ABOUT THE TWILIGHT SERIES
SEMAP’s Twilight Grower Series offers farmers and food producers the chance to connect with and learn from one another. This farmer-to-farmer educational workshop series takes place on farms across the region, allowing hands-on learning and networking opportunities. While this series is open to everyone, it is particularly geared towards commercial growers.
Previous topics for the Twilight Grower Series have included orchard pruning, seed saving, soil fertility, alpaca shearing, cut flower cultivation, cold storage techniques, livestock pasturing, and more!
2022 TWILIGHTS
June 15 – Pest Pressure, Soil and Plant Tissue at Elliot Farm w/ UMass Extension – Highlights
We’re kicking off this year’s series with our friends at UMass Extension. Join us at Elliot Farm in Lakeville for an evening of connecting with local farmers, exchanging produce cultivation skills, and getting answers to your field questions! We’ll take a pest walk, test greenhouse soils & plant tissue, and more! Registration is encouraged but not required, and drop-ins are welcome! Most of the event will be held outdoors, but masks are recommended when indoors. Hand sanitizer will be provided. Please stay home if you are feeling unwell so we can continue to protect our community.
June 28 – Raising Alpaca for Fiber at Moonlight Rose – Highlights
Join us at Moonlight Rose Farm in Swansea for an evening of connecting with local farmers, exchanging fiber skills, and getting answers to your questions! Farmer David Rose also runs a successful market garden. We’ll discuss fiber best practices, pasture & fencing maintenance, and more! Registration is encouraged but not required, and drop-ins are welcome! Most of the event will be held outdoors, but masks are recommended when indoors. Hand sanitizer will be provided. Please stay home if you are feeling unwell so we can continue to protect our community.
July 21 – Soil Workshop at Weatherlow Farms in Westport w/ NOFA/Mass – Highlights
What can soil health do for a flower business? Talk with Phoebe Poole of Weatherlow Farms and hear from her how she has wandered away from conventional, chemical production of cut flowers to a growing system that is biologically centered. We will be joined by Ruben Parrilla, NOFA/MA Soil Tech Coordinator, who will model soil health testing relevant to any farm enterprise! Registration is live now, but walk-ins will be welcome!
October 17 – Soil Microscopy at Norfolk Aggie w/ NOFA/Mass – Register
Want to take a look at your own soil under a microscope, learn what value microorganisms offer, and connect with farmers & ag students? Join us at Norfolk Aggie to look under the scope with NOFA/Mass! John and Ruben join us again to train participants to evaluate their own soil samples. Drop in with a soil sample, questions, and your appetite!
November 1 – Winter Greens Production in Little Compton, RI – Register
Curious about extending your growing season or refining your winter production? Join us at Skinny Dip Farm to see their winter greens operation! Hannah and Ben received a SEMAP TIE award for low-tunnels in 2018 to develop this enterprise. See what it’s developed into today. Come with questions, your own experiences to share, and your appetite!
For more events, check out the farm visit series organized and hosted by our friends at Eastern Massachusetts CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training).
