Hampden Hampshire Conservation District

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Hadley, MA
Hampden Hampshire Conservation District

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We work to protect the soil, air, forests, and water resources on which we all depend.

10/20/2026

HAMPDEN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION ROUNDTABLE MEETING: Saturday Oct. 24, 10-noon. Southwick Town Hall.

(Co-sponsored by the Southwick Ag Com)

Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwtNofvTOQileHDh3ymhYsmUuUq3IHWhsCkQzdVAXHbh5ntg/viewform

Everyone with an interest in agriculture is invited: farmers, land trusts, other local officials, farm support organizations, farm markets, students, and others. All welcome!

Come for a brief presentation on the powers of local Agricultural Commissions and their important role in farm viability and farmland protection and forming partnerships for a strong farming future, followed by a roundtable discussion about local agricultural issues, struggles, and opportunities.

Sponsored by the Agricultural Commission Technical Assistance Project, Mass Dept of Agricultural Resources

Questions: Sarah Gardner: [email protected]
Pete Westover: [email protected]

08/03/2026

Building Better Pastures and Hay Fields: Soil Health, Grazing, and Forage Improvement
Date: Tuesday, August 25th, 3-6:30 PM

Location: Kinne Brook Farm, 481 Kinne Brook Rd, Worthington

Join staff from American Farmland Trust and the Hampden-Hampshire Conservation District at Kinne Brook Farm to learn strategies for improving pasture and hay field productivity. We will learn how to evaluate the health and productivity of pasture and hay fields and address common challenges such as soil pH imbalances, biology limitations, compaction, and undesirable plant species. We will cover approaches to reseeding and overseeding pastures, planning rotational grazing systems, managing rest periods, and using soil and forage testing to make informed management decisions, and will discuss the USDA NRCS Pasture Condition Score (PCS) system.

Kinne Brook Farm is a diversified family farm that raises Highland cattle for beef and focuses on regenerative land stewardship and implementing management-intensive rotational grazing and silvopasture practices.

Food and beverages will be provided. Please register so that we know how many people to expect. We look forward to seeing you there!

Link: https://bit.ly/4h4KK35

07/17/2026

Nordica Street Community Farm is a 1 acre hand scale no-till farm based in Springfield with a 25 member farm share/CSA and a neighborhood farm stand. The farm has faced multiple soil and pest challenges in its 5 year history. Participants will learn strategies for dealing with depleted sandy soil, dumped clay, and a traumatized forest edge, as well as a range of hungry critters and pests including rabbits, groundhogs, deer, problematic bugs, and spotted lanternfly. Farm owners Anne Richmond and Todd Crosset will share their experience, and will be joined by Sister Anna Muhammad, Food Sovereignty Director at Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust and a market grower in Springfield, who has provided soil technical assistance and support to the farm over the years.

Staff from UMass Extension and the American Farmland Trust will be offering free soil analysis for toxic metals using a portable x-ray fluorescence (pXRF) device. Please bring a soil sample if you want it to be tested for contamination! The results are for you only – they will not be shared with an outside agency or organization.

Food and beverages will be provided. Registration Required (through our website under events). Please register so that we know how many people to prepare for.

Nordica Street Community Farm

06/05/2026

Our monthly conservation meeting is being held virtually on Tuesday, June 9th at 7:00 PM. As always, the public is welcome to join!

Attending our board meeting is a good way to hear about the work we are doing, recommend conservation priorities and strategies, and learn about ways that you can get involved.

Follow the link in our bio or go to bit.ly/HHCDboardmeeting to join. We hope to see you there!

Call us if you have any questions:
413-362-4720

06/03/2026

We have added some new hand tools to our equipment rental program! This includes a Gridder, Dibbler, and Bed Roller. The Gridder perfectly lays out rows on a growing bed to give each plant the ideal amount of space. Many plant spacings can be achieved with one spool using the corners, sides, and the middle of grid squares. The Dibbler attaches and is perfect for compacted or hard soils to mark out perfectly spaced plantings. It can also punch through plastic mulch! The Bed Roller is designed for long lasting use in leveling, firming and smoothing planting beds. Our hand tools are free to rent!

It's official, we have merch! Get your HHCD shirt today for $25 by emailing MatthewHHCD@gmail.com. 🌱🫜🌽🫐

05/22/2026

It's official, we have merch! Get your HHCD shirt today for $25 by emailing [email protected]. 🌱🫜🌽🫐

05/07/2026

Our monthly conservation meeting is being held virtually on Tuesday, May 12th at 7:00 PM. As always, the public is welcome to join!

Attending our board meeting is a good way to hear about the work we are doing, recommend conservation priorities and strategies, and learn about ways that you can get involved.

Follow the link in our bio or go to bit.ly/HHCDboardmeeting to join. We hope to see you there!

Call us if you have any questions:
413-362-4720

The foam disks have been replaced and the seed drill is ready to rent! Contact Matthew at 413-362-4720 or Matthewhhcd@gm...

05/04/2026

The foam disks have been replaced and the seed drill is ready to rent! Contact Matthew at 413-362-4720 or [email protected] to schedule your rental today.

04/28/2026

Forage analysis provides information on the nutrient content, palatability, and digestibility of feed, which is essential to ensure optimal health and development of livestock. This information can help boost animal performance and farmer profitability. With our new forage probe, we are available to visit your farm and collect samples and send them to a laboratory for analysis! Reach out to Matthew to schedule your forage sample - [email protected] or (413)362-4720. The first 5 farmers to sign up will receive 3 samples for free!

04/20/2026

On April first, the Senate unanimously passed An Act Fostering Agricultural Resilience in Massachusetts. The bill is a strong step in securing healthy food and farm viability. The Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) and Farm to School Program would be made permanent, helping families afford fresh produce and aid farmers in securing profitable supply chains. Another goal of the bill is to streamline the process of evaluation for the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program to guarantee long-term farm sustainability.

Next the bill needs to be passed by the House and any changes between the Senate and House proposals need to be resolved in conference before it can be sent to the Governor for signature. The state legislature is urgently needed to support the farms, producers, and fisheries at the foundation of our vital food systems and this Farm Bill includes forward-looking planning initiatives fit for the job! Contact your state representatives today in support of this amazing bill! To stay up to date on food policy initiatives sign up for the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative’s newsletter at mafoodsystem.org

Address

195 Russell Street, Ste B6
Hadley, MA
01035

Telephone

+14133624720

Website

http://www.hampdenhampshireconservation.org/, https://form.jotform.com/253015394473154

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