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DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180511T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180511T160000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180329T182059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180329T182059Z
UID:26973-1526036400-1526054400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Northfield Mount Hermon Food Systems Teach-In and Farmers' Market
DESCRIPTION:On Friday\, May 11\, 2018\, Northfield Mount Hermon will host local food and agriculture experts in a day of connecting\, teaching\, and selling their products. \nThe school’s classes focus on various aspects of the local food system to engage students in the effort of becoming responsible citizens through their food choices. In the afternoon\, the local community is invited to campus to shop and learn at a farmers’ market and associated workshops. NMH’s goal: to build educational connections between youth and adults and between the food producers and consumers of the Pioneer Valley. \n11 am – 4 pm Open to alumni\, parents\, and the NMH community\n2 pm – 4 pm Open to the public \nAt the market in Beveridge Bowl: \n\nNMH and locally produced farm goods and gifts are for sale\, including fresh eggs\, cheeses\, maple syrup\, and bath products\nLocal farmers\, foresters\, and sustainability specialists hand out information and talk with visitors\nExperts discuss ways that the school and others can be greener\nNMH’s own furry and feathered farm animals are brought out for the public to pet and to study.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/northfield-mount-hermon-food-systems-teach-in-and-farmers-market/
LOCATION:Northfield Mount Hermon\, 1 Lamplighter Way\, Gill\, MA
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180510T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180510T203000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180131T233759Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180131T233854Z
UID:26545-1525973400-1525984200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm Share Fair 2018
DESCRIPTION:Do you love local\, fresh food?  Maybe you’ve been thinking about joining a CSA – a Farm Share? A Farm Share program allows you to receive a fabulous box of great stuff every week direct from a Massachusetts farm. Check out the Farm Share Fair at The Armory in Somerville on May 10th and meet the fantastic farmers and home delivery companies from across this state\, which bring local produce to the Boston area. Compare and learn about all the various options: veggies\, fruit\, flowers\, meat\, fish eggs\, dairy\, and specialty products.  Over 40 vendors will be at the fair\, including some wonderful sustainable food product companies and service providers. Spend your food dollars on locally grown\, and sign up at the Farm Share Fair! \nSponsored by:  Farm Share Fair\nThursday\, May 10th\n5:30-8:30 pm\nThe Armory\n191 Highland Avenue\nSomerville\, MA\nwww.farmsharefair.com \nQuestions? maria@farmsharefair.com \nWe’re social!\nFacebook: www.facebook.com/FarmShareFair\nTwitter: @FarmShareFair\nInstagram: @FarmShareFair
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-share-fair-2018/
LOCATION:The Armory\, 191 Highland Ave\, Somerville\, MA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180502T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180502T140000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180423T143808Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180423T143808Z
UID:27232-1525266000-1525269600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Land Access Basics for Livestock Farmers
DESCRIPTION:Overwhelmed by the challenges of accessing farmland? Don’t be. Whether you are a new\, beginning or established farmer\, this webinar will help you navigate the issues around accessing farmland or a farm property. Jason Silverman with Land For Good will discuss land tenure arrangements\, including leasing and owning\, as well as provide tips for finding and evaluating land. Come with your questions! \nRegister here.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/webinar-land-access-basics-for-livestock-farmers/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180430T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180430T200000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180430T181200Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180430T181200Z
UID:27335-1525111200-1525118400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Have you thought about the future of your land?
DESCRIPTION:At this informational workshop\, you will learn about resources for:  \n\nFarm succession\nForestry management\nLand conservation\nFinancial planning\nEstate planning\nLeasing to a farmer\n\nFREE light dinner and refreshments from Diemand Farm will be served. \nPlease RSVP to Kat Kowalski at (978) 248-2055 x29 or Kowalski@mountgrace.org. \nUnable to attend? Call to schedule a free meeting with Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust to talk about your goals for your land: 978-248-2055 x22.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/have-you-thought-about-the-future-of-your-land/
LOCATION:Erving Senior Center\, 1 Care Drive\, Erving\, MA\, 01344\, United States
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180430T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180430T173000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180418T155622Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180418T155811Z
UID:27209-1525100400-1525109400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm to School Sales: Are They Right for Your Business?
