June is Dairy Month! Learn more about how dairy impacts our economy, planet, diet, land use, and how dairy farming connects us with heritage in the Pioneer Valley. Join the conversation with experts across all fields of dairy (get it?!). The Dairy Month Lecture Series is hosted by Barstow’s Longview Farm and Barstow’s Dairy Store … Read more
I grew up in the Pioneer Valley, and as the kid of dairy farmers, my parents perfected the economical values of a “stay-cation.” I love my home and I’ve been lucky to have gotten to explore as a kid – and now as an adult. One place I had never been until very recently was … Read more
Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery and Barstow’s Longview Farm are proud supporters of Kestrel Land Trust, a local nonprofit that protects and cares for land in the Pioneer Valley. Kestrel Land Trust has just launched their Spring Membership Drive! A gift of any amount makes you a Kestrel Land Trust member for one year. You … Read more
Stop by Barstow’s to select your perfect holiday wreath, kissing ball, or porch decoration to brighten your home and get in the spirit! Our wreaths, kissing balls, log boxes, and holiday pots are grown and designed at Silvery Moon Farm in Bernardston, MA. Silvery Moon Farm is a small family business. Their family collects only the … Read more
While brush is turning brown and the trees stand bare, check a dairy farmer’s field for a green carpet of new growth. New growth in the winter? Yes farmers are growing cover crops in the winter time, despite our region’s negative temperatures and snowfalls! Farmers have revolutionized sustainable farming in New England and across the … Read more
National Farmers Day is observed every October 12. It is a day to reconnect with your agricultural roots, be thoughtful about your consumption, and thank your local farmers! The cotton undershirt on your back, the wool socks on your feet, and the meal on your plate – are all thanks to agriculture. Here at Barstow’s … Read more
Many New England dairy farmers grow their own forage, or cow food, for their herd. That means our cows eat local – and we know everything about our crops from seed to silo. At Barstow’s Longview Farm, we raise about 250 acres of corn and 200 acres of hay and alfalfa. Instead of sweet corn … Read more
Many New England dairy farmers grow their own forage, or cow food, for their herd. That means our cows eat local – and we know everything about our crops from seed to silo. At Barstow’s Longview Farm, we raise about 250 acres of corn and 200 acres of hay and alfalfa. Hay fields might look … Read more
American dairy farmers are struggling. At this point, this should be news to no one. It is mentioned on every news station from NPR to Fox. But nobody is doing a very good job of explaining why they are struggling or what could in fact be done about it. There’s a lot of things going … Read more
Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery visitors and land conservationist Lee Halasz of the Kestrel Land Trust enjoyed a educational stroll down through conserved farmland for the Dairy Month Lecture Series on Sunday, June 10! In case you missed it, we have this short recap for you: The Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program preserves and protects agricultural land, … Read more