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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220919T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220919T170000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220907T181629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220913T155546Z
UID:40832-1663603200-1663606800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Will the Inflation Reduction Act Bring New Funding for Farms and Food Systems?
DESCRIPTION:The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) recently passed by Congress includes significant funding for agriculture\, much of it focused on climate change adaptation and conservation. Join CISA and Jesse Womack from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition for a deep dive into the programs and funding that will be available to farms here in Massachusetts and beyond. Jesse will fill us in on key elements of the bill impacting how the funds will be spent\, how the programs will support the expansion of climate resilient food systems\, and how the IRA will impact next year’s Farm Bill renewal. \nAbout the presenter:\nJesse grew up working as labor on various farms and holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Masters in Food and Agricultural Law and Policy from Vermont Law School. After undergrad\, Jesse served as an Americorps VISTA developing programing for local food farms and businesses in southern Minnesota. Jesse transitioned from that role to leading a nine-county agricultural resilience study while coordinating programing for the Feast! Local Foods Network. Most recently\, Jesse worked with the Nature Conservancy in Ohio to improve water quality and carbon outcomes by promoting conservation practices to farmers. \nWorkshop brought to you by CISA and Central Mass Grown. \nRegister here!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/will-the-inflation-reduction-act-bring-new-funding-for-farms-and-food-systems/
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220831T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220831T203000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220823T134544Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220823T134544Z
UID:40746-1661972400-1661977800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Navigating USDA: FSA and NRCS Services (virtual)
DESCRIPTION:Wondering what USDA resources are available to help you achieve your farming goals? Concerned about climate change and contemplating how to manage risk in your operations? \nJoin The Carrot Project and the Northern RI Conservation District for a virtual workshop on accessing USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs on Wednesday\, August 31st at 7pm. To register for the Zoom workshop\, please follow the link in our bio. \nRegister here. \nThis workshop is intended as an inclusive space for growers – particularly BIPOC\, Women\, and Beginning growers from MA\, CT\, and RI – to learn and ask questions. We’ll be covering how to register for a farm and tract number and how producers can apply for and benefit from FSA loans\, FSA disaster assistance\, USDA whole farm insurance\, and NRCS conservation programs. We’ll also cover special provisions available to BIPOC\, Women\, and Beginning growers. Our goal is to demystify these USDA programs and support folks in accessing the resources available to them. \nThis workshop is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture\, under agreement number FSA21CPT0011950. USDA is an equal opportunity provider\, employer\, and lender.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/navigating-usda-fsa-and-nrcs-services-virtual/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220830T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220901T170000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220308T174335Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220803T150956Z
UID:39598-1661846400-1662051600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:2022 International Workshop on Agritourism conference
DESCRIPTION:Registration for the 2022 International Workshop on Agritourism conference in Burlington\, Vermont\, on August 31-September 1\, 2022 is now open. \nPlease forward\, post or share the following calendar announcement widely. \nINTERNATIONAL AGRITOURISM CONFERENCE TO BE HELD\nIN BURLINGTON\, VERMONT\, USA\nAUGUST 30 – SEPTEMBER 1\, 2022 \nParticipants from Italy\, South Africa\, India\, Honduras\, the United States\, Canada\, and dozens of other counties will gather in person and virtually to share on-farm experiences\, research\, and expertise with their international colleagues at the 2022 International Workshop on Agritourism\, August 30 – September 1\, 2022. Attendees will include farmers and ranchers\, tourism professionals\, researchers\, educators\, agricultural service providers\, policy makers\, rural economy experts\, and more. Topics will include running and marketing an agritourism business\, managing farm stays\, promoting rural development\, creating regional partnerships\, and sharing research and case studies. The conference will be held at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain Hotel in downtown Burlington and online. \nFor more info or to register\, visit www.agritourismworkshop.com.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/2022-international-workshop-on-agritourism-conference/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220803T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220803T193000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220714T185850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220801T181922Z
UID:40496-1659547800-1659555000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:POSTPONED: On-farm Workshop: Irrigation Systems and Management at Warner Farm
DESCRIPTION:On-farm Workshop: Irrigation Systems and Management at Warner Farm \nPOSTPONED\, future date TBD \nWarner Farm\, 23 South Main Street Sunderland\, MA \nRegister Here \nWarner Farm\, a CSA and wholesale farm as well as the home of Mike’s Corn Maze\, located in Sunderland\, MA\, has been developing its irrigation capacity since the late 1970s. The farm’s rich sandy loam has been growing fruit and vegetable crops for centuries and as a changing climate brings changing precipitation patterns to New England\, Warner Farm is poised to respond effectively in times of drought. \nJoin CISA and Dave Wissemann of Warner Farm for an up close look at how they are optimizing their water resources and water distribution systems to ensure the sustainable production of crops throughout the season and in the face of increasingly uncertain growing conditions. \nThe workshop includes a farm walk to see irrigation equipment and set up and a detailed explanation of how the farm’s systems are designed and maintained. Following the farm walk\, join us for further discussion and some locally produced drinks and snacks! \nTo attend\, register and pay here (workshop fee is $10\, waiver available upon request.) \nFor more information\, contact Stephen Taranto\, CISA Climate Program Coordinator\, 413-665-7100\, ext. 17.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/on-farm-workshop-irrigation-systems-and-management-at-warner-farm/
LOCATION:Warner Farm\, 23 South Main Street\, Sunderland\, MA\, 01375\, United States
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220622T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220623T150000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220425T191713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220425T191713Z
UID:39906-1655888400-1655996400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Course: Successful Food Product Development for New Food Businesses: Managing Food Quality & Safety (virtual)
DESCRIPTION:Virtual Course: Successful Food Product Development for New Food Businesses: Managing Food Quality & Safety \nEvent date/time: \nWednesday\, June 22\, 2022 – 9:00am to 3:00pm EDT \nThursday\, June 23\, 2022 – 9:00am to 3:00pm EDT \n—————- \nAre you an entrepreneur developing new and exciting products? Do you have questions about ensuring the safety of your product? If so\, this is the program for you! Common Wealth Kitchen is collaborating with UMass Amherst and other regional educators to introduce food safety and important considerations when developing a new food product. This virtual\, live\, and interactive course will address the key attributes of formulating a product from concept to commercialization. This course will also be offered in-person in the fall of 2022 and hosted by CISA in the Pioneer Valley and was previously offered by CISA virtually in 2021. \nClick here for more information.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/virtual-course-successful-food-product-development-for-new-food-businesses-managing-food-quality-safety-virtual/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220615T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220615T193000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220602T183845Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220602T184505Z