DESCRIPTION:Join CISA and MA Farm to School for School Food 101 introduction! Come learn what makes K-12 school meal programs distinct from other food service programs\, how to cater to school meal providers\, and how to troubleshoot potential barriers. We’ll discuss some of the unique benefits and opportunities of partnering with schools.  Representatives from schools and farms selling to them will join the conversation so you can hear directly from them about how it works. Farmers and school representatives will get to meet and network as well. \nPresentation: 3:00-4:30pm Open to All Farmers\nNetworking: 4:30-5:30pm Farmers and School Purchasers \nRSVP to Aja@buylocalfood.org or call 413-665-7100 by April 27th. Light refreshments provided.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-to-school-sales-are-they-right-for-your-business/
LOCATION:The Food Bank of Western MA\, 97 North Hatfield Road\, Hatfield\, MA\, 01038
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180424T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180424T130000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180412T195538Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180412T200540Z
UID:27100-1524571200-1524574800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:The Farmer's Office Live Webinar: Managing Cash Flow
DESCRIPTION:You’ll never have to worry about cash in the bank with proper cash flow management. In this webinar\, participants will review how to create monthly cash flow projections and how to manage day-to-day cash flows. First\, you will work through creating a yearly cash flow projection using historical data to lay-out cash needs on a monthly basis\, then discuss how to manage cash on a weekly basis and prevent accidentally bouncing a check. \nParticipants will be able to ask questions during the webinar. At the end of the session\, you will receive a dynamic cash flow excel template that will help you with your own projections. \nRegister here \n*This webinar is available for free to all Premium and Soft Launch members of The Farmer’s Office. Learn more about memberships
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/27100/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180419T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180419T143000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180328T213213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180328T213213Z
UID:26954-1524130200-1524148200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Understanding Customer Behavior at Farmers Markets to Improve Farm Sales
DESCRIPTION:Please join NOFA/VT as they welcome the folks from GrowNYC’s FARMroots and Greenmarket Programs for this unique workshop for both farmers and farmers market managers. The workshop will start with both audiences together learning about GrowNYC’s Customer Behavior at Farmers Markets Study. After lunch\, the two audiences will break apart\, with the farmer audience diving into FARMroots’ research and presentation about ways to use POS systems\, and the market manager audience learning how to measure customer behavior at their market and exploring how to use this information to support their market’s vendors. \nFind more info and register here.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/understanding-customer-behavior-at-farmers-markets-to-improve-farm-sales/
LOCATION:Lake Morey Resort\, 1 Clubhouse Road\, Fairlee\, VT\, 05045\, United States
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180412T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180412T203000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20160225T193710Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180228T200425Z
UID:18354-1523556000-1523565000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Annual Meeting
DESCRIPTION:CISA supporters and members\, you are invited to our Annual Meeting at the Garden House at Look Park! \nJoin with the CISA community to celebrate CISA’s 25th anniversary\, honor this year’s Local Hero awardees\, and participate in a vibrant discussion about our local food economy with CISA staff\, board\, and your community! \nDinner will be provided\, with catering from River Valley Co-op! \nThis event is free\, and seating is limited to 175 people. RSVP to save a seat. Call 413-665-7100 or e-mail Jennifer.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-annual-meeting/
LOCATION:Garden House at Look Park\, Northampton
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180410T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180410T210000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180207T220737Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180207T220822Z
UID:26577-1523383200-1523394000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Workshop: Building Online Engagement to Market Your Farm
DESCRIPTION:Marketing can help you decide what to grow or produce\, choose where and how you want to sell it\, differentiate yourself from other farmers\, and make effective use of social media and other marketing tools. Learn the basics to doing your own direct marketing or supervising someone else. This series of 4 workshops is designed as a complete direct marketing class\, but you can register for as many as you like. Sessions will include guest speakers\, handouts\, discussions and in-class exercises. \nSession 4: Building Online Engagement to Market Your Farm (4/10/2018) \nWebsites\, social media\, email\, and other types of digital marketing are great tools\, but they can also be a huge waste of time. This session will cover basic dos and don’ts of websites\, tips for getting found on the web through search engine optimization and online directories\, and making the most of email and social media marketing. Participants will receive and learn to use a worksheet to help you create an online marketing planning calendar. A guest farmer will share their tips about using social media to build customer loyalty. \nGuest Speaker: Maddie Elling\, Co-Owner\, Hosta Hill \nFind more info and register here \nInstructors: \nMyrna Greenfield\, founder and “Top Egg” at Good Egg Marketing\, provides expert marketing for good food and good causes. Good Egg helps businesses increase sales and build customer loyalty through brand development\, sales and marketing strategies\, websites\, and social media. Greenfield is a frequent speaker\, trainer and workshop presenter. She holds an MBA from the Simmons School of Management and lives in Boston\, Massachusetts. \nJustin Chase\, Farmer Training Program Manager at New Entry Sustainable Farming Project. Justin is also a twelfth-generation farmer on his family’s farm in Newburyport\, Massachusetts. He was faculty at Northern Essex Community College where he taught business and advanced mathematics and he holds an MBA from Bentley University. \nFunding for this Direct Market Education series was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through Grant Agreement No. 16FMPPMA0047. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/26577/
LOCATION:The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine\, 200 Westboro Road\, North Grafton\, MA 
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180409T131500
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180409T154500
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180320T135327Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180320T135327Z
UID:26879-1523279700-1523288700@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Respirator Train-the-Trainer Course for Farmers\, Beekeepers\, and Other Employees who Need to Use Respirators
DESCRIPTION:UMass Extension is offering a series of Respirator Train-the-Trainer workshops in 2018. Farmers\, beekeepers and others who need to wear respirators\, required by pesticide labels\, can benefit from the workshop. Participants will learn how the fit test a respirator and select\, use\, clean\, maintain and replace respirators. All handlers must be trained under the EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Respirator Requirement if they apply any pesticide that requires a respirator. Several organic approved (OMRI) pesticides and some miticides used by beekeepers require respirators. The respirator train-the-trainer workshops are 2 hours long and will be held in Marlboro\, Taunton\, Hadley\, and Marlborough.  The registration fee is $30.00 per person. Participants will received a Certificate of Attendance\, a check list for respirator training\, and a fit test protocol. This is an hands on workshop. Bring your respirator or use one of ours. To register for these workshop via the mail please click here for the registration form. To register online with a credit card (extra $5.00/person) see below. \nWhen: Monday\, April 9\, 2018 from 1:15 PM to 3:45 PM\nWhere: Hadley Farms Meeting House\, 41 Russell Street\, Hampton Village Barn Shops on Route 9\, Hadley\, MA 01035\nREGISTER HERE: https://www.regonline.com/registration/Checkin.aspx?EventID=2267207
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/respirator-train-the-trainer-course-for-farmers-beekeepers-and-other-employees-who-need-to-use-respirators/
LOCATION:Hadley Farms Meeting House\, 41 Russell Street\, Hadley\, MA\, 01035
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180407T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180407T160000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180228T200328Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180228T200328Z
UID:26719-1523091600-1523116800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:2018 PVGrows Forum
DESCRIPTION:Attendees will dig deep on the urgent and timely topics of immigration\, food access\, and land access through a series of speakers and discussions. Join the PVGrows Network to learn from local and regional efforts and craft strategies for action. \nKeynote speakers from Vermont’s Migrant Justice will discuss their work\, which builds the voice\, capacity\, and power of the farmworker community. Migrant Justice’s Milk with Dignity Campaign calls on corporations to take responsibility for the farm worker rights abuses in their supply chains. Launched in 2014\, the Milk with Dignity Campaign achieved a major success after years of effort when Ben and Jerry’s signed the first Milk with Dignity agreement in 2017. Learn more about Migrant Justice’s work at: migrantjustice.net \nIn addition to their keynote address\, Migrant Justice will join a workshop with local workers\, advocates and PVGrows participants to discuss approaches to supporting food system workers in the Pioneer Valley during this time of heightened stress and fear for foreign-born residents. \nThe PVGrows Forum will also feature a workshop and discussion on food access\, with an emphasis on community responses to the suspension of the Healthy Incentives Program and the threats to SNAP in the Farm Bill reauthorization process. A third workshop will address the challenges of land access for urban\, rural\, and immigrant farmers\, recognizing the long history of enslavement and racial discrimination that created and maintain patterns of land and wealth ownership. \nRegister today to join this conversation about challenges facing the local food system\, to broaden and deepen your relationships with others in the field\, and to identify ways to take collaborative action for a more just\, equitable food system. \nNote: We want the PVGrows Forum to be accessible to everyone regardless of financial standing or institutional support. For this reason\, there are six different fee level options\, ranging from FREE to $75. These options exist to give attendees the opportunity to select a fee level that fits within their budget. Attendees will not receive additional benefits for paying a higher fee. \nLive Spanish language interpretation services will be available. To register for the Forum in Spanish\, please call CISA at (413) 665-7100 and ask for Mia.  \nRegister for the 2018 PVGrows Forum\n\nIf you registered for the Forum in December: \nIf you registered for the 2018 PVGrows Forum before the December postponement\, you have been automatically registered for the new date. If you will not be attending the April 7th Forum\, we will be happy to issue a full refund. Contact Noah for more information. Thank you. \n\nThe Forum\nPVGrows is a collaborative network dedicated to enhancing the environmental and economic vitality of the Pioneer Valley food system. For years\, PVGrows Forums have provided our community valuable opportunities to make new connections\, adopt fresh perspectives\, and expand our capacity to work together. Our network is made up of professionals\, workers\, advocates\, and students from the fields of agriculture\, food justice\, public health\, community development\, local economic development\, environmental sustainability\, social justice\, and more. Our events are open to all! \nPVGrows Forums bring together food system stakeholders and participants to spend a day deeply exploring the Pioneer Valley food system. Our events are open to all. The 2018 PVGrows Forum is made possible by a volunteer planning committee\, our sponsors\, and CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture). Learn more about PVGrows Forums. Contact Noah with questions.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/2018-pvgrows-forum/
LOCATION:Gateway City Arts\, 92 Race Street\, Holyoke\, MA\, 01040\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180403T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180403T210000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180207T215403Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180207T215403Z
UID:26574-1522778400-1522789200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Workshop: Creating a Strong Brand for Your Farm
DESCRIPTION:Marketing can help you decide what to grow or produce\, choose where and how you want to sell it\, differentiate yourself from other farmers\, and make effective use of social media and other marketing tools. Learn the basics to doing your own direct marketing or supervising someone else. This series of 4 workshops is designed as a complete direct marketing class\, but you can register for as many as you like. Sessions will include guest speakers\, handouts\, discussions and in-class exercises. \nSession 3: Creating a Strong Brand for Your Farm (4/3/2018) \nYour farm brand consists of everything that you offer\, say\, or do\, from the quality of your produce or meat to the color of your logo to the way you greet your customers. This session will explain how to creating a clear\, consistent\, and compelling brand that can help people remember your farm\, build customer loyalty\, and increase sales. Participants will receive and learn to use a worksheet to help you define and express your brand. A guest graphic designer will provide tips on how to create a powerful visual presence. \nGuest Speaker: Susan Bergeron-West\, Sirius Design \nFind more info and register here \nInstructors: \nMyrna Greenfield\, founder and “Top Egg” at Good Egg Marketing\, provides expert marketing for good food and good causes. Good Egg helps businesses increase sales and build customer loyalty through brand development\, sales and marketing strategies\, websites\, and social media. Greenfield is a frequent speaker\, trainer and workshop presenter. She holds an MBA from the Simmons School of Management and lives in Boston\, Massachusetts. \nJustin Chase\, Farmer Training Program Manager at New Entry Sustainable Farming Project. Justin is also a twelfth-generation farmer on his family’s farm in Newburyport\, Massachusetts. He was faculty at Northern Essex Community College where he taught business and advanced mathematics and he holds an MBA from Bentley University. \nFunding for this Direct Market Education series was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through Grant Agreement No. 16FMPPMA0047. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/workshop-creating-a-strong-brand-for-your-farm/
