Wednesday, November 19, 2008
MIKE WARD 4 NEWSLETTER READERS, WELCOME
LEARN ABOUT PITTSFIELD CSA HOME DELIVERY, FARM FRESH PRODUCE DELIVERED WEEKLY TO YOUR HOME
Thanks for stopping by and thanks to Ward 4 Mike for referring you.
Mike has been a powerful advocate for bringing CSA (Community Supported Agricultural) opportunities to Pittsfield’s Southeast’s quadrant. He has also been a helpful collaborator in offering input for the Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery initiative you are being introduced to today.
Please review the program, you are getting a sneak preview of it today, it will be formally introduced in early December for membership sign-up. If you are interested in the weekly home delivery of fresh produce direct from the farm, you can register your interest without obligation. You will be among the first to be notified when the program is opened for membership.
Cost is important especially in these challenging times. Mike has suggested I comment on this issue for you.
At this point in the season farmers are still harvesting but will soon move into in the planning mode. To date most farmers have not determined the 2009 CSA membership rates. As soon as they are available we will respond by opening Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery for membership.
One objective of the Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery initiative is to serve the entire range of the socio-economic spectrum of residents. To achieve this the cost of membership is scaled by personal income affordability. We will also accept a variety of federal and state financial assistance programs: WIC, Senior Farmer’s Market coupons, and SNAP (Food Stamp) EBT Cards where appropriate.
The Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery initiative is designed to be community guided entity to incorporate as an Association structure and applying to be an IRS approved 501 (C) 3 Not-for-Profit organization status. This will be in place before the end of the year to accomodate tax deductable contributions in 2008.
Every member has a voice that is heard throughout the process.
Pease do not hesitate to post your comments on the blog. They are welcomed.
Learn More
Click on the link below or cut and paste the URL in your browser
http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/blog/pittsfield_csa_home_delivery/
Thanks again for your interest
JOIN US
Thursday, October 30, 2008
OBAMA EXHIBITS STREETWISE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Without question Barack Obama has displayed the emotional behavior, empathy, temperament, collaborative skills and judgment so necessary to succeed as the President of the United States.
Over the past fifteen years or so the discipline of Emotional Intelligence has emerged as major field of study. The results of studies indicate that the presence of a high level of Emotional Intelligence proves to be a powerful indicator for future success. Obama matches the profile of one with high emotional intelligence.
As Obama has laid himself open for the world to see during his two year marathon campaign for the presidency, he has shown us a lot. What is most clear is he is in touch with his own feelings, he understands his emotions, he is sensitive to them and he has them well in control even under the most exasperating circumstances. Of equal importance, he has exhibited sensitivity for the emotions of others and an understanding of how to deal with them. These character traits are among the attributes scientific studies link to successful leaders. Research further suggests that the presence of these qualities is a strong indicator for future success.
This is quantifiable streetwise smarts, a quality of understanding, persistence, and patients combined with knowledge of what’s happening, the wisdom to act wisely and the tenacity to follow through to overcome the challenges this is what Obama possesses.
It appears we will be in safe hands with Barack Obama leading us as the next President of the United States.
Rally the troops for the cause, embrace everyone who has indicated even the slightest interest in Obama, talk with them, re-enforce their commitment and march hand in hand with them to deliver the votes to the polls. Have confidence and trust in the belief that when they close the curtain behind them, they will enjoy their freedom of choice; they will pull the leaver that indicates the wisest decision for themselves, family, friends, the nation and the world.
VOTE EARLY!!!
BARACK OBAMA CONNECTS WITH “FOOD”
Barack Obama’s October reference to food along with energy, economy, education, health, water, security and more that need fixing should not pass unnoticed.
The inclusion of “food” in elevating its level of discussion and presence on the campaign’s agenda was Obama’s first reference to food heard on the trail to date. This is momentous. He’s made a connection.
I am not sure the connection came before or after reading Michael Pollan’s article in the New York Times Magazine, on October 12th. Pollan cleverly outlines, “What the next president can and should do to remake the way we grow and eat our food.” Pollan points out the “cheap food concept” that has dominated our industrial agricultural for the past 50 years, like the cheap oil and subsidies that enabled it are running out of favor as fuel prices and petroleum based soil additive costs soar and the environment deteriates.
