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DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200218T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200218T130000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20200203T212559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200203T212559Z
UID:32737-1582027200-1582030800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Protecting your Recipes: Trade Secrets for Food Entrepreneurs [Webinar]
DESCRIPTION:Your pickled watermelon rinds and tomatillo salsa are a success at the farmers’ market. How can you prevent them from being copied? This webinar reviews the ways vendors can protect their food brand and recipes\, focusing on the use of trade secret. Learn what is a trade secret\, and how to create and use them to protect your recipes.\n\n\nTime: Feb 18\, 2020 12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)\n\nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/protecting-your-recipes-trade-secrets-for-food-entrepreneurs-webinar/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200213T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200213T180000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20200203T213146Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200203T213146Z
UID:32743-1581611400-1581616800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Fund Your Farm: State Grants from Massachusetts
DESCRIPTION:Fund Your Farm: State Grants from Massachusetts \nFeb 13\, 4:30-6:00pm at the Stockbridge Community Room \n$10 for Berkshire Grown members/ $20 for non-members\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDo you have a project to help your farm adapt to climate change or improve energy efficiency? Would you like to implement new conservation practices or upgrade your food safety measures? Are you a beginning farmer seeking funds for capital improvements to help your business grow? The Massachusets Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) offers a range of grant programs available for Massachusetts farmers. MDAR staff Melissa Adams and Mike Parker will provide an overview of the programs available as well as provide information and tips about the application process.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/fund-your-farm-state-grants-from-massachusetts-2/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200212T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200212T200000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191219T183028Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200127T185136Z
UID:32415-1581526800-1581537600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Conflict resolution skills for supervisors
DESCRIPTION:Gain and practice skills that will help you set the groundwork for positive workplace relationships with your farm team starting on day one. Presenter Christopher Sabo of Foxtrot Farm and the Mediation & Training Collaborative will discuss strategies for creating a foundation of effective communication among your crew\, increasing your capacity to manage conflict\, and maintaining open and accessible communication channels on the farm throughout the season. This session will offer tools to respond to workplace conflict or deal with resistance as a supervisor\, as well as proactively build positive relationships and good communication systems with your team well in advance of conflict. The session will also include facilitated peer-to-peer discussion about team-building strategies with your crew and how best to balance relationship-building and production efficiency. Dinner will be provided. \n \nRegister here!\n\nThis workshop is part of a six-workshop series on farm labor management. Click here for information on the other five workshops in the series.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/conflict-resolution-skills-for-supervisors/
LOCATION:Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center\, Room 303\, 303 Homestead Ave\, Holoyke\, MA\, 01040\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200211T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200211T180000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20200203T213012Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200203T213012Z
UID:32741-1581438600-1581444000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Fund Your Farm: State Grants from Massachusetts
DESCRIPTION:Fund Your Farm: State Grants from Massachusetts \n\nFeb 11\, 4:30-6:00pm at the Porches Inn\, North Adams \nFeb 13\, 4:30-6:00pm at the Stockbridge Community Room \n\n$10 for Berkshire Grown members/ $20 for non-members\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDo you have a project to help your farm adapt to climate change or improve energy efficiency? Would you like to implement new conservation practices or upgrade your food safety measures? Are you a beginning farmer seeking funds for capital improvements to help your business grow? The Massachusets Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) offers a range of grant programs available for Massachusetts farmers. MDAR staff Melissa Adams and Mike Parker will provide an overview of the programs available as well as provide information and tips about the application process.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/fund-your-farm-state-grants-from-massachusetts/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200211T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200211T130000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20200203T212430Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200203T212430Z
UID:32735-1581422400-1581426000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:What to Expect During your On-Farm Food Safety Inspection [Webinar]
