I 💚 Farms
I am so very appreciative of the verdant area of abundance in which I live. The Pioneer Valley is so full of new and multi-generational farms offering access to CSAs of all sorts, including organic produce, mushrooms, meat, fruit... Most also have established year-round easily accessible farm stands . And many even invite us to pick our own goodies like apples, strawberries and blueberries. "The trend of receding farmland continues in many areas of the country; however, the most recent Census of Agriculture revealed that the total acreage of farmland has actually increased in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties. Farming profitably continues to remain a challenge, though, due to rising costs, crop failure and poor weather, and fierce competition from the global food system. The case for local agriculture has never been stronger. Buying local: keeps money in the local economy preserves family farms reduces oil-dependent transportation costs protects our l