Sustainable Nantucket has launched our new COMMUNITY FARM INSTITUTE program (CFI) with a Pilot Grazing Project in partnership with the Nantucket Island Land Bank and Faraway Farms.  A Sustainable Nantucket intern is working with Island livestock farmers Caleb Cressman, Dylan Wallace, Nicole DuPont and Andy Harris –all of Faraway Farms– and learning how to maintain a small flock of sheep and chickens on the Land Bank’s Craig Property.

Using low-impact rotational grazing, the team is moving the sheep and chickens around the property using portable fencing to contain the animals. Their grazing area is changed frequently on a schedule that is designed to assure the best health and nutrition for the animals, and minimal impact for the surrounding ecosystem. As the sheep graze the property, they eliminate the need for mowing, and as the chickens follow behind they act as “parasite control” as they forage for food.

The end result of this project is education for SN’s agricultural interns and Nantucket’s future farmers, access to land for Far Away Farms, and property maintenance for the Land Bank, which is also fulfilling a part of  its charter to support the traditional industry of agriculture. We hope this will be the first of many cooperative farming arrangements for SN and the Land Bank.

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Photo by Dylan Wallace

It’s hard to imagine now, but according to this map on the Nantucket Historical Association’s web site, there were over 100 farms on Nantucket in the 1850’s. In 2007, when SN started our Farmers & Artisans Market, Nantucket had 3  farms (one of which was NCF’s Cranberry B0gs) and a handful of small scale growers operating commercially. Today, in 2011, there are  7  farms plus several small-scale growers that are commercially growing and harvesting food (produce, eggs, meat, honey, shellfish) for sale to Nantucket consumers.

It’s no surprise to anyone that the cost of land on the Island makes commercial farming prohibitive for most. Nantucket farmers are additionally burdened with higher operational costs than most off-island farmers – fuel, equipment, supplies and materials, not to mention labor and overhead, are generally more expensive on Nantucket. Yet as a community we understand the positive health, environmental and economic impact that supporting local agriculture can have. Sustainable Nantucket has begun to examine ways that it can help support and increase agricultural industry on the island, and give consumers greater access to the foods produced by local farmers.

Sustainable Nantucket has worked closely with Island growers to identify the role we can play in supporting and helping to grow the Island’s agricultural industry, and, in response, we have launched the Sustainable Nantucket Community Farm Institute (CFI) .

(CFI) is an early-stage Program designed to increase agricultural acreage through partnerships with land-owning organizations and individuals, and to establish a skilled agricultural workforce on Nantucket through collaboration with experienced island growers.

Through the efforts of CFI, we aim to establish an educated and trained agricultural workforce while increasing the amount of land farmed on the island. Elements of this Program include:

• Making more farm land available through a land-use partnership with the Nantucket Islands Land Bank and other land-owning entities

• Expansion of our already-existing Agricultural Internship Initiative —where we pair interns interested in becoming farmers with experienced island growers.

• Expanding agricultural production and “growing new growers & farmers” through education

Current CFI Projects

• Our Pilot Grazing Project pairs an SN intern with local livestock farmers from FarAway Farms to graze the Craig property owned by the Nantucket Islands Land Bank. Read more – CLICK HERE.

The Future of CFI

Once we have a main location for the CFI, our produce growers will be allotted acreage at that location and the interns will work that land, as well as a smaller plot of their own, under the guidance of an experienced grower. Livestock and dairy farmers who participate in the CFI will have grazing acreage in various other locations around the island.

Laying the groundwork for potential use of additional Land Bank land is in process and we continue to explore expanding acreage through partnerships with other organizations and private land-owners – eventually creating a network of grazed and cultivated land all over the island.

Our thanks to Susan and Edible Cape Cod!

The intern will work under the Development Coordinator updating the database, performing research, assisting with fundraising campaigns, solicitations and events, and various support activities. 10-25 hours per week.

Required Attributes & Skills: Ability to work independently, working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, attention to detail, reliability.

Preferred Attributes & Experience: Interest in sustainable agriculture, experience with Giftworks, prior experience working in a non-profit setting and/or on fundraising events.

Please send brief cover letter and resume to Rachael@sustainablenantucket.org.

Explorers – For those who are thinking about getting into farming or expanding a hobby to an income-generating scale, “Exploring the Small Farm Dream” delivers experienced Instructor guidance and timely peer group feedback for making informed decisions about whether and how to proceed in farming. Five sessions over 6 weeks on weekday evenings in Amherst and Marlborough. Cost per enterprise: $125.

