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June 2014 e-newsletter

In This Issue

Guide to Farms

PYO Strawberries

Quick Links

Our Sponsors

Thanks to Sohn Foundation for supporting the Berkshire Grown Guide to Farms:

Visit Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation

The new Berkshire Grown Guide to Farms just released! Pick up a copy to find delicious local food, farmers' markets, PYO farms, retailers, restaurants & more!

Join Berkshire Grown to receive a copy in the mail.

Thanks Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation for support for the Farm Guide.

Pick Your Own Strawberries!

Taste the difference - farm fresh and local.

Call for what's available!

Here are Berkshire Grown farmers who are growing pick-your-own strawberries:

The Berry Patch, Stephentown, NY

(518) 733-1234 or 733-6772

Thompson-Finch Farm, Ancram, NY

(518)329-7578

Harvest is weather dependent, so always call ahead for picking details.

Farmers' Markets Are Open! Find them on Map-o-licious on Berkshire Grown's website. Click on "Farmers' Markets" to find hours, days, location for more farmers' markets than ever before.

SHARE THE BOUNTY expands:

Includes 18 farms!

Berkshire Grown bought shares in 18 farms - the most ever - this season, thanks to the support of many of you. Click

for more information and for how you can support farmers and food pantries/ kitchens at the same time!

Berkshire Grown member Berkshire Organics invites you:

Farmland - how to find it, share it, sustain it, access it

Resources for farmers and landowners - thanks to collaborators at Community Land Trust in the SouthernBerkshires, Berkshire Grown, Berkshire Co-op Market, Land for Good, The Carrot Project, Great Barrington Agriculture Commission, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Schumacher Center for a New Economics and Bard College at Simon's Rock Center for Food Studies and American Farmland Trust

What we are reading

What Farm to Table Got Wrong

by Dan Barber

"The crowds clamoring for just-dug produce at the farmers' market and the local food co-op suggest that this movement is no longer just a foodie fad.

"Today, almost 80 percent of Americans say sustainability is a priority when purchasing food. The promise of this kind of majority is that eating local can reshape landscapes and drive lasting change.
"Except it hasn't. More than a decade into the movement, the promise has fallen short. For all its successes, farm-to-table has not, in any fundamental way, reworked the economic and political forces that dictate how our food is grown and raised. Big Food is getting bigger, not smaller..." READ MORE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES.

What we are reading

Highlights from the NEW AG CENSUS

What? How dull you say.

Think again: imagine a snapshot of what's happening if anything because of the food movement. Read the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition summary of what the NEW Agriculture Census reveals: Read here. LOCAL FOOD, and BEGINNING FARMERS, + more

Rooster at Second Hand Farm in Great Barrington, MA.

What we are reading

The Campaign for Junk Food

Michelle Obama on Attempts to Roll Back Healthy Reforms

Michelle Obama American Grown "...Right now, the House of Representatives is considering a bill to override science by mandating that white potatoes be included on the list of foods that women can purchase using WIC dollars. Now, there is nothing wrong with potatoes. The problem is that many women and children already consume enough potatoes and not enough of the nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables they need. That's why the Institute of Medicine - the nonpartisan, scientific body that advises on the standards for WIC - has said that potatoes should not be part of the WIC program..."

Read more in the New York Times.

Mt. Everett Agriculture Field Day

Friday June 13th from 9 am - 1 pm

Meet Future Farmers of America in Sheffield

The Field Day introduces students to careers in agriculture and enables them to network with agricultural businesses to encourage potential internships and work experiences.

Foster a strong relationship between the agricultural community and school system, especially the Mt. Everett FFA (Future Farmers of America) student chapter Friday June 13th at Mt Everett

"Give Back" to the community from Evergreen Fine American Crafts

Many thanks to Evergreen Fine American Crafts - a local business supporting local non profit organizations.

June 1 - 15th, if you mention Berkshire Grown at Evergreen Fine American Crafts when you make a purchase, Berkshire Grown will receive a contribution. Evergreen launched a "Give Back" to the community campaign to celebrate its 35th year in business.

Evergreen Fine American Crafts, 291 Main Street in downtown Great Barrington. 413-528-0511

Berkshire Grown | 413-528-0041 | www.berkshiregrown.org

314 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230

Barbara Zheutlin, Director

Sheryl Lechner, Outreach Coordinator

Suzie Fowle, Program Associate

Support Berkshire Grown