Calendar of Upcoming Events
If you are interested in agriculture and sustainability related events I highly recommend the UMass Dartmouth Sustainability Almanac and visiting the SEMAP/Farm Fresh RI Event Listing webpage. Most of the events listed on this page are workshops/ events where we’ll be presenting, but we also occasionally post notices of meetings which might be of interest…
our Free Roots Down Organic Gardening Workshop Series will Return in April & May 2013.
10 Week Diggin’ Deep Spring Intensive – Postponed.
Friday May 10th, 2013 (tentative)
Brix Bounty Farmstand Opening Weekend
Saturday May 18th, 2013 – 1PM
Brix Bounty CSA Open House, Tour, & Seeding Party
at Brix Bounty Farm
Monday June 10th & Friday June 14th
First Distributions for the 2013 Summertime CSA
at Brix Bounty Farm
Saturday June 22nd, 2013
Brix Bounty Farm Summer Field Day
Schedule to be announced in May
at Brix Bounty Farm
Friday June 28th, 2013
Alderbrook Farm in Dartmouth
Thursday July 11th, 2013
Downtown New Bedford Farmers Market Season Starts
Downtown New Bedford
Friday August 9th – Sunday August 11th, 2013
NOFA 39th Annual Summer Conference
UMass Amherst Campus
We’ll be presenting 2 workshops at this year’s Summer Conference:
Small-Scale Beet Production: Finances, Craft, & Science
Managing Crop Residue Digestion & Nutrient Circulation
Sunday October 20th, 2013
NOFA Rhode Island Advanced Growers Seminar
Details TBA – Presentation by Derek Christianson
Location TBA – in Rhode Island
Friday October 25th – Sunday October 27th, 2013
A Bioneers by the Bay Conference Presented by The Marion Institute
Downtown New Bedford
Sunday November 10th, 2013
NOFA Rhode Island Advanced Growers Seminar – Field Session
at Brix Bounty Farm
2013 Events Archive
Saturday January 12, 2013
NOFA/Mass Winter Conference, Worcester – MA
Beyond Nitrates: Anions in Soil Fertility in the Northeast
(intermediate/advanced workshop)
Mondays January 14th – February 11th (2013)
5th Annual Winter Study Series (info)
at Brix Bounty Farm. Discussion focusing on
The Intelligent Gardener: Growing Nutrient-Dense Foods
by Steve Solomon w/ Erica Reinheimer
Saturday February 23rd, 2013
6th Annual SEMAP Southeastern Mass Ag & Food Conference
Bristol Aggie High School, Dighton, MA
Saturdays March 9th, April 13th – 2013
Bionutrient Food Association Production Course
Greater Plymouth Area
Tuesday March 12, 2013
Regional Growers Forum
Location TBA – New York
Saturday March 16th, 2013 – 1PM to 4PM
NOFA/Mass High Tunnels for Winter & Spring Greens Production Workshop
at Brix Bounty Farm
Thursday April 11th, 2013
Downtown New Bedford
Saturday April 13th & Sunday April 14th, 2013
Bionutrient Food Association – Consultant Training Course (Days 1 & 2 of 5)
Kittredge Farm, North Brookfield, MA
2012 Events
Monday Evenings: January – March
Brix Bounty Farm 4th Annual Winter Study
Session I
Sacred Economics by Charles Eisenstein
available through Baker Books in Dartmouth
an online at Reality Sandwich and through North Atlantic Books
3 Mondays beginning Monday January 16th, 2012 through Monday January 30th, 2012
Week 1 – excerpts from Part I: The Economics of Separation
Week 2 – excerpts from Part II: The Economics of Reunion
Week 3 – excerpts from Part III: Living the New Economy
Session II – Agriculture In-Depth
5 Mondays beginning Monday Feb. 6th, 2012 through Monday March 5th
Nutrition Rules!: Guidelines from the Master Consultants by Graeme Sait
This book is available for free from Graeme if you sign up to receive his free monthly NTS Nutrition Matters updates… Acres USA may also have hard copies available for folks who would prefer that medium.
