Last week I finished up my TerraCorps (AmeriCorps) year of service at Kestrel Land Trust. It was a year full of accomplishments and learning as I worked with underserved populations in the Valley, conducted programming to promote the preservation of open space, and helped with a project that will ultimately protect more farmland and farms … Read more
Kestrel Land Trust | Blog Denise Barstow just completed her year-long service year as Kestrel’s Community Engagement and Regional Conservation Coordinator through the TerraCorps AmeriCorps program. She also works at Barstow’s Longview Farm in Hadley, owned by her family for 7 generations. In 2014, when my dad and uncle called a family meeting to discuss … Read more
Big news! The nesting bald eagles in the meadow have not one, not two, but THREE eaglets in the nest! We are so happy for the proud parents! *A quick reminder that the meadow is private property* A recent bird count in the meadow also accounted for the species listed below. A great reminder that … Read more
A birder did a recent survey of the upper and lower meadow for a spring bird count. In some non-COVID19 related news, check out the species that he saw right here in Hockanum Meadow! Please note that the Hockanum Meadow is private property and the birder who completed this survey secured permission from all landowners … Read more
*Please note that this event is currently full but you may register for the wait-list on Kestrel Land Trust’s page. Registration is required for this event. Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery will not be processing registration or wait-list requests.* In 2014, the Barstow family worked with Kestrel and the Commonwealth to place an Agricultural Preservation … Read more
June is Dairy Month! Learn more about how dairy impacts our economy, planet, diet, land use, and how dairy farming connects us with heritage in the Pioneer Valley. Join the conversation with experts across all fields of dairy (get it?!). The Dairy Month Lecture Series is hosted by Barstow’s Longview Farm and Barstow’s Dairy Store … Read more
Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery and Barstow’s Longview Farm are proud supporters of Kestrel Land Trust, a local nonprofit that protects and cares for land in the Pioneer Valley. Kestrel Land Trust has just launched their Spring Membership Drive! A gift of any amount makes you a Kestrel Land Trust member for one year. You … Read more
The Hockanum Rural Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, is a rural community encompassing a classically famous landscape along the Connecticut River in Hadley, Massachusetts. The fertile farmland and quiet village is home to families that have been here for generations. On Hockanum Day, meet, discuss, and learn about … 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
Dairy farms are dotted across the New England landscape. But with recent trends of low milk prices, over-supply, increased costs of doing business, consolidation of agricultural conglomerates, and the power and wealth in ag going to only a few: those dairies are being shuttered. Dairy farmers, especially small family farms in New England, are in … Read more