Annual Farmer Appreciation Event Highlights Local Farmers

AGAWAM — At its annual Farmer Appreciation Party held at Smith College on the evening of Dec. 5, the Local Farmer Awards program honored the farmers of the four counties of Western Mass. while featuring food grown or produced by local farmers.

“The purpose of the party is to reinforce the vital role farmers play in our region,” said Mark Gold, director of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF). In addition to partners HGCF, Big Y, and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, sponsors of these awards for capital improvements include Charles and Elizabeth D’Amour, Ann and Steve Davis, Audrey and Chick Taylor, Barbara Deslauriers, PeoplesBank, Andrews, DeNucci Group at Merrill Lynch, Eastern States Exposition, Farm Credit East, HP Hood, Baystate Health, Country Bank, Three County Fair, Franklin First Federal Credit Union, and bankESB.

In front of a crowd of 130 guests including farmers, funders, and friends of the Local Farmer Awards, eight farmers shared “90-second Farm Project Success Stories” during the program portion of the event. These stories briefly explained the impact of the capital projects implemented with the help of a Local Farmer Award.

The farmers who shared the benefit of the grants they received were Julia Coffey, Mycoterra Farm, aquifer irrigation system; Laurie Cuevas, Thomas Farm, goat-scratching brush; David Drugan, Buzz Off Bee Co., honey-extraction equipment; William Ellison, Ellison Farms Beef LLC, fencing to convert hayland to pasture; Luke Longstreth Mountainside Maple, energy-efficient vacuum pump; Carl Salsedo, Salsedo Family Farm, irrigation for high tunnels; Robert Schrader, Chestnut Mountain Tree Farm, pesticide applicator; and Suna Turgay, Flowerwork Farm, climate-smart low tunnels.

Another highlight of the evening was Commissioner of Agriculture Ashley Randle saying a few words. In addition to complimenting farmers on their hard work, she read a few words on behalf of Harold Grinspoon, founder and philanthropist for the program.

“This program is very important to us,” Grinspoon related. “It is about honoring and celebrating farmers. We are indebted to you because you till the land, you work long hours, you grow the crops, and you harvest the food even in fickle weather. We think of you as unique entrepreneurs. Your skills benefit us because you keep us healthy.”

In April 2024, 100 farmers received awards totaling $231,000 to help with farm improvements. Most farmers began their projects in the spring. In January 2025, the application for the 11th year of the Local Farmer Awards will open.