WESTERN MASS.-As Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) marks 25 years of working to strengthen farms across the Pioneer Valley, local farms are also celebrating the end of winter and soon the promise of a bountiful harvest during the months ahead.
CISA, a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization, also engages the community to build the local food economy through its Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown marketing and awareness campaign. Begun in 1993, the campaign is the longest running and most comprehensive ‘buy local’ program for farm products in the country. For local farmers across our region, having a CISA designation indicates support of the local food movement.
While the earth once again begins to awaken after the long winter, other signs of spring include “new critters,” according to Nicole Berndt at Gran-Val Scoop on Granby Road in Granville.
“We always want to offer our customers a new experience each time they visit,” said Berndt. “This spring we have added three peacocks to our petting zoo and we already have baby lambs. Our goats are expecting too.”
Berndt noted that farm specialties – in addition to the homemade ice cream – include their own farm fresh eggs and grass fed beef. Also new this year is a variety of products from Smyth’s Trinity Farm, including milk, flavored milks (chocolate, coffee and strawberry), yogurt, cream and half & half.
“We also have a host of events that are bigger and better each year,” said Berndt, noting that movie nights, special market days, and holiday celebrations including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are special events at the farm.
Tom and Cheryl Bashista of Bashista Orchards on East Street in Southampton are also in the planning stages of special events this year, including catered barbecue weekends that will feature pulled pork, cole slaw and brisket.
“Currently we are pruning trees and adding 50 peach trees this spring,” said Tom Bashista.
Open year round, specialties at Bashista Orchards include homemade cider doughnuts, breads, pies (apple, blueberry, cherry, strawberry rhubarb and peach), as well as fresh apple cider.
“The rhubarb is growing nicely and we expect our apple trees will likely be in bloom during the beginning of May,” said Bashista.
Homemade specialties are always popular with area residents and Kosinski Farms on Russellville Road in Westfield prides itself on its “made from scratch” bakery items including pies (apple, blueberry, strawberry and strawberry rhubarb).
“Our bakery items are made from what we grow,” said Gene Kosinski.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are also staples at the farm, as well as flowers, bushes and shrubs, and unique gift items. Additionally, when visiting the farm Kosinski adds that area residents should drop in next door to the Raven Hollow Winery.
“Our winery is open and we have planned a concert series and other family friendly events this year,” said Kosinski.
For Jerald Reinford of Cream of the Crop Farm on Blandford Road in Russell, expansion plans are in the works this year. Currently his farm’s organic certification centers on popular drinkable yogurts and cheeses made at the store.
“Our probiotic drinkable yogurts are very popular,” said Reinford, noting there are a trillion colonies of probiotics per serving. “We also have grass fed Angus beef and pasture raised pork, chicken and lamb.”
Reinford said his business is focused on more dairy, meat and cheeses and plans to add more organic and non-GMO certified or chemical free healthy local products this summer.
“Our biggest draw is raw Jersey milk,” said Reinford, who currently has 15 Jersey cows.
For area residents interested in local raw honey, look no further than New England Apiaries & Billy C’s Raw Honey in Westfield.
While William Crawford oversees a wholesale business, his products can be purchased at farms in the Greater Westfield area including Fini’s Farm, Pignatare’s Farm, Cream of the Crop Farm, Ray’s Farm, Calabrese Farm and E. Cecchi Farms, as well as the Huntington Country Store.
“Our bees are European Honey Bees,” said Crawford, noting that the beehives are located in Massachusetts, Connecticut and upstate New York. “The color of the honey depends on Mother Nature, the weather, soil and the flowers that the bees go to.”
For area residents interested in pick-your-own strawberries, Britney Hinckley of Hinckley Harvest on Russell Road in Westfield says she expects her harvest to be ready during the first week of June.
“Local produce and products in the farm stand will be available from July to Oct. 31,” said Hinckley. “The farm stand opens again after Thanksgiving for fresh, local Christmas trees and decorations.”
Hinckley’s local produce this summer will include corn, tomatoes, squash, eggplant and peppers – all grown in the fields behind the farm stand.
At Mountain Orchard on Main Road in Granville, Chris Teter is hard at work pruning trees and expects blossoms soon. Peaches are expected first by the end of July and nectarines should be available by the beginning of August at the farm which has been operating since 1919.
“Also, we are going to be trying our hand at grafting some yellow delicious and will be planting some Crimson Crisp,” said Teter.
By mid-August the varied apple trees are ready for picking. Best sellers at Mountain Orchard include Macintosh, Cortland, Empire, Ginger Gold, Paula Red, Macoun and Gala.
Whatever your taste preference on local produce, any CISA farm can surely meet one’s needs and expectations. For more information on CISA farms, as well as a handy guide to when seasonal produce will be available, visit www.buylocalfood.org.
