Register here! As a small business owner, you want to develop and protect your brand, but you don’t yet have the funds to file for trademark protection. Attorney Christina Licursi will cover steps you can take to have some level of protection from the beginning as well as when to take the plunge and file […]
Join the Urban Farming Institute and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources for the 8th annual MA Commercial Urban Farming Symposium. This all-day event promises to be a transformative experience for urban farmers, agricultural professionals, community leaders, educators, policymakers, and food justice advocates. This year's theme is "Cultivating a Resilient Future: Innovation, Collaboration, and Community". Come […]
Over the past year, the Hatfield Comprehensive Planning Committee has solicited feedback from the farming community on the many challenges and opportunities in agriculture this decade and beyond. This workshop will explore several solution-based approaches to mitigating and adapting to climate change, including a review of new and existing targeted funding opportunities to support shifting […]
CISA’s Field Notes is a live storytelling event celebrating the many ways local food and farming leave their mark on our lives and in our communities. This will be our fifth show, and this year’s theme is “In the Weeds.” This show is for everyone who grows, cooks, or eats - so, everyone! Come support […]
On Tuesday March 12, the Massachusetts Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will host its first ‘Flapjacks & Farm Chats’ informational session for local farmers and landowners interested in learning about the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program. Faced with rising land costs, Massachusetts is projected to lose much of its farmland if action is not taken. […]
We will be hosting the USDA Rural Development – Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Webinar to be held on Tuesday, March 12th 10am – 11am EST. The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. The webinar is scheduled […]
Register here! In this free workshop you will: Learn about New Entry Sustainable Farming Project's courses and services Identify resources you have and resources you'll need for your farm business Identify next steps to get started with your new farm business Learn about the variety of roles in the food system and opportunities to get […]
When: WEDNESDAY, March 13, 10-11:30am Where: Zoom Registration: Free! Click here to register. This session will cover the entirety of small fruit production, from site selection to harvest, of brambles, strawberries, blueberries, and grapes. Special attention will be given to production practices that can be utilized for organic systems and the use of Integrated Pest […]
Wednesday, March 13th 5:30-7pm, online. John Waite from the Franklin County Community Development Corporation will give us an overview of the funding landscape for farms and food businesses. We will talk about the roles of different funding sources in your business planning, and introduce local lenders who are excited to work with early stage farms […]
This course will guide aspiring food business owners through the details of business planning and launch, food permitting and licensing, branding and marketing, and legal topics specific to food businesses. Participants will explore their concept in depth and map out next steps for their business. Course runs on Wednesday evenings 5:30pm-7pm from March 13th - […]
Thursday March 14th, 5:00-6:30 PM Dynamic weather patterns brought about by a changing climate pose new challenges to producers throughout the Northeast. Among them is the question of how to appropriately manage nutrient availability in response to increased weather volatility. In this forum focused primarily on vegetable and berry farms, Becky Maden will discuss how […]
Saturday, March 16th, 9-4pm Location: The Guthrie Center, Great Barrington MA Join Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) for a hands-on, full-day workshop featuring regional experts on climate smart agriculture practices for the Northeast U.S.. Learn from experts in the field, exchange ideas with fellow farmers, and gain practical knowledge on climate adaption methods to enhance your […]
Join Rich Earth and three of our farmer partners to learn about urine nutrient reclamation, gain insights from twelve years of research, explore social research findings, and engage in a lively discussion to shape our forthcoming Farmer Guide to Urine Fertilizer. Date: Monday, March 18, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm ET Register: Free via Zoom
Register here! Is the potential increase in customer spending by accepting credit cards at a farmers market worth the credit card processing fees? Does having signage that my farm accepts credit cards really matter? Matt LeRoux has done the research and has the answers (which are YES and YES!!!). On Monday, March 18th (6-8 PM Est), […]
The annual Statewide Local Working Group meeting will be held over Zoom on Tuesday, March 19 from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. This is an opportunity to provide input to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and your local Conservation District on natural resource priorities and management strategies specific to your region. Your input will help […]
Having a clear, consistent, and compelling brand helps your local farm or food business attract loyal customers. Your brand is about so much more than your logo; it encompasses everything about you, from how you got started, what you offer, your values, and your unique style or personality. This interactive session will show you how […]
Register here! MDAR is now accepting applications from farmers who wish to participate in one of the farm viability grant programs. This includes the Farm Viability Enhancement Program, the APR Improvement Program, and the Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture (MEGA) programs. These programs all help with project planning and overall farm viability. MDAR will be […]