Week 1 – Soil Health – Mineral Management – Intro, Walters, Kinsey, Martens – through pg. 40
Week 2 – Soil Health – Microbe Management – Ingham, Beck, Shaffer, Diver – pgs, 41-98
Week 3 – Plant Health Energy Management (pt. 1) – Tainio, Skow, Lovel – pgs. 99-141
Week 4 – Plant Health Energy Management (pt. 2) – Callahan, Wheeler, Andersen – pgs. 142-178
Week 5 – Animal & Soil Health – Zimmer, Brunetti, Salatin – pgs. 179-214
Each Week we’ll gather on Monday evening for an informal discussion focusing on the selected reading and an optional no-stress potluck. We’ll start dinner at 6PM and discussion at 7PM.
To Register (registration is free) for either or both sessions please contact Derek via email or phone, 508-992-1868.
January 14th, 2012:
NOFAMass Winter Conference – Worcester, MA
We’ll be presenting two workshops:
Finances of Farm Fertility (intermediate/advanced)
Finances of Full Spectrum Farm Fertility – NOFAMass Jan. 2012
Investing in farm fertility can positively impact the farm’s bottom line. Join us for a workshop covering the nitty-gritty of farm fertility budgets (both nutrients and dollars). This winter more than 40 percent of our wintertime CSA shareholders voluntarily purchased a “Deep Nutrition Share,” helping the farm to fund our capital fertility plan.
Calcium, Silica, & Boron: Mineral Synergies for Plant Health (intermediate/advanced)
Calcium, Silica, & Boron Powerpoint – NOFAMass Jan. 2012
Calcium, Silica, & Boron Bibliography – NOFAMass Jan. 2012
Calcium plays a critical role in healthy cells and healthy plants. In this workshop we’ll focus on the steps necessary to optimize Calcium in plant metabolism through an in-depth examination of Calcium, Silica, & Boron in our soil and plant systems. Attendees are encouraged to review Hugh Lovel’s ACRES article “The Biochemical Sequence of Plant Nutrition” (http://bit.ly/v1Sxht ) in advance of the conference.
Saturday January 21st, 2012:
Community Potluck, CSA Fair, & TedXManhattan Viewing Party
Presented by SEMAP & Local Farms
February 9-11, 2012:
Soil & Nutrition: Education & Coalition Bulding Conference 2012
In partnership with the Bionutrient Food Association and NOFAMass in Northampton, MA. John Kempf, of Advancing Eco-Ag (a soil amendment/consultant company based in Ohio), will be the featured keynote presenter on Thursday Feb. 9th.
Soil & Nutrition: Building Fires with Fertility Presentation
a condensed 4 slide per page version … Building Fires
Saturday February 18th, 2012, 1 to 4PM
Growing Greens for the Winter Market Workshop: Farm systems include growing in unheated greenhouses and managing soil nutrition. We will emphasize growing high quality greens to help nourish members during the dark months of winter. We’ll cover fertility and nutrition for winter growing, including optimum timing for harvests, wintertime bio-inoculants, crop monitoring, and maintaining full spectrum fertility. Marketing discussion will emphasize how farms can build broader markets and year-round connections with CSA membership.
Presented in partnership with NOFAMass at Brix Bounty Farm, Dartmouth, MA.
Details and Registration Information available on the NOFAMass Website.
Saturday February 25th, 2012
BCCD and SEMAP’s 5th Annual Food & Agriculture Conference
Southeastern Massachusetts At Bristol County Agricultural High School
w/ expanded Organic Workshop Track (in partnership with NOFAMass).
Interpreting Soil Tests and Developing Organic Fertility Recommendations
Addressing limiting factors in our soils is a key step to growing healthy, vibrant, delicious crops. Join us for an interactive workshop aimed at helping you better understand soil test results and developing organic fertility recommendations. Participants are welcome to bring soil test results to the workshop.
Powerpoint —— Fertility Recommendation Worksheet
March 7th, 2012:
Bionutrient Rich Farmer Production Course
Session II at Wishing Stone Farm, Little Compton, RI.