LOCATION:The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine\, 200 Westboro Road\, North Grafton\, MA 
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180402T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180402T163000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180329T175615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180329T175615Z
UID:26968-1522674000-1522686600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Massachusetts Craft Beverage Workshops
DESCRIPTION:The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources have teamed up to present a series of Craft Beverage Workshops to support the Commonwealth’s craft beverage industry. Geared toward Massachusetts producers of beer\, wine\, cider\, and spirits\, the event will focus on marketing practices and brand strategies designed to attract culinary tourists. Attendees can expect presentations from host businesses\, ad agency Small Army\, craft beverage associations\, and state resources. Panel discussions will include industry experts. There is no cost to participate\, however registration is required since space is limited. \nThe workshops are open to craft beverage businesses\, as well as tourism professionals looking to network and gain a better understanding of ways to leverage this unique component of the culinary landscape. The workshops will be held at locations throughout the state on April 2nd\, 9th\, and 23rd. Representation from all four categories of craft beverage – beer\, cider\, wine\, and spirits – will be at each event. \nFind more information and register here. \nApril 2\nStone Cow Brewery\n500 West St B\, Barre\, MA 01005\n1:00pm – 4:30pm\nHost presentation by Stone Cow Brewery\nPanelists: Bear Swamp Orchard (Jennifer Williams)\, Berkshire Mountain Distillery (Chris Weld)\, Black Birch Vineyard (Michelle Kersbergen)\, Nightshift Brewing (Rob Burns); Moderated by Katie Stinchon (Mass Brewers Guild)\nAd agency: Small Army\nIndustry/State: Mass Brewers Guild\, MDAR\, MOTT\nNetworking to follow
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/massachusetts-craft-beverage-workshops/
LOCATION:Stone Cow Brewery\, 500 West Street\, Barre\, MA\, 01005\, United States
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
ORGANIZER;CN="":MAILTO:hartmansherb@hotmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180402T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180402T113000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180328T211159Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180328T211826Z
UID:26948-1522663200-1522668600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:HIP Suspension Regional Meeting
DESCRIPTION:The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) are holding regional meetings for our HIP partners and retailers. In February\, you received notification from DTA regarding the upcoming suspension of the Healthy Incentives Program. We know that the HIP suspension impacts retailers in a more nuanced manner and hope these regional meetings can provide you with more information and resources to better equip you at your markets when dealing with customers during the suspension. \nBelow are the dates\, times and locations for each regional meeting. Please RSVP at the links below as soon as possible. \nAgenda: \n\nWelcome and Introductions\nTools/Resources to communicate the HIP suspension effectively\nBest practices you or your agency have developed to assist you during the HIP suspension\nMaterial Swap\nPlease submit any materials ahead of time to DTA.HIP@state.ma.us using “Regional Meetings Material Swap” in the subject line.\nUpdates on Points of Contact for future inquiries\nQ & A\n\nPlease Note: As outlined in the communication you received in February\, the Departments will provide more information regarding the status of HIP as that information becomes available. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the HIP suspension. It is unlikely we will have any updates beyond that. \nThank you to our community partners for assistance in planning the meetings: Central Mass Grown\, CISA\, Berkshire Grown\, Northeast Harvest\, SEMAP\, Cape Cod Buy Fresh Buy Local\, and the City of Boston\, Office of Food Access. \nDates and Locations: Please RSVP through the links: \n\nBoston\, March 28\, 10:00 am – 11:30 am\, BCYF Tobin Center – 2nd Floor Conference Room\, 1481 Tremont St.\, 02120 (by the Roxbury Crossing Orange Line stop)\nHolyoke\, April 2\, 10:00 am – 11:30 am\, Holyoke Public Library\, 250 Chestnut St.\, 01040\nWorcester\, April 2\, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm\, Worcester Public Library\, Saxe Room\, 3 Salem St\, 01608\nLenox\, April 3\, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm\, Lenox Community Center\, 65 Walker St\,01240\nTopsfield\, April 5\, 9:30 am – 11:00 am: Topsfield Fairgrounds Bee Building\, 207 Boston St\, 01983\nHyannis\, 4/9\, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm\, Hyannis Golf Course 1800 Iyannough Rd\, 02601\nDartmouth\, 4/9\, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: UMass Dartmouth School of Law\, Larkin Moot Court Room\, 333 Faunce Corner Rd.\, Dartmouth 02747\nConference Call: April 11th \, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/hip-suspension-regional-meeting/
LOCATION:Holyoke Public Library\, 250 Chestnut Street\, Holyoke\, MA\, 01040\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180402
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180406
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180307T165800Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180307T165800Z
UID:26794-1522627200-1522972799@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Food Justice Certified Training
DESCRIPTION:The Agricultural Justice Project will hold a three day training for Food Justice Certification (FJC) for reviewers and inspectors in Deerfield\, MA\, April 2 – 5\, 2018 at Woolman Hill Conference Center.  Please register now to participate!  The training is for organic certification staff\, organic inspectors and representatives of worker organizations who would like to participate in implementing Food Justice Certification on farms and food businesses across North America. Registration forms are due by March 15\, 2018. \nThe Food Justice Certified standards address: \n\nFair prices for farmers negotiated with buyers and based on actual costs to produce food that does not abuse the environment\, laborers or livestock\,\nLiving wages\, respect and decent working conditions for all food workers\nTransparency of expectations for workers\, farmers and their trade partners\,\nGrievance procedures and conflict resolution free from retaliation\nProtections for children from hazards and assured access to schooling\,\nAccess to healthcare and freedom from exposure to toxic materials\,\nThe right to organize for farmworkers and for farmers and other food system workers\,\nClosing the income gap between highest and lowest paid employees within a company.\n\nFind more info here
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/food-justice-certified-training/
LOCATION:Woolman Hill Retreat Center\, 107 Keets Road\, Deerfield\, MA\, 01342\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180329T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180329T193000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180307T204751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180320T144710Z
UID:26809-1522341000-1522351800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Workshop: How to Create a Content Strategy that Increases Customer Awareness and Drives Sales
