Have you ever wondered about what it takes to grow mushrooms? This week, Monte and Kaliis talk to Elijah Lagreze, of Boulder Top Farm in Montague. Learn about agriforestry and how growing mushrooms can co-exist with other crops, how to inoculate a log, and how Boulder Top was awarded a PASA grant for expansion through the USDA which has been pulled by this administration. Boulder Top Farm sells to the public at the Amherst Farmers’ Market and local co-ops.

NEPM visit to Plainville Farm in Hadley

It’s asparagus season! Monte and Kaliis of the the Fabulous413 visit Wally Czajkowski of Plainville Farm to learn everything you ever wanted to know about asparagus. Hear about past harvests, recipes and the NEPM Asparagus festival. The conversation shares glimpses into the current affects of federal persecution of legal immigrant laborers on farm labor. (Hint: they don’t let schools out for local kids to work the fields any more!) 

Claire takes Monte and Kaliis out to visit Marti Ferguson and her herd of Finnsheep at Walking Cloud Farm in Buckland, where they also discuss the legacy and present day examples of sheep farming in the Hilltowns.

Then the party grows, as Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair supporters Barbara Goodchild of Barberic Farm and Launie York join to talk about nearly 50-year history of this event and everything people can enjoy this year.

The Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair takes place all day this Saturday and Sunday (May 24-25) at the Cummington Fair grounds. Animals, so much wool, great food, oh my! See the schedule here.

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Arbor vitae growing happily at one of Amherst Nurseries’ fields (their photo)

On a very muddy day, Jennifer brings Monte and Kaliis out to Hadley to see where Amherst Nurseries grows many of the trees and shrubs they sell or use locally for landscaping jobs. They talk about:

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Claire takes Monte and Kaliis to visit Nordica Street Community Farm in Springfield, where they talk to farmers Anne Richmond and Todd Crosset and some of their volunteers and supporters about: 

Nordica Street Community Farm’s farm stand is open Wednesdays 1 – 6pm beginning June 18 through the end of October. Learn more about what you’ll find here. 

Learn more about their public trails and other projects here.

In Massachusetts, about 10% of locally grown food is sold straight from farmer to eater. How does the other 90% get from farm to plate? Claire brought Cathy Stanton from Quabbin Harvest Food Coop in Orange and Nick Martinelli from Marty’s Local in South Deerfield into the studio to talk about it with Monte and Kaliis. 

Did you know? 

Both of these businesses won Local Hero Awards from CISA for the important work they do so well! Learn more about both of their roles in creating a vibrant local food system here: 

Claire takes Monte and Kaliis out to Natural Roots in Conway, a CSA farm and recipient of a Local Hero Award from CISA in 2025. They talk to farmer David Fisher about:

“Natural Roots is not an example of how if you do everything right you’ll be protected against hardship. It’s not an example of how one person, or business, can solve global problems all on their own. But it stands as a source of inspiration for each of us: what is in my control? What can I make better? What do I have to offer to my patch of earth, and my community? For that, CISA is proud to present David Fisher and Natural Roots with a Local Hero award.” –> Read the full award presentation remarks here.

Who is CISA’s new(ish) executive director, Jennifer Core?

What does CISA’s mission look like at this particularly chaotic moment?*

Why is it healthy for baby lambs to bounce around like they have springs on their feet?

Monte, Kaliis, and Jennifer herself discuss these and more of life’s (or CISA’s) essential questions on this week’s Local Hero Spotlight.

*”CISA makes it a little easier to do a very hard thing, which is to run a farm in this part of the world.” – Jennifer

Jacob takes Monte and Kaliis to visit BABY LAMBS with Barbara Goodchild, one half (with her husband Eric) of Barberic Farm in Shelburne. They talk about:

This summer, look for Barberic Farm at these farmers markets: