Film Screening: In the Spirit of Cooperation
2016-10-27 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Halifax) | The Greenfield Garden Theater, 361 Main St, Greenfield, MA, 01301, United States
Join Valley Co-operators for a special #CoopMonth screening of this new Visionaries / PBS documentary, highlighting the power of co-ops both here in the U.S. and around the world. This 1 hour documentary follows the work of the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International, celebrating 100 years of co-ops building a better world through co-op stories featuring members in here in Greenfield, MA (Real Pickles), Mississippi, and Seattle, and international projects in Mozambique and East Timor. With the 7 Co-operative Principles binding these unique and diverse businesses, we can see that co-ops truly do build a better world.

Gardening the Community's Volunteer Impact Days
2016-10-29 10:30 - 13:00
Come on out for one of our last Volunteer Impact Days! We’ve got a lot going on at our Walnut St. Farm and would love more volunteers to come out and dig in with us! We’ll be working on winter-proofing our new greenhouse and starting to put our vegetable beds to sleep.
If you plan to bring a big group, call Ibrahim at 413-693-5340.

Pork Butchery Class
2016-10-29 13:00 - 15:00, 2016-11-12 13:00 - 15:00, 2016-11-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Sutter Meats, 65 King Street, Northampton, MA, 01060, United States
Our two-hour Saturday afternoon Pork Fabrication Class is an interactive demonstration with Terry. He will break one side of a locally raised pig, field all of your questions, identify and discuss the attributes of each cut of meat and give pointers on how to best prepare them. In addition to instruction on seam butchery technique and whole muscle utilization, each student will take home a generous supply of mixed pork cuts. To ensure the best possible experience, this will be an intimate class limited to six students.
We are offering the class OCTOBER 1st & 29th, NOVEMBER 12th & 19th, and DECEMBER 3rd &10th. The class will last two hours, from 1-3pm and cost $100. This price includes instruction and pork for you to cook at home. Please call the store at (413)727-3409 to reserve your spot, as these classes fill up quickly.

Zombie Prom at the Blue Heron Restaurant
2016-10-29 19:00 - 23:00 | Blue Heron Restaurant, Sunderland
Are you DYING to party this Halloween? Have a fright to remember at ZOMBIE PROM at the Blue Heron.
Join us for a lively evening of great music, great food and festivities! Come dressed in costume to win prizes – including Zombie Prom King and Queen!
Enjoy DJ & dancing, costume contest with prizes, full buffet dinner, and cash bar.

Springfield Food Policy Council's National Food Day Celebration
2016-11-02 17:30 - 19:30 | Elias Brookings School, 433 Walnut Street, Springfield, MA, 01105, United States
Join us for our annual National Food Day Celebration!. Enjoy a light dinner while learning about local food initiatives.
For more details and to reserve your seat, please call Johnetta Baymon at 413-263-6500 x6539 or email at johnettab@springfieldpartnersinc.com.

Massachusetts Farm & Sea to School Conference
2016-11-04 | Double Tree Hotel (Leominster), 99 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA, 01453, United States
Register today for the Massachusetts Farm & Sea to School Conference on November 4, 2016 in Leominster, MA, and take advantage of the Early Bird registration rate! The conference will bring together over 400 farm to school advocates from across Massachusetts and New England. Learn about curriculum integration, reducing food waste, school gardens, engaging youth through policy and social justice, and more. There will also be thematic networking sessions, providing the opportunity to get to know farm to school advocates in your areas of interest and expertise. Learn more and register by September 15th to take advantage of the special Early Bird rate at www.massfarmtoschool.org/conference.
Registration fee scholarships are also available. The application is located here and the application deadline is October 4th.