DESCRIPTION:In today’s over-saturated digital media landscape\, how can you reach new audiences while cultivating loyal followers\, communicate your distinction\, and develop effective messaging that will inspire customers to keep coming back? The answer is to focus on a content marketing strategy that works for your business. In this workshop\, Robin Catalano will look at the main digital communication channels—websites\, blogs\, social media\, and email—and explain which types of content perform best on each. We’ll also cover how to create a marketing calendar that will take the guesswork out of posting and streamline your workflow\, posting frequency\, and timing\, as well as SEO basics that you can start implementing today. Dinner will be provided. The cost of this workshop is $10 and we ask that you please RSVP to Devon Whitney-Deal at devon@buylocalfood.org or call 413-665-7100\, ext. 22. \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nMarch 29: Content Strategy $10.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/how-to-create-a-content-strategy-that-increases-customer-awareness-and-drives-sales/
LOCATION:Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center Room 302
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180327T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180327T210000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180207T214456Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180207T214559Z
UID:26571-1522173600-1522184400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Workshop: Create a Farm Marketing Plan to Achieve Your Sales Goals
DESCRIPTION:Marketing can help you decide what to grow or produce\, choose where and how you want to sell it\, differentiate yourself from other farmers\, and make effective use of social media and other marketing tools. Learn the basics to doing your own direct marketing or supervising someone else. This series of 4 workshops is designed as a complete direct marketing class\, but you can register for as many as you like. Sessions will include guest speakers\, handouts\, discussions and in-class exercises. \nSession 2: Create a Farm Marketing Plan to Achieve Your Sales Goals (3/27/2018) \nLearn how to create a simple marketing plan that will help you reach your sales goals. We’ll review product\, pricing\, and distribution options and discuss the design\, promotion\, and people you’ll need to implement your plan. Participants will receive and learn to use a marketing plan worksheet to map out your strategies. A guest consultant who works with farms will discuss how to create sales forecasts that integrate with your marketing plan. \nGuest Speaker: Julia Shanks\, Julia Shanks Food Consulting \nInstructors: \nMyrna Greenfield\, founder and “Top Egg” at Good Egg Marketing\, provides expert marketing for good food and good causes. Good Egg helps businesses increase sales and build customer loyalty through brand development\, sales and marketing strategies\, websites\, and social media. Greenfield is a frequent speaker\, trainer and workshop presenter. She holds an MBA from the Simmons School of Management and lives in Boston\, Massachusetts. \nJustin Chase\, Farmer Training Program Manager at New Entry Sustainable Farming Project. Justin is also a twelfth-generation farmer on his family’s farm in Newburyport\, Massachusetts. He was faculty at Northern Essex Community College where he taught business and advanced mathematics and he holds an MBA from Bentley University. \nFunding for this Direct Market Education series was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through Grant Agreement No. 16FMPPMA0047. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/workshop-create-a-farm-marketing-plan-to-achieve-your-sales-goals/
LOCATION:The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine\, 200 Westboro Road\, North Grafton\, MA 
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180322T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180322T183000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180308T223418Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180308T223418Z
UID:26821-1521736200-1521743400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Mass Farmers' Markets Association Annual Meeting
DESCRIPTION:The Annual Meeting for the Mass Farmers Markets Association will be held on March 22nd\, 2018 at the Hogan Campus Center at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester from 4:30 – 6:30pm. \nThe Annual Meeting will include a recap of MFM’s activities over the past year along with a review of forward-looking plans and a celebration of Mass Farmers Markets’ 40th Anniversary. Election of the Board of Directors will also take place. All are welcome to attend this free event. \nThe Annual Meeting will immediately follow the Farmers Market Managers Professional Development Seminar. For more information on the seminar and the annual meeting\, click here.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/mass-farmers-markets-association-annual-meeting/
LOCATION:The Hogan Center: College of the Holycross\, Worcester\, MA
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180322T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180322T180000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20171204T182700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20181108T133137Z
UID:25999-1521730800-1521741600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Workshop: Improving Workplace Communication
DESCRIPTION:(THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO MARCH 22ND) \nDevelop effective communication tools and explore strategies to improve our relationships with\, and the well-being of farm employees. Presenter\, Mary Jo Dudley of the Cornell Farmworker Program will address how to create a positive workplace and reduce communication misunderstandings including tips and tools for employers of foreign born farmers. Based on the extensive work of the Cornell Farmworker Program in capacity building for foreign-born farmworkers. \nLocation: Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center Room 301\, 303 Homestead Avenue\nPresenter: Mary Jo Dudley\, Cornell University and Director of Cornell Farmworker Program  \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nMarch 22: LH Member $15.00 USDMarch 22: non-LH Member $18.00 USDMarch 22: Additional Attendee $5.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series:  \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on-one consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75\, or $15 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-workshop-improving-workplace-communications/
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:20180321T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180321T200000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180206T190628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180306T152416Z
UID:26563-1521655200-1521662400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:RESCHEDULED: Next Generation of Farmers Gathering
DESCRIPTION:This event was originally scheduled for March 7th. It has been rescheduled for March 21st due to snow. \nOrganized by farmers\, for farmers. \nOn Wednesday\, March 21st at 6:00pm the Greenfield Farmers Cooperative Exchange will host an event for farmers who are carrying on their family business. The organizers\, who are next generation farm owners themselves\, are creating an opportunity to gather with their peers and collaborate on current needs\, future goals\, and actions to support the continuation of their family farm legacies. \nThis event is intended to form a network of support and resources among those who may be returning to their own family farm\, taking on leadership roles at their family farm\, or stepping out on their own. Young and beginning operators and managers are encouraged to attend! \nCISA is proud to support this event. It is a great opportunity for future generations to continue their farming legacy and keep the family business viable for many years to come. \nFor more information and the RSVP\, contact Jeff Budine at Greenfield Farmers Cooperative Exchange – farmers@crocker.com or 413-773-9639. \nThis event is co-organized by Tessa White-Diemand of Diemand Farm\, Greenfield Farmers Cooperative\, Hardwick Farmers Co-op\, and Community Involved In Sustaining Agriculture\, with support from Local Hero “next generation” farmers.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/next-generation-of-farmers-gathering/
