Green Pages

Did you know... More than 230,000 tons of usable textiles - including clothing, footwear, towels, bedding and other fabric-based products - were sent to landfills and incinerators in Massachusetts in the last year. Bay State Textiles has developed a program to turn these textile throw outs into revenue for schools and municipalities. The program was generated based on the study by the MassDEP,MassDEP supports effort to increase public awareness of textile recycling The concept of the rebate program is to educate students on textile recycling while providing financial support. "Textile recycling needs to become familiar and as easy to perform as bottle, can, and paper recycling," The program was first launched in the Weymouth School System last year and in a short amount of time has had great success. The Quincy schools are on board, growing their program. I encourage you to read Communities, charities profit in recycling textiles featured in the Boston Globe highlighting Bay State Textiles.

It is a triple winner:

1. The schools generate needed revenue.
2. The town saves by keeping it out of the landfills and reducing tipping fees.
3. Helps the environment, the economy and educating the students.

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Lookout Farm is certified by Bay State Organic Certifiers (BSOC) and organic produce is grown in on-premise greenhouses and is available year-round, including: lettuces, spinach, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, radishes, zucchini, potatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beets, onions, garlic, scallions, swiss chard, arugala, basil, chives, herbs, leeks, and parsley.

Eleven varieties of apples, two types of Asian Pears, peaches, plums, and nectarines are all available as pick-your-own for the same price and in the same bag. Strawberries are also available for picking.

May 31st - August 3rd Farm Hours:
Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm
Closed Monday through Friday

August 9th - Early November Farm Hours:
Daily 10:00am-5:00pm

Farm Admission: $8.00 per person (all ages)

Farm Stand Hours:
Daily 8:00am-8:00pm

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The Berkshire Cooperative Association aims to cultivate a sustainable local economy and build community with a member-owned natural foods store. Stocked by local farms and products, the co-op serves a large number of families in a wonderful, environmentally sensitive manner. Along with the co-op store, there is also a cafe, serving freshly made, healthy food. The majority of surplus money gained in the co-op goes back into the project to further develop the cause and set up reserves.

Open Monday through Saturday 8:00am-8:00pm and Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm

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Birch Moon Herbals is an off-grid, solar powered business that offers organic health and beauty products including herbal teas, lip balms and salves, facial creams, foot care products, herbal extracts, flower essences, organic baby powder, and more. The herbs and flowers used are all grown and harvested responsibly without the use of pesticides or herbicides on the premises.

They take special orders when possible such as custom fragrances, creams, tea blends, or even labels.

Birch Moon Herbals also hosts occasional classes with respected herbal practitioners to share their knowledge.

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Blue Heron Organic Farm's mission is to increase the availability of locally produced food and to raise awareness about ecologically sound farming practices.

They also sell produce from one of the few remaining organic farm stands in the area.

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Our focus is on providing clients with an alternative to "conventional" construction techniques. By introducing our clients to the range of options available to them, we tailor an outcome that is more efficient and sustainable within the scope of their project and their budget.

See here for more info. 

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Boston Solar Living offers solar air heating systems, photovoltaic systems, and solar hot water systems.

They offer consultations, energy usage analysis, and advice on which system is best for their customers as well as installation.

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Bostrom Farm is a small farm that raises unique foods -- not commodities. Visitors can enjoy a walk through the pastures and can also pat the pigs.

They also sell raw milk!

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Butter Brook Farm is a certified organic farm that sells rosemary plants, custom gift baskets, fresh eggs, their own honey, 8 varieties of tomatoes, tomatillos, mesclun mix, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, french crisp lettuce, and nearly every kind of herb you can imagine. Pick-Your-Own zinnias too!

Farm Stand Hours:
Monday through Friday 9:00am-6:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm

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Community Supported Fishery (CSF). This type of cooperative not only helps the local fishing industry but also, makes it easier to carry out sustainable fishing practices.

Cape Ann Fresh Catch has sold all shares for this season. The next season starts in May.

For more information, see their website, call: (978) 283-2504, or email: CapeAnnFreshCatch@gmail.com

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Carbonfund.org supports renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects globally that reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the threat of climate change.

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Do you enjoy the finest peak season, incredibly tasty, freshly picked, locally grown, fairly priced vegetables and fruits? Do you like delicious ice cream?

If you do, visit CARLISLE FARMERS MARKET located adjacent to Kimball's Ice Cream Stand on Rte. 225 in Carlisle.

Saturday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
July 11 to October 31

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Carlisle Farmstead Cheese follows as many organic practices as practical. They manage their own gardens (whose produce they share with the goats) and hay field organically.

Their goal for agriculture venture is to demonstrate that even a microdairy can provide welcome income for a farm family and that the cheese produced can be exceptional in quality.

Their cheeses can be purchased year-round at Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge and Debra's Natural Gourmet in Concord.

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Carver Hill offers strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches, corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, apples, and pumpkins at different times of year.

Not only can you pick your own berries and apples, but you can even pick your own pumpkins straight from the vines.

Open seasonally from 9-5.

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Chase Hill Farm produces organic raw milk, farmstead cheeses, pasture-raised veal and beef from grass-fed cows, eggs from pastured poultry and whey-fed pork. The farm practices sustainable farming methods, including rotational grazing, seasonal calving, and the use of draft horses. The farmers will offer grazing tours of their farm and cheese making facilities. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic lunch.

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The farmstand sells their own fruits and vegetables when in season along with their own fresh eggs from free-running hens. They also carry milk, bread, ice cream, frozen entrees, chicken, and a wide selection of grocery items.

Visit their free petting zoo, and get Christmas trees, bedding plants, and pumpkins from the farm!

Open year round, daily, 10am-6pm

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Cider Hill grows a number of fruits including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apricots, peaches, plums, nectarines, and, of course, apples. Many, many vegetables are available at different times throughout the year, but Cider Hill has a passion for tomatoes and sweet corn in particular. Twelve varieties of pumpkin are also available for the fall holidays.

They offer pick-your-own fruit in a unique way where you are allowed to pick only what you need so there's less wasteful surplus.

As strong believers in renewable energy, Cider Hill has also recently received grants which they will use to construct three wind turbines, hopefully completed by the end of Summer 2008.