The transition from summer to autumn in New England is a breathtaking spectacle, where vibrant green landscapes gradually shift into a tapestry of reds, oranges, and golds. The air turns crisp, and the sunlight softens, casting a golden glow over rolling hills and serene lakes. As the days shorten, the trees become a stunning mosaic, creating scenes that look like they’ve been painted by nature's hand. The crunch of fallen leaves underfoot and the scent of wood smoke in the air evoke a cozy, nostalgic feeling, making this seasonal shift one of New England's most cherished times.

In this edition or our newsletter, you will read about:

• A Farm Tour with Climate Chief Hoffer
• Healthy Soils Program - Year 2 Review
• Program Assistant Internship
• Native Plant Program review
• Upcoming Event - Eco-Friendly Fall Garden cleanup
• Leave Your Leaves Article
• Agroforestry as Climate Solution
• Dirt & Democracy Series

Enjoy!

Earlier this year, a group gathered for the first time at the office of American Farmland Trust in Northampton to review our separate plans for farmer outreach events in 2024. The goal was to avoid scheduling conflicts, reduce duplicated efforts, and explore opportunities for collaboration. Staff from UMass, CISA, AFT, NOFA/Mass, BCD, MACD, HHCD, and Momentum Ag, sat together and compiled a spreadsheet that contained over 60 events! We quickly recognized a need to meet on a regular basis, and over a short period of time, I can say that this effort not only strengthened our working partnerships, but it cultivated true friendships along the way!

This group also played a role in planning a visit with Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer to kickoff CISA's Climate Change & Agriculture Week. During this event, Chief Hoffer visited two farms in Hampshire County to discuss the impact of climate change on agriculture and the many ways that farmers can contribute to climate adaptation, mitigation, and local food security.

Our first stop was at Atlas Farm, where Gideon Poroth shared his experiences navigating extreme weather on an organic diversified vegetable farm. Next, we visited Big River Chestnuts, where Jono Neiger showcased his impressive alley cropping and silvopasture system. Julie Fine, from the American Farmland Trust, provided a wonderful presentation highlighting the specific challenges faced by farmers in our region, the adaptation strategies being implemented to build climate resilience, and the policy initiatives needed to support farmers, build food security, and conserve natural resources in our area. Afterwards, we had a shared a delicious meal that highlighted local food and chatted about this work that we are all so passionate about.

I am deeply grateful to all the partners who contributed to this effort, to Climate Chief Hoffer for her time and empathetic engagement, the local legislators who participated, and the farmers who shared their valuable insights with us!

You can read the Greenfield Recorder article here, and listen to coverage by the Fabulous 413 here (scroll down to the date September 17).

Discussion at Atlas Farm with Gideon Poroth

Tour of Big River Chestnuts with Jono Neiger

We are approaching the end of the second year of the Healthy Soils Program, and are absolutely thrilled by the increased participation and engagement! By the end of the season, our equipment will have been rented more than 20 times on over 200 acres! The Esch seed drill continues to be a big hit, and the BCS has also been very popular! Looking ahead, we are excited to announce the availability of a Checchi & Magli Unitrium no-till vegetable transplanter in Spring 2025. We plan to expand our equipment offerings as funding allows, so please let us know what types of equipment you would find most helpful!

Farmers and community members have also been making the most of our free soil analysis program. By the end of the year, we will have collected and processed over 50 soil samples, providing more than 20 participants with valuable insight into the health of their soil.

Beyond equipment rentals and soil analysis, we have been active in outreach efforts, hosting or participating in six farmer events in 2024 with over 200 total attendees. Topics included maintenance of agricultural ditches, agroforestry, reduced tillage and living mulches, composting, and more.

It’s been a great season, and we look forward to continuing to support sustainable farming in the community!

Photo credit: Carol Lollis / Daily Hampshire Gazette

"We rented the Esch 5605 no-till seed drill from HHCD to interseed 13 acres of our overgrazed pasture with a fast-establishing pasture mix. I loved getting to use this machine-- it's an intuitive and easy-to-use piece of equipment, and Matthew gave me a really helpful and thorough run-down of the specifics before I started.

