En español

Join us for an immersive journey into the fundamentals of soil health with our Physical Vitality workshop. Delve into the intricate world beneath our feet as we explore the essential components that shape soil structure and vitality. Through hands-on demonstrations and interactive activities, participants will gain a deep understanding of soil physical properties, including structure, porosity, and compaction. Equipped with tools such as penetrometers, shovels, and infiltration rings, attendees will learn how to assess and evaluate these critical aspects of soil health directly on the farm. 

Whether you’re a seasoned agricultural professional or a curious novice, this workshop offers valuable insights and practical skills to enhance your understanding of soil and optimize farm management practices. If you attended any of last year’s Physical Soil Health workshops, this is a great opportunity to review what you’ve learned as well as see these principles applied at another location.

Cost:  Free. Light lunch provided.

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 June 27, 2025.

Schedule/Agenda:

• 10:00 – 10:15 AM | Welcome & Introductions
• 10:15 – 10:45 AM | Soil Structure & Porosity: The Foundation of Vitality
• 10:45 – 11:15 AM | Compaction & Its Consequences
• 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Field Activity: Soil Physical Assessment Stations
• 12:15 – 12:45 PM | Lunch
• 12:45 – 1:30 PM | Synthesizing Observations
• 1:30 – 2:00 PM | Applying What You’ve Learned

About:

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project’s incubator farm in Beverly, MA hosts 12 beginning farm businesses growing diversified vegetables using sustainable practices. By hosting soil health events at New Entry this year, we hope to make an exciting environment for beginning and newer farmers.  New Entry is a place to meet up and discuss foundational practices for optimal growing conditions, and how to be not only well equipped but also a leader in your on-farm soil health journey.  All farmers are welcome, regardless of their farming experience.

The incubator provides access to land, irrigation, equipment, and shared infrastructure, along with training and technical support to help new farmers launch and grow their operations. In addition to the incubator plots, New Entry also runs its own production areas that include both reduced-till hand-scale beds and tractor-scale fields. The farm is part of New Entry’s mission to build a more resilient local food system by supporting the next generation of farmers.

About the Instructors:

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.

More Information:

Portions of our farm tour will cover uneven terrain.  We want to make sure your accessibility needs are met during the event. Please share with us your needs regarding (but not limited to): physical accessibility, allergies, noise, scent, gender, intellectual accessibility, and any instructions or tips to help you fully participate.

Questions?

Contact Ruben at [email protected]

About the Project:

The USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides grants to organizations for education, mentoring and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers. NOFA/Mass is providing this programming through a partnership with the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust.