Tips and Techniques for Healthy Seedling Starts
2019-04-13 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Nasami Farm Nursery, 128 North Street, Whately, MA, 01093
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 AOLCP: 3
Registration: online

CISA Workshop: Serving Social and Economic Justice on the Farm
2019-04-17 16:30 - 19:30 | Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley St., Northampton, MA, 01060
We’re sorry! This event is full for the general public. We have some reserved spaces left for farmers. Please email Stevie for more information, with questions, or to RSVP: stevie@buylocalfood.org

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 afford and access healthy, sustainably grown food.
This workshop is geared towards farmers who want to engage in dialogue about how we, as part of this larger food system, can create change within our work that positively impacts your farm’s resiliency. Examples include social justice issues on the farm, creating community partnerships, and providing local food to low income customers–especially in light of the $8.3 million in SNAP dollars spent on local foods since the creation of HIP.
Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm with Maggie Cheney and D. Rooney of Rock Steady Farm & Flowers will draw from their experiences, research, and community connections including work from Soul Fire’s recently published manual “Sowing the Seeds of Food Justice”. They will discuss how they make their farms financially viable and socially responsible; we will dive into food distribution models, cooperative ownership, and methods of community collaboration. There will be small group discussion and attendees will walk away inspired by and ready to take steps towards implementing changes in their work.

Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, 4:30 – 7:30pm
Cost for the workshop is free. Food will be provided. Email or call Stevie (413-665-7100) if you have questions about the workshop or location accessibility.

About the Presenters:

Rock Steady Farm & Flowers is a for-profit farm located in Millerton, NY. “We use holistic farming practices that allow us to grow high quality vegetables, cut flowers, and herbs for a diverse array of market outlets. We manage a total of 12 acres: two in flowers, six in veggies, and over four acres of rotational cover crop. We have diversified customers including our 225 person CSA, floral designers, restaurants, food pantries, social justice non-profits, and design for special events in the Hudson Valley and New York City”
“Our farm is grounded in close partnerships with other land based projects, neighbors, and non-profits who are also working to build equity in our region and beyond. We are a growing cooperatively-owned farm, with opportunities for equity for staff members after a trial period. Our farm both shares land and feeds the kitchen of the The Watershed Center, a social justice retreat and resource center for change-makers. This partnership, as well as partnership with the Northeast Community Center in Millerton, provides job-training and volunteer opportunities for a diversity of youth and adults throughout the season. Additionally, we have a growing relationship with Callen-Lorde, an LGBTQ community health center in NYC as well as The LGBTQ Center.”

Soul Fire Farm ” is a BIPOC-centered community farm committed to ending racism and injustice in the food system. We raise and distribute life-giving food as a means to end food apartheid. With deep reverence for the land and wisdom of our ancestors, we work to reclaim our collective right to belong to the earth and to have agency in the food system. We bring diverse communities together on this healing land to share skills on sustainable agriculture, natural building, spiritual activism, health, and environmental justice. We are training the next generation of activist-farmers and strengthening the movements for food sovereignty and community self-determination.”

This workshop is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award 2016-70017-25423.

Managing People: Skill-building for Supervisors and Crew Leaders
2019-04-22 14:00 - 20:30 | North Hadley Sugar Shack, 181 River Drive, Hadley, MA, 01035, United States
(Para Español, haga click aquí.)
Get the best out of your farm team 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 and greatest assets – how well are you managing it?
Join us for this two-part workshop series to build your leadership, communication, and people management skills. Presenters Richard Stup and Ethan Grundberg of Cornell bring extensive combined experience in agricultural workforce management. Spanish/English interpreting will be available upon request. Participants may attend one or both workshops; all participants are encouraged to stay for dinner and networking from 5-5:30pm.
Please register (below) by Friday, April 19th. Cost is $15 to attend both workshops, or $10 to attend one workshop, and a $5 discount is available for additional attendees from the same farm. Scholarships are also available if financial support is needed to enable farm employees to attend. Contact Kristen at 413-665-7100 x12 to let us know if you are interested in a scholarship, to request Spanish/English interpreting, or with any other questions.
Workshop 1, 2-5pm: Leading and motivating employees
This session will help you identify the skills needed to be a great supervisor of people, and begin to develop and apply these skills on your farm. You will learn strategies for effective leadership and communication, assessing performance problems, supervising a multicultural or multilingual staff, and strengthening employees’ motivation and commitment to the farm.
Dinner for all attendees: 5-5:30pm
Workshop 2, 5:30-8:30pm: Managing performance and training
One of the biggest challenges of being a supervisor is effectively communicating performance expectations to employees and ensuring that those expectations are carried out. This session will delve more deeply into effective strategies for training employees, setting clear expectations, and providing feedback to get the best out of your staff.
Register here (or by emailing Kristen):

Choose Attendance Option

Both Workshops $15.00 USDWorkshop 1: Leading & Motivating Employees $10.00 USDWorkshop 2: Managing Performance & Training $10.00 USDAdditional Attendee- Both Workshops $10.00 USDAdditional Attendee- Workshop 1: Leading & Motivating Employees $5.00 USDAdditional Attendee- Workshop 2: Managing Performance & Training $5.00 USD