DESCRIPTION:2019 marked the first season for on-farm food safety inspections under the Produce Safety Rules (PSR). This webinar explores what to expect before\, during and after an inspection conducted in Massachusetts. Learn about the most common problems identified during inspections and how Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) inspectors are addressing them. We will also discuss the relationship of the PSR inspection with the free and voluntary Commonwealth Quality Program (CQP) audit.\n\n\nTime: Feb 11\, 2020 12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)\n\nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/what-to-expect-during-your-on-farm-food-safety-inspection-webinar/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200210T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200210T130000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20200129T200350Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200129T200350Z
UID:32671-1581323400-1581339600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Pasture Renovation and Weed Management
DESCRIPTION:2020 Classroom Workshops\nNutrition’s Role in Sustainable Livestock Production Practices A workshop series on pasture management and infrastructure and the nutritional needs of livestock raised on pasture. \nAll workshops held in the training room at Farm Credit East\, 240 S Rd. Enfield CT \nMonday\, February 10\, 2020 8:30 am to 1 pm (snow date: Wed. Feb. 13)\nPasture Renovation and Weed Management Complete pasture renovation\, forage species selection\, weed management and control\nDr. Sidney Bosworth\, University of Vermont Extension\nRod Porter\, Kings Agriseeds \nSnow dates will be utilized if necessary. Those who registered will receive an email by 5 pm the previous day. Changes will also be posted on our website. \nRegister for any or all of the workshops at https://forms.gle/Q6MuG7xyyUH9y98x9 or email jean.king@uconn.edu \nThree field training workshops demonstrating these topics will be held in the summer. Certificates of Participation will be given to those who attend all three classroom workshops and at least one of the field workshops. \nThese workshops are part of the USDA/NESARE Professional Development Program grant: Nutrition’s Role in Sustainable Livestock Production Practices\, a joint project among the Universities of Connecticut\, Massachusetts\, and Rhode Island. Tri-State Project Director: Rachel Bespuda\, UConn Rachel.bespuda@uconn.edu    www.meatsystems.uconn.edu
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/pasture-renovation-and-weed-management/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200207T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200207T120000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20200129T201543Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200129T201543Z
UID:32677-1581069600-1581076800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Home Orchard Pruning - a Hands-on Workshop
DESCRIPTION:2020 Mass Aggie Workshops Home Garden Series: Pruning the Home Orchard\, a Hands-on Workshop \n$ 50/person\nMr. Jon Clements & Ms. Liz Garofalo\nMarch 7\, 2020\, 10:00am to 12:00pm\nCarlson Orchards: 115 Oak Hill Rd.\, Harvard MA 01451 \nThe joy of growing fruit in the home garden is enjoying a renaissance. One of the key steps in successful fruit growing is the act of pruning the trees. This can seem daunting and complicated\, but it’s not! Not once you understand the principles involved. Come learn how to properly prune your fruit trees (apples\, pears\, peaches\, etc.). Participants will have the opportunity to conduct actual pruning and gain both experience and confidence in pruning fruit trees in order to produce a bountiful crop.Bring your own tools or use ours! \nRegister online for any of the Mass Aggie seminars by clicking here.  Some workshops have limited space so registering online is more likely to ensure enrollment. \nIf you do not wish to register online\, you may print a registration form to mail. Click 2020 Mass Aggie Workshop Series\, and you will open a pdf version of the registration form. You can print this form\, select the seminars that you wish to attend\, and mail it with a check for the appropriate amount. \nPlease do not bring children or pets (except certified service animals) to any of these workshops.  We are not equipped to ensure their comfort or safety.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/home-orchard-pruning-a-hands-on-workshop-2/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200206T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200206T130000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20200203T212156Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200203T212156Z
UID:32733-1580990400-1580994000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farmers Market Contracts: An Attorney's Perspective  [Webinar]
DESCRIPTION:Does your market have contracts with a town\, property owner\, local nonprofit partners? Do you understand the full stipulations of what your market is signing on to? If your market doesn’t have any written agreements\, should it? How can markets and vendors manage risk and minimize potential liability? These questions\, and more\, will be explored in this session. Attorneys Stephen W. Wagner and Katelynn J. Ronan from Rudman Winchell in Bangor will share their knowledge on this topic.\n\n\nTime: Feb 6\, 2020 12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)\n\nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farmers-market-contracts-an-attorneys-perspective-webinar/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200205T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200205T203000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191219T182921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200205T123908Z
