Babson Entrepreneur in Residence Gail Simmons and Food Sol at Babson College will co-host the February chat on food entrepreneurship and innovation. More information is available by clicking here. Who should attend: Eaters of all kinds, food entrepreneurs of all kinds, women food leaders Chat organizers: @FoodDay2014 @gailsimmons @businessforfood How: Food Day posts questions (Q1, […]

Your fruiting wall will produce two bushels each of five apple varieties in just 3 years from planting using just over 100 square feet of backyard! We will spend some time indoors talking about site, variety, rootstock selection, planting, and annual care (including pest management) of your fruiting apple wall. Then, we will go outdoors […]

Blueberries are among the most popular fruits to grow in the home garden.They are healthful and well suited to grow in our New England conditions Come learn the basics for growing blueberries in your home landscape. The workshop will be taught by Ms. Sonia Schoelmann and will include some hands-on pruning lessons. Bring your own […]

at Northeastern University, more details to follow.

This will be a hands-on workshop where growers can bring in their own seed for hot-water treatment using precision water baths and with the assistance of experienced extension vegetable plant pathologist, Meg McGrath, from Cornell University.  Tomato, pepper, eggplant, and crucifer seeds are those most commonly treated but many others can be treated as well.  […]

The 2nd Annual Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference (UFC) is designed to advance urban farming issues ranging from farming techniques and business models to climate change adaptation and food security. The UFC contributes to short-term and long-term state-wide strategic planning for a sustainable food system in Massachusetts. Network with Massachusetts' diverse, multi-sector stakeholders in this dynamic event […]

The joy of growing fruit in the home garden is enjoying a renaissance. One of the key steps in successful fruit growing is the act of pruning the trees.This can seem daunting and complicated, but it’s not!  Not once you understand the principles involved. Come learn how to properly prune your fruit trees from Jon […]

This program for commercial growers of greenhouse crops will include a lecture to review the basics of diagnostic plant pathology followed by a hands-on workshop using diagnostic test kits for viruses and root diseases of greenhouse crops. We will also use microscopes to view fungal root pathogens such as Thielaviopsis, Rhizoctonia and Pythium and foliar […]

The Springfield Food Policy Council presents a Community Garden Workshop on how community gardens run. The workshop will focus on leadership tricks, gardening rules and management issues, and identifying resources. Stop by if you are a current community gardener, interested in starting a community garden, or simply looking for more opportunities to garden! Food and […]

Meets Weds, Mar 26 & Apr 9 from 6-8:30pm; and Sat Mar. 29 & Apr. 12 fom 10a-3p (Saturdays meet at Laughing Dog Farm, Gill) Explores strategies for extending growing seasons into the fall and winter. Topics include: hoophouses, coldframes, raised beds, mulch, managing seasonal crops, frost proofing, cold hardy crops, early spring greenhouse management, […]

Many people do not realize that all apple varieties are reproduced by grafting – they are not grown from seed. For horticultural enthusiasts, one of the most satisfying techniques to master is grafting.  Wes Autio will present a hands-on workshop on “bench grafting” and “cleft grafting” of apple trees. Other grafting techniques will be discussed. […]

Learn the technique of growing mushrooms on logs, and come help us get a majority of our logs inoculated. We will start the day with a farm tour and talk about fungal lifecycle and log inoculation. The rest of the day we will spend working in teams of 4-5 people inoculating logs. A lunch utilizing […]

Grapes are one of the most universally enjoyed fruits available. Many of the new varieties have excellent taste, are winter hardy, and can make excellent wine. Grapes are fun to grow but present some challenges. Sonia Schloemann will help participants through the basics and give them the tools to overcome some of the challenges. Specific […]

Easy to replicate techniques to grow mushrooms at home are discussed, demonstrated and participants will be able to do one! We will talk about preparing, inoculating, and fruiting on straw in different containers. Also covered will be a simple growing technique on toilet paper rolls and phone books, and how to utilize the mushrooms you […]