Solar grown with natural compost amended soil, and the best natural growing practices produces comparable yields with that of industrial growers and are much more water conservative in the process providing the favored path going forward.
Pollan’s holistic perspective on the re-making of the entire food system of growing through consumption make clear that success for all the goals Obama has campaigned on: environment, climate change, reducing dependence on foreign oil, healthcare are all rooted in the agriculture and food chain process.
Our food supply is gushing with oil and we are burping up pollunts in the process. The process must be localized, solarized and naturalized to be sustainable and to produce the nutrient rich, high value calories we need for good health and survival.
Food activist, Anna Lippe’ author of the best seller Hope’s Edge and also Grub reported at the recent E.F. Schumacher Lecture Series that Obama was given a copy Michael Polllan, New York Times Magazine article. She commented, “Obama says he read the article and went on to say, “I get it.”
This strongly suggests he sees the important role agriculture needs to play in addressing most of the critical issues facing our neighborhood communities, our nation and fellow mankind.
With the financial system in collapse and the nations economy rocketing into recession the entire lifeline system needs rebuilding from the ground up through a decentralized system from the local level economies on up, to regional, and national.
Agricultural is the first run on any economic ladder, no food, no commerce; it is that simple. The true strength of a community is measured on its ability to feed itself locally. Be a local hero, reduce oil dependency, buy locally produced products. There is a local solution for our nations problems.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
THANKSGIVING TURKEYS - RANGE RAISED AND READY FOR THE HOLIDAY.
Ever enjoyed the taste of a free-range grass-fed turkey? Those frozen Butterball Turkeys from the supermarket are not even comparable.
There is a unique opportunity this year for a few fortunate people to introduce the experience of free-range raised, as opposed to cramped, cage raised, turkey to their families and holiday guests.
Sean Stanton, North Plain and Blue Hill Farms Manager and Great Barrington Select Person mentioned recently he still has a few unclaimed birds available for this Thanksgiving. This is an unusual opportunity.
Most years Sean has sold out well in advance of this time in the season. But last year while taking on new responsibilities bringing the management of Blue Hill Farm under his wing, he chose not to raise Turkeys, which broke the chain of a steady flow of customers who keep him sold out each year.
Everyone has not caught up with the fact that Sean is raising the birds again, so there is an opportunity for some fortunate new folks to enjoy his range fed turkeys.
If interested, contact Sean as swiftly as possible before the few remaining Turkeys are claimed. You can reach Sean via email <seanstanton@hotmail.com> or by phone 413-528-2092 or 413-429-6598 To reserve your turkey and secure it with payment by check or cash.
We are on the list for the first time this year after several years of wishing we were. Back in February Sean was giving me a tour of the farm when I asked him about getting on the list. He told me he was going to raise the birds again and was just starting a list, so we jump at the opportunity to join the prepaid committed customers for this season’s birds. Join us.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
World Food Day USA - eleanor roosevelt and the right to food
World Food Day USA October 16th, 2008 ( http://www.worldfooddayusa.org/ ) honored Eleanor Roosevelt’s contribution to advancing the cause for right to food for everyone and recognized her efforts 50 yeaars ago. What follows is the text from her fireside chat in 1948 sourced from the World Food Day USA web site.
THE RIGHT TO FOOD
“Eleanor Roosevelt is recognized everywhere as a champion of human rights. Not
only is she credited, as a result of her fervent leadership and
perseverance in shepherding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
through difficult and complex negotiations to the point of adoption by
the UN General Assembly in 1948, but she devoted her life to the
promotion of the rights of people everywhere, of every walk of life.
She said more than once that she felt that the first human right – the
great human right – was food. Consequently, there is perhaps no one
better to serve as an inspiration for World Food Day," quoting from the
World Food Day USA web site. They have
attempted to bring her into our presence through a tapestry of words
taken from her speeches and writings. “The First Human Right - A
Fireside Chat with Eleanor” was presented at the observance of World
Food Day at the United Nations on October 18, 2007.
It can be viewed at http://www.worldfooddayusa.org/
THE FIRST HUMAN RIGHT –
A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH ELEANOR
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
SOLAR WINDOW FURNACE, AN INNOVATIVE HOME FUEL SAVER
Washington, MA resident, innovator, entrepreneur and also local Pittsfield merchant, owner of Berkshire Fine Hand Crafts on North Street has come up with a brilliant fuel saving solution to help keep folks warm and cozy this winter – a SOLAR FURNACE that easily installs into a south facing window.
