The MA Cultivated Blueberry Grower’s Association in conjunction with the UMass Extension Service is holding an annual spring seminar on Saturday June 18th. This year we are pleased to have Sonia Schloemann, UMass Small Fruit Extension specialist give us an IPM Update on Major Blueberry Pest and Disease Issues for 2016. Laurie Rocco, MDAR Pesticide […]
Are you raising grass-fed cattle? Interested in transitioning? Come learn with organic grass-fed cattle farmer Matt Koziol! Matt will discuss what farmers need to know to keep their animals healthy and productive. Starting with the nutritional requirements for livestock, particular attention will be paid to reading and responding to cattle behavior in order to reduce […]
Join fellow entrepreneurs at the Specialty Food Association's one-day workshop to teach specialty food manufacturers how to sell to distributors, foodservice, specialty food retailers and supermarkets. Presentations feature industry practitioners, communicating material useful to both newcomers and experienced producers interested in expanding sales and building profit. Presentations from industry peers will include: How to Sell […]
Learn the ins and outs of commercial medicinal herb production, from field to drying room. Participants will get an overview of the production and planning methodologies that Full Kettle Farm uses. The workshop will also focus on post production handling and herb drying for teas, oils, and other value added products. Full Kettle Farm is […]
West Holyoke, East Mountain, and Mount Tom are home to some of the region's most scenic areas, including forests and farms. Important lands like these are often lost when changing hands from one generation to the next. Do you have a plan for the future of your land? Please join the Holyoke Conservation Commission and […]
What would a green economy with many thriving agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, and permaculture businesses look like? If you have a business idea that falls into one of these three categories, or if you are interested in hearing what others in the region are planning, scheming and developing, come to a Green Economy development meeting in […]
Ever want to apply for a SARE farmer or partnership grant? Looking to improve your farming practices through research? This workshop is for you! Farmers and Agriculture Service Providers welcome. We will provide hands-on training in setting up a replicated field plot, and include practice taking measurements and collecting data. Concepts learned may be applied […]
For centuries, biochar was used by the indigenous peoples of amazonia as a natural and easily-obtained soil amendment that builds microbial communities and long-term fertility in soils. Recently, farmers and researchers have been finding that not only does biochar create an incredibly rich habitat for microbes, nematodes, and fungi, it also adds stable carbon to […]