Blog / Farms
8 Ways to Have a Beery Hoppy Summer in Western Mass.
Abandoned Building Brewery, Easthampton | Photo by Lynne Graves
We’ve said this before, but the craft beer scene in western Massachusetts has truly been exploding over the last few years. From new breweries and expanded tasting room hours to beer festivals and scavenger hunts, you won't go thirsty for local beer this summer.
6 Early Signs of Spring in Western Massachusetts
Nashawannuck Pond, Easthamtpon | by Patrick Brough
While most of Massachusetts is still covered in snow as we begin the month of March, spring really is just around the corner—Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 8 and the Spring Equinox is March 20. Despite all the snow and current cold temperatures, there’s a handful of good things happening in western Massachusetts this month that remind us spring is near, like the reopening of the Emily Dickinson Museum and the spring flower shows at Smith and Mount Holyoke colleges.
Get the Most Out of Maple Sugaring Season in Western Mass.
Red Bucket Sugar Shack | Worthinton, Photo by Lynne Graves
Trudging through late winter slush can make even the hardiest New Englander long for warmer days. Yet, we do have one thing to lift our spirits before the cold leaves us: maple sugaring season! Our friends at Valley Nibbler are ready for the season just as much as we are. Check out their tips and tricks for making the most of our maple sugaring season in western Massachusetts like where and when to go, and what to do with all the sweet stuff you end up taking home.
Come Find Your Side of Massachusetts
See why we call this place home with our new video. Maybe you'll discover a new place where you feel at home, too.
Dine Farm to Table in Western Massachusetts
The Lord Jeffery Inn, Amherst | Photos by Lynne Graves
Come taste the season. Enter to win the Farmers Market Chef Experience Weekend at the Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst! The package includes a two-night stay at the Lord Jeffery Inn, breakfast for two, and a shopping excursion with Executive Chef Dino Giordano to the Amherst Farmers’ Market to select ingredients for a private lunch prepared by the Chef.
Christmas Tree day trips in the Hilltowns
Justamere Tree Farm | Worthington, MA
What better reason for a trip to Hampshire County than to get your holiday tree? Take a trip to Justamere Tree Farm in Worthington for the tree and lots of maple goodies or Hanging Mountain Farm in Westhampton for one of the best breakfasts in Western Massachusetts at its restaurant, the Strawbale Cafe.
The pumpkin prepared: Bistro Les Gras
Bistro Les Gras | Northampton
Feeling fancy? Feeling French? Chef Daniel Martinez of Bistro Les Gras in Northampton shared one of his favorite seasonal recipes for pumpkin for you to try! Check out his Bisque d’Homard et Citrouille á la Curry (curried lobster and pumpkin bisque). Bistro Les Gras is an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant in Northampton, focused on sustainable French cuisine.
Art with a side of apples in Easthampton this fall
Photography by Patrick Brough
Farms and gardens are works of art in their own right, but how about visiting an apple orchard sprinkled with sculptures, poetry and dance this Fall? Art in the Orchard 2013 (AiO13) is a multifaceted sculpture exhibit on the grounds of Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton, Mass. The core project is a sculpture trail showcasing 3-dimensional outdoor works and installations created by local and regional artists open to the public daily beginning in late August. Additional events such as music, moonlight walks and performances are scheduled during most weekends through the festival's close on October 31.
Fair season is among us in Hampshire County
Agriculture is pretty important to us here in Hampshire County, and has been for hundreds of years. Our annual fairs really showcase all that we've got going on in one place. The Three County Fair in Northampton is Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 30 through Sept. 2; the Cummington Fair is Aug.22-25 at the Cummington Fairgrounds; and the Belchertown Fair is Sept. 20 through 22 on the Belchertown town common.
Want to experience a Hampshire County fair? Like us on Facebook and participate in our Fair Friday Facebook contest! Every Friday leading up to the Three County Fair, we'll post a question for you to answer. We will give a set of 4 VIP tickets to the Three County Fair to the person with the most creative responses for each of the 3 posts!