Workshops & Events
Maple & Walnut Sugaring Workshop
Join BFFC and the Edgewater Food Forest Stewards for a winter workshop: Maple & Walnut Sugaring!
Learn the basics of the sugaring process, including identifying suitable trees to tap and tapping and collecting. We’ll also explore storage techniques, tips on boiling down and diluting sap into sweet syrup, and other maple/walnut sugar products.
The process of making maple syrup allows for endless creativity, so we’ll discuss what kind of professional and ‘lying-around-the-house’ kind of equipment you can use to tap, as well as how to conceptualize what a feasible tapping and boiling setup might look like for you.
*Rain date: Saturday, February 2 at 1-3pm, same location.
Leland Cooperative Garden Work Party
Join the Leland Cooperative Garden stewardship team for their final work party of the year!
Leland Work Parties are filled with garden work, planting, harvesting, weeding, and general community fun outdoors. Come for part of the day for stay for the whole work party.
All are welcome — no previous experience or registration required.
Gardening clothes and gloves are encouraged! (Plus lunch if you’d like to bring it.)
*Rain date: Sunday, December 15th.
Email lelandgardeninfo@gmail.com to join their email list/newsletter audience.
Intro to Volunteering with BFFC
Same content as November 18th session.
Interested in learning how you can support BFFC through volunteering? Join Education and Food Forest Care Manager, Alice Tilton, in an interactive conversation about BFFC's volunteer needs in 2025. This conversation will be hosted virtually, over Zoom.
Google Meet video call link: https://meet.google.com/gjr-snmk-qqi
RSVP to Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org.
Resting of the Land Celebration
Join the stewards of the Old West Church Food Forest for their annual Resting of the Land Celebration. Together, we’ll celebrate the gifts of the land as well as the generous steward/community presence throughout the 2024 season.
Lunch will be provided. All are welcome!
To RSVP, please email Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org.
BNC Volunteer Workday
Join the stewardship team at the Boston Nature Center Food Forest for a workday to prep the space for winter. We’ll focus on invasive plant management and mulching, as well as some planting and pathway work.
All are welcome — no experience is required!
To RSVP, please email Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org.
Intro to Volunteering with BFFC
Same content as December 11th session.
Interested in learning how you can support BFFC through volunteering? Join Education and Food Forest Care Manager, Alice Tilton, in an interactive conversation about BFFC's volunteer needs in 2025. This conversation will be hosted virtually, over Zoom.
Google Meet video call link: https://meet.google.com/jic-ewvv-cfb
RSVP to Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org.
Leland Cooperative Garden Work Party
Join the Leland Cooperative Garden stewardship team for a Work Party and Picnic!
Leland Work Parties are filled with garden work, planting, harvesting, weeding, and general community fun outdoors. Come for part of the day for stay for the whole work party.
All are welcome — no previous experience or registration required.
Gardening clothes and gloves are encouraged! (Plus lunch if you’d like to bring it.)
Email lelandgardeninfo@gmail.com to join their email list/newsletter audience.
OWC Food Forest Volunteer Day
Every Saturday from 10-12pm (except holiday weekends).
Join the stewardship team of the Old West Church Food Forest for their regular Saturday Volunteer Workdays, held each Saturday from 10-12 pm (except for holiday weekends). Projects may include tending to the annual crop beds, maintaining the pollinator garden, pruning fruits trees, planting, harvesting, and more.
All are welcome! Email Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org to RSVP.
Email kspiller4@gmail.com to be added to the OWC email list.
All About Soil Workshop
Learn how soil is the foundation of every healthy garden, and how we as land stewards can encourage healthier soil in our own gardens and food forests. You’ll get some hand-on experience too by helping your neighbors prepare the garden beds for next year!
This workshop will be led by Eru Kyeyune-Nyombi. Light refreshments will be provided.
To RSVP, please contact Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org.
Food as Medicine Workshop
Curious about batch-cooking, and cooking with veggies and herbs from your food forest or garden? Explore the healing & nourishing properties of Sancocho, a hearty stew made with root vegetables, meat, herbs and spices (vegan option will be available, too).
All are welcome to join BFFC for this culinary workshop led by Taina Vargas of Sankofa Anacaona Botanicals. Taina is an herbalist, gardener, and educator.
Edgewater Food Forest Trick or Treating
Join the stewards and neighbors of the Edgewater Food Forest in Mattapan for a special Halloween event! There will be activities for kids of all ages. Costumes are encouraged!
No registration necessary — all are welcome, and the event is free.