In a Berkshire Eagle article today the invention was revealed to the world.
John Yates, Inventor with the assistance of Gary Rodd, a Middlefield carpenter has developed a prototype furnace. According to Scott Stafford’s Eagle article. “…furnace that weighs less than 15 pounds and uses no electricity. The simple dual-chamber gizmo uses simple convection to pump heat into the house and suck cooler air out. A slab of black corrugated metal collects the heat, heats the air in the upper chamber, which rises and passes into the house while the cooler air in the house passes out through the lower chamber.”
While the furnace won’t replace the boiler, it will reduce the amount of heat it needs to generate.
In talking with Yates later in the day he mentioned, he is producing a few prototypes for Beta testing immediately and hopes a manufacturer he is contracting with will have finished product available within 6 to 8 weeks.
He is taking names secured with a credit card for a waiting list of folks interested in the product that he expects to deliver for about $250.00 a unit. Customers will be contacted when the furnaces are ready and before the charge is processed.
If you are interested in learning more or want to jump in line on the waiting list, then John can be reached at 413-623-8899. Let us know how you make out.
We had a convection fireplace insert after the first gas crisis back in the seventies that worked just fine. In fact when we moved, we passed it along to my father-in-law who beefed it up with a blower and it continues to work.
While the solar window furnace is a simple and easy to use, electricity free heating unit, John might want to consider adding a blower to the system as he evolves the product. It enables the air-flow to more deeply penetrate the heated space. Off grid solar or wind could drive the blower as well as grid-sourced electricity.
For early adopters the solar furnace appears to be a product one would want to acquire.
We like convection technology since our experience suggests that it works,
We are on the wait list for a couple; we thought we would give innovative solar furnace a go.
We will let you know what we discover!!!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
FARMER IN CHIEF, AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NEXT PRESIDENT
‘What the next president can and should do to remake the way we grow and eat our food.
Dear Mr. President–Elect …”
Thanks to Mark Miller, Ward 4 resident, bicycle transportation aficionado, environmental advocate, and writer for tipping us off to Sunday’s The New York Times Magazine’s Food Issue article by Michael Pollan, “FARMER IN CHIEF”
Michael Pollan’s most recent book is, “In Defense of Food” and his book, “The Omnivore’s Dilema: A Natural History of Four Meals” was named one of the ten best books of 2006 by The New York Times and Washington Post
This article is a very informative read, written by one of the most influential authors on the subject of FOOD and the concern for the quality of the food we consume today, the environment, and the industry that supplies what we eat.
You can read the article on-line through the link below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html#articleBodyLink
Monday, October 06, 2008
HARDWOOD PELLETS GALORE
Hardwood Pellets Galore, not exactly pellets galore but more than you will probably find at your favorite pellet store, if you have been looking around for them lately.
If you were shopping for hardwood pellets this season you have discovered there is a severe shortage. If you have been told to check back in December, then run for cover because that might be an unlikely possibility.
Pellets are a bi-product of the housing industry. The sawdust for pellets is from logs being cut into lumber for the building industry. With housing starts being down, way, way down, there is not likely to be an abundance of sawdust anytime soon.
It is even less likely that valuable tress will be cut for the purpose making sawdust, so scarcity is likely to linger on for a while.
So the suggestion is get your hands on your winter supply as swiftly as possible.
They are available. Thanks to Chris Horton, Ward 4 resident, produce grower, and hauler he tipped us off to a local source of supply.
Gratefully, Patrick and Nancy Lamore have a steady stream of supply. Rick hauls in about 20 to 22 tons a week and makes pallets of pellets available for scheduled C.O.D. pick-ups on Saturday mornings. They are priced at $6.00/bag, sold by the one ton pallet at $300.00, which is the fair market price for this scarce commodity.
You may have to get in line on a short waiting list of a couple weeks, but get in line while the supply lasts and before the cold, winter, weather sets in.
Call Nancy Lamore at 413 442 6371, tell her Berkshire Harmony sent you over and she will take care of you. Let us know how you made out.
We picked up the five tons of pellets we need to keep us warm and cozy this winter - the availability is real-here and now!!
