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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220215T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220215T160000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20211130T174346Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220120T143101Z
UID:38627-1644915600-1644940800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm Succession School
DESCRIPTION:Farm Succession School \nThree Tuesdays – February 15\, March 8\, and March 29\, 2022 – Greenfield\, MA \nMDAR is hosting Land For Good’s Farm Succession School for Massachusetts farmers this winter! This is an opportunity for senior generation farmers to talk with peers\, learn from advisors\, and get support on the challenging process of farm succession and transfer planning. \n\nAre you unsure who will take over your farm?\nFeel like your family needs to start talking\, but you don’t know where to start?\nHave questions about retiring that you don’t know how to answer?\nCan the farm support two generations? \n\nSuccession planning is a process of exploring how to transfer the farm business and assets to a future owner. Succession School provides farmers and farming partners with the structured and sustained support to make decisions\, engage their families\, and organize the legal and financial mechanics. \nMeet in-person following current COVID-19 protocols at the John W. Olver Franklin Transit Center in Greenfield for a three-session program between 9:00am – 4:00pm on the following Tuesdays: February 15\, March 8\, 2022\, and March 29\, with snow dates on each Friday of the same weeks. (*Originally scheduled to begin in January\, this course has been postponed to start in Feb due to the recent increase in COVID cases.)  \nThe cost is $100 per farm. \nLearn more and register here.  Contact: Shemariah at Land For Good shemariah@landforgood.org or 603-357-1600 with any questions. \nFunding provided by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Agricultural Business Training Program.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-succession-school/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220215T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220215T140000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220106T170612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220118T150449Z
UID:39037-1644930000-1644933600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:How to accept SNAP and WIC/Senior Coupons
DESCRIPTION:Making Local Food More Accessible: Welcoming SNAP & WIC/Senior Coupons\, and All Who Use Them\nPart 1: How to accept SNAP and WIC/Senior Coupons\nLearn what it takes to accept SNAP and WIC & Senior coupons at your farm and how being a part of these programs enables you to feed your neighbors and boost your bottom line. We’ll be covering what these programs are\, how they can fit into your business\, and what it takes to register with these state and federal programs in order to accept these forms of payment at your business. \nParticipants will come away with an understanding of how to set up SNAP at their business\, their options for getting SNAP processing equipment\, how to accept WIC and Senior coupons\, and who to ask for help when they go through these application processes. Attendees will also come away with a step-by-step list of how to accept SNAP and coupons at their business plus a contact list of relevant people they can ask questions along the way. \nWe’ll be joined by Lisa Roach of MarketLink\, an organization that administers grants for SNAP equipment and helps farms navigate the SNAP application. We’ll also be joined by Rebecca Davidson\, Program Coordinator for the coupon program from the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture. \nThe sister workshop to this session is Best Practices: SNAP and welcoming low-income customers at your farm on March 1. This second session will cover best practices in welcoming customers\, training your staff\, and SNAP outreach. It will feature a panel of farmers who incorporate SNAP well in their business\, who will share how they implemented SNAP and accommodate low-income customers. This workshop is co-hosted by CISA and Berkshire Grown. \nRegister here!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/how-to-accept-snap-and-wic-senior-coupons/
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220215T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220215T170000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220201T124215Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220201T124215Z
UID:39318-1644937200-1644944400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Listening Session: on the development of the MA Farmland Action Plan
DESCRIPTION:You are invited to attend a Listening Session to provide input for the development of the MA Farmland Action Plan. The purpose of the MA Farmland Action plan is to develop state level goals and recommendations for increasing farmland protection\, farmland access\, food security\, and the long-term economic and environmental viability of farms across all regions of the state. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is supporting the development of the plan\, and has engaged the UMass Donahue Institute to gather the input and recommendations from farmers\, advocates\, investors\, landowners\, land trusts\, agricultural technical assistance providers\, scientists\, public officials\, policy makers\, and other agricultural stakeholders.  \nToward that end\, we hope you will attend one of two Listening Sessions to share your ideas and suggestions for strategies to be included in the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan. Input from stakeholders like you are key to the successful development of a plan. \nThe Listening Sessions will be held via Zoom on: \n\nTuesday\, February 15 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm\nWednesday\, February 16 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm\n\nClick HERE to register for the Listening Sessions by February 14. The expanded link is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXZdpPS0TU2Mxv68t5TLlLNcyWU_DwSLdywklubEv-soIIyw/viewform?usp=sf_link. \nPlease share this email broadly with those within your network who you feel would be interested. We want to hear from as many stakeholders as possible. \nAfter you register\, you will receive information to join a Zoom meeting with a unique link and enhanced security settings. Please do not share this link with others. \nWe hope you can join. If you have questions please contact Sonia Bouvier\, Project Manager with UMass Donahue Institute. If you are unable to attend the session\, you may also submit written suggestions to: sbouvier@donahue.umass.edu.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/listening-session-on-the-development-of-the-ma-farmland-action-plan/
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220216T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220216T120000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220105T185402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220105T185402Z
UID:39022-1645005600-1645012800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Getting More for Your Milk: Partnering with processors to venture into value-added sales
DESCRIPTION:The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is launching a new initiative to connect dairy farmers with small-scale dairy processors. Ever think about starting your own brand of cheese\, yogurt or butter? Do you need help finding a co-packer to make the product for you and don’t know where to start? Or\, are you seeking ways to add value and additional income to your wholesale dairy? \nJoin our virtual Learning Session on Wednesday\, February 16th from 10am-12pm\, where we’ll tackle transportation\, how to work with your cooperative to diversify production\, food safety\, business planning\, the FMMO\, and more. We will also share details on how you can access technical support to help you assess whether working with a co-packer will be feasible for your business. \nWho should attend? \nThis workshop is co-hosted with CISA and MDAR. The target audience for this session are cow dairy operations in Massachusetts. However\, this session is open to the public and any dairy farmer is welcome to attend to learn more about these programs. \n\nClick here to register.\nFor more information\, email: Rebecca.Davidson@Mass.gov or call 857-202-7699 \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nFunding for this series was made possible by the following grants and programs: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grants AM200100XXXXG178 and AM190100XXXG150 and the CISA Local Hero Program.  \nIts 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/getting-more-for-your-milk-partnering-with-processors-to-venture-into-value-added-sales/
