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PRODID:-//Hampden Hampshire Conservation District - ECPv6.16.4.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://hampdenhampshireconservation.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Hampden Hampshire Conservation District
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DTSTART:20250101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260527T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260527T180000
DTSTAMP:20260512T152340Z
CREATED:20260512T151656Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T152340Z
UID:4786-1779897600-1779904800@hampdenhampshireconservation.org
SUMMARY:CISA Designing and optimizing irrigation systems for drought resiliency\, water efficiency and crop quality
DESCRIPTION:Location: Pioneer Gardens Farm\, 425 Greenfield Rd\, Deerfield\, MA 01342 \nRegister here \nThis workshop at Pioneer Gardens in South Deerfield\, MA will bring farmers and irrigation system designers together to look at emerging irrigation practices that increase water efficiency. The workshop will highlight the use of soil moisture sensors as a key component of irrigation planning and water usage. \nThe event will include opportunities for farmers to share their own approaches to irrigation\, including discussion of labor efficiency and decision-making during droughts. We will also provide information on grants and other funding sources for irrigation and related infrastructure. \nFollowing the workshop there will be a networking session with a light meal. \nThis work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2025-70027-45395\, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
URL:https://hampdenhampshireconservation.org/event/designing-and-optimizing-irrigation-systems-for-drought-resiliency-water-efficiency-and-crop-quality/
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260527T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260527T190000
DTSTAMP:20260506T151030Z
CREATED:20260506T150727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260506T151030Z
UID:4749-1779897600-1779908400@hampdenhampshireconservation.org
SUMMARY:NOFA/Mass Working Towards Better Soil: Farmer Exchange & Networking Event
DESCRIPTION:Register and Learn More Here \nJoin Just Roots and NOFA/Mass for a farmer-to-farmer field walk exploring how soil health practices can take shape on a small\, diversified production farm. We’re coming together to share practical knowledge and experience. This is an opportunity to share real-world experience—what’s working\, what isn’t\, and what we’re all still figuring out. \nTogether\, we’ll walk the farm and look closely at a few of our current experiments & systems\, including: \n\nNo-till beds within a mixed till/no-till production system\nNative pollinator plantings as part of a soil-building strategy\nPerennial hedgerow strips (apple\, dogwood\, beach plum)integrated into annual fields\nTrial-and-error lessons from running a high-value small farm while building soil\n\nThis is a casual\, farmer-led exchange. Come with questions\, ideas\, and your own experiences to share. After the tour\, we’ll gather for a light dinner & a conversation about how this work connects to the Healthy Soils Action Plan.
URL:https://hampdenhampshireconservation.org/event/nofa-mass-working-towards-better-soil-farmer-exchange-networking-event/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260529T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260529T160000
DTSTAMP:20260506T161926Z
CREATED:20260506T161925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260506T161926Z
UID:4755-1780048800-1780070400@hampdenhampshireconservation.org
SUMMARY:NOFA/Mass Physical Soil Health: Our Critical Soil Infrastructure
DESCRIPTION:Register Here \nJoin us for this full-day workshop about the physical component of soil health where we’ll explore the essential principles that shape soil structure and vitality. This intensive will mix classroom-based learning with hands-on demonstrations and activities assessing soil structure. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of soil physical properties\, including texture\, structure\, porosity\, and compaction. \nEquipped with tools such as penetrometers\, shovels\, and infiltration rings\, attendees will learn how to assess and evaluate these critical aspects of soil health directly on the farm. We will also explore the synergies between the physical component of soil health and the chemical and biological components. Whether you’re a seasoned agricultural professional or a curious novice\, this workshop offers valuable insights and practical skills to enhance your understanding of soil and optimize farm management practices. \nThroughout the day\, you’ll learn: \n\nSoil compaction mitigation and remediation strategies\nThe importance of soil physical properties for water and gas management\nThe inherent and dynamic properties of soils\nHow to use tools for evaluating soil structure\nThe impact of different forms of soil disturbance on soil physical properties\nThe role of organic matter in soil structure\nHow to use cover crops to improve soil structure
URL:https://hampdenhampshireconservation.org/event/nofa-mass-physical-soil-health-our-critical-soil-infrastructure/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260611T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260611T160000
DTSTAMP:20260506T165457Z
CREATED:20260506T165135Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260506T165457Z
UID:4760-1781172000-1781193600@hampdenhampshireconservation.org
SUMMARY:Scale & Strategy: Building a Viable\, Healthy Farm
DESCRIPTION:Register Here \nManaging a farm at the right scale is essential to finding your place within the broader network of Massachusetts growers. If you’re considering expanding your operation— or questioning whether scaling up is the right move— join us for a day-long workshop grounded in practical experience\, reflection\, and peer learning. \nHosted at Upswing Farm\, this workshop will explore the real-world decisions that shape a farm’s growth over time. We’ll learn from Upswing’s journey on the land: how they’ve approached soil stewardship in a certified-organic system\, their approach to infrastructure and equipment\, and strategic choices they’ve made to support long-term viability. Through a mix of tours\, discussions and on-farm demonstrations\, participants will engage with both the opportunities and trade-offs that come with operating at different scales. \nWe’ll dig into both the day-to-day realities and the bigger-picture considerations of scaling a certified organic farm\, from crew management and workflow logistics\, to financial planning and risk\, all within the framework of organic certification requirements. \nThroughout the day\, we’ll: \n\nExplore how to determine the “right” farm scale for individualized goals within a certified organic system\nDiscuss labor structures\, crew management\, and daily operational flow\nReview equipment decisions\, including tools for cover cropping and compost production\nLearn about Upswing Farm’s approach to producing certified-organic compost\, including a close-up look through a microscope\nExamine financial decision-making\, including borrowing\, risk tolerance\, and long-term planning\nDiscuss funding opportunities\, such as grants and programs through NRCS and AMA\nReflect on how business decisions and ecological stewardship intersect in certified-organic production\nBy the end of the day\, you’ll come away with a clearer understanding of what scaling means for your own operation\, along with practical insights from a certified organic farm navigating those decisions in real time. We’ll also share a locally sourced lunch and create space for informal conversation and connection.
