Orchard tour highlights importance of local farmers

The Recorder, May 12, 2021. By MARY BYRNE, Staff Writer

SHELBURNE — During a wagon ride through Apex Orchards in full bloom on Tuesday afternoon — in between conversations on how to better support the local agriculture industry — legislators from across the state sat side by side with local farmers, talking about their favorite local farms and markets.

“That’s what this is all about — building relationships,” said Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland, after a brief exchange with a representative from the office of Rep. Paul Schmid III of Westport. “To get my colleagues from across the commonwealth to speak directly with our farmers, to understand agriculture, not only for the local economy, but for the tourism and our environment.”

Blais invited legislators and local stakeholders for a conversation Tuesday afternoon on the importance of local farmers and the food system. She was joined by legislators from across Massachusetts, including Rep. Dan Carey, D-Easthampton, Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne, D-Northborough, and Rep. Jake Oliveira, D-Ludlow. Owners of several area farms were also in attendance.

“We’re so happy to have so many of you here from across the commonwealth,” Blais said. “I know it was a journey for many of you, but we want to welcome you to the 1st Franklin District.”

Before the wagon ride through the orchard, local farmers — including Apex Orchards owner Tim Smith, Field Maloney of West County Cider, and Kimberly and Chip Hager

of Hager’s Farm Market — introduced themselves and their family history in the area.

Though it was a challenging year in terms of staffing, rearranging stores for social distancing and more, many spoke of the “buy local” movement and the impact it had on business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chip Hager said the pandemic really set into motion an already existing effort made by the community to support locally owned farms and businesses. People wanted to know where their food is coming from, he said.

“I think it made people take a hard look at that,” Chip Hager said. “Last year, it was a rough year, but our sales were really good.”

Kimberly Hager added that the number of farms in the area, in addition to recreational sites such as Zoar Outdoor, are a draw to outsiders, boosting the local economy.

“It’s really become a destination area,” she said.

Maloney, who owns one of the longest running cider companies in the country, spoke to the rich agriculture in Franklin County, and the potential for growth.

“We have incredible agriculture,” said the owner of West County Cider, which has a retail site opposite the Apex Orchards Farm Store on Peckville Road. “How can we figure out ways to turn into something else special?”

Legislators who spoke credited Phil Korman, executive director of the South Deerfield-based Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), for the push toward buying local.

“We all have to stay local,” said Rep. Mindy Domb, DAmherst. “We have to trust local.”

Korman echoed the sentiment of the farmers who’d spoken before him, saying that the last year marked a change in the value people placed in knowing where their food was coming from.

“We didn’t create (buy local),” he said. “But we can continue to support it.” Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @ MaryEByrne.

Shot heard ’round the world? Russell teen’s cannonball discovery raises questions about hilltown site

Shot heard ’round the world? Russell teen’s cannonball discovery raises questions about hilltown site

“Eighteen-year-old Zackary Cernak stumbled — literally stubbed his toe — on a mystery wedged under a rock on a hillside overlooking the Westfield River valley.

A senior about to graduate from Westfield Technical Academy, Cernak was working on his network of dirt bike trails, raking leaves and scraping debris away from a giant rock when he spotted something that looked too round, too unnatural, for its surroundings.” Read the full story at MassLive.com.

City eyes land for Greenway near swimming hole on Mill River in Leeds

City eyes land for Greenway near swimming hole on Mill River in Leeds

“Complaints about noise and trash and concerns about equity heightened last summer in a popular swimming area near the Orange Dam on the Mill River in Leeds.

Chartpak, an art and office supply company, owns the dam and nearby land, while the land north of the dam has no known owner. But that could soon change, as the city is working on buying the land.” Read the full article at https://www.gazettenet.com/City-moving-to-buy-land-on-mill-river-for-recreation-area-40123048.

Shop local: Supporting small businesses is an intentional act that makes a big impact

Shop local: Supporting small businesses is an intentional act that makes a big impact

“I get it. It’s easy to shop on Amazon. Running low on toilet paper? Need lightbulbs? Want a bath caddy on a whim? With two clicks and even less thought, the item you need/want/desire is at your doorstep, often in 48 hours or less.

