Nature's summer bounty provides for a perfect table
The Republican, August 20, 2010
Tabellas Restaurant was created by husband and wife team Adrian d'Arrico and Emily Wadham. Wadham, "manages the front of the house, and tends to the bar, creating inventive cocktails...from fresh, local ingredients." A walk through the Amherst Farmers' Market sets the scene as Wadham picks up herbs, vegetables, syrups and fruits from the likes of Old Friends Farm, Justamere Tree Farm, Sangha Farm and Simple Gifts Farm for her creative cocktail menu.

Restaurant specials grown locally
Channel 22 News, August 17, 2010
Over 40 restaurants in the Pioneer Valley are featuring dishes made with locally grown ingredients in an event called Restaurant Days Celebration. This Tuesday and Wednesday eat out to support local agriculture.

Hot weather leads to early apple season
Channel 22 News, August 16, 2010
Farmers like Ben Clark at Clarkdale Farms report that hot, dry weather is making their fruit ripen early.  

Locally Grown Produce adds to the Healing Environment at BFMC
The Recorder, August 16, 2010
Locally grown produce is available for purchase at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center cafe from early spring through October. Members of CISA for four years, the addition of locally grown, "supports the hospital's conscious commitment to a healing environment, in which the natural beauty of the area is evident at every turn."

Farmers fare well at MassMutual
The Republican, August 16, 2010
MassMutual employees enjoy the farmers' market that since June has offered fresh produce, meats, plants and baked goods. The market is managed by Al Fini of Fini's Plant Farm, and vendors include Gooseberry Farms.

Ready to go
The Recorder, August 13, 2010
A photo features Jay Snyder of Shoestring Farm, shown preparing shares for members of the Common Wealth CSA.

Moooore milk?
The Republican, August 12, 2010
In the cold month of February, Bruce Jenks and Jill Goulet created what is now a popular local ice cream company: Maple Valley Creamery. All the milk used in the process is local and hormone free. Locally produced ingredients like berries and coffee from Esselon cafe make up the 14 natural flavors.

Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
Mass Appeal, August 11, 2010
Appetizer recipes from a TV cooking demonstration with Maureen McGuinness, co-owner of Roberto's and Sylvester's.

Small farmers, food producers fear new layer of regulations
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Local farmers and producers like Dan Rosenberg of Real Pickles and Steve Nelson of Hedgie's Hot Stuff report mixed feelings about a new Senate bill that, "aims to update the authority of the FDA."

How does your garden drive?
Daily Hampshire Gazette, August 11, 2010
How to draw in customers is an age-old restaurant conundrum. At Green Street Cafe, the back patio where lunch is served has been transformed into the "Auto Garden Grill." The lot now holds three old cars planted up with flowers and vegetables - decorative and practical installation art.

Peppers, peppers, peppers!
The Recorder, August 11, 2010
Peppers are making their way onto market stands and plates. Stop in at The Bars Farm to sample a huge variety, from mild to spicy.

Plain and simple
Amherst Bulletin, August 6, 2010
More and more Valley residents are singing the praises of raw milk. The unpasturized, unhomogenized counterpart to supermarket milk does come with risks, however. Dairy farmers like Flayvors of Cook Farm and consumers alike weigh the risks.

Valley Twist: the scoop on five area ice cream stands
Hampshire Life, August 6, 2010
Smiarowski Farm Stand and Creamery in Sunderland is featured as one of the Valley's best ice cream stands. The offerings include Polish treats like Kielbasa, fresh produce from the ajacent farm, and ice cream.

Gardening Simple Vegetables
Cooks Source Magazine, 2010
Llani Davidson of Gardens for Change give simple directions to start that backyard garden you've always wanted. Home gardening is worth the time and energy, says Davidson, when you can walk out your kitchen door and pick something for dinner.

Dry weather wreaking harvest havoc
The Recorder, August 6, 2010
It's hard to be a vegetable when temperatures are hot and rainfall is low. This dry spell can mean serious damage for farmers like Tom Fair of 13 Moon Harvest Farm, especially those without an irrigation system.

A Day in the Cheese Room
The Valley Advocate, August 5, 2010
The day starts before the sun rises for Maribeth and Derek Ritchie, who own Sangha Farm. Milking their herd of goats is the first step in creating creamy, fresh goat cheese.

The Harvest Table
Preview Massachusetts
From its opening in 2006, Tabellas Restaurant in Amherst has stayed steadfast in their mission to serve locally grown, hand crafted food. You may have heard of a CSA - well, this is what owner Adrian Hahn-d'Errico calls a CSR (community sustainable restaurant). Dishes like rabbit in a spelt and corn empanada crust start from the simple products of surrounding farms.

The Cafe Worth Fighting For
Preview Massachusetts
The Green Street Cafe in Northampton has been fighting a legal battle for years, but not once have owners John Sielski and Jim Dozmati lost sight of their mission: good food. Their restaurant remains a place of inspiring art, warm colors, swoon-worthy meals and community feeling.