Farm-Based Education National Gathering
2016-11-04 - 2016-11-06 | Concord-Carlisle High School, 500 Walden St, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
The 6th Farm-Based Education National Gathering will be held in Concord, Massachusetts, November 4-6, 2016. Organizers expect 300-500 people to travel from several states and internationally to attend components of the Gathering, with heavy representation from Massachusetts, New England and our host community. The Gathering will be a time to celebrate the Farm Based Education Network’s 10th Anniversary!
​The Gathering Program will focus on program development, marketing, fundraising, the balance of production and education, nonprofit board management, and much more. Educators, farmers, nonprofit organization staff, parents, health and nutrition practitioners, policy makers, students, historians, and more will come together to share skills and resources, build relationships, and celebrate the vibrant field of farm-based education.
Tremendous gratitude goes out to all the volunteers, workshop presenters, field trip leaders, and sponsors who give generously of their time and resources, and to all host sites past, present and future. This broad support and dedication to the community of farm-based education professionals is critical and inspiring.
​The event will be held in partnership with The Trustees, Massachusetts Farm to School, Concord-Carlisle Community & Adult Education, Shelburne Farms in Vermont, and the Concord Food Collaborative.
Find more information and register here.

Farm & Sea to School Conference
2016-11-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Double Tree Hotel (Leominster), 99 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA, 01453, United States
The Massachusetts Farm to School Project is excited to announce their 4th biennial Farm and Sea to School Conference!
This conference brings together farm to cafeteria advocates – farmers, food service professionals, educators, policy makers, public health advocates, community organizers, youth leaders and more – for a daylong event with workshops and panel discussions addressing a wide variety of farm to school topics including:

local foods procurement and promotion
experiential food and nutrition education
food, farm, and nutrition policy
growing for the institutional market
local, state, and regional networking

Please check here for more details (including information for sponsorship, presenting a workshop, and registration) in the coming months.

Farm-Based Education Network 6th Annual National Gathering
2016-11-04 08:00 - 2016-11-06 17:00 | Concord-Carlisle High School, 500 Walden St, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
The Farm-Based Education Network will mark its 10th anniversary with a celebratory national conference. Educators, farmers, nonprofit organization staff, parents, nutrition practitioners, policy makers, students, and more will come together to share skills and resources, build relationships, and celebrate the vibrant field of farm-based education.
The Gathering will also welcome many members of our host community, from teachers and food service professionals, to parents, students and local food advocates who seek engagement with the transformative work of farm-based education. Organizers expect 300-500 to travel from several states and internationally to attend components of the Gathering, with heavy representation from Massachusetts and New England.
Workshops will focus on program development, marketing, fundraising, the balance of production and education, nonprofit board management, and much more. Peer educators will showcase their sites during field trips and workshops, a keynote address will spark discussion, and group meals will allow for ample networking time.
Click here to check out more information on workshops.
The Gathering is organized by the FBEN in partnership with the Massachusetts Farm to School Project, The Trustees and Concord-Carlisle Adult & Community Education and Shelburne Farms.

2016 Pioneer Valley Transition Town Film Festival
2016-11-04 19:00 - 22:00 | Greenfield Community College, 1 College Drive, Greenfield, MA, 01301
You’re invited to attend the Pioneer Valley Transition Town Film Festival! Join us at GCC’s Cohn Dining Commons to see locally made films on the topic “How communities are working toward sustainable living.”
A filmmakers’ reception will follow. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated!

22nd Annual Franklin County Cider Days
2016-11-05 - 2016-11-06 | Farm and Cider Parlors throughout Franklin County
CiderDays is a community event celebrating all things apples in Franklin County, Massachusetts. 2016 marks the 22nd year of this event and there will be two days of orchard tours, cidermaking and tastings, workshops and much more.
CiderDays is for all who love apples, fresh or hard cider, apple cuisine, apple orchards or just being in New England in the fall. There is a charge for some of the activities but there is no admission for many of the activities at local orchards or for the workshops or Marketplace at the Shelburne Buckland Community Center in Shelburne Falls.
Click here for the full website & schedule.

