Newsletter
Welcome to the NOFA/Mass newsletter series
Each week we publish original articles on the topics we care about most.
Read about the latest policy issues affecting Massachusetts farmers and consumers in our “Policy and Advocacy” newsletter, get insider farming and gardening tips from expert growers in our “Be a Better Grower” newsletter, learn to do it yourself, from food preservation to building fences, in our “Practical Self-Sufficiency” newsletter and see how our community is working to improve the food system in our “Food Justice” newsletter.
2024 April
Action Alert: Prevent Congress from making a huge mistake in The Farm Bill
Liz Hamm2024-04-24T16:08:49-04:00April 24th, 2024|Categories: Action Alert, Newsletters|Tags: April 2024, Policy & Advocacy, The Farm Bill|
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, of which NOFA/Mass is a coalition member, is holding its “Farm Bill For All Farmers Week of Action: Conservation Not Consolidation.” We are urging all of our members to join [...]
Tips from 10 Years of Garlic Research
Liz Hamm2024-04-24T15:33:39-04:00April 24th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: April 2024, Be a Better Grower, Farming, Garlic|
In this edition of Be a Better Grower, we’re excited to present an article that first appeared in the Fall 2023 edition of the Natural Farmer, where Crystal Stewart Courtens presented a detailed, two-part overview of [...]
How & Why to Host a Seed Swap this Spring
Liz Hamm2024-04-16T23:08:42-04:00April 16th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: April 2024, Farming, Practical Self Sufficiency, Seedling Sale|
Did you know that well over half of all seeds sold globally are controlled by just four companies? And consolidation in the seed industry is only getting worse. This infographic shows how seed companies have [...]
NOFA/Mass’s Beginning Farmer Programs
Liz Hamm2024-04-16T22:14:45-04:00April 16th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: April 2024, Beginning Farmers Programming, Farming, Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust, Policy & Advocacy, Soil Health|
By: Sara Riegler and Annie Sholar In this edition of the NOFA/Mass Policy & Advocacy Newsletter, we take a look at how the USDA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) supports new farmers [...]
2024 March
Revisiting the History of Agricultural Education
Liz Hamm2024-04-05T20:56:23-04:00April 5th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Agricultural Education, Cooperative, Farming, Food Access, Food Justice, March 2024|
By: Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammed, NOFA/Mass Food Equity Director Thomas Monroe Campbell: Cooperative Extension Innovator The Cooperative Extension System, as we know it today, had its beginnings at Tuskegee University in Alabama. The Cooperative [...]
4 Common Mistakes by 1st Time Organic Growers
NOFA Mass2024-03-29T12:37:17-04:00March 29th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, Farm Business, Farming, Landcare, March 2024, Soil Health|
by Laura Davis and Annie Sholar In this edition of Be a Better Grower, Laura Davis, NOFA/Mass Certification Technical Assistance Provider, shares the four most common mistakes that she sees new organic farmers [...]
A preview from our 2024 NOFA Symposium speaker
Liz Hamm2024-03-28T14:30:59-04:00March 28th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Farmers, Farming, gardening, Homesteading, March 2024, Practical Self Sufficiency, Seeds of Solidarity|
By: Annie Sholar On March 29th and 30th, the NOFA Virtual Symposium will bring together featured keynote speakers from across the Northeast to talk about important topics in agriculture and our food system. Find the schedule, [...]
A look at Healthy Soils policy wins since 2018
Liz Hamm2024-03-19T17:21:51-04:00March 19th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: March 2024, National Healthy Soils Policy Network, Policy, Policy & Advocacy, Soil Health|
By: Renée Scott In this edition of NOFA/Mass Policy News, we’re thrilled to share the National Healthy Soils Policy Network’s 5 Year Impact Report! The National Healthy Soils Policy Network is a farmer-forward community of grassroots [...]
2024 February
Getting Started with Soil Blocks
Liz Hamm2024-02-28T10:20:36-05:00February 28th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, Farmers, Farming, February 2024, gardening|
By: Richard Robinson In this month’s Be a Better Grower newsletter, Richard Robinson, NOFA/Mass Board Member and farmer at Hopestill Farm, shares tips for making the switch to soil blocks, and shares his homemade [...]
Tools of the Trade
Liz Hamm2024-02-26T13:13:04-05:00February 26th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Farmers, Farming, February 2024, Practical Self Sufficiency, Tools|
By: David Durstewitz and Annie Sholar As we move closer and closer to the start of Spring, it’s a great time to start thinking about the tools you’ll be using this growing season! [...]