Hip to Henhouses
Preview Massachusetts, August 2010
Chickens are everywhere these days - in backyards as well as on farmland. And it isn't just about the birds anymore, coop building is becoming a site of creativity and innovation. Some area residents are using recycled materials like garage door panels or cordwood to build their chicken palace. At Park Hill Orchard you can find a moveable coop, with wheels build in so it can be moved around the land as the chickens graze.  

A Fresh Take on an Old Faithful
Preview Massachusetts, August 2010
The Eastside Grill has been a favorite in Northampton for years, offering flavorful food and a comfortable atmosphere. Since 2008, the restaurant has been under the ownership of Debra Flynn. She works tirelessly to maintain the restaurant's long-held reputation as well as bolster it with a fresh, seasonal menu and dedicated staff. 

Best thing about farmers' markets? Nobody owns them
Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 31-August 1, 2010
Ben James of Town Farm writes about the Northampton Tuesday Farmers' Market and the health and vitality of creating public space for community interaction to occur.

Mobile poultry processing unit helps Western Massachusetts farmers get chickens to market
The Republican, July 31, 2010
A mobile poultry processing unit loaned out by the New England Small Farm Institute is a viable option for farms like Mockingbird Farm who have poultry to process but would rather not travel out of state to a licensed facility.

Company celebrating 100 years
The Recorder, July 31, 2010
Snow's Nice Cream Co. is a century old! Current owners Gary Scharfer and Barbara Fingold have owned the company since 1983, are looking to the future with plans to build a dairy processing center. The center would allow them to bottle milk from local farms to use in the production of their ice cream. One of their missions has always been to use as much local dairy and produce as possible.

At Mayval Farm, everything's up to date
 Energy Smarts, July 31, 2010
The last operating dairy farm in Westhampton, Mayval Farm has updated their systems with help from the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program.

Berry Hard Work
The Republican, July 29, 2010
A photograph features children hard at work picking blueberries at Dickinson Farms in Granby.

As raw milk sales increase, health debate continues
The Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 27, 2010
Farms like Upinngill who sell raw milk on farm are frustrated about new policy on buying-clubs, health experts say that consumers need to be aware of the risks.

 Nourse Farms is expanding
The Recorder, Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Nourse Farms of Whately recently purchases a 119-acre parcel along McClellan Farm Road from Stewart's Nursery, and plans to buy additional acres to increase their berry production.

Fruits of their labor
The Recorder, July 20, 2010
Nourse Farms in Whatley is expanding their already abundant fruit farm. The purchase of a 119 acre parcel will make it possible to rotate strawberry crops more efficiently, giving the land a needed rest.

Residents of Easthampton push for creation of Ag Commission
Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 15, 2010
A recent legal battle fought by Chicoine Family Farm over 25 acres of farmland in Easthampton could have been avoided, according to Councilor Andrea Burns, if the town had an agricultural commission. Now residents and city councilors alike are pushing for such a commission to be created. The commission would, "act as an official platform for local farmers."

Szawlowski Potato Farm celebrates 100th year anniversary
The Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 12, 2010
On Jluy 11th in Hatfield, the Szawlowski family was honored with citations from the state governor, and hundreds of people gathered on the roadside to watch the Potato Parade. This article gives an account of Szawlowski Potato Farm's success over three generations.

Greenfield Farmers market now accepts food vouchers
The Recorder, July 12, 2010
In an effort to allow people of all incomes to access local healthy foods, three Franklin County farmers markets are now accepting SNAP benefits.

Board votes 'no' to outdoor entertainment at Blue Heron
The Recorder, July 12, 2010
The Zoning Board of Appeals voted against a recent appeal by The Blue Heron to amend their permit to allow outdoor entertainment. Owners Deborah Snow and Barbara White were hoping to bring in addition business by hosting local jazz musicians or solo performers on their outdoor patio. The negative response by the board was influenced in part by complaints made by the owner of Dimo's Restaurant, which parallels the Blue Heron patio.

With solar panels, Next Barn Over will soon sell power as well as local produce
Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 9, 2010
Next Barn Over, the new farm and CSA created after the closing of The Food Bank Farm, will sell more than just vegetables this summer. Michael Docter has plans to install 156 solar panels on the roof of the barn. CSA shareholders will be able to purchase the clean energy through their electric company.

Local farmers have to adapt to heat, but season off to a great start
The Republican, July 8, 2010
After a spring of record-breaking heat, owners of Mountain View Farm and Kosinski's Farm talk about how the weather effects their crops. Ruth Hazzard of UMass Extension says "overall, it's been a really good year."

Farmers market at Rockridge Retirement Home opens for third year
Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 8, 2010
Farmer Poppi Kelly of Bloody Brook Farm talks about her experiences supplying the residents with local produce both through the farmers market and through the kitchen.

Tuesday Farmers Market in Northampton now accepts food vouchers
Daily Hampshire Gazette, July 6, 2010
Ben James of Town Farm explains how food stamps are now accepted at most local farmers markets. This not only helps farmers like John O'Masta from Hickory Dell Farm, but brings healthy, ecologically friendly food to low-income Massachusetts residents.