Thursday March 8th, 2012, 7PM
How to Maximize Your Garden
Drawing on more than a decade of farming in the northeast, proprietor of Brix Bounty Farm and community educator Derek Christianson will share his years of experience and effective ways to maximize the growing season, vegetable quality and production. From the proper preparation of the soil to ensure nutritious produce, to seed selection and successive plantings, he will discuss ways to extend the season, overall production and vegetable quality. No fee.
Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum
396 County Street, New Bedford
Saturday March 10th, 2012 (2PM – tentative)
Organic Gardening Workshop
presented by Sustainable Braintree
Saturday March 17th, 2012 – 8:30AM – 5:30PM:
2nd Annual Teacher Training at Friends Academy
Presented alongside Steve Walach – 2012 School Garden Flyer
$35 for the day, includes seed trays, compost, hoops, row cover & more…
Registration via Survey Monkey
Sunday March 18th, 2012 – 12:30PM-3:30PM:
Restoring Health to Compromised Soils Workshop in Brookline
Presented by NOFA/Mass
Thursday March 29th, 2012 – 8:30AM-12:15PM
2nd Annual Southeastern Massachusetts Sustainability Forum
“Economic Benefits of Sustainability for Southeastern Massachusetts”
Woodland Commons, UMass Dartmouth
Thursday April 13th, 2012:
Free seedlings to get your garden off to an early start, available at Crowell’s Fine Art Gallery.
Earth Eve AHA Night in New Bedford
May 6th, 2012:
Brix Bounty Farmstand Opens for the 2012 Season…
Saturday May 12th, 2012: 9AM – Noon
NOFAMass Soils Building Series
Transplants and Seed Starting Workshop: Starting strong seedlings is an essential step toward maximizing yields. Our seed starting program includes inoculation, seed soaking, drenching, and foliar. In addition, we’ll focus on steps taken to ensure transplants develop a vigorous root system after transplanting and thereby increase the potential for crop health and production.
Presented in partnership with NOFAMass at Brix Bounty Farm, Dartmouth, MA.
Details and Registration Information available on the NOFAMass Website.
June 11-15 2012:
Summertime CSA Distributions Begin
Sunday June 17th, 2012: 3PM-6PM
NOFAMass Soils Building Series
Foliar Sprays and Crop Monitoring: Addressing mineral deficiencies through foliar sprays may improve crop vigor and vitality; and thereby increase root exudates which feed soil biology. This workshop will focus on discussing, demonstrating, and formulating proper foliar sprays used to improve crop health while including an emphasis on tools and techniques useful for crop monitoring.
Presented in partnership with NOFAMass at Brix Bounty Farm, Dartmouth, MA.
Details and Registration Information available on the NOFAMass Website.
Friday June 29th, 2012
SEMAP’s 5th ANNUAL FARM to TABLE DINNER
A culinary event not to be missed…
Sunday December 9th, 2012
Bionutrient Food Association – Production Course
Martha’s Vineyard
Wednesday December 19th, February 27th 2013
Bionutrient Food Association – Production Course
The Food Project, Dorchester, MA
First Monday – Monthly (April – October)
SEMAP’s Twilight Grower Education Series
On Farms Throughout Southeastern Massachusetts
Focusing on Organic Production (co-produced with NOFA/Mass)
Upcoming Topics: August – Cranberries, September – Cut Flowers, October – Cover Crops
July – September 2012:
We’ll be taking a hiatus from community presentations in late Summer 2012, as we focus on the heavy harvests of summer…
Monday November 6th, 2012: 8:30AM-5:30PM
NOFAMass & SEMAP Present 2012 Advanced Growers Fall Seminar with Paul & Sandy Arnold
Profitable Year-Round Farming & Marketing
Stonehill College, Easton, MA
$50 for NOFA or SEMAP members when registered by October 22nd. Registration and Details on the NOFA/Mass website.
