As farmers in the Midwest face the misery of floods and crop loss, we have supported them through a special offering for disaster relief this June. But farmers right here in Massachusetts struggle even in good years to hang onto their land when development beckons and profits are thin. Many of us know little about where our food comes from, or how to grow it ourselves. You can help by buying local, supporting local farms and growers, and even growing your own food. Your taste buds and your planet will thank you. If you have any questions about the following activities, please contact Mary Memmott.
What can you do to support local agriculture?
- Support the “farm-to-food pantry” share from Stearns Farm through Edwards Church by attending a work day, or to pick up and deliver our weekly share of produce to the Hope food pantry. Visit edwardschurch.org to sign up.
- Attend the “Locavore Potluck Picnic” sponsored by Transition Framingham on Sat., July 27 at 1:00 p.m. Location to be confirmed, but most likely Farm Pond in Framingham. Visit transitionframingham.org for more information.
- Visit one of our local summer farmers markets: Thursdays from noon-5:30 p.m. on the Framingham Centre Common; Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Natick Center Common; and Wednesdays from noon-5:00 p.m. at Russell’s Garden Center in Wayland.
- Learn by doing! Volunteer to help at drop-in gardening hours at the Framingham Community Farm (a vegetable garden right on our campus, providing fresh produce to A Place to Turn food pantry) on Thursdays from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Contact the church office for more information.
- Finally, learn from your neighbors! Join Transition Framingham for the 8th Annual Vegetable Garden Tour of Framingham, Sat., Aug. 24 starting at 9:30 a.m. A special visit to the gardens on our own campus will be included. Plans are still in the works; if you know a home vegetable garden in the Saxonville/Nobscot areas of town that might be good to include on the tour, please contact Mary.
Mary Memmott for the Green Team