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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260330T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260330T213000
DTSTAMP:20260204T223351Z
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UID:10000577-1774899000-1774906200@massacd.org
SUMMARY:Serving the Land: A Veteran’s Guide to Farm Stays and Outdoor Experiences
DESCRIPTION:Monday evenings at 7:30 ET March 2 – 30 (virtual); August  workshops in person \nAre you a military veteran interested in agriculture? Join us as we explore farm stays and outdoor experience enterprises through an 11-session series that alternates between business-focused online classes and on-farm visits with an online option. \nIn our classroom sessions\, participants learn directly from farmers and agritourism leaders about the business of hosting guests on working farms. Each session provides practical tools\, examples\, and worksheets to help participants prepare for launching or expanding guest-based agritourism enterprises. See below for the schedule. \nDuring the summer\, participants will visit Nebraska operations that offer a range of outdoor experiences. These on-farm tours give veterans the chance to see firsthand how producers design guest activities\, manage visitor flow\, and build safe and welcoming spaces for recreation. \nStipends are available to cover approved expenses such as travel\, meals\, and child care. Individuals are welcome to attend with family members. For on-farm events\, physical accommodations may be made upon request. \nCost: Free for active military service members and military veterans \nWhen: March through August 2026 \nWhere: Online and participating farm stay locations across Nebraska (to be announced) \nRegistration required by March 16: Click here to register.\nQuestions/assistance with registering: Contact Kirstin Bailey\, kirstinb@cfra.org or 402.870.2390\, or Deborah Solie\, deborahs@cfra.org or 402.870.1133 \nProgramming is funded through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NIFA USDA Fund Award #2020-77028-32890. \nOnline class schedule for March\nAll live sessions start at 6:30 p.m. CT\, live classes meet every Monday in March \nMonday\, March 2 – Meet the Farmer\, Skills Assessment\, Farm Experiences\, and Budget Basics\nThis kickoff session introduces participants to the host farmer and each other. Participants will complete a skills and experience assessment and define the farm experience they want to offer\, focusing on customers\, setting\, and on-farm activities. The session also introduces budget basics through an outside presenter\, covering startup and seasonal costs and key financial considerations for experience-based farm enterprises. \nMonday\, March 9 – Risk Management\nParticipants will explore common risks with on-farm experiences\, including customer safety\, weather\, staffing\, and finances. The session uses real-world scenarios to help participants begin outlining a risk management approach suited to their operation. \nMonday\, March 16 – Holistic Goal Setting: From Vision to Action\nThis session helps participants align personal values with farm goals and translate those priorities into clear\, actionable steps for growth. Participants will consider how family members and key support people fit into their farm plans\, including roles\, expectations\, and capacity. The session introduces simple tools to set realistic goals\, track progress\, and adjust plans over time as their farm experience and circumstances evolve. \nMonday\, March 23\nTaxes and Recordkeeping: Simplifying Your Farm’s Finances\nThis session focuses on practical tax considerations and recordkeeping systems for all farms. Participants will review common deductions and draft a simple\, workable recordkeeping setup to support their operation throughout the season. \nMonday\, March 30 – AI & Digital Marketing for On-farm Experiences\nThis hands-on session introduces AI and digital tools that support marketing for on-farm experiences. Topics include content creation for social media\, website basics\, search visibility\, and simple automation tools to save time while staying connected with customers. \nOn-Demand Classes\nComplete at your own pace \nZoning and Insurance: Setting Your Farm Up for Success\nThis class covers zoning requirements and insurance considerations\, with practical guidance and checklists. \nNavigating Agritourism Laws: Protecting Your Farm and Customers\nThis session focuses on liability protection\, agritourism laws\, and operational permits using real-world examples. \n\n\n	Related
URL:https://massacd.org/massacdevent/serving-the-land-a-veterans-guide-to-farm-stays-and-outdoor-experiences/2026-03-30/
LOCATION:online
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250725T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250725T130000
DTSTAMP:20250723T141529Z
CREATED:20250723T141334Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250723T141529Z
UID:10000447-1753444800-1753448400@massacd.org
SUMMARY:Unlocking Hidden Profits: Demystifying the Federal Retail Exemption for Meat Processors
