March 2020
Vegetable Nutrient Management Workshops
Vegetable Nutrient Management Workshops Need help interpreting your soil test results? Juggling nutrient recommendations for many different fields? The UMass Extension Vegetable Program, in collaborating with University of Vermont Extension, is holding 2 workshops on vegetable nutrient management this March aimed at improving soil health practices. Growers are encouraged to bring current soil test results to work with. By the end of an intensive day, growers will: 1) Interpret soil test results, calculate nutrient requirements, and choose soil amendments 2) …
Find out more »Agricultural Composting Training
MDAR is conducting a no-cost training workshop for registered agricultural composters and other farms interested in agricultural composting (larger than backyard composting). Space is limited, and first preference will be given to farms already registered in the MDAR Agricultural Composting Program. These workshops will meet the upcoming regulatory requirement for farmers who are currently registered in MDAR’s Agricultural Composting Program to attend a state approved training program in order to continue to maintain a composting registration. Topics include: Principles of…
Find out more »Improving your farm’s employee policies and management systems
Would you like to have better systems in place for onboarding and training employees, consistently communicating farm policies, or giving and receiving employee feedback? Are you looking to brush up on employment laws to ensure that your farm is in compliance? This session will help you identify incremental changes to improve employee management systems on your farm. Presenter Libby Eiholzer of Cornell Cooperative Extension will lead you through a self-assessment of your farm’s human resources management and help you prioritize…
Find out more »Making it Happen: Profitability and Success
The Making It Happen: Profitability and Success Training for farmers and food processors will give you the financial management toolbox needed to confidently answer these questions and improve your business decision making and profitability. This interactive course presents four tools -- cash flow budgeting, scenario planning, enterprise budgeting, and sensitivity analysis -- that "are fundamental and work well together to provide a comprehensive toolbox," according to a 2018 course participant. The training is intended for producers with at least one year of operating experience…
Find out more »Value-Add Program info session
Turn Your Produce into Value-Added Products at the Western MA Food Processing Center Info Session March 9 from 3-4:30pm 324 Wells St. Greenfield MA The Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center (WMFPC) is a shared-use food processing facility in Greenfield MA, which offers both rental and co-packing services to regional food entrepreneurs and local farms. This summer and fall, they will be launching a Value-Add Program for local farms. This program aims to increase our region’s capacity to lightly process fruits…
Find out more »Building a positive workplace culture through active bystander training
Farm managers are responsible for setting the tone and ensuring a respectful, safe, and productive work environment. However, they are by no means alone in contributing to workplace culture - each member of the farm team has unique skills and opportunities to help build a more positive workplace culture. This workshop will equip farm managers, crew leaders, and other employees with tools to respond proactively to workplace conflict and to contribute to improving the culture on their farm. Presenters Sharon…
Find out more »Agricultural Composting Training
MDAR is conducting a no-cost training workshop for registered agricultural composters and other farms interested in agricultural composting (larger than backyard composting). Space is limited, and first preference will be given to farms already registered in the MDAR Agricultural Composting Program. These workshops will meet the upcoming regulatory requirement for farmers who are currently registered in MDAR’s Agricultural Composting Program to attend a state approved training program in order to continue to maintain a composting registration. Topics include: Principles of…
Find out more »Making It Happen: Profitability and Success
The Making It Happen: Profitability and Success Training for farmers and food processors will give you the financial management toolbox needed to confidently answer these questions and improve your business decision making and profitability. This interactive course presents four tools -- cash flow budgeting, scenario planning, enterprise budgeting, and sensitivity analysis -- that "are fundamental and work well together to provide a comprehensive toolbox," according to a 2018 course participant. The training is intended for producers with at least one year of operating experience…
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