Calendar
Calendar - Events of Interest and Grant Deadlines
Updated 09/01/2024
September 3, Tuesday
Farm Disaster Response meeting
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Online: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88607107777?pwd=hP8hRcOup22gi1ULqQSzr1zBAbW3lH.1
CRWFA Meeting.
Seems like we might get flooded at any rain event. Did you know what to do after last year’s flooding? How about this year’s? How should you respond? Used to be we would either take it on the chin and carry on, or maybe help and get help from neighbors. These days that may not be enough to keep your business going. So, is there any help out there?
The answer is yes. At this meeting we will first take a bird’s eye view of natural disasters and farm emergencies and how to respond to them. We’ll look at how to document and report losses, who to contact, and where to find assistance - emergency funds, loans, insurance to cover losses, financial planning, mental health support, and more.
These programs are not perfect. They are not all well coordinated, they can be difficult to navigate, and they don’t always meet what we really need. CRWFA and other farm groups see a need for a reliable, predictable, robust emergency response. We are working together to figure out what can work better.
We need your help. The second half of this meeting is a conversation about your experiences recovering from floods and other disasters, and how you think they can work better.
September 4, Wednesday
Neonics Update (at Champlain Valley Farmers Coalition meeting)
10:30 a.m.
UVM Extension | 23 Pond Ln. Ste. 300 | Middlebury
Join Vermont farmers for a conversation with Steve Dwinell from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture on the impacts of neonicotinoids, the implications of Vermont's ban, and what farmers can expect moving forward.
September 6, Friday
New Suns Fall Festival & Pizza Social
5:30 - 8:30 pm, North Thetford, VT
New Suns Community Center is the first land donation received by the Every Town Project, through the Northeast Farmers of Color (NEFOC) Land Trust. The Every Town Project is an initiative focused on securing permanent land access and stewardship for People of Color in every town in Vermont. New Suns is evidence of what is possible when reparations are centered.
Read more about New Suns Fall Festival & Pizza Social
September 6-7, Friday/Saturday
Artificial Insemination of Dairy Cattle and Reproductive Management Training
Fri, Sep 6 2024, 9am - 4:30pm
Sat, Sep 7 2024, 9am - 4:30pm
The Center for Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship (CAFE) at VTSU Randolph is hosting a two-day training session on Artificial Insemination of Dairy Cattle and Reproductive Management, taking place on September 6-7 in Randolph. Lectures and hands-on.
Read more about Artificial Insemination of Dairy Cattle and Reproductive Management Training
September 6-8, Fri/Sat/Sun
2024 Northeast Forest Farming Conference
Northeast Forest Farmers Coalition
Smokey House Center
426 Danby Mountain Rd
Danby, VT 05739
Read more about 2024 Northeast Forest Farming Conference
September 8, Sunday
Working and Weaving with Willow
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cloud Water Farm
284 Vermont Rte 100
Warren, VT 05674
Willow trees provide increasingly vital ecosystem services as riparian buffers: they mitigate the effects of flooding and rapidly absorb excess nutrients. In addition to aiding Vermont’s flood-prone landscapes, willow is an excellent local weaving material. In this workshop, Joe Bossen and Racheal Ouellette will give a tour of Cloud Water Farm’s willow plantings and share the ecological roles of different willow varieties.
Read more about Working and Weaving with Willow
September 9, Monday
Alley Cropping
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Cedar Mountain Farm, Hartland, VT
Please register in advance: This is the link
Cedar Mountain Farm is located at Cobb Hill Co-housing in Hartland, VT
September 11, Wednesday
Preparing the Ground for Successful Agroforestry Plantings
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Bread & Butter Farm
200 Leduc Farm Rd.
Shelburne, VT 05482
Agroforestry is a set of practices that are becoming increasingly popular with Vermont farms. Farmers, are you looking for a natural climate solution to build resilience while expanding products and enterprises? This workshop at Bread & Butter Farm will focus on site preparation, critical for successful agroforestry plantings. In the coming years, the farm will be adding silvopasture, alley cropping, and windbreaks to the 400 acres that they steward.
https://www.nofavt.org/events/preparing-ground-successful-agroforestry-plantings
September 13, Friday
Birding on the Farm
7:30 am - 9:30 am
Five Carrot Farm, 118 Fairly Wild Way, Brattleboro, VT
Learn about farm habitat dynamics for birds, habitat management, wildlife conservation on the farm, as well as species identification from experienced bird guides.
This workshop series is open to birders and enthusiasts of all skill levels! Participants may bring binoculars with them, and weather appropriate dress and boots for walking are recommended. Register Here.