The latest on NOFA/Mass’s priority bills
Liz Hamm2024-02-15T23:21:30-05:00February 15th, 2024|Categories: Mass Pollinators, Newsletters|Tags: February 2024, Policy & Advocacy|
By Renée Scott, Mass Pollinator Network Coordinator February 7th, was the last day for bills to be moved through committees for the 2023/2024 legislative session. We’re proud to share that two of our priority bills [...]
See How Youth are Leading the Way for Food Justice in MA
Liz Hamm2024-02-14T21:09:10-05:00February 14th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: February 2024, Food Access, Food Justice, Winter Conference|
Youth Leadership on Display at the 2024 NOFA/Mass Winter Conference By: Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammed, NOFA/Mass Food Equity Director The 2024 NOFA/Mass Winter Conference, held earlier in January, was organized around the theme of Building Community [...]
2024 January
Be A Better Grower with NOFA/Mass’s Annual Bulk Order
Liz Hamm2024-01-29T18:24:16-05:00January 29th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, Bulk Order, Farming, January 2024|
By Rubén Parrilla In this month’s Be a Better Grower newsletter, our Soil Health Team walks you through the benefits of one of their favorite products in the 2024 Tri-State Bulk Order. The Bulk Order is open now through January 31st, [...]
2023 December
Mass. Pollinator Network Call to Action on Pesticides Reform
Liz Hamm2024-01-16T16:26:07-05:00January 16th, 2024|Categories: Action Alert, Mass Pollinators, Newsletters|Tags: December 2023, MAPN, Mass Pollinator Network, Policy, Policy & Advocacy, Renee Scott|
By Renée Scott, Massachusetts Pollinator Network Coordinator Use this form to send a quick message to your legislators Use the link above to send a quick message to your legislator asking them to [...]
Register for the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference and Celebrate our BIPOC Presenters!
Liz Hamm2023-12-27T17:09:17-05:00December 27th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: December 2023, Winter Conference|
More Information & Registration Let's grow our perspectives, cultivate our knowledge and flourish in all our diversity at the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference's BIPOC-led Workshops! Celebrate our power with our diverse perspectives [...]
Member News
Liz Hamm2023-12-27T15:20:06-05:00December 27th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: December 2023, Member News|
2023 has been a year of growth, major milestones, and new programming at NOFA/Mass, supported by huge strides in our internal systems, impactful increases in funding, expanded networking through regional partnerships, and a remarkable [...]
2023 November
Special sneak-peek of some NOFA/Mass Winter Conference Presenters!
Liz Hamm2023-12-01T20:49:05-05:00December 1st, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: November 2023, Winter Conference|
More Information & Registration As we reflect on what we're thankful for this year, NOFA/Mass is thankful for all of you who support our conferences and make our work possible! In [...]
Action Alert
Liz Hamm2023-12-01T19:36:22-05:00December 1st, 2023|Categories: Action Alert, Mass Pollinators|Tags: Action Alert, MAPN, Massachusetts Pollinators Network, November 2023, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
Special Policy Alert Take Action Now! The Mass. State legislature is considering several bills which would move our Commonwealth away from reliance on toxic biocides (life-killing chemicals) like glyphosate and toward [...]
Nurturing a Vision of Sustainable Agriculture with Mushroom Substrate
Liz Hamm2023-12-01T11:14:58-05:00December 1st, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, November 2023, Ruben Parilla, Soil Health|
By: Ruben Parrilla, NOFA/Mass Education and Technical Assistance Director Welcome to the latest edition of the Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter (NOFA/Mass) Be a Better Grower newsletter. Established in 1982, NOFA/Mass [...]
Action Alert
Liz Hamm2023-11-29T16:35:54-05:00November 29th, 2023|Categories: Action Alert, Mass Pollinators|Tags: Action Alert, MAPN, Massachusetts Pollinators Network, November 2023, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
Special Policy Alert Sharing this important message and action from our friends at the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. *** Say NO to Taking Away State & Local Authority to Restrict Pesticides! [...]
Updates from the 21st Century Ag Commission, NOSB Meeting, Film Premiere Event, and more!
Liz Hamm2023-11-14T23:34:57-05:00November 14th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: 21st Century Ag Commission, Animal Welfare, Annie Sholar, Common Ground Film, Hannah McDonald, John Duke, National Organic Standards Board Meeting, November 2023, Policy, Policy & Advocacy, Ruben Parrilla|
21st Century Ag Commission Update By NOFA/Mass Board Member John Duke Earlier this year, NOFA/Mass was invited to appoint a representative to the Special Commission on Agriculture in the Commonwealth in the [...]