Whately farm loses barn in morning blaze
Daily Hampshire Gazette, June 30, 2010
A barn that housed farm equipment and planting records burned to the ground at J.M. Pasiecnik Farm tuesday morning. No one was injured, and the cause of the fire is currently unknown.
article also featured in The Recorder on June 30th

Ben James of Town Farm explains the challenges a small farm faces in pricing its produce
Daily Hampshire Gazette, June 26, 2010
This editorial explains common consumer questions like "why is produce priced so highly?" James says that we need to look at the big picture and understand that the value of produce is determined by the huge amount of work required to grow it.

New Farmers Market opens in North Amherst
The Republican, June 27, 2010
Located in the center of North Amherst, this market will be open every Saturday from 9am to 2pm.

Small Gifts Farm owner writes about the farm ecosystem
Daily Hampshire Gazette, June 26, 2010
In this editorial, Audrey Barker Plotkin shares some of her experiences and expertise about farm living. She stresses the importance of small farms in creating ecosystems for birds, plants and pollinators.

UMass Extension encourages local farmers to grow cherries, gives Outlook Farm, Park Hill Orchard as successful examples
The Republican, June 25, 2010
"If you can grow apples and peaches, then you can grow cherries" sasy fruit specialist Jon Clements.

Bub's BBQ owners will appear on the Today show
The Recorder, June 25, 2010
Deac and Elaine Tily will cook on the today show in a 6 minute segment airing this Tuesday.

Harvest Farms diversifies with ethnic crops introduced by the UMass research farm.
UMass magazine, spring 2010
THe UMass research farm in South Deerfield has pumped more than $3 milion in vegetable sales into the local economy in the past decade by researching and developing new creative cash crops that are feasible in the New England climate. These crops prove to be extremely lucrative for local farms looking to diversify. Gary Gemme of Harvest Farm now grows jilo, a Brazilian eggplant that he sells as a distinctive product to grocers interested in expanding thier cultural cuisine.

Llani Davidson helps readers grow backyard gardens
Cooks Source, June 2010
Master gardener Llani Davidson of Gardens for Change wrote an approachable and amusing article in this month's free food lover's magazine that outlines useful planting, weeding, and harvesting tips for do it yourself gardening.

UMass eats local
UMass magazine, spring 2010
John Kokoski of Mapleline Farms and Joe Czajkowski of Czaikowski Farms were both mentioned as proud food suppliers of UMass Dining. Mapleline hormone-free milk is offered to students on eat-local days and special occasions, and Czajkowski vegetables such as asparagus and zucchini are part of the menu when the season is right.

A walking tour of Town Farm
Daily Hampshire Gazette, June 15, 2010
In anticipation of Ben James' new column in the Gazette, staff writer Ellie Cook takes a tour of Town Farm to get to know the writer/farmer. The Hampshire grad and his wife Oona Coy bought their land, located in Northampton, in order to try the "urban homestead thing." They run a 120-member CSA, sell at the Tuesday Market, and grow a veritable bounty of produce.

Local Farmers discuss spring weather
Daily Hampshire Gazette, June 15, 2010
As the spring season officially comes to a close, farmers look back on the weather patterns with mixed emotions. A hot, dry beginning allowed many like Mike Wissemann of Warner Farm to plant early. On the other hand, strong winds and late frosts have, "kept farmers on their toes." Nate Nourse of Nourse Farms and Dan Pratt of Astarte Farm say that this season is a large improvement from last year's unrelenting rains.

Maple Valley Creamery launches new brand of ice cream
Daily Hampshire Gazette, June 14, 2010
It was low prices on the dairy market that convinced Ben Jenks of Allard's Farms to diversify his product line. Thus, Maple Valley Creamery was born. The line of ice cream made with milk from Hadley cows uses local products from Valley businesses like Esselon Cafe (coffee, green tea flavors) and the North Hadley Sugar Shack (maple walnut flavor). "Anytime we can keep the dollars local and benefit other farms in the area, that's ultimately our goal," says Jenks. After initial skepticism about CISA's Local Hero campaign, he notes that it really does draw the customers in.

Real Pickles is awarded for commitment to buying local
The Recorder, June 14, 2010
Dan Rosenberg, the owner of Real Pickles in Montague, was named as one of CISA's 2010 local heroes. Says Rosenberg: "It feels like a serious honor to get an award from CISA, because I respect the organization a lot. They’ve done an amazing job raising the consciousness of people about the importance of buying local and that’s had a serious impact on the local food system."

Good Field Farm produce stand is now open, CSA to open next spring
Weekend Gazette, June 12-13, 2010
Shana Totino sees potential in the small rural community of the Hilltowns, and plans to expand her growing operation in the next few years. Her farmstand is located on Goshen Road in Williamsburg at the former location of the Wildcat Farmstand.

Sunderland farm takes part in UMASS tilling project
Weekend Gazette, June 12-13, 2010
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has received a grant to help vegetable farmers withstand extreme weather. The project will study "deep zone tillage," a method of working the soil that will hopefully help crops survive flooding and drought. The method has already been adopted by local farms such as Warner Farm and Plainville Farms, both located in Sunderland.

