Cost: From free to $100, depending on affiliation and ability to pay

A virtual series of talks and live panels with more than 50 prominent organic farmers, scientists, and climate activists. Each Sunday features a session with a specific focus and a chance to dive deeply within it.

Contact: Learn more at https://www.realorganicsymposium.org/

Cost: Free

An online meeting hosted by the University of Maine Extension Program. Dr. Jennifer DeEll from OMAFRA will present results from Harvista and Smartfresh trials on Honeycrisp. Dr. Randy Beaudry from Michigan State University will discuss CA Storage of Honeycrisp Apples. More details will be provided when they become available.

Registration is required to receive pesticide license recertification credits. Additionally, proof of participation is required by all state certifying agencies, so, please be sure to participate in the in-session polls. Each license holder must register separately and participate on their own devices in order to their individual credits.Forms will be emailed to each individual license holder within a week of the meeting. Please be sure to check your spam or junk folders as occasionally these communications are not recognized by your email host server.

Contact: See more information at https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/new-england-winter-fruit-seminar-series. Register at https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdOqpqTkpGdJ7SRfYiNaWU6M5IQIUiDWS

Cost: Free

Following the pre-series session on understanding what makes up good data on 1/6 and 1/8, this farmer workshop series will present a method to address challenges, opportunities, and current project ideas no matter if it’s changing day to day habits or locking down long-term plans.

Is it time to expand into value-added production? Should I get rid of one enterprise and specialize my products? Does it make sense to invest in a new piece of equipment? Presenters will provide a framework that uses a number of tools to build confidence in the decision-making process. Participants will have access to one on one consultations and peer support throughout and following the series.

Whether you need to reflect and re-plan after major upheaval last year, or have something in the works that could benefit from a sounding board, bring your questions and ideas to these sessions and anticipate working with the content between and after session.

Session 1: Wednesday, January 27th 4-6pm
Session 2: Wednesday, February 3rd, 4-6pm
Session 3: Wednesday, February 10th, 12:30-2:30pm
Session 4: Wednesday, February 17th, 12:30-2:30pm
Cohort Gathering: March 10th, 12:30-2:30pm

The main series will focus on the “practical framework”. Rose Wilson, Stevie Schafenacker, and Crystal Stewart-Courtens combine concepts of Whole Farm Planning, financial analysis and feasibility study over the course of four sessions, post session assistance, and a late winter peer cohort meeting.

Content will be adapted to the needs and experience levels of participants. Organizers will reach out to attendees after registration to get to know your farm and the current challenges you wish to address or opportunities you wish to take advantage of.
Contact: See more information at https://www.buylocalfood.org/farm-decision-making-workshop-series-and-cohort/. Register at https://form.jotform.com/CISAsurveys/decision-making

Cost: Free

Join UConn, URI, and UMass Extensions for the Southern New England Vegetable Growers Webinar Series. Webinars are on alternate Thursdays in January and February of 2021, from 3:30-5pm. All webinars are open to any and all vegetable growers and ag service providers.

January 28 presenters: Jim Correll of the University of Arkansas, and Genevieve Higgins and Sue Scheufele of UMass Extension
1.5 pesticide recertification credits available for New England PA, 1A category
Spinach downy mildew is an emerging pest in the Northeast, and it has the potential to destroy entire plantings quickly. Expert Jim Correll will discuss the pathogen biology, management, and share some spinach growing tips. UMass Extension has been conducting winter spinach varieties for several seasons now and will present a summary of findings on their growth, productivity, and downy mildew resistance, since using resistant varieties is a critical component of managing this disease effectively. Presenters will also cover other diseases that are popping up more frequently in winter greens in recent years, including damping off, Cladosporium, and lettuce downy mildew.

