Blog

Maine Fare is a unique food festival that brings everyone to the table — farmers, fishermen, foodies, nonprofits, food businesses, and eaters!– to celebrate a vibrant and delicious future for food, farming, and fishing in Maine.  The two day festival has an exciting schedule filled with talks, tastings, and classes. The Greenhorns Maine Sail Freight will have […]

When: 12/6/2014 Where: Grange Ag School. 16200 Willits Road. Willits, CA 95490 Mendocino County will host its first FarmHack at the Little Lake Grange and Ridgewood Ranch in Willits, CA this December 6-7. This weekend long event will bring together business owners, engineers and mechanics, farmers and home-scale producers to learn about the possibilities of […]

Annual E. F. Schumacher Lectures: Cold Evil: Technology and Modern Ethics by Andrew Kimbrell Buddhist Technology: Bringing a New Consciousness to Our Technological Future by Arthur Zajonc The Community's Role in Appropriate Technology by George McRobie Books: New Dimensions of Appropriate Technology: Selected Proceedings of the 1979 Symposium by Alfred L. Edwards Appropriate Technology and Social Values: A Critical […]

Thursday, November 20th Hawthorne Valley Farm (Ghent, NY) $15 for the full-day workshop   Since 2004, Jean-Martin Fortier and his wife have been making a good living by growing on less than 1½ acres, on their farm Les Jardins de la Grelinette in Quebec, just north of the Vermont border. Last year, they sold more […]

from the comfort of your own home.  The Cornell Small Farms Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension offer a menu of 12 online courses each Fall and Winter to help farmers develop their businesses. These 5- to 7-week online courses cost $200 total for up to 4 members of the same farm to attend. They are an […]

October 2-5, 2014 Iowa City, IA 52240 Do you want to plan, install, and operate large-scale permaculture systems for maximum resiliency and economic stability?   Ready to learn from international experts in tree crops, keyline design, and multi-species grazing? We’re all in a unique place in history.  Our motivations are clear: live an enjoyable life, […]

The Young Farmer Network is a grassroots, farmer-led organization of farmers, aspiring farmers, and farm allies from all backgrounds, and of all experience levels.Their network is based in Rhode Island and includes farms and farmers from across southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Connecticut. Here's the scoop on their current fundraiser: It's midsummer. We are knee deep in […]

So many people asked, "Whatever happened to Small Farm Field Day?" that a group of dedicated volunteers decided to resurrect the event as Farm & Homestead Day at MOFGA. The emphasis is on teaching rural living skills through a variety of hands-on activities. The event will be held this year on Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. […]

Agrarian Trust's May 3rd training workshop with the NY State Agricultural Mediation Program (NYAMP), Negotiation Your Way to Land, is SOLD OUT. You can get a podcast of the program by joining the Agrarian Trust email list. For those of you in the Hudson Valley, there are two more workshops coming up THIS weekend, hosted by the the Hudson Valley […]

Study Sustainable Farming this Summer at the University of Vermont Learn sustainable farming at UVM’s Catamount Educational Farm this summer in beautiful Burlington, Vermont – a hot-spot for community-based food and agricultural systems. Be part of the vibrant learning environment of the farm that cultivates over 10 acres of vegetables and fruit for the UVM […]

Sterling College’s continuing education courses are inspired by the artisans and the landscape of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, and by our philosophy of a liberal arts edcuation through the lens of ecology. Our two-week and four-week short courses offer unparalleled opportunities in ecology, outdoor education, sustainable agriculture, environmental humanities, and sustainable food systems. These […]

Agrarian Trust has an upcoming negotiation training workshop in the Hudson Valley. The workshop will be held at the beautiful Carey Conference Center, located on an historic 100-acre estate overlooking Lake Myosotis in Rensselaerville, New York. Experts from NYS Agricultural Mediation Program and the New York State Dispute Resolution Association will provide the negotiation and business communication training. This […]

Stone Soup Institute is a small non-profit organization teaching sustainable/rural living skills, located in Harpswell Maine. Our program is project based, and hands-on. We are offering the Spring/Summer semester with a focus on building a mobile Tiny House.  We will be building with lumber sawn from trees salvaged from storm damage, as well as materials […]