Recent Events (2011)
for a complete listing see our Event Archives
Wednesday November 9th:
Bionutrient Rich Farmer Course – Session I in Little Compton, RI (Session II will be held March 7th, 2012)
October 21st-23rd:
Connecting for Change: A Bioneers by the Bay Conference in New Bedford, MA
Tuesday October 18th:
Roots Down – Free Organic Gardening Workshop:
Sunday September 18th, 2PM
Introductory Lecture to Bionutrient Rich Farmer Course at Wishing Stone Farm, Little Compton, RI
Tuesday September 20th, 5PM
Roots Down – Free Organic Gardening Workshop:
Wednesday September 14th:
EMassCRAFT at Powisset Farm in Dover
September 9th&10th:
Dartmouth Grange Fair – A Celebration of Rural Community at the Dartmouth Grange in historic Russells Mills Village.
August 12th – 14th:
37th Annual Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Summer Conference in Amherst, MA. This year we’ll be presenting two workshops at the Summer Conference:
- a beginner workshop “Interpreting Soil Tests” – Accurately gauging nutrient needs in our soils is a critical step in making sound fertility decisions. We will set out to demystify soil test results, from cation exchange capacity (CEC) and base saturation to ppm and lbs/acre. Hands on activity included to help participants gain confidence in interpreting soil test results.
Brix Bounty Farm Tip Sheet for Interpreting Soil Tests Workshop
Brix Bounty Farm Fertility Spreadsheets (draft form)
Relevant Bibliography (Neil Kinsey provides very accessible material building on the work of William Albrecht):
- Kinsey, Neil. Hands-On Agronomy. Acres USA. Austin, TX. – Book
- Kinsey, Neil. The Cation-Anion Connection. Acres USA. February 2007. – Article
- Kinsey, Neil. Soil Testing for Fertility Managment. Acres USA. May 2002. – Article
- Lovel, Hugh. The Biochemical Sequence of Plant Nutrition. Acres USA. June 2009. – Article
- see Dan Kittredge’s recommended bibliography on the Real Food Campaign website.
- an advaced workshop “The Case for Full Spectrum Fertility” – An examination of our pre-transplant fertility protocol. Join us as we discuss the steps taken at Brix Bounty Farm in the critical week leading up to transplanting. Focusing on soil fertility we aim to create prime soil conditions for vigorous root growth and thriving transplants. Inoculants, amendments, and energy in depth.
Brix Bounty Farm Tip Sheet for The Case for Full Spectrum Fertility Workshop
Brix Bounty Farm Fertility Spreadsheets (draft form)
Tuesday July 19th – 5PM:
Roots Down – Free Organic Gardening Workshop:
Summertime Farm Tour with a focus on Melons! Note: this workshop will be held at Brix Bounty Farm
Saturday July 16th – 9AM-noon at Friends Academy in Dartmouth
Join us for a follow up session to our March 2011 workshop for school gardeners.
We will have a chance to discuss what went well during the spring/early summer growing season — and what didn’t. Ideally, by putting our heads together we’ll figure out what is worth replicating and what needs adjusting — and why. We will also spend time reviewing tools, garden design and planting schedules.
Folks who didn’t make the March training are welcome. For more details please contact the farm at 508-992-1868.
Thursday July 15th ~5PM-7PM
Ask a Farmer - at AHA Nights in New Bedford. Have a garden related question? Need help identifying a weed or insect? Would you like assistance understanding your soil test results? We invite you to stop by the Brix Bounty Farm Market Stand at the Wing’s Court Market in downtown New Bedford on AHA nights throughout the fall to “Ask a Farmer“.
Monday July 11th:
Cancelled - Food: Reclaiming Our Community a conference hosted by the Second Half Life Long Learning Institute at UMass Dartmouth. Join us for the start of the week with a discussion focusing on You Are What You Eat.
Saturdays in May-June
Information about Diggin’ Deep – a new hands-on organic gardening course happening at Brix Bounty Farm on 5 Saturdays from May 21 – June 25, 2011. Course space is limited, pre-registration is required.
