NOFA/Mass Event
Soil Health Bi-Monthly Community Call : Preparing for Compost Tea Mastery Webinar
OnlineWe are excited to invite you to our bimonthly Soil Health Calls! These calls are designed to provide a platform for farmers, researchers, and experts to share their knowledge, experiences, and insights on soil health. Our aim is to create a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about improving soil health. Our calls will cover a range of topics related to soil health, including soil biology, organic matter, nutrient management, and any topic of relevance to the NOFA community and beyond. We will also have guest speakers who will share their expertise and insights on the latest developments in the field.
Enmiendas de suelo para granjas orgánicas
Online¿Ha decidido recientemente conseguir un certificado de cultivo orgánico para su granja o ha pensado en hacer este cambio? ¿O puede que ya tenga el certificado y sólo quiera un curso de actualización? Este webinario le enseñará acerca de cómo usar mejoradores de suelo desde una perspectiva basada en la salud del suelo en granjas orgánicas.
Soil Amendments for Organic Farms
OnlineHave you recently decided to transition your farm to organic certification, or are you considering making the switch? Or maybe you’re already certified organic, and just want a refresher? This webinar will discuss a soil-health based approach to using soil amendments on organic farms. We’ll review the OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) list and go over common misconceptions about restricted and listed materials. We’ll also discuss how to use various soil health assessments to determine what amendments your farm needs, and how to identify appropriate organic options:
TOPP: Organic Management of Vegetable Pests
OnlineSince the organic pesticide toolbox is limited is size and efficacy, cultural controls are very important tools. Learn how to use cultural practices like crop rotation and variety selection to minimize pest pressure, use mechanical controls to avoid pests, how to harness the power of beneficial organisms for biocontrol, and safely and effectively use OMRI-approved pesticides when necessary. How do you determine when it is necessary to spray? How do you go about doing that? What are the options if you are certified organic?
2024 Microscopy Training
OnlineCT NOFA is offering microscopy training in 2024. Participants will view various soils and composts, looking at the different soil structures and the microbes that thrive in healthy soil. Demonstrations include how to prepare a slide for viewing, what you might find and how to evaluate your findings. Participants will be trained to analyze the following:
Demystifying Organic Certification for BIPOC Farmers: Making the Leap
The Village 4 King St., Worcester, United StatesOrganic certification can sound daunting and dry. After hosting a series of networking sessions for farmers of color across the state, and from the personal experience of some of our staff members, NOFA/Mass knows that the certification process can be particularly burdensome for farmers of color, new farmers, and farmers whose first language is not English. This workshop will help you find answers to the questions, how do you make the leap to organic certification, and is it right for me and my farm?
Desmitificar la certificación de granja orgánica para agricultores BIPOC (por sus siglas en inglés Negros, Indigenas y Personas de Color)
The Village 4 King St., Worcester, United StatesConseguir la certificación de granja orgánica puede sonar abrumador y difícil. Tras llevar a cabo una serie de sesiones para crear redes para agricultores/as racializados/as en todo el estado, y también a través de la experiencia personal de algunos de nuestros/as empleados/as, NOFA/Mass es consciente de que el proceso de certificación puede ser especialmente pesado para algunos agricultores/as de color, para nuevos/as agricultores/as y para agricultores/as cuya lengua materna no es el inglés. Este taller les ayudará a encontrar respuesta a las preguntas: ¿cómo dar el salto a la certificación orgánica? y ¿es esto la mejor opción para mí y para mi granja?
Compost Tea: Is it right for me?
12 Randall Lane, Mattapoisett, MA 12 Randall Lane, Mattapoisett, United StatesInterested in making compost teas and extracts for a living soil? Discover efficient methods to introduce and multiply the beneficial microbes found in high quality compost into your growing spaces. Join us for a presentation and discussion on brewing techniques and how to apply them. Understand the biological needs of the soil you work with and the plants that your soil supports. Learn to assess compost and additional ”food” for the microbes within compost.
MAPN monthly meeting
OnlineMassachusetts Pollinator Network Monthly meeting. “Developing Pollinator Curriculum for Schools,” with Jocelyn Demuth of Checkerspot Farm
Mass Pollinator Network Brown Bag Lunch
OnlinePlease stop by to meet other pollinator advocates, ask questions of our experts, learn about projects happening across the state, talk about your own activities, and more! Stay for the entire meeting or just pop in for what you can.