2023 October
State and Federal Efforts on Pesticides and Pollinators Continue
Liz Hamm2023-10-20T13:36:01-04:00October 13th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Advocacy, Dago Driggs, Farming, Jim McGovern, Legislation, Mike Rice, National Organic Coalition, October 2023, Pesticides, Policy, Policy & Advocacy, Pollinators, Soil Health|
By Mike Rice, NOFA/Mass Interim Policy Director & Dago Driggs, NOFA/Mass Senior Policy Advisor Note: Deadline Extended in Search for Next NOFA/Mass Policy Director Please help us find the [...]
Farm Share Events and Family Gatherings: Highlights of the First Year of the Farm Share Program
Liz Hamm2023-10-20T12:55:08-04:00October 20th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Beth Ward, Finca Luna Buho, Food Access, Food Justice, Health and Nutrition, Homesteading, October 2023, Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammed, Urban Growing, Vegetables, Woven Roots|
By: Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammed, NOFA/Mass Food Equity Director As Fall approaches, gardens begin to slow down. NOFA/Mass’s Farm Share Program is reflecting on the community building efforts and work of the Farm Share [...]
Build Your Organic Veggie Vault: Expert Insights for Vegetable Storage
Liz Hamm2023-10-13T14:12:58-04:00October 13th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, Farming, gardening, Homesteading, October 2023, Pam Dawling, Paul Figueroa, Sustainable Market Farming, Twin Oaks Community|
Build Your Organic Veggie Vault: Exclusive Insights for Fall and Winter Storage for Your Garden Harvest: An Interview with Pam Dawling By: Paul Figueroa, NOFA/Mass Communications Director Pam Dawling has [...]
2023 September
Soil Health, Food Security and Youth Empowerment: A Different Way of Conservation
Liz Hamm2023-09-29T10:01:06-04:00September 29th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Farmers, Farming, Food Access, Food Justice, Landcare, September 2023, Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammed, Soil Health, Tapley Garden|
By: Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammed, NOFA/Mass Food Equity Director The end of July going into August always brings the excitement of the garden harvest. For the youth of Tapley Garden, the harvest is larger [...]
A Farm, a Compaction Study and a Fist Full of Soil
Liz Hamm2023-09-22T12:07:46-04:00September 22nd, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Farmers, Farming, Just Roots, Landcare, Meryl LaTronica, Practical Self Sufficiency, September 2023, Soil Health|
By: Meryl LaTronica, Farmer at Just Roots In my farm fantasy, I am the kind of farmer who can walk over to a freshly prepared field and plunge my arm into the soil, [...]
Got Garlic? Six Fall Tips for Planting Garlic
Liz Hamm2023-09-18T13:31:23-04:00September 18th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, Farmers, Farming, Richard Robinson, September 2023, Vegetables|
By : Richard Robinson Fall is the right time to plant garlic. Like other bulbs, the goal is to have the plant establish strong roots with little to no top growth before winter sets [...]
Action Alert
Liz Hamm2023-09-18T12:58:06-04:00September 18th, 2023|Categories: Action Alert, Mass Pollinators|Tags: Action Alert, MAPN, Massachusetts Pollinators Network, Policy, Policy & Advocacy, September 2023|
Special Policy Alert Dear friend, First, I want to share some good news: the Environment and Natural Resources Committee reported bill H.825/S.487 "An Act Relative to Pesticides" favorably to the House Ways and [...]
News from the NOFA/Mass Policy Department
Liz Hamm2023-09-11T22:50:12-04:00September 7th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Advocacy, Dago Driggs, Farming, Food Justice, Jim McGovern, Laura Davis, Long Life Farm, Mike Rice, Policy, Policy & Advocacy, September 2023, Soil Health, The Farm Bill|
By Mike Rice, NOFA/Mass Interim Policy Director & Dago Driggs, NOFA/Mass Senior Policy Advisor Hi friends. You might have seen the job posting for a new Policy Director and have questions about what I'm [...]
2023 August
Transform Your Lawn: Advice for Creating Beautiful Native Plant Meadows: An Interview with Owen Wormser
Liz Hamm2023-09-07T22:39:06-04:00September 5th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: 2023 Summer Conferene, August 2023, Be a Better Grower, Owen Wormser, Paul Figueroa|
By: Paul Figueroa, Communications Director at NOFA/Mass Owen Wormser is the principal at Abound Design, which provides design and installation services with a focus on creating sustainability, regeneration, and beauty. Owen has [...]
Cracking Up Over Agroforestry at the Holyoke Farmer’s Market: A Special Edition Newsletter
Liz Hamm2023-08-29T16:03:51-04:00August 29th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Agroforestry, August 2023, Ed Events|
By: Hannah McDonald, NOFA/Mass Education Events Coordinator On a warm sunny Saturday in August, Gregory from Forestopia and I made our way to the Holyoke Farmers Market as a part of a series of events [...]
