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Hampshire County
Host’s Name(s): Dan Kaplan Location: |
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Description of site:
The Brookfield Farm produces over 200,000 pounds of fresh, organic vegetables for local customers every season. We have a solar photovoltaic system, which provides over half of our electricity, and we use biodiesel (an alternative fuel made from any fat or vegetable oil) in our tractors. In addition most of our fertilizer for growing crops comes from compost we make from our own herd of cows.
Availability for visits:
The best times to visit are between April and June or September and November. December thru March is possible, but very cold and not much to see.
Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
Wear clothes that can get dirty. It's a farm! There are too many kid friendly destinations close to us to mention. But here are two: hike the Holyoke Range or visit the Eric Carle Museum.
To arrange a visit and interview:
Contact Dan at dan@brookfieldfarm.org or call (413) 253-7991
Directions:
Our web site has directions and additional information: www.brookfieldfarm.org
Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.
Host’s Name(s): Tina Clarke Location:
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Description of site:
I have solar panels on my roof that makes electricity for the refrigerator, lights, computer, etc. The design of the house means we get a lot of our heat from the sun! I have used low and non-toxic building materials. A lot of students from local colleges have come to see the house. I look forward to your visit.
Availability for visits:
Contact me to make arrangements at a mutually suitable time.
Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
If you plan to come in more than two vehicles, or to come in large vehicles, please let me know in advance. Please carpool if you can.
Puffer's Pond is with in walking distance with trails, beach, and waterfall. Very Riverland Farm in Sunderland might welcome visitors.
To arrange a visit and interview:
Call Tina at 413-549-6834 8am to 8pm weekdays or weekends or email her at tclarke@cleanwater.org
Directions:
Take Route 116 to the North Amherst stop light. Go east on Meadow St. through the stoplight at N. Pleasant St., and then 8/10 mile to 329 Pine St. It's on the right with a green metal roof.
From Sunderland, take Route 116 South past Annie's Garden Store (on left) to the stoplight. Left onto Meadow. This road turns into Pine Street at the next stoplight. Go 8/10ths of a mile to #329 - number is on the mailbox.
Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.
Host’s Name(s): Seymour and Alice Epstein Location:
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Description of site:
Our house has solar hot water collectors and a room that was added about 5 or 6 years ago that is set up for passive solar heating, the room faces south with clay tiled flooring.
Availability for visits:
We are flexible, but call ahead.
Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
Winter can be difficult because of our long driveway and our house is on a hill. You can see the effects of the solar heating working best when its cold but you should call ahead to determine if conditions are favorable. There is hiking nearby and Hampshire College is down the road and it features a lovely museum (the Eric Carle Museum).
To arrange a visit and interview:
Call Seymour or Alice at (413) 253-2092
Directions:
We are located near the intersection of Route 116 and Bay Road, in the area of Atkins Fruit Bowl. From center of Amherst, take Route 116 south. Just beyond Hampshire College, turn left on Bay Road. Go a few hundred yards to mail box on right, number 37 Bay Rd. There is a long driveway to the house.
Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.
Host’s Name(s): John Clapp and Dee Boyle-Clapp Location: Hampshire County
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Description of site:
Welcome to Starlight Llama, the region's only solar powered llama farm. We are happy to share how we are working to make a cleaner planet by using the sun to provide all of our electricity: we are "off the grid" and not connected to any power company. The sun makes much of our hot water and we use wood from our own land to heat the house in winter, reducing our dependence upon fossil fuels. We have an organic garden in the summer and use integrated pest management practices (raise peacocks and Guinea fowl to eat bugs and ticks that bother people, animals and the garden.) We can all do something to make a difference! In the fall of 2006 we are planning to open a Bed and Breakfast.
Availability for visits:
Call to schedule a tour.
Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
We have a lot of animals on the farm, so people with allergies or a fear of animals should keep that in mind. We are not wheelchair accessible, and in winter it is often very icy. We are within 5 minutes of Look Park, Musante Beach and downtown Florence. We are minutes from Smith College Art Museum, Paradise Pond, and the Conservatory as well as downtown Northampton.
To arrange a visit and interview:
Call (413) 584-1703
Directions:
We are located 10 minutes from downtown Northampton.
Take Rte. 9 West out of Florence. Pass Look Park, the VA hospital and Look Restaurant. Just beyond Look Restaurant at the Sunoco gas station is a flashing yellow light at Florence Road. Turn left at this light onto Florence Road. Travel 8/10ths of a mile on Florence Rd. to the Leeds post office. At the post office, turn left onto Reservoir Rd., and follow this road 1.4 miles to the end, where it intersects Chesterfield Road. Tour right onto Chesterfield Road. Pass the intersection of Chesterfield and Sylvester and Kennedy Roads. Look for the 940 sign on the left and enter the driveway. You cant see the house from the road. The house is 8/10ths of a mile from the end of Reservoir Road. If you’ve reached the bridge, turn around - you have just passed us.
Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.
Host's Name(s): Abe Moses Location: |
Description of site:
We have a solar hot water system that heats the house and the swimming pool, there is a big array over the pool.
Availability for visits:
One visit will be available this season on a first-come first-served basis. Weekends are best.
Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
Spring is best or when there is no snow. We have a cat.
To arrange a visit and interview:
Call Abe at (413) 585-8311
Directions:
Ask when making arrangements.
Host’s Name(s): Ryan Voiland Location:
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Description of site:
We have an organic vegetable farm, Red Fire Farm, and we are very energy conscientious. We grow greenhouse tomatoes, and by supporting local agriculture we all can help save energy because the food does not have be transported very far (across the country). We installed a well last year and we are working on having it operate on solar power, pumping off of solar electric.
Availability for visits:
Visits are by arrangement and a good time of the year is March through November.
Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
There are a lot of hiking trails around on the Holyoke range and there is a Zoo in Ludlow as well. For more information visit www.redfirefarm.com
To arrange a visit and interview:
Call Ryan at (413) 467-7645
Directions:
Ask when making arrangements.
Host's Name(s): Jack Czajkowski and Claire Carlson Location: |
Description of site:
Our home has photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity and hot water panels, too. Our house was built using green construction methods in 2003. It is very energy efficient.
Availability for visits:
We are only available on weekends and will take up to five visits this season.
Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
We are close to UMASS and the Route 9 malls and restaurants. The UMASS sun wheel is a short drive from our house. Our house is a research house for WMECO (Western Massachusetts Electric Company). John Walsh is our project manager.
To arrange a visit and interview:
Call Jack or Claire at (413) 549- 5976 after 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday or on the weekends.
Directions:
133 Mt. Warner Road is 0.4 miles from the University of Massachusetts Horse Farm in Hadley.
Coming from Route 9 (near the Hadley Malls), turn on to North Maple Street. Head north approximately two miles until you come to Mt. Warner Rd. on the left. Travel 0.4 miles to our house on the left. We are in a cream-colored cape across from the Plainville Cemetery.
Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.
Host’s Name(s): John and Marianna Kaul-Connolly Location:
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Description of site:
Our house uses passive solar electricity for warm water. We also have a masonry heater, a sun room as a heat tank, a root cellar to store vegetables, and a stone circle outside. The house uses energy efficient designs and we use wood from a sustainably harvested forest and no toxic products.
Availability for visits:
Weekdays would be best; call ahead.
Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
We have great grounds for picnicking with nice benches.
To arrange a visit and interview:
Call us at a reasonable time (413) 268-0252
Directions:
From North:
Take I -91 South to exit 24 (Whately). Take a right at the end of the ramp. Take your 2nd left onto Christian Lane, continue to Haydenville Road and take a right. Continue to Adams Road and take a right. Continue to a stop sign, then go straight onto O'Neill Road. Continue to top of hill and take right into the driveway.
Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.
Host’s Name(s): Shirley Smith Winer Location:
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Description of site:
We have an old farmhouse that works off the grid entirely using solar panels. The house dates from the 1860s and the additions that were made to it span from the 1890s to the 1990s. The house has a 24-volt system with 20 batteries and 12-volt system in farmhouse.
Availability for visits:
Visits are available by appointment.
Considerations and opportunities noted by host: We are about 15 minutes away from Gateway Regional Middle and High School and a half-mile from Camp Kinnebrook. Visitors should consider the differences between passive solar energy and photovoltaics, and the limitations of solar systems during their visit.
To arrange a visit and interview:
Call Shirley at (413) 667-3439
Directions:
From the center of Huntington, go over the Green Bridge. Take an immediate left and follow the river until you come to a second fork in the road. Go right up the long hill. At the top of hill bear right onto East River Road. Go down hill for about 2 to 2.5 miles. At bottom of the hill take a right onto Kinnebrook Road. Take a left across the bridge ("Littleville Fairgrounds"). One mile from the bridge is the white farmhouse. Be sure to call before visiting our home.
Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.
Host’s Name(s): Miles Xian Liu Location:
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Description of site:
Our house is a passive solar house. It does not use fossil fuel to collect solar energy for heating. The house is oriented to the true south and relies on large south-facing windows to heat it during the day.
Availability for visits:
Saturdays are good from 10am-12pm, 2 visits per semester.
Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
If visitors could look up the sun's seasonal path through the sky at the date of their visit, that would be great! (Note: You can do this at http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/AltAz.html)
To arrange a visit and interview:
Call Miles at xliu@hcc.mass.edu.
Directions:
Ask when making arrangements.
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