The drill itself was just the perfect tool for us- my pasture is 13 acres of sloped perennial pasture- it needed some serious rejuvenation, but I wasn't willing to fully till or chemically kill it. The no-till drill was just right... [and] renting it from HHCD was a breeze-- easy to schedule, easy to pick up, and super affordable. Thanks Matthew!"

-Charlotte Senders, Assistant Director of Farm Programs/Livestock Manager, Hampshire College

Living Mulch event at Atlas Farm

Maintaining Agricultural Ditches

Application deadline for our Healthy Soils Program Assistant internship is October 31st. Read the full description here.

The Native Plants Program likewise had a fantastic first year! With great enthusiasm from the community, we installed five new demonstration gardens at partner sites and provided 69 free residential consultations along with native plant starter sets. These gardens showcase the beauty and ecological benefits of native plants, inspiring more sustainable landscaping practices. Visit our demonstration gardens at these locations:



• Hadley Public Library | 50 Middle Street | Hadley, MA (June 2024)
• Holyoke Senior Center | 291 Pine Street | Holyoke, MA (June 2024)
• Gaylord Memorial Library | South Hadley, MA (July 2024)
• Lilly Library | Florence, MA (September 2024)
• Coming Soon: Look Park | Northampton, MA (October/November 2024)

We’re already looking ahead to our Winter Workshop Series, happening January - March 2025. Stay tuned for more details!

Photo: Our awesome team of volunteers made quick work of the Lilly Library demonstration garden, which features a new walkway connecting a full sun native plant section to the existing shade garden, both designed by Owen Wormser of Abound Design.

Re-think your fall cleanup to benefit pollinators, birds, and reduce pollution. The traditional “garden cleanup” is harmful to beneficial wildlife and adds to greenhouse gasses. By doing less, you can do more to help the biodiversity crisis, reduce global warming, and save work and money while still maintaining an attractive landscape.

Register Here

As autumn paints the landscape in rich hues of red, gold, and orange, it’s tempting to grab that rake and tidy up the yard. But before you start bagging those leaves, consider this: leaves play an essential role in the cycling of nutrients and providing habitat - they are absolutely integral to the forest ecosystem. Here are 5 reasons to leave your leaves:

1. Leaf Litter Creates Essential Habitat 🌿

The fallen leaves in your yard provide valuable shelter for a variety of species, especially invertebrates. Pill bugs, earthworms, caterpillars, spiders, and slugs all rely on leaf litter as a habitat. And it doesn’t stop there—these leaves also benefit larger animals like salamanders, chipmunks, box turtles, toads, and shrews. By leaving your leaves, you’re supporting the ecosystem in your own backyard!

2. Leaves Enrich the Soil 🌱

Leaves are nature’s fertilizer, packed with nutrients that benefit your soil and plants. As they decompose, they release nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and carbon compounds back into the ground. They also provide trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and zinc. This natural process not only improves soil health but also boosts the growth of your garden, lawn, and trees.

3. Reduce Greenhouse Gases 🌍

Bagging leaves and sending them off to the landfill might seem harmless, but it actually contributes to climate change. When leaves decompose in anaerobic conditions (like those in landfills), they produce methane—a potent greenhouse gas. By keeping leaves out of landfills, you reduce the release of this harmful gas into the atmosphere.

4. A Natural Way to Suppress Weeds

Struggling with pesky weeds? Leaves can help with that too! A layer of fallen leaves can act as a natural mulch, suppressing unwanted vegetation. This means less competition for your trees, shrubs, and other plans, allowing them to thrive.

5. Save Time and Energy 

Let’s face it—raking, bagging, and hauling leaves is hard work. By leaving your leaves where they fall or using them as mulch or compost, you save yourself time, effort, and money. Why not let nature handle the cleanup for you?

While leaves are beneficial, you may not want a thick layer blocking sunlight from your grass. Use a mower to break them up, allowing for quicker decomposition and ensuring your lawn still gets the light it needs for photosynthesis. You can also add chopped leaves to your compost pile or use them as a natural mulch. Just be sure that your leaves—and other yard trimmings—don’t end up in a landfill!