Food Access Minute – Update from The Farm Share Program
Liz Hamm2023-08-29T15:29:36-04:00August 2nd, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: August 2023, farm share, Food Access, Food Justice, Health and Nutrition|
By: Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammed, NOFA/Mass Food Equity Director NOFA/Mass’s Farm Share program, going into its fourth week, is reaching families across the state. From the Berkshires (Finca Luna Buho) to Boston (The Dorchester Coop, the [...]
Farm Share Program Highlight: Working Cheerfully with the Indian Orchard Citizen’s Council
Liz Hamm2023-08-29T15:20:53-04:00August 29th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: August 2023, Food Access, Food Justice, Sister Anna|
By : Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammed, NOFA/Mass Food Equity Director Orchard Citizen’s Council sets up the multi-purpose room at the Indian Orchard Citizen’s Council. The setup is to receive farm fresh produce delivered every week [...]
Harvesting Beauty and Flavor: Expert Tips for Cultivating Delicious Edible Landscapes: An Interview with Dani Baker
Liz Hamm2023-08-17T18:37:03-04:00August 17th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: August 2023, Practical Self Sufficiency|
By: Paul Figueroa, Communications Director at NOFA/Mass Author and farmer Dani Baker presented a workshop at NOFA’s Summer Conference in Worcester titled “Native Perennial Food Plants for Your Edible Landscape”. NOFA/Mass’s Communications Director, [...]
2023 July
Questions about Organic Certification? The NOFA Summer Conference has some answers!
Liz Hamm2023-09-15T21:18:22-04:00September 15th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, Hannah McDonald, July 2023, Organic Certification, Organic Farming, Paul Figueroa, Summer Conference, topp|
By: Paul Figueroa & Hannah McDonald This month’s newsletter features Hannah McDonald, Regenerative Food System Coordinator here at NOFA/Mass’s Technical Assistance Program where we discuss ways NOFA/Mass can support farmers looking to become [...]
2023 March
Healthy Soils Action Plan Released – Farm Bill for the Climate!
Marty Dagoberto2023-08-02T11:56:54-04:00March 3rd, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Climate, March 2023, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
Healthy Soils Action Plan Released ☀ Farm Bill for the Climate! RELEASED - An Action Plan for Healthy Soils In Mass. - Now let’s fund it! By Marty Dagoberto Driggs, NOFA/Mass Policy Director [...]
Can Mushroom Production Help Your Soil and Vegetable Production?
Paul Lippert Figueroa2023-08-02T11:53:43-04:00March 9th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, Fungi, March 2023, Mushrooms, Soil Health, USDA|
Can Mushroom Production Help Your Soil and Vegetable Production? By: Christine Manuck, NOFA/Mass Assistant Development Director Ruben and Brittany Overshiner of Upswing Farm mix together the SMS and compost amendment piles [...]
2023 February
Homemade Baby Food and Smoothie Tips for Treats the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Paul Lippert Figueroa2023-08-02T11:54:42-04:00February 17th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: February 2023, Practical Self Sufficiency|
Homemade Baby Food and Smoothie Tips for Treats the Whole Family Can Enjoy By: Lisa Gilardi, NOFA/Mass Graphic Designer I had a baby 14 months ago, and after following guidelines for how to [...]
The Real History of the CSA – Part II: Wisdom from Dr. Booker T. Whatley
Paul Lippert Figueroa2023-08-02T11:52:38-04:00February 24th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: February 2023|
The Real History of the CSA – Part II: Wisdom From Dr. Booker T. Whatley By: Anna Gilbert-Muhammed, NOFA/Mass Food Equity Director Dr. Booker T. Whatley was named “The Guru” by many farmers [...]
Action Continues, Climate Farmer Rally and Soil Symposium
Paul Lippert Figueroa2023-02-27T18:24:19-05:00February 3rd, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: February 2023, Food Justice, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
Action Continues, Climate Farmer Rally and Soil Symposium By: Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director In this issue: Keep emailing legislators for pesticide reform bills Are you on the bus?... Rally for Resilience in [...]
NOFA/Mass Seedling and Soil Health Services Offer Healthy Solutions for all Growers
Paul Lippert Figueroa2023-02-14T09:20:53-05:00February 14th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: February 2023|
NOFA/Mass Seedling and Soil Health Services Offer Healthy Solutions for all Growers By: Laura Davis, NOFA/Mass Soil Health Technical Advisor & Certification Coordinator Seedling Sales Now Open for Growers Are you mesmerized by [...]