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220216T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220216T193000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220201T124317Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220201T124317Z
UID:39320-1645032600-1645039800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Listening Session on the development of the MA Farmland Action Plan
DESCRIPTION:You are invited to attend a Listening Session to provide input for the development of the MA Farmland Action Plan. The purpose of the MA Farmland Action plan is to develop state level goals and recommendations for increasing farmland protection\, farmland access\, food security\, and the long-term economic and environmental viability of farms across all regions of the state. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is supporting the development of the plan\, and has engaged the UMass Donahue Institute to gather the input and recommendations from farmers\, advocates\, investors\, landowners\, land trusts\, agricultural technical assistance providers\, scientists\, public officials\, policy makers\, and other agricultural stakeholders.  \nToward that end\, we hope you will attend one of two Listening Sessions to share your ideas and suggestions for strategies to be included in the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan. Input from stakeholders like you are key to the successful development of a plan. \nThe Listening Sessions will be held via Zoom on: \n\nTuesday\, February 15 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm\nWednesday\, February 16 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm\n\nClick HERE to register for the Listening Sessions by February 14. The expanded link is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXZdpPS0TU2Mxv68t5TLlLNcyWU_DwSLdywklubEv-soIIyw/viewform?usp=sf_link. \nPlease share this email broadly with those within your network who you feel would be interested. We want to hear from as many stakeholders as possible. \nAfter you register\, you will receive information to join a Zoom meeting with a unique link and enhanced security settings. Please do not share this link with others. \nWe hope you can join. If you have questions please contact Sonia Bouvier\, Project Manager with UMass Donahue Institute. If you are unable to attend the session\, you may also submit written suggestions to: sbouvier@donahue.umass.edu.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/listening-session-on-the-development-of-the-ma-farmland-action-plan-2/
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220217T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220217T180000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20211215T180823Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211215T181101Z
UID:38807-1645113600-1645120800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Finding cash in your farm business: profitability vs. cash flow
DESCRIPTION:This is the second of CISA’s three-workshop series on “Farm financial management: taking it to the next level.” Click here for information about this workshop series. It’s not too late to register! \nJust because you have $40K in net profit doesn’t mean you have $40K in the bank. These two ideas get confused very often\, but net income and cash flow are each important — and distinct — measures of success. Learn the best ways to track where your cash is going\, control your cash flow\, and identify your options when cash gets tight. \nThis three-session series is geared towards experienced farm managers and QuickBooks users who are looking to step up their farm financial management game. The series will be taught by Elaine Lemmon of Kitchen Table Consultants\, and farmers attending all three sessions will be eligible to receive up to three hours of expert one-on-one assistance in financial recordkeeping\, planning\, or analysis.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/finding-cash-in-your-farm-business-profitability-vs-cash-flow/
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220217T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220217T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220119T142019Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220120T192516Z
UID:39205-1645124400-1645131600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Business Planning Virtual Workshop Series: Risk Management
DESCRIPTION:Business Planning Virtual Workshop Series —Financial\, Marketing & Risk Management Planning\nGeared to New\, Beginning & Expanding Vegetable & Small Fruit Producers\nAll Sessions (6)\, Thursday Evenings 7:00 – 9:00 pmJanuary 27\, February 3\, 17\, 24 & March 10\, 17 \n\nAre you thinking about starting your own farm?\nAre you a beginning farmer and wonder what’s out there for assistance to fund capital improvementsand upgrade your equipment?\nWhere can I go to get production advice/information?\nDo you want to upgrade your marketing outlets but don’t know how to go about doing this?\nDo you want to learn how to better manage risks on your farm especially in light of recent adverseweather?\nAre you a small farmer looking to grow and expand your business?\n\nIf you answered “Yes” to any of the above then this business planing workshop can help you answer those questions. National Crop Insurance Services in conjunction with the UMass Extension Risk Management Education Program is offering this workshop series at no cost to participants. Each session will include a formal presentation on the subject topic as well as guest speakers who are farmers or agricultural service provers with experience in the topics and provide adequate time for questions. \nThis is a great opportunity to learn about a variety of topics that can benefit your farming operation. To register\, email either Tom Smiarowski: tsmiarowski@umass.edu or Paul Russell: pmrussell@umass.edu and include your name\, email address and location (City/Town & State) \nSession 3 (February 17): Risk ManagementThis session will look at the 5 areas of risk (Production\, Marketing\, Financial\, Human Resources and Legal). Participants will learn how to complete a SWOT (Strengths\, Weaknesses\, Opportunities & Threats) Analysis on their operation. Guest speakers will include farmers explaining how they manage risks on their farms.\n \nEach session will include a homework assignment in which you will take the information discussed during the session to complete your assignment. Don’t worry you won’t be graded and you don’t have to submit the assignment! The purpose of the assignments are to get you to put to use in your operation the information covered during each session!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/business-planning-virtual-workshop-series-risk-management/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220224T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220224T151500
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220113T212731Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220113T212822Z
UID:39149-1645711200-1645715700@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA's summer farmers’ market manager meetup
DESCRIPTION:Summer farmers’ market manager meetup\nThursday\, February 24\, 2-3:15\nFree\, remote \nOpen to all managers of summer farmers’ markets in Hampden\, Hampshire\, and Franklin counties! This is an opportunity for farmers’ market managers to connect with one another and learn the challenges and opportunities their fellow markets are facing. This will be an informal session facilitated by CISA with some guiding questions. CISA will also share the farmers’ market support opportunities managers have available to them. This will help inform CISA how we can best assist markets in the upcoming season. \nRegister here!\nQuestions\, reach out to Zoey at zoey@buylocalfood.org.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/summer-farmers-market-manager-meetup/
