Making Every Acre Count in the Berkshires

Efficiency in action at Abode Farm New Lebanon, NY

The specific tasks might look different on a livestock farm, orchard or maple syrup operation, but a core principle is the same: efficiency matters.

It’s a busy morning on a local farm. The harvest crew members in the field carry bins that fit exactly 20 bunches of kale. With practiced motions, they harvest the mature leaves from each plant, neatly wrap each bunch with a rubber band and carefully place each one in the bin. Moving down the rows, they fill their bins according to that day’s harvest list. When the harvest crew returns to the wash-pack station with their bounty, they wash and chill the harvest quickly to maintain freshness. The carefully-placed wash bins, hoses and worktables ensure that the large volume of produce can be dealt with promptly.

In the propagation house, one team member fills trays with potting mix while another fills each small cell with seeds. A specially made dibble tool streamlines the task of making holes for the seeds. The space is arranged so that crew members move between stations in as few steps as possible and have everything they need readily at hand as they work.

As the Berkshire Grown staff visits farms and learns from our farmer members, we consistently notice the creativity and resourcefulness that farmers use to make their operations run smoothly. The specific tasks might look different on a livestock farm, orchard or maple syrup operation, but a core principle is the same: efficiency matters. Farm profit margins are tight, labor and capital are limited and the hours in a day never seem like enough time to get it all done. So wherever they can, farmers use efficient tools, systems design and workflows to make the most of their resources.

Farmers may achieve efficiency through experience and instinct, or bring practices learned from previous employers into their own farm operation. Some formal systems also exist to help farmers become more efficient. “Lean Farming,” advanced by farmer Ben Hartman and drawing on principles from Japanese manufacturing, is one popular system. Lean farm principles focus on reducing wasted materials and labor, maximizing the productivity of small growing areas, keeping tools organized and easily accessible and carefully targeting a farm’s output to meet customer desires. Lean farming also emphasizes continual improvement, evaluating systems and tools each season to refine the farm’s operation.

Read the full article here.

From left: Green and red shiso at Gentle Time Farm Old Chatham, NY; Gentle Time's onion harvest

Advancing Our Work: from the Executive Director's Desk

At Berkshire Grown we believe that a vibrant community starts with the farmers who feed us. From field to table, our work keeps farms strong and neighbors nourished. I am thrilled to say that this fall Berkshire Grown will once again gather together the people who grow our food, the chefs who create incredible meals and the wonderful community whose support makes it all possible.

Feast from the Fields is our celebration of local farms, seasonal food and the chefs who prepare it. Featuring a line-up of beloved Berkshire chefs, Feast from the Fields will showcase the Berkshires' freshest flavors of the season with a multi-course seasonal dinner coordinated by Peter Platt of Old Inn on the Green in New Marlborough. The chefs will include Tu Le of State Restaurant in North Adams, Nancy Thomas of Mezze in Williamstown, Lucas DaSilva and Andreia Milanin from Once Upon a Table in Stockbridge and Tarah Warner, of Truffles by Tarah in Pittsfield all using local ingredients to inspire a delicious seasonal celebration.

This fundraising event advances Berkshires Grown's work to support farmers, food access, and the local food system. I hope we see you on Thursday October 1st at the Ruins of Sassafras Museum, New Lebanon, NY.

Reserve Your Spot for Feast From the Fields Today!

Feast from the Fields will gather the community to celebrate the farmers, food producers and chefs who make our regional food system thrive. This fundraising event will take place Thursday October 1st at 5:30pm at Ruins of Sassafras Museum, New Lebanon, NY. Click the image below to purchase your ticket today!

Thank you to our generous event sponsors The Gilson Family Foundation, Greylock Federal Credit Union, The Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation, Berkshire Money Management and The Stockbridge Girl Charitable Fund.

Berkshire Farmers Markets: open now!

Check out the list below to find fresh, local food near you!

Berkshire Area Farmers Market (Lanesborough)

Sat 8am–2pm, May 9-Nov 14

Copake/Hillsdale Farmers Market

Sat 9am–1pm, May 16–Nov 21

Great Barrington Farmers Market

Sat 9a–1pm, May 9–Nov 14

Lee Farmers Market

Sat 10am–2pm, May 23–Oct 10

Lenox Farmers Market

Fri 11am–3pm, May 22–Sep 11

Millerton Farmers Market

Sat 10am–2pm, May 16–Nov 28

New Marlborough Farmers Market

Sun 10am–1pm, Jun 7–Oct 11

North Adams Farmers Market

Sat 9am–1pm, May 16–Oct 31

Otis Farmers Market

Sat 9am–1pm, May 23–Oct 10

Pittsfield Farmers Market

at 9am–1pm, May 16–Oct 10
Sheffield Farmers Market

Fri 3–6pm, May 22–Oct 9

Stockbridge Farmers Market

Wed 3–5:30pm, Jun 24–Sep 30

West Stockbridge Farmers Market

Thu 3–6pm, May 21–Oct 1

Williamstown Farmers Market

Sat 9am–1pm, May 16–Nov 7

Round Up at Guido's and Support Our Work!

Berkshire Grown is proud to be partnering with Guido's Fresh Marketplace and their Round Up at Checkout Program!

During the months of September and October, round up your total to the nearest dollar amount at checkout to support our work to promote local farms, create community partnerships that connect people to local food and build an equitable, resilient food system. In addition, Guido’s will do its part and contribute an additional $3,000.

ROUND UP AT CHECKOUT is a community support initiative that collects donations in Pittsfield & Great Barrington Guido's stores. 100% of contributions collected at Guido's registers are distributed to a qualified local non-profit.

What We’re Reading

Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock celebrates its 90th anniversary and its fourth generation of ownership, as reported in the Berkshire Eagle. Read more here.

An increasingly strained federal Agriculture Department leaves farmers without technical assistance, support and other services, as reported in The New York Times. Read more here.

The New Marlborough Land Trust helped broker a deal to secure 242 acres of farmland for generations to come, as reported in the Berkshire Eagle. Read more here.

Events

Full Well Farm is hosting Crafts and Company Sunday, September 13th 1-4pm. Bring any craft project you're working on and a dish you'd like to share to make, mingle and be inspired!

Woven Roots Farm is hosting a Pollinator Day Fundraiser for the Northeast Collaborative Beekeepers Network Saturday, September 19th 2-5pm. Learn more and register here.

The Farm New Marlborough is hosting a Harvest Fest Saturday, September 19th. Come kick off autumn in scenic New Marlborough with a day of community, food and fun! It is a great day for the whole family, full of local food and beer, live music, tractor rides and lawn games, plus out-of-the-box Berkshires fun. Learn more here.

Saturday, September 26th 12-6pm celebrate the 30th annual Festival Latino of the Berkshires at St. James Place in Great Barrington. Experience vibrant music, dance and performances that will transport you to the heart of Latin America. Learn more here.

Starry Ridge Farm is hosting its 7th annual Petersburgh, NY Harvest Festival Saturday, September 26th 12-5pm at the Petersburgh Public Library. Enjoy live music, local beer, farm fresh produce and more. Learn more here.

Lenox is hosting its 45th Annual Apple Squeeze Saturday, September 26th from 10am-5pm. Lenox’s signature fall festival features more than 100 artisan and food vendors, live music, family activities and a full downtown street fair experience. Free to attend. Musical performances throughout downtown. Learn more here.