UID:40276-1655314200-1655321400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Workshop: Drainage & Irrigation Adaptations at Kitchen Garden Farm
DESCRIPTION:Workshop: Drainage & Irrigation Adaptations at Kitchen Garden Farm \nPart of the Adapting Your Farm to Climate Change Annual Workshop Series 2022 \nWednesday\, June 15\, 5:30-7:30pm \nClick here to register. \nJoin Sunderland MA’s Kitchen Garden Farm and Joshua Faulkner of the University of Vermont’s Climate Change and Farming program for an inside look at tile drainage and drip irrigation adaptation practices in action. In 2019\, Kitchen Garden installed a new tile drainage system – one of only a few that has been installed locally in recent years. And since 2008\, the farm has been refining an irrigation system that covers field crops\, high tunnels\, and the farm’s propagation house. The first on-farm workshop after CISA’s Adapting Your Farm to Climate Change Annual Workshop Series kick-off webinar (view here)\, this farmer-focused event will share Kitchen Garden’s experiences with the two systems and answer your questions as you consider adaptations of your own. \nJoin CISA at Kitchen Garden for this workshop – and join us for drinks\, snacks\, and networking afterwards! \nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/workshop-drainage-irrigation-adaptations-at-kitchen-garden-farm/
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220504T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220504T150000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220228T215641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220315T150238Z
UID:39504-1651672800-1651676400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:SNAP training for farm employees (session option 1 of 2)
DESCRIPTION:Make sure your farm stand and farmers’ market staff are ready to accept SNAP this summer by having them attend this SNAP employee training. \nEmployees will learn SNAP basics including what EBT cards look like\, what items are SNAP eligible\, and how to run a SNAP transaction. Attendees will come away knowing how SNAP works and how to successfully and legally run a transaction on Conduent and TotilPay machines. \nThis training will also cover the SNAP protocols and rules that the USDA requires businesses to cover with their employees every year. \nThis training is for employees who will be processing SNAP transactions. Open to all staff of farm businesses that accept SNAP. \nThis session is being offered at two times which you can choose from: Wednesday\, May 4\, 2-3pm and Thursday\, May 19\, 10-11am. \nRegister here!  \nA list of employees who attended the training can be provided to the employer\, to satisfy the USDA’s requirement that SNAP trainings for staff be documented.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/snap-training-for-farm-employees/
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220503T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220503T193000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220421T114844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220421T114844Z
UID:39887-1651600800-1651606200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:sesión de información sobre el Plan de Acción de Tierras Agrícolas de Massachusetts
DESCRIPTION:Por medio de la presente le invitamos a asistir a una sesión de información sobre el Plan de Acción de Tierras Agrícolas de Massachusetts el martes 3 de mayo\, de 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.  Esperamos que todas las personas interesadas en apoyar la agricultura y el acceso a las tierras de cultivo en Massachusetts se registren y asistan a tan importante evento.  Esta sesión se llevará a cabo en español. \nEl propósito del plan de acción de tierras agrícolas de MA es desarrollar objetivos y recomendaciones a nivel estatal para aumentar la protección de las tierras agrícolas\, el acceso a las tierras agrícolas\, la seguridad alimentaria y la viabilidad económica y ambiental a largo plazo de las granjas en todas las regiones del estado. El Departamento de Recursos Agrícolas de Massachusetts (MDAR) está apoyando el desarrollo del plan y ha contratado al Instituto UMass Donahue para recopilar los aportes y recomendaciones de agricultores\, defensores\, trabajadores agrícolas\, inversionistas\, terratenientes\, fideicomisos de tierras\, proveedores de asistencia técnica agrícola\, científicos\, funcionarios públicos\, formuladores de políticas y otros que apoyan la agricultura y las tierras agrícolas en Massachusetts.  \nEsperamos que asista a una sesión de información con el objetivo de compartir sus ideas y sugerencias para el Plan de Acción de Tierras Agrícolas de Massachusetts. Los aportes de las partes interesadas como usted son clave para el desarrollo exitoso de un plan. \nLa sesión de escucha se llevará a cabo en Zoom el: \n\nMartes 3 de mayo\, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM\n\nHaga clic AQUÍ para registrarse para la sesión de información antes del 2 de mayo.  El enlace ampliado es: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIsdeioqz4tHdaxoe9GA8IDuxFtTxF2jkbK \nDespués de registrarse\, recibirá información para unirse a una reunión de Zoom con un enlace único. Por favor\, no comparta este enlace con otras personas. \nEsperamos que pueda unirse. Si tiene preguntas\, comuníquese con Sonia Bouvier\, Gerente de Proyectos del Instituto UMass Donahue en sbouvier@donahue.umass.edu. También puede enviar sugerencias por escrito en inglés o español a mafarm-act-plan@donahue.umass.edu
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/sesion-de-informacion-sobre-el-plan-de-accion-de-tierras-agricolas-de-massachusetts/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220503T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220503T193000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220421T114643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220421T114643Z
UID:39885-1651600800-1651606200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Listening Session on the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan
DESCRIPTION:You are invited to attend a Listening Session on the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan. All who are interested in supporting farming and access to farmland in Massachusetts are encouraged to register and attend. This session will be conducted by two Spanish-speaking facilitators. \nThe purpose of the MA Farmland Action plan is to develop state level goals and recommendations for increasing farmland protection\, farmland access\, food security\, and the long-term economic and environmental viability of farms across all regions of the state. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is supporting the development of the plan\, and has engaged the UMass Donahue Institute to gather the input and recommendations from farmers\, advocates\, farm workers\, investors\, landowners\, land trusts\, agricultural technical assistance providers\, scientists\, public officials\, policy makers\, and other who support farming and farmland in Massachusetts.  \nWe hope you will attend the Listening Session to share your ideas and suggestions for the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan. Input from stakeholders like you are key to the successful development of a plan. \nThe Listening Sessions will be held on Zoom on: \n\nTuesday\, May 3\, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM\n\nClick HERE to register for the Listening Session by May 2. The expanded link is: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIsdeioqz4tHdaxoe9GA8IDuxFtTxF2jkbK \nAfter you register\, you will receive information to join a Zoom meeting with a unique link. Please do not share this link with others. \nWe hope you can join. If you have questions please contact Sonia Bouvier\, Project Manager with UMass Donahue Institute at sbouvier@donahue.umass.edu. You may also submit written suggestions in English or Spanish to mafarm-act-plan@donahue.umass.edu