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220224T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220224T180000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20211215T180912Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211215T181133Z
UID:38809-1645718400-1645725600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Budgeting tools to keep your farm on track
DESCRIPTION:This is the third of CISA’s three-workshop series on “Farm financial management: taking it to the next level.” Click here for information about this workshop series. It’s not too late to register! \nLearn why budgets are an incredibly powerful — though underutilized — tool for farm business management. This session will equip you with a flexible budgeting tool that you can use year after year for your farm. You’ll get expert advice on how to identify past trends\, methodically forecast sales\, and plan for contingencies\, plus practical tips for using your budget to steer mid-season decision making. \nThis three-session series is geared towards experienced farm managers and QuickBooks users who are looking to step up their farm financial management game. The series will be taught by Elaine Lemmon of Kitchen Table Consultants\, and farmers attending all three sessions will be eligible to receive up to three hours of expert one-on-one assistance in financial recordkeeping\, planning\, or analysis.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/budgeting-tools-to-keep-your-farm-on-track/
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220224T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220224T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220119T142111Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220119T142111Z
UID:39207-1645729200-1645736400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Business Planning Virtual Workshop Series: Production Management
DESCRIPTION:Business Planning Virtual Workshop SeriesFinancial\, Marketing & Risk Management Planning\nGeared to New\, Beginning & Expanding Vegetable & Small Fruit Producers\nAll Sessions (6)\, Thursday Evenings 7:00 – 9:00 pmJanuary 27\, February 3\, 17\, 24 & March 10\, 17 \n•Are you thinking about starting your own farm?• Are you a beginning farmer and wonder what’s out there for assistance to fund capital improvementsand upgrade your equipment?• Where can I go to get production advice/information?• Do you want to upgrade your marketing outlets but don’t know how to go about doing this?• Do you want to learn how to better manage risks on your farm especially in light of recent adverseweather?• Are you a small farmer looking to grow and expand your business?\nIf you answered “Yes” to any of the above then this business planing workshop can help you answer thosequestions. National Crop Insurance Services in conjunction with the UMass Extension Risk ManagementEducation Program is offering this workshop series at no cost to participants. Each session will include a formalpresentation on the subject topic as well as guest speakers who are farmers or agricultural service provers withexperience in the topics and provide adequate time for questions.\nThis is a great opportunity to learn about a variety of topics that can benefit your farming operation.To register\, email either Tom Smiarowski: tsmiarowski@umass.edu or Paul Russell: pmrussell@umass.eduand include your name\, email address and location (City/Town & State \nSession 4 ( February 24): Production ManagementThis session will focus on where to find information on production issues and Best Management Practices (BMP’s).Guest speakers will include representatives from Extension as well as a young farmer who will explain the sourceshe uses to obtain production information as well as how he goes about deciding what crops to grow in his operation. \nEach session will include a homework assignment in which you will take the information discussed duringthe session to complete your assignment. Don’t worry you won’t be graded and you don’t have to submit theassignment! The purpose of the assignments are to get you to put to use in your operation the informationcovered during each session!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/business-planning-virtual-workshop-series-production-management/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220227T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220227T160000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220113T153820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220113T153820Z
UID:39127-1645948800-1645977600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:2022 Agriculture & Food Conference
DESCRIPTION:Sunday\, February 27th is SEMAP’s 15th Annual Agriculture & Food Conference! Farmers\, foodies\, and agricultural advocates alike are all welcome. Join us for 12 engaging workshops and panels with more than 20 speakers – farmer and academic experts from our region! \nWe are also excited to welcome our keynote speaker\, Ray Archuleta. Ray is a farmer\, soil scientist\, and the founder of the Soil Health Academy. \nWith over 30 years of experience in soil science at NRCS which led him across the entire country\, Ray is an expert on all things soil. Prior to that\, Ray served with the Peace Corps in Guatemala as a Livestock Specialist. After his retirement from the NRCS in 2017\, Ray founded Understanding Ag\, LLC\, and Soil Health Academy\, LLC\, to bring his soil teachings to a wider audience. Ray also owns and operates a 150-acre farm near Seymour\, Missouri along with his wife and family. \nTickets will be sold on a sliding scale and you should choose the level that makes sense for you; if cost is still a barrier\, scholarships will be available. Please email shickey@semaponline.org for more information. \nGet your ticket today!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/2022-agriculture-food-conference/
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220228T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220228T180000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20211222T181516Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211222T181638Z
UID:38956-1646062200-1646071200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Responding to Change\, Pivoting for Profitability: Session 4: Roadblocks
DESCRIPTION:Join farmer and Carrot Project business advisor and lead trainer Cian Dalzell for one of two\, four-session online training series. This training is designed to provide you skills and support for both short and long term improvement in business operations and financial security. \nSessions can be mixed and matched to fit your schedule. \nSession 4: Roadblocks\nWednesday Feb 9\, 2022 or Monday Feb 28\, 2022 \nThis session is all about the things that get in the way of keeping up on recordkeeping\, using your financial plans and real time results during the season to manage operations or respond to unplanned conditions. \nThen we will show you how to devise a realistic path to overcome those obstacles. \nWho It’s For: \nThese trainings are designed for farmers and food business owners with moderate or greater experience in operations and who have an established financial recordkeeping system in place. Priority will be given to businesses in RI\, MA\, and CT. \nFishermen\, aquaculturists\, and small processors using local farm and sea ingredients are welcome and encouraged to attend. \nDetails: \nSeries 1: Mondays – Jan 31\, Feb 7\, 14\, and 28: 10 AM to 12:30 PM \nSeries 2: Wednesdays – Jan 12\, 19\, 26\, and Feb 9: 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/session-4-roadblocks-2/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220301T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220301T113000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220106T170454Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220208T223019Z
UID:39038-1646128800-1646134200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Best Practices: SNAP and welcoming low-income customers at your farm