Planners – for those a step or two beyond Explorer who have access to land and a stronger sense of what they want and are capable of doing, “Planning for Start-up” provides a gut check before making more significant investments of time and money. Requires completion of Explorer, or prior self-guided completion of the Explorer workbook. Applicants must have already reached the decision to farm on a revenue generating scale. Six session over 8 weeks on Saturday mornings in Amherst and possibly also in Marlborogh based on regions demand. Cost per enterprise: $175.

Established Farmers – For those already operating and agricultural enterprise with at leaset two years of production and sales records, and who need to develop a comprehensive business plan on paper, “Tilling the Soil of Opportunity” offers a chance to assess, regroup, assemble documentions for decision making, consider redirection, plan expansion, or approach ownership transer. This course draws on extensive peer experience, instructor knowledge and guest speakers with the addition of substantial indivuidual technical assistance at course condclusion. 10 sessions over 11 weeks on weekday eveninings in Amherst and Marlborough. Cost per enterprise: $225.

Explorer and Tilling the Soil courses are limited to 12 farms/potential agricultural businesses, with an option to bring a key partner at no extra cost. Planner is limited to 10. Full attendance is require to get expected results. Fees are kept low through MDAR support.

Please request additional details and an application for the course that fits you best. Courses will fill quickly in the Fall. Email requests to Rick.Chandler@state.ma.us, or CLICK HERE

Download a printable PDF version – CLICK HERE

We are delighted to announce that we have just released the premier issue of Nantucket Grown™, a new annual publication designed to expand our Nantucket Grown™ branding and outreach campaign encouraging island visitors and residents to source their produce and products locally.

** Please note – “The Blossoming of the Farmers & Artisans Market”  article correction:   Patty Myers served on the original Market Committee; The Market was the brain-child of  Heather Leisher Coffin and Wendy Fereshetian.

WHAT IS A SPECIALTY CROP?

• Most fruits and vegetables
• Tree nuts
• Dried fruits
• Horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture)

The USDA describes specialty crops as plants that are intensively cultivated and require a higher degree of management. Specialty crops include almost anything you would grow in your own home garden! Planting and cultivating specialty crops is a great way to maintain biodiversity and a healthy local ecosystem.

SPECIALTY CROP CARE

• Know Your Soil!
• Nantucket’s soil is quite sandy—which is actually great for root vegetables, like the potato and the carrot!
• Add nutrient rich topsoil and ensure your beds are draining properly.
• Due to Nantucket’s long spring, the growth of seedlings is best if done in a greenhouse or cold frame.

WHAT GROWS BEST ON NANTUCKET?

Specialty Crops Native to Nantucket

• Beach Plum
• Black Cherry
• Highbush Blueberry

Non-Natives that grow well on the Island

• Strawberry
• Melons
• Pumpkin
• Quince
• Carrot
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Kale
• Green Beans
• Beets
• Tomatoes
• Cauliflower
• Onions
• Peas
• Potatoes
• Sweet Corn
• Eggplant
• Garlic
• Basil
• Chives
• Chamomile
• Oregano

WHERE CAN I BUY SPECIALTY CROPS ON NANTUCKET?

For a list of island farms: CLICK HERE to Find Our Farms!

PRESERVE THE BOUNTY

Canning and pickling is the perfect way to preserve your garden’s harvest! From jams and jellies to salsa, relishes, and pickles, the options are endless. And what you make…can keep for years!

Learn more about preserving and find specialty crops at Sustainable Nantucket Farmers & Artisans Market!

• See a canning demonstration
• Pick up a recipe brochure and free samples of pectin
• Enter the raffle to win your own Home Canning Kit from Ball ®

Saturday Market: June 11- October 15, located on North Union and Cambridge Streets, 9AM-1PM. (July 2 location: E. Chestnut St.)

New! Mid-Island Market: Tuesdays, July 12 – August 31, located at 113 Pleasant Street (next to Glidden’s Seafood). 3:30PM-6:30PM.

Attend our Preserving Workshop!

Preserving the Bounty: Fruits of Nantucket
Taught by Mary Wawro
Location: at her home kitchen
Date: July 31st
Time: 10AM to 1PM.
Cost: $45. Materials: $15.

Register by clicking here or by calling the office.

You can download a printable brochure that contains all of this information here: Brochure (PDF)

This Awareness Campaign is Funded in part with Generous Grants and Contributions by:

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

The Discover you Can Canning Education Program from Jarden Home Brands, Makers of Ball Brand Fresh Preserving Products.