UID:32412-1580922000-1580934600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Managing across cultures with cultural dexterity and humility
DESCRIPTION:Cultural dexterity and humility are key to being an effective farm manager\, especially when managing across cultural and racial differences. Presenter Lakisha Coppedge of Coppedge Consulting will provide tools to help you build awareness of your own culture\, privileges\, and assumptions; develop your ability to listen to and learn from others; reflect on your own cross-cultural experiences; and learn from your mistakes. This session will increase your awareness of how power imbalances can impact understanding and communication on farms and will offer guidance for how to address this. In addition\, the training will help you expand your capacity for learning\, listening\, and understanding across cultures\, as well as your ability to build workplace relationships that are mutually respectful. Dinner will be provided. \n \n\n\nRegister here!\n\nThis workshop is part of a six-workshop series on farm labor management. Click here for information on the other five workshops in the series.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/managing-across-cultures-with-cultural-dexterity-and-humility/
LOCATION:Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center Room 301\, 303 Homestead Ave\, Holyoke\, 01040
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200130T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200130T150000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20200122T165421Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200122T165421Z
UID:32618-1580392800-1580396400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Radicalize the Hive: What Bees Can Teach Us About Shaping Social Change [Webinar]
DESCRIPTION:Radicalize the Hive: What Bees Can Teach Us About Shaping Social Change\nWebinar Date: January 30\, 2020\, 2pm – 3pm\nRegisteR NOW! \nHosted by Farm to Institution New England and the New England Farm & Sea to Campus Network \nJoin us for a unique and interactive webinar\, led by consultant and beekeeper Ang Roell\, to learn about and practice building more effective collaborations. Taking inspiration from honey bees\, a social super-organism\, Ang will lead participants through conversations and practices designed to help us develop more intentional work by sharing power\, building trust\, and checking privilege. \nHoney bees are effective consensus builders who know how to organize around a specific purpose. They achieve this by sharing power\, working in collectives or teams to be more effective\, and make collective decisions through consistent communication based on both scent and dance.  We’ll look at several examples\, and use story-telling and visual aids to explore the many facets of this super-organism and apply lessons to our own work in building a better food system. \nThis webinar is open to anyone interested in building effective collaborations; in particular\, we invite participants who will be attending the upcoming Campus Farmer Summit\, to be held Feb 22\, 2020 at Stonehill College in Easton\, MA. We’ll apply lessons learned from the webinar throughout the conference – and beyond! \nModerator\n\nMaida Ives\, Manager of Farm Education and Operations\, Book & Plow Farm\, Amherst College and Campus Farms Working Group Co-Chair\n\nSpeaker\n\nAng Roell\, Organizational change-making consultant and apiary owner at They Keep Bees
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/radicalize-the-hive-what-bees-can-teach-us-about-shaping-social-change-webinar/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200118T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200118T120000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20200102T164658Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200102T164658Z
UID:32518-1579338000-1579348800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Pioneer Valley Regional Agricultural Conference
DESCRIPTION:2020 Pioneer Valley Regional Agricultural Conference on January 18th from 9am to noon at the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton. \nThis is a free event. Doors open at 8:30am. The snow date is on January 25th at the same time and place. \nFarmers\, foresters\, landowners\, landscapers and others will have the opportunity to meet others in the field and discuss issues that concern them. \nWe are very excited about our three presentations: \nCan Dairy Farms make it in the Pioneer Valley? Denise Barstow\, Barstow’s Longview Farm \nBarstow’s Longview Farm is a sixth and seventh generation owned-and-operated dairy farm in Hadley\, MA. Thanks to business diversification and a supportive community\, the Barstow family has continued to produce nutritious food\, steward the land and landscape\, and preserve a way of life despite a very rocky milk market. Learn about this family operation and discuss how policies\, regulations\, and town planning can make or break a family farm. \nHadley is Heaven (and Farming is Purgatory) Wally Czajkowski\, Plainville Farm \nThe Czajkowski Family has been farming in the Pioneer Valley since 1914.  Wally’s Plainville Farm in Hadley is a diverse organic and conventional farm that produces asparagus\, green beans\, hemp\, winter squash\, and other crops.  Wally will discuss how they attract and retain a large workforce and navigate a rapidly changing labor law and regulatory environment. He’ll present on stewarding his land\, improving soil health\, and developing relationships with local supermarkets.  He’ll also discuss how the Town of Hadley supports agriculture and is a model for how other towns and cities can support and grow a strong and resilient local food economy. \nWhat to know before growing Hemp Taryn La Scola\, MDAR Division of Crop and Pest Services \nAgricultural hemp comes with its own set of complex rules and permits.  Taryn will explain the permit process and help clarify current rules and regulations for hemp growers. She’ll discuss advocacy efforts to improve state regulations for hemp growers. She’ll also discuss what farmers need to know about how to prepare their farms to grow hemp and what the evolving market looks like for hemp and CBD oil.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/pioneer-valley-regional-agricultural-conference-2/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200117T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200117T200000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20200114T200635Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200114T200635Z