Enter name of attendee:

Enter farm/business name:

Workshop presenters:
Richard Stup, Director of the Cornell University Ag Workforce Development Program, focuses on human resource management, enhancing employee engagement, regulatory compliance, and leadership development at the farm level. Prior to joining Cornell University, Richard Stup founded Ag Workforce Development, a firm focused on improving individual and team performance through organization development and technology solutions. Earlier in his career, Richard was an Extension specialist with Penn State University, where he led the Dairy Alliance team and developed award-winning educational programming in human resource management. He earned his doctorate from Penn State in the field of Workforce Education and Development, including innovative research into the effects of human resource management on farm employee organizational commitment.
Ethan Grundberg works as Cornell Cooperative Extension Vegetable Specialist in the Hudson Valley. Before coming to Cornell, Ethan worked as farm manager at Allandale Farm, a 40-acre diversified vegetable farm in eastern Massachusetts with a multicultural and multilingual staff. Prior to that, he studied Latin American History at the University of Iowa and earned his Master’s in agroecology and vegetable production at the University of California, Davis. He then managed the university’s research fields, providing instruction in safe equipment use to student employees, before returning east to work for as technical assistance and incubator farm coordinator for the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project. Other experiences that have informed his work include positions supporting community gardens in New York City and working in the northern coffee-growing region of Nicaragua, where he honed his Spanish.

Nutritional management of pasture raised animals
2019-04-29 08:30 - 13:00 | MA
Monday, April 29, 2019 8:30 am to 1 pm |
Nutritional management of pasture raised animals Topics: Pasturing versus confinement systems, nutritional challenges of raising animals on pasture, multi species grazing, forage quality
A certificate of participation from University of Connecticut Extension will be awarded to each person who completes the three classroom workshops and at least one of the field workshops.
Register for any or all of the workshops at https://goo.gl/forms/sFIqmM2oxieDkTdg2 or by emailing jean.king@uconn.edu.
Winter weather policy: February and March workshops each have a designated Snow Date. In the event of inclement weather those registered will receive an email by 5 pm of the previous day. Changes will also be posted on our website

Conservation workshop
2019-05-07 16:00 - 18:00 | MA
Conservation workshop for Hampden/Hampshire Counties farmers and forest land owners planned
The Hampden/Hampshire Counties Conservation Districts will host a workshop where farmers and forest land owners can learn about programs that offer technical and financial assistance to help them address natural resource concerns on their land. The workshop, titled Conservation Planning, Practices and Programs, will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, 195 Russell Street, Hadley, MA 01035.
Meet representatives from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Hampden/Hampshire Counties Conservation Districts who will present information about conservation planning, conservation practices and how to access federal conservation programs. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and pick up literature.
The session is free and open to the public. For more information, or if reasonable accommodation is needed to participate, please contact Barbara Miller, 413-628-4596.

Public Hearing on APR Regulations
2019-05-08 17:30 - 19:30 | John W. Olver Transit Center, Allen Meeting Room, 12 Olive St, Greenfield, MA
The Department of Agricultural Resources will hold a public hearing on amendment of 330 CMR 22.00. The Department is proposing changes to address the transfer and sale of a parcel protected by an APR.
The revised regulations will provide APR landowners with a clearer understanding of their requirements at the time of transfer, the Department’s process for review and their rights to withdraw and appeal the Department’s decision.
Testimony may be presented orally or in writing at the hearing. Written testimonies or comments will be accepted until 5:00 P.M. on Friday, May 10, 2019 by email to dorothy.du@mass.gov or by mail to Dorothy Du, 251 Causeway Street, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02114-2151.
The proposed regulation and a redline comparison version are available on the MDAR website:
330 CMR 22:00 Proposed Regulations
330 CMR 22:00 Redline
or may be obtained by calling Dorothy Du at 617-626-1741.
For special accommodations for this event or to obtain this information in an alternative format, you may contact the ADA coordinator at 617-626-1710.

Gardening the Community's Plant Sale & Gardener's Gathering
2019-05-11 09:00 - 13:00 | Gardening the Community, 200 Walnut Street, Springfield, MA, 01105, United States
Join GTC and the Springfield Food Policy Council on Saturday, May 11 for an annual Plant Sale and Gardener’s Gathering.
There will be a wide selection of healthy vegetable and fruit starts (young plants ready to go in the ground) available, along with many herbs and flowers.
Prices range from $2.00 – $4.00 for seedlings, and only $25.00 for a beautiful, overflowing hanging basket.
NEW offerings this year: Cauliflower, Celery, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Leeks, Poblano Peppers, Rosa Bianca Eggplant, White Star Eggplant, Chocolate Mint and many more! We are also offering many of last year’s favorites, such as Gandules, Aji Dulce, Kale, Sungold Cherry Tomatoes, and Lavender!
We encourage you to come shop the day of the sale! We will have a wide selection of plants available including wrapped gift plants, just in time for Mother’s Day, as well as free workshops thanks to our partnership with the Springfield Food Policy Council. GTC will host their Gardener’s Gathering from 10:00 – 12:00 — come meet your neighbors, learn something new, and celebrate spring!
Plants are available to pre-order online before April 28th. To pay for pre-order plants by cash, check, of EBT, download this form. For folks paying with a check, please mail your form and payment or stop by the Farm Store. For folks paying with EBT or cash, please bring your form and payment to our Walnut Street Farm Store at 200 Walnut St. on Wednesday or Thursday from 11:00am – 6:00pm. You can use your SNAP benefits to purchase any vegetable, fruit or herb plant!

