Boston Flora

Tag: farmers

  • Wednesday, July 25, 7:30 pm – Cultivating the Next Generation of Farmers

    Although many of us are a few generations removed from having a family member engaged in commercial farming, there are people today who still want to steward the land, grow healthy food, and build community connections through farming. How does someone become a farmer today? With steep land prices, the significant capital required to launch a farm business, and all of the knowledge needed to produce food and run an agricultural enterprise, getting started in farming is a challenge. With an aging farmer population and more than half of our land base predicted to change hands in the next two decades, who will have the knowledge and skills to grow our food and steward the land? Learn about the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project’s strategies to support next generation farmers to get started in agriculture today, build expertise in the field, and support a thriving local food system.

    Jennifer Hashley, is Director of New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, a beginning farmer training program, (http://www.nesfp.org) and a vegetable and livestock farmer in Lincoln, MA. Jennifer holds a Master’s in Agricultural Policy from Tufts and a BS in Environmental Science from Indiana University. She hopes to keep sustainable farms thriving in New England and beyond.

    The session will be held at 7:30 at Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester on Wednesday, July 25 in our beautiful 1827 Barn, and will be followed up with a Q&A session. We will also offer a casual supper before each presentation. For more details, check out our website, http://wlfarm.org, or to RSVP, email Kim Kneeland at kkneeland@wlfarm.org.

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  • Friday, October 4 – Monday, October 11 – Topsfield Fair

    The colorful and often exciting history of Topsfield Fair began in 1818 when the Essex Agricultural Society, the non-profit organization that owns the Topsfield Fair, was officially granted a charter on June 12th of that year.

    The goal of the fledgling Society, formed by a group of “practical farmers” who first met on February 16, 1818, was “to promote and improve the agricultural interests of farmers and others in Essex County.”

    Now, almost 200 years later, the Society still strives to do this, “to encourage, promote and preserve Essex County agricultural activities and to educate the general public regarding their importance in an atmosphere of fun and excitement through the medium of the Topsfield Fair.”   For more information log on to www.topsfieldfair.org.

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  • Saturday, February 23, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm – Agriculture & Food Conference of Southeastern Massachusetts

    You’re invited to the Bristol County Conservation District’s 6th Annual Conference.  Presented by SEMAP and Bristol County Conservation District on Saturday, February 23, 2012, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, at the Bristol County Agricultural High School, 135 Center Street, Dighton, Massachusetts.

    Whether you’re a professional farmer, a backyard gardener, or just curious about locally grown food, this is the event for you. This year’s offerings include workshops for the public and youth ages 7-12, as well as info-packed sessions for farmers of all experience levels and workshops specific to organic methods. A sampling of topics includes Advanced IPM, “The First Year”: A Close Look at a New Organic Farm Operation, Cucurbits Roundtable, Small Fruit Production Practices, Nitrogen Dynamics in Organic Cropping Systems, The Dirt on Composting, Ancient Apples, and Cover Crop Research.

    Registration includes a locally-sourced lunch (yes, in February!) and at the Resource Fair you’ll learn about local organizations and businesses that provide services and products to help you grow, whether you’ve got a hundred acres or a couple of window boxes. Registration is $35 for farmers, $50 for the public, and $20 for youth and students. Businesses or organizations interested in exhibiting can contact Kristen at kirvin@semaponline.org. Please Note: Online registration at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e6m98qy406f53fb5 will close on Friday, February 22nd – You may show up at the conference Saturday (cash or check ONLY), but we cannot guarantee a lunch for same-day registrants.

  • Thursday, February 25, 6:00 pm – CSA Farm Share Fair

    On Thursday, February 25, from 6 – 7 pm, more than twenty CSA farmers will be on hand at the Park Avenue Congregational Church, 50 Paul Revere Road, Arlington, to tell you about what they are growing this year and how you can get a share of their harvest.  The farms are located in Arlington, Lexington, Belmont, and nearby towns.  Farmers may be bringing some produce to sell at the fair, so bring your shopping bags.  The event is free.  For directions, log on to http://bostonlocalvores.org/events.

  • Saturday, February 6, 5:00 – 9:00 pm – Earth Dinner

    The First Parish Church, 3 Church Street in Cambridge will host an Earth Dinner potluck on Saturday, February 6, from 5 – 9 pm, which will feature local foods, with a Slow Foods Boston representative, local farmers, and food producers discussing the local food movement.  For more information, log on to www.slowfoodboston.com, or call the church at 617-876-7772.

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  • Wednesday, October 28, 7:00 – 9:00 pm – Creating Sustainable Food Production

    Join EcoLogic at the Boston Public Library Mezzanine Conference Room, 700 Boylston Street, on Wednesday, October 28 beginning at 7 pm for a panel discussion to explore alternative agricultural methods such as organic and sustainable farming available to you here in the United States as well as to rural farmers in developing countries. Coffee will be served after the discussion. Panelists include: Jennifer Hashley, Director of the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project; Jason Bond, Executive Chef at Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro; JJ Gonson, personal chef; and Shaun Paul, Executive Director of EcoLogic Development Fund. More information on panelists to come soon! Admission: $8 ($5 for full-time students with valid ID) Buy tickets at www.ecologic.org/grenag.

  • Monday, September 21, 6:00 – 9:00 pm – Island Farm Tour and Dinner

    Enjoy a culinary adventure at a Martha’s Vineyard farm on Monday, September 21 .  Beginning at 6:00 pm, take a private tour of North Tabor Farms in Chilmark with the farmers , who will share their knowledge of the land and crops.  At 7, a delicious seasonal dinner will be made with fresh produce from the farm, paired with organic wines.  Enjoy the sunset and delicious food, in a quiet setting now that the President has departed!  $150 per person, including recipes.  For directions, registration, and more information, contact Jan Buhrman at 508-645-5000, or email info@culinary-experiences.com.  Check out their website as well, www.culinary-experiences.com.

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  • Wednesday, September 2, 7 pm – “Chez Panisse Fruit” by Alice Waters

    Written by Alice Waters, one of America’s most influential chefs, “Chez Panisse Fruit” is one of a series of books which sparked a culinary movement.  Chez Panisse, one of the country’s best restaurants, became a focal point for local, conscientiously produced foods.  The restaurant spawned a collection of respected cookbooks which feature essays, beautiful illustrations, and, of course, delectable recipes.  In this class, Stir’s chefs will present a smattering of amazing sweet and savory fruit dishes using produce from Massachusetts local farms.  Enjoy simple, seasonal, rfefined cooking at its best while gathering lessons on how to shop at markets and cook seasonally.  Class is held Wednesday, September 2 at 102 Waltham Street in the South End beginning at 7 pm.  The cost of this session is $135.  Sign up by calling 617-423-7847.

    Stir is part of the continuing education program at the heart of Barbara Lynch Gruppo, a team of passionate, hardworking individuals who speak on behalf of our farmers, winemakers and distillers, as well as one another, through a medium of food, wine, spirits, service and hospitality.  Classes and special dinners are held throughout the year.  See the complete listings at www.stirboston.com.

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  • Tuesday, August 18, 11:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Boston Public Market

    The Boston Public Market sponsored by Rodale on Dewey Square returns to the Greenway.  Together, Rodale Inc. (publishers of Organic Gardening Magazine) and the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy are supporting the Boston Public Market and its farmers as they bring a robust seasonal market to Dewey Square Plaza.  In addition to fresh produce, farmers will sell eggs, cheeses, meats, breads, baked goods and other wholesome products grown or made in Massachusetts.  As the market season progresses, the Conservancy will provide live entertainment, seating and other amenities.  An authoritative resource for information on sustainable practices and wellness, Rodale will assist shoppers in making healthy choices through an iinteractive kiosk and related website.  The market will be open every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through October.  For more information, log on to www.hellogreenway.org.

  • Thursday, July 30, 6-7:30 – Opening Reception, “Illuminating Nature” Scanner Photography

    Ellen Hoverkamp was a pioneer in using the flatbed scanner as a tool to create fine art.  Her technique involves making intricate arrangements from plants, vegetables and natural objects.  The light from the scanner reflects the subject making the arrangement appear to glow against a dark background.  Inspiration for her work comes from the Victorian botanical illustration, particularly “Language of Flowers” bouquets, and Dutch still life painting.  Hovercamp gratefully utilizes cuttings offered from local gardeners and farmers in her scanned compositions. This collaboration with the gardening community began in 1997 and continues today, as she works to preserve souvenirs of the garden.  She views her pictures, often named for the gardeners, as portraits of flowers and also portraits of those who grew them.  “Friends, family, neighbors, and even people I hardly know invite me to cut and use their flowers and vegetables for my work.”  See more of Ellen Hoverkamp’s work at www.myneighborsgarden.com.  The Exhibit will run from July 28 – September 16, 2009 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts. The reception will feature a cash bar and light refreshments.  Free and open to the public.    For more information, call 508-869-6111 or log on to www.towerhillbg.org.