LOCATION:Greenfield Farmers Cooperation\, 269 High St.\, Greenfield\, MA\, 01301\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180320T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180320T210000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180207T213042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180207T215830Z
UID:26569-1521568800-1521579600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Workshop: Use Market Research to Guide Farm Business Decisions
DESCRIPTION:Marketing can help you decide what to grow or produce\, choose where and how you want to sell it\, differentiate yourself from other farmers\, and make effective use of social media and other marketing tools. Learn the basics to doing your own direct marketing or supervising someone else. This series of 4 workshops is designed as a complete direct marketing class\, but you can register for as many as you like. Sessions will include guest speakers\, handouts\, discussions and in-class exercises. \nSession 1: Use Market Research to Guide Farm Business Decisions (3/20/2018) \nIf you want to grow your business\, you need to sell more to your existing customers\, sell to new customers\, and/or expand the number of products or services you offer. Market research can help you generate new ideas and choose the best options. This session will show you how to use basic market research to assess market trends\, understand your current or potential customers\, and decide what products\, prices and channels make sense for your farm. Participants will receive and learn to use a worksheet to profile the demographics\, interests\, and needs of your target customers. A guest speaker will discuss how to sell to wholesale and institutional markets. \nGuest Speaker: Simca Horwitz\, Mass. Farm to School Project \nFind more info and register here \nInstructors: \nMyrna Greenfield\, founder and “Top Egg” at Good Egg Marketing\, provides expert marketing for good food and good causes. Good Egg helps businesses increase sales and build customer loyalty through brand development\, sales and marketing strategies\, websites\, and social media. Greenfield is a frequent speaker\, trainer and workshop presenter. She holds an MBA from the Simmons School of Management and lives in Boston\, Massachusetts. \nJustin Chase\, Farmer Training Program Manager at New Entry Sustainable Farming Project. Justin is also a twelfth-generation farmer on his family’s farm in Newburyport\, Massachusetts. He was faculty at Northern Essex Community College where he taught business and advanced mathematics and he holds an MBA from Bentley University. \nFunding for this Direct Market Education series was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through Grant Agreement No. 16FMPPMA0047. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/workshop-use-market-research-to-guide-farm-business-decisions/
LOCATION:The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine\, 200 Westboro Road\, North Grafton\, MA 
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180313
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180316
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180215T212909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180215T212909Z
UID:26632-1520899200-1521158399@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Preventive Controls for Human Food Certification Training
DESCRIPTION:Under the Food Safety Modernization Act\, or FSMA\,certain activities must be completed by a “preventive controls qualified individual” who has successfully completed training in the development and application of risk-based preventative controls\, intended to ensure safe manufacturing\, processing\, packing\, and holding of food products for human consumption. This course meets the standardized curriculum recognized by the FDA-successfully completing this course is one way to meet the requirements to become a preventive controls qualified individual. This is a 20 hour (2.5 day) training and the cost is $595 per person. You can register here. \nFor more information on whether or not you should attend this training\, contact Amanda Kinchla at UMass Extension or call 413-545-1017.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/preventive-controls-for-human-food-certification-training/
LOCATION:UMass Amherst\, Amherst\, MA\, 01003\, United States
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180306T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180306T153000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180215T232800Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180215T232800Z
UID:26660-1520328600-1520350200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Strategies to Optimize Yield and Quality of Forage on Your Farm
DESCRIPTION:Free registration\, lunch provided. \nPlease join the UMass Extension Crop\, Dairy\, Livestock\, & Equine team for a multi-state collaborative event that focuses on innovations in sustainable forage production\, featuring presentations from several distinguished professors and professionals in the Northeast. Featured \nTopics: Perennial Forage Variety Selection (Dr. Heather Darby\, UVM; Double Cropping: Making Money on Both Ends (Tom Kilcer\, NY); Managing Weeds in Pastures (Dr. Sid Bosworth\, UVM); Estimates of MA Dairy Costs and Returns (Dr. Dan Lass\, UMass); Understanding the Importance of Fiber Digestibility (Rick Kersbergen\, UMaine); Get Your Planter Ready for No-Till (Jeff Sanders\, UVM); Troubleshooting Corn After Cover Crops (Sam Corcoran\, UMass); and Forage Sorghum: The Other Corn Crop (Tom Kilcer\, NY). Please RSVP if you plan on attending to ensure that the event runs smoothly. \nFor questions or to RSVP\, please contact: Alexa Smychkovich\, asmychko@umass.edu; (413) 545 -5221 \nFor more information\, please visit: https://ag.umass.edu/crops-dairy-livestock-equine/events/strategies-to-optimize-yield-quality-of-forage-on-your-farm
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/strategies-to-optimize-yield-and-quality-of-forage-on-your-farm/
LOCATION:UMass Crop & Livestock Research & Education Farm\, 89 River Rd\, South Deerfield\, MA\, 01373\, United States
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180305T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180305T150000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20171115T181846Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171115T182532Z
UID:25725-1520236800-1520262000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Local Specialty Crop & Local Food Trade Show