Contact: Register at https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrce-hrDoqHdZiRLMsN_bVFZ15c3iTj0c- Agenda available here: ag.umass.edu/vegetable/events/field-day-winter-greens-diseases-variety-trials<https://ag.umass.edu/vegetable/events/field-day-winter-greens-diseases-variety-trials>

Cost: From free to $100, depending on affiliation and ability to pay

A virtual series of talks and live panels with more than 50 prominent organic farmers, scientists, and climate activists. Each Sunday features a session with a specific focus and a chance to dive deeply within it.

Contact: Learn more at https://www.realorganicsymposium.org/

Cost: Free

An online meeting hosted by the University of Maine Extension Program. Dr. Jennifer DeEll from OMAFRA will present results from Harvista and Smartfresh trials on Honeycrisp. Dr. Randy Beaudry from Michigan State University will discuss CA Storage of Honeycrisp Apples. More details will be provided when they become available.

Registration is required to receive pesticide license recertification credits. Additionally, proof of participation is required by all state certifying agencies, so, please be sure to participate in the in-session polls. Each license holder must register separately and participate on their own devices in order to their individual credits.Forms will be emailed to each individual license holder within a week of the meeting. Please be sure to check your spam or junk folders as occasionally these communications are not recognized by your email host server.

Contact: See more information at https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/new-england-winter-fruit-seminar-series. Register at https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdOqpqTkpGdJ7SRfYiNaWU6M5IQIUiDWS

Cost: Free

Following the pre-series session on understanding what makes up good data on 1/6 and 1/8, this farmer workshop series will present a method to address challenges, opportunities, and current project ideas no matter if it’s changing day to day habits or locking down long-term plans.

Is it time to expand into value-added production? Should I get rid of one enterprise and specialize my products? Does it make sense to invest in a new piece of equipment? Presenters will provide a framework that uses a number of tools to build confidence in the decision-making process. Participants will have access to one on one consultations and peer support throughout and following the series.

Whether you need to reflect and re-plan after major upheaval last year, or have something in the works that could benefit from a sounding board, bring your questions and ideas to these sessions and anticipate working with the content between and after session.

Session 1: Wednesday, January 27th 4-6pm
Session 2: Wednesday, February 3rd, 4-6pm
Session 3: Wednesday, February 10th, 12:30-2:30pm
Session 4: Wednesday, February 17th, 12:30-2:30pm
Cohort Gathering: March 10th, 12:30-2:30pm

The main series will focus on the “practical framework”. Rose Wilson, Stevie Schafenacker, and Crystal Stewart-Courtens combine concepts of Whole Farm Planning, financial analysis and feasibility study over the course of four sessions, post session assistance, and a late winter peer cohort meeting.

Content will be adapted to the needs and experience levels of participants. Organizers will reach out to attendees after registration to get to know your farm and the current challenges you wish to address or opportunities you wish to take advantage of.
Contact: See more information at https://www.buylocalfood.org/farm-decision-making-workshop-series-and-cohort/. Register at https://form.jotform.com/CISAsurveys/decision-making

Cost: $30-$100, with attendees encouraged to pay what they can. Scholarship information available from Livy Bulger at livy@nofavt.org or 802-434-7153.

Sherri Mitchell - Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset, is a Native American attorney, teacher, activist and change maker who grew up on the Penobscot Indian Reservation. She is the author of Sacred Instructions; Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change, and convener of the global healing ceremony Healing the Wounds of Turtle Island. She is the founding director of the Land Peace Foundation, an organization dedicated to the protection of Indigenous land, water and religious rights, and the preservation of the Indigenous way of life. Sherri works at the intersection between Indigenous rights, climate change and conscious evolution.

Contact: More information and registration links at https://nofavt.org/conference/speakers

Cost: $30-$100 for entire conference, with attendees encouraged to pay what they can. Scholarship information available from Livy Bulger at livy@nofavt.org<https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=livy@nofavt.org> or 802-434-7153.

9-11 am
From Direct-to-Consumer to Digital Marketing: The Fundamentals of Building a Strong Business Brand Online, with Mieko Ozeki, Radiance Studios, LLC
Selling products and events can be overwhelming with the multiple channels available to reach potential customers. This workshop will help hone your business story and brand to create genuine content for digital marketing and increase your customer base. We address the fundamentals of developing a well-organized, attractive, user friendly website for a virtual audience and how social media plays into your marketing strategy.