UID:32584-1579285800-1579291200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Natural Fibers Ecosystem Panel Discussion
DESCRIPTION:Members of a pan-New England natural fibers group discuss building their unique commercial ecosystem from Vermont-based goat farmers\, to loom operators in Massachusetts and clothier producers in Gardner. Find out how you can create your own grassroots commercial ecosystem.  \nNetworking and light fare 6:30-7:00 pm; panel discussion 7:00-8:00 pm. \n\nWhen: Friday\, January 17\, 2020 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST\n\nWhere\nWachusett Business Incubator\n35 Sanborn Street\nGardner\, MA 01440\nDriving Directions \nClick here to register. \nContact\nScott Graves\nWachusett Business Incubator\n978-410-9250\nsgraves@wachusettincubator.org
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/natural-fibers-ecosystem-panel-discussion/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200116T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200116T170000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191122T151732Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191203T192058Z
UID:32135-1579176000-1579194000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Making it Happen: Profitability and Success Workshop Series (Part 2 of 3)
DESCRIPTION:Where do you want your farm\, fishing\, or food processing business to be in the next 5\, 10\, 25 years and beyond?\n\nThe Carrot Project wants to see you thriving and we aim to help you make it happen. \n\n“Will I pay my bills?”\n“Is my price the right price?”\n“Should I add a new product line?”\n“Is a capital investment worth it?”\n\n\nIn partnership with CISA The Making It Happen: Profitability and Success Workshop series for farmers and food processors in January 2020 will give you the financial management toolbox needed to answer these questions confidently and improve your business decision making and profitability. This interactive course presents four tools — cash flow budgeting\, scenario planning\, enterprise budgeting\, and sensitivity analysis — that “are fundamental and work well together to provide a comprehensive toolbox\,” according to a 2018 course participant. \n\nThe training is intended for producers with at least one year of operating experience and is approved as a USDA Farm Service Agency borrower training in Massachusetts\, New York\, Connecticut\, and Rhode Island. Participants in these areas receive registration priority. \n\nRegistration includes: \n\nPrerequisite online videos that take about 30 minutes (to ensure all participants have the basics to participate fully in the class)\nTwo four-hour in-person sessions to learn and apply skills to case studies\nOne on-line session to practice using your own numbers\nOne-on-one business technical assistance for those interested in follow up\nA financial management calendar and webinar.\n\n\nThe calendar is designed to help farmers carve out reasonable times to manage critical financial work. \n\nParticipants will need an internet enabled device\, and for the online meeting\, a microphone and webcam. CISA has space available for you at their offices if you do not have adequate internet service for the on-line session. \n\nCLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER\n\n\nSeries Schedule:  \nIn-person sessions: \n\nThursday\, January 9\, 12-4 pm\nThursday\, January 16\, 12-4 pm\nSnow date: January 23\, 12-4 pm\n\nRemote session:  \n\nJanuary 30\, 12-4 pm\n\n\nThis is material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2018-70027-28588
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/making-it-happen-profitability-and-success-workshop-series-part-2-of-3/
LOCATION:ServiceNet\, 21 Olander Drive\, Northampton\, MA\, 01060
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200115T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200115T120000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20200108T151410Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200108T151410Z
UID:32529-1579086000-1579089600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm Credit East’s 2020 Dairy Outlook webinar
DESCRIPTION:Registration is now open for Farm Credit East’s 2020 Dairy Outlook webinar for producers and others involved in the industry who want to gain insights on the state of the Northeast dairy industry\, and what to expect in the coming year. This one-hour webinar is free\, and will be held on Wednesday\, Jan. 15\, at 11 a.m. \nHear from the Director of Dairy Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison\, Dr. Mark Stephenson\, as he presents his economic outlook for dairy markets in 2020. He will cover regional\, national and international markets\, as well as what the coming year may bring for Northeast dairy producers. \nPlease register for this free webinar at this link. For more information\, please contact Chris Laughton at 800-562-2235 or Christopher.Laughton@FarmCreditEast.com. For more upcoming and past webinars\, visit FarmCreditEast.com/webinars.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-credit-easts-2020-dairy-outlook-webinar/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200109T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200109T160000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191122T151553Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191204T173032Z