The Fiber Festival of New England
2016-11-05 09:00 - 2016-11-06 15:00 | Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA
Fiber enthusiasts are coming together for the sixth annual Fiber Festival of New England, Nov. 5 & 6 in the Mallary Complex at Eastern States Exposition. Hours are, Sat., 9am – 5pm and Sun., 9am – 3pm. The event, co-produced by the Exposition and the New England Sheep and Wool Growers Association, promotes the use of wool and other natural fibers and related products to the general public.
More than 150 New England exhibitors will be showcasing their products including clothing, quilts, blankets, rugs, looms, spinning wheels and more. On Saturday, Nov. 5, visitors may participate in various workshops as well as watch interesting, informative demonstrations.
In addition to being an ideal holiday shopping opportunity with handmade items from over 200 vendor booths, Fiber Festival is a great educational experience for visitors to learn how animals contribute to the fiber industry through live displays of llamas, alpacas, sheep, rabbits and goats.
For more information, visit our website.

Gardening the Community Volunteer Impact Day
2016-11-05 10:00 - 14:00
Join GTC, an urban farming and youth development project committed to sustainable agriculture, food justice and racial equity as we work to bring our newest farm site on line.
Work to be accomplished will include finishing a thermal trench around our beautiful passive solar greenhouse, preparing for rain water harvesting, moving soil into the greenhouse, and readying beds for winter. Dress warmly in layers and prepare to get dirty; bring water, gloves and snacks to share. Also if you can bring a wheelbarrow, the more the better!
GTC leadership will be attending the Black Farmer’s Conference in Harlem that day – we’re organizing this volunteer day to provide needed support so they can step away for important organizing and reflection. It’s a great chance to show your solidarity for racial justice organizing and food system work in Springfield.
Email anne@gardeningthecommunity.org to let us know you are coming. Last minute attendees also welcome. Young children are welcome but must be closely supervised.

Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo
2016-11-09 - 2016-11-10 | Holiday Inn – Boxborough, 242 Adams Place, Boxborough, MA, 01719, United States
The biennial Northeast Greenhouse Conference & Expo is co-sponsored by New England Floriculture, Inc. – a group of grower representatives from the Northeast, augmented by University and Cooperative Extension staff in each state who specialize in greenhouse crops and management. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn, share and connect with other industry professionals.
Attendee Registration Information
Registration for attendees is open! Learn more about the show, and visit the Schedule section to review the agenda and seminar descriptions. Attendee registration rates increase closer to the conference; register early and save!
Exhibitor & Sponsor Opportunities Available
Visit the Exhibitors/Sponsors section to review the new show floorplan, sponsorship levels and entitlements, exhibit booth pricing and more! Registration is now open! Space fills up quickly; reserve your booth today.
Conference Highlights
EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS — Attend stimulating educational workshops on a wide range of topics by industry experts; acquire knowledge and gain valuable insight.
TRADESHOW — Visit with innovative exhibitors during dedicated tradeshow time, to gather information on products and services that will benefit your business.
NETWORK — Share ideas and build relationships, and make important face-to-face connections with others in the floriculture industry.

NESAWG's 2016 'It Takes a Region' Conference
2016-11-10 - 2016-11-12 | Hartford Hilton, 315 Trumbull Street, Hartford, CT, 06103, United States
NESAWG‘s annual It Takes a Region Conference brings together farm and food practitioners across the 12-state Northeast region to learn, debate, collaborate, and innovate solutions to critical food systems issues. Each year, we look at the trajectory of the food and farm movement, and the role our network can play in shaping its future.We offer in-depth working sessions and provocative dialogues that tackle important questions about our regional food system and how to strengthen it. We draw upon exciting local and regional efforts, including alternative supply chain networks, research projects, infrastructure initiatives and policy advocacy.
Visit NESAWG’s website for updated information on the conference as it approaches.

Gardening the Community's Annual Harvest Fundraiser Pancake Breakfast
2016-11-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Trinity United Methodist Church, 361 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA, 01108, United States
You’re invited to our 6th Annual Pancake Breakfast!
Come join us as we celebrate GTC’s youth, the close of the growing season and the accomplishments of the past year. Enjoy a morning of stories, kids’ activities, raffles, and more. Bring your families and your friends for a hearty breakfast of our much loved pancakes and other tasty foods. (We have gluten-free options as well.)
Tickets available here.

