We are excited to announce the first piece of equipment for our new Healthy Soil Equipment Program launching this year! After much research, conversations with farmers, and deliberation, we have decided to purchase the Esch 5605 No-till seed drill. This is a wonderful...
Check out this article from MDAR, who visited the Maple Corner Farm, owned and operated by HHCD Chair, Leon Ripley, and HHCD board member Joyce Ripley - To celebrate the dawn of a new agricultural season in Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey is declaring March to be...
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack provided the keynote address at this year's National Association of Conservation District's (NACD) Annual meeting, in which he announced the availability of Inflation Reduction Act funds to support conservation programs. Tom emphasized the...
HHCD is pleased to announce our new Healthy Soil Equipment program! In an effort to encourage farmers to experiment with approaches to farming that reduce tillage and improve the health and vitality of their land, several pieces of equipment will be available from...
I am very excited to attend my first NOFA/Mass Winter Conference this weekend! There are so many great workshops to attend on Saturday, forty-three (!) by my count, peer-to-peer consultation, two Roundtable Discussions on Sunday, and a keynote address by Ira Wallace,...
Massachusetts residents are estimated to purchase around 1 million cut Christmas trees each year. After your festivities are over, what should you do with your tree? Here are our top 5 options for disposing of your christmas tree: Create habitat - place your tree in...
Winter is a wonderful time to observe birds in your backyard, especially if you invite them to your property with bird feeders. Lacking adequate food and water that they need to stay warm and healthy throughout the season, birds are more dependent upon feeders, and...
Join us in celebrating No-Till November! There are many benefits of no-till techniques, including: Soil erosion is significantly reduced, soil stays on your land, Increased soil aggregate stability, which benefits soil organisms, and reduces soil compaction, Improved...
Become a District Supervisor! The Hampden-Hampshire Conservation District is seeking to add new District Supervisors in 2022-23. Why you should join us: -Take an active role to identify conservation needs and guide projects that improve environmental health in your...
There are many reasons to leave your leaves this fall! Our top 5 reasons are: Leaf litter provides valuable habitat for thousands of different species, mostly invertebrates. Some of the critters include pill bugs, earthworms, caterpillars, spiders, slugs, and larger...