Flats Mentor Farm - a visit to a local Heifer project

The Flats Mentor Farm is located on 70 acres of land in Lancaster, Massachusetts. Beginning immigrant farmers have been farming at this location since the early 80's. In 2005, this group of farmers officially established themselves as the Flats Mentor Farm with the support of Heifer International and other organizations. During the 2009 season farmers have planned to sell their crops at 40 farmers markets in Massachusetts.

We started the day with a relaxing drive thru the countryside from Woodstock, CT to Overlook Farms in Rutland, MA. We met with Volunteer Coordinator Pat Keay and took a look at the global village and livestock. We learned that our idea of seeing a local Heifer project in person had grown to a presentation from Heifer Northeast United States project coordinator Aley Kent for over 40 participants. Aley discussed the importance of maintaining and supporting a local food system. She detailed many of the successes that Heifer is having in the Northeastern United States.




Following the presentation, the group caravanned to The Flats where we were met by Maria Moreira, landowner and project motivator. Maria reviewed the history and goal of the Flats Mentor Farm to assist immigrant farmers to create and sustain successful farming enterprises. Currently, 9 families (about 40 people) are commercially farming. These are the farmers participating in the Heifer projects and passing on the gift. Another 50 farmers are micro-farming.





Disaster stuck the farm 2 weeks before our visit. Floods covered the already planted fields with up to 3 feet of water. The destruction was evident throughout the farm. Dead and dying vegetation, recently plowed under crops and the complete destruction of the micro-farm plots were seen. Many of the remaining crops were maturing slowly and not ready for market. The perseverance of the farmers could be observed as they tried to save what remained. They have 40 farmers markets to supply in addition to a wholesale coop.

A farmer tends her field at The Flats

Song Vang Yang talked about her involvement in The Flats. She was one of the first Hmong immigrants to begin gardening on Maria Moreira’s land in the 1980’s. She transitioned from micro-farmer to commercial farmer five years ago.

With Heifer support, the farm added plastic and drip irrigation this year. Each commercial farmer has one row in the test area.

Song gave the group a tour of her farm.

Maria Moreira, landowner and project motivator


More photos and information can be found in the next post.

The Flats Mentor Farm visit - Part 2

Aley Kent (right) listens to Song Vang Yang (left) talk about her commercial farm.



Song Vang Yang shows her basil grown under protective cloth.



Maria Moreira leads the tour of The Flats

Heifer International funds helped build this green house. The earlier planting and increased growing season may lead to more profitability.

The test garden with plastic to reduce weeds and drip irrigation - conserving water and reducing time spent weeding thanks to Heifer International funding.

Passing on the gift is an important part of any Heifer project. Farmers' market supplies are passed by the participating farmers. Tents, tables, display totes, signs and scales of equal value to the original are passed on within 2 years.

The Flats Mentor Farm promotes economically viable agricultural production that protects the environment through the practice of sustainable farming methods. This program offers infrastructure, resources, hands-on experiential training and technical assistance on soil fertility, irrigation (Heifer supplied well), pest and weed management and marketing.

West Side Middle School in Groton does it again!

Under the faithful tutelage of Dr. Marian Galbraith, 8th grade teacher at West Side Middle School in Groton CT, students raised a total of approximately $1250 for Heifer. Year after year, the 8th grade students have demonstrated their compassion for those in need, raising thousands of dollars through a variety of activities including: Read to Feed, Chores for Change and Cornucopia (a variation on the Ark Calendar fundraiser created by Dr. Galbraith and available on-line. Just Email me at wernau@ct.metrocast.net if you would like to have a copy).