Are you thinking about farm succession? It’s never too early or too late to plan for your future and the future of your farm. If you want to exit comfortably from farming, pass the farm to your next generation, transfer it to a non-family successor, or have other questions about this important topic - this […]
Learn the basics of honeybee biology and hive upkeep! Are you interested in bees but not sure if you’re ready to take the leap into beekeeping? Perhaps a bit intimidated by the droning buzz of a swarm or the prospect of a sharp sting? Curious about what diseases and environmental conditions affect honeybees and how […]
In this participatory workshop, led by Olivia Geiger and Helen Scharber, participants will develop tools for analyzing how local food production--from growing to processing to retail--fits into the broader economy. In particular, the group will explore reasons why balancing good paying jobs with competitive and affordable food prices is so difficult, along with strategies for […]
At this hands-on workshop, Jake Levin will lead us in the slaughter of a four month old pig, bleed it, scald it in a cast iron bathtub, eviscerate it, and eventually cut it into standard pork cuts. Participants will also tour the Many Hands Organic Farm certified organic pig operation. Based in Western Massachusetts, Levin […]
The tool-sharpening workshop is back by popular demand! Participants will learn about sharpening garden tools, hand-tools and knives, before being turned loose on a patch of garden with the most interesting selection of hand-tools we can muster. So if you have rusty, dull tools, bring them to sharpen. If you've ever wanted to try a […]
Join us at Thompson Research Farm for a twilight field trials tour of value added grains. This event will include discussion with David Benscher, Research Support Specialist of the Cornell/OREI value-added grain project, Gary Bergstrom, Cornell Plant Pathology, Elizabeth Dyck from OGRIN, and other OREI partners. To bring back economically viable grain production to our region, this […]
This walk is being given as part of a series from the UMass Extension. Learn to identify and scout fruit and vegetable pests and select integrated pest management strategies that work for you. Walk the fields with Extension Educators and Farmers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont to learn how each area and farm is […]
Building Healthy Soil: Exploring Zone-till, Cover Crops and Mulching Are you interested in increasing your operation’s efficiency, profitability, and crop yields while building optimum soil health on your farm? Join Us to hear more and see demonstrations of the roller crimper and zone builder in action! Experts from USDA NRCS and UNH Cooperative Extension will discuss: Why good […]