One reason to buy locally grown is to reduce the use of energy in transporting food to us.  Another is to support the farms and food businesses in our local food system who are reducing their use of fossil fuel energy for production, processing, and delivery. Farmers pay for energy in many different forms, including fuel for tractors and trucks, fertilizer, and heating and cooling of buildings and crops.  Processors, of course, power equipment, heating and cooling systems, and trucks used for distribution.  Local food system businesses are cutting their fossil fuel bills through energy conservation and increased use of renewable energy sources, including solar, geothermal, and animal power.

 

Two local businesses are marking their increased use of solar power with a mix of celebratory and educational events in the next month.  Seeds of Solidarity in Orange, MA recently installed a farmstand photovoltaic system to power a refrigerator for their greens and other produce, with support from the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program. They'll have both a farm tour and a no-till gardening and farming workshop on June 4th.  Real Pickles celebrates their 10th year in business and move to 100% solar power with a party - and a chance to learn from their solar installers - on May 26th. 

 

CISA will host a workshop on energy-efficiency for maple syrup operations on May 17th at Justamere Tree Farm in Worthington.  See CISA's events page for more information on all of these events!

 

You, too, can reduce the energy required to transport your food to your table.  Think about combining trips, biking, or carpooling to the farmers' market, your CSA pick-up, or your local retailer.

 

Margaret Christie
Special Projects Director