Thursday June 23rd – 6:30PM – 9:00PM:
Once again partnered with NOFAMass I’ll be presenting a workshop: Restoring Health to Compromised Soils – Soil Composition 101 at the Somerville Growing Center. Visit the NOFAMass website for registration details.
Tuesday June 21st – 5PM:
Roots Down – Free Organic Gardening Workshop:
Fertility Through the Summer – Compost Tea, Foliar Sprays & Nutrient Drenches plus Potatoes!
at the Lawler Library, 745 Rockdale Ave. in New Bedford
Tuesday May 17th, 5PM:
Roots Down – Free Organic Gardening Workshop at the Lawler Library, New Bedford – Understanding, Controlling, & Learning from Weeds plus Sweet Roots: Beets/Carrots!
Tuesday April 19th, 5pM:
Roots Down – Free Organic Gardening Workshops at the Lawler Library, New Bedford – Seed Starting 101 & 102 plus Enjoying Greens All Season Long!
Thursday April 14th
Sustainable Earth – AHA Night in downtown New Bedford.
We’ll join other SEEAL parnters at The Ocean Explorium for the annual Shrink Your Footprint Fair. Come plant seeds at the Brix Bounty Table from 6:30-8:00 PM.
Saturday April 9th
Local Food and Culinary Event at Bristol Community College in Fall River; including afternoon panel @ 1PM. More details coming soon. This event has been postponed.
Saturday April 2nd – 1PM – 3PM:
Brix Bounty Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Spring Open House II. Stop in anytime during the early afternoon. Come meet your farmers, ask questions about our fertility plan, and learn about the spring work which brings us healthy summertime harvests.
Location – at Brix Bounty Farm, 858 Tucker Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747.
Sunday March 27th, 2PM-5PM:
Restoring Health to Contaminated Soils aka Soil Remediation 101. NOFAMass Workshop at Codman Community Farm in Lincoln, MA. Instructor: Derek Christianson. $25/$30. For details and registration link visit the NOFAMass website. Brix Bounty Tip Sheet – Soil Remediation 101.
Sunday March 20th – 1PM – 3PM:
Brix Bounty Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Spring Open House I. Stop in anytime during the early afternoon. Come meet your farmers, ask questions about our fertility plan, and learn about the spring work which brings us healthy summertime harvests.
Location – at Brix Bounty Farm, 858 Tucker Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747.
Saturday March 19th, 9AM-3PM:
Starting and Sustaining School Gardens – Teacher-Training Intensive with Steve Walach and Derek Christianson at Friends Academy, Dartmouth, MA. $15 includes materials and lunch. The Starting and Sustaining School Gardens Flyer has details about the day. Registration is now available online; and is limited to 35, so we encourage early registration to guarantee attendance.
Tuesday March 15th, 5PM:
Roots Down – Free Organic Gardening Workshops at the Lawler Library, New Bedford – Seed Orders, Soil Testing, & (forgotten) Trace Minerals plus Top Notch Tomatoes! See more on the Roots Down page (linked in title).
Saturday March 5th, 8AM-4PM:
BCCD/SEMAP One Day Conference - Sustain Your Farm’s Future at Bristol Aggie HS in Dighton.
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
Presentation to the Herb Society of America – New England Unit in Dartmouth, MA.
Mondays February 7,14,21,28 & March 7,14 2011
Winter Study Session II at Brix Bounty Farm – Focus “Agriculture in Depth” - We’ll cover two texts: Biological Transmutations by C.L. Kervran and Anatomy of Life & Energy in Agriculture by Arden. B. Andersen. For registration information see the Winter Study page.
Saturday January 15, 2011
We presented an intermediate workshop, A Farmer’s Introduction to Soil Fertility at the NOFA Mass Winter Conference in Worcester, MA. For workshop attendees we have an archive of our powerpoint: NOFA Winter Conference Powerpoint Jan 15 2011.
2010
We’ joined a morning panel on Soil Fertility at the Farmer to Farmer Conference in Sturbridge, Massachusetts presented by New Entry Sustainable Farming Project. For folks who attended the panel; here’s the .pdf of the Powerpoint Presentation – Farmer to Farmer Dec 9 2010.