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31
Jan

UConn Extension Spring Bedding Plant Workshop for Commercial Greenhouse Growers Feb. 11

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UConn Extension Spring Bedding Plant Workshop for Commercial Greenhouse Growers Feb. 11

UCONN SPRING BEDDING PLANT WORKSHOP
Description: Join us for the 2026 UConn Spring Bedding Plant Workshop in New Haven, CT. This workshop is for commercial greenhouse growers of bedding plants and herbs. There will be speakers discussing the latest techniques for management of insects and diseases, improving water quality, and crop nutrition. The speakers are experts from universities and companies in New England and Pennsylvania.

There have been three pesticide recertification credits approved for this program from Connecticut and New England states (categories PA, 1A, and 3C) and 1.75 credits approved from NY (1A, 3A, 24, 25).

Registration includes coffee/light breakfast and lunch, generously sponsored by BioWorks and Gowan USA.

Date: February 11, 2025. 8:30 am to 2:15 pm

Location: The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Jones Auditorium. 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT 06511.

Payment: $55 – Pay with check upon arrival or online at UConn Marketplace. Make checks payable to: UConn Extension (please RSVP if paying by check).
Register today

 

31
Jan

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures FREE Virtual Workshop Using POS Data to Increase Farmers Market Sales Feb.11

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Berkshire Agricultural Ventures FREE Virtual Workshop Using POS Data to Increase Farmers Market Sales Feb.11

Using POS Data to Increase Farmers Market Sales

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures is excited to invite you to a free virtual workshop for farmers and market managers interested in using Point of Sale (POS) data to increase daily sales and make more informed decisions at farmers markets.

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
⏰ Time: 1:00–2:30pm
📍 Location: Zoom

Using POS Systems to Inform Market Practices
Farms often have limited hours at farmers markets- but there are real opportunities to increase profitability by increasing customer spending during that time. This workshop will explore how POS tools like Square can be used to collect and analyze customer transaction data, and how those insights can inform smarter market strategies.

Presenter Matt LeRoux of Cornell University will share findings from a multi-year farmers market study in New York, including practical takeaways for farms selling produce, meat, or other farm products.
You’ll learn about:

  • What POS data can (and can’t) tell you about customer behavior
  • Key findings from statistical analysis of farmers market transactions
  • How data insights can help increase average sales per customer
  • Practical implications for booth setup, pricing, and product mix

About the Presenter
Matt LeRoux is an Extension Associate with the Cornell Agriculture Marketing Research Program and has over 20 years of experience supporting farms through Cornell Cooperative Extension, nonprofits, and consulting. His work focuses on market strategy for produce and livestock farms and food businesses.
This workshop is free and open to farmers, market managers, and service providers. Please feel free to share widely.

Questions?
Contact Jake Levin, Local Food Systems Program Manager
jake@berkshireagventures.org

 

31
Jan

The Women’s Business Development Council Ignite Grant Applications due March 18, 2026

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The Women’s Business Development Council Ignite Grant Applications due March 18, 2026

The Women’s Business Development Council offers grants of up to $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut.
Ignite is designed to help women-owned businesses grow! Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth and profitability.
The grant funds cannot be used towards operating expenses (e.g. inventory, marketing expenses, salaries), real estate improvements (e.g. construction costs), reimbursement for past purchases or debt repayment.
Applicants are required to have invested at least $2,500 into their business in the last 12 months, unless located in a distressed municipality.
Please be aware: there is no need to pay a consultant to prepare your grant application for you. If you have questions on the application, please email Microgrants@ctwbdc.org and WBDC will answer your questions at no cost. We also offer free one-on-one advising. After attending an information session, you may schedule an appointment by contacting info@ctwbdc.org. Grant funds cannot be used to pay a consultant to prepare your application.
The next application cycle will open February 3rd and close March 18th at 11:59 p.m.
This is a competitive process and WBDC may not be able to fund all applicants.
Learn more here:
31
Jan

Ag Day at the Capitol Registration Open for March 18, 2026

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CT Ag Info Council Opens Ag Day at the Capitol Registration

The CT Ag Info Council (CAIC) announced that Ag Day at the Capitol is confirmed for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (snow date: Thursday, March 19). Registration is now open. Eligible organizations, including ag associations, cooperatives, non-profits, federal and state ag agencies, and Connecticut municipalities are encouraged to fill out the exhibitor application form early to reserve their spot.

Registration is $75 and includes one 6’ space with a 6’ table. Space is limited. Online registration must be completed by Friday, February 27, 2026.

Register here.
15
Jan

Connecticut Soil Health Symposium Feb. 10, Meriden (register by 2/3/26)

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Connecticut Soil Health Symposium Feb. 10, Meriden 

American Farmland Trust and Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development Area (CT RC&D) invite you to participate in a farmer-to-farmer Soil Health Symposium to learn and share about innovative soil health practices on livestock and vegetable farms.

The program will feature concurrent farmer-led workshop tracks and roundtable sessions for livestock and vegetable farmers, exploring innovative and effective practices for accelerating soil health gains. Featured speaker Chuck Currie of Freedom Food Farm (Raynham, MA) will share his approach to growing produce, grains, eggs, pasture-raised meat using holistic and regenerative practices.

Vegetable, Flowers & Specialty Crops Track topics will include: cover crop successions for residue building and weed management, multispecies cover crop mixes, using cover crops for living mulches, no- and low-till cover crop termination methods, and farm-hacked equipment for planting into living mulch systems.

