Local farms have met the challenges of COVID-19. They hit the ground running in March to make food available, safely, to everyone and they haven't stopped since. They're working every day to grow food and get it out to local communities, and now local folks are saying: thank you.
|
|
|
Fall has arrived! Here's what's in season and how to get it. |
|
It's pick-your-own season
The ultimate socially-distant, delicious way to spend a fall day outside.
|
|
Time to order your turkey!
We know Thanksgiving is going to look very different this year -- perhaps you're gathering with just your immediate family, or just your little pod. Either way, make it a special day of thanks and celebration with a local turkey. This is the time to place your order!
|
|
Open this week
You can still find some summer crops, like corn and peppers, at local farm stands. But we're really getting into fall crops now -- all sorts of winter squash, cold-hardy greens, potatoes, cauliflower, and crisp apples. We're keeping track of farm stands, farmers' markets, restaurants, and everyone else that is open now, and you can filter the list to find home delivery and curbside pickup options too.
|
|
Talking pickles with Addie Rose Holland of Real Pickles |
|
Addie Rose Holland, one of the worker-owners of Real Pickles in Greenfield, joined CISA to talk about all the local vegetables Real Pickles buys and ferments every year, how COVID-19 has impacted their business, and how you can get started on veggie fermentation projects at home!
|
|
|
Cider season and a new farm stand at Carr's Ciderhouse |
|
Nicole Blum and Jonathan Carr, owners of Carr's Ciderhouse in Hadley, talk with CISA about the range of delicious and creative cider projects they make, from hard cider and apple cider vinegar to shrubs and switchel. Then they show us around their brand-new farmstand, located on Rt. 47 in Hadley -- definitely worth an in-person visit!
|
|
|
Local Hero profile: Old Friends Farm |
|
The farmers at Old Friends Farm in Amherst, known for growing beautiful greens, flowers, ginger, and turmeric, were hoping that 2020 could be a year to simplify things a little -- instead COVID-19 introduced a lot of new complications. Read all about Old Friends Farm, how they fit into our larger food system, and the new online storefront they built to adapt to this challenging year.
|
|
Behind the scenes at local farms |
|
"Farmers are doing what they’ve always done: growing food and figuring out how to get it to people. This adaptation requires an immense amount of work and risk-taking, and so far, farmers have seen real community support during this crisis. Still, the real financial reckoning won’t be clear for months, and farmers are continuing to make plans for an uncertain future." In this month's CISA column in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, we talked with a handful of local farms about how the pandemic has affected them. Read more >
CISA's weekly column Valley Bounty column in the Daily Hampshire Gazette focuses on what's happening behind the scenes at local farms. Recent columns include: an apple report from Clarkdale Fruit Farms and a favorite potato-leek soup recipe from Twin Oaks Farm. Read Valley Bounty!
WRSI's Local Hero Spotlight interviews feature a local farm or business each week. Recent interviews include: getting ready for fall decorating with Vollinger Farm and getting ready to VOTE with Mike's Maze at Warner Farm. Listen to WRSI's Local Hero Spotlight!
|
|
Welcome Sarah Lucia, TerraCorps Service Member |
|
Join us in welcoming Sarah, who has joined CISA as a TerraCorps member for the 2020-2021 year to assist in developing programs to build sales at farmers' markets through the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). She is excited to help make markets a more accessible and welcoming place for all community members, increasing their access to fresh and local food.
|
|
Quick Links
Check out our press page for news stories about local farms and local agriculture, along with our weekly interview series on WRSI, monthly column in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, and more!
Job opportunities, land, equipment.
|
|
Please do not take images or content to use on your own site or project without CISA's explicit permission. Please feel free to link to our newsletter. Archives can be found at buylocalfood.org.
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
|
|
1 Sugarloaf Street,
South Deerfield, MA 01373
413-665-7100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
