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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for NOFA/Mass
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260826T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260826T190000
DTSTAMP:20260715T205224Z
CREATED:20260624T141221Z
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SUMMARY:On-Farm Fertility & Ferments: Farmer Networking Session
DESCRIPTION:Join us at Benson’s Pond Farm for a look at building on-farm fertility through fermented plant & fruit inputs. This casual\, educational and networking session will explore how these foliar fertilizers and amendments are made on-farm\, applied\, and tracked over time using both mineral and biological testing. We’ll dig into the methodology\, pricing\, and observed benefits after five years of use in a transitioning system: what’s changed\, what’s worked\, and what’s still evolving. Out in the bog\, we’ll observe plant & soil conditions as indicators of biological activity and health. \nWe’ll touch on shared water considerations and the realities of moving toward organic certification\, and close with time to connect\, share experiences\, and continue the conversation with fellow growers. This session is designed for fellow cranberry growers as well as anyone who is interested in developing on-farm fertility strategies rooted in biology. \nRegister Online Now\nAbout the Instructors: \nCass Gilmore is a third-generation cranberry grower in Massachusetts who\, since 2020\, has been transitioning the farm from conventional chemical inputs to regenerative practices. Central to this shift is a commitment to closing the loop on farm inputs – reducing external dependencies while building on-farm fertility. As the transition has progressed\, biological life across the farm has surged\, with beneficial organisms emerging at levels not previously observed on this or other cranberry operations.  \nAccessibility: \nThis event takes place on a working cranberry bog\, which includes uneven\, soft\, and potentially wet terrain. Participants should be prepared to walk on irregular ground. Due to these conditions\, accessibility may limited for those with mobility challenges or who require firm\, level pathways during the tour. There is an ADA accessible bathroom on site. \nRefund/Inclement Weather Policy: \nFor information on our refund and inclement weather policy\, click here.  \nCapacity: \nCapacity for this event is limited to 20 people. Register ahead of time to secure your space!  \nRegister Online Now\n  \nQuestions? \nContact Randy at events@nofamass.dreamhosters.com with any questions. \n  \nPartners & Sponsors
URL:https://nofamass.dreamhosters.com/event/on-farm-fertility-ferments-farmer-networking-session/
LOCATION:Benson Pond Cranberries and Barn\, 6 Pine St.\, Middleboro\, 02346\, United States
CATEGORIES:NOFA/Mass Event,TOPP
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X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Benson Pond Cranberries and Barn 6 Pine St. Middleboro 02346 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=6 Pine St.:geo:-70.7733142,41.8300139
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260916
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260918
DTSTAMP:20260819T164442Z
CREATED:20260522T204340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260819T164442Z
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SUMMARY:Northeast Growing Together Conference
DESCRIPTION:This event supports current and aspiring organic farmers through 20+ educational workshops\, practical technical assistance sessions\, and meaningful opportunities to connect with peers across the food and farming community. Whether you’re just beginning your organic journey or looking to deepen your expertise\, you’ll gain real-world insights you can apply right away. \nSponsored by the Transition to Organic Partnership Program. \nLearn more & register today
URL:https://nofamass.dreamhosters.com/event/northeast-growing-together-conference/
LOCATION:The Rodale Institute\, 611 Siegfriedale Road\, Kutztown\, PA\, 19530\, United States
CATEGORIES:NOFA/Mass Event,TOPP
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X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Rodale Institute 611 Siegfriedale Road Kutztown PA 19530 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=611 Siegfriedale Road:geo:-75.7176828,40.5505135
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260916T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260916T193000
DTSTAMP:20260710T153533Z
CREATED:20260331T000937Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260710T153533Z
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SUMMARY:Soil Health in Organic Systems Monthly Calls: Putting Your Soil to Bed: Fall Cover Crops & Winter Preparation
DESCRIPTION:Putting Your Soil to Bed: Fall Cover Crops & Winter Preparation  \nWith Yoko Takemura \nAs summer transitions into fall\, the choices we make now can set the stage for healthier soils next season. Join NOFA/Mass and Yoko Takemura of Assawaga Farm for a community conversation on preparing your fields and gardens for winter through thoughtful soil stewardship. We’ll explore selecting and establishing cover crops\, building organic matter and compost\, mulching\, and other practices that protect living soils\, suppress weeds\, and improve fertility through the colder months. Bring your questions and experiences as we discuss practical\, seasonally appropriate strategies for putting your farm or garden “to bed” while investing in next year’s success. \nRegister in advance for this meeting: \nRegister Online on Zoom\nJoin NOFA/Mass for our monthly soil health calls\, where we explore the on-farm processes and practices that shape resilient\, thriving soils. Our facilitators will guide participants through practical strategies that influence soil integrity in organic systems. Each session offers space to ask questions\, discuss specific methodologies\, and learn directly from peers about what’s working on their farms. \nTopics range from organic amendments\, cover cropping systems\, reduced tillage and compaction mitigation strategies\, nutrient cycling\, soil biology and microbial life\, organic systems plans\, and other stewardship practices designed to strengthen the long-term health and productivity of your farm. \nDate: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month starting in March – September\n \nTime: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM \n  \nAfter registering\, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. \n \nTOPP is a network assembled by the USDA’s National Organic Program to support transitioning and organic producers with mentorship and resources. Farmer-to-farmer mentorship\, workshops\, webinars\, field days\, technical assistance\, and other educational events will offer opportunities to learn about organic production\, the certification process\, market opportunities\, and more. Read more and sign up to be a mentor or transitioning farmer mentee at organictransition.org
