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Regenerative Farming Lunch | Learn | Volunteer Event with New England RCA
Aug 08, 2025
11:00 am - 03:00 pm | Eastern
About this event
Date: August, 8th
Time: 11am Eastern Time
Location: 341 Virginia Rd, Concord, MA 01742.
Session Overview:
Gaining Ground is a non-profit, no-till and regenerative farm that has been helping reduce food insecurity for Massachusetts families for over 30 years. Their mission is to “provide free, sustainably grown, fresh organic produce to people experiencing food insecurity”. In 2020, they produced 127,000 pounds of food that was distributed and donated to over 15 local hunger relief organizations. The New England RCA is providing a unique opportunity to learn about no-till farming for 1 CE credit, an included lunch, and then a 2-hour volunteer session on the farm. More information about Gaining Ground and their mission can be found on their website: https://gainingground.org/. Educational Session/CE Credit: You will learn about regenerative farming from Mark Congdon Director of Agriculture and Volunteer Experience. Mark will share the story of the farm and a deeper look into the regenerative farming process and the communities the farm supports! Join us and earn 1 CEU to go towards maintaining your CCS/CRC/CFS certifications.
11-1pm Lunch* and Presentation
1-3pm Volunteer on the Farm
1-3pm Volunteer on the Farm
*A very special "Thank You!" to IMCD and Jain Farm Fresh for sponsoring lunch
Speakers:
MARK CONGDON
Director of Agriculture and Volunteer Experience
Born and raised in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Mark (he/him) joined Gaining Ground as our first Director of Agriculture in 2023. He received his two years of farmer training as a farmer’s apprentice at Caretaker Farm in Williamstown. Mark continued to grow as a farmer managing Saltbox Farm in Concord for 9 years and then Honey Nut Farm in Hopkinton prior to bringing his experience here to Gaining Ground. He is excited for the opportunity to direct Gaining Ground’s expansion onto newly leased land in the Minute Man National Historical Park. Mark loves to travel and experience unique plant life all over the world. He also enjoys hiking, meditation, supporting local farmer’s markets, and being part of a food movement that brings sustainable agriculture to local communities.
**All event proceeds will be donated to Gaining Ground on behalf of the Research Chefs Association, and a THANK YOU to KEN"S FOODS for an additional donation to Gaining Ground matching RCA contributions
Event Contact: Betsey McGravey - betsey.mcgravey@imcdus.com
Event Contact: Betsey McGravey - betsey.mcgravey@imcdus.com
Yes to CEU
RCA Disclosures:
Contact Information: By registering for this event, you consent to the sharing of your contact information (such as name, email address, and company) with the event’s sponsors. This information will be shared exclusively with sponsors for purposes related to the event and will not be shared with other attendees or third parties.
Photographs and Videos: During this event, RCA may take photographs and/or video of you which may be posted to social media and on the association’s website. By registering for and attending this event, you agree to the use of image in photographs and/or video for this purpose. Additionally, other event attendees may take photographs and post said photographs to social media. RCA shall not be responsible for photographs taken and/or shared by other event attendees.
Photographs and Videos: During this event, RCA may take photographs and/or video of you which may be posted to social media and on the association’s website. By registering for and attending this event, you agree to the use of image in photographs and/or video for this purpose. Additionally, other event attendees may take photographs and post said photographs to social media. RCA shall not be responsible for photographs taken and/or shared by other event attendees.
Session Recordings: This session may be recorded for the purpose of education, training, and use in RCA’s Learning Library. The recording will be used for this stated purpose and shall not be used for any other purpose. Do not share information that you do not wish to be recorded. If you are uncomfortable being recorded, please refrain from speaking and submit questions via email.