The BEAT News April 26, 2014

News Headlines

Please send items of interest to Kristen.

 

120 Attended the Farmland Access Symposium

Thank you all for your support and participation in the April 12th Farmland Access Symposium. We had a standing-room-only crowd for a very productive knowledge transfer. Now the work begins to connect more farmers with more farmland.

NEXT STEPS

  1. To scale up production connect established and new farmers with land owners
  2. To keep farms working create farm succession and transfer plans for retiring farmers
  3. To ensure local control and permanent affordability acquire community-owned farmland

These are tasks which require an individualized, situation specific, place-based approach. There are many experts and organizations ready to assist you and your community. Below we have compiled resource lists to get you started.

ORGANIZATIONS
Barbara Zheutlin, Executive Director, Berkshire Grown
Billie Best, President, Community Land Trust in the Southern Berkshires
Bill Martin, Vice President, Farm Credit East
Kathy Ruhf, Executive Director, Land for Good
Rick Chandler, Business Training Program Director, Mass Dept of Agriculture Resources
Susan Witt, Executive Director, Schumacher Center for a New Economics
Martha Bryan, Greater Berkshire Agriculture Fund Program Manager, The Carrot Project

TOOLS & ISSUE EDUCATION
Land for Good

New England Farm Finder

New England Small Farm Institute “New England Landlink”

Massachusetts Agriculture Preservation Restriction Program

Farm Credit East “GenerationNext” Program

New England Food Policy: Building a Sustainable Food System (pdf file)

A New Lease on Farmland by Susan Witt and Jay Rossier

Just mail a check for $10 or 10 BerkShares to
Community Land Trust in the Southern Berkshires
PO Box 276
Great Barrington, MA 01230

Learn more about our work…

Cross Pollinate
Indian Line Farm Model
Caretaker Farm Model
Forest Row Community Housing Model
Bow Wow Farm Model
Equity Trust “Hudson Valley Farm Affordability Program”

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Mass Audubon, Climate Change, and Natural Gas

On this Earth Day, Mass Audubon releases two letters we sent recently that relate to climate change and the Commonwealth’s long-term commitments to mitigate its impacts.

The first letter denies the Houston-based Kinder Morgan energy company’s request for access to Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries to survey routes for their proposed Tennessee Gas Company Northeast Expansion Pipeline project.

The second letter, to Governor Patrick, objects to the Commonwealth undertaking any new long-term natural gas import commitments to the state, region, and related infrastructure, especially in the form of the Kinder-Morgan project.

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Conservation District Receives Grant Funds for New Program

April 22, 2014 – Pittsfield, MA – Berkshire Conservation District has received a grant from the Green Pastures Fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation for the Sustainable Gardens program. This is a new cost-share program designed to assist municipal community garden groups and nonprofit gardening organizations in reducing environmental impacts and improving overall sustainability. The program will cover 25% of project costs or up to $500. Potential projects might include installing or updating irrigation or rain barrel systems, composting systems, greenhouse structures, purchasing fuel-efficient equipment, purchasing locally sourced nursery stock, etc. Applications will be reviewed at monthly board meetings every second Tuesday of the month on a rolling-basis as funding allows. Contact the administrator of Berkshire Conservation District for more information on how to apply. Call (413) 443-1776 ext. 102 or send an email to berkshireconservationdistrict@gmail.com. 

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Berkshire Museum publishes “In Kindergarten”

New book is designed to help families prepare children for the transition to kindergarten

[PITTSFIELD, MA] ? The Berkshire Museum announces the publication of In Kindergarten, a new book designed to help families prepare their children for the important and exciting transition to kindergarten. A product of the Berkshire Museum’s WeeMuse program focusing on early childhood education, In Kindergarten will be distributed free to every child registered to enter kindergarten in Berkshire County starting this year. Publication of the book was funded in part by Berkshire Bank.

