GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Farm Tour program, a project of the Berkshire Co-op Market, will continue into the summer.
"Farm tours are a great opportunity for participants to deepen their relationships with their food," said Matt Novik, the Co-op's communications manager, "Each tour offers a unique look at a local farm and how they produce the food they offer. It's one thing to know where it comes from. It's an entirely different thing to meet the cows, taste a fresh picked carrot and feel the soil between your fingers."
The farmer-led tours will be offering at Indian Line Farm, Rawson Brook Farm and Sol Flower Farm.
Indian Line Farm is a 17-acre operation located in South Egremont that grows vegetables, herbs fruit and flowers. Elizabeth Keen and Al Thorpe, who have been growing at Indian Line since 1997, will lead the tour that will focus on how to grow food for season extension. While plants will be in their beginning stages outside, the tour will take a closer look at what's happening inside the greenhouse. The tour will take place Friday, May 24, at 4 p.m.
Rawson Brook Farm, located in Monterey, is best known for their only product, Monterey Chevre. Owner Susan Sellew will give an in-depth tour from caring for the goats, especially the new kids of the farm, to the cheese-making process and a taste testing featuring a special recipe from the Co-op's kitchen. The tour will take place Saturday, June 8, at 11 a.m.
Sol Flower Farm in Ancramdale, N.Y., is a diversified market farm that sustainably grows vegetables and flowers. Farmer Andy Szymanowicz will lead the tour and show off the farming practices. The tour will conclude with a sample of a dish made with Sol Flower ingredients from the Co-op's kitchen. The tour will take place Saturday, July, at 2 p.m.
Participants should sign up at the Co-op, located at 42 Bridge St., or call 413-528-9697. Tours meet at the farm. For directions or more information, call the Co-Op or visit www.berkshire.coop.
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Stephanie Farrington of