Workshops

This workshop will give participants a first hand view on my experience as a mother and USDA Certified Organic Farmer. Participants will learn about my experience of having two children within the last three years and what that entails – working while pregnant, planning for maternity leave, returning to work postpartum, and navigating childcare – all while owning and operating a farm. Farming is a unique profession, with specific seasonal physical and emotional demands. Many women feel that they have to step away from their farming operation or delay having children while farming. This presentation aims to educate women on actual experiences of other mother farmers and leave feeling prepared for their own maternal experience. The presentation will include anecdotes and tips from other female farmers in the Northeast, including women with older children. Participants who are interested in having children while farming, or farm owners who are interested in supporting their employees while pregnant and beyond, should attend this session to learn more about the physical and financial demands that having a child places on farmers. My hope is that women walk away feeling empowered and have realistic expectations for caring for a child while farming.

Garden Giant mushrooms thrive in symbiosis with hemp, enhancing soil health in wetlands like those at SEAmarron Farmstead in Danbury, CT. Hemp’s deep roots aerate soil, while its decaying matter provides nutrients for the mushrooms. In return, the mushroom mycelium network improves water retention, suppresses pathogens, and increases nutrient availability for both plants. This synergistic relationship fosters a thriving ecosystem, minimizing the need for external inputs.

Furthermore, cultivating hemp alongside these giants offers multiple benefits. Hemp stalks, a byproduct of cultivation, can be used as a sustainable substrate for indoor/outdoor mushroom growth, as well reducing waste and creating a circular economy. The harvested CBD, known for its therapeutic properties, presents a valuable market opportunity.

Additionally, the large, flavorful Garden Giant mushrooms themselves can be sold as a gourmet delicacy, further increasing the economic viability of this integrated system. This approach not only revitalizes wetlands but also provides a sustainable model for local agriculture, promoting economic growth and environmental stewardship.

This workshop will focus on soil health and soil testing considerations for growing in high tunnels and raised beds, with an emphasis on organic matter. Managing potential high organic matter systems is of interest for many reasons, including the growth of opportunities for high tunnel production through climate-smart funding and the increase in soil samples with high organic matter content received by soil labs in the Northeast. The session will present results from a UConn Extension soil sampling pilot, provide some initial soil health recommendations, and allow for input into further resources and research of relevance to farmers.

Participants will learn about the results of soil analyses from high tunnels and raised beds from autumn 2024 from Connecticut farms, including how the information and experience will be used to develop further testing capability at the UConn Soil Lab for high organic matter samples. Initial recommendations will be shared, focusing on strategies to maintain optimal soil health and emphasizing how these systems can both benefit from and be challenged by high organic matter content. Guidance for soil testing, including when and why to consider requesting a different type of analysis based on high organic matter content, will also be presented.

The workshop will conclude with an opportunity for discussion, allowing participants to share their experiences of managing high tunnel and raised bed systems and suggest opportunities for further resource and research needs for advancing soil health in organic high tunnel and raised bed systems.

This presentation will teach participants about the habitat needs and management benefits of conserving insects like pollinators, dung beetles, and predators/parasitoids of pests in pasture and silvopasture systems. Discussion will cover the role of beneficial insects (pollinators, decomposers, and predators/parasitoids of pests) in livestock operations and the habitat/management practices that support them, as well as an introduction to tools and methods for monitoring and identifying signs of beneficial insects. We will also more broadly cover habitats and design considerations that support pollinators/other beneficial insects outside of areas livestock use, such as forests, forest edges, and vegetative buffers around ponds or rivers (really, any place where there is some flowering resource), so there will be something for everyone to take away.

Land access is among the top issues facing new and beginning farmers as they kick start their careers in agriculture. A challenging and expensive real estate environment and the scarcity of farmland seem to make finding farmland more challenging each year. In this workshop, attendees will learn about how to conduct a land search, how to assess farmland and infrastructure, the pros and cons of leasing vs. owning farmland, and strategies for making farmland more affordable. We will also discuss resources available to farmers to improve land access outcomes, financing options, and concrete steps farmers can take to improve their readiness for leasing or purchasing farmland. Will O’Meara, the CT Field Agent with Land For Good and owner/operator of Hungry Reaper Farm in Morris, CT, will draw heavily on his personal experiences looking for land, and a series of leases that led them to move their farm three times in three years. Case studies from other farms in the region will complement the topics and strategies discussed.

Honeybees can be a great addition to your farm and life but are challenging to raise successfully. These special insects can increase annual crop yield, inspire your farm team, and provide you with energizing honey. In this session we will cover the fundamentals of beekeeping such as hive placement, varroa and pest management, as well as honey production and winter survival.

Farmers, homesteaders, artisans, and cottage food makers have the right to produce the food they want, and consumers have the right to purchase what they want to feed their families. However, laws and regulatory overreach often restrict these choices. This workshop will explore key federal, state and local meat, poultry, raw milk, cottage food, and other regulations that impact small food producers, and the legal solutions that can help them remain viable and grow. You will also explore legislative, policy, and advocacy tools that seek to expand food freedom choice for everyone.

Audience members will be invited to share regulatory overreach stories and challenges so that we can workshop approaches and solutions.