Berkshire Backyard Beekeepers
2019-05-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Berkshire Botanical Garden, Route 102 and 183, Stockbridge, MA
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

Field Workshop: Plant identification, forage calculations, soil health/sampling, stockpiling
2019-05-15 09:00 - 12:00 | MA
Wednesday, May 15, 9 am to 12 noon
UMASS Hadley Farm, 111 North Maple St, Hadley, MA
Topics: Plant identification, forage calculations, soil health/sampling, stockpiling
Speakers: Bob Skalbite and Dr. Masoud Hasemi, UMASS
Register for this workshop at:
https://goo.gl/forms/sFIqmM2oxieDkTdg2 or by emailing jean.king@uconn.edu

These workshops are part of a 2017-2020 USDA/NESARE Professional Development Program Grant, a joint
project among the Universities of CT, MA and RI.

No-Till For Life Workshop
2019-05-25 13:00 - 16:00 | Seeds of Solidarity Education Center, 165 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange, MA
Seeds of Solidarity founder and farmer Ricky teaches regenerative, soil building techniques for low maintenance, highly productive gardens. Treating the soil as sacred results in nourishing food, mitigates impacts of climate change, and inspires a deeper relationship with that which sustains life. This event follows a free tour of the farm and education center.
$35-$50 sliding scale fee. Please email solidarity@seedsofsolidarity.org to register

An Ecological Approach to the Nursery and Greenhouse
2019-06-01 12:00 - 15:30 | Nasami Farm Nursery, 128 North Street, Whately, MA, 01093
Nursery and greenhouse plant production can maximize ecological processes and practices. This technical yet informal workshop explores how mimicking and building on natural systems can create a sustainable, safe, and successful operation.
Program Code: HOR4082
Instructor: Alexis Doshas
Fee: $46 (Member) / $56 (Nonmember)
Limit: 16
Certificate: Elective: HD/Adv.HD
CEU: MALP MCLP: 1; MNLA MCH: .5; NOFA AOLCP: 3.5
Registration: online

Slow Living Summit 2019
2019-06-06 - 2019-06-07 | Downtown Brattleboro, Brattleboro, VT
The ninth annual Slow Living Summit will take place in Brattleboro, Vermont on Thursday, June 6 and Friday, June 7 2019.
Presented by Strolling of the Heifers and Windham Grows, the Summit’s focus is “The Future of Women in Food Entrepreneurship” and its goal is to bring together diverse entrepreneurs in the farm and food industries, providing them with tools, resources, and mentorship they need to grow socially responsible businesses.
“We invite and hope that people from ALL communities can join us for this year’s Summit,” said Orly Munzing, Founder of Strolling of the Heifers. “This year will focus on women’s stories, but men, women and non-binary people are part of those stories.” Panels this year include Law in the Era of #MeToo, Non-traditional Financing for Women and Other Underserved Communities and How the Co-op Model Works for Women.
Speakers include economist, author and Honor the Earth co-founder Winona LaDuke, former Vermont gubernatorial candidate Christine Hallquist, NPR’s Planet Money host Stacey Vanek Smith and Principal Founder of Breakthru Beverage, Charles Merinoff.

Strolling of the Heifers Weekend
2019-06-07 - 2019-06-09 | Downtown Brattleboro, Brattleboro, VT
A weekend of fun and education for the whole family, built around the world-famous, agriculturally-themed Strolling of the Heifers Parade. Come down to Brattleboro’s historic Main Street and dance to the MOOOsic on Saturday, June 8!
The parade kicks off at 10 am sharp with scores of lovable heifer calves – groomed, decorated and led by future farmers. The heifers are followed by farm animals, bands, tractors, floats, clowns and surprises.
When it’s over, follow the crowd to the Slow Living Expo for food, entertainment, animals, tractors, music and family fun — plus demonstrations, a craft show and exhibits related to our mission of farm and food innovation.
And that’s not all: Stroll Weekend starts Friday night, June 7 with our Expo Festival featuring a culinary competition, Gallery Walk, music, food, fun and more. On Sunday, June 9, enjoy the Famous Farmers Breakfast, the cycling Tour de Heifer and the Farm Tour.
Always rated one of Vermont’s Top 10 Summer Events! Visit the website for the full weekend schedule!

Greater Quabbin Food Alliance Spring Gathering
2019-06-07 08:30 - 13:00 | Orange Innovation Center, 131 West Main Street, Orange, MA
Join us at the Spring biannual Greater Quabbin Food Alliance meeting on June 7th! Come share your ideas with the community, learn about local projects, and join a network of farmers, businesses, and organizations working to strengthen local food economies.

Agenda:
8:30 AM: Coffee, pastries and informal networking.
9:00 AM -12:00 PM: Welcome, lightning talks, and working groups break out.
12:00 -1:00 PM: Local lunch from Petersham Country Store & “Local Makers Market”
Attendees are encouraged to bring local, non-perishable, handmade food and farm products to sell at the gathering. Some examples of local food and farm products include honey, dried herbs, soap, maple syrup products, wool products, and candles.
Please contact AmeriCorps member Kat Kowalski with any questions about the market at kowalski@mountgrace.org.
For more information, visit quabbinfoodalliance.wordpress.com.

Field Workshop: Soil sampling, forage calculations, plant identification, grazing management
2019-06-12 09:00 - 12:00 | MA
Wednesday, June 12, 9 am to 12 noon
Windmist Farm, 71 Weeden Lane, Jamestown, RI
Topics: Soil sampling, forage calculations, plant identification, grazing management
Speakers: Andy Radin and Dr. Justine Deming, URI
Register for this workshop at:
https://goo.gl/forms/sFIqmM2oxieDkTdg2 or by emailing jean.king@uconn.edu

These workshops are part of a 2017-2020 USDA/NESARE Professional Development Program Grant, a joint
project among the Universities of CT, MA and RI.

Citizen Science with the Beecology Project
2019-06-23 10:00 - 15:00 | Nasami Farm Nursery, 128 North Street, Whately, MA, 01093
Join Dr. Robert Gegear, 2018 recipient of the Society’s Regional Impact Award, for a hands-on workshop on pollinators. Learn to identify local bumblebee species and then use the Beecology Project phone app to collect and contribute bumblebee data from field observation. This class can be taken alone or in tandem with the Ecological Pollinator Conservation class.
Program Code: BOT1511
Instructor: Robert Gegear
Fee: $66 (Member) / $80 (Nonmember)
Limit: 16
Certificate: Elective: all certificates
CEU: NOFA AOLCP: 5
Registration: online

Introduction to Landscape Ecology
2019-07-30 18:00 - 21:00 | Nasami Farm Nursery, 128 North Street, Whately, MA, 01093
Landscape ecology is the science of understanding the interaction of ecological processes on a multitude of scales and spatial patterns, with an aim at improving and supporting these systems for a healthy environment. In this intro class, we explore the principles of landscape ecology, examine case studies, and take a brief field walk to orient ourselves to thinking BIG!
Program Code: HOR8025
Fee: $40 (Member) / $48 (Nonmember)
Limit: 16
Certificate: Elective: all certificates
CEU: MALP MCLP: 1; NOFA AOLCP: 3
Cosponsor: Ecological Landscape Alliance
Registration: online

Seed Saving
2019-08-18 10:00 - 15:00 | Nasami Farm Nursery, 128 North Street, Whately, MA, 01093
Seed saving brings tremendous benefits to the willing gardener. Learn how seeds develop, stay dormant, and germinate. This hands-on workshop covers harvesting, cleaning, and storing a wide spectrum of native seeds. Spend time in the field observing and collecting seeds, then practice cleaning. Take your seeds home at the end of class. Bring a lunch and dress appropriately for the field.
Program Code: HOR3205
Instructor: Kate Stafford
Fee: $66 (Member) / $80 (Nonmember)
Limit: 16
Certificate: Elective: all certificates
CEU: MALP MCLP: 1; NOFA AOLCP: 5
Cosponsor: Ecological Landscape Alliance
Registration: online

Webinar: Right Animal, Right Place, Right Time
2019-08-26 19:00 - 20:00 | MA
Webinar: Right Animal, Right Place, Right Time
When: Tuesday, August 27th, 2019
Time: 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: ONLINE
Cost: FREE!!!
Livestock can be a wonderful tool for both farm profitability and ecological health of the farm, if only managed correctly. Understanding the way animals behave, and thinking of our role as orchestrating their movement through a habitat is critical to maintain the health of the animals and of the land. Join this webinar to explore the key considerations for ruminants, pigs, and poultry and ways they can be ecologically managed on the farm.
Presenter: Steve Gabriel of Wellspring Forest Farm in New York
The Webinar can be accessed by registering below:
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2119803841754614284
Webinar ID: 907-005-635
To Join the Webinar by Phone: 415-655-0060 access code: 118-986-808
As always, NOFA’s webinars are free and past episodes can be viewed on our YouTube page. If you want a reminder for this webinar, feel free to contact me on 413-214-1237 or email me at anna@nofamass.org.

