Must be the Milk April 22, 2019 Climate change has challenged our society to adopt practices and technologies to cut fossil fuels, reduce emissions, and live more sustainably. With razor thin margins, farmers are being further tested. Our livelihood directly depends on a healthy economy, a healthy community, and a healthy planet. Here are a … Read more
Here are a few articles the Barstow family was reading this month: Fresh Talk: It’s hard to be a dairy farmer. But it’s worth it. But every farm has some important similarities. We all take the best care possible of our cows, and we do everything in our power to protect our soils and waterways. … Read more
At Barstow’s Longview Farm, every day is Earth Day! Tour our facility and experience how animal care, technology, and the engagement of the next farming generation play a role in farm sustainability. Learn how Barstow’s Longview Farm turns food waste and cow manure into enough electricity for 1,600 homes with an anaerobic digester. The system … 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
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
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
There are a couple downsides to living on a dairy farm. First of all, the neighbors are early risers – and they drive big trucks or tractors. So by 5:30am, you’re probably wide awake. Secondly, when the cows get out they might enjoy a tramp through your garden before they get wrangled back into the … Read more
Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery visitors and land conservationist Lee Halasz of the Kestrel Land Trust enjoyed a educational stroll down through conserved farmland for the Dairy Month Lecture Series on Sunday, June 10! In case you missed it, we have this short recap for you: The Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program preserves and protects agricultural land, … Read more
June is Dairy Month! Learn more about how dairy impacts our economy, our planet, our diet, our 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 … Read more