UPCOMING EVENTS:
For photos and videos of Sowing Opportunities, 2022 local festivals, go to this link. Can’t make it one of our events? If you can’t make it to our fairs, you can also benefit both the artisans and Sowing Opportunities’ projects through your purchase online at https://athreadofhope.org/ with the code Sowing.
These are our upcoming presentations and festivals:
2025:
Friday-Sunday, April 25-27, 2025: New England Folk Festival (NEFFA). Friday, April 25, 6:00-10:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 26, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Sunday, April 27, 10:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Best Western Trade Center, 181 Royal Plaza Dr. W., Marlborough, MA 01752
Saturday, May 3, 2025: 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Wake Up the Earth Festival 2025, Southwest Corridor Park, near the Stony Brook T station in Boston’s Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Sunday, May 4, 2025: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Harvard Square MayFair, Cambridge, MA
Saturday, May 17, 2025: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Plant and Craft Fair, First Parish in Bedford Unitarian Universalist Church, 75 Great Rd, Bedford, MA 01730
Sunday, May 18, 2025: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. GrotonFest Spring in Summer 2025, in the center of Groton at the Prescott Community Center back lawn
Sunday, June 1, 2025: 10:00-11:00 a.m. Presentation at First Sunday Share the Plate, First Parish in Bedford Unitarian Universalist Church, 75 Great Rd, Bedford, MA 01730
Saturday, June 14, 2025: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Westford Strawberries ‘n Arts Festival, Westford Town Common, Westford, MA
Sunday, June 22, 2025: 12:00-4:00 p.m. Malden Pride Festival, Devir Park, Malden, MA – In 2018, my wife, Ginny, and I started our nonprofit, Sowing Opportunities, to aid the indigenous remote community in Guatemala where our youngest daughter is adopted from. We are now providing sustainable agricultural solutions that result in food security for five indigenous groups in three villages in the region, including a school. We want to share our story and we sell Guatemalan fair trade handicrafts to benefit the work in the region.
Thursday, June 26, 2025 (Week 4: Pride Day): 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Melrose Farmers’ Market, 168-172 West Emerson Street, Melrose, MA
Saturday, July 26 – Sunday, July 27, 2025: 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Cambridge Jazz Festival, Danehy Park, Cambridge, MA
2025 Past Events:
Monday, February 10, 2025: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Malden Reads kickoff at the new Bread of Life facility on Eastern Ave., Malden, MA
2024 Past Events:
Sunday, February 4, 2024: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Chelmsford Craft Fair, hosted by the CHS Class of 2025, 200 Richardson Road, North Chelmsford, MA
Wednesday, February 7, 2024: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Presentation to Rotary Club of Medford, Bertucci’s, 4054 Mystic Valley Pkwy., Medford, MA 02155
Monday, March 4 – Tuesday, March 12, 2024: Fern travels to remote area of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala to witness the harvest in the villages of Salaguna and Silbilhá
Friday-Sunday, April 19-21, 2024: New England Folk Festival (NEFFA). Friday, April 19, 7:00-9:15 p.m.; Saturday, April 20, 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 p.m.; Sunday, April 23, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Best Western Trade Center, 181 Royal Plaza Dr. W., Marlborough, MA 01752. neffa.org/folk-festival/schedule/
Thursday, April 25, 2024: 2:15-3:15 p.m. Boston Latin School Spring Community Service Fair, 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115
Saturday, May 4, 2024: 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Wake Up the Earth Festival 2024, Southwest Corridor Park, near the Stony Brook T station in Boston’s Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Sunday, May 5, 2024: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Harvard Square MayFair, Cambridge, MA
Thursday, May 16, 2024: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Presentation on Sowing Opportunities’ work to Interfaith Clergy Meeting at Temple Beth Shalom, Melrose, MA
Sunday, May 19, 2024: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. GrotonFest Spring in Summer 2024, in the center of Groton at the Prescott Community Center back lawn
Wednesday, May 22, 2024: 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Brighton Bazaar – Speedway Night Bazaar (Boston Calling Edition), Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton, MA 02135
Thursday, June 6, 2024: 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Melrose Farmers’ Market, Opening Day, 168-172 West Emerson Street, Melrose, MA
Thursday, June 13, 2024: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture Career Fair, Jamaica Plain, MA
Saturday, June 15, 2024: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Westford Strawberries ‘n Arts Festival, Westford Town Common, Westford, MA
Wednesday, June 19, 2024: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Brookline for the Culture, Juneteenth Block Party, Florida Ruffin Ridley School, 27 Stedman Street Brookline, MA 02446
Tuesday, June 25, 2024: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture Presentation to Nonprofit Class, Jamaica Plain, MA
Saturday, June 29, 2024: 12:00-4:00 p.m. Malden Pride Festival, Coytemore Lea Park – In 2018, my wife, Ginny, and I started our nonprofit, Sowing Opportunities, to aid the indigenous remote community in Guatemala where our youngest daughter is adopted from. We are now providing sustainable agricultural solutions that result in food security for three indigenous villages in the region. We want to share our story and we sell Guatemalan fair trade handicrafts to benefit the work in the region.
