BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Hampden Hampshire Conservation District - ECPv6.16.4.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Hampden Hampshire Conservation District
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://hampdenhampshireconservation.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Hampden Hampshire Conservation District
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:UTC
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20240101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250618T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250618T183000
DTSTAMP:20250524T132202Z
CREATED:20250524T132043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250524T132202Z
UID:3851-1750262400-1750271400@hampdenhampshireconservation.org
SUMMARY:Soil Health Field Walk: No Till and Microbial Layers
DESCRIPTION:Join us for this free on-farm event\, where we’ll be reviewing soil management techniques\, complemented by revealing their microscopic allies. We’ll start with a field walk to discuss practices such as using occultation and solarization tarps\, pollinator/insectary plantings\, and the  use of leaf mulch as part of a multi-year weed management system to reduce plastic in the field. Along the way\, we’ll collect some soil samples of interest and then analyze them on-site using microscopes\, microbiometers (low-cost soil testing kits)\, and other biological tools. \nAfter analyzing the samples\, we’ll come together for a group discussion to review the microscopy results\, connect findings to farm management practices\, and share insights on improving soil health. This is a great opportunity to see soil biology in action and learn how different practices impact microbial life in the soil. Refreshments will be provided. \nAbout the Farm: \nAstarte Farm is a 3.5 acre\, certified organic farm located on the Hadley Common. Founded in 2000\, Astarte Farm has been no-till since 2014. Management practices prioritize the health of the soil food web through minimal disturbance\, cover-cropping\, interplanting\, mulch\, and compost additions. Astarte has established insectary plantings around the farm border and a pollinator meadow of native plants\, and is known for high quality fruits and vegetables\, selling to the River Valley Co-op\, local restaurants\, and through a small CSA. \nAbout the Instructors: \nEllen Drews joined Astarte Farm in 2020 as Farm Manager after three years of production farming at Brookfield Farm in Amherst. Hailing from the upper Midwest\, she has been growing food and teaching children and adults about nature for more than a decade. She is passionate about no-till farming and the hope it brings for more resilient food systems in the face of climate change. \nRubén Parilla\, Soil Technical Coordinator\, NOFA/Mass  \nRubén is a Certified Lab Tech with 15 years of experience working at different capacities in the environmental laboratory industry. He trained in microscopic soil microbial identification through the Soil Food Web School and studied Environmental Design at the University of Puerto Rico. He leads and performs all components of NOFA/Mass soil technical services and has extensive experience farming and working with growers\, including beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. Rubén performs soil health-related outreach and education for NOFA/Mass through monthly farmer learning calls\, hands-on workshops and instructional events\, and networking with farmers and individuals in the agricultural industry. Finalmente\, Rubén es bilingüe y quiere saber de usted. \nAbout the Project: \nThis event is held in partnership with the American Farmland Trust with the assistance of the Massachusetts Coordinated Soil Health Program (MDAR Agricultural Soil Health Program) and the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program with MDAR. American Farmland Trust’s mission is to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland\, promoting sound farming practices\, and keeping farmers on the land. Through this collaboration\, AFT is working with farmers to assess and enhance soil health across the state. \n 
URL:https://hampdenhampshireconservation.org/event/soil-health-field-walk-no-till-and-microbial-layers/
LOCATION:Astarte Farm\, 123 West St\,\, Hadley\, MA\, 01035
ORGANIZER;CN="NOFA/Mass":MAILTO:info@nofamass.org
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR