March 2019
Local Food Trade Show
Food Connects will hold its annual Local Food Trade Show on Wednesday, March 27 from 2:30 to 5:30 pm at Stonewall Farm. This event brings together local farmers, producers, and wholesale buyers from southern Vermont and New Hampshire. Even though this area is abundant in high quality, locally produced food, it is sometimes difficult for wholesale buyers to access these products. Food Connects, an aggregation and distribution food hub operating in southern Vermont and New Hampshire, makes it easy for…
Find out more »April 2019
Grant Deadline: Rural Energy for American Program (REAP)
The next REAP deadline for renewable energy & energy efficiency grants and loan guarantees is April 1, 2019. This round is unrestricted and open to projects of all sizes. Visit the website for more information or watch this free webinar. You can also reach out to the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program for assistance with your application/
Find out more »Plant-Insect Co-evolution
How do plants defend themselves from insects, and how effective are these defenses? Come learn about insect life cycles, orders, and distinguishing features that they have adapted through co-evolution with plants. This class includes discussion about the native plant-native pollinator relationship, as well as an outdoor study to examine signs of insects on the landscape. Program Code: BOT1508 Instructor: George LoCascio Fee: $33 (Member) / $40 (Nonmember) Limit: 16 Certificate: Elective: all certificates CEU: MALP MCLP: .5 MNLA MCH: .5…
Find out more »Mass Aggie: Home Orchard Management
Home Orchard Establishment & Basics (Classroom) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Home Orchard Pest Management (Hands-on workshop) 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2019 led by Dr. Jaime Piñero & Ms. Liz Garofalo Red Apple Farm, 455 Highland Avenue, Phillipston, MA 01331 Morning: Horticultural topics covered will be the basics of planting fruit trees, including site selection, choice of variety and rootstock, planting best practices, tree training and pruning, fertilization and ongoing fruit tree care. (In-depth pest management…
Find out more »Berkshire Backyard Beekeepers
Join local beekeepers on the second Tuesday of each month at 6pm on the grounds of Berkshire Botanical Garden. Each month’s meeting, will involve season-appropriate discussions and demonstrations using the BBG apiary, weather permitting. Berkshire Botanical Garden 5 West Stockbridge Road Stockbridge, MA 01262 For more information visit our website: http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/ Or Phone: 413-298-3926 Or Email: info@berkshirebotanical.org
Find out more »Tips and Techniques for Healthy Seedling Starts
Healthy plants and gardens begin with healthy seedlings. Come learn some basic yet critical propagation techniques for successful seedling starts. We begin with a brief overview of propagation terminology and science and continue in the greenhouse with hands-on demonstrations and experience. Plan to get your hands dirty and leave with some healthy native seedling starts! Program Code: HOR3132 Instructor: Alexis Doshas Fee: $40 (Member) / $48 (Nonmember) Limit: 16 Certificate: Elective: HD/Adv.HD CEU: MALP MCLP: 1; MNLA MCH: .5; NOFA…
Find out more »CISA Workshop: Serving Social and Economic Justice on the Farm
REGISTER HERE! How can we contribute to economic and social justice? Many farmers have asked some version of this question before. We are, by nature of our work, invested in our communities. But as you know well, farming is hard, time-consuming work, often with limited financial rewards; aligning our social justice principles with the day-to-day grind of the farm is a constant struggle. This challenge is only greater in low wealth communities, where people are often without the means to…
Find out more »Managing People: Skill-building for Supervisors and Crew Leaders
Get the best out of your farm employees in 2019! Managing people is a skill that can be learned, much like operating equipment or growing crops. Farmers often expect themselves or their employees to learn such skills on their own, but most of us are not born with people management skills and benefit from coaching. Labor is one of your farm's biggest expenses - how well are you managing it? Join us for this two-part workshop series to build your…
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