In Kindergarten is intended to be fun and educational at the same time. The book includes coloring pages, tracing pages, and even two pages of stickers – all designed to give children and their caregivers tools to help children be aware of and comfortable about attending kindergarten. The book also includes checklists for children and parents, a calendar of activities that will help children prepare for entering school, and a list of suggested books and authors appropriate for kindergarten-age youngsters.

The In Kindergarten book was created by Berkshire Museum’s Education and Public Program Manager Craig Langlois in partnership with a team of community advisors to ensure it would be appropriate for incoming kindergarteners and their families. Core team members included Sue Doucette, Early Childhood Coordinator for Pittsfield Public Schools, and Melissa Zepka, Literacy Specialist Family Resource Center, Child Care of the Berkshires, Inc. Along with other members of Pittsfield’s Transition Team, a volunteer group of kindergarten teachers, early childhood professionals, social workers, and community advocates dedicated to preparing children for school, they are now helping distribute In Kindergarten to the nearly 1,500 incoming kindergarteners across Berkshire county.

The colorful and engaging book was designed and illustrated by Amanda Bettis, Kimberly Donoughe, and Deirdre Tenero of Studio Two in Lenox.

For more than two years, the Museum has been developing the WeeMuse program focusing on early learners. In Kindergarten will be the basis for the WeeMuse Ready for Kindergarten event to be held on Saturday, June 28, one of the four free community events each year focused on early childhood learning. Other WeeMuse events include Science Night on July 11, Pajama Night on November 7, and February’s 10 Days of Play. The Museum is also expanding its education and public program offerings for early learners and recently added an early childhood education specialist to the team.

“Producing In Kindergarten is a perfect example of our commitment to use the unique resources entrusted to us to help meet community needs,” says Berkshire Museum’s executive director Van Shields. “We have always served families with children but, knowing the need to prepare children for success before they reach school, we have made early childhood educational programming a core institutional value. It is especially rewarding to work with community partners to address this need because, when it comes to education, we are all in this together and can’t move fast enough.”

 

About the Berkshire Museum

Located in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts, at 39 South St., the Berkshire Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $13 adult, $6 child; Museum members and children age 3 and under enjoy free admission. For more information, visit www.berkshiremuseum.org or call 413.443.7171.

In association with the Smithsonian since 2013, Berkshire Museum is part of a select group of museums, cultural, educational, and arts organizations that share the Smithsonian’s resources with the nation.

Established by Zenas Crane in 1903, Berkshire Museum integrates art, history, and natural science in a wide range of programs and exhibitions that inspire educational connections between the disciplines. Berkshire Collects is on view through May 11, 2014. Objectify: A Look into the Permanent Collection is currently on view. Little Cinema is open year-round. Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation, Worlds in Miniature, Aquarium, and other exhibits are ongoing.

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Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market Opening Day is almost here!

The Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market opens Saturday, May 10th. The kickoff features artisans, live music by Billy Keane, chef demo by Dottie’s Coffee Lounge and more!

Shoppers will find pasture-raised meats, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, baked goods, cut flowers, and plants, as well as beautiful artisan wares just in time for Mother’s Day on May 11th.

The Market will run, rain or shine, Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, May 10th through October 25th. Located on First Street, across from the Common. Plenty of free and convenient parking. SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps) accepted.

Click HERE for a full list of vendors. We are still accepting applications, so click HERE if interested in participating.

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Goodwill donation site at the Milne Library, Williamstown

WILLIAMSTOWN – The Milne Library will join Goodwill Industries as a donation site

Every 2nd and 3rd Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Beginning April 13th the big white truck will begin taking donations from the parking lot of the library.

Through donations, volunteering, recycling initiatives and sales at their retail stores, our area donors make it possible for Goodwill to train people in our community to get jobs.
Donations include the following:

Furniture

Electronics

Holiday items

Home goods – linens and household items

Lightly worn clothing

Books

Bikes

Albums, CD’s DVD’s and videos

Accessories – jewelry, belts, scarves, pocket books and sunglasses
Also will recycle:

Cardboard

Cellphones

Computers – All parts

Metal

Shoes
Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires, serving the Berkshires and Southern Vermont.