September 15, Sunday
Newfane, VT
Join Laura Xiao of By Hand Farm to learn how to garden like a cut-flower farmer! Explore cultivation and harvesting techniques, followed by a demo of the basic principles of floral design.
September 17, Tuesday
Reading Your Pastures to Help Make Management Decisions.
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 PM
Kiss the Cow, Barnard, VT
Registration Link: https://pastureplants.eventbrite.com
Details: Carrissa Stein and Thomas Griggs will walk us through pastures and hayland. We'll talk about the lifecycles of pasture/hay plants, dig into the roots, and discuss what management actions can be done in the fall to help you make improvements in your 2025 grazing season. The workshop is geared toward farmers. The discussion will be relevant for beef, sheep, and dairy producers.
September 23, Monday
Understanding and Accessing the Halal Markets in the Northeast
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Middlebury, VT
Registration Link: https://Halal24.eventbrite.com
Details: Is the halal market an opportunity for your farm products? Have you been wondering about how to reach halal customers? Do you want to collaborate with other farmers to better meet the needs of the halal markets in the Northeast? Join us, as we welcome Joe Regenstein to share his breadth of knowledge about the halal value chain in the Northeast.
September 23-24, Monday & Tuesday
Introduction to Butchering II - Pork
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Roma's Butchery, South Royalton, Vermont
Description: Join us for this two-day course, Introduction to Butchering II - Pork, hosted by Vermont State University's Center for Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship (CAFE), and led by Elizabeth Roma of Roma's Butchery in South Royalton, Vermont. Learn the art of butchering pork, ideal for those pursuing a butchery career or interested in meat preparation. This two-day course will focus on the breakdown and various cuts of a pig. Learn about the most dedicated animal in the meat industry. Participants will gain hands-on experience, and will get to take home their very own prepared meat cuts as well as an entry level meat cutting knife. Cost: $495. Accepting VSAC Advancement Grant and AmeriCorps Segal Grant.
Organized by: Vermont State University Center for Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship
To learn more, contact: Taylor Paone - taylor.paone@vermontstate.edu
To learn more & register: https://www.enrole.com/vsc/jsp/session.jsp?sessionId=24CY-CED-0588-S01&courseId=CED-0588&categoryId=7204F9C0
September 24, Tuesday
Climate Adaptation and Soil Health Practices
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Evening Song Farm, 680 Shunpike Rd, Shrewsbury, VT 05738
Description: Climate change mitigation and adaptation has been a key motivation for Evening Song Farm owners Ryan and Kara Fitzbeauchamp since relocating their farm in 2012. For 12 years they have been increasing farm resilience by improving soil health and fertility with management strategies, such as no-till planting through cover crop residue, undersowing cash crops, and transplanting through clover sod. Ryan will be joined by Justin Rich from Burnt Rock Farm; together, they will lead a tour of the farm. Fellow farmers are invited to see these soil-building techniques in action and hear about farming with organic practices at their two different scales. Alissa White from American Farmland Trust will discuss how adaptation planning can identify strategies and prioritize actions that will increase water quality, farm success, and resilience. Plus, learn about the Transition to Organic Partnership Program and earn one RAP Agricultural Water Quality education credit.
To learn more & register: https://www.nofavt.org/events/climate-adaptation-and-soil-health-practices
To learn more, contact: Hannah Sporn, hannah@nofavt.org
September 25, Wednesday
Exploring Agroforestry and Native Tree Cultivation
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Dartmouth Organic Farm, Hanover NH
https://www.nofanh.org/craft
Sept 25-26, Wednesday/Thursday
2024 Radically Rural Summit
Keene, NH
Session 1: Working Across Fences: Rural Collaborative Land Management & Conservation on Private Lands
Wednesday, September 25th, 2:00-3:30PM | SHOWROOM, 20 Commercial Street, Keene, NH
Session 2: Supporting the Next Generation of Rural Farmers: Addressing Gaps and Barriers to Better Connect Farmers to Land
Thursday, September 26th, 11:00AM-12:30PM | SHOWROOM, 20 Commercial Street, Keene, NH
Ticket costs vary and are available on a sliding scale.
Use the CCCD Promo Code: "FRIENDSOFCCCD" or the registration link for 50% off a regular priced ticket!