DESCRIPTION:Making Local Food More Accessible: Welcoming SNAP & WIC/Senior Coupons\, and All Who Use Them\nPart 2: Best Practices – SNAP and welcoming low-income customers at your farm\nYour farm accepts SNAP (or you’re working on setting up SNAP)\, but how to make the most of this tool and have it be a success?  Join us to hear a panel of farmers on how they incorporate accepting SNAP at their business in a way that makes clients feel welcome and keeps customers coming back. \nAttendees will come away with context for how other farms effectively incorporate SNAP at their business and ideas for best practices they can use themselves. The panel will cover how accepting SNAP affected their business\, how they effectively promote that they accept SNAP\, how they do outreach to low-income customers\, and how they tailor their offerings in ways that meet their customers demands and expectations. There will also be time for questions. \nCISA and Berkshire Grown will also be sharing other resources attendees can use to make the most of the SNAP program at their business. This workshop is co-hosted by CISA and Berkshire Grown. \nRegister here!\n\nPanelists: \nEmily Chiara of Just Roots\nJust Roots is a nonprofit farm that has been accepting SNAP since 2015. Just Roots runs one of the the largest SNAP CSAs in the state and serves hundreds of SNAP customers each year. Emily is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Just Roots and has ample experience in doing outreach to customers and partners around SNAP and HIP. \nHarrison Bardwell of Bardwell Farm\nHarrison had Bardwell Farm became authorized to accept SNAP in the spring of 2021. They now accept SNAP at their farmstand and at the multiple farmers’ markets they attend throughout the year. Bardwell Farm is a twenty five acre diversified vegetable farm in Hatfield\, MA. \nMeg Bantle and Laura Tupper-Palches of Full Well Farm\nMeg Bantle (they/she) is a sixth generation farmer in the Berkshires with eight years of organic vegetable growing and gardening experience under their belt\, including three seasons of co-owning and managing Full Well Farm. They grew up on the farm property in Adams and are excited to be growing food for the community that they grew up in. Laura Tupper-Palches (she/her) is a co-owner and manager of Full Well Farm in Adams\, MA. After briefly living in a food desert in New York city she became interested in food security which\, combined with her passion for nature\, led her to agriculture. She had several years of organic farming experience before starting Full Well Farm with Meg Bantle in 2019. Going into the fourth season at Full Well\, she is focusing on soil health and furthering community connections. \nSharon Wyrrick of Many Forks Farm\nMany Forks Farm is in Clarksburg\, Massachusetts. With 2 acres in cultivation of vegetables\, berries\, flowers and herbs\, the farm has an 85-member household CSA and sells produce through other direct-to-consumer markets and on-farm sales. The farm has taken SNAP for its CSA shares and other eligible farm products since 2013\, is a HIP certified vendor\, and participates in other programs and community collaborations supporting food access such as WIC/Senior Coupons\, Berkshire Grown/Share the Bounty\, and Hoosac Harvest.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/best-practices-snap-and-welcoming-low-income-customers-at-your-farm/
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220307T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220307T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220125T161007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220125T161007Z
UID:39273-1646677800-1646686800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Self-Assessment and Researching the Farming Landscape
DESCRIPTION:Exploring the Small Farm Dream\nMondays\, 6:30-9pm\nZoom\nMarch 7th\, 14th\, 21st\, 28th \nThis workshop is a partnership between Penn State Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension/Broome County. \nIf you considering launching a small farm enterprise\, but are not sure where to start\, this 4-session series will give you the tools to start making choices to determine if farming is right for you. \nABOUT THE PROGRAM \nThe Exploring the Small Farm Dream course (designed by the New England Small Farm Institute and taught by trained facilitators) is designed to help you\, and your partner\, decide whether starting a farm business is right for you. This ten-hour (four evening sessions) virtual course includes exploratory discussion\, curated research tools\, and self-assessment activities provided by the instructors as well as a workbook for hands-on application both during class and at home. Each week we will hear from subject matter experts and community partners\, as well as existing farmers. By the end of the series\, you will create an action plan that works best for you and will have the tools and contacts to help you get started. \nSCHEDULE: Participants are expected to attend all four sessions since the program builds upon the knowledge of the previous session. \n\nMonday March 7th\nSession I: Self-Assessment and Researching the Farming Landscape\nMonday March 14th\nSession II: Assessing Resources and Risks\nMonday March 21st\nSession III: Marketing and Market Channel Evaluation\nMonday March 28th\nSession IV: Next Steps\n\n WHO IS THIS FOR?  \n\nAnyone interested in starting a small farm business\nHobby and lifestyle farmers that are considering developing their farm into a business\nRecently retired individuals or individuals who will retire soon who think they may want to start a small farm business\nImmigrants with agricultural experience who wish to start farming in the US\nRecent high school or college graduates who are considering a career in agriculture\nIndividuals who are inheriting or taking over a farm from a family member\nThose who are considering an on-farm market\, farmer’s market vendors\, farm stands\, livestock and poultry growers\, and specialty products – such as mushrooms or maple syrup\, are all agricultural businesses that started somewhere.\n\nWHAT WILL YOU LEARN?  \n\nLearn how new and beginning farmers can access agricultural resources\nLearn about opportunities to connect with local farm business owners\, agricultural professionals\, and others interested in new farm enterprises\nLearn how to manage a small business\nLearn how to assess and manage risks\nLearn how to assess and identify available and necessary resources for your farm business\nLearn how to engage your family and resource partners in decision-making related to your enterprise choices\nLearn how to evaluate various farm enterprise choices\nLearn how to create an action plan to move your farm dream towards reality\n\nFee: $75 per family\, includes a workbook valued at $25. Extra workbooks can be purchased for $25. Please include all email addresses of those who should receive the zoom link in your registration.\nVeterans located in NY or NJ may attend free of charge with support from the Canandaigua VA and Cornell Small Farms Program Farm Ops Initiative. \nAny questions can be directed to Laura Biasillo at lw257@cornell.edu. \nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/exploring-the-small-farm-dream-self-assessment-and-researching-the-farming-landscape/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220308T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220308T160000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20211130T174523Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220120T143210Z
UID:38629-1646730000-1646755200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm Succession School
DESCRIPTION:Farm Succession School \nThree Tuesdays – February 15\, March 8\, and March 29\, 2022 – Greenfield\, MA \nMDAR is hosting Land For Good’s Farm Succession School for Massachusetts farmers this winter! This is an opportunity for senior generation farmers to talk with peers\, learn from advisors\, and get support on the challenging process of farm succession and transfer planning. \n\nAre you unsure who will take over your farm?\nFeel like your family needs to start talking\, but you don’t know where to start?\nHave questions about retiring that you don’t know how to answer?\nCan the farm support two generations? \n\nSuccession planning is a process of exploring how to transfer the farm business and assets to a future owner. Succession School provides farmers and farming partners with the structured and sustained support to make decisions\, engage their families\, and organize the legal and financial mechanics. \nMeet in-person following current COVID-19 protocols at the John W. Olver Franklin Transit Center in Greenfield for a three-session program between 9:00am – 4:00pm on the following Tuesdays: February 15\, March 8\, and March 29\, 2022\, with snow dates on each Friday of the same weeks. (*Originally scheduled to begin in January\, this course has been postponed to start in Feb due to the recent increase in COVID cases.) The cost is $100 per farm. \n\nLearn more and register here.  Contact: Shemariah at Land For Good shemariah@landforgood.org or 603-357-1600 with any questions. \nFunding provided by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Agricultural Business Training Program.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-succession-school-2/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220310T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220310T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220119T142209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220119T142209Z
