As winter slowly approaches and daylight becomes scarce, there is little doubt this is the season for reading and connecting with other growers.

While I am steadfast in my preference for print publications, which allow for a gradual consumption of the written word, there are a number of online magazines and journals which provide insight and perspective, offer new ideas to try on the farm, and reflect upon the past growing season.

There are four publications which have been at the core of my agricultural gleanings over the past decade. Two of which are published monthly, Growing For Market and Acres USA, and two quarterly releases, The Natural Farmer and Biodynamics Journal. The Natural Farmer produced by the Northeast Organic Farming Association makes their back catalog freely accessible online, while others typically offer a small sampling of recent issues. Growing for Market has long been a key source of new ideas for small scale veggie producers and is the first magazine I recommend to new farmers focusing on direct marketing.

In recent years I've found myself checking in with a few other magazines geared more toward conventional growers; all of which provide good content for vegetable farmers, including brief overviews of new variety releases and national market conditions. Here another quartet I've

bookmarked: Vegetable Growers News, Growing Produce, The Grower, & Modern Farmer.

Back when I farmed at Hawthorne Valley in New York, I spent a good part of the winters helping in the barn, where we milked 40-50 Brown Swiss (direct marketed raw milk, cheese, & yogurt). We carried an equal number of youngstock, dry cows, and beeves, which made for a busy winter feeding and moving animals; still I found some time to cozy up near the woodstove in the evenings. While in NY I was introduced to Stockman Grass Farmer, Graze, & Small Farmer's Journal - a trio of publications geared toward livestock producers, and each well worth the subscription price.

One of the delights of wintertime for veggie growers is the evenings offer a great chance to connect with family, friends, and neighbors. Whether at a film showing and potluck at the Dartmouth Grange, a farm bureau meeting, or a SEMAP event there are plenty of opportunities to learn from our peers, meet new farmers, and get a chance to reconnect.

I hope to see folks out & about this winter, definitely make plans for our SEMAP Annual Meeting on Monday, January 26th and the 8th Annual Ag & Food Conference on Sunday, March 1st.

What magazines or websites are on the top of your list? I'll share recommendations in December along with a few new book titles which I'm excited about this Winter.

The Online Farm Guide  

Farmers: Keep your farmfresh.org listing up-to-date! The online farm guide, farmfresh.org, is a go-to for anyone looking for local foods, beverages and farm fun. Eaters: Visit www.farmfresh.org to find local food near you.   

The Beginning Farmers Network of MA has resources for beginning farmers, including an ever-expanding calendar of events statewide, helpful tips from guest bloggers, a jobs board, and a referral network. Get in touch or check out the BFN/MA site today to find the help you're looking for. See links to Young Farmer Nights (RI & MA super fun farm visits!) and New Entry's brand new publication, An Entrepreneur's Guide to Farming in Massachusetts.