In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to accurately sample soils for comprehensive chemical analysis, including soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient profiles. We will analyze in situ the biological, physical and chemical properties of soils, including compaction, infiltration rate, soil texture and structure, surface biology, soil aggregate stability, root behavior, soil temperature and bulk density. This integrated approach provides a thorough understanding of soil health by combining quantitative data with qualitative observations. Participants will also have an opportunity to learn about Landscape Interactions’ collaboration with Indian Line Farm to transform a portion of their working landscape into a refugia for at-risk native bees, butterflies and moths through the incorporation of biodiverse, perennial and productive native plant communities – and help to install a portion of the design on site alongside the designers and farmers.

About:

Indian Line Farm is home to the oldest CSA in the nation, started in 1986 by Robyn Van En. Farmers Elizabeth Keen and Alex Thorp have been producing vegetables, herbs, fruit and cut flowers there for 26 years. They have a 250-member CSA feeding over 600 people and attend the Great Barrington Farmers Market every Saturday from May through November. They also supply two local grocers and several restaurants with weekly produce. They grow year-round using high tunnels for greens production during the winter months. Their produce is Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) without the use of any synthetic herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers; although they are not certified organic, Indian Line Farm is fully committed to the current National Organics Program.

The farm is currently owned by the Berkshire Community Land Trust (BCLT) and the farmers have a 99-year lease to steward the land, keeping the property affordable for future generations. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) holds a Conservation Restriction on the property. TNC and BCLT worked to preserve Indian Line as a working farm at the same time maintaining farmland affordability, watershed and wildlife habitat conservation and community involvement in sustainable food production. Together, the farmers and the two organizations have worked to prevent future development and to continue protecting the adjacent fragile Jug End Fen Marsh which has been designated by the Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program (NHESP) for having estimated habitats of rare wildlife and home of one of the largest sites in the United States of the endangered bog turtle. The farm is part of the larger Karner Brook Watershed Area of Critical Ecological Concern.

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.

Evan Abramson, Founder and Principal, Landscape Interactions

Evan Abramson grew up amongst the museums and parks of New York City, where early exposure to ancient art, cultures, animals and plants left lasting impressions upon his abilities to create and organize images, color, light and form. Drawing on his diverse experience as a regional planner, landscape designer, farmer, community organizer, filmmaker and photojournalist, Evan designs landscapes and corridors that build biodiversity and resilience to a changing climate at the ecosystems level. As Founder and Principal of Landscape Interactions, he works closely with project partners along every step of the process, from conception through design, implementation and maintenance. Under his leadership, Landscape Interactions has been responsible for over 380 acres of habitat installed in the Northeast United States, specifically targeting at-risk bee, butterfly and moth species for each project location.

Elizabeth Keen, Owner and Manager, Indian Line Farm

Elizabeth Keen came to farming via social justice work in Guatemala, a 1000 mile bike tour through New England and an unexpected stop in Great Barrington, where she found her now husband Alex Thorp and a community dedicated to saving small farms. Over the past 26 years, she and Al have transformed Indian Line Farm into a thriving community resource for local food. Elizabeth and Al are committed to the productivity and fertility of their land, nourishing themselves, their soil and their community.

For over 20 years, Elizabeth has been an active member of the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) program, which trains future farmers. She is in her 5th year on the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture under Commissioner Ashley Randle, which serves to provide input on policy development and budgetary decisions to the Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). Elizabeth is committed to the Berkshire agricultural community and co-founded a group called Famers Gather which meets monthly for farm tours and camaraderie. In addition, Elizabeth is President of the Egremont Agricultural Commission, and after encouraging the Town of Egremont to become the third Pollinator Friendly Community in Massachusetts, she worked with volunteers to install a 10,000 square foot pollinator garden at French Park with Landscape Interactions as the designer and planner.

About the Project:

Join Landscape Interactions and NOFA/Mass for an array of hands-on workshops this season, as they partner with farmers and community gardeners across Western Massachusetts to implement a series of scalable, replicable designs and land management practices that incorporate biodiverse, native pollinator-supporting vegetation. Funded by a Healthy Soils Action Grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), Healthy Soil through Maximum Biodiversity aims to demonstrate that enhancing plant diversity and supporting at-risk pollinators leads to healthier soils, increased soil organic carbon sequestration and improved ecosystem function. Whether your farm is urban or rural, large or small-scale, your production livestock or vegetable-based, there are gleanings to take home from this project. Workshops offered in the 2025 season include soil analysis and on-site data collection, site preparation, native pollinator life cycle requirements, native plant and seed installation as well as short and long-term maintenance.

Accessibility:

Participants may have to walk a short distance on a gravel farm road and slightly uneven terrain.

More Information:

Portions of our workshop will cover uneven terrain. Please wear comfortable footwear, and be prepared to stand outside in the sun. Participants are encouraged to bring water, sunblock and repellant. For those that have trouble standing for extended periods of time, it is recommended to bring portable seating.

Refund/Inclement Weather Policy:

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

Capacity:

Capacity for this event is limited to 50 people. Please register ahead of time to secure your space.

Questions?

Contact 646-244-8380 or [email protected]