DESCRIPTION:Join David Zarling of Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN) for a deep dive discussion that uncovers the often-overlooked Federal Retail Exemption. \nWe’ll cover the ways small meat processors how to turn regulatory know-how into a direct-to-consumer sales engine. \nYou’ll walk away with clear\, step-by-step guidance on compliance\, practical tips for expanding your local market reach\, and real-world examples of peers who have boosted their bottom line—no legal jargon required. \nRegister here for this free session. \n\n\n	Related
URL:https://massacd.org/massacdevent/unlocking-hidden-profits-demystifying-the-federal-retail-exemption-for-meat-processors/
LOCATION:online
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240703T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240703T130000
DTSTAMP:20240613T034044Z
CREATED:20240613T034044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240613T034044Z
UID:10000150-1720008000-1720011600@massacd.org
SUMMARY:Mass Pollinator Network Brown bag
DESCRIPTION:This drop in zoom event will happen on the first Wednesday of each month\, from noon to 1pm.\n\nPlease stop by to meet other pollinator advocates\, ask questions of our experts\, learn about projects happening across the state\, talk about your own activities\, and more! Stay for the entire meeting or just pop in for what you can.\n\nTo receive the zoom link\, please register here. And share this with others who might be interested.\n\n\n	Related
URL:https://massacd.org/massacdevent/mass-pollinator-network-brown-bag/
LOCATION:online
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240605T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240605T130000
DTSTAMP:20240508T011023Z
CREATED:20240508T011023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240508T011023Z
UID:10000138-1717588800-1717592400@massacd.org
SUMMARY:Mass Pollinator Network Brown Bag Lunch
DESCRIPTION:This drop in zoom event will happen on the first Wednesday of each month from noon to 1pm.\n\nPlease stop by to meet other pollinator advocates\, ask questions of our experts\, learn about projects happening across the state\, talk about your own activities\, and more! Stay for the entire meeting or just pop in for what you can.\n\nTo receive the zoom link\, please register here. And share this with others who might be interested.\n\n\n	Related
URL:https://massacd.org/massacdevent/mass-pollinator-network-brown-bag-lunch-2/
LOCATION:online
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240508T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240508T130000
DTSTAMP:20240508T010824Z
CREATED:20240508T010824Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240508T010824Z
UID:10000137-1715169600-1715173200@massacd.org
SUMMARY:Mass Pollinator Network Brown Bag Lunch
DESCRIPTION:This drop in zoom event will happen on the first Wednesday of each month from noon to 1pm.\n\nPlease stop by to meet other pollinator advocates\, ask questions of our experts\, learn about projects happening across the state\, talk about your own activities\, and more! Stay for the entire meeting or just pop in for what you can.\n\nTo receive the zoom link\, please register here. And share this with others who might be interested.\n\n\n	Related
URL:https://massacd.org/massacdevent/mass-pollinator-network-brown-bag-lunch/
LOCATION:online
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240227T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240227T193000
DTSTAMP:20240118T013251Z
CREATED:20240108T035450Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240118T013251Z
UID:10000077-1709056800-1709062200@massacd.org
SUMMARY:SNAP/HIP-Best Practices and Solutions to Common Issues
DESCRIPTION:Fee: $20 Members\, $30 non-members \nJoin Berkshire Grown and Zoey Sloate to learn best practices on incorporating SNAP into your business in a way that creates a welcoming space. \nAttendees will come away with marketing best practices and models of inclusive language to explain SNAP\, HIP\, & coupons. Attendees will also learn additional tools to augment how you can accept SNAP: (1) accepting SNAP/HIP for a CSA\, (2) accepting SNAP online\, (3) common troubleshooting issues and solutions. There will also be time for questions and discussion. In advance of the workshop\, Berkshire Grown will solicit a few points of interest and discussion topics from attendees to guide conversation topics. \nZoey lives in Massachusetts and has been helping businesses with SNAP\, HIP\, WIC and Senior FMNP coupons for five years – her experience includes technical setup\, government approval\, troubleshooting\, and developing welcoming spaces. \n\n\n	Related
URL:https://massacd.org/massacdevent/7161/
LOCATION:online
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240221T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240221T130000
DTSTAMP:20240108T040836Z
CREATED:20240108T040836Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240108T040836Z
UID:10000080-1708513200-1708520400@massacd.org
SUMMARY:Two-Part Grant Writing Workshop. How to read and interpret grant applications.
DESCRIPTION:Session 1\, Wednesday\, February 21\, 2024 with follow up Session 2\, Wednesday\, March 6\, 2024\n11AM-1PM\nOnline\, Registration is for both sessions. Workshop may not be taken as individual sessions.\nFee: $40 Members\, $60 Non-members \nMaximum 15 Students \nBerkshire Grown will host a virtual two-part grant writing training\, led by Kara Weinstein\, for farmers and food producers looking to develop an understanding of how to read and interpret grant applications\, and the basic story-telling and writing skills to submit successful grant applications. The first session on February 21\, 2024 will cover researching prospects\, understanding the Request for Proposals (RFP) process\, how to write a compelling needs statement\, effective outcomes and evaluations\, and developing project budgets. At the end of the first session participants will be assigned homework to draft a response to a sample proposal question. \nIn the second session on March 6\, 2024\, participants will share their responses\, and receive feedback on how to improve them\, coming away with an outline for a boiler plate of usable text for grant applications. \nKara is a food systems consultant based in Kingston\, NY. As founder of KHW Strategies\, she works with food systems and sustainable agriculture operators and nonprofits on strategic vision\, operations\, grant writing and execution\, and project management. She has a background in corporate sustainability + ESG consulting and communications. Kara holds a Master’s in Food Systems from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Environmental Policy and Culture from Northwestern University.  \n\n\n	Related
URL:https://massacd.org/massacdevent/two-part-grant-writing-workshop-how-to-read-and-interpret-grant-applications/
LOCATION:online
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240215T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240215T160000
DTSTAMP:20240213T201145Z
CREATED:20240213T043223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240213T201145Z
UID:10000099-1708009200-1708012800@massacd.org
SUMMARY:Society of American Foresters presents Forest Pollinator Webinar Series Third Thursdays at 3 pm
DESCRIPTION:On Thursday\, February 15\, the Society of American Foresters will launch its first webinar in the new Forest Pollinators Webinar Series with “Forest Management Practices to Enhance Wild Pollinators in Southern Pine Forests.” \nForest insect pollinators provide critical ecosystem services in forested landscapes. Yet\, their responses to various natural and anthropogenic disturbances are vastly understudied in the southern U.S. forests. \nThis webinar aims to provide a current synthesis of forest attributes (structure and composition) and management activity impacts on wild pollinators. This knowledge can empower us to adapt forest management practices in a way that not only retains economic benefits but also enhances local floral and faunal biodiversity. \nJoin us this Thursday and earn 1.0 SAF CFE. \n\n\n\nMark your calendar for the rest of the Forest Pollinator Webinar Series this year! All webinars occur on the third Thursday of the month at 3 pm ET.\n\n\n\n\nFebruary 15: “Forest Management Practices to Enhance Wild Pollinators in Southern Pine Forests”\nMarch 21: “The Role of Managed Conifer Forests in Supporting Native Bee Communities in the Pacific Northwest”\nApril 18: “How Forest Restoration Diversifies Pollination Networks Across Multiple Systems”\nMay 16: “The Role of Management in Structuring Pollinator Communities of Forested Landscapes in the Eastern United States”\nJune 20: “Effects of Landscape Context\, Tree Composition\, and Fire History on Forest Pollinator Diversity across the Southeastern United States”\nJuly 18: “Pollinators in the Woods? The Place of Wild Bees in a Changing Forested Landscape”\nAugust 15: “Restoring Bee Communities in Harvested Forests”\nSeptember 19: “Bringing Forest Ecology to Bumble Bee Conservation”\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister here. \nLearn More. \n\n\n	Related
URL:https://massacd.org/massacdevent/forest-pollinator-webinar-series-third-thursdays-at-3-pm/
LOCATION:online
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240205T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240205T180000
DTSTAMP:20240124T022501Z
CREATED:20240124T022429Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240124T022501Z
UID:10000087-1707156000-1707156000@massacd.org
SUMMARY:Funding Informational Meeting for the Forest Land Community