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/listening-session-on-the-massachusetts-farmland-action-plan/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220422T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220422T170000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220308T134200Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220308T134200Z
UID:39582-1650618000-1650646800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Making a Livelihood on the Land
DESCRIPTION:Making a Livelihood on the Land: A live\, on-site workshop for new or aspiring farmers\n \nFriday April 22\, 2022\n9am to 5PM\nAt Seeds of Solidarity Farm and Education Center\, Orange MA \nApplication required\, read on for link (due 4/1 or sooner!) \nSliding scale (powered by generosity) \nSeeds of Solidarity is excited to host this workshop at their successful small vegetable farm created on land many deemed un-farmable\, and in a low wealth community. The paradigm of farming on expansive acreage with expensive machinery is inaccessible to most\, and often not ecologically or personally sustainable. Roadblocks to farming as a livelihood are based in centuries of injustice that impact who has access to land\, resources\, and power. Farming must be reimagined so young\, low wealth\, and farmers of color can stay in\, feed\, and forge a livelihood in their urban\, rural\, or suburban communities\, or in those to which they relocate. \nIf you are a new or aspiring farmer in the Northeast seeking:  \n\n·      expertise on creative ways to find and access land\n·      ideas for funds and financing\n·      low-budget farming techniques for personal and climate resilience\n·      conversation about allies and community building\n\nApply here by April 1 for this workshop held LIVE at beautiful Seeds of Solidarity Farm. \nA terrific group of co-presenters is excited to share expertise and inspiration with you. \nWe are: Leigh Youngblood\, Land Justice Consultant; Rose Arruda\, MA Food Ventures and Urban Agriculture coordinator at MDAR; Rebecca Busansky\, PV Grows Investment Fund Manager at Franklin County CDC; Shaunia Flowers creator of 2 Cents Homegrown urban holistic herb\, produce and flower farm; Ricky Baruc and Deb Habib\, Seeds of Solidarity co-founders\, farmers\, and food justice workers. \nWe are striving for a participant group that is at least 50% people of color and/or low-wealth. In dedication to a rising\, diverse generation of new farmers\, we offer this workshop at a deeply discounted sliding scale rate of $15 to $85 with lunch included (actual value of $185). Spaces are limited. Apply here by April 1 or sooner.  Bonus: Participants may choose to stay for Saturday morning April 23 to receive support for their own farm visions. \nThis workshop is made possible through generosity\nVisit www.seedsofsolidarity.org for more workshop details including presenter info\nAnd our other programs\, workshops\, and events.\nCDC advised COVID protocol current on the workshop date will be followed
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/making-a-livelihood-on-the-land/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220406T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220406T130000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220224T191003Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220224T191003Z
UID:39487-1649246400-1649250000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Make Your Land Available for Farming: Free webinar series for landowners
DESCRIPTION:As a landowner\, when you make land available for farming you help secure a future for farming in your community. Farmers are looking for land—from a small vegetable plot to livestock or crops. Productive\, sustainable uses for all or parts of your property can bring many rewards! \nFarming and non-farming private landowners and their representatives (real estate agents\, etc):\n• Understand your land’s potential for farming\n• Learn what goes into a good farming arrangement\n• Explore strategies for making any amount of land available to a farmer \nJoin us for this free\, three-part workshop: March 23\, 30 & April 6\, 2022 from 12:00 – 1:00pm \nRegister now by calling (603) 357-1600 or go to landforgood.org/events. \nWorkshop recordings will be available to all who register. \nHosted by:\nNew England Farm Link Collaborative:\nConnecticut FarmLink\nMaine FarmLink\nVermont Land Link\nLand For Good
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/make-your-land-available-for-farming-free-webinar-series-for-landowners-3/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220330T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220330T130000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220224T190925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220224T190925Z
UID:39485-1648641600-1648645200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Make Your Land Available for Farming: Free webinar series for landowners
DESCRIPTION:As a landowner\, when you make land available for farming you help secure a future for farming in your community. Farmers are looking for land—from a small vegetable plot to livestock or crops. Productive\, sustainable uses for all or parts of your property can bring many rewards! \nFarming and non-farming private landowners and their representatives (real estate agents\, etc):\n• Understand your land’s potential for farming\n• Learn what goes into a good farming arrangement\n• Explore strategies for making any amount of land available to a farmer \nJoin us for this free\, three-part workshop: March 23\, 30 & April 6\, 2022 from 12:00 – 1:00pm \nRegister now by calling (603) 357-1600 or go to landforgood.org/events. \nWorkshop recordings will be available to all who register. \nHosted by:\nNew England Farm Link Collaborative:\nConnecticut FarmLink\nMaine FarmLink\nVermont Land Link\nLand For Good
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/make-your-land-available-for-farming-free-webinar-series-for-landowners-2/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T183000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220113T154420Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220113T154420Z
UID:39141-1648573200-1648578600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Good Grazing Practices
DESCRIPTION:Good Grazing Practices\nwith Sarah Flack \nTuesday\, March 29th\, 2022\n5:00 – 6:30pm\n$10 members/$15 non-members \nThis workshop will cover the basic principles of good grazing management systems\, first from the perspective of the plants\, and then from the perspective of the livestock. We will discuss how to monitor pastures and animals in order to maximize dry matter intake from pasture and use grazing to improve pasture quality and productivity. We will discuss how to use different stocking densities\, pre and post grazing heights\, length of rest periods\, different plant species to improve pasture and strategies to maximize dry matter intake from pasture. With the use photos of pastures\, sheep\, goats and cows to talk about how to observe and monitor pastures and cattle to better understand if grazing systems are working the way they should. \nFor more information\, and to register\, click here.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/good-grazing-practices/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T160000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20211130T174613Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220120T143313Z
UID:38631-1648544400-1648569600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm Succession School
DESCRIPTION:Farm Succession School \nThree Tuesdays –  February 15\, March 8\, and March 29\, 2022 – Greenfield\, MA \nMDAR is hosting Land For Good’s Farm Succession School for Massachusetts farmers this winter! This is an opportunity for senior generation farmers to talk with peers\, learn from advisors\, and get support on the challenging process of farm succession and transfer planning. \n\nAre you unsure who will take over your farm?\nFeel like your family needs to start talking\, but you don’t know where to start?\nHave questions about retiring that you don’t know how to answer?\nCan the farm support two generations? \n\nSuccession planning is a process of exploring how to transfer the farm business and assets to a future owner. Succession School provides farmers and farming partners with the structured and sustained support to make decisions\, engage their families\, and organize the legal and financial mechanics. \nMeet in-person following current COVID-19 protocols at the John W. Olver Franklin Transit Center in Greenfield for a three-session program between 9:00am – 4:00pm on the following Tuesdays: February 15\, March 8\, 2022\, and March 29\, with snow dates on each Friday of the same weeks. (*Originally scheduled to begin in January\, this course has been postponed to start in Feb due to the recent increase in COVID cases.)  The cost is $100 per farm. \n\nLearn more and register here.  Contact: Shemariah at Land For Good shemariah@landforgood.org or 603-357-1600 with any questions. \nFunding provided by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Agricultural Business Training Program.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-succession-school-3/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220328T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220328T210000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220125T161225Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220125T161225Z
