September 5, 2024: Growth spurts

The Fabulous 413

You may have noticed that we really like hanging out with folx who grow stuff. As they are the people who feed us, and since we also love food, it’s just a pairing that works really well.

So today we’ll spend some time with an organization of folx who want you to grow stuff too, and maybe even grow it better. In South Hadley at Full Circle Gardens, Sharon Farmer, Marjorie Gerard, and JoAnne Palmer of the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener’s Association are fostering a slew of plants, and gearing up for their internship program, which is now taking applications. We'll discover how their branch of our state’s weirdly unique spot in the national network of organizations is doing it’s part to tackle hunger and climate change

We also check out a new family orchard in Wilbraham that brings far more than just fruit to the people. Brook Fernandes of Fern Valley Farms joins us to chat about all things apple, agrotourism, and the multitude of pots their plans have taken root in, including movie nights, a concert series, and even pancake breakfasts!

She's joined by one of the new voices from CISA we'll be hearing in Phil Korman's wake: Claire Morenon. CISA itself has a couple of farm tours coming up where you, too, can meet your local farmers, just like we do!

Plus our weekly chat with Representative Jim McGovern sees the congressman feeling a bit of election and debate fever as both of those loom large, and addressing listener questions about Palestine on his journey to grow better legislature.