Berkshire Grown envisions a community where healthy farms define the open landscape,
where a diversity of fresh, seasonal food and flowers is available to everyone,
and where we celebrate our agricultural bounty by supporting our neighboring family farms.
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News & Events January 2010
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News from Ashley Nelson,
Berkshire Grown Outreach Coordinator
Dear Friends,
I have big news! I've been accepted in the California School
of Herbal Studies in Forestville.
I'm really excited to continue my education,
but it was a difficult decision to make. Working at Berkshire Grown has really
made me feel like part of this community, and I treasure the relationships and
friendships I've made and the experiences I've gained. I will miss learning
what each farmer is growing each season, compiling the Professional Farm to
Table: Business to Business Directory and Farm Map, both of which we consider
the "Holy Grail" of BG, and planning and working at our exciting events. I will
truly miss being involved in the rich agricultural foodie landscape that is
Berkshire County.
Thank you to all of the Berkshire Grown team- that's
farmers, chefs, food/beverage producers, the board, Barbara and everyday eaters
like you and me. My classes begin in March, so I look forward to being a part
of Berkshire Grown's busy winter months!
Ashley Nelson
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BERKSHIRE GROWN JOB AVAILABILITY
OUTREACH COORDINATOR - 20 HOURS / WEEK
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Job description:
Manages community and professional (farmer, food buyer,
retail and restaurant) member recruitment, renewal, fulfillment and outreach.
Responsible for ensuring the office runs as smoothly as
possible, a multi-tasker and problem solver who is responsible for database
management, public inquiries, office support services, purchasing, facilities
management and more.
Responsible for updating the Farm to Table Directory and the
Farm Map and Map-o-licious online.
Actively involved in a variety of Events: publicize events, takes RSVPs for events, updates database
for events, works at the events. Coordinates four major mailings throughout the
year as key to outreach.
Works directly with farmers,
restaurants, food producers, and local retail establishments that sell local
agricultural products by informing them of news and events, training
possibilities that can help them build their businesses.
Supports the Executive Director's fund-raising,
communication, and networking activities.
Please submit resume and references as soon as possible, preferably by January
22, 2010 to Barbara Zheutlin, Berkshire Grown, P.O. Box 983, Great Barrington,
MA 01230 and/ or [email protected].
Job will begin mid
to late February.
More information about Berkshire Grown here
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Cricket Creek Farm Seeks a Cheesemaker 
Cricket Creek Farm is a small
grass-based cow dairy located in Williamstown, MA where
two award-winning cheeses are currently produced. The farm is looking for a cheese-maker to help take their
cheeses to the next level.
Who they're looking for: a self-directed, well-organized cheese-maker with
at least 1 year of hands-on cheese-making experience. The job will include
attending various markets (holiday and summer farmer's markets) and other
"friend-building" events in the area. A willingness to
engage in the farm
beyond the cheese room and enthusiasm for marketing and sales is highly
desirable.
Salary
will be commensurate with experience. On-site housing and healthcare included.
Please contact Jude or Topher Sabot via e-mail, [email protected].
To start immediately
Read more
about Cricket Creek Farm here.
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Meet Our Members
Stagecoach Tavern, Sheffield, MA.
The historic 18TH Century Stagecoach Tavern in Sheffield has long been a favorite stop for Berkshire South County and nearby Connecticut residents. Now part of Race Brook Lodge, the Tavern was re-decorated by Innkeeper Allegra Graham to revive the cozy fireside ambiance of its early years. Chef Sarah Dibben presents her individual interpretation of American comfort food prepared with the finest of local ingredients. The menu features nightly specials and an eclectic, reasonably priced wine list. Read more about Stagecoach Tavern here* * * * * * *
Polish inspired
locally sourced dinner at Stagecoach Tavern
and
Photo presentation
of Poland's heritage breed livestock and small farms
Presented by Slow
Food Western Mass and Stagecoach Tavern
Friday, January 15
at 6:15 pm
Slow Food Western Mass and the Stagecoach Tavern will host a presentation of Erik Hoffner's photographs
of Poland's small farms taken for Heifer Project International at a Polish
inspired dinner of locally sourced foods. The prix fixe dinner, prepared by
Chef Sarah Dibben, is $45 per person plus beverages, tax, and gratuity.
Limited seating, reservations required. Call 413-229-8585.
Dinner will follow Erik's presentation of photographs from
his recent trip documenting Poland's heritage breed livestock and small farms
for Heifer Project International which is working to save these historic breeds
from extinction along with the communities that depend upon them. Erik
Hoffner is a photojournalist and organizer of the Orion Grassroots Network.
He lives and works in the Berkshires. Heifer Project International
brings hope and pride of place to struggling rural communities around the world
by teaching the wisdom of sustainable agriculture and small scale livestock
farming. This project was the cover story for the Summer 2009 issue
of World Ark magazine. Slow Food here
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Keep learning
Winter AG Commission Gathering & Forum
Hancock Shaker Village - Saturday, January 9th -- 8:30 - 3:30
All Farmers, AgCom Members, and Others Invited
Ag Commission Roundtable
Discussion - Reports from each Western Mass Ag Commission, Success
Stories, Problems, What's Working
Panel Discussion on New
Agricultural Legislation, Current Laws and Issues, Hot Agricultural Topics
(MDAR General Counsel Bob Ritchie, Asst Commissioner Nathan L'Etoile, Rep
Denis Guyer, Cris Coffin of American Farmland Trust)
Buffet Lunch and
Informal Discussion
Panel and Exhibits on
New and Current Sources of Funding, Information, and Technical Assistance
for Farmers - Energy Funding, Loan Programs, Incentives, Private &
Government Programs, Farm Support Agencies, and More
For more information: Ann
Gibson, RC&D, 413-256-1607; Pete Westover, 413-665-4077
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FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Funding Available to Help
Farmers Extend the Growing Season While Protecting Natural Resources
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a new pilot project under the 'Know
Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels -
also known as hoop houses - to increase the availability of locally grown
produce in a conservation-friendly way.
Interested farmers should sign up by January
15, 2010.
Local farmers who would like to sign-up for the high tunnel pilot
should call or visit the NRCS office at a local USDA service center by
January 15th. USDA service center locations are listed on-line here for MA or in the phone book under Federal Government, U.S. Department of
Agriculture. General program information is available on the NRCS
Massachusetts website at www.ma.nrcs. usda.gov.
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 Stay In touch!
Berkshire Grown e-newsletter will come out
twice a month, around the 1st & 15th, during the growing season and once a month during the winter. Please send
information to [email protected], thanks!
Barbara Zheutlin,
Director;
Ashley Nelson, Outreach Coordinator
413-528-0041 |
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