UID:39279-1648492200-1648501200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Next Steps
DESCRIPTION:Exploring the Small Farm Dream\nMondays\, 6:30-9pm\nZoom\nMarch 7th\, 14th\, 21st\, 28th \nThis workshop is a partnership between Penn State Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension/Broome County. \nIf you considering launching a small farm enterprise\, but are not sure where to start\, this 4-session series will give you the tools to start making choices to determine if farming is right for you. \nABOUT THE PROGRAM \nThe Exploring the Small Farm Dream course (designed by the New England Small Farm Institute and taught by trained facilitators) is designed to help you\, and your partner\, decide whether starting a farm business is right for you. This ten-hour (four evening sessions) virtual course includes exploratory discussion\, curated research tools\, and self-assessment activities provided by the instructors as well as a workbook for hands-on application both during class and at home. Each week we will hear from subject matter experts and community partners\, as well as existing farmers. By the end of the series\, you will create an action plan that works best for you and will have the tools and contacts to help you get started. \nSCHEDULE: Participants are expected to attend all four sessions since the program builds upon the knowledge of the previous session. \n\nMonday March 7th\nSession I: Self-Assessment and Researching the Farming Landscape\nMonday March 14th\nSession II: Assessing Resources and Risks\nMonday March 21st\nSession III: Marketing and Market Channel Evaluation\nMonday March 28th\nSession IV: Next Steps\n\n WHO IS THIS FOR?  \n\nAnyone interested in starting a small farm business\nHobby and lifestyle farmers that are considering developing their farm into a business\nRecently retired individuals or individuals who will retire soon who think they may want to start a small farm business\nImmigrants with agricultural experience who wish to start farming in the US\nRecent high school or college graduates who are considering a career in agriculture\nIndividuals who are inheriting or taking over a farm from a family member\nThose who are considering an on-farm market\, farmer’s market vendors\, farm stands\, livestock and poultry growers\, and specialty products – such as mushrooms or maple syrup\, are all agricultural businesses that started somewhere.\n\nWHAT WILL YOU LEARN?  \n\nLearn how new and beginning farmers can access agricultural resources\nLearn about opportunities to connect with local farm business owners\, agricultural professionals\, and others interested in new farm enterprises\nLearn how to manage a small business\nLearn how to assess and manage risks\nLearn how to assess and identify available and necessary resources for your farm business\nLearn how to engage your family and resource partners in decision-making related to your enterprise choices\nLearn how to evaluate various farm enterprise choices\nLearn how to create an action plan to move your farm dream towards reality\n\nFee: $75 per family\, includes a workbook valued at $25. Extra workbooks can be purchased for $25. Please include all email addresses of those who should receive the zoom link in your registration.\nVeterans located in NY or NJ may attend free of charge with support from the Canandaigua VA and Cornell Small Farms Program Farm Ops Initiative. \nAny questions can be directed to Laura Biasillo at lw257@cornell.edu. \nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/exploring-the-small-farm-dream-next-steps/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220324T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220324T113000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220310T155504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220310T155504Z
UID:39621-1648116000-1648121400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Training Webinar
DESCRIPTION:Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Training Webinar to be held on Thursday\, March 24\, 2022 at 10:00 AM. \nAttendee Instructions: \n\nSave the Date in your calendar!\nAt the time of the webinar (3/24 at 10:00 AM) please follow this link to join the Microsoft Teams Live Event: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OWVjOTI5YTYtMjdjYS00MjUxLTg4MGMtZWY3MTRmZjBlN2Y4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22cb8a159e-b6dc-47fb-a797-0b3d4877aa48%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d&btype=a&role=a\nSave this email! The link provided will be your tool to access a recording of the event after the webinar has concluded.\n\nWe will be hosting the event in Microsoft Teams Live. \n\nTROUBLESHOOTING – If you lose sound\, try closing out of the event and re-entering. You can also trying refreshing the screen by clicking the F5 key. Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome will provide the best user experience.\nIf you haven’t attended a Microsoft Teams Live event before: Please visit this Microsoft website and watch this 6-minute video that provide viewer tips and web browser information. In addition to providing a brief overview of the platform\, they will show you several methods for logging on and adjusting speaker volume.\nYou can watch the event either on a modern web browser such as Chrome\, Firefox\, or Edge\, or you can download a free version of Microsoft Teams. You do not need a Microsoft account. Instructions for watching the event on a web browser are included in the video referenced in the above bullet.\nFor those of you who already have a Microsoft Teams desktop application: Unless you are an event producer or presenter\, this event will not show up in your Teams Calendar. The easiest way for you to join the event may be for you to right click on the event link\, copy the hyperlink into a web browser\, and join anonymously.\n\nRSVP: Jordan.Henault@usda.gov by Thursday\, March 17\, 2022.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/value-added-producer-grant-vapg-training-webinar/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220323T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220323T130000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220224T190835Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220224T190835Z
UID:39482-1648036800-1648040400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Make Your Land Available for Farming: Free webinar series for landowners
DESCRIPTION:As a landowner\, when you make land available for farming you help secure a future for farming in your community. Farmers are looking for land—from a small vegetable plot to livestock or crops. Productive\, sustainable uses for all or parts of your property can bring many rewards! \nFarming and non-farming private landowners and their representatives (real estate agents\, etc):\n• Understand your land’s potential for farming\n• Learn what goes into a good farming arrangement\n• Explore strategies for making any amount of land available to a farmer \nJoin us for this free\, three-part workshop: March 23\, 30 & April 6\, 2022 from 12:00 – 1:00pm \nRegister now by calling (603) 357-1600 or go to landforgood.org/events. \nWorkshop recordings will be available to all who register. \nHosted by:\nNew England Farm Link Collaborative:\nConnecticut FarmLink\nMaine FarmLink\nVermont Land Link\nLand For Good
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/make-your-land-available-for-farming-free-webinar-series-for-landowners/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220322T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220322T200000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220228T150545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220228T150545Z