UID:39209-1646938800-1646946000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Business Planning Virtual Workshop Series: Government Programs/Outside Assistance
DESCRIPTION:Business Planning Virtual Workshop SeriesFinancial\, Marketing & Risk Management Planning\nGeared to New\, Beginning & Expanding Vegetable & Small Fruit Producers\nAll Sessions (6)\, Thursday Evenings 7:00 – 9:00 pmJanuary 27\, February 3\, 17\, 24 & March 10\, 17 \n•Are you thinking about starting your own farm?• Are you a beginning farmer and wonder what’s out there for assistance to fund capital improvementsand upgrade your equipment?• Where can I go to get production advice/information?• Do you want to upgrade your marketing outlets but don’t know how to go about doing this?• Do you want to learn how to better manage risks on your farm especially in light of recent adverseweather?• Are you a small farmer looking to grow and expand your business?\nIf you answered “Yes” to any of the above then this business planing workshop can help you answer thosequestions. National Crop Insurance Services in conjunction with the UMass Extension Risk ManagementEducation Program is offering this workshop series at no cost to participants. Each session will include a formalpresentation on the subject topic as well as guest speakers who are farmers or agricultural service provers withexperience in the topics and provide adequate time for questions.\nThis is a great opportunity to learn about a variety of topics that can benefit your farming operation.To register\, email either Tom Smiarowski: tsmiarowski@umass.edu or Paul Russell: pmrussell@umass.eduand include your name\, email address and location (City/Town & State \nSession 5 (March 10): Government Programs/Outside AssistanceThis session will focus on the availability of the plethora of Federal\, State & outside assistance that is available tofarmers to help address a wide range of agricultural issues. Guest speakers will include representatives fromFederal\, State and private organizations who will provide an overview of their programs as well as how to obtainprogram benefits. Extra time will be made available for questions.\n \nEach session will include a homework assignment in which you will take the information discussed duringthe session to complete your assignment. Don’t worry you won’t be graded and you don’t have to submit theassignment! The purpose of the assignments are to get you to put to use in your operation the informationcovered during each session!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/business-planning-virtual-workshop-series-government-programs-outside-assistance/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220314T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220314T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220125T161100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220125T161100Z
UID:39275-1647282600-1647291600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Assessing Resources and Risks
DESCRIPTION:Exploring the Small Farm Dream\nMondays\, 6:30-9pm\nZoom\nMarch 7th\, 14th\, 21st\, 28th \nThis workshop is a partnership between Penn State Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension/Broome County. \nIf you considering launching a small farm enterprise\, but are not sure where to start\, this 4-session series will give you the tools to start making choices to determine if farming is right for you. \nABOUT THE PROGRAM \nThe Exploring the Small Farm Dream course (designed by the New England Small Farm Institute and taught by trained facilitators) is designed to help you\, and your partner\, decide whether starting a farm business is right for you. This ten-hour (four evening sessions) virtual course includes exploratory discussion\, curated research tools\, and self-assessment activities provided by the instructors as well as a workbook for hands-on application both during class and at home. Each week we will hear from subject matter experts and community partners\, as well as existing farmers. By the end of the series\, you will create an action plan that works best for you and will have the tools and contacts to help you get started. \nSCHEDULE: Participants are expected to attend all four sessions since the program builds upon the knowledge of the previous session. \n\nMonday March 7th\nSession I: Self-Assessment and Researching the Farming Landscape\nMonday March 14th\nSession II: Assessing Resources and Risks\nMonday March 21st\nSession III: Marketing and Market Channel Evaluation\nMonday March 28th\nSession IV: Next Steps\n\n WHO IS THIS FOR?  \n\nAnyone interested in starting a small farm business\nHobby and lifestyle farmers that are considering developing their farm into a business\nRecently retired individuals or individuals who will retire soon who think they may want to start a small farm business\nImmigrants with agricultural experience who wish to start farming in the US\nRecent high school or college graduates who are considering a career in agriculture\nIndividuals who are inheriting or taking over a farm from a family member\nThose who are considering an on-farm market\, farmer’s market vendors\, farm stands\, livestock and poultry growers\, and specialty products – such as mushrooms or maple syrup\, are all agricultural businesses that started somewhere.\n\nWHAT WILL YOU LEARN?  \n\nLearn how new and beginning farmers can access agricultural resources\nLearn about opportunities to connect with local farm business owners\, agricultural professionals\, and others interested in new farm enterprises\nLearn how to manage a small business\nLearn how to assess and manage risks\nLearn how to assess and identify available and necessary resources for your farm business\nLearn how to engage your family and resource partners in decision-making related to your enterprise choices\nLearn how to evaluate various farm enterprise choices\nLearn how to create an action plan to move your farm dream towards reality\n\nFee: $75 per family\, includes a workbook valued at $25. Extra workbooks can be purchased for $25. Please include all email addresses of those who should receive the zoom link in your registration.\nVeterans located in NY or NJ may attend free of charge with support from the Canandaigua VA and Cornell Small Farms Program Farm Ops Initiative. \nAny questions can be directed to Laura Biasillo at lw257@cornell.edu. \nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/exploring-the-small-farm-dream-assessing-resources-and-risks/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220315T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220315T190000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220113T154340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220113T154340Z
UID:39138-1647363600-1647370800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Building Capacity for Collaboration to Maintain a Strong Farm Team
DESCRIPTION:Building Capacity for Collaboration to Maintain a Strong Farm Team\nwith Claudia and Willy Denner\, Little Seed Gardens\, Chatham\, NY \nTuesday\, March 15\, 2022\n5:00 – 7:00pm\n$10 members/$15 non-members \nUnderstanding what motivates human action and how to communicate effectively unleashes the potential for creative collaboration. This workshop will introduce ideas and skills to help transform human challenges into opportunities that fulfill the purpose of your farm. We will focus on simple\, learnable skills that will help build capacity to understand yourself and others\, and how to use that understanding to clarify the values and purpose of your farm business. \nFor more information\, and to register\, click here.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/building-capacity-for-collaboration-to-maintain-a-strong-farm-team/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220317T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220317T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220119T142307Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220119T142307Z
