TWILIGHT Grower Education Series

Enhance Your Organic Farm & Garden

Join SEMAP, NOFA/Mass & organic farmers throughout Southeastern MA at our on-farm workshop series!

SEMAP’s 7-workshop series for farmers and home gardeners will offer hands-on skill building in several areas of organic specialty crop production and marketing.  Learn organic growing practices directly from local farmers! The tatics, methods and marketing channels presented in this workshop series reflect local farmer's efforts to become more sustainable, financially as well as productively.  This organic education series touches upon a variety of specialty crops including salad greens, garlic, flowers and cranberries.  Read on to learn more about each session...

NOTE: Locations and times are different for each class!  Please note accordingly.

COST: $20/class; $15/class (NOFA/SEMAP members)

$105 Season Pass (all 7 gatherings!)

Special: Additional farm staff/apprentices = $55 (Season Pass ONLY)

 

REGISTER HERE!

Twilight Meeting Schedule:   (3 potluck events are TBA!!)

•  APRIL 2^nd– Organic Seed Starting & Propagation, 6:00-7:30pm.  Eva Sommaripa & Derek Christianson (Brix Bounty Farm) 

 Eva's Garden, 105 Jordan Rd., South Dartmouth

For decades Eva has been the go-to for Cambridge chefs seeking year-round unique greens, herbs and flowers.  Derek will start the program with organic seeds preparation, with Eva discussing cuttings and division of plant material for a productive start to the season. 

• MAY, 7th – Selling to Specialty Markets, 6:30pm – 8:00pm  Frank Albani, Soule Homestead Farm, Middleboro & Pam Denholm, South Shore Organics, Duxbury
  

 Soule Homestead Farm, 46 Soule Street, Middleboro

For the past 3 seasons farmer Frank Albani has found a home for his organic produce with Pam Delholm of SouthShore Organics - see how their relationship works so that residential customers receive weekly deliveries of fresh locally grown organic produce.

• JUNE, 4^th – Berry Production (Blueberries!) - 6:30pm – 8:00pm 

  RAIN OR SHINE!

• • Stan Ingram, Coonamessett Farm, East Falmouth

Coonamessett Farm,277 Hatchville Rd., E. Falmouth

Over the past 4 years Stan has worked creatively to increase the health and productivity of their 1-acre blueberry patch, including incorporating fowl, irrigation and OMRI approved sprays. 

• JULY, 2^nd – Specialty Crop: Garlic, 6:30pm – 8:00pm  Dave Purpura, Plato’s Harvest Organic Farm, Middleboro – Dinner TBA

 Plato's Harvest Organic  Farm 46 Soule Street, Middleboro (behind Soule Homestead)

 Dave is an Italian who takes his garlic seriously!  Learn pointers on planting the perfect patch, harvesting, best varieties and methods.  Join us in celebrating Dave's birthday as well!

• AUGUST, 6th – Organic Cranberries - 6:30pm – 8:00pm  

Fred Bottomley & Bonnie Kavanagh, Fairland Farm, Flag Swamp Rd., Dartmouth, MA    

 

Workshop address: Approx. 200 Flag Swamp Rd., Dartmouth

Click here for directions!

Get a start on the conversation!  View videos of cranberry harvest HERE!

One of the very few organic cranberry producers in Southeastern MA!  Owner Fred Bottomley will discuss basic cranberry production and specifically the challenges and opportunities attributed with organic production. Learn more on organic weed/pest management, harvesting, marketing and the global business of cranberries.  Fairland Marketing expert, Bonnie Kavanagh will educate us on the amazing medicinal side of cranberries as well as how Fairland markets their fruit locally, connecting with local farmers markets, processers and value-added producers including local wineries.

• SEPTEMBER, 10^th – Cut Flower Production - 5:30pm – 7:00pm  Hannah & Ben Wolbach, Skinny Dip Farm, Westport
  

LOCATION: Skinny Dip Farm, 1603 Main Rd., Westport. [Fields are down the driveway, behind the large white farm house; look for parking signs on Main Rd.]

Skinny Dip Farm has developed a following for their beautiful crops, particularly their cut flowers!  Learn more about varieties  that flourish in Southeastern MA in the fields as well as at the markets.

• OCTOBER, 1^st – Cover Crops, Season Extension - 5:30pm – 7:00pm  Christy Raymond, White Barn Farm, Wrentham

White Barn Farm, 458 South Street, Wrentham

Winter cover crops are the main topic for this session as a staple organic growing practice.  Farmers Christy and Chris will discuss their farm's process and purpose for using such methods.  We will also sneak a peek at season extension techniques used on the farm.

 

COST: $15/class (NOFA/SEMAP members); $20/class (non-members); 

 $105 Season Pass (all 7 gatherings!)

Farm Apprentice & Staff Special!

ONLY $55 for each additional Season Pass!  

(Requires purchase of regular priced Season Pass.)

This event is part of an educational collaboration between SEMAP and NOFA/Mass, supported in part by the
USDA Specialty Crops Program through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.