UID:39497-1647972000-1647979200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Meat Processor Academy
DESCRIPTION:Meat Processor Academy: A virtual bootcamp for independent meat processors who want to take it to the next level. \n\n\nDates:Tuesday evenings\, March 22nd through April 26\, 2022.\nTime: 3-5pm PST/6-8pm EST \n\nSix two-hour long classes with one optional class for meat plants that slaughter. \nClick here to enroll. \n\n\n\nABOUT: From the creators of the popular Western Meat School comes a new online short course designed to help meat processors fine-tune their businesses\, grow\, and thrive. \nBackground:The Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN)\, American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP)\, and Kitchen Table Consultants (KTC) have collaborated to organize and deliver this new short course for small and mid-scale meat processors. This intermediate level short course will bring together industry experts\, meat scientists\, and extension agents to deliver concise content to fine tune the business and operational strategies of meat processors. Think of this as a virtual bootcamp for independent meat processors who want to take it to the next level. \nWho is it for? The Meat Processor Academy is for processors with 25-150 employees\, or if less than 25 you have intentions to grow to that scale in the near future. Ideally we ask that you have at least 2 years of operating experience and be an owner/operator/manager of the business. Course content is geared primarily towards full service inspected and fee-for-service processors\, however\, further processors and co-packers are also welcome\, as well as custom exempt processors that plan to grow into inspection. Up to 500 people may join the course. \nRegistration Fees:\n\n$150 for up to two members of each company.\nFirst fill out enrollment form below.\nThen follow link at end of enrollment form to the secure OSU payment portal to complete your registration. \nRegistration closes March 21st.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/meat-processor-academy/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220321T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220321T210000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220125T161133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220125T161133Z
UID:39277-1647887400-1647896400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Marketing and Market Channel Evaluation
DESCRIPTION:Exploring the Small Farm Dream\nMondays\, 6:30-9pm\nZoom\nMarch 7th\, 14th\, 21st\, 28th \nThis workshop is a partnership between Penn State Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension/Broome County. \nIf you considering launching a small farm enterprise\, but are not sure where to start\, this 4-session series will give you the tools to start making choices to determine if farming is right for you. \nABOUT THE PROGRAM \nThe Exploring the Small Farm Dream course (designed by the New England Small Farm Institute and taught by trained facilitators) is designed to help you\, and your partner\, decide whether starting a farm business is right for you. This ten-hour (four evening sessions) virtual course includes exploratory discussion\, curated research tools\, and self-assessment activities provided by the instructors as well as a workbook for hands-on application both during class and at home. Each week we will hear from subject matter experts and community partners\, as well as existing farmers. By the end of the series\, you will create an action plan that works best for you and will have the tools and contacts to help you get started. \nSCHEDULE: Participants are expected to attend all four sessions since the program builds upon the knowledge of the previous session. \n\nMonday March 7th\nSession I: Self-Assessment and Researching the Farming Landscape\nMonday March 14th\nSession II: Assessing Resources and Risks\nMonday March 21st\nSession III: Marketing and Market Channel Evaluation\nMonday March 28th\nSession IV: Next Steps\n\n WHO IS THIS FOR?  \n\nAnyone interested in starting a small farm business\nHobby and lifestyle farmers that are considering developing their farm into a business\nRecently retired individuals or individuals who will retire soon who think they may want to start a small farm business\nImmigrants with agricultural experience who wish to start farming in the US\nRecent high school or college graduates who are considering a career in agriculture\nIndividuals who are inheriting or taking over a farm from a family member\nThose who are considering an on-farm market\, farmer’s market vendors\, farm stands\, livestock and poultry growers\, and specialty products – such as mushrooms or maple syrup\, are all agricultural businesses that started somewhere.\n\nWHAT WILL YOU LEARN?  \n\nLearn how new and beginning farmers can access agricultural resources\nLearn about opportunities to connect with local farm business owners\, agricultural professionals\, and others interested in new farm enterprises\nLearn how to manage a small business\nLearn how to assess and manage risks\nLearn how to assess and identify available and necessary resources for your farm business\nLearn how to engage your family and resource partners in decision-making related to your enterprise choices\nLearn how to evaluate various farm enterprise choices\nLearn how to create an action plan to move your farm dream towards reality\n\nFee: $75 per family\, includes a workbook valued at $25. Extra workbooks can be purchased for $25. Please include all email addresses of those who should receive the zoom link in your registration.\nVeterans located in NY or NJ may attend free of charge with support from the Canandaigua VA and Cornell Small Farms Program Farm Ops Initiative. \nAny questions can be directed to Laura Biasillo at lw257@cornell.edu. \nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/exploring-the-small-farm-dream-marketing-and-market-channel-evaluation/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220317T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220317T210000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220119T142307Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220119T142307Z
UID:39211-1647543600-1647550800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Business Planning Virtual Workshop Series: Putting it all together
DESCRIPTION:Business Planning Virtual Workshop SeriesFinancial\, Marketing & Risk Management Planning\nGeared to New\, Beginning & Expanding Vegetable & Small Fruit Producers\nAll Sessions (6)\, Thursday Evenings 7:00 – 9:00 pmJanuary 27\, February 3\, 17\, 24 & March 10\, 17 \n•Are you thinking about starting your own farm?• Are you a beginning farmer and wonder what’s out there for assistance to fund capital improvementsand upgrade your equipment?• Where can I go to get production advice/information?• Do you want to upgrade your marketing outlets but don’t know how to go about doing this?• Do you want to learn how to better manage risks on your farm especially in light of recent adverseweather?• Are you a small farmer looking to grow and expand your business?\nIf you answered “Yes” to any of the above then this business planing workshop can help you answer thosequestions. National Crop Insurance Services in conjunction with the UMass Extension Risk ManagementEducation Program is offering this workshop series at no cost to participants. Each session will include a formalpresentation on the subject topic as well as guest speakers who are farmers or agricultural service provers withexperience in the topics and provide adequate time for questions.\nThis is a great opportunity to learn about a variety of topics that can benefit your farming operation.To register\, email either Tom Smiarowski: tsmiarowski@umass.edu or Paul Russell: pmrussell@umass.eduand include your name\, email address and location (City/Town & State \nSession 6 (March 17): Putting It All TogetherThis session will focus on taking all the information from the previous 5 sessions and putting it all together todevelop your own financial\, risk and marketing plans. Guest speakers will include farmers who served as previousguest speakers relaying their personal experiences in this session. \nEach session will include a homework assignment in which you will take the information discussed duringthe session to complete your assignment. Don’t worry you won’t be graded and you don’t have to submit theassignment! The purpose of the assignments are to get you to put to use in your operation the informationcovered during each session!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/business-planning-virtual-workshop-series-putting-it-all-together/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220315T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220315T190000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220113T154340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220113T154340Z
