NOFA/Mass Farm Share Program: Webinar

The kickoff event for NOFA/Mass’s Statewide Farm Share Program! 

This free webinar will walk participants through a new Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) sponsored program that allows NOFA/Mass to match food drop off centers in the Berkshires, Springfield, Worcester and Boston, with BIPOC farmers looking to deliver fresh farm-grown produce to communities that do not have access to fresh produce. 

Tune in for the history of farm share programs under a Community Sponsored Agriculture (CSA) model, and how they can help households. We'll also hear testimonials of families that utilize farm shares currently.

The Farm Share/CSA model has a rich history, although much of that history, particularly regarding Black farmers, has been largly ignored in the agricultural mainstream. Dr Booker T. Whatley established the pick and pay model for farmers in Alabama so that they could maintain and increase their farming business. 

Participants will gain more of this history, and those who live in Springfield/Indian Orchard, Worcester and Dorchester will be able to sign up for a free farm share for the season.

Throughout the webinar we will:

• Learn about the history of the CSA through the Pick and Pay model
• Hear from current CSA/Farm Share families on how they use farm shares
• Learn examples of how to use farm shares effectively in your household

Agenda:

7:00pm – Introduction

7:05pm – History of the Farm share – it really started in the South

7:15pm – Farm Share and the benefits for your home

7:30pm – Testimonials from families

7:45pm – Questions and Answers

7:55pm – Closing remarks

More about the Farmshare Program:

With support from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) NOFA/Mass is embarking on a statewide farm share model that is for 4 major areas in Massachusetts (Springfield, Berkshires, Worcester, and Boston).  The program is styled to work in BIPOC communities and with BIPOC farmers to provide business opportunities and increase food access for BIPOC communities.

Registration is free and easy: Enter your information, sign up for your complementary ticket and receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link. NOFA/Mass will never share your information. 

Questions?

Contact Doug Cook, NOFA/Mass Interim Educational Events Coordinator, events@nofamass.org or 603-969-8195