2nd Annual Clarkdale Cider Run
2016-11-13 09:30 - 12:00 | Clarkdale Fruit Farms, 303 Upper Rd, , Deerfield, MA, 01342, United States
About This Event
Come celebrate the fall, drink some freshly pressed sweet cider, and support CISA at the 2nd Annual Clarkdale Cider Run, on Sunday, November 13, 2016, at Clarkdale Fruit Farms in Deerfield, MA. All proceeds will go to CISA.
Registration & Number Pick Up
Online registration ($25) will be available through 11/11/16. Number pick up and race day registration ($30) will be available starting at 8am.
Volunteers
Interested in volunteering at the Cider Run? Contact Lisabeth Jasniewicz at CISA — (413) 665-7100
Course
This is a beautiful 12K loop course on Upper & Lower Rd in Deerfield & Greenfield, MA, starting and finishing at Clarkdale Fruit Farms. The course includes some rolling hills and one tough climb, with around 383 feet of total gain.
Awards
We will have numerous award categories and prizes this year. Awards will feature local produce and farm products – apples, cider, maple syrup, etc., and will be given to the top 3 overall women and men, the top 3 teams (women and men, based on 5 best team-member times), and top 3 women and men in the following age groups: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 and over.
T Shirts
T-shirts will be guaranteed for the first 150 registrants.

Seminar: Why Buy Local?
2016-11-13 12:30 - 13:30 | Serio’s Market, 65 State Street, Northampton
Why Shop Local is the brainchild of Jasper Lapienski, a Northampton resident who has no affiliation with Serio’s Market other than as a customer. Jasper grew up in Amherst and has lived in Northampton since 2009. Jasper has been bringing our community together for a cause ever since, organizing for peace with the Northampton Committee to Stop the Wars, the Western Mass Coalition for Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace; supporting (mostly losing) political campaigns as Visibility Coordinator for the Bardsley Campaign Committee and Campaign Manager for the Committee to Elect Blue DuVal; and promoting public transportation as a rider representative on the Franklin Regional Transit Advisory Committee.
Participants will be treated to loads of free samples, demo products, and special deals and will have the opportunity to participate in raffles and win prizes. Serio’s deli will be open for business and all seminar participants will be offered the Sandwich of the Day for 50% off as well as a menu of various options for lunch, which will be served in-store after the presentation. For more information on the Why Shop Local seminars or to speak or feature your business at one, email jasper (insert @ if you’re human) whyshoplocal.org. You may also CLICK HERE to join the seminar series email list.
November 13
Follow the Money: ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF LOCAL TO COMMUNITIES
Dr. Bjorn Markeson, Smith College

SEMAP’s 2016 Annual Meeting
2016-11-15 18:00 - 20:00
Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP)
Come listen to the SEMAP board and staff discuss the successes of this past year, including highlights of all of our great educational workshops and fun events!
In addition to discussing SEMAP’s past and future, we will have keynote speaker Frank Nocito Martinez from the Department of Transitional Assistance, who will talk about the Healthy Incentives Pilot getting nutritious foods into low income communities.
Light refreshments provided by It’s Thyme Catering and local beer and wine from Berkley Beer & Travessia Winery will be served.
Free to attend! Register online at semaponline.org/semap-annual-meeting

"Forgotten Farms" Screening and Panel
2016-11-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street, Amherst
Join CISA for a screening of Forgotten Farms, a challenging and engrossing look at one of the most vital and least visible components of New England agriculture: dairy farms. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring the filmmakers, Sarah Gardner and Dave Simmonds, and farmers Darryl and Lucinda Williams of Luther Belden Farm, Jim Larson of Larson Farms, and Amy Klippenstein of Sidehill Farm.
About the film:
In more affluent communities, farm-to-table restaurants, farmer’s markets and CSAs are booming and the new farmers are celebrated. But there is another farmer who is left out of the local food celebration. New England has lost over 10,000 dairy farms in the past 50 years; about 2,000 farms remain. Collectively, they tend 1.2 million acres of farmland and produce almost all of the milk consumed in New England. In our enthusiasm for the new food movement, these farmers at the foundation of the regional agricultural economy are often overlooked. Through conversations with farmers and policy experts, the film reconsiders the role of these vital but forgotten farmers, who will be essential players in an expanded agricultural economy.
Buy tickets here.