1-3 pm
Amplifying & Advancing Your Brand Through Social Media with Mieko Ozeki, Radiance Studios, LLC
Social media is a megaphone to your business brand and story. This workshop focuses on the concepts and tools for creating, scheduling, posting, and managing your business' presence on social media. You'll learn about content development for platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and how to drive customer traffic to your website and/or directly at a farmers market or farmstand. The afternoon session builds upon content from the morning session workshop on the fundamentals of building a strong business brand online.

Contact: https://nofavt.org/conference/workshops:for more information and registration links.

Cost: $30-$100 for conference attendance, with attendees encouraged to pay what they can. Scholarship information available from Livy Bulger at livy@nofavt.org<mailto:livy@nofavt.org> or 802-434-7153.

Panelists: Bruce Kauffman, Riverside Farm; Dave Marchant, Riverberry Farm; Eugenie Doyle & Sam Burr, Last Resort Farm; Grace Gershuny; Suzanne Long, Luna Bleu Farm, facilitated by Will Stevens, Golden Russet Farm

This panel discussion was created in acknowledgement that the organic food and farming movement has been built through the daily hard work and dedication of so many amazing people. As we look back on the past 50 years of NOFA-VT, we want to honor those who have continued to pave the way for success now and into the future. Join us for this discussion to celebrate the collective knowledge and wisdom of our elders, hear about their challenges and triumphs, and imagine ways we can apply their past lessons learned towards a thriving future.
Contact: More information and registration links at https://nofavt.org/conference/speakers

Cost: Cost: $30-$100 for entire conference, with attendees encouraged to pay what they can. Scholarship information available from Livy Bulger at livy@nofavt.org<https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=livy@nofavt.org><https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=livy@nofavt.org> or 802-434-7153.

The Cows Don’t Milk Themselves: Milk with Dignity & Farmworker Rights in the Time of COVID, with Migrant Justice,
Thursday 2/11
Throughout the Corona Crisis, migrant farmworkers continue to work day in and day out to produce the milk and dairy products that line supermarket shelves. Join Migrant Justice for a 1.5 hour presentation to learn more about farmworkers’ groundbreaking Milk with Dignity program which brings together farmworkers, consumers, farmer owners and corporate buyers with the principal goal of fostering a sustainable Northeast dairy industry that advances the human rights of farmworkers, supports the long-term interests of farm owners, and provides an ethical supply chain for retail food companies and consumers. We know that the cows don't milk themselves: Learn more about how you can get involved and help expand this powerful solution to the Hannaford supermarket’s supply chain.

Advancing BIPOC Land Access in N’Dakinna, with Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust; Every Town Project; Vermont Land Trust; NOFA-VT, Vital Communities
Thursday 2/18
Join the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust, Every Town Project, Vermont Land Trust, NOFA VT, and Vital Communities for a discussion on their work advancing land justice with and for BIPOC. Walk away with a better understanding of how BIPOC and non-POC land-based partnerships can take shape equitably, what BIPOC land stewards need to thrive, how you can help, and how the overlapping missions of our organizations are innovating land access for BIPOC in ways that are undoing systemic racism and repairing the harm of colonization one relationship and acre at a time.

Organizing to Win: Building Community Power for Systems Change, with Hayley Jones, Shaina Kasper, Community Action Works; Stuart Blood, Energy & Climate Upper Valley
Thursday 2/25
Too many people feel alone, or powerless to confront those who are polluting our most vulnerable communities. Fortunately, when people come together and take action at the local level, whether that’s passing environmental justice ordinances or stopping fracked gas pipelines, they lead the movement for large-scale transformation. Join organizers at Community Action Works to learn effective tools for dealing with pollution threats in your own neighborhood, from choosing the right decision-maker to gaining support from your community. Hear firsthand from activists how they’ve run campaigns to resist polluters and made systemic changes.

Participatory Capacity Building for an Inclusive Organic Movement, with Jennifer Taylor, Lola's Organic Farm, Organic Farming Association; A-dae Romero-Briones, First Nations Development Institute
Thursday 3/4

Contact: Links to registration and more information: https://nofavt.org/conference/workshops

Cost: $30-$100 for the whole conference, with attendees encouraged to pay what they can. Scholarship information available from Livy Bulger at livy@nofavt.org<mailto:livy@nofavt.org> or 802-434-7153.

Panelists: Abbie Corse, The Corse Family Dairy; Amber Arnold & Naomi Moody, The SUSU commUNITY Farm; Jenna Baird, Baird Farm; Marita Canedo, Migrant Justice; Taylor Mendell, Footprint Farm

This panel looks to the future, building on the lessons of the past through innovations and systems thinking. This discussion will raise up the voices of some new and emerging womxn leaders helping to build Vermont’s agricultural future. This panel will include farmers, movement builders and leaders from all aspects of food and farming.
Contact: More information and registration links at https://nofavt.org/conference/speakers

Cost: $30-$100 for entire conference, with attendees encouraged to pay what they can. Scholarship information available from Livy Bulger at livy@nofavt.org<https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=livy@nofavt.org> or 802-434-7153.

The Organic Farmers Toolbox: Resilient Farming Practices for Climate Change, with Aaron Parker, Edgewood Nursery; Jono Neiger, Regenerative Design Group, Big River Chestnuts, Wednesday 2/10

The changing climate is bringing more extreme and unstable weather to the northeast. This workshop will present a toolbox of tangible practices to implement on your farm or homestead to better mimic and align with the resiliency we see in the natural world. Jono and Aaron will share examples of agroforestry, soil compaction reduction, water management, and others from their work in numerous land-based settings. These practices can be implemented at any scale and offer a wide range of benefits, focusing on farm resilience and increased productivity over time.

Community Food Access: Growing Food for Each Other, with Chief Don Stevens, Nulhegan Band of Coosuk - Abenaki Nation; Jake Kornfeld, Farm at Vermont Youth Conservation Corps; Sammy Levine, ShiftMeals; Andrea Solazzo, Vermont Foodbank; Shane Rogers, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, Wednesday 2/17

According to the U.S. Food Sovereignty Alliance, “food sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.” In Vermont, much work is being done to create a resilient food system that works for everyone and centers people, especially the most marginalized, first and foremost. Join this panel discussion for a conversation about food sovereignty and some of the work being done to build a more just and equitable food system for all.

Farm Stress & Emotional Well-being on the Farm, with Allen Matthews, Farm First, Wednesday 2/24

Where do you turn when work/life balance feels impossible? Farm life can be a roller coaster. Although it can look idyllic from the outside, farming is often punctuated by stressful, demanding and dangerous work. Farmers navigate long hours, money worries, weather crises, and social isolation. Stress challenges our emotional well-being and mental health. The goal of this workshop is to help farmers identify resources and techniques to resolve stresses before they mushroom into debilitating situations. Join and connect with other farmers over your most victorious and challenging moments of the season, and explore strategies for supporting health and well-being on and off the farm.

Contact: https://nofavt.org/conference/workshops:for more information and registration links.

Cost: Free

An online meeting hosted by the University of Maine Extension Program. 12- 1:15pm. Dr. Suzanne Blatt, Ag Canada Kentville Research Station, will discuss management options to prevent damage by the apple maggot fly. 1:15- 1:30pm. Maine State Pomological Society Update. Pre-registration and participation in live webinar qualifies for 1 pesticide
applicator recertification credit.

Registration is required to receive pesticide license recertification credits. Additionally, proof of participation is required by all state certifying agencies, so, please be sure to participate in the in-session polls. Each license holder must register separately and participate on their own devices in order to their individual credits. Forms will be emailed to each individual license holder within a week of the meeting. Please be sure to check your spam or junk folders as occasionally these communications are not recognized by your email host server.

