Supporting Local Farms, Strengthening Our Communities
To help you discover and support the many farms that make up our region, check out our interactive farm guide that profiles local farmers and provides directions to their farms and nearby farmers' markets!
In the Connecticut River Valley, once known as The Breadbasket of New England, agriculture is more than a tradition. It’s a current, thriving part of who we are. Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties have over 25% of Massachusetts’ farms. They feed our communities, sustain our local economy, and shape the rural landscapes we cherish.
At Franklin Land Trust, we work to make sure that farmland remains productive, accessible, and protected for generations to come. The Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program and Conservation Restrictions (CRs) that FLT facilitates help ensure that these lands remain rooted in agriculture, continuing to provide healthy food, economic stability, and scenic beauty into the future.
Why Local Farms Matter
When you support a local farm, the benefits go beyond one transaction. Farmers hire workers, buy supplies from local hardware stores, and partner with local businesses to sell their products. Money spent locally stays local, making our rural economies more resilient.
Local food also travels fewer miles, meaning it is fresher, more flavorful, and often more nutrient-dense. You can also be confident that your food has a smaller carbon footprint than products flown in from around the globe.
Community Food Security
Everyone should have access to safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food through a reliable, community-centered, and sustainable system.
When food is grown close to home:
- Resilience increases. Shorter supply chains are less likely to break down during times of crisis.
- Freshness and nutrition improve.
- Communities grow stronger. Buying from local farms builds connections between growers and residents.
- Local economies grow. Dollars spent on local food circulate within the community.
Centering local food systems also supports a diverse next generation of farmers - people of different backgrounds and experiences who bring new knowledge, traditions, and crops to our region.
Learn more about two of our conserved farms:
The Local Food, Local Farms videos were created in part by a grant from the Local Cultural Councils of Charlemont-Hawley, Deerfield, Plainfield, and Shelburne, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.