NOFA/Mass Ed Events

Rich and Organic Soils on your Small Farm – iSe ofrece en español!
Late Bloom Farm 52 Corliss Hill Rd., Haverhill, MA, United StatesFarm fertility can be a puzzle - whether it’s assessing your farm’s soil, building an on-site composting system, or configuring your Organic Systems Plan (OSP). Join us as we walk through some of the considerations and unique approaches to soil health solutions available to farmers. During this 2-part event, we’ll start by exploring your own role in testing your farm’s soil, learning about a variety of tests and how to interpret them. Some of these tools include, refractometer, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) meters. We’ll take a look at the standard soil tests, discuss how to interpret them as well as which information is the most valuable to you and management practices. In the second part of this event, we’ll focus on soil management practices at Late Bloom Farm. Farmer Anna Kelchlin will guide us through their process in moving from deep mulch composting systems to investing in vermi-compost teas as a fertility solution. Deep mulch composting can be labor intensive and may not deliver the biological activity that is necessary for delivering nutrients for robust plant health. You’ll also learn about Late Bloom Farm’s inspiring experiments with cover cropping seed mixes as a part of their soil health investment plan.

Suelos Fértiles y Ecológicos en su Pequeña Granja
Late Bloom Farm 52 Corliss Hill Rd., Haverhill, MA, United StatesLa fertilidad de una granja puede ser un rompecabezas, ya se trate de evaluar el suelo de su granja, construir un sistema de compostaje o configurar su Plan de Sistemas Ecológicos (PSA). Únete a nosotros mientras recorremos algunas de las consideraciones y enfoques únicos para las soluciones de salud del suelo disponibles para los agricultores. Durante este evento de 2 partes, empezaremos explorando su propio papel en las pruebas del suelo de su granja, aprendiendo sobre una variedad de pruebas y cómo se interpretan. Algunas de estas herramientas son los refractómetros, los medidores de pH y de conductividad eléctrica (CE). Veremos las pruebas estándar de suelo , discutiremos cómo se interpretan y qué información es la más valiosa para usted y sus prácticas de gestión. En la segunda parte de este evento, nos centraremos en las prácticas de gestión del suelo en Late Bloom Farm. La agricultora Anna Kelchlin nos guiará a través de su proceso de cambio de los sistemas de compostaje de abono profundo a la inversión en tés de Lombri-compostaje como solución de fertilidad. El compostaje de cobertura profunda puede requerir mucha mano de obra y es posible que no proporcione la actividad biológica necesaria para aportar los nutrientes necesarios para la salud de las plantas. También aprenderá acerca de los experimentos inspiradores de Late Bloom Farm con mezclas de semillas de cultivo de abono como parte de su plan de inversión en la salud del suelo.

Go Nuts Bi-Monthly Community Call
OnlineRegister in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6IBWJPcsSf6myPPPPl2YBA After registering, you [...]

Underground Allies: Growing with the Soil Food Web
Costello Urban Farm 23 Shawsheen Rd., Lawrence, United StatesEvery grower knows that successful cultivation is more than just planting a seed and waiting. It’s a dynamic blend of art, science, and deep connection with the living ecosystem beneath our feet. NOFA/Mass invites you to explore one of the most powerful — and often overlooked — tools for creating thriving gardens and farms: the microbial life in your soil. In this interactive workshop, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of the Soil Food Web — the bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other microscopic allies that form the foundation of soil health. You'll learn how to assess and establish a healthy baseline of microbial life, and discover practices that bring soil biology into balance to support long-term organic fertility. This workshop is for growers of any experience who wish to learn more about soil microbes.

Intuitive Approaches to Agroforestry
Firefly Farm Sunderland, United StatesPlanting and designing an agroforestry-based farm is both a science [...]

Growing Organically Together Monthly Calls: Organic Certification Myths Demystified
OnlineLooking to make the shift to or improve your organic growing, but don’t know where to start? Join our Growing Organic Together monthly calls! This is a supportive, welcoming space where people of all backgrounds come together to learn, share, and grow. Each month, we explore new ways to incorporate organic and sustainable practices into our growing spaces, with guidance from a variety of experts and a community that encourages growth and connection. Whether you're small or large scale farming, looking to improve your Organic Systems Plan or simply interested in the organic movement, you’ll find inspiration and support here. We will be centering topics of transition to Organic.

North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival
OnlineThe “Festival that Stinks” is a fabulous family friendly destination held amid the fall foliage on historic farm in Orange, MA. Wander among over 100 exhibitors with amazing art, farm-fresh products and food, healing arts, and community organizations. Three stages delight with music, performance, and spoken word. Travel the globe with glorious garlic cuisine and chef demos.

Soil Health Bi-Monthly Community Call
OnlineWe are excited to invite you to our bimonthly Soil Health Calls! These calls are designed to provide a platform for farmers, researchers, and experts to share their knowledge, experiences, and insights on soil health. Our aim is to create a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about improving soil health. Our calls will cover a range of topics related to soil health, including soil biology, organic matter, nutrient management, and any topic of relevance to the NOFA community and beyond. We will also have guest speakers who will share their expertise and insights on the latest developments in the field.

2026 NOFA/Mass Winter Conference – Healthy Soils in Action
UMass Amherst Campus Center 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA, United StatesSave the Date for the 2026 NOFA/Mass Winter Conference Join [...]