Shopping locally requires more thought. Supporting small businesses is an intentional act — one that the mom and pop shops in your neighborhood desperately need you to make.” Read the full article at Masslive.com.

56 Acres Protected in Williamsburg!

56 Acres Protected in Williamsburg!

“Important wildlife habitat and a public trail in Williamsburg are now permanently protected by Hilltown Land Trust, through the donation of a conservation restriction by property owner Sandra Warren and her late husband Jim Locke.” Read the full article at hilltownlandtrust.org.

Storm set to bring soaking rain & heavy wet snow

Storm set to bring soaking rain & heavy wet snow

“Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect for western Hampshire and Franklin counties, and northern Berkshire County, while a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for eastern Franklin, eastern Hampshire and western Hampden counties and southern Berkshire county as well as. All advisories set into effect at 8pm this evening. ” See the full forecast at WesternMassNews.com.

Hiring: Market Manager – Belchertown Farmers’ Market

The Belchertown Farmers & Artisans Market is hiring a market manager for the 2021 summer season (beginning of May until the end of October). This is a paid position; the pay is $2400 which is paid in 4 equal installments of $600 each. The market is weekly on Sundays from 10-2.

Email belchertownfarmersmarket@gmail.com for more information and to apply

Duties include but are not limited to:

  1. Planning & Publicity (prior to market season)
    1. Recruit vendors with a goal determined by the Market Board; vet vendors for compliance with Market Guidelines and overall market balance
    2. Notify applicants of acceptance, deferral or rejection
    3. Keep application, product list and copies of insurance and licenses of vendors, as required
    4. Collect market fees from vendors; prepare bank deposit and deliver to bank
    5. Advertise and promote the Market, primarily in social networks
    6. Recruit musicians and other entertainment activities as may be required
    7. Gather and prepare materials, supplies and signs needed when Market is open
    8. Prepare Market map of vendor locations, separating similar vendors and keeping vendors in the same spot
  1. Market Day Management (throughout the season)
    1. Market hours are from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm; vendors are permitted to arrive at 9:00 am
    2. Manager is expected to be present at Market location prior to vendor arrival to lay out and assign vendor spaces, monitor parking and moving of vehicles, and assist vendors as needed
    3. Set up signs and Market banners
    4. Set up activity tent and tables
    5. Assist with setting up entertainment and activities areas
    6. Be visible and available during market hours to answer questions and problem-solve
    7. Ensure that all vendor paperwork is complete, including application, insurance, and fee payment
    8. Take down Market tents and signs
    9. Remain at the Market until Market closing; ensure that all vendors have left the site and that The Commons is left in good condition
  1. Other Administrative Duties
    1. Maintain a weekly log of vendor attendance and estimated customer numbers; include comments on any events or issues
    2. Maintain a binder of all Market documents
    3. Create a weekly Market Newsletter; include news and pictures. Send through MailChimp and schedule for Friday. Post on Facebook
    4. Continue Market publicity throughout season; recruit new vendors and activities as necessary
    5. Check Market PO Box for applications and checks. This may be coordinated with a Board Member
    6. Keep all bookkeeping up to date
    7. Administer SNAP, HIP, and credit card functions as required
  1. Closing the Market Season
    1. Prepare final bookkeeping report
    2. Inventory Market materials and supplies. note items that need replacement prior to next season
    3. Return all records, supplies, and materials to the Market Board

Learning about and protecting native bees

Highlighting Wild & Scenic Westfield River‘s collaboration with the Beecology project and Amy Pulley at Wing and a Prayer Nursery in Cummington MA.  Amy kindly offered her gardens to train volunteers in 2019. Her nursery offers us a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of the trophic levels and will help us identify which plants should be promoted for restoration of Westfield River buffer areas in future projects.

Wing and a prayer Nursery with Amy Pulley and Robert Gegear

https://youtu.be/PSW7ja8IKZU

We hope this short video inspires everyone to check out the Beecology app. https://beecology.wpi.edu/webapp/app/home and head out to the river looking for other signs of spring.