Eastern Mass CRAFT Scheduled Farm Visits Announced

Eastern Massachusetts C.R.A.F.T. is an independent Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training in eastern Massachusetts.

Their purpose is to promote:

–   Training of farmers, farm workers and apprentices in the craft of small-scale sustainable agriculture with emphasis on food production. Through the collaboration of many farms, they provide a broader learning experience than can be received on one farm alone.

–   Exchange of ideas among farm people. Our goal is to increase the skill base in sustainable agriculture.

–   A community of farmers, farm workers, and others who are interested in local agriculture. They support peer-based education to help farmers connect with others who share similar goals.

From April through October farmers, farm workers and apprentices from CRAFT farms gather at one farm for a visit and/or workshop. Each visit includes a farm tour and an overview of the farm as well as a discussion about one or two specific topics. CRAFT discussions are also scheduled November through March if there is sufficient interest.

Here is their 2018 Visit Schedule. For any changes in schedule and the most up to date calendar, please visit their website here.

April 11. Spring Potluck & Discussion “Why We Farm” @ Newton Community Farm in Newton, 6:00-8:00 pm
Host: Greg Maslowe, Farm Manager, Newton Community Farm
Address & Parking: 303 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA. Please park on Winchester Street and walk down the path past the greenhouse to the upper level of the barn.

April 25. Greenhouse (Propagation) Management @ Upswing Farm in Ashland, 4:00-6:00 pm
Hosts: Brittany and Kevin Overshiner, farmers & owners, Upswing Farm
Address & Parking: 28 South St, Ashland, MA.  Please pull in and park along the driveway in front of the greenhouse.

May 9. Tractor & Equipment Safety @ Medway Community Farm in Medway,  4:00-6:00 pm
Host: Seth Terramane, Farm Manager, Medway Community Farm
Presenter: Brian Huckins, Huckins Forge
Address & Parking: 50 Winthrop Street, Medway, MA. You’ll see our round, white MCF sign and our natural wood farm stand/shed.  Once you pull into the parking area, you’ll see our large greenhouse in the distance.  Drive past the small field on the left with the stand on your right and toward the greenhouse. Park in the grass next to the main fields.

May 23. Crop Planning & Micro Greens @ Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, 4:00-6:00 pm
Host: Matt Celona, Farm Manager, Drumlin Farm
Presenters: Elena Colman, Lexington Community Farm and Andrew Rodgers, Clark Farm
Address & Parking: 208 S Great Rd, Lincoln, MA

June 6. Growing Infrastructure @ Farmer Dave’s in Dracut, 4:00-6:00pm
Host: Dave Dumaresq, owner and farmer, Farmer Dave’s
Address & Parking: 437 Parker Rd, Dracut, MA

June 20. Pest Management in Potato and Fruit crops @ Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester, 4:00-6:00pm
Host: Adrienne Alstatt, Farm Manager, Wright-Locke Farm
Address and Parking: WLF is located at 78 Ridge Street inWinchester. Parking is available at 82 Ridge Street (signs point to this lot). Additional or “overflow” parking areas include Mullen Field and Saint Eulalia’s Parish.

July 7. Livestock @ Freedom Food Farm in Raynham, SATURDAY July 7, 5:00-7:00 pm
Host: Chuck Currie, farmer and owner, Freedom Food Farm
Address & Parking: 471 Leonard St. in Raynham, MA. Look for the blue Mass Grown signs on Rt. 44. Please park in the gravel lot behind the green house at the farm (to the right after pulling in the driveway)

July 18. Weed Control @ Waltham Fields Community Farm, Waltham, 4:00-6:00 pm
Host: Erinn Roberts, Farm Manager, WFCF and Tim Cook
Address & Parking: 240 Beaver St, Waltham, MA. Park in the side lot adjacent to the unskinned greenhouse frames; we will meet at the small pole barn on the west side of the property.

Aug 1. Irrigation Systems @ Appleton Farm in Ipswich, 4:00-6:00 pm
Host: Andrew Lawson, Farm Manager
Address & Parking: 219 County Road, Ipswich. Come down the main road, stay to the left at the fork and park in the lot adjacent to the big barn that houses our Dairy Store.

Aug 15. Pick Your Own Fruit @ Sunshine Farm in Sherborn, 4:00-6:00pm
Hosts: Jim and Roberta Geoghegan, farmers and owners
Address & Parking: 41 Kendall Ave, Sherborn, MA
Park in the overflow parking area for the farm stand and carpool if possible.  Grab some ice cream on the way out!

Aug 29. Permaculture @ ifarm in Boxford, 4:00-6:00pm
Hosts: Christine Barensfeld, Owner and General Manager; Jeremy Bennett, Assistant Manager; Debby Richards, Head Permaculturist
Address & Parking: 55 Towne Road, Boxford, MA

Sept 12. Fertility & Cover Crops @ Langwater Farm in North Easton, 4:00-6:00pm
Host: Kevin O’Dwyer, farmer and owner, Langwater Farm
Address & Parking: 209 Washington St. North Easton (rt. 138). Please park in the employee lot, which is to the left of the farm stand closer to the barn as you pull down the driveway.

Sept 26. Starting a farm, a grounded approach to year 1 @ Small Farm in Stow, 4:00-6:00pm
Hosts: Karl Goethert & Elena Colman, farmers & owners, Small Farm
Address & Parking: 184 Gleasondale Road (aka Route 62), Stow, MA 01775
We have a parking lot that should accommodate plenty of vehicles and more space along our farm road.

Oct 10. Starting Small/Farming on the Side @ Muddy River Herbals in Canton, 4:00-6:00pm
Host: Jenny Hauf, farmer and owner, Muddy River Herbals
Address & Parking: 2468 Washington Street, Canton. Parking is a lot on the left and then a walk straight back over the hill.

Oct 24. Market Garden Budget @ Natick Community Farm in Natick, 4:00-6:00pm
Host: Natick Organic Community Farm
Presenter: Chris Yoder, farmer and owner, Vanguarden CSA
Address & Parking: 117 Eliot Street, Natick. Park in lot next to greenhouse. We meet in NOCF’s workshop (the main administrative building next to the greenhouse).

Nov 7.  @ Revision Urban Farm, Dorchester.
Host: Joy Gary, Farm Manager
Address & Directions: 38 Fabyan Street, Dorchester, MA

Dec 5. Potluck & Annual Varieties Discussion @ Newton Community Farm,  4:00-6:00, potluck to follow
Host: Greg Maslowe, Farm Manager, Newton Community Farm
Address & Parking: 303 Nahanton Street, Newton 02459. Please park on Winchester Street and walk down the path past the greenhouse to the upper level of the barn.

 

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