The Green Street Cafe temporarily reopens for lunch and dinner
Preview Massachusetts, June 2010
Owners John Sielski and Jim Dozmati have operated the Green Street Cafe for twenty years. Situated in a homey Victorian in one of the oldest neighborhoods of Northampton, the Cafe serves wine, coffee, baked goods and renowned gourmet food. The owners have lived in the Connecticut River Valley all their lives, and have a strong sense of community pride. Unfortunately five years ago, neighboring Smith College announced plans to build a new engineering buiding next door to the cafe, and the restaurateurs were forced to close down after refusing a settlement to break their lease. Although last February the Green Street Cafe was permitted to reopen, unless the lease is renewed the restaurant is scheduled to close in 2012.

Strawberry lovers flock to Deerfield Farm
The Recorder, June 11, 2010
Strawberries are here, and Franklin County residents are headed to the fields at "pick your own" operations like the one at Deerfield Farm. Pickers can enjoy the sun and the calm of the field while filling their crates with berries for shortcakes, pies, jams and ice cream. Warm weather pushed the season up about a week, says farmer Skip Sobieski, and we are all reaping the benefits.

Farm proves to be place where wild things are
Weekend Gazette, May 29-30, 2010
Monthly column by Ben James of Town Farm
Musings on wandering farm poultry, death in nature, and lost ducklings.

Photo of Northfield Mount Hermon students featured
The Recorder, May 29, 2010
A photo shows student Anna Reid driving Kate and Roca, the school's two powerful draft horses.

Bart's reopens in Amherst
Daily Hampshire Gazette, May 24, 2010
The reopening of cafe features a return to the roots of Bart's Ice Cream. The new menu will place an emphasis on the ice cream that has made Bart's a local name, as well as homemade desserts. "The focus will be on doing a good job with ice cream, period," states Barbara Fingold who co-owns the brand.

Ben James of Town Farm given new monthly column in the Daily Hampshire Gazette
May 19, 2010
This Northhampton farm owner's essays on farm life will appear inthe last Saturday of every month. Check out his first column.

Tom Clark of Clarkdale Farms featured in radio interview
WFCR Local News, May 19, 2020
A new report in the journal "Pediatrics" shows a possible connection between pesticide consumption and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Clark wonders if this will increase consumer demand for organic food.

Holy Smokes BBQ reopens as a deli, new location
The Recorder, May 14, 2010
Lou and Leslie Ekus, owners of former restaurant Holy Smokes BBQ, have opened a deli version in Turners Falls. They offer their barbecued ribs, chicken, pulled pork, smoked bacon, and numerous savory side dishes. The couple hopes to use more local meat, raised humanely, in their dishes.

CSA farmer buys up land in Montague
The Recorder, May 11, 2010
Ryan Voiland of Red Fire Farm has purchased over 100 acres of land in Montague in an effort to expand his successful growing business.

Quality and Caring Are Key
Edible Boston, Spring 2009
The local food movement has played host to many firsts. Chestnut Farms started the first meat CSA in Massachusetts. CSA members, "allow us to farm year-round. We are very cognizant of how blessed we are to have members," says co-owner Kim Denney. Kim bought the farm 11 years ago with an idea to raise animals humanely and passionately.

Warm Colors Apiary owner speaks on honeybee crisis
The Recorder, May 4, 2010
The national honeybee population is shrinking, dire news for those who raise or rely on the insects to pollinate their fields. Daniel Conlon, co-owner of Warm Colors Apiary and president of the MA Beekeepers Association points at wet weather, starvation and Colony Collapse Disorder as potential causes.

Maple Valley Ice Cream new to Hadley
Daily Hampshire Gazette, May 3, 2010
Bruce Jenks and Jill Goulet of Allard's Farm are developing a line of ice cream made with farm-produced milk and local ingredients. The brand, Maple Valley Ice Cream, has six flavors available in stores. The community focus of the brand is strong, and the creamery will donate 10 cents to a nonprofit charity for every ice cream lid returned.

Local Heroes popular in Advocate's "Best of the Valley"
April 15, 2010
Local Hero farms and businesses garnered a lot of votes from readers and dominated in several categories including Best Italian Restaurant, Farm Stand, Local Farm (surprise, surprise), and Health Food Store. Those reaching #1 status include, Northampton Brewery (Brew Pub and Outdoor Dining), Eastside Grille (Restaurant and Seafood), Chez Albert (French Restaurant), Tabellas (Tapas), Sylvester's (Breakfast and Sunday Brunch), Bub's BBQ (Ribs/Barbeque), The Black Sheep Deli (Deli), Local Burger (Burgers), Paul and Elizabeth's (Salad and Vegetarian), Richardson's Candy Kitchen (Sweet Shop), River Valley Market (Gourmet Food Store and Green Business), Hadley Garden Center (Nursery/Garden Center).

Hope and Olive Restaurant awarded "best casual dining"
The Recorder, April 28, 2010
Hope and Olive restaurant was chosen by Yankee Magazine as one of seven Franklin County 'Best of New England' attractions. The list was featured in the magazine's 2010 "Travel Guide to New England." The Greenfield restaurant was chosen as, "best casual dining," to the delight of co-owners Maggie and Zach Zaccara.