URL:https://hampdenhampshireconservation.org/event/scale-strategy-building-a-viable-healthy-farm/
LOCATION:Upswing Farm\, 65 Brookline St\, Pepperell\, MA
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260713T170000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260713T190000
DTSTAMP:20260512T153819Z
CREATED:20260512T153801Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T153819Z
UID:4794-1783962000-1783969200@hampdenhampshireconservation.org
SUMMARY:CISA Preparing and planning for new & increased pest and disease risks in a warmer New England
DESCRIPTION:Location: Good Bunch Farm\, 221 N River Rd\, Shelburne Falls\, MA 01370 \nRegister here \nAs the number of growing days increases and temperature and precipitation extremes are more frequent\, producers are faced with more challenges related to pest and disease pressure. Existing pests and diseases are becoming more persistent\, and new threats are emerging due to weather variability. Farmers are also faced with crop loss\, reduced crop quality\, and increased costs due to more frequent applications of treatments or preventative controls. \nIn this event\, the presenter will share a practical framework for assessing\, prioritizing\, and planning responses to farm risks\, using pest and disease pressure as an example in the context of a changing climate. The host farmer will then describe how these planning tools have informed decisions on the farm\, the new practices that have been implemented\, and lessons learned through on-farm experience. \nThe discussion and farm tour will be followed by some networking time and a light meal. \nPresenter: \nStevie Schafenacker works with small food and farm businesses across New England\, helping clients with financial record-keeping\, grant writing\, budgeting\, and enterprise planning. Stevie integrates holistic decision-making and really likes talking to farmers about how to manage risk. Stevie previously worked at CISA\, where she excelled at creating engaging\, content-rich workshops geared to the needs of the target audience. \nThis work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2025-70027-45395\, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
URL:https://hampdenhampshireconservation.org/event/cisa-preparing-and-planning-for-new-increased-pest-and-disease-risks-in-a-warmer-new-england/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260817T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260817T180000
DTSTAMP:20260512T155849Z
CREATED:20260512T155836Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T155849Z
UID:4800-1786982400-1786989600@hampdenhampshireconservation.org
SUMMARY:CISA Managing pasture and livestock watering for flooding\, drought and extreme heat events
DESCRIPTION:Location: Chase Hill Farm\, 74 Chase Hill Rd\, Warwick\, MA 01378 \nRegister here \nThis workshop will focus on livestock and pasture management in heat\, drought\, and flood\, including practices for managing and capturing water\, managing forage crops for water extremes\, and efficient methods of providing access to drinking water for livestock. The presenters work with American Farmland Trust’s Thriving Farms and Ranches Livestock Team and can provide risk assessment and planning tools for farms and help them access services from NRCS and will explain the process for accessing this support. Presenters and CISA staff will facilitate discussion of farm-specific challenges and potential solutions.  \nPresenters:   \nMax Breiteneicher is an Apprentice Farm Conservation Planner at American Farmland Trust\, serving on the Thriving Farms and Ranches Livestock Team. In this role\, he helps farmers prepare conservation plans for implementation on their farms and for eligibility to participate in USDA-NRCS programs. Max also owns and operates a grass-based cheesemaking farm in Cummington\, Massachusetts.    \nCaleb Smith is a Livestock and Agronomy Specialist at American Farmland Trust (AFT) and a commercial farmer. He was a professional dairyman for 13 years before joining AFT and continues to be a professional livestock producer on 350 acres. Caleb has had a career-long relationship with Vermont NRCS\, with vast experience using their conservation programs to improve the profitability and sustainability of his own farm. At AFT\, he works to help farmers maximize the profit and environmental potential of their NRCS contracts. \nThis work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2025-70027-45395\, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 
URL:https://hampdenhampshireconservation.org/event/cisa-managing-pasture-and-livestock-watering-for-flooding-drought-and-extreme-heat-events/
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