Register here! Well-planned silvopasture can provide shade to improve livestock comfort & productivity, fodder in extreme weather, and beautiful habitat for wildlife. Join Joshua Greene from Trees For Graziers as he shares establishment techniques, protection methods, and silvopasture tree species being used at Greene Kitchen Farm and many livestock farms in the Northeast. Shoestring methods […]
Wednesday March 20th 5:30-7pm, online Knowing who your customers are and what is important to them is the foundation of marketing your business. Join Sara Esthus from Homegrown Studio for an introductory workshop where we will cover how to identify your customer groups and how you can strengthen your marketing by creating a deeper connection […]
Join us for a discussion with Dr. Jaime Garzon focused on soil fertility in grasslands and climate-smart hayland management. Jaime’s presentation will be followed by a facilitated farmer-to-farmer discussion on how you and your peers are managing your soil fertility. Come to listen, share your experiences, ask questions, troubleshoot, and be inspired about new systems […]
Register here! With farmers market season just around the corner, we've rounded up the experts to help you prepare for success! In this webinar, we'll be joined by Matt LeRoux, Extension Specialist with Cornell University and a few ChopLocal vendors with years of farmers market experience. LeRoux will share results from a multi-year study focused […]
Register here! Silvopasture (grazing livestock with trees) systems are complex, dynamic and site specific. The practice is both rooted in indigenous land stewardship and its benefits are well documented by scientific literature. Adoption by farmers and land stewards of silvopasture is growing in interest. With support from the USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC), a collaboration […]
Register here! This class is for people who are planning to develop a homestead using natural materials and systems and want to consider the wide range of issues involved. Jack and Julie are owners and builders of the farm. Click here for more information! Topics covered: Initial Land Selection Site Determination Residential Design – climate […]
Register here! The kickoff of our 2024 webinar series at the Northeast USDA Regional Food Business Center is Monday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET, we will be welcoming university researchers, governmental agency representatives and community-based leaders to discuss critical needs and economic development opportunities within our local and regional food systems. […]
You’re invited to participate in a unique, virtual collaborative learning environment for woman-identifying farmers to connect and share challenges and opportunities at this crucial stage in farm growth. These women-centered “Learning Circles” are based on a peer-based learning model that brings together small groups to share and learn from each other. Refreshingly different from typical […]
Register here! Running a farm or ranch business often depends on buildings, equipment, vehicles, and supplies for day-to-day success. If these valuable resources are lost or damaged, it can be devastating to profitability. Different types of property insurance can help address this risk, but only if the farmer clearly understands how these products work. Does […]
Tuesday March 26th 5:30-7pm, online How do you set up a new farm or food business? Eyad Salha from Valley Community Development will share a roadmap for your first few years of starting up. We’ll talk about business planning, financial planning, entity structures and how to best set yourself up to succeed. We’ll even dive […]
This is an opportunity for senior generation farmers - with or without identified successors - to talk with peers, learn from advisors, and get support on the challenging process of farm succession and transfer planning. Click here for more information. MDAR partners with Land for Good to offer their Succession School to provide farmers and […]
Join UMass Extension, NOFA/Mass, and Gideon Porth of Atlas Farm next Wednesday for the next workshop in our Fundamentals of Organics series. In this session, Gideon Porth, the owner of Atlas Farm, will share his experiences growing transplants with different systems as he has scaled up over the last 20 years, troubleshooting issues common in […]
Acquire knowledge of the skills required for beautiful and successful container gardens with Jenna O’Brien, owner of Viridissima Horticulture and Design. Get to know the plants that thrive in containers and how to care for them. This class will cover practical aspects of gardening in containers with style throughout the New England garden season. Consider […]
Because of climate change, it can be more difficult than ever to plan for meeting the water needs of your crops. Answering questions around the nuances of crop water needs, how to identify and utilize appropriate water sources, and how to know if your water supply will be sustainable into the future are all becoming […]
Register here! Embark on a 3-hour holistic journey of self-discovery and well-being. Immerse yourself in a rejuvenating meditation and yoga practice introducing the basic concepts of Ayurveda. Delve into enlightening discussions exploring the fundamental lifestyle and diet principles of Ayurveda, the ancient science of life and longevity. Learn how to align your lifestyle with the […]
Spring is a great time to assess woody shrubs for shape, structure, and winter damage. Ron Yaple, owner of Race Mountain Tree Services will demonstrate how to renovate, rejuvenate, and shape shrubs and small ornamental trees for structure, health, and optimal growth. Plants covered will include viburnums, lilacs, witch hazels, deciduous azaleas, sweetshrubs, crabapples, and […]
Saturday, March 30th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm Join us for a rejuvenating and restorative yoga class at Sanctuary, a personal healing and collective wellness center, inside Thornes Marketplace in downtown Northampton. Sanctuary is featuring CISA as the nonprofit organization in its Community Spotlight Series for March. This free yoga class serves as an expression of […]