Contact: See more information at https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/new-england-winter-fruit-seminar-series. Register at https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMscO-sqjwjH9aQ0aGHQpwI9tXqvMKONBLk

Cost: Cost: $30-$100 for entire conference, with attendees encouraged to pay what they can. Scholarship information available from Livy Bulger at livy@nofavt.org<https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=livy@nofavt.org><https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=livy@nofavt.org> or 802-434-7153.

The Cows Don’t Milk Themselves: Milk with Dignity & Farmworker Rights in the Time of COVID, with Migrant Justice,
Thursday 2/11
Throughout the Corona Crisis, migrant farmworkers continue to work day in and day out to produce the milk and dairy products that line supermarket shelves. Join Migrant Justice for a 1.5 hour presentation to learn more about farmworkers’ groundbreaking Milk with Dignity program which brings together farmworkers, consumers, farmer owners and corporate buyers with the principal goal of fostering a sustainable Northeast dairy industry that advances the human rights of farmworkers, supports the long-term interests of farm owners, and provides an ethical supply chain for retail food companies and consumers. We know that the cows don't milk themselves: Learn more about how you can get involved and help expand this powerful solution to the Hannaford supermarket’s supply chain.

Advancing BIPOC Land Access in N’Dakinna, with Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust; Every Town Project; Vermont Land Trust; NOFA-VT, Vital Communities
Thursday 2/18
Join the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust, Every Town Project, Vermont Land Trust, NOFA VT, and Vital Communities for a discussion on their work advancing land justice with and for BIPOC. Walk away with a better understanding of how BIPOC and non-POC land-based partnerships can take shape equitably, what BIPOC land stewards need to thrive, how you can help, and how the overlapping missions of our organizations are innovating land access for BIPOC in ways that are undoing systemic racism and repairing the harm of colonization one relationship and acre at a time.

Organizing to Win: Building Community Power for Systems Change, with Hayley Jones, Shaina Kasper, Community Action Works; Stuart Blood, Energy & Climate Upper Valley
Thursday 2/25
Too many people feel alone, or powerless to confront those who are polluting our most vulnerable communities. Fortunately, when people come together and take action at the local level, whether that’s passing environmental justice ordinances or stopping fracked gas pipelines, they lead the movement for large-scale transformation. Join organizers at Community Action Works to learn effective tools for dealing with pollution threats in your own neighborhood, from choosing the right decision-maker to gaining support from your community. Hear firsthand from activists how they’ve run campaigns to resist polluters and made systemic changes.

Participatory Capacity Building for an Inclusive Organic Movement, with Jennifer Taylor, Lola's Organic Farm, Organic Farming Association; A-dae Romero-Briones, First Nations Development Institute
Thursday 3/4

Contact: Links to registration and more information: https://nofavt.org/conference/workshops

Cost: Free

Part of the 2021 Future of the Farm Webinar series, this webinar will give an overview of ways that farm or land owners can make their property available to a successive farmer, particularly one who is not currently a part of the farm operation. Topics include considerations when talking about farm transfer with your nonfarming heirs, making your property financially accessible while also providing for your own financial security, and the potential tax consequences of various farm transfer means.

Presenters Cara Cargill, NH Field Agent, Land for Good, Kenesha Reynolds, Seth Wilner, & Kelly McAdam, UNH Cooperative Extension

Contact: Learn more at https://extension.unh.edu/events/webinar-making-your-farm-available-successor and register at https://unh.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctfuGpqD0rEtyv9zCHu5LRrn_3Dredb8Ed A link to join the webinar will be emailed upon registration. This webinar will be recorded and available to all registrants.

Cost: Free

An online meeting hosted by the University of Maine Extension Tree Fruit IPM Program.