2023 January
New Opportunities for Progress
Christy Bassett2023-02-27T17:47:53-05:00January 5th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: January 2023, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
New Year, New Governor, New Session, New Opportunities for Progress By: Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director Happy 2023! With a new legislative session started two days ago and our new Governor Maura Healey [...]
A Brief History of the CSA
Paul Lippert Figueroa2023-01-31T11:48:21-05:00January 31st, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Food Justice, January 2023|
Where Did the CSA Start? A Brief History of the CSA By: Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammad, NOFA/Mass Food Access Director Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has drastically increased over the last few years, with the [...]
2023 NOFA/Mass Winter Conference Offered a Vision for a More Cooperative Future
Paul Lippert Figueroa2023-01-23T11:18:24-05:00January 23rd, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Bulk Order, January 2023, Practical Self Sufficiency|
2023 NOFA/Mass Winter Conference Offered a Vision for a More Cooperative Future By: Paul Figueroa, NOFA/Mass Communications Director NOFA/Mass celebrated its 36th Annual Winter Conference last weekend. This year’s conference, titled “Cooperative Foodways: [...]
Bulk Order Has Something for Every Grower
Paul Lippert Figueroa2023-01-12T10:52:28-05:00January 12th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, Bulk Order, January 2023|
From Alfalfa Meal to Zeolites, the Bulk Order Has Something for Every Grower By: Richard Robinson, National Association of Science Writers I love the NOFA bulk order, both for its one-stop shopping convenience, [...]
2022 December
Kwanzaa – First Fruits
Christy Bassett2022-12-30T06:47:37-05:00December 30th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: December 2022, Food Justice|
By Anna Gilbert-Muhammad, NOFA/Mass Equity Co-Director Kwanzaa, a Swahili term derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza", is a week-long celebration that takes place during the last week of December each year (December 26th [...]
From Honey to Mead
Christy Bassett2022-12-22T10:11:30-05:00December 22nd, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: December 2022, Practical Self Sufficiency|
By Christy Bassett, NOFA/Mass Communications Director Making mead can be as simple or as complex as you'd like to make it. One of the oldest ways to preserve food is through fermentation. [...]
Your First Hoophouse: Design choices and building tips
Christy Bassett2022-12-16T12:34:45-05:00December 16th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, December 2022|
Photo courtesy Richard Robinson By Richard Robinson, Farmer at Hopestill Farm A hoophouse represents a major capital investment for the market gardener, and one that can pay for itself quickly and many [...]
Eco-Champion in the Corner Office
Christy Bassett2022-12-09T08:47:03-05:00December 9th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: December 2022, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
Governor-Elect Maura Healey seeks input on her priorities By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director As Attorney General, Maura Healey proved herself to be an ally of NOFA/Mass in our common endeavors to reduce the [...]
2022 November
Open Pantry and Tapley Garden Seasonal Wrap up and Updates
Christy Bassett2022-11-29T14:42:14-05:00November 30th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Food Justice, November 2022|
By Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammad, NOFA/Mass Food Access Director Marc, a youth leader from Roca, shows off a large head of bok choy harvested from the Open Pantry Garden The 2022 growing season for [...]
Lard and Butter Pie Crust
Christy Bassett2022-11-28T15:35:20-05:00November 24th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: November 2022, Practical Self Sufficiency|
By Christy Bassett, Homesteader at Barefoot All Natural Farm Making a pie is a special occasion for me, since we don’t typically eat a lot of refined flour or sweets. But once in a [...]
How to Minimize Irrigation Even in the Hottest of Summers
Christy Bassett2022-11-09T15:45:57-05:00November 9th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, November 2022|
By Christine R. Nelson, NOFA/Mass Intern Photo credit: Many Hands Organic Farm The height of the 2022 growing season will be remembered for the undesirable combination of heat and drought, with all areas [...]
Vote Climate, Vote Justice
Christy Bassett2022-11-03T14:56:15-04:00November 3rd, 2022|Categories: Action Alert, Newsletters|Tags: November 2022, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director The following is an excerpt from our 2022 NOFA/Mass Climate Action Challenge educational content which is especially relevant as we approach election and voting day next week. To read [...]
2022 October
Bringing Together Farming Knowledge From Around the World with All Farmers
Christy Bassett2022-10-27T16:35:27-04:00October 27th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Food Justice, October 2022|
By Anna Gilbert-Muhammad, NOFA/Mass Food Access Director Farmers learn to assess the health of their soil using a variety of observation techniques. All Farmers, an organization that supports refugee and immigrant farmers [...]
Growing Vegetables in a Perennial Clover Living Mulch: Part 2
Christy Bassett2022-10-12T19:56:31-04:00October 12th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, October 2022|
Sawyer Farm's Tillage Reduction Journey By Lincoln Fishman, Farmer at Sawyer Farm Lincoln Fishman headed to the fields. Photo credit: Akos Szilvasi. In the spring of 2020, we decided to do a small [...]
The Future of Solar in Massachusetts
Christy Bassett2022-10-07T11:51:30-04:00October 7th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: October 2022, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
Policy Update October 2022 Farmers (and everyone): please weigh in on the future of solar in Massachusetts, letter to the next Governor Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director Hopefully everyone reading this is aware that we [...]
2022 September
Growing Vegetables in a Perennial Clover Living Mulch: Part 1
Christy Bassett2022-10-12T19:58:24-04:00September 29th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, September 2022|
Sawyer Farm's Tillage Reduction Journey By Lincoln Fishman, Farmer at Sawyer Farm Lincoln Fishman at Sawyer Farm. Photo credit: Akos Szilvasi. Sawyer Farm is located in the Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. We've [...]
Soil Health and Herbal Medicine at Tapley Garden
Christy Bassett2022-09-22T14:42:26-04:00September 22nd, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Food Access, Food Justice, September 2022|
By Sis. Anna Muhammad, NOFA/Mass Food Access Director Left to right: Ruben Parrilla, Agnes Frias, Sis. Dora Miller, Sis. Anna Gilbert-Muhammad at Soil Health Day at Tapley Garden, August 30, 2022. In August [...]
Kombucha Brewing Part III: The Second Fermentation
Christy Bassett2022-09-16T14:22:52-04:00September 16th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Practical Self Sufficiency, September 2022|
By Ophelia Jackson, NOFA/Mass Intern Ingredients, left to right: ginger/kombucha puree, raspberry hibiscus preserves, spicy honey, Tazo lemon strawberry tea, Celestial Peppermint and Raspberry Zinger teas. Photo credit: Ophelia Jackson At once [...]
MA Legislative Recap
Christy Bassett2022-09-09T15:19:02-04:00September 9th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Policy, Policy & Advocacy, September 2022|
MA Legislative Recap: Progress toward Ecological Integrity and Justice By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director The 2021-22 Massachusetts formal legislative session ended over the summer. While many of our priority policies will need to [...]
2022 August
Kombucha Brewing Part II: The First Fermentation
Christy Bassett2022-09-16T14:25:12-04:00August 18th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: August 2022, Practical Self Sufficiency|
By Ophelia Jackson, NOFA/Mass Intern To the uninitiated, a SCOBY can certainly look a little strange—unappetizing, alien, grotesque even, belonging more in a Hogwarts classroom than their own home kitchen. Despite its appearance, though, [...]
Sharing the Pursuit of Biological Soil
Christy Bassett2022-08-11T17:39:44-04:00August 11th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: August 2022, Be a Better Grower|
By Christine R. Nelson, NOFA/Mass Intern SEMAP's July 2022 event at Weatherlow Farms. Photo credit Christine R. Nelson. Growers interested in learning more about soil health converged at the beautiful Weatherlow Farms [...]
2022 Formal Session Ends
Christy Bassett2022-08-04T13:23:57-04:00August 4th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: August 2022, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
August 2022 Policy Update By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director Formal session ends, hope remains for “non-controversial” priority bills As we head to Summer Conference, we’re still waiting for the proverbial dust to settle [...]
2022 July
Kombucha, a Love Story
Christy Bassett2022-09-16T14:37:05-04:00July 14th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: July 2022, Practical Self Sufficiency|
By Ophelia Jackson Listen to a recording of this article by the author Since I started brewing kombucha over three years ago, what began as a simple project in my mom’s [...]
Microbes, Microscopes, Soil Health and Food Access
Christy Bassett2022-07-29T14:58:02-04:00July 29th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Food Access, Food Justice, July 2022|
Youth Agricultural Scientists Bridge Soil Science with Food Security John Duke speaks to a crowd of youth agricultural scientists in Springfield, MA in July, 2022. By Anna Gilbert-Muhammad, NOFA/Mass Food Access Director [...]
Indigo as a Dyecrop in the Northeast
Christy Bassett2022-07-21T15:36:04-04:00July 21st, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, July 2022|
By Ophelia Jackson Yoko Takemura with fresh indigo plants. Photo credit: Assawaga Farm Indigo is the blue of Picasso’s Beggar and Child—of dreams, jeans, a peacock’s cheek—the blue of a black-furred creature [...]
3 weeks left to prioritize living landscapes and food justice: Call your Legislators!
Christy Bassett2022-07-07T13:55:10-04:00July 7th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: July 2022, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director Watch a personal video message from Policy Director Marty Dagoberto regarding this month's policy newsletter article. Dear NOFA/Mass friends, It’s been quite a summer/year/decade so [...]