September 26-27, Thursday/Friday
Agronomic Principles for Hayland and Pasture Management Course
Location: Four x Two Day Trainings from Sept. 2024 through June 2025, different locations
Details and Registration Link:https://qualtrics.uvm.edu/jfe/form/SV_cUDQZPBJAmgT9dk
Course Description: This Course is for agricultural service providers (in the Northeast) working with farmers to improve their management of forages (hayland or pasture) to feed livestock. View Course Flyer
October 4, Friday
Bale Grazing for Success
10:00 am-12:00 pm
2908 Sheffield Square Rd., Sheffield, VT 05866
Description: Curious about extending the winter grazing season but concerned about logistics, compaction, or stunting your forages? Ed’s done bale grazing on hayfields and pastures for over 10 years and has gone through the trial and error for you! Equipment, techniques, and planning for Northern VT landscape challenges will be discussed at this practical demo. NRCS Soil Conservationist Hannah Wigginton and CCNRCD staff will review cost share and technical assistance options to implement this practice on your farm.
Organized by: NRCD-Caledonia County. To learn more, contact:
Taylor Johnson, taylor.johnson2@vt.nacdnet.net, 802-424-3164
October 5, Saturday
Foundations of Organic Orcharding and Hard Cider Tasting
10:30AM-1PM
Location: Bird Dog Farm (150 Bayside Rd, Greenland, NH 03840)
More information: https://www.nofanh.org/intensiveworkshops
October 7-8, Monday/Tuesday
Introduction to Butchering III: Beef
Mon, Oct 7 2024, 9am - 4:30pm
Tue, Oct 8 2024, 9am - 4:30pm
Roma's Butchery, Sharon, VT
Join us for VTSU CAFE's Introduction to Butchery III: Beef - happening October 7th-8th. This two-day hands-on workshop led by Elizabeth Roma of Roma's Butchery will focus on breaking down a beef half into primal, sub-primal, and retail cuts, including steaks, roasts, and stew meat.
Participants will refine their butchering skills, take home their own prepared meat cuts, and receive an entry-level meat cutting knife. Additionally, each participant will earn a certificate of training completion. Read more about Introduction to Butchering III: Beef
October 10, Thursday
The Cheshire County Conservation District is excited to host Annual Celebration: Celebrate 79 Years of Conservation in Cheshire County!
6:00-8:00PM
Stonewall Farm, Keene, NH
Registration is required and limited tickets are available: RSVP By October 1st
October 21-22, Monday & Tuesday
Introduction to Butchering I - Poultry, Lamb, and Goat
9:00AM-4:30PM
Roma's Butchery, South Royalton, VT
Description: Join us for this two-day course, Introduction to Butchering I - Poultry, Lamb, and Goat, hosted by Vermont State University's Center for Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship (CAFE), and led by Elizabeth Roma of Roma's Butchery in South Royalton, Vermont. Learn the art of butchering poultry, lamb, and goat, ideal for those pursuing a butchery career or interested in meat preparation. Discover the global appeal of poultry, particularly chicken, valued for its quick maturity and efficiency in feeding. Gain essential skills in poultry cutting and effective marketing strategies. Explore the unique role of lamb in the meat industry, shipped predominantly as whole carcasses to retailers and food services. Participants will gain hands-on experience, and will get to take home their very own prepared meat cuts as well as an entry level meat cutting knife. Cost: $495. Accepting VSAC Advancement Grant and AmeriCorps Segal Grant.
To learn more & register: https://www.enrole.com/vsc/jsp/session.jsp?sessionId=24CY-CED-0587-S02&courseId=CED-0587&categoryId=7204F9C0
November 20-21, Wednesday/Thursday
Farm to Plate annual gathering
Grant Opportunities
August
8/28 - RFSI Equipment-only Grant opens
8/31 - 2024 Agriculture Flood Loss & Damage Survey deadline
September
9/5 - New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant deadline
9/30 - New Hampshire REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) application
REAP provides grants for energy efficiency projects on the farm, covering up to 50% the cost of a project. Curious? Contact Clean Energy NH; their team can help you apply for a grant (at no cost to you). The next deadline for the 50% funding is September 30th, 2024.
Awards Range:
Renewable Energy System Grants: $2,500-$1 million
Energy Efficiency Grants: $1,500-$500,000
October
10/1 - RFSI Equipment-only Grant deadline
November
11/12 - NE SARE Farmer Grants
Farmers in the Northeast can apply for up to $30,000 in funding for sustainable agriculture projects starting in 2025. These projects can range from experiments to on-farm events and demonstrations or other educational activities.
The Call for 2025 Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Farmer Grants is now available. Approximately $850,000 has been allocated to fund projects. Awards of up to $30,000 are available. Proposals are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on November 12,2024.
Q&A Sessions are taking place alternating Tuesdays and Wednesdays in October. Register once to attend any of the sessions.
Sessions will take place on: Oct 8, 16, 22, 30. from 12 to 1 EST