Registration is currently open for the 2014 year of Cascade Mountain School. Five programs for middle and high school students run from June to August. Need-based scholarships are available on a case-by-case basis. This year’s course offerings are: Sustainable Agriculture Course: June 21-July 3. This for-credit course for students age 15-18 is based in Trout Lake, Wash., […]

Management Intensive Grazing School

  Part IV begins next week.  Our policy workshop webinar series investigates four broad themes in food and agriculture policy. Part I explores linkages between theory and practice in food justice; Part II, a legal framework for the new food movement; Part III part examines GMOs and intellectual property; and Part IV, the farm bill […]

for our Canadian readers: And check out their website and youtube channel. The time has never been more ripe to nourish a literacy that can help break the cycles of an unsustainable culture. The world is starved for people with the ability to enrich the planet while improving soil and the human ecology. You’ve dreamed of making a […]

From the Food Craft Institute: ENROLL NOW! ~ BUSINESS OF BUTCHERY Three Week Intensive Master Course April 14th - May 2nd, 2014 FCI is proud to once again offer our Business of Butchery Master Course in partnership with The Butcher’s Guild. This 3-week intensive is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to own and run a […]

Fare Resources is a Bay Area-based food and farm business consultancy building strong communities through food business consulting, company fare, and education. In March we are launching a 10-class business planning series for start-up and new food business entrepreneurs. In this series we will guide you through the process of writing a business plan and making your […]

Locations across Maine April 2, 2014: 6-9 pm Are you concerned about the rising cost of food? Unsure what the term “certified organic” means? Interested in learning how to grow your own vegetables in a sustainable manner? Join MOFGA for an evening-long workshop on how to grow your own garden, where the basics of soil […]

New Farmer Summit April 4-5, 2014 Primrose Valley Farm Belleville, Wisconsin (near New Glarus & Madison) Two full days of workshops, networking, hands-on learning, organic food and fun! 24 workshops focused on issues on the minds of new farmers Pre-summit farm tours with a light lunch April 3 Friday evening dance with live folk music and […]

Los Angeles, CA: Mar. 16 – 18, 2014 Davis, CA: Apr. 27-29, 2014 Practical training for the entrepreneurs and organizations building the New Food Economy.   Walk away from Hub Camp with a 6-month action plan to hit the ground running! An action-oriented approach to learning, launching and adapting as you grow your local food […]

Northern New York -- To help Northern New York farmers who are increasing their poultry, primarily chicken, production, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of St. Lawrence County is offering a Poultry Marketing, Do We Need to Work Together? panel discussion Friday, January 31 at 7pm. The discussion by a live panel at the CCE St. Lawrence County […]

Another webinar from UVM. What are Lenders looking for?  A UVM Extension New Farmer Project webinar.   Join Benneth Phelps, Loan and Outreach Coordinator for the Carrot Project for a webinar on the “tools” that every farm business should have to help them obtain financing, even if they don’t need it now. Improve your understanding of available […]

Greenhorns ally Owen Hablutzel will be speaking at, or involved with, the following events: January 18-19, 2014   -  Am Keynote Speaking at Nevada-County Sustainable Food and Farm Conference  - come hear Wes Jackson, Dr. Elaine Ingham, myself and many others… topics:  Drought-Resilience in the Twenty First Century  and a second talk -Power and Potential of Holistic Planned Grazing March […]

NNY Dairy Institute December Class Focused on Cow Comfort and Equipment Maintenance Cow comfort and equipment maintenance and how they impact milk quality will be in focus for the second session of the Northern New York Dairy Institute winter 2013-14 course. Hygiene and teat end scoring and heat stress abatement strategies also part of the […]

Building a Sustainable Business For start-ups to five years in business. Where: Berlin, Springfield & St. Albans,VT Dates: Dec. 4, 11, 18, 2013 & Jan. 8, 15, 22 (plus Jan.29 reserved for snowdate) Time: 1-4 pm Early registration deadline: Nov. 15, Cost: $165. Registration deadline: Nov. 22, Cost: $210 Registrations received after Nov. 22 will […]

Hi all! Please come (and bring your farm friends!!!) to the BFN/Mass Fall Forum next Tuesday, November 12th. I am organizing and facilitating this event and it should be really fun and a great opportunity to make really useful connections for our farms. It is free and includes breakfast and lunch! Details and a link […]