UID:39138-1647363600-1647370800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Building Capacity for Collaboration to Maintain a Strong Farm Team
DESCRIPTION:Building Capacity for Collaboration to Maintain a Strong Farm Team\nwith Claudia and Willy Denner\, Little Seed Gardens\, Chatham\, NY \nTuesday\, March 15\, 2022\n5:00 – 7:00pm\n$10 members/$15 non-members \nUnderstanding what motivates human action and how to communicate effectively unleashes the potential for creative collaboration. This workshop will introduce ideas and skills to help transform human challenges into opportunities that fulfill the purpose of your farm. We will focus on simple\, learnable skills that will help build capacity to understand yourself and others\, and how to use that understanding to clarify the values and purpose of your farm business. \nFor more information\, and to register\, click here.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/building-capacity-for-collaboration-to-maintain-a-strong-farm-team/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220314T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220314T210000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220125T161100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220125T161100Z
UID:39275-1647282600-1647291600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Assessing Resources and Risks
DESCRIPTION:Exploring the Small Farm Dream\nMondays\, 6:30-9pm\nZoom\nMarch 7th\, 14th\, 21st\, 28th \nThis workshop is a partnership between Penn State Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension/Broome County. \nIf you considering launching a small farm enterprise\, but are not sure where to start\, this 4-session series will give you the tools to start making choices to determine if farming is right for you. \nABOUT THE PROGRAM \nThe Exploring the Small Farm Dream course (designed by the New England Small Farm Institute and taught by trained facilitators) is designed to help you\, and your partner\, decide whether starting a farm business is right for you. This ten-hour (four evening sessions) virtual course includes exploratory discussion\, curated research tools\, and self-assessment activities provided by the instructors as well as a workbook for hands-on application both during class and at home. Each week we will hear from subject matter experts and community partners\, as well as existing farmers. By the end of the series\, you will create an action plan that works best for you and will have the tools and contacts to help you get started. \nSCHEDULE: Participants are expected to attend all four sessions since the program builds upon the knowledge of the previous session. \n\nMonday March 7th\nSession I: Self-Assessment and Researching the Farming Landscape\nMonday March 14th\nSession II: Assessing Resources and Risks\nMonday March 21st\nSession III: Marketing and Market Channel Evaluation\nMonday March 28th\nSession IV: Next Steps\n\n WHO IS THIS FOR?  \n\nAnyone interested in starting a small farm business\nHobby and lifestyle farmers that are considering developing their farm into a business\nRecently retired individuals or individuals who will retire soon who think they may want to start a small farm business\nImmigrants with agricultural experience who wish to start farming in the US\nRecent high school or college graduates who are considering a career in agriculture\nIndividuals who are inheriting or taking over a farm from a family member\nThose who are considering an on-farm market\, farmer’s market vendors\, farm stands\, livestock and poultry growers\, and specialty products – such as mushrooms or maple syrup\, are all agricultural businesses that started somewhere.\n\nWHAT WILL YOU LEARN?  \n\nLearn how new and beginning farmers can access agricultural resources\nLearn about opportunities to connect with local farm business owners\, agricultural professionals\, and others interested in new farm enterprises\nLearn how to manage a small business\nLearn how to assess and manage risks\nLearn how to assess and identify available and necessary resources for your farm business\nLearn how to engage your family and resource partners in decision-making related to your enterprise choices\nLearn how to evaluate various farm enterprise choices\nLearn how to create an action plan to move your farm dream towards reality\n\nFee: $75 per family\, includes a workbook valued at $25. Extra workbooks can be purchased for $25. Please include all email addresses of those who should receive the zoom link in your registration.\nVeterans located in NY or NJ may attend free of charge with support from the Canandaigua VA and Cornell Small Farms Program Farm Ops Initiative. \nAny questions can be directed to Laura Biasillo at lw257@cornell.edu. \nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/exploring-the-small-farm-dream-assessing-resources-and-risks/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220310T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220310T210000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220119T142209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220119T142209Z
UID:39209-1646938800-1646946000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Business Planning Virtual Workshop Series: Government Programs/Outside Assistance
DESCRIPTION:Business Planning Virtual Workshop SeriesFinancial\, Marketing & Risk Management Planning\nGeared to New\, Beginning & Expanding Vegetable & Small Fruit Producers\nAll Sessions (6)\, Thursday Evenings 7:00 – 9:00 pmJanuary 27\, February 3\, 17\, 24 & March 10\, 17 \n•Are you thinking about starting your own farm?• Are you a beginning farmer and wonder what’s out there for assistance to fund capital improvementsand upgrade your equipment?• Where can I go to get production advice/information?• Do you want to upgrade your marketing outlets but don’t know how to go about doing this?• Do you want to learn how to better manage risks on your farm especially in light of recent adverseweather?• Are you a small farmer looking to grow and expand your business?\nIf you answered “Yes” to any of the above then this business planing workshop can help you answer thosequestions. National Crop Insurance Services in conjunction with the UMass Extension Risk ManagementEducation Program is offering this workshop series at no cost to participants. Each session will include a formalpresentation on the subject topic as well as guest speakers who are farmers or agricultural service provers withexperience in the topics and provide adequate time for questions.\nThis is a great opportunity to learn about a variety of topics that can benefit your farming operation.To register\, email either Tom Smiarowski: tsmiarowski@umass.edu or Paul Russell: pmrussell@umass.eduand include your name\, email address and location (City/Town & State \nSession 5 (March 10): Government Programs/Outside AssistanceThis session will focus on the availability of the plethora of Federal\, State & outside assistance that is available tofarmers to help address a wide range of agricultural issues. Guest speakers will include representatives fromFederal\, State and private organizations who will provide an overview of their programs as well as how to obtainprogram benefits. Extra time will be made available for questions.\n \nEach session will include a homework assignment in which you will take the information discussed duringthe session to complete your assignment. Don’t worry you won’t be graded and you don’t have to submit theassignment! The purpose of the assignments are to get you to put to use in your operation the informationcovered during each session!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/business-planning-virtual-workshop-series-government-programs-outside-assistance/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220308T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220308T160000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20211130T174523Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220120T143210Z
UID:38629-1646730000-1646755200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm Succession School