DESCRIPTION:The Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts (SBN) is offering our 7th Specialty Crop and Local Food Trade Show. The 2018 Local Food Trade Show is designed to facilitate connections and stimulate business relationships between producers and wholesale buyers of local food\, with a focus on specialty crop food products in Massachusetts. At this event\, buyers will have the unique opportunity to meet nearly 100 farmers and producers who grow and craft some of New England’s finest foods. \nThis event is ideal for restaurants\, retailers and institutional buyers interested in trading with local food suppliers and who desire to buy more locally produced products from growers\, fishermen\, and value added producers from Massachusetts and New England. \nThe Local Specialty Crop Trade Show\, Presented in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) \nExhibitors will include New England based farmers\, produce distributors and local specialty crop producers (products made with 50% or more specialty crops also qualify). Please view the USDA definition of specialty crops here. This Trade Show is funded by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant\, sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. The deadline to register is February 10\, 2018. Please note that booths may sell out. \nExhibition booths are free for specialty crop farmers + producers. \nSpecialty Crop Farmers and Produers–> REGISTER HERE \nLocal Food Trade Show \nThis trade show is open to all non-specialty crop food producers including meat and dairy farms\, fisheries\, baked goods and other added value producers. \nExhibition booths are $150.00\, $25 Discount for SBN Members \nLocal Food Vendors (Non-Specialty Crop) –> REGISTER HERE \nAttendees + Buyers \nThe Trade Shows will include workshops offering best practice topics around some of the most pressing barriers to specialty crop sales in Massachusetts. One-on-One consultation sessions with industry experts will also be available. \nWho should attend? \nAny wholesale buyers\, who are interested in purchasing Massachusetts or New England-produced food items. These buyers can be supermarkets\, co-ops\, restaurants\, hotels\, resorts\, institutions\, schools\, food processors in search of ingredients\, distributors\, or anyone else interested in local purchasing options.*This event is intended for commercial buyers\, not individual consumers.* \nAdmission is $30\, $10 Discount for SBN Members  \nBuyers & Attendees –> REGISTER HERE
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/local-specialty-crop-local-food-trade-show/
LOCATION:Curry Student Center\, Northeastern University\, 360 Huntington Avenue\, Boston\, MA\, 02115\, United States
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180227T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180227T190000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20171204T173452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180219T194612Z
UID:25997-1519747200-1519758000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Winter Workshop: Farmer to Farmer
DESCRIPTION:Join farmers from across the Northeast as we talk about experiences\, successes and challenges in our relationships as managers and people in the broader community of food and agriculture. We will also talk with each other about the future of farmers as managers\, workers\, leaders\, activists\, and family members. \nFarmer Guests: \nBen Dana and Danielle Allen – Root 5 Farm\, Fairlee VT\nAl and Nancy Rose – Red Apple Farm\, Phillipston MA\nJody Bolluyt – Roxbury Farm\, Kinderhook NY \nLocation: World War II Club\, 50 Conz. St. Northampton  \n  \nPrice is slightly less than other Winter Workshops:  \n\n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\n1 Attendee: February 27 $10.00 USD2 Attendee: Feburary 27: $15.00 USD3 Attendee: February 27 $20.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nAbout the Farms:\nRed Apple Farm:  \nRed Apple Farm is a 4th generation farm established in 1912.  Although once a predominantly apple wholesale operation it is now a diversified direct-marketing farm operation.  The farm grows over 50 varieties of apples\, peaches\, pears\, blueberries\, raspberries\, pumpkins\, and potatoes.  The farm produces and makes a wide assortment of products year-round that include cider donuts\, fudge\, apple crisp\, fresh cider\, etc.  The farm operates and manages four retail locations.  The farm hosts several major events and festivals throughout the year and operates a function barn for private events and farm weddings. \n\nRed Apple Farm is proud to employ 100% local employees.  Many of the employees have family who have been part of the farm for several generations.  In the peak Fall season the farm employs over 100 folks.  The stall at the Boston Public Market has staff of approximately 20 folks while the farm staff at Wachusett Mountain is close to 40.  The farm has a team of 8 year-round managers overseeing different aspect of the operations.  Nancy and Al\, the current generation\, have four kids and live and work full time at the farm.\n\nRoot 5 Farm: \n\nRoot 5 Farm is located in Fairlee\, Vermont. We grow 8 acres of certified organic vegetables and we hire 5 full time employees from March to December. We grow for 175 CSA members\, 2 local grocery stores\, 6 restaurants\, and 2 farmers markets. One of our strategies to maintain happy\, healthy employees is to avoid huge spikes in the workload\, which is a burden on workers and causes burnout. We focus on careful crop planning and season extension so we can spread out the workload and provide consistent work for our employees for 10 months of the year.\n\nRoxbury Farm: \n\nRoxbury Farm is a community supported farm; a partnership between the farmers and the customers.  Through this partnership we can work together to create a food system that works for everyone.   Our customers know where their food comes from and who grows their food.  They have a direct relationship with the farmers and the land.  Our customers trust us to farm in a regenerative way and to produce the freshest and highest quality food possible at a fair price. \nWe have a guaranteed market for our products and we receive a fair price.  This allows us to pay better wages to people working on the farm\, use regenerative farming practices\, raise our livestock humanely\, and to share our farming knowledge with other farmers.  We want our farm to be here for our customers for generations to come. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series:  \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on -ne consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75 for Local Hero Members or $15 for each individual workshop. The non-member cost is $95 for the series\, or $18 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-winter-workshop-farmer-to-farmer/
LOCATION:World War II Club\, 50 Conz Street\, Northampton\, MA\, 01060\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180225T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180225T170000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180110T182442Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180110T182442Z
UID:26336-1519549200-1519578000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:SEMAP 2018 Ag & Food Conference
DESCRIPTION:**This event is presented by the Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) and is focused on Bristol\, Plymouth\, and Norfolk counties.** \nMore details about SEMAP’s 2018 conference coming soon\, check back for updates!\nWhether you’re a professional farmer\, a backyard gardener\, or just curious about locally grown food\, this is the event for you! Each year\, the lineup includes workshops for the general public as well as info-packed sessions for farmers and gardeners of all experience levels. \nRegistration includes a locally-sourced lunch and at the Resource Fair you’ll learn about local organizations and businesses that provide services and products to help you grow\, whether you’ve got a hundred acres or a couple of window boxes. \nSNAP Resource Workshop & Retailer Sign-up – Day long Drop-in\, 9:00 am – 5: 00 pm\nConcerned that accepting HIP benefits will be a long and complicated process? SEMAP will be offering a drop-in information session where you can get your farm\, farm stand or farmers market authorized for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)\, SNAP (formerly food stamps)\, and receive your USDA FNS number the very same day! USDA staff will be on site to walk you through the process and assist with your application. Find out about wireless equipment options to process HIP/SNAP payments (as well as credit/debit) and learn about other resources available.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/semap-2018-ag-food-conference/