Real Pickles featured as unique local business
The Valley Advocate, April 15-21, 2010
In an interview with Mark Roessler, Dan Rosenberg discussing the founding and day-to day work of running Real Pickles. The local business is unique, using lactic acid fermentation instead of the more typical vinegar pickling method. Rosenberg takes pride in creating his product artisnally, in small batches, tasting and tweaking along each step of the way. All the vegetables used in their products are locally grown. You can find pickles, sauerkraut, cabbage, kimchi, hot sauce, gingered carrot and beets at stores across the Valley.

Stone Soup Farm begins bike delivery service
Daily Hampshire Gazette, April 19, 2010
In an effort to garner more local clients, Stone Soup Farm of Belchertown is adding a new component to their CSA: bike delivery. Annie Sullivan-Chin, assistant manager, will bike 22 miles every Thursday this summer to deliver shares at two central locations - Wheatberry Cafe in Amherst and the Media Education Foundation in Northampton. Since currently the farm does much of its business in Boston, this change is both environmentally driven and smart from a marketing standpoint. Sullivan-Chin hopes that bicycle delivery will help their CSA stand out.

Swartz Family Farm grows year-round
Amherst Bulletin, April 9, 2010
Most farms in Western, MA have a 120 day growing season; Swartz Family Farm in Amherst grows produce 365 days a year. Greens are grown hydroponically in greenhouses all through the winter, a process that uses one tenth of the water used on a traditional farm and no pesticides. Innovative growing and marketing methods (such as online ordering) make Swartz an excellent choice for those who want to eat locally year-round. The farm also has two CSA's. one that runs January-April and one in the main season. Each are $600 a share and include local products from neighboring farms and specialty producers.

Farmers' market on the way
The Town Common, April 8, 2010
An image shows Linda Fuchs of Linda Fuchs Greenhouse at last year's Hitchcock Free Academy's Farmers' and Artisans' Market (Brimfield). Her smiling face and lovely potted herbs encourage everyone to attend again this year. The market opens on Saturday, April 17th and will run through November 20th.

Bub's Bar-B-Q makes Esquire list
The Recorder, April 3, 2010
Where do men eat? According to the April issue of Esquire magazine, men fill up on succulent meat and delicious sides at Bub's Bar-B-Q in Sunderland. The restaurant is one of 25 from across America featured on the list, a nod that owner Deac Tiley regards as an honor. Although Father's Day is one of their busiest, Tiley notes that Bub's is appealing to all types of customers, not just men. Stop in to try their kielbasa or pulled pork and leave happy.

Local Wineries featured for pesticide-free wines
The Valley Advocate, April 1, 2010
60 years ago, pesticide-free wine was made and consumed all over America. Slowly, however, more and more grapegrowers gave in to chemical companies pressure to spray their crops. In recent years, organic wine is making a comeback as farmers are faced with the long-term negative effects of pesticide use. Sustainable methods respect the farm as an ecosystem, and many farmers profess that this makes for better tasting grapes. Local sustainable, organic or biodynamic wineries include: Pioneer Valley Vineyard, Green River Ambrosia, and Hardwick Vineyard and Winery.

Local Hero farms selling raw milk
The Recorder, March 27, 2010
More and more local dairy farmers are choosing to sell their milk raw and direct to the customer. This trend reflects a refusal of farmers to pay high processing costs that leave them with less and less of the dollar they put in, as well as a growing demand from customers. Franklin County alone holds eight of the state's twenty five farms licensed to sell raw milk. Local farms like Upinngil Farm, Chase Hill Farm, Sidehill Farm, The Farmstead at Minebrook, Bree-Z-Knoll Farm, Davenport Farm and the Northfield Mount Hermon School Farm offer raw milk.

Local Farmers now growing grains
The Atlantic, March 22, 2010
The newest addition to the local foods movement: grains! Although the East was America's orignial breadbasket, industrial agriculture has since focused grain production in the Midwest. Northeastern bakers, growers, and business owners are dedicated to reviving the regional grain economy. Adrie and Ben Lester of Wheatberry Bakery (Amherst) are two such movers and shakers. After the cost of flour soared they asked what it would take to source grain from local growers; two years later 10% of the grains they use are local. The Lesters also organized the region's first grain CSA.

Former Holy Smokes BBQ owners help national chefs
The Recorder, March 15, 2010
For more than 25 years, Lou Ekus and his wife Leslie (once owners of Holy Smokes BBQ) have run AirTyme, a business which helps chefs prepare for media interviews and television shows. Lou has trained TV-greats such as Rachel Ray and Emeril Lagasse. While maintaining this business, the couple plan to open Avenue A delicatessen in Turners Falls this spring. The restaurant will sell barbecue meats and sides.

Upinngil Farm expands dairy herd
The Recorder, March 11, 2010
Upinngil Farm is best known for its strawberries but with a growing demand for raw milk owner Clifford Hatch is making room to expand his dairy herd. A new barn will be built to keep the cows warm and producing all through the year.