Waitlist Only: Cyanotype Workshop
Join us at the Egleston Community Orchard for a fun cyanotype workshop where you'll make beautiful blue prints using an early form of photography. Learn how to prepare paper, place leaves and flowers on it, and use sunlight to create unique designs. It's a great way to enjoy art and nature together!
This workshop is instructor-intensive and requires a significant number of supplies, so enrollment is limited to 10 people. Registration for this workshop is closed. Please email alice@bostonfoodforest.org if you would like to be added to the waitlist.
Rain date: Sunday, October 20th at 11-2pm.
OWC Food Forest Volunteer Day
Every Saturday from 10-12pm (except holiday weekends).
Join the stewardship team of the Old West Church Food Forest for their regular Saturday Volunteer Workdays, held each Saturday from 10-12 pm (except for holiday weekends). Projects may include tending to the annual crop beds, maintaining the pollinator garden, pruning fruits trees, planting, harvesting, and more.
All are welcome! Email Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org to RSVP.
Email kspiller4@gmail.com to be added to the OWC email list.
Uphams Corner Food Forest Weekly Work Days
Join the Uphams Corner Food Forest stewards and neighbors for their weekly community work days, which will take place every Saturday throughout July and August this summer.
Weekly projects may include tree care, weeding, planting, harvesting, and much more.
No registration or experience required — just show up ready to get your hands in the soil and meet some new friends.
Email Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org with any questions.
Fall Garden Party
Join the stewards, volunteers and neighbors of the Egleston Community Orchard to celebrate the 2024 growing season. We’ll share our highlights and lessons from the year, and spend quality time in community.
Food and refreshments will be provided.
No registration necessary — just show up at the garden!
Uphams Corner Food Forest Weekly Work Days
Join the Uphams Corner Food Forest stewards and neighbors for their weekly community work days, which will take place every Saturday throughout July and August this summer.
Weekly projects may include tree care, weeding, planting, harvesting, and much more.
No registration or experience required — just show up ready to get your hands in the soil and meet some new friends.
Email Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org with any questions.
Egleston Community Orchard Weekly Work Nights
Interested in getting involved with the Egleston Community Orchard in Jamaica Plain?
Join the stewards and neighbors of this food forest garden every Wednesday evening at 6pm for community work nights. Each week we’ll work on projects together ranging from tree care to weeding to harvesting and more.
No registration is necessary!
Reach out to alice@bostonfoodforest.org with questions.
Black Walnut Processing Workshop
Join the stewards of the Edgewater Food Forest for the annual fall Black Walnut Harvesting and Training Session!
Learn about black walnut trees as a keystone species in food forest design, and explore the steps of hulling, soaking, cracking, and enjoying the walnuts themselves. We’ll also discuss health benefits, recipe ideas, and more.
This workshop is a collaboration between Edgewater Neighborhood Association and Boston Food Forest Coalition.
*Rain date Sunday, October 6th.
Harvest Hoopla
Join the Leland Cooperative Garden community for their annual Harvest Hoopla! A celebration of harvest time and the close of the growing season, this special event features live music, children’s activities and games, and a plant sale and other artisan goods. There will also be a raffle and a beekeeping demonstration, as well as BBQ, finger foods, and dessert.
All are welcome! No registration required. Email lelandgardeninfo@gmail.com with any questions.
*Rain date: Sunday, October 5th.
Fields Corner Garden Walking Tour
Explore the three community gardens in Dorchester on a leisurely walking tour. Gardeners from each garden will share their experiences and tips for successful gardening in an urban setting. Discover how these green spaces feed our neighbors and create connections that help Dorchester thrive.
The tour will start at the Hope Garden at 424 Geneva Ave, and move to two gardens on Josephine Street, less than one block away. Light refreshments will be served.
Uphams Corner Food Forest Weekly Work Days
Join the Uphams Corner Food Forest stewards and neighbors for their weekly community work days, which will take place every Saturday throughout July and August this summer.
Weekly projects may include tree care, weeding, planting, harvesting, and much more.
No registration or experience required — just show up ready to get your hands in the soil and meet some new friends.
Email Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org with any questions.
OWC Food Forest Volunteer Day
Every Saturday from 10-12pm (except holiday weekends).
Join the stewardship team of the Old West Church Food Forest for their regular Saturday Volunteer Workdays, held each Saturday from 10-12 pm (except for holiday weekends). Projects may include tending to the annual crop beds, maintaining the pollinator garden, pruning fruits trees, planting, harvesting, and more.
All are welcome! Email Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org to RSVP.
Email kspiller4@gmail.com to be added to the OWC email list.
