Care Farming Network National Conference:
Pioneering a movement, growing a community
Conference Dates
Monday, January 13th (1 PM)- Wednesday, January 15th (12 PM)
Location
University of Massachusetts- Amherst
Campus Center Building
1 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01002
Registration Fees
Registration fees include access to all sessions, meeting materials, and meals
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Early Bird Rate: $245 (Register on or before November 30, 2024)
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Registration: $295 (starting December 1, 2025 )
Scholarships
To ensure our conference is accessible to all, we are offering need-based scholarships for those who require financial support to attend. Applications for scholarships are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you require financial support to attend, please fill out the Scholarship Application.
Priority will be given to applicants who are currently working on a care farm in the northeast US, as well as to individuals with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Applications will be accepted through November, but we encourage early submission, as funding is limited and scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis. All applicants will be notified of their status no later than Friday, December 6, 2024.
Lodging and Travel
The Care Farming Network Conference will be held on the scenic campus of the University of Massachusetts – Amherst at the Campus Center building (1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01002)
We’ve reserved blocks of rooms at Hotel UMass and Comfort Inn & Suites for the CFN National Conference. To reserve your room, simply use the “Book Here” links provided below.
- No special code is required. Each link will take you directly to the hotel’s booking page.
- Once on the site, you’ll see “CFN National Conference” as the event you are reserving a room for.
- Space is limited, so we encourage you to book early!
Onsite Lodging at Hotel UMass | BOOK HERE (Room rate $159 and up)
- Address: 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003
- Website: http://hotelumass.com
- Phone: (413) 549 6000
- Email: hotel@umass.edu
Offsite Lodging at Comfort Inn & Suites | BOOK HERE (Room rate $139 and up)
- Address: 400 Russell Street, Hadley, MA, 01035
- Distance to UMass (driving): 8-10 minutes (This hotel does not provide shuttle service.)
- Website: https://www.choicehotels.com/massachusetts/hadley/comfort-inn-hotels/
- Phone: (413) 341-1556
Travel Options
Air
- The nearest airport is Bradley International Airport (Windsor Locks, CT). If you’re driving from Bradley, follow the Driving Directions. Bradley is approximately an hour from UMass.
- Logan Airport (Boston, MA) is two and a half hours from UMass. Other airports within approximately two or two and a half hours from Amherst are Green Airport (Providence, RI), Manchester Airport (Manchester, NH) and Albany International Airport (Albany, NY).
Bus
- Peter Pan Bus Lines, in partnership with Greyhound, has regular service to Amherst. Call (800) 237-8747.
- Megabus has daily bus service from Amherst to New York City (through Hartford) and Burlington, Vt.
- The University of Massachusetts Transit System, in conjunction with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, offers a bus service between the Five Colleges and surrounding towns.
Train
- Amtrak now stops in Northampton, Massachusetts, and continues to provide extensive service to Springfield, Massachusetts, just 30 minutes from UMass. If arriving in Springfield, transportation to campus is available through Peter Pan Bus Lines, (800) 237-8747. If arriving in Northampton, the B43 Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus will take you to the UMass campus.
Shuttle Services
- Valley Transporter provides shuttle service between the campus and nearby airports and train stations. Call (413) 253-1350 for information on rates, schedules and reservations.
- Seemo Shuttle provides service in the Pioneer Valley and to Bradley, Logan and JFK airports. Call (413) 586-1120 or visit their Website to make reservations.
- Bluebird Airport Shuttle and Car Service is located in South Hadley. Call (413) 221-4512
Local Transport
Travel to Prospect Meadow Farm (103A Prospect St, Hatfield, MA 01038): For attendees without personal transportation, shuttles will be provided from UMass Campus Center to Prospect Meadow Farm for Monday’s conference activities.
Local Buses: UMass Transit operates PVTA buses (fare-free), Accessible Van Service vans. Use Transit app or myStop for bus locations, alerts, departures, and directions.
Lyft/Uber: Both Lyft and Uber service Amherst and the surrounding area.
Conference Parking
- Parking is available at the UMass Campus Center Parking Garage at a rate of $6.50 per day.
Accessibility
UMass’s Campus Accessibility Map includes information on access levels, accessible restrooms, elevators, entrances/door types, and accessible parking spaces.
You can also use accessibleGO, the first full-service travel platform for people with disabilities, to book rental cars with hand controls, wheelchair vans, accessible rides, and mobility equipment. Create a free account using this link.
This conference aims to center individuals with lived experience who work and volunteer on care farms. We seek not only to make this conference accessible to individuals with disabilities, but also to amplify the voices, the perspectives, and expertise of care farm participants with IDDs. If you are a care farm participant with IDD and would like to explore speaking opportunities at the conference, we encourage you to reach out to us at conference@carefarmingnetwork.org. We’d love to discuss potential sessions and topics where you can share your insights and experiences.
Conference Community-Building Activities
The theme for our 2025 conference is “Pioneering a Movement, Growing a Community,” reflecting our commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative gathering that deepens connections and strengthens the care farming community. Building community means cultivating trust, embracing vulnerability, nurturing creativity, and sharing our stories—both the triumphs and the challenges.
We warmly invite and encourage participation from all attendees, whether you’re part of an established care farm or just beginning your journey. Throughout the conference, we’ve planned a variety of activities to highlight care farms and showcase the incredible work being done across the network. We welcome you to engage in as many activities as you’d like!
Mapping Our Stories
We invite care farms to share a short story and a photo that captures what you are most proud of as a care farmer. Stories and photos will be displayed on a US map at the conference to highlight the work of our community across the nation. Upload your photo and story here!
Care Farm Showcase
Attendees are invited to bring visual displays that highlight their farm’s story, showcase their products or programs, and celebrate their achievements. This vibrant “gallery” will be set up in a common gathering space, offering participants an engaging way to explore and connect with the inspiring work of care farms from across the country. To participate, please fill out this form.
Lightning Sessions
Throughout the conference, we’ll host several rounds of Lightning Sessions—brief presentations lasting 5 to 10 minutes, strategically scheduled between main sessions. These sessions offer a unique platform for attendees to share insights, innovative projects or programming, or thought-provoking ideas that may not require a full-length presentation. They’re a great way to spark conversations and showcase your idea/program/farm in a short-form presentation. To participate, please fill out this form
Conference Program
