ORGANIC BLUEBERRY AND STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION

Date: 2024-07-09

Time: 4-6 pm

Location:
47 Hidden Valley Rd., Shaftsbury VT

Description: Andrew Knafel started the farm 30 years ago and today he and his crew farm 45 acres of certified organic crops including over an acre of strawberries and 1.5 acres of blueberries. Andrew will describe his production practices to manage soil fertility, weeds, insects and diseases in small fruit. Equipment used for cultivation, spraying and mulching will be viewed and discussed. UVM Extension folks will be on hand to provide additional production information.

Organized by: UVM Extension

To learn more, contact:
Becky Maden
rebecca.maden@uvm.edu 802.578.1466

New Suns Fall Festival 

Date & Time: September 6, 2024 - 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Location:
New Suns Community Center, 5470 US-5, North Thetford, VT 05054

Description: Join us for the New Suns Fall Festival in North Thetford! New Suns Community Center is the first land donation received by the Every Town Project, through the Northeast Farmers of Color (NEFOC) Land Trust. The Every Town Project is an initiative focused on securing permanent land access and stewardship for People of Color in every town in Vermont. New Suns is evidence of what is possible when reparations are centered. New Suns, formerly a church, has been converted to a community gathering space with a Liberation Library, tool library, and food shelf centering the Releaf Collective, NEFOC network members, and other Black, Indigenous, and community members of Color. Please RSVP to secure your ticket that covers your entrance and snacks from NOFA-VT’s wood-fired pizza oven. Bring a picnic or purchase delicious food from other local vendors! After dinner, enjoy a tour through the center to learn more about its programs and happenings. There will be a lively trade and barter night market, and a dance party centering BIPOC rhythms and grooves until late. All are welcome!

To learn more & register: https://www.nofavt.org/events/new-suns-fall-festival-and-pizza-social

Organized by: NOFA-VT
To learn more, contact: Katie Robinson, katie@nofavt.org

Land Care for Pollinators and Other Wildlife

Date & Time: July 14, 2024 - 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Location:
Birdsong Acres , 938 West St., Cornwall, VT, 05753

Description: Cultivate diversity on your land, one step at a time! Join Emily May from the Xerces Society along with Bethany and Fran from Pollinator Pathways of Addison County to learn how to manage land to support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Emily will share how to create a long-term plan to care for biodiversity on your land by chipping away at bits and pieces over time. This will be followed by a tour of Birdsong Acres, where attendees will learn about the various land care practices Bethany uses, including pollinator gardening, meadow management, and invasive species removal. This workshop is great for anyone who is looking to care for biodiversity on land they steward, whether it's a small garden plot or multiple acres!

To learn more & register: https://www.nofavt.org/events/land-care-pollinators-and-other-wildlife

Organized by: NOFA-VT
To learn more, contact: Hannah Sporn, hannah@nofavt.org

Adapting to Farming in a Flood Plain

Date & Time: July 21, 2024 - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location:
Intervale Community Farm, 180 Intervale Rd., Burlington, VT 05401

Description: Much of Vermont’s most agriculturally important lands are located in low-lying areas prone to flooding. Though flooding enriches soils and enhances farm productivity, it also poses serious challenges to food safety, natural resource management, and long term farm business viability. Fellow farmers, join us in exploring how two established farms in Burlington’s Intervale are navigating the complexities of floodplain farming. Andy Jones of Intervale Community Farm and Dylan Zeitlyn of Diggers’ Mirth Collective Farm will share how their farms are adapting production systems, business models, and expectations as a result of increasing flood severity. Andy and Dylan will also be joined by Patrick Dunseith and Ben Fishbein of the Intervale Center who will discuss landscape wide stewardship, riparian buffer design, the role of native plants in building flood resilience, and the Intervale Center’s strategy as land manager for sustaining agricultural production in these vital lands. Plus, meet Vermont Organic Farmers staff to ask your burning organic certification questions and learn about the Transition to Organic Partnership Program. This workshop earns two RAP Agricultural Water Quality education credits. Lunch included, thanks to our friends at Skinny Pancake.

To learn more & register: https://www.nofavt.org/events/adapting-farming-flood-plain

Organized by: NOFA-VT
To learn more, contact: Hannah Sporn, hannah@nofavt.org

Cottage Baking With Local Grains

Date & Time: July 25, 2024 - 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Location:
Brot Bakehouse School and Kitchen, 38 Meade Rd., Fairfax, VT 05454

Description: Join us for a hands-on baking workshop with local grains and sourdough at Brot Bakehouse School and Kitchen in Fairfax. Learn all about the beauty (and challenges) of natural bread making with local grains. Discussion topics will include the principles of natural fermentation in bread making, allergy-friendly baking, and selling and marketing your bread locally. Then, get your hands into the (sour-)dough to make a natural leavened flatbread. Plus, taste different breads made with locally grown wheat, rye, and corn. The workshop is designed for farmers and bakers who would like to start baking and sell directly to customers, supplement a CSA, bake for a farmers market, or open up a small cottage bakery, although it is also open to home bakers.

To learn more & register: https://www.nofavt.org/events/cottage-baking-local-grains-0

Organized by: NOFA-VT
To learn more, contact: Hannah Sporn, hannah@nofavt.org

NOFA-VT Farm Dreams

Date & Time: July 29, 2024 - 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm; August 1, 2024 - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location:
Union Brook Farm, 1565 Union Brook Rd, Northfield, VT 05663, virtual

Description: Do you have a dream of starting a farm? Join Farm Dreams to explore your farm vision, connect with other aspiring farmers, learn about resources for beginning farmers in Vermont, and grow your understanding of approaches to farm business management and land access. This two-part series will cover the basics and provide structured activities for you to develop your vision. You will leave with an action plan to support you in making your farm dream a reality. Farm Dreams is an entry-level workshop designed to help people clarify what motivates them to farm, get their vision on paper, inventory their strengths and training needs, identify resources and get perspective from an experienced farmer. Part one will take place in person at Union Brook Farm in Northfield on Monday, July 29th from 5-8 pm. We will tour the farm and learn the story of how these beginning farm owners started their farm. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Part two will take place virtually, via Zoom, on Thursday, August 1st, 5-7 pm, and will focus on holistic goal setting and skills assessment, and building out personal action plans. Participants are strongly encouraged to join for both parts but for accessibility, there is an option to join for the virtual part only. The registration fee covers both sessions.

To learn more & register: https://www.nofavt.org/events/nofa-vt-farm-dreams

Organized by: NOFA-VT
To learn more, contact: Megan Browning, megan@nofavt.org