Agriculture - Research Guide
Pioneer Valley
The Pioneer Valley is a hotbed of sustainable/regenerative agriculture places/projects, ever evolving groups and committed individuals. This selected list (there are others to include!) reflects a potent and growing culture of community resilience building through permaculture design, regenerative agricultural practices, environmental justice, food justice and direct education/training/community engagement.
Lisa Depiano, Agricultural Learning Center, UMass -- silvopasture/carbon farming project https://www.gazettenet.com/Silvopasture-25233385
Eric Toensmeier, permaculture specialist who created a demonstration site in Hoyoke, also the subject of the book he wrote, Paradise Lot. https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/paradise-lot/
Gardening the Community, Springfield http://www.gardeningthecommunity.org/
Nuestras Raices, Grassroots urban ag in Holyoke https://nuestras-raices.org/
Climate Action Now - Regenerative Farms, Forestry, Food Systems Committee https://climateactionnowma.org/farms-forests-food/
Community Involved in Sustainable Agriculturehttps://w ww.buylocalfood.org/
Farm Education Collaborative http://www.thefarmeducationcollaborative.org/
Grow Food Northampton https://www.growfoodnorthampton.com/about/
Seeds of Solidarity - educational, off the grid farm in Orange https://seedsofsolidarity.org/
Farm to Fork radio show, WXOJ-LP in Florence https://valleyfreeradio.org/show/farm-to-fork/
Edible Pioneer Valley, quarterly publication http://www.ediblepioneervalley.com/
Just Roots, non profit community farm in Greenfield https://justroots.org/
People's Medicine Project - free herbal clinic for people in recovery, Greenfield https://www.peoplesmedicineproject.com/
Pioneer Valley Workers Center - just bought a farm in Hatfield https://pvworkerscenter.org/coop-farm/
Wellspring, Green house production in Springfield https://www.umass.edu/spp/news/wellspring-breaks-ground-springfield%E2%80%99s-first-production-greenhouse
Greenfield Community College - Farm and Food Systems Program https://www.gcc.mass.edu/academics/programs/farm-and-food-systems/
Holyoke Community College - Freight Farms https://www.hcc.edu/about/visit-hcc/other-locations/freight-farms
Five Colleges:
Hampshire: Farm https://www.hampshire.edu/farm/hampshire-college-farm
Amherst: Book and Plow farm https://www.amherst.edu/amherst-story/today/green-amherst/book-plow-farm
UMass: Sustainable Food and Farming https://www.umass.edu/ses/program/sustainable-food-farming-bs; also a student farm in South Deerfield, and the Ag Learning Center mentioned at top
Each of the Five Colleges has a climate change action and strives to source more and more local food
There are also several food coops in the area (Greenfield, Northampton, and soon Amherst and Easthampton)
News and Alerts
Stay up-to-date with news from Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
Find a Farmers Market
Find a farmers market near you with the National Farmers Market Directory
Regional Agriculture Resources
- Beginning Farmer Network of MassachusettsCollaborative network of farmers and farm service providers dedicated to beginning farmer success in MA.
- Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)The people behind the "Be a Local Hero" campaign. Located in Deerfield, MA.
- Farm Credit EastFinancial solutions for those who cultivate, breed, process or bring agricultural products to market.
- Farm Education CollaborativeExperienced educators offering farm-based education programs in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. TFEC programs nurture the seeds of earth stewardship for young and old alike while connecting people to local food, our shared agricultural heritage, and to one another.
- Farm to Fork: The Pioneer Valley's Local Food and Agriculture ShowRadio show on 103.3 fm, Valley Free Radio. Every other Tuesday, 6:30 pm. Transmitted from Florence, MA.
- Field to TableProvides professional consulting services for small businesses and sustainable agricultural enterprises.
- Grow Food Amherst"Grow Food Amherst is working to create a more resilient community by encouraging residents of Amherst and the surrounding towns to grow and buy healthy and affordable food locally." Connected to John Gerber, Stockbridge prof at UMass Amherst.
- Hadley Farm MuseumOpen to the public, May through October.
- Know Your Farmer Know Your FoodMap of efforts supported by USDA and other federal partners; related information on local and regional food systems for the years 2009-2012; specific projects
- Mass Woods: Forest Conservation ProgramContinuously updated resource for forest landowners, featuring information on forestry programs, planning the future of your land, selling timber and more.
- Massachusetts Agricultural CommissionsAgComs represent the farming community, encourage the pursuit of agriculture, promote agricultural economic development and protect farmlands and farm businesses, and preserve, revitalize and sustain agricultural businesses and land. As of December 1, 2009, there are 130 Agricultural Commissions within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and there are 100 towns that have local Right to Farm Bylaws.
- Massachusetts Deparment of Agricultural ResourcesSupports, promotes and enhances viability of Massachusetts agriculture. Aims to help MA agricultural businesses become as economically and environmentally sound as possible. Offers a wide variety of technical assistance, grant, and resource programs.
- Massachusetts Farm to SchoolFacilitates sustainable purchasing relationships between local institutions and local farms, promotes local food and agriculture education for students, and supports state, regional and national networking of farm to school practitioners.
- Massachusetts State GrangeThe nation's oldest national agricultural organization, with grassroots units established in 37 states. Members provide service to agriculture and rural areas on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America.
- Mount Grace Land Conservation TrustDedicated to preserving farmland. Headquarters in Athol, MA.
- New England Farm Workers CouncilEstablished in 1971 as a farm worker rights organization, now a human services agency dedicated to improving quality of life for thousands of low-income persons with employment and family assistance social programs in Springfield, MA and in CT, NH and RI
- New England Farmers UnionWorks to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life of family farmers, foresters, nursery growers and consumers in all six New England states.
- New England Small Farm InstituteOffering a premier borrowing library, training, farming opportunities. Located in Belchertown, MA.
- Permaculture Institute of the NortheastIncreases the resilience of the Northeast region by strengthening the regional permaculture network and increasing access to relevant education and resources.
- PVGrowsFast growing network dedicated to creating more viable and just food systems in the Pioneer Valley
- UMass ExtensionSponsors statewide programs in Agriculture & Landscape, Natural Resources & Environmental Conservation, Nutrition Education and the Mass. 4-H Youth Development. Offers workshops, conferences, distance education, trainings, consultations, applied research.
USDA's New Plant Hardiness Map
- Find your updated zoneThe standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location.For the first time, the map is available as an interactive GIS-based map.
- Last Updated: Apr 3, 2024 11:01 AM
- URL: https://guides.library.umass.edu/agriculture
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