Sustainability  Tags: community sustainability permaculture economics energy government practical-skills  

Now THAT'S sustainability!

Sidehill Farm - Ashfield, MA

is a small dairy and vegetable farm nestled on the eastern slopes of the Berkshire Hills. They sell yogurt and raw milk from their own grass-fed cows, and vegetables and fruit from their fields and greenhouses.

NEW! Sidehill Solar Smoothies, which are made with the help of two homemade solar photocell arrays. The solar collectors, each less than 2 square feet in size, are powering their blenders at the Amherst and Ashfield farmers markets.

The smoothies are made with yogurt from their dozen cows with local ingredients added such as fresh strawberries from Upinngil Farm. The smoothies, which require less than half of a sunny day's energy, are stored in a 12-volt battery

The farm has also begun producing paneer -- a fresh Indian-style cheese made by pressing the curds -- and selling it at the farmers markets, as well as to restaurants like Hope & Olive in Greenfield, Ollie's Down Under in Shelburne Falls and Elmer's Store in Ashfield.

The paneer, which can be used in cooking, is made from what had been a waste product in the yogurt-making process.

PVSN is a collaboration of UMass Amherst, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and activists and professionals working together to create a flexible and effective regional model for advancing sustainability in the Pioneer Valley, which can be applied in other regions of the country.