DESCRIPTION:Farm Succession School \nThree Tuesdays – February 15\, March 8\, and March 29\, 2022 – Greenfield\, MA \nMDAR is hosting Land For Good’s Farm Succession School for Massachusetts farmers this winter! This is an opportunity for senior generation farmers to talk with peers\, learn from advisors\, and get support on the challenging process of farm succession and transfer planning. \n\nAre you unsure who will take over your farm?\nFeel like your family needs to start talking\, but you don’t know where to start?\nHave questions about retiring that you don’t know how to answer?\nCan the farm support two generations? \n\nSuccession planning is a process of exploring how to transfer the farm business and assets to a future owner. Succession School provides farmers and farming partners with the structured and sustained support to make decisions\, engage their families\, and organize the legal and financial mechanics. \nMeet in-person following current COVID-19 protocols at the John W. Olver Franklin Transit Center in Greenfield for a three-session program between 9:00am – 4:00pm on the following Tuesdays: February 15\, March 8\, and March 29\, 2022\, with snow dates on each Friday of the same weeks. (*Originally scheduled to begin in January\, this course has been postponed to start in Feb due to the recent increase in COVID cases.) The cost is $100 per farm. \n\nLearn more and register here.  Contact: Shemariah at Land For Good shemariah@landforgood.org or 603-357-1600 with any questions. \nFunding provided by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Agricultural Business Training Program.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-succession-school-2/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220307T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220307T210000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220125T161007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220125T161007Z
UID:39273-1646677800-1646686800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Self-Assessment and Researching the Farming Landscape
DESCRIPTION:Exploring the Small Farm Dream\nMondays\, 6:30-9pm\nZoom\nMarch 7th\, 14th\, 21st\, 28th \nThis workshop is a partnership between Penn State Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension/Broome County. \nIf you considering launching a small farm enterprise\, but are not sure where to start\, this 4-session series will give you the tools to start making choices to determine if farming is right for you. \nABOUT THE PROGRAM \nThe Exploring the Small Farm Dream course (designed by the New England Small Farm Institute and taught by trained facilitators) is designed to help you\, and your partner\, decide whether starting a farm business is right for you. This ten-hour (four evening sessions) virtual course includes exploratory discussion\, curated research tools\, and self-assessment activities provided by the instructors as well as a workbook for hands-on application both during class and at home. Each week we will hear from subject matter experts and community partners\, as well as existing farmers. By the end of the series\, you will create an action plan that works best for you and will have the tools and contacts to help you get started. \nSCHEDULE: Participants are expected to attend all four sessions since the program builds upon the knowledge of the previous session. \n\nMonday March 7th\nSession I: Self-Assessment and Researching the Farming Landscape\nMonday March 14th\nSession II: Assessing Resources and Risks\nMonday March 21st\nSession III: Marketing and Market Channel Evaluation\nMonday March 28th\nSession IV: Next Steps\n\n WHO IS THIS FOR?  \n\nAnyone interested in starting a small farm business\nHobby and lifestyle farmers that are considering developing their farm into a business\nRecently retired individuals or individuals who will retire soon who think they may want to start a small farm business\nImmigrants with agricultural experience who wish to start farming in the US\nRecent high school or college graduates who are considering a career in agriculture\nIndividuals who are inheriting or taking over a farm from a family member\nThose who are considering an on-farm market\, farmer’s market vendors\, farm stands\, livestock and poultry growers\, and specialty products – such as mushrooms or maple syrup\, are all agricultural businesses that started somewhere.\n\nWHAT WILL YOU LEARN?  \n\nLearn how new and beginning farmers can access agricultural resources\nLearn about opportunities to connect with local farm business owners\, agricultural professionals\, and others interested in new farm enterprises\nLearn how to manage a small business\nLearn how to assess and manage risks\nLearn how to assess and identify available and necessary resources for your farm business\nLearn how to engage your family and resource partners in decision-making related to your enterprise choices\nLearn how to evaluate various farm enterprise choices\nLearn how to create an action plan to move your farm dream towards reality\n\nFee: $75 per family\, includes a workbook valued at $25. Extra workbooks can be purchased for $25. Please include all email addresses of those who should receive the zoom link in your registration.\nVeterans located in NY or NJ may attend free of charge with support from the Canandaigua VA and Cornell Small Farms Program Farm Ops Initiative. \nAny questions can be directed to Laura Biasillo at lw257@cornell.edu. \nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/exploring-the-small-farm-dream-self-assessment-and-researching-the-farming-landscape/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220301T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220301T113000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220106T170454Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220208T223019Z
UID:39038-1646128800-1646134200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Best Practices: SNAP and welcoming low-income customers at your farm
DESCRIPTION:Making Local Food More Accessible: Welcoming SNAP & WIC/Senior Coupons\, and All Who Use Them\nPart 2: Best Practices – SNAP and welcoming low-income customers at your farm\nYour farm accepts SNAP (or you’re working on setting up SNAP)\, but how to make the most of this tool and have it be a success?  Join us to hear a panel of farmers on how they incorporate accepting SNAP at their business in a way that makes clients feel welcome and keeps customers coming back. \nAttendees will come away with context for how other farms effectively incorporate SNAP at their business and ideas for best practices they can use themselves. The panel will cover how accepting SNAP affected their business\, how they effectively promote that they accept SNAP\, how they do outreach to low-income customers\, and how they tailor their offerings in ways that meet their customers demands and expectations. There will also be time for questions. \nCISA and Berkshire Grown will also be sharing other resources attendees can use to make the most of the SNAP program at their business. This workshop is co-hosted by CISA and Berkshire Grown. \nRegister here!\n\nPanelists: \nEmily Chiara of Just Roots\nJust Roots is a nonprofit farm that has been accepting SNAP since 2015. Just Roots runs one of the the largest SNAP CSAs in the state and serves hundreds of SNAP customers each year. Emily is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Just Roots and has ample experience in doing outreach to customers and partners around SNAP and HIP. \nHarrison Bardwell of Bardwell Farm\nHarrison had Bardwell Farm became authorized to accept SNAP in the spring of 2021. They now accept SNAP at their farmstand and at the multiple farmers’ markets they attend throughout the year. Bardwell Farm is a twenty five acre diversified vegetable farm in Hatfield\, MA. \nMeg Bantle and Laura Tupper-Palches of Full Well Farm\nMeg Bantle (they/she) is a sixth generation farmer in the Berkshires with eight years of organic vegetable growing and gardening experience under their belt\, including three seasons of co-owning and managing Full Well Farm. They grew up on the farm property in Adams and are excited to be growing food for the community that they grew up in. Laura Tupper-Palches (she/her) is a co-owner and manager of Full Well Farm in Adams\, MA. After briefly living in a food desert in New York city she became interested in food security which\, combined with her passion for nature\, led her to agriculture. She had several years of organic farming experience before starting Full Well Farm with Meg Bantle in 2019. Going into the fourth season at Full Well\, she is focusing on soil health and furthering community connections. \nSharon Wyrrick of Many Forks Farm\nMany Forks Farm is in Clarksburg\, Massachusetts. With 2 acres in cultivation of vegetables\, berries\, flowers and herbs\, the farm has an 85-member household CSA and sells produce through other direct-to-consumer markets and on-farm sales. The farm has taken SNAP for its CSA shares and other eligible farm products since 2013\, is a HIP certified vendor\, and participates in other programs and community collaborations supporting food access such as WIC/Senior Coupons\, Berkshire Grown/Share the Bounty\, and Hoosac Harvest.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/best-practices-snap-and-welcoming-low-income-customers-at-your-farm/