Livestock Track topics will include: high and low tech hacks for facilitating prescribed grazing on the farm, grazing in silvopasture systems, using bale grazing to support soil health and prescribed grazing goals, and planning and implementing a successful pasture reseeding.

Click here to RSVP.  by 2/3/26. Lunch is provided. This event is free for farmers. We ask that service providers pay $25 to cover the cost of lunch.

Questions? Please email Caro at croszell@farmland.org

15
Jan

UConn Extension Solid Ground Mechanics Courses (Several Dates Jan-March)

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UConn Extension Solid Ground Mechanics Courses (Several Dates Jan-March)

Solid Ground’s Ag Mechanics classes are open for registration. Class dates, topics, and signup links are below. All classes are $25 unless otherwise marked.
Tool Sharpening I
Learn how to properly maintain and sharpen your hand tools. Bring in your hand tools: Clippers, hand hoes, harvest knives, shovels, scuffle hoes, and more! You will learn the basic concepts of sharpening and how to properly sharpen “light” tools such as pruners to “heavy” tools such as shovels. We will provide files to work with and go over regular care to get the most out of your tools. (lunch will be provided)
Date: January 31
Time: 9:30-12:30
Location: Rockville High School
Sign Up Here: secure.touchnet.com/C21646_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=6612
Tool Sharpening II
Join us for this next level tool sharpening training. This class will focus on introducing you to using power tools, such as a bench grinder, to sharpen heavy tools AND serve as a chance for you to bring your own tools that have been a challenge to sharpen. Together we will workshop these challenges so you can leave with a properly sharpened tool! We recommend attending this course if you already have some knowledge of tool sharpening, or if you took our Tool Sharpening I training, since we will dive right into the hands-on training. (lunch will be provided)
Date: February 21
Time: 9:30-12:30
Location: Rockville High School
Sign Up Here: secure.touchnet.com/C21646_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=6615
Small Engine I
Learn the basics of troubleshooting and how repair the small engines you use on your farm! This is a course for beginners, going over how small engines work and basic maintenance. We cover both 2 stroke and 4 stroke gas engines. This classis a prerequisite to our 2 stroke and 4 stroke small engine repair courses. Food will be provided.
Date: February 25
Time: 4:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Middletown High School
Sign Up Here: secure.touchnet.com/C21646_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=6616
Small Engine II (4 Stroke)
Gain hands-on experience working on 4-stroke engines; string trimmers, walk behind tillers, log splitters and more. Bring your own engines and we can troubleshoot any problems you’ve been having or walk through how to take the engine apart and maintain your machine. We recommend attending this course if you already have some knowledge of how engines work, or if you took our Small Gas Engine Basics Course, since we will dive right into the hands-on training.  (Dinner will be provided)
Date: March 11
Time: 4:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Middletown High School
Sign Up Here: secure.touchnet.com/C21646_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=6617
Women’s Chainsaw
Intro to safe chainsaw operation. Students will learn about PPE, work area safety, basic saw maintenance, chain sharpening, and how to develop a felling plan. Each student will have a chance to fell their own tree. You may bring your own saw or use one that will be provided by the instructor. (Lunch will be provided)
Date: March 21
Time: 9:30-3:30
Location: UConn Forest
Sign Up Here: secure.touchnet.com/C21646_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=6620
Small Engine II (2 Stroke)
Gain hands-on experience taking apart a 2-stroke engine; chainsaws, lawn mowers, pumps and more. Learn how to diagnose some of the common problems you may encounter. Bring your own machines and we can troubleshoot any problems you’ve been having or show you how to take the engine apart. We recommend attending this course if you already have some knowledge of how engines work, or if you took our Small Gas Engine Basics Course, since we will dive right into the hands-on training. (Dinner will be provided)
Date: March 25
Time: 4:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Middletown High School
Sign Up Here: secure.touchnet.com/C21646_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=6619
15
Jan

Women Farmers Aging Strong Online Series Led by Women Farmers

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Women Farmers Aging Strong Online Series Led by Women Farmers

 

WOMEN FARMERS AGING STRONG: AN ONLINE SERIES, LED BY WOMEN FARMERS

​Join us for Aging Strong— a special women-led online series for information, support and resource sharing to help us preserve and protect our most important farming tool…ourselves.

​Topics covered include:

  • Improving balance — both body and farm life
  • Eating enough protein, fiber & healthy fats
  • Managing stress
  • Rest & recover
  • Continuing to farm as we age

Two separate programs are open for registration — both online and free to attend. Sign up for one or better yet, both!  They are designed to work together.
All women farmers are welcome to attend, wherever you are on your agricultural journey.

Are you a woman farmer (or hope to be) who wants to physically keep your business running in a healthy manner for a long time?

Aging Strong Learning Circle (Virtual)
Twice a month from November through early March, we will gather online and cover a different theme and topic, including both mental and physical health topics along with a new targeted movement exercise. Space is limited.

Aging Strong Body Mechanics Retreat (Virtual)
Join a three-consecutive-day intensive (90 minutes each day) that goes into detail on healthy ergonomics for women farmers. Sessions include learning targeted exercises we will all experiment with together. Bring your yoga mat! Space is limited.​

Retreat offered for separate sessions. Sign up for which one works for your schedule (same content at each):

Tues. Jan. 20, Wed. Jan. 21, Thurs. Jan. 22, 2026

Tues. Feb. 3, Wed. Feb. 4, Thurs. Feb. 5, 2026
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Assist New Milford in protecting and preserving our surviving farmlands