As the climate crisis intensifies, farmers around the world face increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, making it harder to maintain their livelihoods. With each passing year, extreme weather events—like droughts, floods, and heat waves—become more frequent and severe. In response, many farmers are implementing “regenerative” practices that can enhance the resilience and adaptability of their farms. Among these, agroforestry stands out as a promising approach that blends tradition with modern sustainability needs.

What Is Agroforestry?

Agroforestry refers to the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes. This includes a variety of practices like planting trees alongside crops (alley cropping), establishing windbreaks, or incorporating livestock into wooded pastures (silvopasture). Unlike large-scale monoculture farming, agroforestry creates a diverse system where trees, crops, and animals coexist, each supporting the other in a balanced ecosystem.

A Time-Honored Practice, Rediscovered

While agroforestry is gaining renewed interest today, it's far from a new concept. Many Indigenous and traditional farming communities have practiced agroforestry for generations, relying on the balance between trees and crops to maintain soil fertility and biodiversity and to ensure food security. These practices have been largely forgotten as American agriculture moved toward larger, more mechanized operations. But now, as the challenges of climate change mount, farmers are rediscovering the value of agroforestry.

Why Agroforestry Matters in the Face of Climate Change

Agroforestry offers a range of benefits that can help farmers weather the impacts of climate change and build more resilient operations. Here are a few key advantages:

• Increased Resilience to Extreme Weather: Trees in agroforestry systems act as buffers against extreme weather events. They reduce soil erosion during heavy rains, provide shade and wind protection, and help retain moisture in the soil during dry spells. This provides a more stable microclimate that can make a big difference when farmers face unpredictable rainfall patterns or prolonged periods of drought.
• Enhanced Biodiversity: By diversifying their operations with agroforestry, farmers can support a wide range of plant and animal species. This increased biodiversity strengthens and balances the overall system.
• Carbon Sequestration: By planting more trees on their land, farmers can help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and sequester carbon in the soil, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. Increased soil carbon also improves soil health and biology. 
• Improved Soil Health: The deep roots of trees can access nutrients that crops cannot, helping to improve soil structure and fertility. Leaves and organic matter from trees add valuable nutrients to the soil as they decompose, creating a healthier environment for crops to grow.
• Diversified income sources: By growing a mix of trees, crops, and sometimes incorporating livestock, farmers can spread their economic risks. This diversification provides a safety net against climate-induced crop failures, making farming systems more sustainable and resilient.

A Growing Interest in Agroforestry

As the climate continues to change, finding ways to adapt while maintaining productivity is critical. Agroforestry, with its ability to enhance resilience, improve soil health, and support biodiversity, represents a promising path forward. Organizations, researchers, and farmers are working together to revive and refine these practices, making agroforestry more accessible and practical to implement. 

As interest continues to grow, agroforestry could play a vital role in helping farmers adapt to climate change while keeping their farms productive and sustainable.

For farmers looking to explore new strategies and build a more sustainable future, agroforestry offers a way to weather the storm—literally and figuratively. 🌳

Dirt & Democracy

Check out this incredible series by the White River NRCD "focusing on building a democratic, agrarian social movement".

Topics cover movement organizing, consensus training, the US Agrarian Movement, Agroforestry as a Climate solution, and more!

The Hampden-Hampshire Conservation District is seeking to add

new District Supervisors in 2024.

Why you should join us:

• Take an active role to identify conservation needs and guide projects that improve environmental health in your community.
• Connect with other farmers and learn about opportunities available to farmers and landowners.
• Learn about and work with our partner organizations that are driving sustainable agriculture and conservation issues in the Pioneer Valley.
• Great resume builder for folks who are looking to pursue a career in conservation.

CLICK HERE to learn more

Contact us at hampdenhampshireconservation@gmail.com for more information.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation so we can continue to provide community members with technical and financial assistance, educational programs, and community engagement.

Thank you for supporting our work to conserve the natural resources of Hampden and Hampshire counties! We are able to maintain our work conserving natural resources due to generous community donors like you!