Year-round and local M&M Green Valley Produce
Town Crier, February 26, 2010
Johnathan and Heather Welch, owners of M&M Green Valley Produce cite their commitment to supporting local farmers, even in the winter. Their farmstand features produce from local farms, Pierce Brothers' coffee, salsa and dips from Appalachian Naturals, turkey pot pies from Diemands, and more that demonstrates the true bounty of the Valley.

Winter crops yield growth for farmers
The Republican, February 21, 2010
"The agricultural calendar is being rewritten," by customers and farmers in partnership. Plants are growing in greenhouses, farms are offering winter CSA shares, and winter farmers' markets are springing up everywhere. Ryan Voiland of Red Fire Farm has been growing in the winter for eight years with the help of five "high tunnel" greenhouses.

Despite winter, farm produces
The Republican, February 21, 2010
Inside the greenhouse at Swartz Farm 18 varieties of lettuce are growing green while the world outside turns white. Joseph Swartz, "wants people to know that fresh lettuce is always available, no matter the time of year." The plants are grown hydoponically and without pesticides - ladybugs serve as natural enemies of aphids that may attack the leaves. In addition to lettuce, the farm offers a Winter CSA that features produce, bread from a local baker, cheese and yogurt.

Valley farms prosper despite weather
The Republican, February 14, 2010
Hatfield based Szawlowski Farm faced economic hardships, blight and bad weather this past season, but still managed to prosper, in part because of a new style of marketing. Cutting out the middleman and selling directly to the customer helps the farmer retain more of the profit, a trend that is catching on across the Valley. Szawlowski farm celebrated its 100th anniversary this year.


Swartz Family Farm offers produce all year
Daily Hampshire Gazette, February 11, 2010
Swartz Family Farm has much to offer despite the snowy weather. They continue to offer salad greens, kale, swiss chard, herbs, and baby bok choi, as well as root vegetables and locally produced cheeses, jams, yogurt, and turkey pot pies. The farm offers a winter/spring CSA (January-April) and a holiday CSA (November-December) as well as a main season CSA from May-October. Products can also be purchased "stand alone."

Energy grants help area farms
The Republican, February 11, 2010
Simple Gifts Farm in Amherst is one of 12 farms around Massachusetts who will benefit from state grants. The grants, which total over $200,000, are being used to save energy and improve farmer profits. Jeremy Barker-Plotkin of Simple Gifts used the money to purchase a power boiler for his greenhouse, and will soon install solar panels on the roof of his barn. Other local recipients include: South Face Farm, Justamere Tree Farm, Red Fire Farm, Biscuit Hill Farm, Ragged Hill Orchard, and Mayval Farm.

 

Enterprise Farm offers winter alternative to 'megamarts'
Daily Hampshire Gazette, January 25th, 2010
Enterprise Farm in Whately offers an alternative to a grocery store only existence in the winter months. The Food Shed, which offers local and organic food, is a, "unique farm-based distribution system that allows shoppers to support area farms, instead of supermarket chains and West Coast operations." Products from 35 local, regional, or East Coast farms are available every Saturday from 9am to 2pm.

Local growers have showcase
The Somerville News, January 20, 2010
Somerville's Public Library played host last Monday for a "Farm Share Fair" showcasing local farmers. The gathering was held to "display and advertise some Massachusetts farms which specialize in organic vegetables, " and to get residents interested in joining a CSA such as the one offered by Red Fire Farm.

Mike's farm features mazes
Preview Massachusetts
In an interview, William Sillin describes his relationship with neighbor and friend Mike Wissemann, owner of Mike's Maze. Sillin, a Sunderland-based artist, designs the dynamic corn mazes on Mike's farm. Each new maze features a portrait of a famous icon, and seen from above it makes for a spectacular image. "Each year we like to have different things for people to find in the maze that relate to our portrait," says Sillin.

Enterprise Farm grows winterlong
88.5fm WFCR, January 7th, 2010
Peter Moskowitz discusses food miles, and how Massachusetts farmers like those at Enterprise Farm are using a winter distribution system to keep local food available year-round.

Bill Cosby eats local in Massachusetts
The Recorder, January 6th, 2010
Bill Cosby, resident of Shelburne, MA, mentioned his love for certain local haunts -- The Wagon Wheel restaurant and Foster's Market, in a radio interview on the WIZZ.

2009

LaSalle Florists featured for their poinsettias
Daily Hampshire Gazette, December 18th, 2009
In the depths of cold, dark winter, the brilliant red of a poinsettia can bring welcome color. For John LaSalle, of LaSalle Florists in Whately, the poinsettia is his most popular holiday seller. There are more than 80 varieties, and LaSalle buys the mature plants from Massachusetts growers.

Red Fire Farms plans to expand
The Recorder, December 1st, 2009
Ryan Voiland, owner of Red Fire Farm in Granby, has plans to purchase a 109-acre farm in Monatgue this summer. The ajacent Blue Meadow Farm property, which has 10,000 square feet of greenhouses, he hopes to add on this winter. Voiland cites long-time land security as one reason for the purchase, as three-quarters of his current farm is on rented land.

