http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/index/ en barry@berkshireharmony.com Copyright 2008 2008-11-19T15:33:00-05:00 http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/mike_ward_4_newsletter_readers_welcome/ http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/mike_ward_4_newsletter_readers_welcome/#When:16:33:00Z 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 MoreClick 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  2008-11-19T16:33:00-05:00 http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/obama_exhibits_streetwise_emotional_intelligence/ http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/obama_exhibits_streetwise_emotional_intelligence/#When:18:38:00Z 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!!! 2008-10-30T18:38:00-05:00 http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/barack_obama_connects_with_food/ http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/barack_obama_connects_with_food/#When:16:39:00Z 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. 2008-10-30T16:39:00-05:00 http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/thanksgiving_turkeys_range_raised_and_ready_for_the_holiday/ http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/thanksgiving_turkeys_range_raised_and_ready_for_the_holiday/#When:03:58:00Z 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. 2008-10-20T03:58:00-05:00 http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/world_food_day_usa_eleanor_roosevelt_and_the_right_to_food/ http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/world_food_day_usa_eleanor_roosevelt_and_the_right_to_food/#When:15:23:00Z 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   2008-10-15T15:23:00-05:00 http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/solar_window_furnace_an_innovative_home_fuel_saver/ http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/solar_window_furnace_an_innovative_home_fuel_saver/#When:14:50:00Z 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!!! 2008-10-14T14:50:00-05:00 http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/farmer_in_chief_an_open_letter_to_the_next_president/ http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/farmer_in_chief_an_open_letter_to_the_next_president/#When:20:56:00Z ‘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 PostThis 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 2008-10-12T20:56:00-05:00 http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/hardwood_pellets_galore/ http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/hardwood_pellets_galore/#When:19:21:00Z 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!! 2008-10-06T19:21:00-05:00 http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/csa_home_delivery_survey_response_summary/ http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/csa_home_delivery_survey_response_summary/#When:19:20:00Z 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, 2008-10-05T19:20:00-05:00 http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/pittsfield_csa_home_delivery_winner/ http://www.berkshireharmony.com/index.php/site/pittsfield_csa_home_delivery_winner/#When:00:11:01Z    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.   2008-10-03T00:11:01-05:00