UID:32102-1578571200-1578585600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Making it Happen: Profitability and Success Workshop Series (Part 1 of 3)
DESCRIPTION:Where do you want your farm\, fishing\, or food processing business to be in the next 5\, 10\, 25 years and beyond?\nThe Carrot Project wants to see you thriving and we aim to help you make it happen. \n\n“Will I pay my bills?”\n“Is my price the right price?”\n“Should I add a new product line?”\n“Is a capital investment worth it?”\n\nIn partnership with CISA\, the Making It Happen: Profitability and Success Workshop Series for farmers and food processors in January 2020 will give you the financial management toolbox needed to answer these questions confidently and improve your business decision making and profitability. This interactive course presents four tools — cash flow budgeting\, scenario planning\, enterprise budgeting\, and sensitivity analysis — that “are fundamental and work well together to provide a comprehensive toolbox\,” according to a 2018 course participant. \nThe training is intended for producers with at least one year of operating experience and is approved as a USDA Farm Service Agency borrower training in Massachusetts\, New York\, Connecticut\, and Rhode Island. Participants in these areas receive registration priority. \nRegistration includes: \n\nPrerequisite online videos that take about 30 minutes (to ensure all participants have the basics to participate fully in the class)\nTwo four-hour in-person sessions to learn and apply skills to case studies\nOne on-line session to practice using your own numbers\nOne-on-one business technical assistance for those interested in follow up\nA financial management calendar and webinar.\n\nThe calendar is designed to help farmers carve out reasonable times to manage critical financial work. \nParticipants will need an internet enabled device\, and for the online meeting\, a microphone and webcam. CISA has space available for you at their offices if you do not have adequate internet service for the online session. \n\nCLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER\n\n\nSeries Schedule:  \nIn-person sessions: \n\nThursday\, January 9\, 12-4 pm\nThursday\, January 16\, 12-4 pm\nSnow date: January 23\, 12-4 pm\n\nRemote session:  \n\nJanuary 30\, 12-4 pm\n\nThis is material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2018-70027-28588
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/making-it-happen-profitability-and-success-workshop-series-part-1-of-3/
LOCATION:ServiceNet\, 21 Olander Drive\, Northampton\, MA\, 01060
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20200107T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20200107T200000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191204T204210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191204T204210Z
UID:32302-1578420000-1578427200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program Events
DESCRIPTION:LOOKING FORWARD: FARMLANDS FOREVER \nMassachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources View Online Flyer \nAgricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program Events in 2020 \nThe Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is holding a series of public meetings over the course of January 2020 to review the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program. The APR Program preserves and protects agricultural lands from being built upon for any activity detrimental to agriculture. The meetings are intended to provide the public with an opportunity to review existing guidelines\, policies and regulations in order to assess the effectiveness of the program and provide input. \nPlease find attached a flyer detailing the times and locations of the upcoming meetings. Please post and distribute widely. \nEvents held from 6-8pm \nJanuary 7      Red Barn\, Hampshire College\, 893 West Street\, Amherst\nJanuary 14    Community Harvest Farm\, 37 Wheeler Road\, North Grafton\nJanuary 21    Berkshire Athenaeum\, Public Library\, 1 Wendell Ave\, Pittsfield\nJanuary 28    Bristol County Ag High School\, Library Rm 212\, Gilbert Hall\, 135 Center Street\, Dighton \nJanuary 30    Essex North Shore Ag/Tech School\, Smith Hall Cafetorium\, 565 Maple Street\, Danvers \nFor questions please email dorothy.du@mass.gov \nSince 1980\, the APR Program has permanently protected 932 farms and 73\,368 acres in Massachusetts.  The APR program was the first in the nation and continues to protect and preserve working farms for generations to come.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/agricultural-preservation-restriction-apr-program-events/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191219T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191219T120000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191212T141539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191212T141539Z
UID:32362-1576753200-1576756800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Business Basics for Beginning Farmers