2022 June
Cooking With Mari: Making Sofrito with Tapley Court Apartments Resident Chef
Christy Bassett2022-06-30T17:57:35-04:00June 30th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Food Justice, June 2022|
By Sister Anna Gilbert-Muhammad, NOFA/Mass Food Access Director The Summer season for the Youth Agricultural Scientists at Tapley Garden started with a cooking demonstration from local chef Marylis. Marylis is a resident of the [...]
Late Season Cilantro
Christy Bassett2022-06-17T06:39:47-04:00June 17th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: June 2022, Practical Self Sufficiency|
By Ophelia Jackson, Gardener and NOFA/Mass Intern Listen to a recording of this article by the author Flowering cilantro Summer in the garden is a heady season, a season [...]
Practical Nitrogen Management on the Vegetable Farm
Christy Bassett2022-06-08T18:29:15-04:00June 8th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, June 2022|
By Noah Courser-Kellerman, Farmer at Alprilla Farm First published in the July 2019 edition of the NOFA/Mass newsletter. Reprinted with the author's permission June 2022. Roller crimper, then coulter with an old fertilizer [...]
Promoting Racial Equity in Agriculture Through Policy
Christy Bassett2022-06-01T18:27:02-04:00June 1st, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: June 2022, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
By Nichole Catsos From the land theft and genocide of Indigenous peoples, through the enslavement of Black people, to the current labor exploitation of migrant workers in the United States, our food system has [...]
2022 May
Simple Edible Spring Flower Recipes
Christy Bassett2022-06-14T18:32:58-04:00May 20th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: May 2022, Practical Self Sufficiency|
By Christy Bassett, Homesteader Listen to this article read by the author here: The arrival of warm weather in May brings out blooms in full force. If you’re just waking [...]
Reflections on the Recent Tragedy in Buffalo, NY
Christy Bassett2022-05-27T14:50:52-04:00May 27th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Food Justice, May 2022|
NOFA/Mass stands in solidarity with the families of the people affected by the recent hate crimes. We also recognize and support the work of the front line organizers holding their communities and experiencing the [...]
How Do Plants Get Their Nutrition?
Christy Bassett2022-05-11T15:15:40-04:00May 11th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, May 2022|
By Ruben Parrilla, NOFA/Mass Soil Technical Coordinator Plants, when considering their “diet”, are our counterpart foodies. They like to have a diverse range of nutrition choices depending on their stage of growth and the [...]
Earth Day Reflection, Call to Action
Christy Bassett2022-05-05T13:49:09-04:00May 5th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: May 2022, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
May 2022 Policy & Advocacy update By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director *Before you read our feature article below, “Earth Day Reflections, Call to Action,” here are a few brief updates Time to start [...]
2022 April
Working with Stinging Nettles and Wild Violets
Christy Bassett2022-04-29T14:36:41-04:00April 29th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: April 2022, Food Justice|
Kitchen Medicine with the Youth Leaders of Home City Housing, Part 2 By Anna Gilbert-Muhammad, NOFA/Mass Food Access Director Youth wild harvesting nettle and wild violets in Springfield, MA, April 2022. Nathalie [...]
The Misnomer of the Commons (Part 2)
Christy Bassett2022-04-29T14:18:13-04:00April 29th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: April 2022, Food Justice|
The History of Common Land in the Commonwealth By Grayce Rose, recent graduate of the Farm and Food Systems program at Greenfield Community College and NOFA/Mass Intern. Land that had been seized for use as [...]
Thoughts On Mending
Christy Bassett2022-04-20T21:46:54-04:00April 20th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: April 2022, Practical Self Sufficiency|
By Andrea R. Caluori, Artist & Farmer Photo credit: Andrea Caluori I grew up in the Bronx, New York on Bainbridge Avenue, in a small neighborhood closeby to a vibrant street full [...]
A Simple, Strong, Convenient Pea Trellis
Christy Bassett2022-04-14T10:44:31-04:00April 14th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: April 2022, Be a Better Grower|
Snap peas growing against a remesh trellis By Richard Robinson, Farmer at Hopestill Farm Peas need to climb, and do best with a sturdy trellis they can cling to. There are several choices [...]
Budget Season! Help Shape the Future of our Food System
Christy Bassett2022-04-13T15:28:32-04:00April 6th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: April 2022, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
Briefing for food system advocates on April 11, 2022 The state legislature has been focused on the state’s operating budget (FY23) and the House Ways and Means Committee is expected to release its version [...]