UID:39211-1647543600-1647550800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Business Planning Virtual Workshop Series: Putting it all together
DESCRIPTION:Business Planning Virtual Workshop SeriesFinancial\, Marketing & Risk Management Planning\nGeared to New\, Beginning & Expanding Vegetable & Small Fruit Producers\nAll Sessions (6)\, Thursday Evenings 7:00 – 9:00 pmJanuary 27\, February 3\, 17\, 24 & March 10\, 17 \n•Are you thinking about starting your own farm?• Are you a beginning farmer and wonder what’s out there for assistance to fund capital improvementsand upgrade your equipment?• Where can I go to get production advice/information?• Do you want to upgrade your marketing outlets but don’t know how to go about doing this?• Do you want to learn how to better manage risks on your farm especially in light of recent adverseweather?• Are you a small farmer looking to grow and expand your business?\nIf you answered “Yes” to any of the above then this business planing workshop can help you answer thosequestions. National Crop Insurance Services in conjunction with the UMass Extension Risk ManagementEducation Program is offering this workshop series at no cost to participants. Each session will include a formalpresentation on the subject topic as well as guest speakers who are farmers or agricultural service provers withexperience in the topics and provide adequate time for questions.\nThis is a great opportunity to learn about a variety of topics that can benefit your farming operation.To register\, email either Tom Smiarowski: tsmiarowski@umass.edu or Paul Russell: pmrussell@umass.eduand include your name\, email address and location (City/Town & State \nSession 6 (March 17): Putting It All TogetherThis session will focus on taking all the information from the previous 5 sessions and putting it all together todevelop your own financial\, risk and marketing plans. Guest speakers will include farmers who served as previousguest speakers relaying their personal experiences in this session. \nEach session will include a homework assignment in which you will take the information discussed duringthe session to complete your assignment. Don’t worry you won’t be graded and you don’t have to submit theassignment! The purpose of the assignments are to get you to put to use in your operation the informationcovered during each session!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/business-planning-virtual-workshop-series-putting-it-all-together/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220321T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220321T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220125T161133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220125T161133Z
UID:39277-1647887400-1647896400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Marketing and Market Channel Evaluation
DESCRIPTION:Exploring the Small Farm Dream\nMondays\, 6:30-9pm\nZoom\nMarch 7th\, 14th\, 21st\, 28th \nThis workshop is a partnership between Penn State Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension/Broome County. \nIf you considering launching a small farm enterprise\, but are not sure where to start\, this 4-session series will give you the tools to start making choices to determine if farming is right for you. \nABOUT THE PROGRAM \nThe Exploring the Small Farm Dream course (designed by the New England Small Farm Institute and taught by trained facilitators) is designed to help you\, and your partner\, decide whether starting a farm business is right for you. This ten-hour (four evening sessions) virtual course includes exploratory discussion\, curated research tools\, and self-assessment activities provided by the instructors as well as a workbook for hands-on application both during class and at home. Each week we will hear from subject matter experts and community partners\, as well as existing farmers. By the end of the series\, you will create an action plan that works best for you and will have the tools and contacts to help you get started. \nSCHEDULE: Participants are expected to attend all four sessions since the program builds upon the knowledge of the previous session. \n\nMonday March 7th\nSession I: Self-Assessment and Researching the Farming Landscape\nMonday March 14th\nSession II: Assessing Resources and Risks\nMonday March 21st\nSession III: Marketing and Market Channel Evaluation\nMonday March 28th\nSession IV: Next Steps\n\n WHO IS THIS FOR?  \n\nAnyone interested in starting a small farm business\nHobby and lifestyle farmers that are considering developing their farm into a business\nRecently retired individuals or individuals who will retire soon who think they may want to start a small farm business\nImmigrants with agricultural experience who wish to start farming in the US\nRecent high school or college graduates who are considering a career in agriculture\nIndividuals who are inheriting or taking over a farm from a family member\nThose who are considering an on-farm market\, farmer’s market vendors\, farm stands\, livestock and poultry growers\, and specialty products – such as mushrooms or maple syrup\, are all agricultural businesses that started somewhere.\n\nWHAT WILL YOU LEARN?  \n\nLearn how new and beginning farmers can access agricultural resources\nLearn about opportunities to connect with local farm business owners\, agricultural professionals\, and others interested in new farm enterprises\nLearn how to manage a small business\nLearn how to assess and manage risks\nLearn how to assess and identify available and necessary resources for your farm business\nLearn how to engage your family and resource partners in decision-making related to your enterprise choices\nLearn how to evaluate various farm enterprise choices\nLearn how to create an action plan to move your farm dream towards reality\n\nFee: $75 per family\, includes a workbook valued at $25. Extra workbooks can be purchased for $25. Please include all email addresses of those who should receive the zoom link in your registration.\nVeterans located in NY or NJ may attend free of charge with support from the Canandaigua VA and Cornell Small Farms Program Farm Ops Initiative. \nAny questions can be directed to Laura Biasillo at lw257@cornell.edu. \nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/exploring-the-small-farm-dream-marketing-and-market-channel-evaluation/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220322T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220322T193000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220309T204626Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220310T134349Z
UID:39588-1647972000-1647977400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink - Adapting your farm to New England's changing precipitation patterns
DESCRIPTION:Join Christine Hatch\, UMass water resources and climate change extension specialist\, and Joshua Faulkner\, who coordinates UVM’s Farming and Climate Change Program\, for this webinar to kick off CISA’s first annual Adapting Your Farm to Climate Change workshop series. This year’s series focuses on water management in times of too much or too little water\, both scenarios that are increasingly part of our regional farming system. Learn how local weather patterns\, waterways\, and groundwater sources are changing\, and glean best practices and opportunities for adapting your farm to a changing climate.\n\nThis webinar will be followed by four on-farm workshops and a final wrap-up discussion. Stay tuned for more information about the full series soon.\n\nRegister here!\n\nQuestions? Call Stephen Taranto\, CISA Climate Program Coordinator\, 413-665-7400 ext.17 or email stephen@buylocalfood.org
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/water-water-everywhere-and-not-a-drop-to-drink-adapting-your-farm-to-new-englands-changing-precipitation-patterns/
LOCATION:Zoom!