Sunday, October 05, 2008
CSA HOME DELIVERY Survey Response Summary
This is an open letter to CSA members of the Foote Farm’s “Garden
Samplings” pilot home delivery program. It is a summary of responses
to the season end survey of members, suggested improvements, additional
inclusions, action steps going forward.
BACKGROUND NOTES:
Berkshire Harmony launched a pilot CSA Home Delivery program – Foote Farm “Garden
Samplings” into a southeast Pittsfield neighborhood during the summer
2008 harvest season.
Mission:
The mission of the program was to introduce neighbors to the concept and practical
application of the efficient, eco-friendly, convenience of a safe and
secure, weekly, bicycle/cargo trailer delivery system for fresh,
nutrition rich, natural and locally grown fruits and vegetables
directly from the farm to home. This is an easily scalable system and
the basis for developing the most effective ”all costs in” (internal
financial and external environmental costs) method for the
transportation and delivery of fresh farm products.
Community Driven:
The program further serves as a scaleable working research model to obtain
community feedback and guidance for the expanded program being offered
to a greater universe of neighborhoods of Pittsfield residents for the 2009 season.
Every member of the community has a voice that is heard in the execution of the process.
Multi-farm sustainable CSA:
For the purposes of the pilot program “the farm” was a 10,000 square foot backyard garden on what remains of the original Foote Farm (founded
1881) on Holmes Road in Pittsfield. Produce from Berkshire farmers and
growers within 100-mile radius will be drawn upon to fulfill
subscriptions for the 2009 Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery program and to
support the accelerated growth of a sustainable system in the ensuing
years.
Eco-conscious, naturally grown:
The growing technique at Foote Farm is natural in that no chemical based
fertilizers; pesticides, herbicides or fungicides are used in the
process. Out of respect for the extensive scrutiny and expensive
process certified growers adhere to, we do not use the term
“organically grown” to describe our process. We do, however, apply
similar methods for growing. These include a focus on nutrition
enhancing soil building, composting, crop rotating, mulching, raised
bedding, row covering low tunnels, mostly organic seeds and seedlings
and water conserving irrigation to achieve the foundation necessary to
yield the highest quality produce.
Freshness assured:
The fruits and vegetables are most often harvested at full ripeness on the
day of delivery for freshest quality achievable without growing your
own. Each basket share is a half-bushel size with a diverse variety of
8-10 fruits and vegetables that varied over the course of the season as
the produce ripened and was harvested.
Diversity:
Among the selections the basket share included were: tomatoes, bell peppers
and hot peppers, cucumbers, egg plant, lettuce, salad mixes of leafy
greens, onions, potatoes, beans, melons, green and yellow zucchini,
other squash varieties like: summer, acorn, butternut, delicata along
with kale, a hint of mint, and other selections. The choices were
diverse enough for the “garden samplings” but short of the wide variety
of selection of a full scale CSA program.
Informal survey:
It should be noted that the survey is less than scientific in its
methodology and should not be considered statistically accurate since
there were less than a dozen respondents at the time of tally.
Serving and satisfying members’ needs:
Taken for what it is, the informal survey responses reflect a glimpse at the
insights and guidance offered by a cross section of participants
consisting of individuals, couples, and small family households. The
responses further reflect the wants and desires members have that are
necessary to fulfill in serving and satisfying their needs and
expectations. It is fairly safe to say, they share these expectations
with many other people who want to add more and more fresh, locally
grown produce to their daily diet.
Summary of responses, comments and action steps going forward:
With one exception the overall program surpassed everyone’s expectations and
matched expectations in the other case. This would suggest we are most
likely headed in the right direction.
The variety of fruits and vegetables, quality, share size, and financial value of the program
again surpassed expectations with only a couple of exceptions, where
more details need to be known.
Suggestions for a broader more diversified selection of produce included: Arugula, beets, berries, butternut squash, carrots, corn, heirloom tomatoes, herbs (basil,
parsley, thyme), lima beans, lots more lettuce, and more “snackable
items” like pole beans and peas. CSA’s growers usually produce all
these items and more. Crop diversity is commonly the center of CSA
farmers’ philosophy for growing to preserve many of the vanishing
species of fruits and vegetables. The message is clear; members want
these items. This is the direction that will be given to participating
CSA producers.
