The RI Women in Ag Conference is BACK after a year's delay due to Covid. Join us Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at the Crowne Plaza, Warwick, RI. The RI Women in Ag conference is an educational event designed to share the numerous opportunities available to women currently in farming and to women considering farming as […]
January 17th – March 14th, 2023 Tuesday evenings 5:30 – 8:30pm MDAR offices, Southborough, MA 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 is taught by […]
You are raising and selling local meat, but are you making a profit? Learn marketing techniques and how to use the NEW Cornell Meat Pricing Tool to develop prices that deliver a profit in every channel. Presented by: Matt LeRoux, Extension Associate, Cornell University Matt has over 20 years of experience serving farms through Cornell Cooperative […]
In this all-day workshop with Berkshire Grow, folks will discuss the basics of how set up a new grazing system, and how to troubleshoot and improve an existing one. The day will start from the perspective of pasture plants, and then shift to look at grazing from the perspective of the livestock. This will provide […]
Join the Crop and Pest Services (CPS) Division – Apiary and Forest Pest Education and Outreach Teams from the Department of Agricultural Resources to get an update on honey bee health in the Commonwealth. Each event will include 1-2 presentations consisting of 90 minutes of content and 30 minutes of Q&A for attendees. Presentations will cover […]
The 16th annual Tufts Nutrition Data Symposium (TNDS) presents: SUSTAINABILITY NOW! Action-Oriented Solutions for Food Systems, Nutrition, and Diet This 2.5 day symposium features an in-person kick-off keynote and social mixer, followed by two full days of virtual programming, including expert panels, workshops, research presentations, and featured speakers. We recognize the imperative role of nutrition and […]
American Farmland Trust’s (AFT) Smart Solar℠ in Connecticut project builds on several years of strategic engagement with solar and agricultural stakeholders in New England and the Northeast. In a new report, AFT summarizes findings from a statewide farmer survey, roundtables with state agencies and solar developers, and expert input from AFT’s project advisory committee. In […]
Recognizing, Responding, and Sharing Resources with Farmers, Staff and Partner Organizations 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 the partner organization advocates. These 2-hour event will raise awareness of mental health and stress on farms […]
Complete Cow Butchering Workshop and Cow-share! Sat 3/11: 10-4 AND Sat 3/25: 10-4 Learn how to slaughter, dress, quarter and butcher a cow using traditional methods, with a pastured, grass-fed beef meat-share option! In this workshop, we'll take apart a noble Jersey bull at Turtle Bend Farm in Montgomery, MA. We’ll learn about butchering, charcuterie […]
The Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-based Preventive Controls for Human Food FDA regulation is intended to ensure safe manufacturing/processing, packing and holding of food products for human consumption in the United States. The regulation requires that certain activities must be completed by a “preventive controls qualified individual” who has “successfully completed training in the development and application of risk-based preventive controls.” This course developed by the FSPCA is the “standardized curriculum” recognized by FDA; successfully completing this course is one way to meet the requirements for a “preventive controls qualified individual.” Upon completion of this course, the trainee will become a FDA-recognized “Preventive Controls Qualified Individual” (PCQI). The course covers: How to create a Food Safety Plan meeting the FDA requirements as required by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). How to conduct a Hazard Analysis, and differentiate between prerequisite programs and risk-based preventive controls. Guidelines for choosing Critical Limits, setting up monitoring programs, and implementing corrective actions when deviations occur. Documentation for all aspects of the PCHF-required Food Safety Plan including verification and validation activities, monitoring, corrective actions, and records review. ADDITIONAL NOTES: To complete the course, a participant must be present for the entire workshop and actively participate in all of the presented exercises. INSTRUCTORS: This course is being taught by FSPCA Lead Instructors that have been trained to teach the FDA recognized standardized curriculum. Program Coordinator and Lead Instructor: Amanda Kinchla, Extension Assistant Professor/Food Safety Specialist, University of Massachusetts 413-545-1017, amanda.kinchla@foodsci.umass.edu(link sends e-mail)LODGING: Rooms are NOT included in the registration fee. There is a room block for participants at a rate of $169/night plus fees for those that reserve their room no later than March 6th using promo code: PCH23C at the Hotel UMass(link is external). Additionally, there are a variety of lodging options available in the area, which can be found here: http://www.umass.edu/visitorsctr/lodging . Speaker(s) / Instructor(s): Amanda Kinchla, Lynne McLandsborough, Christina […]
January 17th – March 14th, 2023 Tuesday evenings 5:30 – 8:30pm MDAR offices, Southborough, MA 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 is taught by […]
Where do you start when you have a project that needs funding? How do you know which program is best for the improvements you want to make? Where can you get help with your application? This online panel will highlight farmers who have used a variety of sources to finance their farm. They will discuss […]
As one of the few mushroom farmers in New England, Farmer Elizabeth partners with agricultural and community organizations to offer educational programs that are designed for foodies, gardeners, homesteaders, and curious families who wish to learn more about this fascinating food and the important role it plays in our diet, our environment and the economy. […]
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is hosting a virtual information session to discuss a number of upcoming grant opportunities from the Department. "MDAR will be hosting a free one-hour webinar on available funding opportunities for farmers for Fiscal Year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30th, 2024). Staff will cover the Ag Food Safety Improvement […]
Get out of the greenhouse and enjoy some good food and good company at SEMAP’s Farmer Social Events! Connect with fellow farmers, learn what folks are looking forward to growing and share your goals for the season ahead. This is a great opportunity to gather while there’s still time before farming really kicks off. Join […]
