What role do native plants and their pollinators play in the stability of our food and other agricultural systems? Join the New England Wild Flower Society for a day-long symposium […]

"Farming on the Fringe: Guerrilla Gardening on Marginal Acreage"
Sunday March 26th, 12:30-3:30 PM
Laughing Dog Farm, Gill, MA

This is a basic skills class for those who wish to grow (more of) their own high-quality, nutrient-dense food from marginal, "backyard" plots, containers, on rooftops, passive greenhouses, (or wherever) under a variety of real-life conditions. Inspired both by gleaning, "permaculture" priciples as well as the "guerrilla gardening" movement, (which teaches us to question "rules", glean everything, and sow everywhere), inspired grower Danny Botkin will share low-tech, "alternative" propagation and season extension tactics, including "low-till" bed management, permanent sheet mulch, and the use of high and low "tunnels" to harvest high-quality sustenance around the calendar, with little machinery, capital or fossil fuel. The class includes a talk on basic permaculture gardening, followed by a farm/greenhouse tour, a pipe bending demo (for making low tunnel "hoops"), Q and A, plus farm snacks. Suggested donation: $25-$35. No one turned away. Space limited, please RSVP: 413-863-8696

Help UMass revamp its shiitake growing system in Franklin Permaculture Garden! They will be inoculating oak and sugar maple logs with shiitake spawn. Small, take-home shiitake logs will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Feel free to stop in for any length of time during a session.

Greater Quabbin Food Alliance is bringing together food service directors from all sectors (schools, jail, hospital, higher ed, meals on wheels, nursing homes, early ed) from Franklin County/North Quabbin (and from beyond our region, but we are prioritizing those from our region) to support the procurement and use of locally grown food in institutional food services! GQFA will send out an invitation early next week so please be on the lookout and respond when you get it.

As many irreplaceable seeds near extinction, SEED reveals the harrowing and heartening story of passionate seed keepers as they wage a David and Goliath battle against chemical seed companies, defending […]

The cultural needs of potatoes, tomatoes and more plants that belong in the home vegetable garden. How to start plants from seed and grow them on, prepare the beds for planting. Learn the ongoing seasonal care, pest and disease management, and finally, the harvesting of their fruits. Participants will go home with a variety of nightshades for planting in their home garden. All materials included in cost of program. Members $25; Nonmembers $30