This Week

National Farmers Market Week, August 3-8

  • Mass Farmers Markets is celebrating all week long with “special events, hands-on activities, live music, cooking demonstrations, and fun for the whole family.” Learn More.
  • State leaders are also celebrating. Massachusetts Agricultural Resources Commissioner Randle will tour three regional markets in Hingham, Billerica, and New Bedford. Learn More.

This Month

Growing Specialty Crops & Natural Dyes: Organic Diversification & Soil Decisions
NOFA/Mass | Thursday, August 6 | 11:00am – 2:00pm | Lanesborough, MA

The NOFA/Mass Winter Conference
Accepting proposals for workshops and other programming for the 2027 NOFA/Mass Winter Conference held at UMass Amherst on March 6. This year’s theme is The Future We’re Growing, a time to honor decades of learning and stewardship, while looking ahead to the future we’re growing. If you know of a project or of a person who may be interested in hosting a workshop, please share this form with them. Other ideas for programming are also welcome! The deadline for proposals is August 15. Feel free to reach out to the team at conference@nofamass.org with questions.

Urban Agriculture Week | August 9-15
MDAR is hosting their third annual Urban Agriculture Week August 9-15. The schedule of events is now live on their website! All week, urban farmers and growers will host activities to educate, celebrate, as well as advocate for food production in the state’s urban centers. This year “Commissioner Ashley Randle wishes to highlight women in urban agriculture and the contributions made to programs that provide fresh food, youth training, and market opportunities to communities across the Commonwealth.”

On-Farm Fertility & Ferments: Farmer Networking Session
NOFA/Mass | Thursday, August 26 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm | Middleboro, MA

Ecological Landscape Alliance 2026 Annual Conference & Eco Marketplace
Thursday & Friday, August 26-27 | Providence, Rhode Island

Later

National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project
WWF, WRAP, the Ad Council, and ReFED | Due Sept 1
The above partners are funding organizations to help prevent household food waste. Innovator Grants ($75K–$300K) will support focused, creative, locally tailored strategies to motivate target audiences to prevent wasted food. Catalyst Grants ($300K–$750K) will support larger-scale projects to implement household wasted food prevention strategies across a variety of communities. The application period is open until September 1 and more information is available here.

Sell to Schools & Public Institutions
The Massachusetts Operational Services Division (OSD) will soon be reopening the GRO42 K–12 School Nutrition Products Statewide Contract, creating opportunities for farms, food businesses, food hubs, fisheries, and producers to supply products to schools and other state entities. This round includes a new category focused on locally sourced foods, expanding opportunities for Massachusetts-grown, raised, harvested, and produced products. Businesses interested in bidding will need to register in COMMBUYS, the Commonwealth’s purchasing and procurement platform. Registration is free and takes only a few minutes to complete. Training and TA is available for those new to state contracting. Learn more in MDAR’s recent Farm & Market Report. 

Ongoing

MassGrown Map Updates
MDAR is working to update their calendar and MassGrown Map. To be newly added to the MassGrown map complete this form. Learn more about this Massachusetts Grown & Fresher Program and these updates in MDAR’s recent Farm & Market Report.

Urban Agriculture Fair (Save the Date: September 12)
The Urban Agriculture Fair is a free, family-friendly event that includes a vibrant hub of hands-on learning, fun and games related to urban agriculture. Event located at Roxbury Heritage State Park. 

Local and Regional Food Policy Technical Assistance Lab
Healthy Food Policy Project

Breakfast in the Classroom Grant
Eos Foundation – Learn More

“Eos provides technical assistance and BIC grant awards of $20,000 to eligible Massachusetts public schools and public charter schools eager to make breakfast part of their school day by launching or expanding BIC programming.”