Tuesday, July 2, 2024: 3:00-7:00 p.m. Roudenbush Community Market, Opening Day, 25 Depot Street, front lawn of The Abbot School, Westford, Ma 01886
Sunday, July 21, 2024: 11:00 a.m. Presentation at First Church Cambridge during Educational Hour
Saturday, July 27 – Sunday, July 28, 2024: 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Cambridge Jazz Festival, Danehy Park
Monday, August 5, 2024: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Participation in Women We Admire Round Table Discussion at Showa Boston Institute
Sunday, August 11, 2024: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pop up on Palmer: A Sunday Market in Harvard Square
Tuesday, August 20, 2024: 3:00-7:00 p.m. Roudenbush Community Market, Health and Safety Week, Fisher Way, next to Abbot School, Westford, MA 01886
Tuesday, August 27, 2024: 3:00-7:00 p.m. International Block Party & Diversity Festival comes to the Roudenbush Community Market, Fisher Way, next to Abbot School, Westford, MA 01886
Saturday, August 31, 2024: Federation of Communities in Service (FOCIS), Jubilee House, Abingdon, Virginia: Presentation (update 2024, after dinner) and sale of Guatemalan Fair Trade handicrafts (afternoon)
Saturday, September 21, 2024: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Arlington Town Day – Dallin Museum, Art on the Green, 611 Massachusetts Avenue (Pleasant St./Mystic St./Mass. Ave.), Arlington, MA
Saturday, September 28, 2024: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Grotonfest, Legion Common, 75 Hollis Street, Groton, MA 01450
Tuesday, October 1, 2024: 2:15-3:15 p.m. Boston Latin School Fall Community Service Fair, 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115
Saturday, October 5, 2024: 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. J.P. Fall Fair, First Church in Jamaica Plain, 6 Eliot Street – At the Monument, Jamaica Plain MA 02131
Sunday, October 6, 2024: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Harvard Square Oktoberfest
Monday, October 14, 2024: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 4th Annual Indigenous People’s Day Celebration, Waterfront Promenade Park, 22 Merrimac St., Newburyport, MA 01950
Sunday, October 20, 2024: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Rotary Club of Brookline’s Dog Day, Brookline Avenue Playground, 575 Brookline Ave., Brookline, MA 02445 (awaiting confirmation)
Saturday-Sunday, November 9-10, 2024: 10:00 am-3:00 pm Saturday and 11:00 am-3:00 pm Sunday: Sowing Opportunities will participate in the Alternative Gift Market Cape Cod at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Saint Barnabas Church Hall, 91 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02540. The mission is to encourage the 300 attendees to give donations instead of a physical gift to their friends. The donations support the small nonprofits – in person and online – that have an information table over the weekend.
Sunday, November 24, 2024: 11:00 a.m. Introduction during Mission Moment and 12:00 noon sale of Guatemalan Fair Trade handicrafts during Coffee Hour at Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church, 1555 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138
Saturday, December 1, 2024: 12:00 – 4:00 pm at The Roudenbush Community Center Annual Holiday Market
Saturday, December 7, 2024: 9:00 am–3:00 pm at Westford Academy Holiday Bazaar 2024, 30 Patten Rd., Westford, MA 01886
Sunday, December 8, 2024: 12:00-4:00 p.m. Social Action Holiday Gift Fair at the First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist, 404 Concord Ave, Belmont, MA 02478, upstairs room in big hall
Sunday, December 15, 2024: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Melrose Holiday Market
2023 Past Events:
Wednesday, December 6, 2023: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Presentation to Rotary Club of Medford, Bertucci’s, 4054 Mystic Valley Pkwy., Medford, MA 02155
Saturday, December 9, 2023: 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Charles Hotel Outdoor Holiday Market, Lower Courtyard of the Charles Hotel (Between Noir and the Garden Bar), Harvard Square, 1 Bennett St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Sunday, December 10, 2023: 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Social Action Holiday Gift Fair at the First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist, 404 Concord Ave, Belmont, MA 02478, upstairs room in big hall
Tuesday, December 12, 2023: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. at Showa Boston Institute, during the Showa tree lighting
Wednesday-Thursday, December 13-14, 2023: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at The Massachusetts Conference for Women, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210