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220322T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220322T200000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220228T150545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220228T150545Z
UID:39497-1647972000-1647979200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Meat Processor Academy
DESCRIPTION:Meat Processor Academy: A virtual bootcamp for independent meat processors who want to take it to the next level. \n\n\nDates:Tuesday evenings\, March 22nd through April 26\, 2022.\nTime: 3-5pm PST/6-8pm EST \n\nSix two-hour long classes with one optional class for meat plants that slaughter. \nClick here to enroll. \n\n\n\nABOUT: From the creators of the popular Western Meat School comes a new online short course designed to help meat processors fine-tune their businesses\, grow\, and thrive. \nBackground:The Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN)\, American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP)\, and Kitchen Table Consultants (KTC) have collaborated to organize and deliver this new short course for small and mid-scale meat processors. This intermediate level short course will bring together industry experts\, meat scientists\, and extension agents to deliver concise content to fine tune the business and operational strategies of meat processors. Think of this as a virtual bootcamp for independent meat processors who want to take it to the next level. \nWho is it for? The Meat Processor Academy is for processors with 25-150 employees\, or if less than 25 you have intentions to grow to that scale in the near future. Ideally we ask that you have at least 2 years of operating experience and be an owner/operator/manager of the business. Course content is geared primarily towards full service inspected and fee-for-service processors\, however\, further processors and co-packers are also welcome\, as well as custom exempt processors that plan to grow into inspection. Up to 500 people may join the course. \nRegistration Fees:\n\n$150 for up to two members of each company.\nFirst fill out enrollment form below.\nThen follow link at end of enrollment form to the secure OSU payment portal to complete your registration. \nRegistration closes March 21st.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/meat-processor-academy/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220323T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220323T130000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220224T190835Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220224T190835Z
UID:39482-1648036800-1648040400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Make Your Land Available for Farming: Free webinar series for landowners
DESCRIPTION:As a landowner\, when you make land available for farming you help secure a future for farming in your community. Farmers are looking for land—from a small vegetable plot to livestock or crops. Productive\, sustainable uses for all or parts of your property can bring many rewards! \nFarming and non-farming private landowners and their representatives (real estate agents\, etc):\n• Understand your land’s potential for farming\n• Learn what goes into a good farming arrangement\n• Explore strategies for making any amount of land available to a farmer \nJoin us for this free\, three-part workshop: March 23\, 30 & April 6\, 2022 from 12:00 – 1:00pm \nRegister now by calling (603) 357-1600 or go to landforgood.org/events. \nWorkshop recordings will be available to all who register. \nHosted by:\nNew England Farm Link Collaborative:\nConnecticut FarmLink\nMaine FarmLink\nVermont Land Link\nLand For Good
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/make-your-land-available-for-farming-free-webinar-series-for-landowners/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220324T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220324T113000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220310T155504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220310T155504Z
UID:39621-1648116000-1648121400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Training Webinar
DESCRIPTION:Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Training Webinar to be held on Thursday\, March 24\, 2022 at 10:00 AM. \nAttendee Instructions: \n\nSave the Date in your calendar!\nAt the time of the webinar (3/24 at 10:00 AM) please follow this link to join the Microsoft Teams Live Event: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OWVjOTI5YTYtMjdjYS00MjUxLTg4MGMtZWY3MTRmZjBlN2Y4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22cb8a159e-b6dc-47fb-a797-0b3d4877aa48%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d&btype=a&role=a\nSave this email! The link provided will be your tool to access a recording of the event after the webinar has concluded.\n\nWe will be hosting the event in Microsoft Teams Live. \n\nTROUBLESHOOTING – If you lose sound\, try closing out of the event and re-entering. You can also trying refreshing the screen by clicking the F5 key. Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome will provide the best user experience.\nIf you haven’t attended a Microsoft Teams Live event before: Please visit this Microsoft website and watch this 6-minute video that provide viewer tips and web browser information. In addition to providing a brief overview of the platform\, they will show you several methods for logging on and adjusting speaker volume.\nYou can watch the event either on a modern web browser such as Chrome\, Firefox\, or Edge\, or you can download a free version of Microsoft Teams. You do not need a Microsoft account. Instructions for watching the event on a web browser are included in the video referenced in the above bullet.\nFor those of you who already have a Microsoft Teams desktop application: Unless you are an event producer or presenter\, this event will not show up in your Teams Calendar. The easiest way for you to join the event may be for you to right click on the event link\, copy the hyperlink into a web browser\, and join anonymously.\n\nRSVP: Jordan.Henault@usda.gov by Thursday\, March 17\, 2022.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/value-added-producer-grant-vapg-training-webinar/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220328T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220328T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220125T161225Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220125T161225Z
UID:39279-1648492200-1648501200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Next Steps
DESCRIPTION:Exploring the Small Farm Dream\nMondays\, 6:30-9pm\nZoom\nMarch 7th\, 14th\, 21st\, 28th \nThis workshop is a partnership between Penn State Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension/Broome County. \nIf you considering launching a small farm enterprise\, but are not sure where to start\, this 4-session series will give you the tools to start making choices to determine if farming is right for you. \nABOUT THE PROGRAM \nThe Exploring the Small Farm Dream course (designed by the New England Small Farm Institute and taught by trained facilitators) is designed to help you\, and your partner\, decide whether starting a farm business is right for you. This ten-hour (four evening sessions) virtual course includes exploratory discussion\, curated research tools\, and self-assessment activities provided by the instructors as well as a workbook for hands-on application both during class and at home. Each week we will hear from subject matter experts and community partners\, as well as existing farmers. By the end of the series\, you will create an action plan that works best for you and will have the tools and contacts to help you get started. \nSCHEDULE: Participants are expected to attend all four sessions since the program builds upon the knowledge of the previous session. \n\nMonday March 7th\nSession I: Self-Assessment and Researching the Farming Landscape\nMonday March 14th\nSession II: Assessing Resources and Risks\nMonday March 21st\nSession III: Marketing and Market Channel Evaluation\nMonday March 28th\nSession IV: Next Steps\n\n WHO IS THIS FOR?  \n\nAnyone interested in starting a small farm business\nHobby and lifestyle farmers that are considering developing their farm into a business\nRecently retired individuals or individuals who will retire soon who think they may want to start a small farm business\nImmigrants with agricultural experience who wish to start farming in the US\nRecent high school or college graduates who are considering a career in agriculture\nIndividuals who are inheriting or taking over a farm from a family member\nThose who are considering an on-farm market\, farmer’s market vendors\, farm stands\, livestock and poultry growers\, and specialty products – such as mushrooms or maple syrup\, are all agricultural businesses that started somewhere.\n\nWHAT WILL YOU LEARN?  \n\nLearn how new and beginning farmers can access agricultural resources\nLearn about opportunities to connect with local farm business owners\, agricultural professionals\, and others interested in new farm enterprises\nLearn how to manage a small business\nLearn how to assess and manage risks\nLearn how to assess and identify available and necessary resources for your farm business\nLearn how to engage your family and resource partners in decision-making related to your enterprise choices\nLearn how to evaluate various farm enterprise choices\nLearn how to create an action plan to move your farm dream towards reality\n\nFee: $75 per family\, includes a workbook valued at $25. Extra workbooks can be purchased for $25. Please include all email addresses of those who should receive the zoom link in your registration.\nVeterans located in NY or NJ may attend free of charge with support from the Canandaigua VA and Cornell Small Farms Program Farm Ops Initiative. \nAny questions can be directed to Laura Biasillo at lw257@cornell.edu. \nClick here to register.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/exploring-the-small-farm-dream-next-steps/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T140000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220112T181040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220112T181040Z