Most everyone’s expectations were surpassed with the quality of the delivery service with a couple of indicators that
there is room for improvement. There are tweaks to be made to make the
delivery system better yet.
The idea of offering “additional farm products” was well received. In the case where the answer was NO, it was interesting to see the suggestion to include berries (good idea)
into the distribution. This was not the only request for berries. Many
CSA’s get the same request and offer a “Fruit Share” including berries
and other fruits as an optional, add on for members. The fruit makes
for “good snacks.” Some farms offer u-pick fruits, u-cut flowers, and
u-pick selected veggies days at the farm at no additional charge. The
suggestion opens the discussion to possibly offer a soft fruit and
veggie combo share among the offerings.
Other farm products–eggs, baked goods, cheese etc. would most likely be offered
and ordered on an optional “ala Carte” as wanted, when needed basis.
Recipes were a good suggestion and they are included by most CSA’s. It would
have been helpful to include them with the Kale that was a surprise to
some. When Kale is sautéed in chopped garlic and oil along with being
dashed to taste with salt and pepper it makes a delightful, strong
flavored addition to dinner.
The response as to whether participants would volunteer time was the most mixed response ranging
from: yes, yes-maybe, no, no maybe, to maybe. In all fairness it must
not have been a well-asked question, if it created such a challenge to
answer. Most CSA’s request or require some contribution of volunteer
time from members in support of the CSA. If the call to duty were to
be defined clearly, it would most likely be easier to volunteer time.
Everyone agreed the convenience of home delivery was of “high value” to them and
all expressed an interest in subscribing to a similar program again.
Let’s work together to make that happen.
Everyone indicated they would recommend the program to friends, relatives, and
neighbors. This is precisely where we need your assistance now.
I am asking you to give us a hand now.
This week we posted to the Berkshire Harmony Blog a preview announcement of
the Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery program for summer 2009. Please visit
the site to discover what the plan is for going forward. We invite you
and others to join with us in the coming year and possibly sooner with
a limited 2008-2009 Winter program should sufficient interest exists.
We need your support spreading the word today.
As a participant in the whole process you have an opinion you already expressed and an interesting “first hand story” to tell.
People respect your perspective and honor the credibility of your experience
more than anything else that can be said. What people want to learn
most is what participants discovered in the process. They value your
insights and opinion about the delivery of fresh, nutrition rich,
locally grown produce each week directly from the garden to your
kitchen. They are interested your opinion about the quality and
quantity of produce, level of the service, how you enjoyed it and
anything else you might want to offer them. What better assistance
could they share, than your knowledge and experience in guiding their
interest in becoming a Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery member.
Please post your comments to the Berkshire Harmony blog. If you haven’t posted
to a blog before, it is easy to do. Go to http://www.berkshireharmony.com, click on the blog, read it through and
on the bottom click on comments, then when the page reloads scroll
through the blog again to the new comment box at the bottom, enter your
opinion and suggestions, then click on submit. Invite friends to check
it out.
We need many friends, family, and neighbors from next
door, down the street, around the corner, and nearby communities
participating in the program to create the efficiencies necessary for
sustaining this program at the most reasonable cost achievable. The
density of neighborhood membership is the driving force for reducing
transportation and delivery costs.
It is a pleasure to be
involved. Your voice is loud and clear and appreciated. Community
speak is most valuable in making things happen.
Thanks,
Thursday, October 02, 2008
PITTSFIELD CSA HOME DELIVERY WINNER
A WINNER!!
PITTSFIELD RESIDENT
RENEE SINGH
IS
THE WINNER
OF
A WEEKLY SHARE OF FRESH, NUTRITION RICH, LOCALLY GROWN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DELIVERED DIRECTLY FROM FARM TO HOME OF MEMBERS OF THE
PITTSFIELD CSA HOME DELIVERY FOR THE 2009 TWENTY WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM
CONGRATULATIONS
Entries were available throughout the summer at the Berkshire Harmony CSA Home Delivery stand in Pittsfield Harvest Farmers’ Market (Downtown North Street, Thursday evenings, 4:00 to 7:00 pm) and the Foote Farm, Holmes Road farm stand. Entry was open to Pittsfield residents over 18 years of age who chose to register for free. No purchase was necessary to enter. Entrants did not have to be present to win.
The drawing was held at the Pittsfield Harvest Farmers’ Market on October 2, 2008. The winning entry was drawn by Jeff Winslow, market manager and proprietor of Wild Sage, the farmers’ market sponsor and administered by Barry Hollister, managing director - Berkshire Harmony CSA Home Delivery, and facilatator - Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery.
The winner was notified by email. She has confirmed her award and we have acknowledged it.
Thanks to all who entered, be inspired, stay connected and be a local hero - save fuel, buy local.
Monday, September 22, 2008
PITTSFIELD CSA HOME DELIVERY
Introducing:
Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery
Of In-Season Locally Grown Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and other Farm Products
Preview Announcement
More and more people want to add fresh nutritious produce to their diets everyday.
What is the opportunity?
• We can receive a fresh, locally grown, in-season “CSA share of harvest” basket of produce delivered from the farm directly to your kitchen for 20 weeks from June to November during the 2009 growing season.
• Each basket share contains a diverse selection of 10-15 fresh fruits and vegetables as the crops ripen and are harvested each week over the course of the season*
How does a CSA work?
• CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) or subscription farming as it is also known is a shared seasonal commitment between a community and a farmer through a pre-season payment for each weekly share of the farms harvest.
• The advance payment provides the cash flow when it is needed most; to purchase seed, to plant, to cultivate, to harvest, to transport and to deliver the produce.
• The community shares the risk to the extent of their commitment with the farmers against the loss or damage to the crop throughout the season. This provides the grower with a certain degree of security and supports their sustainability
• Not to worry, rarely is there ever a total crop loss or failure but in the event it ever happens the farmers know the community is behind them supporting their best efforts.
How does the garden grow?
• Organic - free of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and fungicides - is the natural, nutrient rich, crop rotating, soil building growing technique that is the most desired
– Each farm sourced for produce posts their growing methodologies on the web site
– Quite frankly, there is not enough of the “good stuff” to go around so the “community” will define the accepted practices and policies for the produce secured
What produce can be expected over the course of the season?
*A diverse selection varies weekly
• Early Season shares might be expected to include: arugula, garlic, radishes, baby salad mix, broccoli, spinach, scallions, kale, beets, bok choy, snap peas, shell peas, Chinese cabbage, turnips, Swiss chard, lettuce, mixed greens, and herbs
• Summer season: tomatoes, grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, green beans, waxed beans, Italian beans, summer squash, basil, cantaloupe, corn, flowers, broccoli, herbs, eggplant, Asian eggplant, heirloom eggplant, lettuce, sweet peppers, hot peppers, mixed greens, cucumbers, pickling cukes, lemon cukes, onions, cabbage, beans, watermelon, zucchini, carrots
• Fall season: radishes, cabbage, winter squash –acorn, butternut, sweet dumpling, gourds, cauliflower, onions, parsnips, turnips, rutabagas, collards, mixed greens/lettuce, winter kale, sweet potatoes, herbs, beets, Brussel sprouts, and carrots
• Winter season: the summer season can be extended into November and December with additional storage root crops and leafy green salad mixes and other produce offerings
• Winter/Spring 2009: a special four season, year-round program may be offered this fall to subscribing members to the Summer 2009 program (TBA)
What is the source of supply?
Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery pursues sustainable relationships with producers of the highest quality, fresh, nutrient rich fruits and vegetables accessible from within and close to the Berkshires. To attract the “best of class” producers, efforts are focused on making it as easy and convenient for farmers to efficiently meet the community’s needs and to reward producers the highest value for fruits and vegetables and other farm products provided.
• Feeding and eating is an everyday affair.
• Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery offers a convenient year-round connection between the community and local Berkshire farmers and growers within a 100-mile radius for in-season produce and beyond the region for the freshest produce we can gather in the winter from as close to the Berkshires as possible.
• This is an opportunity members to know the farmers and growers and for the community to define the food supply’s chain of possession from farms to their households.
What makes this program unique and different?
Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery is a paradigm changing process
• The Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery is unique in that it is unlike anything that has come before it.
• Traditionally CSA’s originate at the farm to take the product to the market, this CSA begins in the community and brings the market for the product to the farmer.