Amherst Middle Schoolers Get Their Green Thumbs On
Daily Hampshire Gazette, November 30th, 2009
Seventh-graders at Amherst Regional Middle School participated in a class-wide science experiment, in which students planted lettuce in the school's greenhouse. After patient study and tending, the students had the opportunity to eat what they had grown. For many at the school, this was their first experience growing their own food.

Davenport Maple Farm wins awards
Weekend Gazette, November 28-29th, 2009
Rusell Davenport's family has been making maple syrup since 1913, and now they have a blue ribbon to show for it. The owners of Davenport Maple Farm came back from Maine with a first-place prize from the International Maple Syrup Contest. Their Grade A light syrup beat out 59 competitors.

Belchertown Cafe Owner Part of TV Cooking Segment
Daily Hampshire Gazette, November 23rd, 2009
Joan Dahl-Lussier, owner of the Roadhouse Cafe, will participate in WGBY's "On the Menu" cooking segment on December 3rd. Dahl-Lussier will cook up her award-winning blueberry pancakes and other specialty breakfast dishes.

Old Creamery plans to turn into a co-op
Daily Hampshire Gazette, November 19th, 2009
The owners of The Old Creamery in Cummington are moving forward with a plan to turn their grocery store and deli into into a co-op. "The hopes are that it would look very much the same...but it would be a much more sustainable entity with ownership spread on a wide basis," says co-owner Alice Cozzolino.The store, which also serves as a venue for film and poetry events, a wholsale food buying club, and a lending library, has been a buzzing hub for the community since 2000. The positive vision of a co-op, as well as emotional and physical fatigue of the owners, are cited as reasons for the change.

Somerville is eating local
Boston.com, November 13th, 2009
Locavorism is catching on. A new documentary called, "Eating Local in Somerville" captures this trend, and shows that more residents eating food grown or produced nearby. And it's getting easier. Red Fire Farm added a "deep winter" share this season, which can bring local produce to your table in the cold, dark months of January through March. Residents themselves are also catching the fever, evidence lies in the waiting list for the city's community garden and a burgeoning beekeeper's movement. "People like supporting their own communities and feeling part of something," says Wendy Blom, who made the film.

The People's Pint of Greenfield reviewed
Masslive, November 17th, 2009
Mary Carey gives a glowing review of local hero restauarant The People's Pint. She praises the ambiance, comfotable setting, and diverse customer base, where families with young children mix with more traditional bar-goers. Carey notes that the beer is locally brewed nearby on Hope Street and appreciates the non-alcoholic option of creative and delicious homemade sodas. The menu is a blend of typical pub fare and seasonal inspirations, Carey cites beet and butternut struedel,peanut noodles, kielbasa and pulled pork sandwichs, among other mouthwatering choices.

Whately Berry Farm Expands Operation
Daily Hampshire Gazette, November 2nd, 2009
Nourse Farm is getting a new look. The fruit nursery, run by Timothy and Mary Ann Nourse and their son, has a new plant propagation facility, a half-acre greenhouse, and cooler. The farm raises and sells plants to commercial growers, wholesale buyers, and home growers, as well as offering you-pick berries during the summer. The plant propagation facility will allow the farm to produce hardy plants, resistant to disease and viruses, through tissue culturing. "Tissue culturing is important to producing the quality plants that are demanded," says Nourse.

Real Pickles is moving locations
The Recorder, October 23, 2009
The company, which uses only locally grown ingredients in its products, was getting too big for its founding location at the Venture Center, will now be housed at 311 Wells Street. Real Pickles products include garlic sauerkraut, pickled beets and carrots, and hot sauce that can be purchased at numerous small retailers and natural food stores in New England.

The Night Kitchen featured
The Recorder, October 21, 2009
The Night Kitchen, a restaurant in Montague, is praised for its serene location, down-to-earth chef/owner, and eclectic cuisine. An image shows Chai Panna Cotta, a dessert that combines European and Asian flavors, and a recipe is included.

Warner Farm featured for pumpkins, romantic story
Daily Hampshire Gazette, October 19th, 2009
An image shows a field of pumpkins at Mike Weissemann's Warner Farm. These pumpkins, however, were painstakingly arranged by John Laing to spell out "Ari, please marry me!" Ariel Baruch, Laing's girlfriend, said yes, and the couple is planning a 2011 wedding. Weissemann reflects, "It was great. But next time I think we might charge for this." The pumpkins are still in the field, and are being sold as the "pick-your-own marriage proposal patch."

Florence Farmers Market Featured
Daily Hampshire Gazette, October 14, 2009
Photos taken at the Florence Farmers Market were pictured in the Daily Hampshire Gazette. The market takes place on Wednesday afternoons from 2-6pm up until October 28 in the parking lot at the Florence Civic Center. Maureen Dempsey of Intervale Farms has been a vendor at the market for 15 years. According to Dempsey, "There's eight regulars, nine if the chicken guy comes." Round Hill Orchard, River Bend Farm and White House Farm are other vendors that can be found at the market.