Film Screening: Arc of Justice
2016-11-17 19:30 - 22:00 | Hampshire College — Leibling Center, 893 West Street, Amherst, MA, 01002, United States
“Arc of Justice” traces the remarkable story of New Communities, Inc., a story of racial justice, community organizing, and perseverance in the face of enormous obstacles.
NCI was started in 1969 by leaders of the Civil Rights Movement in southwest Georgia to help secure economic independence for African American families. For fifteen years, NCI cooperatively farmed nearly 6000 acres of land in the face of racist attacks and refusals by federal agencies to provide grants or loans. Its land was lost to foreclosure in 1985, but 25 years later NCI was given new life as a result of a successful class action lawsuit brought by hundreds of African American farmers against the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The screening will be followed by Q&A with Producer/Director Helen S. Cohen.
Sponsored by the offices of Food, Farm, and Sustainability and Community Partnerships for Social Change

Western MA Food Processing Center 15th Anniversary Celebration
2016-11-18 17:00 - 20:00 | Western MA Food Processing Center, 324 Wells St, Greenfield, MA, 01370, United States
Join us for the 15th Anniversary Celebration of the Western MA Food Processing Center! Refreshments will be provided by Food Center alumni: Hillside Pizza, Real Pickles, and Artisan Beverage Cooperative.
RSVP requested: bit.ly/FPC15Years
Note that the Franklin County Community Development Corporation’s Annual Meeting will be held from 4:30 to 5:00 pm.

Nuestras Raíces Gala Celebration
2016-11-18 18:00 - 23:00 | Elegancia Banquet Hall, 540 Granby Road, South Hadley, MA, 01075, United States
Join us for our Gala Celebration, a fundraiser in support of Holyoke Agri-Culture and Community Building!
The evening will feature a delicious Caribbean dinner by the Fernandez Family Restaurant; a keynote address by renowned urban farmer and thinker, Eric Toensmeier; original artwork in our silent auction; and terrific music from DJ Diamante! We expect tickets to go fast, don’t miss this great night!
More info and tickets here.

Innovations for Rural Living Conference
2016-11-19 08:30 - 16:00 | Greenfield Community College, 1 College Drive, Greenfield, MA, 01301
Innovations for Rural Living: Finding Solutions to our Food and Transit Challenges will challenge residents, government officials and other community leaders to explore innovative solutions to vexing community problems around food security and transportation. This fourth bi-annual all-day forum is organized by Greening Greenfield, a volunteer non-profit dedicated to sustainability. The forum will invite participants to consider how innovative ideas that have worked in other communities might inspire new responses and resources appropriate to our region. As we move through the 21st century sustainability must include sufficient and adequate transportation and affordable, healthy food for everyone regardless of income. Find more info and register here.

Westfield Winter Farmers' Market
2016-11-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Episcopal Church of Atonement, 36 Court Street, Westfield, MA, 01085, United States
The new Westfield Winter Farmers’ Market will be held inside the Episcopal Church of the Atonement at 36 Court St., Westfield, MA on Saturdays, November 19 and December 10, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Many of the vendors from the summer season will return with seasonal products including winter vegetables and squash, jams and jellies, pickles, relishes, soaps and oils, baked goods and sweets. Additionally, new crafters and artists will be introduced for holiday gift shopping. The $10 SNAP Match supported by a grant from CISA, and the Loyalty Card program will continue. There will be live acoustic music supported by the Westfield Cultural Council. Local author and illustrator Rhonda Boulette will be reading from her Flitten Fairy Tales books. The building is handicap accessible with free parking; and professional babysitting is provided.
Music
10:00 – 11:15 – Ed Bentley: oldies, country and blues, including his original Westfield Farmers’ Market Song
11:15 – 12:30 – Neal Liptak: Acoustic guitar, blues, rock, and jazz
12:30 – 1:45 – Dave Housman: Covers of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and many folk artists
1:45 – 3:00 – Hart & Woody Duo: blues and jazz

