En español

Join us for this opportunity to see what organic soil care can look like on a detailed and scientific level, in conjunction with the unique array of specialty crops  from Hilltop Farm & Fiber Arts. If you’ve felt  the itch to grow something other than  vegetables, this is a great time to learn about growing natural  dye plants , which can be  annual or perennial, and many of which also have the benefit of showy flowers.  Hilltop Farm also grows garlic, rhubarb and seeds.

The workshop will be split in half, the first part of the day focusing on soil assessments for beginning and learning farmers, and the second half exploring the links between soil stewardship and specialty  markets and income streams, along with  how to process these niche plants  in keeping with certified organic standards!

Cost:  Free. Registration opens June 22. Sign up for the events newsletter for updates!

NOFA/Mass is happy to provide travel stipends to BIPOC and/or beginning farmer participants in this workshop. To submit a request for a travel reimbursement, please email [email protected] and include: 1) the event you attended (date, time, location) 2) your starting location 3) total mileage and 4) the name and address you’d like us to send a check to by September 1 2025.

Throughout the day, we’ll:

• Take a tour of the farm to see the processing center (pending organic certification)  for dried material and seeds
• Learn how to take a soil sample & read the results
• See how Hilltop Farm’s larger Organic Systems Plan affects everyday soil health decisions
• Explore the niche world of plant dyes,  flowers, and seeds in the marketplace

Schedule/Agenda:

1:00 PM – Farm Tour & soil sampling

2:00 PM – Soil Health Assessment Demonstration 

3:00 PM – Break

3:30 PM – Growing organic plants for dyes

4:15 PM – Processing Center tour & Added Value discussion

5:00 PM – Wrap Up & Thank You

About:

Hilltop Farm is a small but diverse, certified-pending organic farm growing natural dye plants, flowers, garlic, rhubarb, and seeds. We’re all about building healthy soil through organic methods and exploring unique markets beyond veggies—like natural dyes, flower-based products, and specialty crops.

Lisa has over 35 years of experience growing vegetables and spent more than 20 years raising sheep for both fiber and lamb. A fiber artist and natural dyer, she now focuses on dye plants, flowers, garlic, and rhubarb at Hilltop Farm & Fiber Arts. Lisa teaches natural dyeing workshops and enjoys helping others explore the creative and economic potential of plant-based color in small-scale farming. Her work is grounded in organic practices and informed by training in Biodynamics.

Rubén Parilla, Soil Technical Coordinator, NOFA/Mass 

Rubén is a Certified Lab Tech with 15 years of experience working at different capacities in the environmental laboratory industry. He trained in microscopic soil microbial identification through the Soil Food Web School and studied Environmental Design at the University of Puerto Rico. He leads and performs all components of NOFA/Mass soil technical services and has extensive experience farming and working with growers, including beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. Rubén performs soil health-related outreach and education for NOFA/Mass through monthly farmer learning calls, hands-on workshops and instructional events, and networking with farmers and individuals in the agricultural industry. Finalmente, Rubén es bilingüe y quiere saber de usted.

About the Project:

Our morning session is supported by the Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program where our soil technician will help farmers deepen their understanding of soil health and best management practices. Our afternoon session is supported by the Transition to Organic Partnership Program; we’ll review the scope of this farm with the organic standard lens as well as review certified organic processing practices. 

Accessibility:

The farm is not wheelchair accessible and has sloped, rough ground. Porta-potty available on-site. Location is not accessible by public transportation, but carpooling is encouraged. The dedicated rideshare site for this event is available here. 

Capacity:

Capacity for this event is limited to 30 people. Register ahead of time to secure your space! 

Refund/Inclement Weather Policy:

The rain date for this event is scheduled for August 7th. For information on our refund and inclement weather policy, click here. 

Registration to come – sign up for our Events Newsletter to get reminders!

Questions?

Contact Hannah at [email protected]

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