The workshop is led by Skills-for-Life, a Royalston, Mass-based group which imparts skills that strengthen communities and support individual growth. Participants explore the idea of balancing outer skills such as carpentry and gardening with inner skills such as self-awareness. The workshop is part of Talking Truth: Finding Your Voice Around Climate Change, a collaborative community […]
Events
Calendar of Events
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Register now This is a full day, interactive workshop where you will learn about best practices for: Working with Wholesale Buyers Post-Harvest Handling On-Farm Food Safety Our trainer, Atina Diffley, is an organic farmer and author of the 2012 award-winning memoir, Turn Here Sweetcorn, Organic Farming Works. Atina draws on her decades of experience in […]
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These meeting will give winter workshop participants the opportunity to network with one another and also provide additional time to discuss and consider their own individual farm needs as it relates to the workshop topics. Each session will have a CISA staff facilitator and a farmer Expert (Missy Bahret–Old Friends Farm, Pete Solis– Hampshire College Farm, and Gary Gemme– Harvest Farm of Whately). The topics for the meeting will be determined based on participant interest and determined as the class date gets closer.
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Food is essential to human life and to Christian community. And yet we do not often spend time thinking about the relationship between food and faith. Phil Korman, executive director of CISA, will discuss the move back to small farms and a local food economy as part of the Lenten discussion series "Bread for the […] |
1 event,
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Some of the strongest, most resilient farm businesses sell all their product before they drop a single seed in the ground. Does contracting for sales ahead of your production sound good to you? Attend this tutorial to learn the legal ins and outs of these relationships. We will explore the unique sales arrangements farmers are creating such […] |
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LEARN about seed saving. CELEBRATE the magic of seeds. SHARE seeds that you've saved from your farm or garden (or seeds that you've purchased). TAKE HOME seeds to plant. MEET other people who see regionally adapted seeds as an important part of a healthy food system. COME even if you don't have seeds to share! […]
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Seasonal workshop on tree fruit growing at Brook Farm Orchard located in the Apple Valley section of Ashfield, Massachusetts and taught by orchardist Alan Surprenant. THE WORKSHOP WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING TOPICS: Variety selection Site selection Site preparation Hands-on pruning in the orchard Last but not least, local hard cider tasting after the workshop! Coffee, […] |
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The Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts (SBN) is offering our 5th Local Food Trade Shows. The 2016 Local Food Trade Shows are 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. Local Specialty Crop Trade Show Exhibitors will […] |
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Save the Date! The 2016 PVGrows Forum will be held Wednesday, March 9th at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke, MA. This year, the forum centers around the topic "Local Food, Healthy Communities." We hope you'll join us. The 2016 PVGrows Forum will examine the ways in which health and local food are connected, and specifically […] Immerse yourself in a two-day exploration of ecological concepts that support living landscapes! Our 2016 Annual Conference brings together well-known experts for a lively exchange of information and experiences and exhibitors showcase the newest ecological products and services at the Eco-Marketplace. On Wednesday, choose from two daylong Focus Sessions: An in-depth look at protecting and […]
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When farms assess new enterprises, investments, markets, or products, they need to consider many factors, including how the new activity will impact personnel needs, family life, seasonal schedule, and existing enterprises. In addition, farmers also need to assess and plan for new risks that may arise as a result of the new activity. This workshop will discuss the broader context of business decision-making and include a panel of farmers, Wally Czajkowski– Plainville Farm, Allison Landale– The Bars Farm, and Sorrel Hatch– Upinngil Farm, that have extensive experience making a great number of business decisions throughout their years of operation. They will share the broad implications of business decisions they have made, giving participants examples of how they identified and weighted risks, challenges, and opportunities on their farm. |
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The annual Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference (UFC) is designed to advance the opportunities and address the barriers involved in cultivating a resilient and thriving Urban Farming sector. The UFC is a multi-sector stakeholder forum designed to share information regarding what is currently happening in Massachusetts. The UFC fosters solutions, sustainable networks and business relationships. The […]