Attorney General Meeting on Overtime
2019-09-13 13:00 - 14:00 | MA
“I am writing to invite you to a meeting with State Representative Natalie Blais, The Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development’s office, and the Attorney General’s office to discuss the implications of the recent Chang Farm ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC). The meeting will occur on Friday, September 13th at 1pm at Nourse Farms in Whately.
In March, the SJC ruled that workers involved in on-farm “preparation for market” activities are not exempt from overtime pay while doing tasks that are considered “preparation for market”. It had been the understanding for many years that market preparation was exempt from overtime requirements.
This ruling has had significant implications for many farms across the Commonwealth. The Attorney General’s office is responsible for enforcing these policies. At the request of State Representative Natalie Blais, staff has agreed to meet with local farmers to give an overview of overtime rules and regulations and will do their best to answer questions to help you to understand the application of the ruling. The Attorney General’s office will do their best to answer questions and provide clarification on the grey areas that exist in regards to what constitutes “preparation for market” activities versus other farm tasks which are covered by the overtime exemption.
Please note that the purpose of this meeting is not to discuss or argue the merits or logic of the SJC ruling as the ruling is beyond the control of these offices. Rather, this meeting is intended to help you gain a clearer understanding of the implications of the ruling and how it will be enforced.
Please pass this invitation on to other farmers who might have an interest.
If you would like to attend please RSVP by September 9th, 2019 to lily.wallace@mahouse.gov
Any questions, please let me know.
Brad Mitchell
MA Farm Bureau
508.481.4766

Explore Farming Workshop
2019-09-22 10:00 - 17:00 | MA
Explore Farming Workshop
Sunday, September 22 from 10:00am – 12:00pm
New Entry Farmer Training Center: 733 Cabot Street, Moraine Farm, Beverly, MA
This free two hour workshop includes activities and presentations to bring your interest in farming to the next level.
You will learn about local food systems, what it means to be a farmer in New England, and the next steps you can take toward starting your own farm business.
The workshop will also include a presentation on New Entry’s courses and services and a tour of the incubator farm!
To register click here

Workshop: Get the most out of your farm's POS system
2019-09-24 18:00 - 20:30 | Polish American Citizens Club, 46 South Main Street, South Deerfield, 01373
Calling all farmstand and store managers! Get expert advice from presenter Erin Pirro of Farm Credit East on how to use your point-of-sale system to make better business decisions for your farm. A well designed point-of-sale system is key to farm profitability, yet few farms come close to maximizing the potential of their point-of-sale systems. Taking time to choose the right system and set it up well can pay off many times over in the long run. Learn how to use your point-of-sale system most effectively to stay on top of sales trends, look at margins, track your inventory, and increase farm profitability. Dinner will be provided. The cost is $12 per person for Local Hero members and $15 for non-members. Register below, or contact Kristen Wilmer at 413-665-7100, ext. 12 with any questions.

Choose Attendance Option

LH Non-Member $15.00 USDLH Member $12.00 USD

Enter name of attendee:

Enter farm/business name:

Farm to School Sales Tour: Western Mass. Food Processing Center
2019-10-03 15:00 - 17:00 | MA
Join us for our Fall Farm & Food Tour Series
We are excited to announce a series of farm and food tours at sites across Massachusetts. These tours are designed for school nutrition professionals and school administrators interested in expanding their use of local foods in school meals, but are open to everyone!
Pre-registration is required, please click the links below to register for each tour individually.
[All events will be held rain or shine.]
10/3/19, 3:00-5:00PM: Western Mass. Food Processing Center, Greenfield, MA
Come out to the Western Mass Food Processing Center at Franklin County CDC for a tour and discussion about farm to school sales. Join us for a guided tour of the processing center and a chance to meet and speak with FCCDC staff, and we’ll hear from some local farmers and school buyers.
The Western Mass Food Processing Center helps growers and food entrepreneurs add value to food grown locally. Through their Extended Season program they increase the region’s capacity to lightly process fruits and vegetables (freezing and canning) in order to make local food accessible to institutional buyers year-round. The Center freezes up to 100,000 lbs of regional produce annually for consumption in local schools, such as carrot coins, broccoli, squash, potatoes and bell peppers. Throughout the tour you will have the opportunity to learn about purchasing from the Center to help you source locally now and into the future.
Location: 324 Wells St, Greenfield, MA 01301
Register here: Western Mass Food Processing Center Tour

Pests and Pets, Managing Animals in the Packhouse
2019-10-08 17:00 - 19:00 | MA
When: Tuesday, October 8, 2019 from 5 pm to 7 pm
Where: UMass Agricultural Learning Center, 911 North Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003
Packhouse pests, including birds and rodents, affect produce quality and pose food safety risks. They can also be hard to get rid of! New food safety regulations require that covered farms have a pest control program to minimize food safety risks. Learn how to implement a pest control program on your farm and how to manage risks posed by even beloved animals, like cats and dogs.
SPEAKERS

Amanda Brown, UMass Student Farm Enterprise – designing a new packhouse and getting certified by the Commonwealth Quality Program
Hans Estrin, UVM Extension – considerations for building or retrofitting your wash/pack space with an eye toward food safety
Natasha Wright, Braman Termite & Pest Elimination – tips and techniques from the professionals
Jim Ward – How we control birds at Ward’s Berry Farm
Wally Czajkowski – How we control rodents at Plainville Farm

The meeting will be followed by a light dinner and time for questions and discussion
This event is FREE, but please RSVP so we can plan ahead for dinner
**1 pesticide recertification credit available**
REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pests-and-pets-managing-animals-in-the-packhouse-tickets-72589287513
Contact Lisa McKeag at 413-545-1051 or lmckeag@umass.edu for more information