• As a community facilitated, direct, farm to home produce delivery system, deploying GPS guided hybrid and bio-fuel powered, electric refrigerated trucks, hybrid autos, along with human powered cargo tricycles, bicycles and trailers to transport fresh farm products to neighborhood families and individuals is innovative community leadership moving in a fresh new sustainable direction.
• As the density of neighborhood participation increases, greater numbers of the above-indicated efficiencies could be deployed to reduce the costs of delivery.
• Reducing the dependency on the handlers eliminates expense and improves the ability to reward farmers the highest value for their efforts.
The structure of the CSA Home Delivery system is designed to be sustainable and capable of full functionality in the most tenuous of times. It is non-dependent on foreign fuels.
What other farm fresh products are available?
More than just produce:
Eggs,
Butter
Cheese,
Baked Goods,
Meats & Poultry,
Seeds & Seedlings,
Jams & Jellies,
Salsa & Chutney,
Other Canned Goods,
Local Cut Flowers,
Fair Trade Products*
and More……
…will also be offered by Farmers, Growers, and Producers from the Berkshires and within 100 miles radius
*Fair Trade Products like coffee are imported and purchased directly from the growers and their
cooperatives.
Who can benefit from the program?
Farm fresh products for everyone
• Across the entire socio-economic spectrum more and more people want to eat well and add freshness to their diet.
• Pittsfield CSA is designed to serve the vast majority of Pittsfield residents
– Sliding cost scale based on affordability guidelines for membership
– WIC, Senior Farmer’s Market coupons and SNAP (food stamps-electronic benefit transfer) EBT cards are a pleasure to honor and accept where applicable
• Sponsored supported scholarship shares will increasingly become available
• Charitable contributions to food kitchens and pantries are factored into the program
Where do you go from here?
If the Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery of farm fresh products is of interest to you and your family, then act now and take NO COST action steps. The opportunity is limited
What are the next steps?
• SIGN UP TODAY - FREE REGISTRATION - for a placeholder’s position in the line with those exploring membership.
Most CSA’s in the Northeast have sold-out the past couple years.
This past summer’s Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery pilot program filled out swiftly suggesting the importance of acting now.
When the program is formally announced and becomes available (no financial commitment for holding a place in line until then) we will contact registered placeholders by geographic neighborhood location and in order of registration.
Membership development focus is guided by the density of neighborhood participation to achieve the greatest efficiencies of operations and sustainability. Membership is open to any resident of Pittsfield to apply, but limited in number by the volume of produce the network of participating farmers and growers can comfortably support.
Talk with family, friends, and neighbors; discuss the program, gauge interest, encourage others to participate. Assist others to learn more and guide them to the Berkshire Harmony Blog ( http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/blog/ ). Thanks in advance for your effort.
Your suggestions, comments and questions are always welcome.
Every member in the CSA Community is empowered with a vioce that is heard in guiding the program along its way. We all share a commitment to sustain the process and we all share a system for bringing the highest quaility, fresh, nutrition rich, locally grown produce into our lives throughout the year. This is the favored way to ensure we receive the best product we can obtain with our available resources.
We have heard already word is going around about the CSA from folks who shop with us at the Pittsfield Harvest Farmer’s Market (Downtown Thursday Evenings 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm and others who stop by specifically to join our mailing list and to enter a drawing for a Free Pittsfield CSA Home Delivery membership share for Summer 2009.
Community participation enables the program to reflect our wants, needs and desires.
Please post ideas to the Berkshire Harmony Blog or email us
The program’s formal announcement and early commitments begin in November/December 2008
• Learn more…read on for more details about the CSA’s and the Home Delivery program.
Member: Berkshire Grown .... NOFA (Northeast Organic Farmers Association+MA)… Pittsfield Harvest Farmer’s Market
E.F. Schumaker Society...Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
© 2008 Berkshire Harmony
Thursday, May 15, 2008
BACKGROUND HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT CSA’S
The first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm in America was in the Berkshires founded in 1985 by Jan VanderTuin and Robyn Van En in South Egremont, Massachusetts
Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Jan VanderTuin returned home from Switzerland where he was a partner in a CSA there. He wanted to set up a CSA here in the Berkshires. He first contacted Caretaker Farm in Williamstown, but interest didn’t jell there immediately (today Caretaker Farm is one of largest 250 member CSA’s in the Berkshires). Then he teamed up with Robyn Van En and they launched their CSA endeavor at Indian Line Farm. The farm continues to operate as a CSA today.