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LAMB BUTCHERY DEMO & MULTI COURSE DINNER with SUTTER MEATS & GOOD STOCK FARM SATURDAY, MARCH 12th Sutter Meats and Good Stock Farm team up for a full day of butchery and cooking. Join us for this unique opportunity to witness and learn how to transform fresh local product into restaurant-quality dishes. Starting at noon, […] |
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Treat yourself and your family to a scrumptious sit-down breakfast prepared by the West Springfield Lions Club. Pancakes with pure Massachusetts maple syrup, sausages, coffee and juice will be served in the Red Barn ($5/person). Learn about the history and folklore of one of New England’s earliest harvests – maple sugar. At the Gilbert Farmstead, see […] |
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Northeast farmers who want to maximize production in the shoulder season and serve their markets year round are increasingly relying on high tunnels to extend the growing season. The techniques for successful long term high tunnel production differ greatly from field crops. In this day-long workshop we will discuss common high tunnel production challenges and […] |
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RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is hosting a no-cost workshop for compost site operators in Massachusetts. The half-day workshop will focus on operator competency in compost management and regulatory compliance, with focus on composting food materials. This workshop is geared towards: Food materials composting operations registered with MDAR or MassDEP Municipal operators Small scale site operators Other interested […] |
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Anne Correia of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide an overview of REAP grant guidelines and application requirements for farms interested in applying for assistance with installing energy efficient and renewable energy improvements. There will also be a walk-through of a sample application, to give specific guidance ahead of the April 30th deadline. Massachusetts […]
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You are invited to discuss and deliberate about two valuable western MA community based projects. The first is designed to connect food donors with recipient organizations along the I-91 corridor from Springfield to Greenfield (similar to but not the same as the Boston based smart phone app: "spoiler alert"). The second is a store in downtown Springfield […] |
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The Springfield Food Policy Council will host a series of workshops focused on community gardens and gardening. This one will focus on setting goals for your community garden and offers some guidance on testing the soil at potential garden spots. For more information and to register, contact: Anna Muhammad - 413-214-1237. |
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6 events,
REGISTRATION INFORMATION Poultry School is a two-day program running March 19 and 20. Registration opens at 9:00am on February 17. Program cost is $150. Stay tuned for more information and a registration link. A block of rooms has been set aside for a reduced rate at the Sheraton Tarrytown, located at 600 White Plains Road, […] To celebrate Maple Weekend, March 19-20, many restaurants will be featuring delicious appetizers, entrees, side dishes, deserts and cocktails made with Massachusetts maple syrup. Come out to support local businesses and eat some delicious food! For the full list of participating restaurants visit www.massmaple.org/mwrestaurants.php
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Spring is the season for pruning and grafting, two skills necessary for healthy trees. Pruning allows air flow through your trees to minimize fungal diseases, and can cause old trees to fruit again. This workshop will cover pruning trees of all ages, including recovery pruning for abandoned trees. Grafting allows for changes in the apple […]
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Celebrate spring! Join Seeds of Solidarity founders and farmers Ricky Baruc and Deb Habib for a free workshop on garden season extension, including how to make low tunnels (mini-greenhouses) and suggestions for cool weather crops to get your garden going nice and early. The workshop will be held at the Orange Innovation Center (OIC), 131 W. […]
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In this class, we will make a basic batch of cold-processed soap using all-natural carrier oils, commercial lye & essential oils. We will discuss how you can formulate your own recipe based on your needs, as well as colorants, exfoliants, hot-processed soap & how you can make your own lye. All participants are invited to take home a free bar of the soap we make in […] |
4 events,
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Making dairy ferments at home is a delicious, fun and cost-effective way to add probiotics to your diet, and make lactose more digestable. In this class we will cover how to make yogurt, kefir & simple fresh cheeses. We will make yogurt, kefir and one simple cheese. Taste our homemade dairy ferments during class! If […]
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Massachusetts Maple Producers Association members celebrate sugaring with its annual Maple Weekend on March 19 & 20, by opening their sugarhouses for tours, selling treats, and giving out samples of hot-off-the-evaporator syrup. Massachusetts Association of Agriculture Commissions invites you to come see its Vice President of Education Steve Damon in his agricultural element on Sunday, […] |