Farm Business Planning Course
2019-10-15 18:00 - 21:00 | MA
Farm Business Planning Course
October 15 to December 3: Every Tuesday from 6:00pm – 9:00pm
(includes remote online classes)
New Entry Farmer Training Center: 733 Cabot Street, Moraine Farm, Beverly, MA
Instructors: Kevin Cody and Ben Zoba
What to Expect
Over the eight-week course, you will create a plan to start or grow your farm business. Throughout this course you will learn how to:

Create a mission and vision for your business
Develop a budget and a plan to fund your business
Create a marketing plan for your business
Set goals and create a timeline for your farm business to grow
Weave those elements together into a cohesive business plan

*Completion of this course is necessary to be eligible for the New Entry Farm Incubator Program
Pricing
The cost of the course is $400.
If you are worried about affording the course, we offer scholarship opportunities to those with financial need.
Registration
To register, click here.
After registering, click here to pay for the course on EventBrite.
If you have any further questions about the Farm Business Planning Course visit our website, contact Kevin Cody at kevin.cody@tufts.edu or call (978) 529-2362.

4th Annual Producer and Buyer Forum
2019-10-16 08:30 - 14:30 | MA
Announcing the 4th Annual Producer and Buyer Forum
With Keynote Speaker Dan Horan of Five Acre Farms
Discussing the Rewards and Risks of Growth
MIDDLEBURY, VT – All growers, food producers, retail and institutional buyers and distributors are invited to attend the 2019 Producer and Buyer Forum. Hosted in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, Vermont Farm to Plate and ACORN, the Forum will take place on October 16 at Middlebury College’s Kirk Alumni Center. The Forum will include a Keynote by Dan Horan of “Positively Local” Five Acre Farms in N.Y. who will bring a comprehensive perspective on the rewards and risks of growing your business. Having attended two of the three past Forums, Dan recognizes the unique opportunities this business to business sharing forum provides to farmers and growers to learn from each other in an engaging format.
Dan has been creating and building food and farming businesses for 25 years. He founded Five Acre Farms to make high-quality, healthy food more broadly available and to keep farmers farming. Previously, Dan served for ten years as President & CEO of Papaya King, the New York-based restaurant company, and was a General Manager at Gourmet Garage, an independent supermarket in New York City. In 1990, Dan founded Waldingfield Farm, an organic vegetable farm in Washington, Connecticut. As the business grew, he recruited his two younger brothers to join him, and Waldingfield Farm continues to operate to this day. Dan graduated from Tufts University and earned an MBA from the Yale School of Management.
Following the keynote are round table discussions addressing the rewards and risks associated with food business growth, touching on issues of capitalization, distribution, and trucking to reach intended markets. There is a full two-hour lunch which will provide plenty of time for networking, another element that makes this event so unique. These conversations are all centered around the theme: “Rewards & Risks of Growing Your Food Business.”
Some of our speaker highlights include:

Allie Dercoli of FinAllie will give insights on buying directly from local vegetable producers
Heather Belcher of Sweet Clover Market will offer advice from a buyer and understanding business growth objectives
Dominique Giroux from the VT Agency of Ag helps buyers learn about food safety standards
Seth MacCausland of Pumpkin Village Foods is a distributor who sells Vermont products to buyers in Brooklyn, NY
Benjy Adler of Skinny Pancake will discuss their mission to purchase from local suppliers across all categories and to expand to the greater Northeast region

ACORN hosted the first Forum in March 2016 to bring together buyers and producers around topics of interest to increase distribution opportunities. The VAAFM and Farm to Plate support this year’s event with funding from a USDA grant. The Forum is a great opportunity to develop new relationships and stimulate new business. Jake Claro, Vermont Farm to Plate’s Director, says of the event, “The Producer Buyer Forum provides a unique opportunity to get insider intel on market trends and practices while creating space for forming and deepening business to business relationships, both of which are essential to successfully navigating the rewards and risks of growth.”
Join other businesses for engaging conversations on the state of local and regional markets and the rewards and risks associated with expansion. Space is very limited; all food categories, buyers and distributors are welcome. This event is #RootedinVermont. Register at acornvt.org
Questions: Contact Annie Harlow 802-922-7060
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Time: 8:30AM – 2:30 PM. Registration opens at 8:30AM. A local foods lunch will be served.
Location: Middlebury College’s Kirk Alumni Center, 217 Golf Course Rd, Middlebury
Cost: Early registration $30 (includes coffee, light refreshments and a local foods lunch).
Price increases Oct 13
Please purchase your ticket at http://www.acornvt.org