Boston Nature Center Food Forest New Volunteer Orientation Day
First Wednesday of every month from 6pm to sundown at the BNC Food Forest.
Interested in volunteering? We would love to have you join us!
The first 30 minutes of this session will include a tour of the site, introduction to how we are organized, and ways to get involved. After that, we’ll get our hands dirty with some projects in the food forest. Projects may include wedding, watering, planting...and eating plants!
All supplies including gloves will be provided. Please bring water and some clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
All skill levels are welcome. No registration necessary!
Hope Garden: Neighborhood Cookout & Open House
The stewards of the Hope Garden invite you to a Neighborhood Party and Garden Open House. Chat with neighbors, enjoy some food, and learn what’s going on at the garden as we head into fall.
To RSVP — and to contribute a dish, if you’d like (not mandatory!) — please contact Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org.
Rockin' with Raptors
Join BFFC and other local organizations, neighbors, and friends at Mass Audubon’s Rockin’ with Raptors event.
Rockin' with Raptors is a free community event that's fun for all ages. Get up-close with live raptors, learn about bees, and watch charming puppet shows. The day will include programs for children and adults, entertainment, food (cookout, popcorn, & cake!), arts & crafts, and face painting. Explore tables and activities offered by our many collaborating cultural, community, and green organizations. Learn more here.
Rain or shine! See you there!
Urban Agriculture & Climate Justice Fair
Join the Trustees and a coalition of local environmental organizations — Boston Food Forest Coalition, The Food Project, Grow Boston, and many others — for a day of hands-on demos and activities showcasing urban agriculture and climate justice work across Boston.
This free event will take place at the Nightingale Community Garden in Dorchester.
Rain date is set for September 29th.
OWC Food Forest Volunteer Day
Every Saturday from 10-12pm (except holiday weekends).
Join the stewardship team of the Old West Church Food Forest for their regular Saturday Volunteer Workdays, held each Saturday from 10-12 pm (except for holiday weekends). Projects may include tending to the annual crop beds, maintaining the pollinator garden, pruning fruits trees, planting, harvesting, and more.
All are welcome! Email Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org to RSVP.
Email kspiller4@gmail.com to be added to the OWC email list.
Uphams Corner Food Forest Weekly Work Days
Join the Uphams Corner Food Forest stewards and neighbors for their weekly community work days, which will take place every Saturday throughout July and August this summer.
Weekly projects may include tree care, weeding, planting, harvesting, and much more.
No registration or experience required — just show up ready to get your hands in the soil and meet some new friends.
Email Alice at alice@bostonfoodforest.org with any questions.
'Indigenous Teaching with the Elements' Film Screening
This event was rescheduled from 9/26 due to inclement weather.
Join us in the beautiful Edgewater Food Forest for a screening of a series of short films focused on the four elements, made by members of the Native Land Conservancy. This mini-documentary series, produced and directed by Leslie Jonas, is designed to enhance one’s connection to the world including practices that connect people on a deeper level with the natural world and provide guidance to living closer to the earth.
This is a free event, made possible by the work of the Native Land Conservancy. The Native Land Conservancy is a Native American run land conservation organization dedicated to rescuing, restoring, and protecting land to foster healthy natural environments to provide safe spaces for people to reconnect with nature. If you are interested in learning more about their work or donating, please visit their website.
Egleston Community Orchard Weekly Work Nights
Interested in getting involved with the Egleston Community Orchard in Jamaica Plain?
Join the stewards and neighbors of this food forest garden every Wednesday evening at 6pm for community work nights. Each week we’ll work on projects together ranging from tree care to weeding to harvesting and more.
No registration is necessary!
Reach out to alice@bostonfoodforest.org with questions.
POSTPONED: Fiber Dyeing with Plants Workshop
THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL 3PM ON SUNDAY 9/22 DUE TO THE WEATHER
Learn how to dye fiber a variety of colors using plants commonly found in your garden or food forest! Gardener and artist Tomo Deeney will lead this hands-on demonstration of the stages of the dyeing process at the Leland Cooperative Garden.
Whether you tend to your garden for your enjoyment or for pollinators, one way to complete their life cycle is to extract pigments from them for dyeing fiber before adding them into your compost. You truly capture and extend their essence by incorporating their colors into your life. In this workshop, we’ll go over the basics of dyeing natural fibers with plants that grow around us in season (goldenrod, dahlia, amaranth, pokeweed, walnuts, etc.). We hope to inspire you to experiment and to learn more ways that plants offer and intrigue us all!
Parking may be limited due to a neighborhood block party, so we encourage participants to use public transportation.