BFN/Mass Fall Forum- November 12th from 10:00 to 3:00 at the Charlton Public Library. Register at: www.tinyurl.com/bfnfallforum2013 About BFN/Mass: The Beginning Farmer Network of Massachusetts (BFN/Mass) is a collaborative group of farmers and farm service providers dedicated to beginning farmer success in Massachusetts.  By creating more space for networking and collaboration amongst Beginning Farmers and Service Providers we […]

Whole Farm Planning for Women Beginning Farmers For women with two to 10 years in farm business management. Where: Lamoille County, VT Dates: Jan. 7, 21, Feb. 4, 18, March 11, 25, April 8, 22, May 6, 20, 2014. (snow date March 18) Time: 9:30 am-4 pm Application Deadline: Nov. 15, 2013 Fees: $150-$500 Online […]

Cold Storage Options for Beginning Produce Farmers   A UVM Extension New Farmer Project webinar: Thursday, Oct. 17th, Noon - 1pm EST Vermont’s food systems are experiencing increased localization, value addition, diversification, extension of growing season and increased market demand. Crop storage can be costly and the construction and operation of an efficient and well-designed system is […]

Another great course from UVM: Taking Stock, A UVM Extension class for people with 5 or more years of experience operating a farm business Where: Rutland, VT Dates: Nov. 11, Dec. 9, 2013 & January 13, 2014 Time: 10 am - 3:30 pm Early registration deadline: Oct. 13: Cost: $110 Registration deadline: Oct. 27, Cost: $150 Registrations received after Oct. 27 will be subject to a […]

Farmers and Landowners: Learn to Negotiate and Manage Conflict Are you a farmer trying to lease land? A landlord renting to a tenant? A food producer seeking entry into an existing wholesale or restaurant market? Whether transacting a lease, a sales agreement or a worker contract, farmers and landowners benefit from good negotiating skills – […]

Free Agricultural Business Training WHEN: Friday, November 15, 2013, 7:30am - 4:15pm WHERE: Department of Labor and Industries, 7273 Linderson Way, SW, Tumwater, WA 98501 COST: FREE! Pre-registration highly recommended because this training will fill up. Email, Mail or Fax a copy of the attached registration form to: EMAIL: [email protected]; MAIL: Dept. of Labor & Industries, Attn: Oscar Cerda, PO BOX 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400; […]

Allegheny Mountain School is seeking seven to nine inspiring individuals to participate in the fourth cohort of our 18 month fully-funded fellowship program.   Applications are available on our website,www.alleghenymountainschool.org.  The deadline to submit your application is December 15, 2013.  Interviews begin January, 2014. Allegheny Mountain School (AMS) was founded in 2011 as a not-for-profit experiential fellowship […]

Diverse, Innovative Small Farm Production Practices Date: Monday, September 23, 2013 Location: Creekside Meadows Farm, Deruyter, NY On-line registration closes Monday, September 17! Our Creekside Meadows Farm Day is part of HMI's new Open Gate On-Farm Learning Series. Open Gate is an action-based approach to learning. At the Creekside Meadows Farm Day you'll see how […]

Tuesday, 24 September, 2013 at 7:00pm – Thursday, 26 September, 2013 at 10:00pm Option to participate in harvest on Friday, 27 September, morning Cost: $295 + applicable taxes (includes lunch and dinner on Wednesday & Thursday) The resurgence of interest and demand for regionally produced food has created a huge opportunity for those who want […]

September 28 & 29, 2013, Barton, Vermont http://www.draftanimalpower.org/dap-field-days/

Implementing a Black Soldier Fly Waste Recycling Operation on Your Farm Hosted by Clemson University August 30th 2013   Registration fee: $25.00 (includes lunch) Register and pay online HERE Implementing a black soldier fly waste recycling operation on your farm August 30th, 9:00 – 3:00 Clemson University Organic Farm and Kresge Hall, Clemson University Outdoor Lab (directions will […]

BERKSHIRE FOOD GUILD PRESENTS A WHOLE HOG WORKSHOP, 10:30 am AUGUST 24 New Marlborough, Mass. (July 25th, 2013) – The Berkshire Food Guild will be hosting a Whole Hog Workshop on Saturday, August 24th at Cricket Creek Farm in Williamstown, MA. This will be the second public event organized by the Berkshire Food Guild. It […]