5th Annual Seed Exchange
2016-11-19 13:00 - 16:00 | Community House, 33 Main Street, Cummington, MA, 01026, United States
The Hilltown Seed Saving Network is pleased to announce its 5th Annual Seed Exchange! Learn to save your own garden seed, get answers to your seed saving questions, and exchange seed that you’ve saved with your friends and neighbors!
Please note that you don’t have to bring seed to come to this event. We welcome people at all levels of experience, including those who have never saved seed before.
At 1pm: Demonstrations and activities facilitated by experienced seed savers. This part of the day is especially for beginning seed savers, but there should be something of interest for everyone.
At 2pm: Tevis Robertson-Goldberg of Crabapple Farm will speak on not just saving seed, but saving the best seed from a variety of popular garden crops; there will be plenty of time for questions from the audience. Tevis has been generous enough to share his knowledge with our group from its beginnings, and we are excited to feature him again at this event.
At 3:15pm: The seed exchange itself will begin, and there will be plenty of time to browse and help yourself to the dozens of home grown varieties of tomatoes, beans, kale, wildflowers, and many other crops. This year, you can come to the Community House as early as 11:45am to drop off seed.
Also, we encourage everyone who is bringing seed to the event to list it online using our Virtual Seed Bank at http://seednetwork.herokuapp.com. Once you have registered (a quick and easy process), you will be able to browse varieties that other people in the Hilltowns are saving, and bringing to the Seed Exchange.
The suggested donation for this event is a sliding scale of $5 – $10. For more information, visit hilltownseeds.wordpress.com; or contact Sadie at 413-475-2692, or Michael at 413-358-6919 or alterman@speakeasy.net.

Shelburne Falls Autumn Farmers' Market
2016-11-20 11:00 - 15:00 | Buckland Shelburne Elementary school, 75 Mechanic St, Shelburne Falls, MA, United States
Every year, the Shelburne Falls Farmers Market hosts a special Autumn market event. This year, the market will be held on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Sunday, November 20th at the Buckland Shelburne Elementary School, on Mechanic Street.
It is a great time to stock up for the holidays. You will find local vegetables, cheeses, meats, gifts and crafts being sold at the Autumn Market, not to mention an array of prepared food, body-workers and musicians.
If you are interested in vending at this year’s Autumn Market, please email us at shelburnfallsfarmersmarket@gmail.com and fill out our 2016 Autumn Market vendor form.

SNAP Sign-Up Day for Farmers and Farmers Market Managers
2016-12-01 09:00 - 17:00 | Boston Marriot Peabody, 8 Centennial Drive, Peabody, MA, 01960, United States
A drop-in information session where you can get your farm, farm stand or farmers’ market authorized for SNAP (formerly food stamps) and receive your USDA FNS Number the very same day! Drop in any time between 9am and 5pm.
Here you can:

Get your farm, farm stand or farmers’ market authorized for SNAP (formerly food stamps) and receive you FNS Number the very same day! USDA staff will be on site to walk you through the process and assist with your application.
Learn about other resources available.

If you intend on getting an FNS (SNAP) number, please bring copies of the following documents which will be attached to your application:

Picture ID (driver’s license or passport).
Social Security Card (or other official document with your name and SSN).
Copy of voided check for bank account you will use to deposit funds.

For non-profit 501(c)(3) Only
Farmers Markets operated/sponsored by a non-profit are the ONLY applicants that are not required to submit verification of Social Security number for corporate officers/board members.
Documentation Required:

Copy of the IRS Determination Letter stating the organization is a 501(c)(3). A (C)(4) and (C)(6) will not be accepted.
Letter from the sponsoring agency stating that they are sponsoring the farmers market and who they have appointed as their legal representative to operate the farmers market.
The application must be signed by a corporate officer or a board member.

For Government Owned/Operated Farmers Markets Only
Documentation Required:

Copy of the City/Town IRS EIN/TIN Tax Exempt Letter.
City/Town Official must sign the Application Certification Page.

No personal information is required or needed
