Last week I finished up my TerraCorps (AmeriCorps) year of service at Kestrel Land Trust. It was a year full of accomplishments and learning as I worked with underserved populations in the Valley, conducted programming to promote the preservation of open space, and helped with a project that will ultimately protect more farmland and farms … Read more
This article comes from the NOFA/Massachusetts 2020 June Issue Newsletter By Christy Bassett, Northeast Organic Farming Association / Mass Dairy Program Coordinator At Barstow’s Longview Farm in Hadley, MA, Denise Barstow and family have taken a slightly higher tech approach to manure management. With 350 cows and heifers in their dairy herd, they have a … Read more
June is Dairy Month! A great time to learn more about how dairy impacts our economy, planet, diet, land use, and how dairy farming connects us with heritage in the Pioneer Valley. This annual series, usually involving farm tours and experts in the field of dairy, will take a different form this year in the … Read more
The Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts has selected its Annual Sustainable Business of the Year Award winners. There were many nominations received and it is clear that Massachusetts is blessed with a large number of extraordinary businesses that merit recognition and have earned this honor. The Awards will be given at the annual Sustainable Business … Read more
PBS News Hour November 29, 2019 Watch: How these Massachusetts farmers are turning manure and food waste into power Transcript Judy Woodruff: In the final episode of our special series this week on food waste, we look at some innovative solutions being developed to deal with the growing problem of spoiled and surplus food in … Read more
Daily Hampshire Gazette By LUIS FIELDMAN Staff Writer Published: 9/21/2019 Methane, a greenhouse gas, gets turned into electricity at Barstow’s Longview Farm in Hadley. Enough electricity is generated from cow manure and food waste to power over 1,000 homes. The gas traps heat in the atmosphere and cows produce methane through belches, farts and their … Read more
By Jo Comerford Posted June 24, 2019 In The People’s Blog JUNE IS DAIRY MONTH IN MASSACHUSETTS. THAT’S WHY I JOINED CONSTITUENTS AND DENISE BARSTOW FOR A TOUR OF HER FAMILY’S DIARY FARM IN HADLEY. Denise is an 7th generation farmer. That means that her family has cared for the land they’ve farmed for over … Read more
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 and Bakery. … Read more
Must be the Milk April 22, 2019 Climate change has challenged our society to adopt practices and technologies to cut fossil fuels, reduce emissions, and live more sustainably. With razor thin margins, farmers are being further tested. Our livelihood directly depends on a healthy economy, a healthy community, and a healthy planet. Here are a … Read more
Here are a few articles the Barstow family was reading this month: Fresh Talk: It’s hard to be a dairy farmer. But it’s worth it. But every farm has some important similarities. We all take the best care possible of our cows, and we do everything in our power to protect our soils and waterways. … Read more