Saturday, December 16, 2023: 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Charles Square Outdoor Holiday Market, Lower Courtyard of the Charles Hotel (Between Noir and the Garden Bar), Harvard Square, 1 Bennett St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Thursday, December 21, 2023: 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Speedway Holiday Night Bazaar, The Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton, MA 02135
Sunday, December 3, 2023: 4:00-5:30 p.m. New Beginnings for Healing Our World: Tikkun Olam Presentation, hosted by Temple Beth Shalom, 21 E. Foster St., Melrose, MA 02176
Saturday, December 2, 2023: 9:00 am–3:00 pm at Westford Academy Holiday Bazaar 2023, 30 Patten Rd., Westford, MA 01886
Sunday, November 26, 2023: 10:00 a.m. New Beginnings for Healing Our World: Tikkun Olam Presentation and sale of Guatemalan Fair Trade handicrafts, hosted by The Adult Forum at Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church, 1555 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138
Saturday, November 18, 2023: 9:00 am-4:00 pm at Wellesley Marketplace 2023, Wellesley High School, 50 Rice Street, Wellesley, MA 02481
Saturday-Sunday, November 11-12, 2023: 10:00 am-3:00 pm Saturday and 11:00 am-3:00 pm Sunday at the 2023 Alternative Gift Market, Saint Barnabas Church Hall, 91 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02540
Sunday, November 5, 2023: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm New Beginnings for Healing Our World: Tikkun Olam Presentation and sale of Guatemalan Fair Trade handicrafts, hosted by Tabernacle Congregational Church U.C.C., 50 Washington St., Salem, MA 01970 (entrance on Federal St.)
Saturday, October 28, 2023 (RAIN DATE): 12:00-2:00 p.m. Think Globally, Act Locally! , The Gallery@57, 57 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148
Thursday, October 19, 2023: 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Melrose Farmers’ Market, 168-172 West Emerson Street, Melrose, MA
Tuesday, October 3, 2023: 7:00 -8:00 pm Presentation to Nonprofit class at Showa Boston Institute, 420 Pond Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Tuesday, October 3, 2023: 2:15-3:15 p.m. Boston Latin School Fall Community Service Fair, 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115
Sunday, October 1, 2023: 10:00-11:00 a.m. First Parish in Bedford Unitarian Universalist Church, First Sunday Share the Plate, 75 Great Rd, Bedford, MA 01730
Thursday, June 22, 2023: 1:00-3:00 p.m. Showa Boston Institute Career Fair, 420 Pond Street, Jamaica Plain, in Rainbow Hall
2022:
June 3 through August, 2022, Sowing Opportunities offered plants in exchange for donation and sold Guatemalan handicrafts on Fridays, 12:00-5:00 p.m. at the Revere Farmers Market, 249 Broadway Street in Revere, Massachusetts. We offered plants so that everyone can grow fresh, local vegetables.
Sowing Opportunities was interviewed by Revere TV at the Revere Farmers’ Market 7/29/2022:
Saturday, June 25, 2022: Sowing Opportunities participated in the Malden Community Garden‘s “Family Gardening Day,” 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Friday, June 24, 2022, Sowing Opportunities will sell plants and Guatemalan handicrafts, 12:00-5:00 p.m. at the Revere Farmers Market, 249 Broadway Street in Revere, Massachusetts.
Saturday, June 18, 2022: Sowing Opportunities participated in Malden Pride, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Malden #Pride 2022 Massachusetts invited Fern Remedi-Brown to speak at the event on June 18, 2022. Sowing Opportunities, Inc.
Thursday, June 16, 2022: Sowing Opportunities participated in the Melrose Farmers’ Market, 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.
On Saturday, June 4, 2022, Sowing Opportunities once again participated in the Malden Summer Festivals on Pleasant Street in Malden, selling plants and Guatemalan handicrafts to benefit the greenhouse project.
May 21, 2022, Sowing Opportunities sold plants and Guatemalan handicrafts on Saturday, 12:00-4:00 p.m. at the May-plewood Fest artist event in Maplewood Square, Malden, Massachusetts.
May 3-8, 2022, Fern Remedi-Brown, Sowing Opportunities President traveled to Chajmaic, Guatemala to witness the harvest of the first mini greenhouses project. Details are on this website at Guatemala Travelogue, May 2022 and through social media.
On April 22, 2022, Sowing Opportunities was at The Gallery@57 from 12:00 until 6:00 p.m. for Earth Day at 57 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts, selling plants and Guatemalan handicrafts. All proceeds benefit the greenhouse project in Chajmaic, Guatemala.
2021:
In December 2021, Sowing Opportunities sold plants and Guatemalan handicrafts at a crafts fair at Cheverus Catholic School and at LUVA Hair and Day Spa.