LOCATION:Bristol County Agricultural High School\, 135 Center Street\, Dighton\, MA\, 02715\, United States
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180213T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180213T190000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20171204T172934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180105T212956Z
UID:25995-1518537600-1518548400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Winter Workshop: Agriculture Labor Laws
DESCRIPTION:We will cover federal and state labor laws\, including the Fair Labor Standards Act. CLF’s Legal Services Food Hub will present resources for understanding how to comply with regulations\, as well as how laws protect both workers and farm owners. \nLocation: Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center\, Room 303\, 303 Homestead Ave.\, Holyoke\nPresenter: Attorney John S. Gannon\, Skoley Abbott – Springfield\, MA\,  Conservation Law Foundation\, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project \n\n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nFebruary 13: LH Member $15.00 USDFebruary 13: non-LH Member $18.00 USDWinter Workshop series- LH member $75.00 USDWinter Workshop series- non-LH member $95.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nSnow Date: March 14 \n\nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series:  \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on-one consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75 for Local Hero Members or $15 for each individual workshop. The non-member cost is $95 for the series\, or $18 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-winter-workshop-agriculture-labor-laws/
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:20180209T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180209T160000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20171204T171757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180122T185417Z
UID:25991-1518181200-1518192000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Winter Workshop: Developing Farm SOPs and Training Staff
DESCRIPTION:In collaboration with MDAR and UMass we will go over how to create and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and how to train your staff as it relates to Food Safety and the Produce Safety Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Gary Gemme of Harvest Farm of Whately will talk about some of his methods for staff training and management. \nLocation: Harvest Farm of Whately\, 125 Long Plain Rd.\, South Deerfield\nPresenter: Lisa McKeag – UMass Extension\, Michael Botelho and Alexandra Hachem – MDAR\, Gary Gemme – Harvest Farm of Whately \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nFebruary 9: LH Member $15.00 USDFeburary 9: non-LH Member $18.00 USDWinter Workshop series- LH member $75.00 USDWinter Workshop series- non-LH member $95.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \nSnow Date: February 23 \n\nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series:  \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on-one consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75 for Local Hero Members or $15 for each individual workshop. The non-member cost is $95 for the series\, or $18 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-winter-workshop-developing-farm-sops-and-training-staff/
LOCATION:125 Long Plain Rd.\, South Deerfield\, MA\, 125 Long Plain Rd.\, South Deerfield\, Massachusetts
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180206T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180206T170000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20180109T210342Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180109T220108Z
UID:26324-1517907600-1517936400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
DESCRIPTION:Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are invited to attend this course. This course is one way to satisfy the Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in §112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’ \nInstructors Lisa McKeag of UMass Extension and Michael Botelho of the MDAR Commonwealth Quality Program will discuss produce safety best practices\, key parts of the Produce Safety Rule requirements\, and how these requirements will be enforced in MA through MDAR’s Commonwealth Quality Program (CQP). There will be time for questions and discussion\, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions. \n\nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nRegistration costs $40\, which includes the required PSA Grower Manual ($50 value)\, a certificate of course attendance from AFDO ($35 value)\, a certificate of attendance from UMass/MDAR\, and lunch and refreshments. This course is co-sponsored by UMass Extension\, MDAR\, and CISA. \nWhat to expect:\n \nParticipants will learn about Good Agricultural Practices\, Produce Safety Rule requirements\, and how to develop a farm food safety plan. The following topics will be covered: \n\nIntroduction to produce safety\nWorker health\, hygiene\, and training\nSoil amendments\nWildlife\, domesticated animals\, and land use\nAgricultural water (used both in production and postharvest)\nPostharvest handling and sanitation\nHow to develop a farm food safety plan\n\nAfter attending the entire course and submitting the appropriate paperwork to instructors\, participants will receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials that verifies they have completed the training course. \n\n\n\n\nFor more information\, contact Lisa McKeag at 413-577-3976.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/psatraining/
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:20180131T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180131T200000
DTSTAMP:20260511T192324
CREATED:20171204T162837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180105T213204Z
UID:25977-1517418000-1517428800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Winter Workshop: Employee Manuals: Policies\, Ethics and Law
DESCRIPTION:We’ll walk through the steps of creating an employee manual that your employees with understand We’ll also discuss federal and state laws\, policies that support the health and well-being of your staff\, and best practices for upholding those policies. \nSarah is Counsel for the firm Bulkley Richardson in the Business and Finance department and is a member of the Employment Law Practice Group. Her practice encompasses a wide range of industries and clients including entrepreneurs\, closely-held / family businesses\, restaurant and bar owners\, equestrian facilities / family farms\, crafters\, gourmet markets\, artists and musicians. She is a frequent speaker and lecturer on employment law\, corporate compliance\, intellectual property protection and export control at conferences\, panels and workshops across the country. \nLocation: Holyoke Community College\, Kittredge Center Rm 303\, 303 Homestead Ave.\, Holyoke\nPresenter: Sarah K Willey\, Esq.  \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nJanuary 31: LH Member $15.00 USDJanuary 31: non-LH Member $18.00 USDWinter Workshop series- LH member $75.00 USDWinter Workshop series- non-LH member $95.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series: \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on -ne consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75 for Local Hero Members or $15 for each individual workshop. The non-member cost is $95 for the series\, or $18 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-winter-workshop-employee-manuals-policies-ethics-and-law/
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
END:VCALENDAR