Hemp Cultivation: Seed to Salve
2019-10-19 09:00 - 17:00 | MA
Saturday Oct 19, 2019 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Free – $90.00
For more information and to register, click here.
Hemp production is on the rise nationally, as is demand for locally sourced hemp flower-derived products. With that in mind, Massachusetts farmers are diversifying their crop plans. Come learn how hemp fits into your farm. With its broad range of uses, hemp has significant potential for cultivation on a large scale as well as for home remedies and value added products. Join NOFA/Mass for this full-day intensive seminar to hear Dr. Heather Darby, lead agronomist on the UVM Industrial Hemp Research Program, present on hemp agronomy, strain genetics, transplant care, soil preparation, fertility needs, pest and disease management, and large scale production techniques. Keith Morris, of Willow Crossing Farm in VT, will focus on how to diversify with hemp and grow for cannabinoid production (ie, CBD). He will cover extracting cannabinoids from hemp flowers on the farm, proper harvest windows and ways to craft a high-quality finished product. Sarah Grubin, MDAR, will provide a thorough overview of the regulations around hemp production in Massachusetts including what farmers need to know to prepare their farms to grow this crop. Stay for a conversation with Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director, and other Massachusetts hemp activists about current advocacy to improve the hemp laws and regulations in Massachusetts and important ways to take action.
Agricultural hemp is a variant of the Cannabis sativa plant with less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound most widely associated with cannabis use. Prior to the use of cannabis as a drug or medicine, low-THC cultivars of hemp were grown for textiles, rope, and paper. The plant can be a vigorous soil-builder, improving soil health and acting as a beneficial addition to cash crop rotations. Modern applications of agricultural hemp include biofuels and eco-friendly component replacements for concrete and plastics. However, the strongest current market for hemp is in the production of hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as the increasingly popular CBD oil, which many people are finding as a non-addictive remedy for wide-ranging health issues including pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression and insomnia.
A working knowledge of, and experience with, farming and food production techniques is assumed for this intensive. Participants will leave this intensive workshop with the knowledge needed to prepare for and plan their agricultural hemp enterprise.
Agenda:
10:00am – Welcome
10:15am – Dr. Heather Darby and Broadacre Cultivation
Noon – Potluck lunch*
1:00pm – Keith Morris: Small Scale Cultivation and Processing
3:00pm – MDAR Sarah Grubin: State Regulations and Permitting Process
4:30pm – Hemp Advocacy Update
5:00pm – Wrap Up
*In order to keep this event affordable for our participants, lunch for this event is potluck-style. Participants are expected to bring a food item to contribute, their own utensils and a list of ingredients to accommodate those with food sensitivities.
Instructors:
Dr. Heather Darby is an agronomic and soils specialist for the University of Vermont Extension, where she is the lead agronomist on the UVM Industrial Hemp Research Program. Heather was raised on a dairy farm in Northwestern Vermont and continues to operate her own farm; her practical experience, complemented by her education have focused her attention towards sustainable agriculture and promotion of environmental stewardship of the land. Heather is involved with implementing many research and outreach programs in the areas of fuel, forage and grain production systems in New England. Outreach programs have focused on delivering on-farm education in the areas of soil health, nutrient management, organic grain and forage production, and oilseed production. Research has focused on traditional and niche crop variety trials, including agricultural hemp production, weed management strategies and cropping systems development.
Keith Morris is the founder of Willow Crossing Farm, Vermont’s longest running Permaculture/ Agroforestry Research Site- producing fruits, nuts, eggs, herbs, nursery plants, solar power, farm dinners, educational events, kids programs, nature and yoga education with local schools, and small farm-based music festivals. Willow Crossing has been implemented entirely debt-free, and without pre-existing capital- through sweat equity and deliberate financial permaculture/ community-supported social design. Off farm, Keith helps growers and communities design appropriate infrastructure to make food systems more regenerative, resilient, and connected; and started the Permaculture Education programs at the University of Vermont, Sterling College, the Yestermorrow Design Build School, St. Mikes College, and Paul Smiths College, and with the USAID Farmer to Farmer Program.
Sarah Grubin is MDARs Hemp Program Coordinator. She earned her MS in Entomology from Oregon State University, where she studied integrated pest management and biological control. Sarah began working with MDAR in 2013 as an insect survey and detection specialist for the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program. When the Industrial Hemp Program was formed in 2018, she jumped at the opportunity to help build the program from the ground up.
Hemp Panelists:
Marty Dagoberto is the NOFA/Mass Policy Director. With a degree in biotechnology and plant physiology from WPI, he now serves as a community organizer, educator, activist and lobbyist working toward food sovereignty, social justice, climate action and regenerative agriculture. A member of Guiding Star Grange #1, he lives in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts where he spends time growing and wildcrafting medicine, renovating an old farm, and connecting with allies toward cultural regeneration and Nature reconnection.
Michelle Louise Bicking is a licensed clinical social worker, Justice of the Peace and aspiring herbalist originally from Brooklyn, New York. She is a first generation Bajan (Barbados)/Vincentian (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) American that identified as an emerging woman farmer of color. As CEO/Founder of Tabanca Bay, a woman and global-majority lead craft beverage enterprise, she is looking to channel her life-long commitment to service into hosting agriculture-oriented seminars targeting aspiring farmers of color.
Julia Agron has been a passionate cannabis advocate for nearly 30 years. Working in partnership with her husband, a permaculture designer and organic landcare professional, they founded Trees of Life Farm with one mission: grow hemp; save the world. Julia is a co-founder of the Northeast Sustainable Hemp Association and is working to grow the organization’s focus on education, collaboration, research and advocacy to foster a sustainable, and just, regional hemp industry, and to ensure a place in it for the small farmer.