DESCRIPTION:Farm Credit East’s Director of Knowledge Exchange\, Chris Laughton\, will present several financial topics relevant to people either running an early-stage farm enterprise or considering starting one. This one-hour webinar will be held Thursday\, December 19\, from 11:00AM – 12:00PM. The topics presented will include: \n• Financial Statements: What they are\, how to read them and why they are useful\n• Budgets and Cash Flow: How to put together a budget and why it’s important to your enterprise\n• Credit and Financing: How to approach a lender\, sources of financing and how credit decisions are made \n“Most people start farming\, forest products or commercial fishing businesses because they are passionate about what they do\,” said Laughton. “But many don’t think about the financial management end of their new business.” This webinar will explore some financial concepts important to growing businesses including financial statements\, budgeting and access to capital\, that are essential for the success of any enterprise. \nPlease register for this free webinar at this link. For more information\, please contact Chris Laughton at 800-562-2235 or Christopher.Laughton@FarmCreditEast.com. For more upcoming and past webinars\, visit FarmCreditEast.com/webinars.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/webinar-business-basics-for-beginning-farmers-2/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191204T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191204T153000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191114T143602Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191114T143636Z
UID:32052-1575453600-1575473400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:New England Farm Succession School
DESCRIPTION:New England Farm Succession School\n\n\n\nAre you unsure who will take over your farm?\nFeel like your family needs to start talking\, but you don’t know where\nto start?\nHave questions about retiring that you don’t know how to answer?\nCan the farm support two generations? \nAnswer these questions and more at the 3-day Farm Succession School this winter! It is an opportunity for senior generation to talk with peers\, learn from advisors\, and get support on this challenging process.  \nWe will help you:  \n\nGet the conversation started\nSort through possibilities\nClarify your goals and next steps\nConnect you with resources and support to keep the process going! \n\nFarmers from across New England\, of all farm sizes and enterprises\, are welcome. Couples are encouraged to attend together! The course curriculum is designed for active\, commercial farms looking to transfer their farm to a related or unrelated successor. If this isn’t you\, please call us to discuss whether this course will be the best fit.  \n\nWhen\n\n\nDecember 4\, 2019 \nJanuary 9\, 2020\nFebruary 6\, 2020\n\nEach session will be from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM \n\n\n\nWhere\nMassachusetts Department of\nAgricultural Resources \n64 Century Way\nSuite 42\nWest Springfield\, MA 01089 \n\n\nThe fee is $300 per farmer or farm couple\, including lunch\, refreshments and materials. Upon successful completion of the course\, you can be reimbursed up to $200 for additional succession-related advising\, such as attorney or accountant fees. \nFarmers are required to attend all three days. There will be homework between sessions. Individualized support will be offered between sessions and after the course is concluded. \nRegistration deadline is November 27th. For more information or to register\, call (603) 357-1600 or click here to register now.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/new-england-farm-succession-school-3/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191204T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191204T170000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191204T204412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191204T204412Z
UID:32304-1575446400-1575478800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Windbreak Workshop for Farmers
DESCRIPTION:Join us on January 8th 2020 from 10-3 at Astarte Farm (123 West St. Hadley\, MA) to learn how to make windbreaks a useful addition to your farm. \nWe will cover: what windbreaks are\, how they benefit you and your crops\, and how to go about accessing resources to install your own. \nRSVP by December 23rd to hampdenhampshireconservation.org or (413) 923-3238
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/windbreak-workshop-for-farmers/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191121T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191121T150000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191114T163743Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191114T164330Z
UID:32057-1574326800-1574348400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm to School 101
DESCRIPTION:Chicopee Fresh Presents \nFARM TO SCHOOL 101\nN O V E M B E R 2 1 \, 2 0 1 9\n9 : 0 0 A M – 3 : 0 0 P M\nU M A S S A M H E R S T\nA 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. \nREGISTER BY 11/15 TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-to-school-101/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191119T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191119T150000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191104T151757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191104T151757Z
UID:32004-1574172000-1574175600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Product Spotlight: Increasing Regionally Sourced Grains in Institutions [Webinar]
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday November 19th\, 2019 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET  \nFree of Charge l  Register Now \nHost Organization: Farm to Institution New England (FINE) \nIs 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. \nLearn 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. \nSpeakers\n\nAmber Lambke\, CEO\, Maine Grains\, Inc.\nTristan Noyes\, Executive Director\, Maine Grain Alliance\nMaeve Mcinnis\, Maine Course Director\, Sodexo\n\nAmber 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. \nTristan 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. \nMaeve 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. \nFINE’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. \nRegister Now
