Workshop presented by The Carrot Project: This 2 hour workshop will help you understand how to decide when a dedicated or outside bookkeeper makes sense and how to work with them. This online workshop is offered through The Carrot Project's work supporting value-added production and planning for small, diversified farms. Click here for more information […]
After a year of rising input and labor costs, we have heard from many of you that it has been a real challenge to navigate setting prices in such an ever-changing economic landscape. We want to provide a space for farmer-to-farmer conversation about the economic challenges of this time, and to think collaboratively about pricing […]
Any business has a mix of personality types to manage. In this two-part, small-group workshop, we will use the DiSC Workplace Profile, to help you identify your unique communication and management preferences and explore ways that your preferences impact how you hire and retain employees. The DiSC model provides a common language people can use to better understand themselves and those they interact with. We can use this knowledge to reduce conflict and improve working relationships.
Our neighbors in Berkshire County invite you to a morning that recognizes our farming community with a complimentary pancake breakfast. Ioka Valley Farm 3475 Hancock Rd. Williamstown, MA 01267 Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lve-a-farmer-pancake-breakfast-tickets-469471801797
Workshop series presented by The Carrot Project: This series, offered in three, two-hour sessions, will help you evaluate value-added products and marketing channels, and the investments and financing you’ll need to make it work. This online workshop is offered through The Carrot Project's work supporting value-added production and planning for small, diversified farms. This workshop […]
January 12 – February 9, 2023 - Thursday evenings 6:00pm – 9:00pm MDAR Office, Southborough This 5-session course, presented by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, provides guidance to aspiring farmers through the decision-making process of whether to start a farm business. Participants will learn about the many aspects of starting a farm business, assess […]
January 17 – March 14, 2023 - Tuesday evenings 5:30 – 8:30pm View the application here. A hands-on course to help established farmers develop a business plan and financial projections for their farm business. This course covers topics including resource assessment, marketing strategy, financial management, risk management, quality of life, and goal setting. The course […]
Free webinar for transitioning farmers and new generation farmers to learn the basics of farm succession planning, how to get started, and where to find support with resources, tips, financial and legal considerations, and more! Feel like your family needs to start talking about the future of the farm, but you don't know where to start? Have questions about […]
Join SEMAP and The Carrot Project in a workshop exploring the new USDA Micro Farm Insurance Program! Speaker Amanda Chang is well-versed in this program, which could be perfect for farms with up to $350,000 in approved annual revenue. Learn whether this program is right for you, understand your next steps, and network with other small farmers! This workshop will be […]
Best Practices for Plant Disease Management Strategy: General tips will be presented that form the foundation of both organic and conventional disease management. Recommendations based on research results will be covered for cucurbit diseases (powdery and downy mildews, Phytophthora blight) and basil downy mildew. Additional diseases will be discussed based on grower input. Click here […]
Massachusetts schools are set to receive $3.5 million dollars to spend exclusively on local, unprocessed or lightly processed foods. This one-time USDA Local Food For Schools funding will be available to schools beginning in the spring of 2023 and schools will have 18 months to spend the funds. This is a great opportunity for MA producers, whether […]
MDAR’s MassGrownWellness program will deliver a series of in-person and online training events for all Massachusetts agriculture community supporters, including all farmers, MDAR and professional staff, and partner organization advocates. Click here to view all available in-person and virtual training sessions. January 24th, 2:00pm-4:00pm - Remote Training for Farmers: This remote 2-hour session will raise awareness […]
How do you engage with your customers in the off-season? How do you keep your business on their minds when markets are closed and offerings are sparse? Join Mieko Ozeki of Radiance Studios, LLC to discuss the most effective marketing strategies to adopt during the off-season. This workshop specifically focuses on Facebook and Instagram presence. Click here for […]
Thursdays January 26, March 2, and March 30, 2023 - 9:30am – 3:30pm Register Here! MDAR is hosting Land For Good’s Farm Succession School for Massachusetts farmers again 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 […]
Let’s face it– there is no more ‘normal’ growing season anymore. The first and last frosts are erratic, and precipitation is all over the place– heavy rains one summer and droughts the next. Join American Farmland Trust's New England Climate and Agriculture team, Wally Czajkowski (Hadley, MA), and Bryan O’Hara (Lebanon, CT) for a farmer […]
Calling all homeowners with apple trees! Pruning is an essential tree care practice that should be done every year. If you don’t know how to prune your apple tree, or need a refresher, this FREE course is for you! Led by Jon Clements, UMass Extension fruit specialist, this workshop will cover the basics of pruning, […]
You’ve heard the phrase ‘location, location, location’ when it comes to choosing a home. It’s no different for farmers when choosing a site for their farm business. All sites come with unique conditions that impact the farm’s viability, including physical characteristics, zoning restrictions, federal and state permitting requirements, and pre-existing third-party rights of neighbors, landlords, […]
MDAR’s MassGrownWellness program will deliver a series of in-person and online training events for all Massachusetts agriculture community supporters, including all farmers, MDAR and professional staff, and partner organization advocates. Click here to view all available in-person and virtual training sessions. February 1st, 6:00-8:00pm - Remote Training for Farmers: This remote 2-hour session will raise awareness […]