New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference & Trade Show
2019-11-14 08:00 - 17:00 | MA
New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference & Trade Show
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton, 700 Elm St., Manchester, NH
When: Tuesday – Thursday, December 10-12, 2019
REGISTRATION: https://newenglandvfc.org/registration
Registration is now open for the 2019 New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference and Trade Show! This program is planned collaboratively by growers and Extension professionals from throughout the region. It features more than 30 educational sessions over 3 days, covering vegetable, berry, and tree fruit crops and various special topics. Farmer-to-Farmer sessions bring speakers and farmers together for informal discussion, and our extensive trade show has over 120 exhibitors.
Get more details here, including the full program.

Product Spotlight: Increasing Regionally Sourced Grains in Institutions [Webinar]
2019-11-19 14:00 - 15:00 | MA
Tuesday November 19th, 2019 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET
Free of Charge l Register Now
Host Organization: Farm to Institution New England (FINE)
Is your institution looking to expand your local menu items? When it comes to reaching your institution’s sustainable food goals, grains are an important piece of the puzzle. Join FINE and the New England Farm & Sea to Campus Network (FSCN) for a one-hour webinar to learn more about regional grain production and how it can be a cost effective choice for your institution. Across the state of Maine, allies are working to transform the grain economy by increasing production and reducing procurement bottlenecks while serving and educating customers.
Learn more about grain resources, research, and success stories from the farm to institution world. Amber Lambke of Maine Grains will discuss the scale and land required to produce grains regionally. She will also share leading examples of food service operations that are preparing local grains deliciously and economically. Amber will be joined by two other speakers, who are all seeding ideas to grow the New England grain economy. Tristan Noyes of the Maine Grain Alliance will share educational and procurement resources for institutions. He will discuss the Alliance’s work to restore grain varieties while also increasing the supply of unique and heritage seeds to commercial viability on farms. He will speak to some of the industry’s challenges and solutions, including exciting grain infrastructure enhancements that are alleviating procurement bottlenecks. Maeve McInnis, Sodexo’s Maine Course Director will offer an institutional perspective on using regionally grown grains in university dining halls and their efforts to engage and educate students and staff in their support of this regional supply chain.
Speakers

Amber Lambke, CEO, Maine Grains, Inc.
Tristan Noyes, Executive Director, Maine Grain Alliance
Maeve Mcinnis, Maine Course Director, Sodexo

Amber Lambke is founder and CEO of Maine Grains, Inc., carried by specialty food stores and used by bakeries, breweries and chefs throughout the Northeast. She is also the founding director of the non-profit Maine Grain Alliance whose flagship event, the Kneading Conference, now draws hundreds of attendees from around the world each year and has spawned countless similar conferences. A driving force behind Maine’s sustainable foods movement, Amber has worked with local business leaders and community members to successfully bring the cultivation and processing of grains back to the northeast. Her efforts have generated a broader understanding and appreciation of the flavor, nutrition and economic value of freshly milled, organic grains.
Tristan Noyes is the executive director of the Maine Grain Alliance (MGA), an organization fostering the revitalization of local and regional grain economies. Tristan and his brother Jon also co-founded and lead GROMAINE, an organic farm in Aroostook County that specializes in producing leafy greens, potatoes and ancient grains. Prior to starting Gromaine, Tristan served as Director at EF Education, a company specializing in breaking down the barriers of language, culture, and geography. Most recently Tristan has helped spearhead Taste Maine’s Future, an initiative focused on creating new sales channels for Maine food producers through education, storytelling and celebratory events. Tristan is a graduate of Bowdoin College.
Maeve McInnis is the Maine Course Director with Sodexo. In this position, she oversees the local food purchasing all of the company’s accounts in the state of Maine, including the University of Maine. McInnis, originally from Cape Neddick, ME and a current resident of Portland, earned a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management with a specialization in Food & the Environment from The New School in New York. She sits on the board of the Portland Food Council and the Maine Grain Alliance. Her passion for social justice, local food systems, and the environment makes her the perfect person to lead this effort to serve more local food at a variety of sites throughout Maine.
FINE’s Farm & Sea to Campus webinar series creates peer-to-peer learning opportunities for dining program directors, chefs, foodservice operators, supply chain businesses, and other community partners who are engaged in procuring and promoting New England food. This webinar is the second in a series focusing on specific product categories and how to improve local sourcing. See our other webinars to date on seafood and meat.
Register Now

Farm to School 101
2019-11-21 09:00 - 15:00 | MA
Chicopee Fresh Presents
FARM TO SCHOOL 101
N O V E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 9
9 : 0 0 A M – 3 : 0 0 P M
U M A S S A M H E R S T
A FREE workshop series for K-12 food service professionals looking to kickstart their farm to school programs. Our second event of the series will take place in the Pioneer Valley.
REGISTER BY 11/15 TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