URL:https://nofamass.dreamhosters.com/event/soil-health-in-organic-systems-monthly-calls-8/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Beginning Farmers,NOFA/Mass Community Call,NOFA/Mass Event,Online,Soil Health,TOPP
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ORGANIZER;CN="NOFA/Mass Ed Events":MAILTO:events@nofamass.dreamhosters.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260922T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260922T190000
DTSTAMP:20260714T193532Z
CREATED:20260325T155537Z
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SUMMARY:Scaling No-Till Vegetables: Farm Tour & Networking Event
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a farm tour at Gaining Ground highlighting no-till vegetable production at scale. Gaining Ground has expanded vegetable\, flower\, and cover crop production from 3.5 acres in 2023\, to around 4 acres in 2024\, 5 acres in 2025\, and 8 acres in 2026. Farming in partnership with Minuteman National Historical Park\, the Gaining Ground team has transformed former parkland into a highly productive vegetable operation rooted in soil health principles. This event will center on the team’s approach to growing at scale while staying rooted in no-till principles. This will include a discussion of Gaining Ground’s processes for putting new land into production\, their staffing structure and volunteer programming\, as well as their general systems for bringing beds from seed to harvest to rest. \nDuring the tour\, participants will hear about the evolution of the farm’s systems and staffing\, key decisions that have shaped production and expansion\, and lessons learned during this first season growing on all 8 acres that they have in production. They’ll briefly touch on the unique experience of farming on public land before wrapping up with shared food and open networking time to connect with fellow farmers and growers.  \nRegister Online Now\nAbout: \nGaining Ground is a non-profit\, no-till\, organic farm in Concord\, MA. At their flagship farm and satellite fields they actively cultivate 8 acres of land to grow over 50 varieties of vegetables\, herbs\, fruit\, and flowers in fields interspersed with perennial hedgerows. They produce for 18 hunger relief organizations with the help of a community of volunteers and donate 100% of the food they grow. They harvest over 133\,000 pounds of produce annually\, supplying more than 2\,100 food-insecure households each week in the Greater Boston region. They also welcome over 3\,500 volunteers of all ages and abilities to the farm each season. \n  \nAbout the Instructors: \nMark Congdon (he/him) – Director of Agriculture and Volunteer Experience: Born and raised in Shrewsbury\, Massachusetts\, Mark(he/him) joined Gaining Ground as our first Director of Agriculture in 2023. He received his two years of farmer training as a farmer’s apprentice at Caretaker Farm in Williamstown. Mark continued to grow as a farmer managing Saltbox Farm in Concord for 9 years and then Honey Nut Farm in Hopkinton prior to bringing his experience here to Gaining Ground. He is excited for the opportunity to direct Gaining Ground’s expansion onto newly leased land in the Minuteman National Historical Park. Mark loves to travel and experience unique plant life all over the world. He also enjoys hiking\, meditation\, supporting local farmer’s markets\, and being part of a food movement that brings sustainable agriculture to local communities. \nMaddie Weikel (she/they) – Assistant Grower and Education Coordinator: Maddie (she/they) joined the Gaining Ground team in 2023 after three-ish growing seasons learning about organic\, no-till systems at a different farm in the area. They find joy and power in farming and in the notion that cultivating deep connection to land offers us tools for dismantling systems of harm and for building the world that we want to live in. Maddie believes that we all have a role to play in the work to nourish our communities and that it is our duty to take care of each other and of the land. Since graduating from New York University in 2020\, Maddie’s farming journey has moved alongside a reintroduction to Judaism. She is inspired by the many lessons that ever-evolving Jewish tradition has to share about liberatory land stewardship\, and vice versa. When not out in the fields\, you can find Maddie making to-do lists\, collaging\, yelling\, vacuuming\, and sharing meals with friends. \nRegister Online Now\nAbout the Project: \nThis event is sponsored by the Transition to Organic Partnership Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and co-sponsored by NOFA/Mass.  \n  \nAccessibility: \nGaining Ground is most accessible via car. The farm is also a few miles away from the Concord commuter rail stop\, as well as the “Hanscom Field Dr @ Old Bedford Rd” stop on the 76 bus. There are two bathrooms on site—one Port-o-potty that is serviced biweekly\, as well as a bathroom connected to the barn and kitchen. Please note that Gaining Ground is located next to an airport\, so there are frequently loud planes flying overhead. There are four picnic tables with benches and up to 15 chairs available for seating.  \nThe pavilion at Gaining Ground\, where we will be gathering prior to and after our farm tour\, is located off of a loosely paved gravel road\, and there is a wheelchair accessible bathroom about 100ft from the pavillion (people who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices visit the farm on a regular basis throughout the growing season). \n  \nPlease share if you have any additional accessibility concerns. \n  \nRefund/Inclement Weather Policy: \nWe will still meet if there is a rain shower. In case of dangerous weather (lightning\, high winds)\, we will reconvene on Thursday\, September 24. For information on our refund and inclement weather policy\, click here.  \n  \nCapacity: \nCapacity for this event is limited to 25 people. Register ahead of time to secure your space!  \n  \nRegistration opens July 14th. \n  \nQuestions? \nContact Randy at events@nofamass.dreamhosters.com
URL:https://nofamass.dreamhosters.com/event/scaling-no-till-vegetables-farm-tour-networking-event/
LOCATION:Gaining Ground Farm\, 341 Virginia Rd.\, Concord\, 01742
CATEGORIES:NOFA/Mass Event,TOPP
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