DESCRIPTION:Do you have forest land? Have you been managing it? Would you like to get paid to continue that good work and implement one new activity? Or are you new to forest management? Wherever you are in your forestland journey\, you will want to attend this event! \nThe U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) are co-sponsoring an online informational meeting on Monday February 5\, 2024 at 6pm for the forest land community on funding opportunities through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and DCR’s Stewardship Program. \nCSP helps agricultural producers\, including non-industrial private forest landowners take the conservation activities on their operations to the next level though a five-year contract. It provides a payment (minimum $4000/year) for maintaining the current conservation efforts on the land and for implementing new conservation activities. At least one new activity is required to participate in the program. \nJoin us at the meeting to hear from a MA forest landowner about his experience in receiving a recent CSP contract. NRCS will explain the eligibility requirements\, payment structure and available conservation activities. \nThis is a timely meeting as MA has received additional funding for CSP\, and other programs\, through the Inflation Reduction Act – the largest climate and conservation investment in history. Learning more and contacting your local NRCS office is the first step to applying for CSP or other programs for future funding. \nAlison Wright-Hunter and Michael Downey from DCR will provide updates on the Massachusetts Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) and other opportunities from the DCR’s Working Forest Initiative. \nPlease register by Friday\, February 2\, 2024. If you have any questions\, you may contact Kate Parsons\, Resource Conservationist\, NRCS at kate.parsons@usda.gov or 413-253-4380. If you require special accommodation in order to participate fully in this online meeting\, please contact Kate by Monday\, January 29\, 2024. \nNRCS is a federal agency that works hand-in-hand with conservation districts and the people of Massachusetts to improve and protect soil\, water and other natural resources. USDA is an equal opportunity provider\, employer\, and lender. \n\n\n	Related
URL:https://massacd.org/massacdevent/funding-informational-meeting-for-the-forest-land-community/
LOCATION:online
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240125T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240125T120000
DTSTAMP:20240108T040505Z
CREATED:20240108T040505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240108T040505Z
UID:10000079-1706176800-1706184000@massacd.org
SUMMARY:Incorporating Perennial Crops on Your Farm with Regenerative Design Group
DESCRIPTION:A Berkshire Grown Workshop\nFee: $20 Members\, $30 non-members \nAgroforestry crops and practices have the potential to help farmers manage the land they are farming in different ways\, providing new opportunities to grow emerging crops that can be incorporated into existing markets\, or help boost ecological and financial resiliency. Attendees will hear from Jono Neiger of Regenerative Design Group (RDG) and Big River Chestnuts about potential perennial crops\, their management\, and how practices can be defined and funded (through NRCS\, MDAR or other sources). \nWith Farmer Co-Presenters\nSeva Water; Nutwood Farm / Regenerative Design Group\nBabette Wils; Bigfoot Food Forest \nAttendees will have the opportunity to interact with Jono and the NOFA agroforestry cohort farmers to learn more about technical assistance opportunities available in the field to help design and implement perennial crops and agroforestry practices. \nRegenerative Design Group is a worker-owned ecological design practice dedicated to working with farm owners to develop diverse agroecological and agroforestry systems that support the farm’s social\, environmental\, and economic goals. \n\n\n	Related
URL:https://massacd.org/massacdevent/incorporating-perennial-crops-on-your-farm-with-regenerative-design-group/
LOCATION:online
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230914
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231002
DTSTAMP:20230914T181625Z
CREATED:20230914T181625Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230914T181625Z
UID:10000055-1694649600-1696204799@massacd.org
SUMMARY:Worcester Conservation District's Garlic and Bulb Sale
DESCRIPTION:Order Deadline: October 1st 2023\nAll orders will need to be picked up on Friday\, October 27th 1 pm to 4 pm or  Saturday 9 am- 12 noon. \nPick up Location: WCCD office located in the Medical Arts Building located on the left side of 52 Boyden Road. Enter the building at the lower left entrance of the USDA Service Center’s Conference Room which is where orders will be located. \nHow to order: We are currently accepting online orders at this time and are not set up to accept mailed in orders. To shop online\, simply visit the sale here. \nConfirmations: An email and/or phone reminder will be sent to you with additional information for order pick up. If you are unable to pick up your order at these dates and times\, please contact Lisa.trotto@usda.gov to arrange for an alternate pick up. \nOrders will be filled as long as bulbs are available. Selections have been chosen based on their hardiness for our zone. Worcester County is determined as ZONE 6A. If your selection is unavailable\, you will be refunded or asked if you’d like an alternative of similar price. No refunds for orders not picked up and no refunds for orders cancelled after 10/8/2021. For bulb orders greater than 50 per variety\, please email Lisa.trotto@usda.gov for pricing. \nGo to the sale \n\n\n	Related
URL:https://massacd.org/massacdevent/worcester-conservation-districts-garlic-and-bulb-sale/
LOCATION:online
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