2022 March
Your Pantry as Your Medicine Cabinet
Christy Bassett2022-03-30T16:26:03-04:00March 30th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Food Justice, March 2022|
Kitchen medicine with the youth and residents of the Bay Street Neighborhood Council By Anna Gilbert-Muhammad, NOFA/Mass Food Access Director Nathalie Fischer-Rodríguez of the People’s Medicine Project speaks to the youth leaders of [...]
Simple Steps to Sprout Mung Beans
Christy Bassett2022-03-23T18:08:10-04:00March 23rd, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: March 2022, Practical Self Sufficiency|
Rice pasta with caramelized onions, chickpeas, curry, cultured vegetables, sprouted mung beans, served on a bed of arugula. Photo credit: Priscila Espinosa. by Priscila Espinosa @mysproutchange Why I Love Sprouted Mung Beans [...]
Caring for Your Soil: Understanding Soil Aggregation and Compaction
Christy Bassett2022-03-16T16:26:50-04:00March 16th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, March 2022|
By Christine Manuck, NOFA/Mass Soil Health Projects Manager Ruben Parilla, NOFA/Mass Soil Tech Coordinator, evaluating soil aggregation at Assawaga Farm (CT). Photo credit: Monique Bosch I’m frequently telling my kids, “you get what [...]
Will our Commonwealth support protections against Chemical Trespass?
Marty Dagoberto2022-03-10T13:46:54-05:00March 10th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: March 2022, Policy & Advocacy|
By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director Last month, we reported with excitement and gratitude that the state’s legislative committee on the Environment and Agriculture approved several pesticide reform measures. We’d like to focus this [...]
2022 February
February Policy Newsletter – Priority bills advance, Healthy Soils as Infrastructure, and more
Marty Dagoberto2022-05-02T15:41:00-04:00February 9th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: February 2022, Policy & Advocacy|
By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director In this month’s NOFA/Mass Policy Newsletter… NOFA/Mass Priority Bills Advance from Committee! Several pieces of NOFA/Mass priority legislation were advanced in the Massachusetts Legislature ahead of the February [...]
Book Review: Urban Ecosystem Justice by Scott Kellogg
Christy Bassett2022-02-24T13:09:14-05:00February 24th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: February 2022, Food Justice|
By Mike Rice, NOFA/Mass Development Director. A decade ago Mike interned with the Radix Center, where he first met Scott Kellogg and spent many mornings hauling food scraps for Radix’s Community Compost Initiative in [...]
Sugarin’ on the Homestead
Christy Bassett2022-02-16T14:58:03-05:00February 16th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: February 2022, Practical Self Sufficiency|
Sugarin’ on the Homestead* *Originally written and shared in the February 2012 issue of the NOFA/Mass newsletter. Revised and reprinted February 2022. Artwork by Jocelyn Langer By Sharon Gensler, Homesteader The optimist [...]
Planning Your Garden
Christy Bassett2022-02-02T19:45:04-05:00February 2nd, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, February 2022, gardening|
By Richard Robinson, Farmer at Hopestill Farm, Sherborn, MA Now is the time to plan what will go where No matter what size your garden is, it is helpful to have a plan for what [...]
2022 January
Herbs for Seasonal Affective Disorder
Christy Bassett2022-01-27T15:42:49-05:00January 19th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: January 2022, Practical Self Sufficiency|
St. Johnswort flowers. Photo credit: Hannah Jacobson-Hardy By Hannah Jacobson-Hardy, Herbalist at Sweet Birch Herbals *Reprinted with permission from sweetbirchherbals.com The winter is long in New England and many people suffer from [...]
The Misnomer of the Commons: The History of Common Land in the Commonwealth
Christy Bassett2022-01-27T08:09:08-05:00January 27th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Food Justice, January 2022|
By Grayce Rose, recent graduate of the Farm and Food Systems program at Greenfield Community College and NOFA/Mass Intern. Amidst the modern functions of life in present day Massachusetts, there are symbolic structural and [...]
Strategies for Increasing Production Resiliency
Christy Bassett2022-01-13T11:12:37-05:00January 12th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Be a Better Grower, January 2022, Winter Conference|
Winter Conference Workshops for Growers By Christine Manuck, NOFA/Mass Soil Health Projects Manager Given the increased frequency of climate-related severe weather events and pandemic-related food chain and supply issues, we believe the need for [...]
The Farmer’s Voice in the Climate Crisis
Christy Bassett2022-01-05T16:49:40-05:00January 5th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: Climate, Farming, January 2022, Policy, Policy & Advocacy|
How Climate Challenges Expose the Need for Regenerative Agricultural Practices By Kathleen Ernsting, Farmer and NOFA/Mass Journalism Intern It goes without saying that agriculture in the Northeast is being affected by climate change, and Massachusetts [...]