The gathering of Women in Meat Northeast is focused on developing the skills, knowledge, and network of women in meat industries and in supporting their endeavors as agents in those industries, as business leaders and as entrepreneurs. Women in Meat includes those in agriculture, aquaculture and seafood, for those involved in farming, butchering, processing, and […]
This is a two-day class designed to educate and empower current or future users of agricultural tractors and farm equipment. It appeals to new and beginning farmers, and has proven valuable to many seasoned professionals – some of whom were never formally schooled on tractors. During the class, the instructor will demystify tractors and improve […]
This six-hour class is designed to provide a basic understanding of how small engines work. There will be a review of the 2-cycle and 4-cycle process with actual engines to demonstrate how these engines work, and tips on how best to maintain them. Like many machines, these tools are as readily misused or abused as […]
Slow Money Pioneer Valley organizes an Entrepreneur Showcase each year to bring investors together with farm and food businesses interested in their support. The Showcase is an opportunity to forge relationships that will be useful as these businesses grow and need support, including financing. The six entrepreneurs who will be presenting at this year’s Showcase: […]
Join Dan Kaplan, Farm Manager of Brookfield Farm in Amherst, MA for an overview of the financial management of a diversified farm. Brookfield has been managing a 500-share CSA since 1994 when they started with 10 acres of leased land, not much debt, and not much money. The business has steadily grown into a sustainable […]
More than 350 farms have completed this course for existing Massachusetts agricultural businesses that will benefit from an organized look at their current operation in order to plan for growth and change. You must have at least two years of documented farm production and income as a for-profit or non-profit farming enterprise to take this […]
Regulations created under the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) begin implementation in September, 2016. FSMA requires that facilities conducting food-related activities, including commercial food processing, must have in place a Food Safety Plan prepared and overseen by a “Preventive Controls Qualified Individual” (PCQI) who has successfully completed training in the development and application of […]
How do we develop a balanced system for use of organic residuals, with all their benefits, without adding to negative environmental impacts caused by phosphorus (P) leaching and runoff? This symposium will provide technical, research-based information and dialogue on the presence, forms, dynamics, transport, and fates of P applied to soils in organic residuals such […]