new with mission
News & Events mid July 2011
Berkshire Grown online


Meet Berkshire Grown's Farmers  

 

Interns report from the farms:

 

 

Comm Coop Farm hands

 

"Visiting all of Community Cooperative Farm requires a small tour of Southern Berkshire County- not because the farm itself is so large (less than 20 acres), but because it is scattered throughout the region. In turn the myriad locations lead to variety: pigs, chickens, and berries and much more," read more here   by Nichole Calero

 

 

 

Mighty Food Farm by GI 

Gina Iannitelli:  "At Mighty Food Farm in Pownal, VT, family dogs run freely and playfully around the farmhands, who are laughing and joking as they load produce into a truck. Lisa MacDougall has been the head of Mighty Food Farm for five years and, since the beginning, has sustained a certified organic environment. When questioned if it is difficult to keep her produce, which ranges from "artichokes to zucchini", completely organic, she quickly and adamantly replies..." read more here

 

 

 

Sweet Brook FarmAnthony Raduazo:  

 

"At first glance, Sweet Brook Farm (pictured on left) epitomizes the very ideal of traditional New England pastoral life.  That is, until you notice the odd-looking animals grazing in the distance. With their long, elegant necks, slender legs, and shaggy bodies, the creatures look different from the standard bovine in Berkshire County. Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that they are not cattle at all - they are alpaca . . . "  read more here 

 

 

 

Square Roots Farm by GI"Gallagher and Amsden began Square Roots Farm, (pictured on the right) a small sustainable farm in Clarksburg, just over a year ago.  The two are not only the owners of one of Berkshire County's youngest farms - they are also two of Berkshire County's youngest farmers.  In their mid-twenties, spritely, and enthusiastic, Gallagher and Amsden are not the atypical farmers in Berkshire County . . . " read more here

 

 


child with blueberryPick-Your-Own-Berries  

 

Call Ahead to confirm availability   

 

 

 Blueberry Hill Farm (in Mount Washington)

: PYO Blueberries starting in late July/early August. Call ahead 413-528-1479   

 

Blueberry Hill Farm: (in Washington): PYO Blueberries opening in late July/early August. Call ahead 413-623-5859

 

 

Lakeview Orchard: Open Tuesday - Sunday at 9:00 a.m - 4pm. PYO tart cherries and red and black raspberries ! CALL AHEAD  413-448-6009

 

 

Thompson-Finch Farm: PYO blueberries, Call for hours:  518-329-7578

 

 

Windy Hill Farm: PYO Blueberries, open daily 9-4 (weather permitting) Call 413-298-3217 

 

 

NOFA 2011 conferenceNORTHEAST ORGANIC FARMING ASSOCIATION  

 

NOFA SUMMER CONFERENCE   

 

AUGUST 12-14, 2011   

UMASS AMHERST   

REGISTER NOW!  

 

Keynote Speakers: Eric Toensmeier, Perennial Edibles Expert, and Dr. Ignacio Chapela of UC Berkeley, GMO Activist.

 

Over 200 Workshops on Organic Gardening, Farming, Food Politics, Permaculture, Homesteading, Landscaping, Draft-Animal Power, Alternative Energy, Livestock, Cooking, and more! Hundreds of Vendors and Exhibitors. Live Entertainment. Children's and Teen Conference. Country Fair and Farmer's Market. Silent Auction.  This year NOFA is proud to partner with the Draft-Animal Power Network. Spend the weekend or come for the day.  Activities for all ages.

 

To register: www.nofasummerconference.org 

Email: info@nofasummerconference.org 

Call: 978-355-2853


Farmers Markets are open!  

                                               Support your local farmer!

    

Moon in the Pond at FM by NC

 

 

Picture of Moon in the Pond Farm at Sheffield Farmers Market 2011  

 

 MORE FARMERS' MARKETS  click on

MAP-O-LICIOUS 


The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation  

Open House and Ice Cream Social  

Thursday August 4th from 2 - 4 PM  

at its SheepHill headquarters in Williamstown.    

  

Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation sheep hillSheep Hill, a former small dairy farm, is a unique property with stunning scenery, meadow trails, and historic barns.    

  

The afternoon will feature crafts and activities for children, and local ice 

cream served with seasonal fruits.  Visitors will be welcome to visit the 

barns and exhibits and walk the trails through the summer meadow.  

 A $3 donation is suggested.  The event will be held rain or shine.  

Located on Route 7 south in Williamstown, approximately one mile south of 

the rotary.  Program support provided by the Williamstown Savings Bank.  For more information here   or call 458-2494.    

 



Grow It... at the Berkshire Botanical Garden

BBG Grown event 2011 

 

What We're Reading

Read about competing interests for farmland in the Hamptons, NY. The article raises issues such as the cost of land, the value of farms, and how family farms can survive longterm:  

Vanity Fair article family farm"Betting the Farm" in VANITY FAIR here

John White's family has been working its 57-acre oceanfront farm in Sagaponack since 1695, the last holdouts against a tide of Wall Streeter mansions. But in an effort to save his children's inheritance-by selling 10 of those acres to a Houston oil mogul-White may have lost it all.

By Michael Shnayerson    Read the article here

Photo by John Huba in VANITY FAIR  

 SAVE THE DATE:
BG welcome signSeptember 19th, 2011
Berkshire Grown's Harvest Supper

Celebrate locally grown food with farmers and chefs!

At Eastover Hotel and Resort, Lenox, MA 

Share the Bounty logo 

    

Share the Bounty = Berkshire Grown's win - win project:  

Helps local farms + food pantries.

See and hear more about Share the Bounty here & here!  

 

Quick Bites

 

DISCOVER THE:  

Berkshire Grown Online Farmers' Market

a 24 hour Farmers' Market! 


  

 

lettuce community coop farm by NCBerkshire Grown has created a Facebook page 

called Berkshire Grown Online Farmers' Marketplace

- a central place for Berkshire Grown members to congregate and talk supply and demand. 



 

Self-propelled by Berkshire Grown members, the page will benefit those of you who choose to participate in it. Farmers and food producers can post what they have available, and chefs and community members can comment or contact suppliers directly with requests for product or more information.   

Thanks for the photo to Nicole Calero, taken at Community Cooperative Farm

Berkshire Grown offers this as a networking service and bears no responsibility for transactions.


  **************************************************************************************************


MASSACHUSETTS GROWN...and FRESHER!  

  

 

 If you are traveling through Massachusetts check out this map, support our local farmers throughout the state!

 


CHECK OUT MAP-O-LICIOUS FOR FRESH
LOCAL EGGS, CHEESE, MEAT & MORE 


 

BG logoStay In touch!

Berkshire Grown's e-newsletter comes out monthly.  Please send information to barbara@berkshiregrown.org, thanks!  Join Berkshire Grown here.


Barbara Zheutlin, Director
Sheryl Lechner, Outreach Coordinator
413-528-0041