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220228T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220228T180000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20211222T181516Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211222T181638Z
UID:38956-1646062200-1646071200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Responding to Change\, Pivoting for Profitability: Session 4: Roadblocks
DESCRIPTION:Join farmer and Carrot Project business advisor and lead trainer Cian Dalzell for one of two\, four-session online training series. This training is designed to provide you skills and support for both short and long term improvement in business operations and financial security. \nSessions can be mixed and matched to fit your schedule. \nSession 4: Roadblocks\nWednesday Feb 9\, 2022 or Monday Feb 28\, 2022 \nThis session is all about the things that get in the way of keeping up on recordkeeping\, using your financial plans and real time results during the season to manage operations or respond to unplanned conditions. \nThen we will show you how to devise a realistic path to overcome those obstacles. \nWho It’s For: \nThese trainings are designed for farmers and food business owners with moderate or greater experience in operations and who have an established financial recordkeeping system in place. Priority will be given to businesses in RI\, MA\, and CT. \nFishermen\, aquaculturists\, and small processors using local farm and sea ingredients are welcome and encouraged to attend. \nDetails: \nSeries 1: Mondays – Jan 31\, Feb 7\, 14\, and 28: 10 AM to 12:30 PM \nSeries 2: Wednesdays – Jan 12\, 19\, 26\, and Feb 9: 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/session-4-roadblocks-2/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220227T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220227T160000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220113T153820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220113T153820Z
UID:39127-1645948800-1645977600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:2022 Agriculture & Food Conference
DESCRIPTION:Sunday\, February 27th is SEMAP’s 15th Annual Agriculture & Food Conference! Farmers\, foodies\, and agricultural advocates alike are all welcome. Join us for 12 engaging workshops and panels with more than 20 speakers – farmer and academic experts from our region! \nWe are also excited to welcome our keynote speaker\, Ray Archuleta. Ray is a farmer\, soil scientist\, and the founder of the Soil Health Academy. \nWith over 30 years of experience in soil science at NRCS which led him across the entire country\, Ray is an expert on all things soil. Prior to that\, Ray served with the Peace Corps in Guatemala as a Livestock Specialist. After his retirement from the NRCS in 2017\, Ray founded Understanding Ag\, LLC\, and Soil Health Academy\, LLC\, to bring his soil teachings to a wider audience. Ray also owns and operates a 150-acre farm near Seymour\, Missouri along with his wife and family. \nTickets will be sold on a sliding scale and you should choose the level that makes sense for you; if cost is still a barrier\, scholarships will be available. Please email shickey@semaponline.org for more information. \nGet your ticket today!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/2022-agriculture-food-conference/
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220224T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220224T210000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20220119T142111Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220119T142111Z
UID:39207-1645729200-1645736400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Business Planning Virtual Workshop Series: Production Management
DESCRIPTION:Business Planning Virtual Workshop SeriesFinancial\, Marketing & Risk Management Planning\nGeared to New\, Beginning & Expanding Vegetable & Small Fruit Producers\nAll Sessions (6)\, Thursday Evenings 7:00 – 9:00 pmJanuary 27\, February 3\, 17\, 24 & March 10\, 17 \n•Are you thinking about starting your own farm?• Are you a beginning farmer and wonder what’s out there for assistance to fund capital improvementsand upgrade your equipment?• Where can I go to get production advice/information?• Do you want to upgrade your marketing outlets but don’t know how to go about doing this?• Do you want to learn how to better manage risks on your farm especially in light of recent adverseweather?• Are you a small farmer looking to grow and expand your business?\nIf you answered “Yes” to any of the above then this business planing workshop can help you answer thosequestions. National Crop Insurance Services in conjunction with the UMass Extension Risk ManagementEducation Program is offering this workshop series at no cost to participants. Each session will include a formalpresentation on the subject topic as well as guest speakers who are farmers or agricultural service provers withexperience in the topics and provide adequate time for questions.\nThis is a great opportunity to learn about a variety of topics that can benefit your farming operation.To register\, email either Tom Smiarowski: tsmiarowski@umass.edu or Paul Russell: pmrussell@umass.eduand include your name\, email address and location (City/Town & State \nSession 4 ( February 24): Production ManagementThis session will focus on where to find information on production issues and Best Management Practices (BMP’s).Guest speakers will include representatives from Extension as well as a young farmer who will explain the sourceshe uses to obtain production information as well as how he goes about deciding what crops to grow in his operation. \nEach session will include a homework assignment in which you will take the information discussed duringthe session to complete your assignment. Don’t worry you won’t be graded and you don’t have to submit theassignment! The purpose of the assignments are to get you to put to use in your operation the informationcovered during each session!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/business-planning-virtual-workshop-series-production-management/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220224T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220224T180000
DTSTAMP:20260507T151233
CREATED:20211215T180912Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211215T181133Z
UID:38809-1645718400-1645725600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Budgeting tools to keep your farm on track
DESCRIPTION:This is the third of CISA’s three-workshop series on “Farm financial management: taking it to the next level.” Click here for information about this workshop series. It’s not too late to register! \nLearn why budgets are an incredibly powerful — though underutilized — tool for farm business management. This session will equip you with a flexible budgeting tool that you can use year after year for your farm. You’ll get expert advice on how to identify past trends\, methodically forecast sales\, and plan for contingencies\, plus practical tips for using your budget to steer mid-season decision making. \nThis three-session series is geared towards experienced farm managers and QuickBooks users who are looking to step up their farm financial management game. The series will be taught by Elaine Lemmon of Kitchen Table Consultants\, and farmers attending all three sessions will be eligible to receive up to three hours of expert one-on-one assistance in financial recordkeeping\, planning\, or analysis.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/budgeting-tools-to-keep-your-farm-on-track/
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
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