12 – 12:50pm. Dr. Renae Moran, University of Maine, will discuss recent research on Honeycrisp fruit quality. 12:50- 1:30pm. Glen Koehler, UMaine Extension, will briefly describe how Ag-Radar works, and show examples for how growers can use Ag-Radar to get insight on apple pest and crop development to aid orchard management decisions. Pre-registration and participation in live webinar qualifies for 1 pesticide applicator recertification credit.

Registration is required to receive pesticide license recertification credits. Additionally, proof of participation is required by all state certifying agencies, so, please be sure to participate in the in-session polls. Each license holder must register separately and participate on their own devices in order to their individual credits. Forms will be emailed to each individual license holder within a week of the meeting. Please be sure to check your spam or junk folders as occasionally these communications are not recognized by your email host server.

Contact: See more information at https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/new-england-winter-fruit-seminar-series. Register at https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ldOmsqzgvGdyfTHSS8zVsRogMhVeQDU4g

Cost: Free

11:45 am Check-in with Cornell Cooperative Extension for attendees requiring NYSDEC pesticide credits. Not required for holders of a license from a New England State.

Terence Bradshaw, host and presenter. Dr. Bradshaw is tree fruit and viticulture specialist and director of the UVM Fruit Program. He has conducted research and teaching programs on fruit production for 25 years. Orchard crops differ from many field crops in being a three-dimensional production system, which makes application of materials labeled for two dimensions, i.e., rate per acre, difficult. In this webinar, we will discuss core concepts in measuring orchard canopies and best methods for efficiently and safely spraying them. Pre-registration and participation in live webinar qualifies for 1 pesticide applicator recertification credit.

12:00 pm Attendee check-in.
12:05 pm Presentation(s) begins (1 hour)
Presentation(s) will be interrupted at approximate half-point to provide poll question(s) to attendees. These questions must be answered to receive pesticide credits.
12:55 pm Question & Answer with presenter and meeting host(s).
1:20 pm Final poll questions and evaluation.
1:30 pm End.

Registration is required to receive pesticide license recertification credits. Additionally, proof of participation is required by all state certifying agencies, so, please be sure to participate in the in-session polls. Each license holder must register separately and participate on their own devices in order to their individual credits. Forms will be emailed to each individual license holder within a week of the meeting. Please be sure to check your spam or junk folders as occasionally these communications are not recognized by your email host server.

Contact: See more information at https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/new-england-winter-fruit-seminar-series. Register at https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdOqpqTkpGdJ7SRfYiNaWU6M5IQIUiDWS

Cost: Free

Learn about upgrades to NEWA, the Network for Environment & Weather Applications with Dan Olmstead, an Extension Associate with the New York State IPM Program at Cornell AgriTech. He is the program coordinator for NEWA, the Network for Environment and Weather Applications. NEWA is an online platform that provides decision support information for insect pests, plant diseases, and crop management in fruit, vegetable, and field crop commodities. These resources are accessible at http://newa.cornell.edu<http://newa.cornell.edu/> free of charge to all producers in any of NEWA's 15 member states in the US.

Contact: See more information at https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/news-events/new-england-winter-fruit-seminar-series. Register at https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqfu6qqj8sE9PqBilBYBZDrAzvRRvvTxHU

Cost: Free

Trusts seem like a logical way to pass on farm assets to another generation, however, they are a complex tool and one should be well informed for what the trust can and cannot do for your individual situation. This webinar will give an overview of what is a trust, the types of trusts and important considerations for using a trust as an estate planning tool for the farmer. A link to join the webinar will be emailed upon registration. This webinar will be recorded and available to all registrants. Part of the 2021 Future of the Farm Webinar Series, Moderated by Kelly McAdam and Kenesha Reynolds, UNH Cooperative Extension. Presenter-Melissa O'Rourke, Farm and Agribusiness Management Specialist, Iowa State University Extension.
Contact: Learn more at https://extension.unh.edu/events/webinar-making-sense-trusts-estate-planning-tool, register at https://unh.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctcOCpqD0oEtVkSLxOEJ1vduxM2PvIQfde .