farm fresh cuisine served by our SOL garden teens. Admission is still only $5.00 per day for adults, weekend pass $8.00, kids 12 and under free.

The Chicken or the Egg: Raising Backyard Chickens
Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 6:30pm-8:30
GCC Downtown Center, 270 Main St, Greenfield
Part of the Foodies of Franklin County series, this free workshop is led by Meg Taylor of the Pioneer Valley Backyard Chicken Association and Andrew Beals of Poulin Grains. Register today with Greenfield Community College, by email or phone (413-775-1803).

Cheese Making Workshop: Making hard cheeses
Saturday, October 16, 8am-5pm
Uppingil Farm, Gill, MA
This day long workshop is part of a cumulative NOFA series, instructed by Cliff Hatch, a raw milk dairy farmer. Participants will learn to select the right quality milk, to discern what kinds of milk are appropriate for each type of cheese, and o choose what kind of bacteria to use as a starter for each cheese. This workshop focuses on making chedder and monteray jack. $80

Women on the Farm
Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17
Red Gate Farm
Join us and other women as we experience a weekend at Red Gate Farm in the beautiful foothills of the Berkshires. You can learn to work with oxen, drive a tractor, and harvest and cook a fresh, healthy meal. Take a break from your busy life and be a farm girl for a weekend! Limited lodging available. Adult women. Please call 413-625-9503 to register. $200 per person *includes 5 meals and all needed materials and supplies. www.redgatefarm.org

Preserving Food: Canning, Freezing, Drying, Storage
Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 6:30pm-8:30
GCC Downtown Center, 270 Main St, Greenfield
Part of the Foodies of Franklin County series, this workshop is led by CISA's Margaret Christie.  Register today with Greenfield Community College, by email or phone (413-775-1803).

Solidarity Saturday
Saturday October 23rd, 10-11:30am
Seeds of Solidarity Education Center, Orange, MA
Expereince our farm, home and education center that integrate solargreenhouses, energy efficient buildings, abundant market gardens, solar electric and hot water sysem, biodiesel vehicles. Free!  If you wish, bring a potluck lunch then stay for the afternoon workshop.

Haunted Farm
Saturday, October 23, 6:00-8:00pm
Red Gate Farm
A festive Halloween celebration complete with a "not-so-scary" haunted barn, games, food, treats, and a haunted hay ride! Put on your costume and come on over! Ages 3-12. No registration necessary. Please call the Farm at 413-625-9503 or visit www.redgatefarm.org for more information.

Growing Community
Saturday October 23, 1-3pm
Seeds of Solidarity Education Center, Orange, MA
We will do a neighborhood tour that includes a goat dairy, and innovative energy efficiency in new costruction and a renovated farm house.

Extending the Season: Hoop houses, cold frames and more
Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 6:30pm-8:30
GCC Downtown Center, 270 Main St, Greenfield
Part of the Foodies of Franklin County series, this workshop is led by Daniel Botkin of Laughing Dog Farm. Register today with Greenfield Community College, by email or phone (413-775-1803).

When E. coli Hits the Fan: Food Safety Basics for Farm Stands
Tuesday, November 2, 2010, 6:30pm-8:30
GCC Downtown Center, 270 Main St, Greenfield
Part of the Foodies of Franklin County series, this workshop is led by Jeff Brandenburg of JSB Group. Register today with Greenfield Community College, by email or phone (413-775-1803).

Apple Pie without Cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze
Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 6:30pm-8:30
GCC Downtown Center, 270 Main St, Greenfield
Part of the Foodies of Franklin County series, this workshop is led by Tom Clark of Clarkdale Farms, and Ricki Carroll, "The Cheese Queen", New England Cheese Making Supply Co.  Register today with Greenfield Community College, by email or phone (413-775-1803).

It Takes a Region: A Conference to Build our NE Food System
Saturday and Sunday, November 12-13
                  Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, Albany, NY
This conference will look at exciting efforts underway in our region. There will be updates from work groups established at last year's conference, including alternative supply chain networks, research and food system assessments, infrastructure initiatives, and policy advocacy. New participants are welcome, and pressing new issues will be addressed. 

2010 New England Farm Relief Concert with Folk legend Richie Havens
Saturday, November 13, 2010, 7:30-10:00pm
Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro, VT.
Proceeds will go to the Microloan Fund for Farmers which was launched in 2008 by The Strolling of the Heifers and The Carrot Project to address the credit needs of farmers unable to borrow elsewhere. Tickets are $45, $35, and $25 and available at: Brattleboro Concert Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/94019 Info at 802-254-2407.   

Cheese Making Workshop: Making dipped curds, Italian, and Swiss cheeses
Saturday, November 13, 8am-5pm
Uppingil Farm, Gill, MA
This day long workshop is part of a cumulative NOFA series, instructed by Cliff Hatch, a raw milk dairy farmer. Participants will learn to select the right quality milk, to discern what kinds of milk are appropriate for each type of cheese, and o choose what kind of bacteria to use as a starter for each cheese. This workshop focuses on making Parmesan and Swiss. $80

Nutrient Dense Farming Training with Dan Kittredge
Sunday November 14, 9am to 4pm
Enterprise Farm, Whately MA
Part 6, Working with Plants, of 6-part series (contact organizers if you missed earlier sessions).  Principles and practices for growing nutrient dense crops will be discussed and demonstrated throughout the series.  The course is based on the premise that if all of the environmental factors are ideal for the crop that is being grown, it will perform to the potential of its DNA.  This series will also help farmers to network and share their experiences using these techniques in the western Mass and New England region.  For more information:  www.realfoodcampaign.org, davepays@gmail.com.

Farmer-to-Farmer Conference hosted by New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
Thursday, December 9th from 9:00am to 6:30pm
Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA
If you are a diversified direct-market farmer looking to expand your farm businesses through networking with peers to learn new skills, this conference is for you!  The conference will provide:   Farm Business Expertise, Panel Discussions, and Peer to Peer Learning.  Enjoy a networking lunch and a farmer-to-farmer networking reception.    Good Food and Drink: enjoy a networking lunch and a farmer-to-farmer networking reception. The fee for this conference is $75, which includes lunch and a networking reception.  Fee increases to $95 after November 19 (late registration). For more information, please contact Kimberley Fitch at 978-654-6745.

Click here to sumbit your event for this calendar. Preference is given to CISA members and supporting organizations.