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“Agritourism” attractions are increasingly popular to tourists and locals alike. Have an interest in becoming part of the growing “Agritourism” trend in Massachusetts? Join us for the first in a series of workshops with successful agritourism businesses and tourism professionals on how to plan for and promote tourism at your farm. These free, half-day workshops will […] |
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The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is seeking public comment on the state Pollinator Protection Plan - Draft. Please note that this document is a draft and will be finalized after a comment review period. Comments can be sent to the following email address: Kim.Skyrm@state.ma.us with the subject line "Pollinator Plan Comments." The deadline […] |
2 events,
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This meeting of the Massachusetts Poultry Enhancement Council will focus on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Agenda: 1. Why was the Indiana Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak different from the 2014-2015 HPAI outbreak? 2. The importance of a Biosecurity plan to indemnity payments for HPAI. 3. Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) role in a […]
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Come learn how simple it is to make your own mixed vegetable kraut. Learn about the healing qualities and nutritional importance of live-culture ferments, as well as their illustrious history and integral role in human cultural evolution. Empower yourself with simple techniques for fermenting these healthful foods in your home. Be part of the fermentation […] |
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Join us for an evening of sharing food and recipes from our families and ancestral past! Bring a dish & recipe to share with the group that reflects your family or family history. DETAILS + Please bring a dish to share with the group. You may bring any dish you like within the theme of […] |
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Join Trustees and the City of Boston to kick off the growing season! Enjoy a day full of learning, networking and fun. Choose from more than two dozen workshops covering an array of topics including seed starting, composting, urban beekeeping, making sauerkraut, and community and youth organizing, and celebrate the winners of the ever-popular Community Garden […] |
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Northeast Harvest will host the Annual Northeast Harvest Agricultural Conference at Topsfield fairgrounds. You will have the opportunity to receive three SPRAY credits. For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE. The $20 Pre-Registration Fee Includes: Morning Coffee and Afternoon Lunch Worker Protection Standards by Laurie A Rocco - SPRAY Credit Avian Flu Update and […] |
1 event,
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These meeting will give winter workshop participants the opportunity to network with one another and also provide additional time to discuss and consider their own individual farm needs as it relates to the workshop topics. Each session will have a CISA staff facilitator and a farmer Expert (Missy Bahret–Old Friends Farm, Pete Solis– Hampshire College Farm, and Gary Gemme– Harvest Farm of Whately). The topics for the meeting will be determined based on participant interest and determined as the class date gets closer. |
1 event,
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“Agritourism” attractions are increasingly popular to tourists and locals alike. Have an interest in becoming part of the growing “Agritourism” trend in Massachusetts? Join us for the first in a series of workshops with successful agritourism businesses and tourism professionals on how to plan for and promote tourism at your farm. These free, half-day workshops will […] |
0 events,
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4 events,
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Now in it’s third year, Valley Vegfest will once again feature passionate speakers, vegan food vendors, veg-friendly products and services, and non-profit organizations dedicated to animal welfare, healthy living, and environmental advocacy. Registration is now open for sponsors and exhibitors. Please see the sponsor or exhibitor information for full details and download the application form. Valley Vegfest […]
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Hosted by the UMass Amherst Beekeeping Club, Michael Joshin Thiele, of Gaia Bees, will help us redefine our relationship with bees and create a new paradigm of caring for bees. Participants will learn about a biodynamic approach to apiculture, the unique matrix of life of honeybees and their intricate inner organization. How can we heal […]
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The first step towards a successful garden is a good plan. In this interactive workshop you will walk away with a planting diagram for your edible garden this year. We'll touch on all of the issues that inform planting decisions: plant characteristics, crop rotation, soil characteristics, companion planting & aesthetics. We'll also discuss garden layout, planting schedules & extending the season. Please come […] |
1 event,
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Whether you love the taste, the health benefits, or both, brewing your own probiotic soft drinks at home is a fun, delicious & cost-effective way to add probiotics to your diet. This class will cover how to make kombucha, water kefir & wild-fermented sodas at home. You will sample our homebrewed beverages and learn how […] |