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Red and purple potatoes
  • Highlighting farm to institution events and workshops around New England and beyond. Want to see your event listed here? Email Sarah Lyman. You might also find useful our Resource Database.

  • Spring School Garden Cleanups: Student & Community Engagement Strategies

    | 10:00 am ET | Lowell, MA

    Join Massachusetts Farm to School in various locations around MA for a meet up in a school garden. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about how school gardens can be used to engage students, increase community interest and investment.

    Dates & Locations

    April 4, 10:00AM | Lowell (with Mill City Grows) | Register here.

    April 13, 4:00PM | New Bedford (with New Bedford Public Schools) | Register here.

    April 13, 3:15PM | Leeds (with School Sprouts) | Register here.

    April 25, 3:30PM | Springfield (with Springfield Public Schools) | Register here.

    Piloting a Kitchen Lending Library

    | 3:15 pm ET | Virtual

    Would you like to lead more Farm to School activities in your school environment but have no access to a kitchen? This workshop will explore how to create a "kitchen tool lending library" program for classes, clubs, and enrichment programs to share across a school community. Kitchen lending libraries allow educators to integrate more cooking and gardening experiences across the school. In this workshop, you will see an example of how a kitchen is set up and used in a classroom cooking lab, suggestions for equipment, and the classroom set up and routines surrounding a cooking lab. With Presenters: Anna Cynar, Innovation Academy Charter School

    Lift up local climate knowledge and support community learning and participation

    | 12 pm ET | Virtual

    Part of the 2022-23 NH Food Alliance Network Café Series.

    Land-based Farmer Training Programs - Networking Session on Providing Farmer Feedback with Fairshare CSA Coalition

    | 1 pm ET | Virtual

    Join the FIELD Network (organized by New Entry Sustainable Farming Project) and Fairshare CSA Coalition on Friday, April 7th at 1pm EST to connect with staff of land-based farm incubator and apprenticeship training programs!  Share challenges faced by land-based training programs supporting a diversity of beginning farmers and brainstorm ideas, solutions, and shared resources.  Network in breakout groups to mix and mingle with other incubator farm program staff and apprenticeship staff across the country to do some networking, connecting, and sharing of project updates! 

    Spring School Garden Cleanups: Student & Community Engagement Strategies

    | 3:15 pm ET | Leeds, MA

    Join Massachusetts Farm to School in various locations around MA for a meet up in a school garden. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about how school gardens can be used to engage students, increase community interest and investment.

    Dates & Locations

    April 4, 10:00AM | Lowell (with Mill City Grows) | Register here.

    April 13, 4:00PM | New Bedford (with New Bedford Public Schools) | Register here.

    April 13, 3:15PM | Leeds (with School Sprouts) | Register here.

    April 25, 3:30PM | Springfield (with Springfield Public Schools) | Register here.

    Spring School Garden Cleanups: Student & Community Engagement Strategies

    | 4 pm ET | New Bedford, MA

    Join Massachusetts Farm to School in various locations around MA for a meet up in a school garden. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about how school gardens can be used to engage students, increase community interest and investment.

    Dates & Locations

    April 4, 10:00AM | Lowell (with Mill City Grows) | Register here.

    April 13, 4:00PM | New Bedford (with New Bedford Public Schools) | Register here.

    April 13, 3:15PM | Leeds (with School Sprouts) | Register here.

    April 25, 3:30PM | Springfield (with Springfield Public Schools) | Register here.

    Northeast Farm to Institution Summit - Virtual Sessions

    - | Virtual

    (Two virtual days April 18 & 19; two in-person days in Providence, RI April 27 & 28). This biennial event strengthens the regional food system by celebrating and supporting the role of institutions as anchors in the region. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders in a collaborative process, the Summit generates ideas and connections that advance the ability of the Northeast to support viable farm, food, and sea businesses and healthy, just communities. 

    Sea to Soil Summit

    | 1 pm - 4 pm ET | Southampton, NY

    Hosted by Duke University's FoodLab. Opening presentation by Chris Gobler of SOMAS explaining the science and progress so far (similar presentation to Gobler’s annual “State of the Bays” address). Indigenous Presentation by Shinnecock Kelp Farmers explains the 10,000 year local history of using kelp as fertilizer. Patty Gentry of Early Girl Farm speaks about the flavor profile of vegetables grown with kelp added to the soil. Sue Wicks and organizers from Lazy Point Farms present an overview of 6 new kelp farms on the east end and explain plans for expansion. The Montauk Seaweed Supply Company presents explanation of New York State’s first small business to manufacture kelp and seaweed products for the public marketplace, video presentation, free samples for all guests. Edwina von Gal of the Perfect Earth Project presents on the rapidly expanding community of east end horticulturists and landscapers now using locally produced kelp products to complete the full Sea to Soil circle at high profile properties.

    Spring School Garden Cleanups: Student & Community Engagement Strategies

    | 3:30 pm ET | Springfield, MA

    Join Massachusetts Farm to School in various locations around MA for a meet up in a school garden. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about how school gardens can be used to engage students, increase community interest and investment.

    Dates & Locations

    April 4, 10:00AM | Lowell (with Mill City Grows) | Register here.

    April 13, 4:00PM | New Bedford (with New Bedford Public Schools) | Register here.

    April 13, 3:15PM | Leeds (with School Sprouts) | Register here.

    April 25, 3:30PM | Springfield (with Springfield Public Schools) | Register here.

    Navigating Massachusetts Seafood: An Introduction for Educators

    | 3:45 pm ET | Virtual

    Did you know that Massachusetts has the most valuable fishing port in the whole country? Do you know what a cod looks like? Dive in (or dip a toe!) for a “Massachusetts Seafood 101” presentation by the Division of Marine Fisheries followed by first-hand experiences from your own local fishermen. This webinar will skim all aspects of Massachusetts' historic seafood system – environment, health, management, practice, etc. – and educational materials will be provided by email afterwards. Presenter: Wendy Mainardi, Seafood Marketing Coordinator, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

    Northeast Farm to Institution Summit - In-Person Sessions

    - | Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Providence, RI

    (Two virtual days April 18 & 19; two in-person days in Providence, RI April 27 & 28). This biennial event strengthens the regional food system by celebrating and supporting the role of institutions as anchors in the region. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders in a collaborative process, the Summit generates ideas and connections that advance the ability of the Northeast to support viable farm, food, and sea businesses and healthy, just communities. 

    School Garden Food Safety Workshop

    | 3 pm ET | Waltham, MA

    Join Mass Farm to School for a hands on workshop on school garden food safety at Waltham Fields Community Farm. This session will dig into materials that Massachusetts Farm to School and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) created to establish a standard framework and assessment for maintaining food safety in the school garden. Participants will have the opportunity to put these tools into action at the farm’s learning garden and will leave with the confidence to safely serve school garden produce in school meals. [Rain Date: May 11th]

    2023 NH Food System Statewide Gathering

    | Plymouth, NH

    On May 11, 2023, food system professionals from across the Granite State will gather in Plymouth, New Hampshire to build skills, collaborate, learn, and, most importantly, celebrate the amazing work being done in support of our food system. 

    We will spend our time together at the historic Barn on the Pemi diving into a variety of food system issues through breakout sessions, networking activities, a locally-sourced lunch, and end-of-gathering celebration.  The NH Food System Statewide Gathering is an annual event hosted by the NH Food Alliance that brings together individuals, businesses, and organizations from across sectors who are dedicated to growing a thriving and fair local food system that works for all in the Granite State: people, businesses, communities, and the environment.

    Maine Convergence - Virtual

    | Virtual

    (May 18 Virtual; May 25 In-Person at Winthrop, ME). Forging Connection for Collective Action. In 2023 this collaborative network continues the work of building and supporting a Maine food system that is equitable, just, and regenerative.

    New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center: Boat to Table Event

    | 11 am ET | New Bedford, MA

    Join Mass Farm to School for an in-person event at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center. Participants will experience a Boat to Table talk from a local fisherman, have time to explore the interactive exhibits, and enjoy a guided walking tour of the active waterfront. End with lunch on your own at the Whale's Tail (an outdoor clam shack) or The Black Whale (a higher end restaurant) both located on the pier.

    Maine Convergence - In-Person

    | Winthrop, ME

    (May 18 Virtual; May 25 In-Person at Winthrop, ME). Forging Connection for Collective Action. In 2023 this collaborative network continues the work of building and supporting a Maine food system that is equitable, just, and regenerative.