Over 2,000 farms across the country have adopted the CSA financial model in one form or another for operating their farms. The CSA model has proven to be a key tool for small farmers to deploy to survive.
It is amazing that there are presently only 5 CSA farms in the Berkshires listed by Berkshire Grown. Most of them sell out their shares shortly after they are offered each season. This raises the question of the source of produce for the Berkshire Harmony CSA program. (See separate post for CSA Home Delivery Strategy)
Where is Jan VanderTuin today? While on a global pursuit for cargo tricycles to use for the CSA Home Delivery program the search lead to Eugene, Oregon and the discovery of a unique design for a cargo trike. Jan VanderTuin is the designer/builder of the TRI HAULER Cargo Tricycle and trailer we plan to use for local neighborhood delivery. Check it out at http://www.catoregon.org/hpm/trihauler.htm As they say, “What goes around, comes around." Jan still maintains hands on involvement in the improvement of distribution of produce by enhancing the eco-friendly methods for delivery of the product.
Co-founder Robyn Van En, of the first CSA passed away of in 1998.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
FOUR SEASON FARMING IN NEW ENGLAND
For nearly a decade now Maine farmers, Eliot Coleman and his wife Barbara Damrosch, have pioneered the concept of “Winter Harvest” through their four season growing methods.
These techniques have become increasingly popular among growers in the region. Coleman & Damrosch successfully sell their harvests to restaurants in Maine from October thru May after the in-season growing in Maine is over.
Their research lead them to realize that they live on a similar global parallel, latitude as Eugene, Oregon, Oshkash, Wisconsin in the United States and Provence in Southern France, and Northern Tuscany in Italy where there is a longer growing season than they have in Maine. The concern about day length and sufficient light to grow was deemed to be not an issue. They were the same for each. However, each of the other regions shared warmer temperatures than Maine throughout the winter.
Coleman and Damrosch developed a growing technique for successfully raising cold tolerant root plants, vegetables, and salad greens in unheated high tunnel greenhouses. In some cases they would heat the greenhouse to just above freezing at the plant level, in other cases they would deploy double layer protection through the use of row covers inside their high tunnels to avoid freeze damage.
We support these four season growing efforts and plan to include produce from regional four season growers among the offerings in our CSA Home Delivery service.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
LOCAVORE
A new term of interest, creating an eco-friendly movement to buy local
Locavore is a term created by four women in San Francisco in 2005. The popularization of the term spread rapidly. In 2007 the New Oxford American Dictionary sighted Locavore as the “word of the year” because of its extensive adaptation and usage.
Locavore, or as some others refer to it as Localvore is a movement that encourages people to eat produce that was grown within 100 miles of where they dine and live.
“The past year saw the popularization of a trend in using locally grown ingredients, taking advantage of seasonally available foodstuffs that can be bought and prepared without the need for extra preservatives.
The “locavore” movement encourages consumers to buy from farmers’ markets or even to grow or pick their own food, arguing that fresh, local products are more nutritious and taste better. Locavores also shun supermarket offerings as an environmentally friendly measure, since shipping food over long distances often requires more fuel for transportation.
“The word ‘locavore’ shows how food-lovers can enjoy what they eat while still appreciating the impact they have on the environment,” said Ben Zimmer, editor for American dictionaries at Oxford University Press. “It’s significant in that it brings together eating and ecology in a new way.” *OUP Blog
The Berkshire Farms and farms within approximately a 100 mile radius of the Berkshires are the first source of supply sought for the CSA Home Delivery for in-season produce for members.
Monday, May 12, 2008
OBTAIN FRESH PRODUCE YEAR ROUND
The CSA Home Delivery service brings fresh produce to community families throughout the year. Some of this produce is locally grown by four season growers (see separate “Four Season Growers” post) throughout New England, some obtained from a network of farms beyond the Berkshires and New England, and some is grown in CEA (controlled environment agriculture) greenhouses located from the eastern Canadian provinces to Florida. The commitment is to obtain as much produce as close to the Berkshires as possible throughout the year and deliver it swiftly to families in the program. This process is a bit more complex than obtaining in-season produce locally but non-the-less doable.