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/product-spotlight-increasing-regionally-sourced-grains-in-institutions-webinar/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191114T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191114T170000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191114T143855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191114T143855Z
UID:32055-1573718400-1573750800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference & Trade Show
DESCRIPTION:New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference & Trade Show \nWhere: DoubleTree by Hilton\, 700 Elm St.\, Manchester\, NH \nWhen: Tuesday – Thursday\, December 10-12\, 2019 \nREGISTRATION: https://newenglandvfc.org/registration \nRegistration 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. \nGet more details here\, including the full program.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/new-england-vegetable-fruit-conference-trade-show/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191019T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191019T170000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20191003T152434Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191003T152434Z
UID:31866-1571475600-1571504400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Hemp Cultivation: Seed to Salve
DESCRIPTION:Saturday Oct 19\, 2019 10:00 AM –  5:00 PM | Free – $90.00 \nFor more information and to register\, click here. \nHemp 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. \nAgricultural 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. \nA 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. \nAgenda:\n10:00am – Welcome\n10:15am – Dr. Heather Darby and Broadacre Cultivation\nNoon – Potluck lunch*\n1:00pm – Keith Morris: Small Scale Cultivation and Processing\n3:00pm – MDAR Sarah Grubin: State Regulations and Permitting Process\n4:30pm – Hemp Advocacy Update\n5:00pm – Wrap Up \n*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. \nInstructors: \nDr. 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. \nKeith 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. \nSarah 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. \nHemp Panelists: \nMarty 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. \nMichelle 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. \nJulia 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.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/hemp-cultivation-seed-to-salve/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191016T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191016T143000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20190930T151739Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190930T151739Z
UID:31834-1571214600-1571236200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:4th Annual Producer and Buyer Forum
DESCRIPTION:Announcing the 4th Annual Producer and Buyer Forum \nWith Keynote Speaker Dan Horan of Five Acre Farms \n Discussing the Rewards and Risks of Growth  \nMIDDLEBURY\, 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. \nDan 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. \nFollowing 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.” \nSome of our speaker highlights include:   \n\nAllie Dercoli of FinAllie will give insights on buying directly from local vegetable producers\nHeather Belcher of Sweet Clover Market will offer advice from a buyer and understanding business growth objectives\nDominique Giroux from the VT Agency of Ag  helps buyers learn about food safety standards\nSeth MacCausland of Pumpkin Village Foods is a distributor who sells Vermont products to buyers in Brooklyn\, NY\nBenjy Adler of Skinny Pancake will discuss their mission to purchase from local suppliers across all categories and to expand to the greater Northeast region\n\nACORN 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.” \nJoin 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 \nQuestions: Contact Annie Harlow 802-922-7060 \nDate: Wednesday\, October 16\, 2019 \nTime: 8:30AM – 2:30 PM. Registration opens at 8:30AM. A local foods lunch will be served. \nLocation: Middlebury College’s Kirk Alumni Center\, 217 Golf Course Rd\, Middlebury \nCost: Early registration $30 (includes coffee\, light refreshments and a local foods lunch). \nPrice increases Oct 13 \nPlease purchase your ticket at http://www.acornvt.org
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/4th-annual-producer-and-buyer-forum/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191015T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191015T210000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20190911T180606Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190911T180606Z
UID:31679-1571162400-1571173200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm Business Planning Course
DESCRIPTION:Farm Business Planning Course\nOctober 15 to December 3: Every Tuesday from 6:00pm – 9:00pm\n(includes remote online classes)\nNew Entry Farmer Training Center: 733 Cabot Street\, Moraine Farm\, Beverly\, MA\nInstructors: Kevin Cody and Ben Zoba \nWhat to Expect\nOver the eight-week course\, you will create a plan to start or grow your farm business. Throughout this course you will learn how to: \n\nCreate a mission and vision for your business\nDevelop a budget and a plan to fund your business\nCreate a marketing plan for your business\nSet goals and create a timeline for your farm business to grow\nWeave those elements together into a cohesive business plan\n\n*Completion of this course is necessary to be eligible for the New Entry Farm Incubator Program \nPricing\nThe cost of the course is $400.\nIf you are worried about affording the course\, we offer scholarship opportunities to those with financial need. \nRegistration\nTo register\, click here.\nAfter registering\, click here to pay for the course on EventBrite. \nIf 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.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-business-planning-course-2/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191008T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191008T190000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20190930T151600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190930T151600Z