For more information please contact Pat McLeod, Library Director at (413) 458-5369 or pmcleod@williamstown.net

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Support Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger

Over the last several years, NOFA/Mass has been partnering with the statewide organization Project Bread on increasing organic food access to low-income communities. Project Bread, NOFA/Mass and Gardening the Community are currently collaborating on a project to maximize organic food production in youth gardens in Springfield, MA.

Project Bread raises funds for local food pantries, community-based meal programs, early childhood and school nutrition initiatives, and increasing farm-to-table opportunities. Project Bread’s main fundraiser, the 46th annual Walk For Hunger, will take place on Sunday, May 4, 2014.

Registration is now open and individuals can walk, volunteer, and donate at projectbread.org/walk. More information is also available by calling 617-723-5000.

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Kathy Chesney joins WRLF staff

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is pleased to announce that science and environmental educator Kathy Chesney has joined the staff as educator/program coordinator.

Kathy has been working in the field of science and environmental education for over 35 years. Throughout her career she has developed curricula and implemented programs in a variety of settings, including classrooms, nature centers and parks, for preschoolers to adults. Most recently she has worked in preschools and child care centers throughout Berkshire County and southern Vermont providing science education for children and professional development for educators.

WRLF Executive Director Leslie Reed-Evans states “Kathy has run the successful summer nature programs at Sheep Hill for five years. We are thrilled to welcome her year-round and benefit from her many skills as we work to expand WRLF’s education offerings.”

Kathy moved to the area in 1977 and lives now in Pownal Vermont with her husband Dave, two daughters Kristina and Alana, dog Chessa, and cat Lily. When she’s not teaching Kathy enjoys traveling, skiing, hiking, cooking and gardening.

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NOFA Hiring – Two Positions

Middlesex County Research

Help us survey Middlesex County to inform our climate change education work. As farmers and gardeners, we can actively bring carbon back from the atmosphere and put it into the soil where it belongs.

At the end of the research pilot, we intend to develop a strategy using our particular strengths to encourage growing more organic food and raising soil organic matter in the county. Application deadline is May 5th.

For more info, see bit.ly/1pqW8Hz

Winter Conference Workshop Coordinator

Help us organize educational workshops for the one-day NOFA/Mass Winter Conference, January 17, 2015 in Worcester, MA. Coordinator will maintain manage presenter pay, prepare workshop publicity materials, solicit donations and more.

Candidate should be knowledgeable about farming and relevant issues to organic growers. A qualified candidate is comfortable with person to person outreach, and will have good discernment capability for choosing appropriate and successful presenters. Candidate will also be a proficient writer, who is self-motivated, and can work alone, from a home office.

For more info, see bit.ly/1f4zHnc

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Two Farm Jobs for Summer

Seasonal Farm Workers Green Mountain Girls Farm: https://farm.recruiterbox.com/jobs/14687/

Green Mountain Girls Farm is recruiting to augment our small team. We seek folks who work to continually improve, think systemically, are keen to accept responsibility, learn and contribute to our late-stage start-up multi-functional farm.

We are currently recruiting for seasonal farm workers. Some positions will start as early as May 2014. Our team will include folks focused on livestock management, crop production, food processing, marketing and sales and overall infrastructure management. Seasonal paid positions will requirement a commitment through at least October, with some possibility for ongoing employment.
Williamstown Farming Internship

Looking for a fun way to spend your summer outside, getting dirty and learning where your food comes from?

Peace Valley Farm in Williamstown grows vegetables in a sustainable manner for Williams College and restaurants in the area. Check out our website at www.peacevalleyfarm.org

For more info, give farmer Bill a call at (413) 458-4866 or email peacevalleyfarm@gmail.com

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