Beginning November 2021, Sowing Opportunities began to sell Guatemalan handicrafts, made by indigenous artisans, through TheGallery@57 and through direct sale, in person or via USPS. Proceeds from the sales were split between the artisans and Sowing Opportunities’ greenhouse project in Chajmaic, Guatemala. Details: https://www.sowingops.org/en/mayan-art-fundraiser/
Beginning October 2021, Sowing Opportunities offered plants for sale at local offices and businesses and to individuals, advertised on our website and through Instagram. All proceeds benefit the greenhouse project in Chajmaic, Guatemala. Details: https://www.sowingops.org/en/plants-for-donation-or-sale-to-benefit-the-village-of-chajmaic-guatemala/
In June-October 2021, Sowing Opportunities participated in Malden Summer Festivals, Melrose Farmers’ Markets, & Fall Fairs to raise funds for the greenhouse project in Chajmaic, Guatemala. Details: https://www.sowingops.org/en/successful-malden-summer-festival-june-26-2021/
In May 2021, Sowing Opportunities participated in Earth Day celebration with The Gallery artisans. Details: https://www.sowingops.org/en/earth-day-2021/
In March 2021, Sowing Opportunities participated in World Water Day online. Details: https://www.sowingops.org/en/how-to-build-a-water-tower/ and Neighborhood View posted an article.
In January 2021, Sowing Opportunities held a Restaurant Fundraiser at a local Coldstone Creamery ice cream shop. Details: https://youtu.be/2m-42aNF4lA
2021:
In August 2020, Sowing Opportunities held a clothing drive and, thanks to the support of many, we collected over 300 large bags totaling over 5,000 lbs. Through the Savers FUNDrive® program, our #nonprofit earned over $1,300 for purchasing #groceries for families in the #village of Chajmaic, #Guatemala during the #pandemic, or to start our #agricultural project. We are seeking a #corporate, or individual, sustaining supporter/s. Details: https://conta.cc/3bvuXGU
2018:
WATCH OUR 2½-MINUTE VIDEO ON OUR SEPTEMBER 15, 2018 BIKE-A-THON
Please join us on Sept. 15!
Tickets: https://bit.ly/2NUoGIDBike-a-thon in Malden, MA on Saturday, September 15 at 12:00 noon
We plan to ride for ~4.2 miles along The Northern Strand Bike Trail in Malden, with stop-offs to rest, or for those who choose not to do the entire route.
Every rider pays $10 to ride; under 13 FREE & Over 65 – voluntary donation if you choose; Riders under 10 need a responsible adult with them
Options for those in the disabled community to participate
Every rider gets “sponsored” by people who donate to them which gets given to charity to ride
Roosevelt Park to Park L for turnaround and back (~4.2 miles round trip)
Tickets: https://bit.ly/2NUoGID
Thank you to the following for providing gift cards:
Kung Fu Tea (10 free gift cards)
Blue Bikes ride share (10 free rides)
Thank you to the Law Offices of Jamie H. Gorton and Ginny Remedi Designs for having tables at the bike-a-thon! If you are looking for a great immigration attorney or need a beautiful gift, come to the bike-a-thon to learn more!
Thank you to Christmas Tree Shops in Assembly Square, Somerville for your donation of six cases of water for the riders!
Thank you to Bob Doolittle for being our magician!
Thank you to Lime Bikes for the donation of 10 bike share rides!
Thank you to the employees of Citizens Bank, 399 Main St., Malden for sponsoring the bike-a-thon!
Hispanic Heritage Festival in Malden, MA on Saturday, September 22, 2018, 12-6 p.m. Sowing Opportunities will have a table.
On Saturday, June 2, 2018, the Lantern-Making Workshop (starting at 5:30) and Lantern Walk (starting at 8:15) helps to celebrate the community and preserve Malden’s environment.
Sowing Opportunities, Inc. / Sembrando Oportunidades, which seeks to provide self-sustainability, education, and wellness in rural Guatemala, will have a table at the event to educate the public about our work.
Our pilot project is to deliver clean water, hygiene education, and agriculture in a remote village of 1,750 people in rural Guatemala.
2016:
Children’s Pottery-making Fundraiser
Thurs., December 29, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Sat., December 31 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon
Would you like your child to learn to make pottery while helping indigenous people in rural Guatemala?
On December 29, Ginny Remedi-Brown, a potter and teacher with 40 years of experience, will teach your child/ren how to create a piece of pottery without a potter’s wheel.
On December 31, Ginny will teach your child/ren how to glaze their pottery.
You can bring home the finished product after the New Year.
For further details about Ginny’s work, please click here. Ginny has been cleared through CORI.
$100 for 4-hour class – limit 5 children – all proceeds donated to Sowing Opportunities, Inc.
Contact us via email or at 617-791-3915 for details on location.
Fill out the online registration form:
