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Have you been looking to dive deeper into the world of soil health, and discuss what practices make the most sense for your farm? This event is a space for BIPOC farmers to explore connections with customers, markets and soil health. Together, we’ll be exploring our strengths, needs and opportunities within our farms, including discussions on the option of organic certification. We’ll develop a more clear understanding around the intersections of our financial investments, love for farming and desire to serve our communities.

This event is a part of a series throughout Massachusetts of networking and technical assistance opportunities around organic farming, specifically certifying organic. If you have questions or interests in if it’s right for your farm or about certification in general, this is a great way to get involved. Come with questions and your thoughts, where we’ll be collecting them and addressing concerns at future technical assistance events.

During this event, we will:

• Have conversations around organic farming in our communities and what practices make sense for us
• Explore the conversations and questions around certifying organic, including thoughts, concerns, opportunities and barriers
• Enjoy light refreshments 
• Learn about the multiple opportunities and resources available for farmers

Cost: Free. Refreshments, interpretation services and child care provided.

Schedule/Agenda:

2:15 pm – Arrival

2:30 pm – Introductions & networking (Refreshments)

3:00 pm – Discussion and break out groups

4:30 pm – Closing remarks.  Wrap up by 4:45pm

4:45pm – Goodbyes

About :

Robbins Library’s Mission

The Library is a vital resource. We create opportunities for lifelong learning, meaningful connection, and discovery for all. We offer outstanding collections and services to meet the evolving interests and needs of the Arlington community. 

About the Instructors:

Ulum Pixan Ahtohil Suk’il (Bird Spirit) (she/her).  Equity and Inclusion Director

Ulum Pixan (Original Name), aka Dania Flores (colonized name), is an Indigenous mixed-race woman (Maya, Xinca, Garifuna, Russian Jew and ladino), mother and grandmother. She was born in Guatemala, Mesoamerica, and moved to the United States in 1999. She has always been involved with community organizing around aboriginal, women’s, language, and environmental issues. Ulum is a critical thinker, farmer and activist. As NOFA/Mass’s Equity and Inclusion Director,  and former Education Director, she leads the equity efforts of the organization, promoting our anti- racist principles and commitment to dismantling oppressive systems that keep our communities hungry and poor.

About the Project:

This event was made possible by the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), a national program that helps farmers navigate the ins and outs of certification, and provides mentorships and technical assistance to those who are considering organic certification. 

There is a history of BIPOC farmers not receiving or having unequal access to the resources that are provided by government agencies. This event is a safe space for us to discuss those inequities, look at how they apply to our farmers and communities, and consider how we may interact with them going forward. It is important to NOFA/Mass that we prioritize and deeply consider the gifts, needs and concerns of our BIPOC farmers.

This event is for BIPOC farmers. White allies are encouraged to attend other events, join Caucus groups at our conferences, or make a donation to racial equity programming. Thank you.

More Information:

Robbins Library is located at 700 Mass Ave. in Mass Ave in Arlington Center and is easily accessible by foot, bike, public transit, and car.

Refund/Inclement Weather Policy:

For information on our refund and inclement weather policy, click here. 

Capacity:

Capacity for this event is 25 people 

Register Online Now (button with link to registration page)

Questions?

Contact info (phone and email) for event organizer/coordinator

Sponsors:

USDA Organic Transition Initiative and the Transition to Organic Partnership Program