Ooof this one hurt. I subscribe to the New York Times Climate Forward Newsletter and also their Daily Email Newsletter. I love them, I learn a lot, and it’s a great addition to my day. On Wednesday afternoon I was scrambling to catch up on emails before feeding the calves and into my inbox popped: … Read more
Although it was no where near Polar Vortex status, New England endured a painful cold snap last week. Between tarps on the barn that block out wind, heated floors in the robot milkers, and body heat from 250, 1,400lb animals, the cows stay content in the cold. The ideal temperature for a dairy cow is … Read more
Stop by Barstow’s to select your perfect holiday wreath, kissing ball, or porch decoration to brighten your home and get in the spirit! Our wreaths, kissing balls, log boxes, and holiday pots are grown and designed at Silvery Moon Farm in Bernardston, MA. Silvery Moon Farm is a small family business. Their family collects only the … Read more
While brush is turning brown and the trees stand bare, check a dairy farmer’s field for a green carpet of new growth. New growth in the winter? Yes farmers are growing cover crops in the winter time, despite our region’s negative temperatures and snowfalls! Farmers have revolutionized sustainable farming in New England and across the … Read more
National Farmers Day is observed every October 12. It is a day to reconnect with your agricultural roots, be thoughtful about your consumption, and thank your local farmers! The cotton undershirt on your back, the wool socks on your feet, and the meal on your plate – are all thanks to agriculture. Here at Barstow’s … Read more
2018 is not a great year for New England pumpkins. Downy Mildew was detected in New England fields starting in early August. Downy Mildew occurs worldwide and where conditions of temperature and humidity allow its establishment and can result in major losses to cucumber, melon, squash, pumpkin, watermelon, and other cucurbits. Fortunately it occurs sporadically … Read more
While many foods might be difficult to harvest during the winter months in New England, that doesn’t stop dairy farmers! 365 days a year, New England dairy farm families are hard at work producing a wholesome, nutritious product that goes from the farm to your glass in as little as two days. It doesn’t get … Read more
Many New England dairy farmers grow their own forage, or cow food, for their herd. That means our cows eat local – and we know everything about our crops from seed to silo. At Barstow’s Longview Farm, we raise about 250 acres of corn and 200 acres of hay and alfalfa. Instead of sweet corn … Read more
Many New England dairy farmers grow their own forage, or cow food, for their herd. That means our cows eat local – and we know everything about our crops from seed to silo. At Barstow’s Longview Farm, we raise about 250 acres of corn and 200 acres of hay and alfalfa. Hay fields might look … Read more
American dairy farmers are struggling. At this point, this should be news to no one. It is mentioned on every news station from NPR to Fox. But nobody is doing a very good job of explaining why they are struggling or what could in fact be done about it. There’s a lot of things going … Read more