Farmer Events

At this drop-in information session you can get your farm, farm stand or farmers’ market authorized for SNAP (food stamps) and receive your USDA FNS number the very same day! USDA, Department of Transitional Assistance and Department of Agricultural Resources staff will be on site to walk you through the process and assist with your application. You will also learn about SNAP processing equipment options and the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefit. NOTE: Registration for the conference is not required if you wish to only attend the retailer sign-up event.

Where: Mass Farm Bureau Annual Meeting: Thursday, November 30, DROP-IN hours between: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sheraton Framingham Hotel, 1657 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA 01701

Fair Food Network’s Fair Food Fund provides financing and business assistance to good food enterprises that are growing vibrant local food systems. We finance innovative businesses that are supporting resilient working farms and strong local food economies in the Northeastern United States. Lending is bolstered with business assistance including an annual business boot camp and one-on-one […]

Three Session Course: Dec 5, Jan 11, Feb 7 One of a farmer's biggest challenges is planning for farm succession. The Farm Succession School provides farmers and farming couples looking toward retirement and farm transition the structured and sustained support to make decisions, engage their family, and organize the legal and financial mechanics. Topics include […]

Experience agritourism at some of Vermont’s premiere destinations. Whether you are new to agritourism or have years of experience, you are invited to join farmers as well as agricultural, tourism, and insurance professionals for farm tours and discussion about what works and what doesn’t. Topics will include safety, liability, marketing, and more. Resources and follow-up […]

In 2018 Cannabis will enter the Massachusetts marketplace and, according to some estimates, it’s poised to become a $1.1 billion industry within just a few years, making it the most profitable crop in Massachusetts. As with local craft beer and food, there will be a lot of consumers interested in accessing high-quality craft cannabis grown by local farmers in a sustainable way.

This interactive workshop and networking event is for growers who are interested in cultivating Cannabis using organic methods on their land for this new market. We’ll cover all the basics to get you started on your path toward cultivating cannabis either on your own as part of a cooperative.

Join presenter Mary O'Neal, Partner at Conn Kavanaugh and employment law expert, for a workshop that will provide an overview of key employment issues that farmers need to know. From apprenticeships to agricultural minimum wage, the workshop will cover key topics that come up on the farm and provide attendees with an agricultural employment law handbook. It will also include case studies that provide an opportunity to apply the topics to real situations.