Saffron Winter Survival and the Next Step in Cultivation
Event Details
Date
May 27, 2021
Time
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Location
Calabash Gardens
1831 Fish Pond Road
Wells Rover, VT 05081
Host
University of Vermont North American Center for Saffron Research & Development
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. Many New England growers are cultivating saffron as a component of their diversified farming program. They are selling their saffron for $25-50 per gram! Want to learn more about this high value crop? Come to our FREE Saffron Demonstration Event coordinated by the University of Vermont (UVM) North American Center for Saffron Research & Development. It will take place in Vermont but anyone from anywhere is welcome to attend if they are willing to drive to it. This is one of several demonstration events we will hold over the year at different Vermont grower locations. Each event will feature different key topics coordinated with the saffron production cycle.
How to register: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=622305&
As per UVM policy, attendees must have completed their covid vaccination. Masks must be warn.
When: Thursday, May 27, 2021
What time: 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Where: Calabash Gardens, Newbury, VT https://calabashgardens.com/ (Actual address is: 1831 Fish Pond Road in Wells River, Vermont.)
Who is speaking: Jette Mandl-Abramson & Zaka Chery (Owners)
Jette and Zaka planted over 100,000 corms last September (2020) and harvested 750,000 saffron flowers (300 grams of saffron) with lots of help from their friends and relations. They have already sold 200 grams. They will show off their saffron operation and describe their plans for the future.
Who else: Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani, Univ. of Vermont
Arash will describe the life cycle of saffron and show how the secondary corms develop above the primary corm. He will demonstrate how to sample corms to assess their productivity and will provide guidelines on how to prepare saffron beds for planting this fall. He will also give an update on progress on his quality testing research.
Who should attend: Growers growing saffron or interested in producing it in the future or home gardeners who want to learn more about this fascinating crop.
How much: Free, but registration is limited to 40 so register now!
If you have additional questions, email Margaret Skinner: mskinner@uvm.edu or call: 802-656-5440
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Beets
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cherries
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Grapes
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Nectarines
Onions
Parsnips
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Raspberries / Blackberries
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
Leading the Farm Team: Supervisory Skills for New Managers
April 14, 2026 : Session 1: Becoming a Supervisor
The transition from working alongside employees to supervising them can be challenging. This session explores the shift from individual contributor to supervisor and the mindset and skills needed to lead a team effectively. Participants will learn about the role of a supervisor, key leadership behaviors, and how to build trust and credibility with employees.
April 21, 2026 : Session 2: Improving Performance
This session will introduce the performance triad—clear expectations, training, and feedback—to support employee success. We will discuss practical communication strategies, how to give constructive feedback, and how supervisors can help employees improve their performance over time.
April 28, 2026 : Session 3: Managing Conflict
Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a professional and respectful workplace. This session covers some of the legal and ethical responsibilities of supervisors and the responsibilities managers have in addressing workplace concerns.
Participants will also explore common sources of workplace conflict, learn to recognize potential biases that can influence management decisions, and discuss practical approaches for addressing difficult situations and resolving conflicts at work.