Sidehill Farm's Fall Festival featured
The Recorder, October 12, 2009
Ashfield's 39^th annual Fall Festival was held on October 10^th and 11^th. The Recorder interviewed Amy Klippenstein, co-owner of Sidehill Farm in Ashfield, who agreed that is was the social aspect of the festival that made it extra special. She and co-owner Paul Lacinski sold smoothies makes from their own yogurt, using a blender powered by a solar battery.

New England Wild Edibles featured
The Recorder, October 7, 2009
New England Wild Edibles was mentioned in The Recorder. The owner Paul grows "100% organic log-grown shiitake mushrooms and sustainably gathers other wild varieties." According to Paul, it has been a rough year for shiitake mushrooms due to the early wet weather and the late dry summer.

Raw Milk: A Transition to Success
Edible Boston, Fall 2009
A story about how Robinson Farm has overcome the challenges of modern dairy farming and, "turned its farm (and cows)...toward a viable future." Over the past few years Ray Robinson and his wife Pam have diversified their operation and found a niche in the growing demand for raw milk. Ray says, "he was tired of seeing his hard work get compromised by prices that he had no control over" -- a reference to the rock-bottom commercial milk prices. The story follows their journey from commerical to raw, highlighting the economic, environmental, and social ups and downs.

McKinstry's Farm Featured
The Daily Hampshire Gazette,September 26-27, 2009
Al McKinstry of McKinstry's Farm is pictured holding a bad pumpkin in The Daily Hampshire Gazette. According to Bill McKinstry, "It hasn't been our best year. It's costing us more to grow, and we're getting less yield." Due to the excessive amounts of rain, the crop was nearly cut in half. The farm's larger pumpkins did well but the smaller sugar pumpkins were troublesome, which may have been caused by a virus.

Successful farms, despite rain
The Recorder, September 19, 2009
Several area farms were highlighted in The Recorder, including Apex Orchards, Hager Brothers Farm Stand, Ciesluk Farm and Pine Hill Orchards. The article discusses the many successes farms experienced this growing season, despite the rainy weather.

Local Hero Restaurants Featured
Daily Hampshire Gazette, September 18-24, 2009
Don Lesser highlighted several local hero restaurants including, Union Station Restaurant, Great Wall Restaurant and Esselon Café.

La Casita Azteca featured
Daily Hampshire Gazette, September 16, 2009
Alberto Lopez's restaurant had a special celebration for Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 15 and 16.

Harvest Farms featured
The Recorder,September 8, 2009
Gary Gemme, the owner of Harvest Farms in Whately is pictured in the Recorder with a box of home grown watermelons. The watermelons grown on his farm were used in the film, "Taking Woodstock."

New committee created in Northampton
The Daily Hampshire Gazette, September 1, 2009
Northampton has created a new committee, the Northampton Agriculture Commission, whose mission is aimed at "developing a comprehensive strategy for farmers markets in the city." The creation of this committee is in response to the growing number of farmers markets throughout the area. The Northampton Tuesday Market is also highlighted in this article. Ben James, owner of Town Farm, is pictured giving away samples of watermelon.

Red Fire Farm wins Tomato Festival
Daily Hampshire Gazette, August 19, 2009
Red Fire Farm is listed for winning first place at the 25th annual Massachusetts Tomato Festival for its cherry tomatoes. The farm also held its 8th annual Tomato Festival, which included 60 varieties of tomatoes.

Hope and Olive Restaurant prepares for Harvest Supper
The Recorder, August 17, 2009
The 5th annual harvest supper was held in Greenfield on Sunday, August 16. Every year the feast features local ingredients and is free and open to the public. Hope and Olive Restaurant was one of several local restaurants busy preparing for the event.

Kitchen Garden featured
The Republican, August 13, 2009
Elise A. Cusano, an apprentice at the Kitchen Garden is pictured selling tomatoes and other vegetables at the Farmers' Market in Springfield.

Conway Farmer' Market is moving
The Recorder, August 8, 2009
The Recorder announced that the Conway Farmers' Market that has been held for four years on Whately Road is moving to the area between the Field Memorial Library and Town Hall. Vendors are hoping that this move will increase business. (08/08/2009)

Deerfield Inn raises money for Humane Society
The Recorder, August 7, 2009
The Deerfield Inn held a special event on August 14 and 15 to raise money for the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society. Pet owners and admirers were invited to "Mutts and Martinis" at the inn and were welcome to bring their pets along too.

Maple Farms Food plans on expanding, despite economy
The Recorder, August 7, 2009
Steve Ozcelik, the owner of Maple Farms Foods is planning on expanding his business due to a growing clientele. Although many small businesses are closing due to the economic downturn, his business has not been affected, "We're not hurting from the economy. I think people are finding us more now because they're looking more at how much they're paying for things."

Restaurant Review: Local Burger and Fries
The New York Times, April 12, 2009
Locavore and burger joint aren't usually two words you hear in the same sentence, but Local Burger and Fries opened with a mission to make them synonymous. Owners Jeffery, Chris and Steven Igneri use humanely raised beef and local produce whenever possible when creating their burgers and sides.