UID:31832-1570554000-1570561200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Pests and Pets\, Managing Animals in the Packhouse
DESCRIPTION:When: Tuesday\, October 8\, 2019 from 5 pm to 7 pm \nWhere: UMass Agricultural Learning Center\, 911 North Pleasant St.\, Amherst\, MA 01003 \nPackhouse 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. \nSPEAKERS \n\nAmanda Brown\, UMass Student Farm Enterprise – designing a new packhouse and getting certified by the Commonwealth Quality Program\nHans Estrin\, UVM Extension – considerations for building or retrofitting your wash/pack space with an eye toward food safety\nNatasha Wright\, Braman Termite & Pest Elimination – tips and techniques from the professionals\nJim Ward – How we control birds at Ward’s Berry Farm\nWally Czajkowski – How we control rodents at Plainville Farm\n\n\nThe meeting will be followed by a light dinner and time for questions and discussion \nThis event is FREE\, but please RSVP so we can plan ahead for dinner \n**1 pesticide recertification credit available** \nREGISTER HERE:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pests-and-pets-managing-animals-in-the-packhouse-tickets-72589287513 \nContact Lisa McKeag at 413-545-1051 or lmckeag@umass.edu for more information
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/pests-and-pets-managing-animals-in-the-packhouse/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191003T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191003T170000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20190924T122439Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190924T122439Z
UID:31760-1570114800-1570122000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm to School Sales Tour: Western Mass. Food Processing Center
DESCRIPTION:Join us for our Fall Farm & Food Tour Series \nWe 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!  \nPre-registration is required\, please click the links below to register for each tour individually.  \n[All events will be held rain or shine.] \n10/3/19\, 3:00-5:00PM: Western Mass. Food Processing Center\, Greenfield\, MA \nCome 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.  \nThe 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.  \nLocation: 324 Wells St\, Greenfield\, MA 01301 \nRegister here: Western Mass Food Processing Center Tour
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-to-school-sales-tour-western-mass-food-processing-center/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20190924T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20190924T203000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20190815T224931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190918T185444Z
UID:31561-1569348000-1569357000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Workshop: Get the most out of your farm's POS system 
DESCRIPTION: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.\n\n\n \n\n\n\nChoose Attendance Option\n\n\nLH Non-Member $15.00 USDLH Member $12.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name of attendee:\n\n\n\n\n\nEnter farm/business name:
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/workshop-get-the-most-out-of-your-farms-pos-system/
LOCATION:Polish American Citizens Club\, 46 South Main Street\, South Deerfield\, 01373
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20190922T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20190922T170000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20190911T180342Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190911T180342Z
UID:31677-1569146400-1569171600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Explore Farming Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Explore Farming Workshop\nSunday\, September 22 from 10:00am – 12:00pm\nNew Entry Farmer Training Center: 733 Cabot Street\, Moraine Farm\, Beverly\, MA \nThis free two hour workshop includes activities and presentations to bring your interest in farming to the next level. \nYou 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. \nThe workshop will also include a presentation on New Entry’s courses and services and a tour of the incubator farm! \nTo register click here
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/explore-farming-workshop/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20190913T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20190913T140000
DTSTAMP:20260510T184347
CREATED:20190815T164951Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190815T164951Z
UID:31557-1568379600-1568383200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Attorney General Meeting on Overtime
DESCRIPTION:“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.  \nIn 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. \nThis 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. \nPlease 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. \nPlease pass this invitation on to other farmers who might have an interest. \nIf you would like to attend please RSVP by September 9th\, 2019 to lily.wallace@mahouse.gov \nAny questions\, please let me know. \nBrad Mitchell \nMA Farm Bureau \n508.481.4766
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/attorney-general-meeting-on-overtime/
LOCATION:NY
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
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