UID:39120-1648540800-1648562400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Local Food Trade Show of New England
DESCRIPTION:Local Food Trade Show of New England \nMarch 29th from 8am-2pm \nThe 2022 Local Food Trade Show of New England is a dynamic virtual space for local food producers and buyers from across our region to connect. This year’s event offers the following opportunities to strengthen business relationships and together strengthen our regional food system: \n\n1-on-1 Consultations (8am): (Producers only) Schedule a meeting with area experts in marketing\, sales\, finance\, and legal issues\nEmerging Value-added Products Panel (9am): (Buyers only) See the region’s most promising new products resulting from SBN’s market-demand feasibility study.\nKeynote Speakers (10am): Hear from the leaders of New England Local Food Industry.\nNetworking Mixer (10:15am): Casually connect in targeted small group conversations.\nTrade Floor (11am): Producer’s showcase their products for buyers to browse\, visit their virtual booth\, and make new sales connections.\nWorking Lunch (12:15pm): Eaton your own or join our virtual lunch space to engage in casual conversation with colleagues.\nMatchmaking Meetings (12:45pm): SBN will schedule focused meetings between producers and buyers that best fit each other’s needs.\n\nFree admission is offered for sponsoring businesses and discounted rates for SBN Members.  If you are interested in learning more about the benefits we offer for financial or in-kind sponsorships\, or SBN Membership\, please email Greg Nicaise at greg@sbnmass.org.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/local-food-trade-show-of-new-england/
CATEGORIES:Community Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T160000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20211130T174613Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220120T143313Z
UID:38631-1648544400-1648569600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm Succession School
DESCRIPTION:Farm Succession School \nThree Tuesdays –  February 15\, March 8\, and March 29\, 2022 – Greenfield\, MA \nMDAR is hosting Land For Good’s Farm Succession School for Massachusetts farmers this winter! This is an opportunity for senior generation farmers to talk with peers\, learn from advisors\, and get support on the challenging process of farm succession and transfer planning. \n\nAre you unsure who will take over your farm?\nFeel like your family needs to start talking\, but you don’t know where to start?\nHave questions about retiring that you don’t know how to answer?\nCan the farm support two generations? \n\nSuccession planning is a process of exploring how to transfer the farm business and assets to a future owner. Succession School provides farmers and farming partners with the structured and sustained support to make decisions\, engage their families\, and organize the legal and financial mechanics. \nMeet in-person following current COVID-19 protocols at the John W. Olver Franklin Transit Center in Greenfield for a three-session program between 9:00am – 4:00pm on the following Tuesdays: February 15\, March 8\, 2022\, and March 29\, with snow dates on each Friday of the same weeks. (*Originally scheduled to begin in January\, this course has been postponed to start in Feb due to the recent increase in COVID cases.)  The cost is $100 per farm. \n\nLearn more and register here.  Contact: Shemariah at Land For Good shemariah@landforgood.org or 603-357-1600 with any questions. \nFunding provided by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Agricultural Business Training Program.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-succession-school-3/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T163000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220318T133103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220318T133103Z
UID:39671-1648566000-1648571400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Exploring Novel Approaches to Farm Labor
DESCRIPTION:Do you struggle to find labor for your farm?  You are not alone!  Join us during National Farmworker Awareness Week for an informative workshop to learn about results of a 3-year Northeast SARE research project to assess collaborative\, multi-farm strategies to help our agricultural community solve labor challenges. National Farmworker Awareness Week (March 26 – April 2\, 2022) is a week of action for communities and individuals to bring attention to farmworkers and honor them for the contributions they make to our daily lives. \nRegister Here  \nNew Entry Sustainable Farming Project\, Farm Commons\, and Land-Grant Extension programs in NY (Cornell)\, CT (UConn)\, NH (UNH)\, and VT (UVM) worked together over the last two years to develop innovative farm labor models and gather input from farmers and farm workers throughout New England and New York to explore challenges in attracting and retaining employees\, providing consistent employment on farms\, offering secure wages and benefits\, providing managerial opportunities\, and smoothing the ups and downs of demand. Is a farmer-cooperative to recruit employees feasible? Do farm workers want to participate in a “temp agency” type entity? \nFind out what we learned about these questions and more! Learn how these novel approaches might serve to inspire new collaborations to address farm labor challenges.  Come prepared to discuss the findings and be inspired to create your own role in advancing new solutions with other service providers and farmers. \nRegister today:  https://tufts.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpc-6rrj0jG9KaK2tszuuePA2722iQ-kpA \nFor more information\, visit:  https://www.nesfp.org/events/exploring-novel-approaches-farm-labor \nFor questions or accommodations\, please feel free to reach out to:  jennifer.hashley@tufts.edu
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/exploring-novel-approaches-to-farm-labor/
LOCATION:Remote
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220329T183000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220113T154420Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220113T154420Z
UID:39141-1648573200-1648578600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Good Grazing Practices
DESCRIPTION:Good Grazing Practices\nwith Sarah Flack \nTuesday\, March 29th\, 2022\n5:00 – 6:30pm\n$10 members/$15 non-members \nThis workshop will cover the basic principles of good grazing management systems\, first from the perspective of the plants\, and then from the perspective of the livestock. We will discuss how to monitor pastures and animals in order to maximize dry matter intake from pasture and use grazing to improve pasture quality and productivity. We will discuss how to use different stocking densities\, pre and post grazing heights\, length of rest periods\, different plant species to improve pasture and strategies to maximize dry matter intake from pasture. With the use photos of pastures\, sheep\, goats and cows to talk about how to observe and monitor pastures and cattle to better understand if grazing systems are working the way they should. \nFor more information\, and to register\, click here.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/good-grazing-practices/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220330T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220330T130000
DTSTAMP:20260424T224946
CREATED:20220224T190925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220224T190925Z
UID:39485-1648641600-1648645200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Make Your Land Available for Farming: Free webinar series for landowners
DESCRIPTION:As a landowner\, when you make land available for farming you help secure a future for farming in your community. Farmers are looking for land—from a small vegetable plot to livestock or crops. Productive\, sustainable uses for all or parts of your property can bring many rewards! \nFarming and non-farming private landowners and their representatives (real estate agents\, etc):\n• Understand your land’s potential for farming\n• Learn what goes into a good farming arrangement\n• Explore strategies for making any amount of land available to a farmer \nJoin us for this free\, three-part workshop: March 23\, 30 & April 6\, 2022 from 12:00 – 1:00pm \nRegister now by calling (603) 357-1600 or go to landforgood.org/events. \nWorkshop recordings will be available to all who register. \nHosted by:\nNew England Farm Link Collaborative:\nConnecticut FarmLink\nMaine FarmLink\nVermont Land Link\nLand For Good
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/make-your-land-available-for-farming-free-webinar-series-for-landowners-2/
CATEGORIES:Farmer Events
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END:VCALENDAR