What We do and Why
Inspiring health and awareness by nourishing our community, stewarding our land, and restoring heritage breeds.
Inspiring health and awareness by nourishing our community, stewarding our land and restoring heritage breeds
These are the intentions of Red Shirt Farm, a small diversified family-owned farm in Lanesborough, Massachusetts in the heart of the Berkshires.
We raise vegetables without the use of any pesticides, chemical fertilizer or GMO’s using methods that enhance the soil and nutrient density.
Pasture-raised animals are integral to the vitality of our farm. Our heritage chickens, Pasture-raised turkeys and pigs produce eggs and meat of unparalleled flavor and superior nutrition.
We believe that real food is essential to health and that how food is produced truly matters.
Growing in Harmony with Nature
Our growing practices are based on regenerative principles.
We never use pesticides, even organic ones, because they can kill beneficial insects and native pollinators.
And we don't use fungicides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers which can harm soil microorganisms.
We also minimize tillage to preserve soil structure and soil biology and to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change.
By being a good steward of the land, we create a soil that holds more water, is less prone to erosion and grows more nutritious, more resilient crops.
Healthy soil = Healthy food = Healthy people
Preserving Heritage Breeds
Heritage breeds are traditional livestock breeds raised by our forefathers before the advent of factory farming. They’re sturdier and more adaptable to local conditions, and their slower growth compared with industrial hybrids results in richer flavor and more delicious products. Many of these animals are endangered and at risk of extinction, but preserving them and their genetics is critical to global food security.
We're doing our part to preserve several of these heritage breeds. We breed, hatch and raise Buckeye and Australorp chickens and grass-fed turkeys. In addition, we raise several breeds of pigs. All our animals are reared on pasture and humanely processed here on the farm. The quality of their care is our highest priority.
When an animal lives a good life, you can taste it.
A Small Carbon Footprint
Like the plants we grow, our farm is powered by the sun! Solar panels on our barn provide most of our electricity.
A "Climate Battery" heats one of our greenhouses through the fall and winter without fossil fuels. A Climate Battery is an innovative appropriate technology solution that stores excess heat during the summer in the soil to be used on cold nights in the fall and throughout the winter.
Get Involved
The Learning Never Stops at Red Shirt Farm
A public school educator for 30 years, Jim remains committed to teaching and learning.
Community Engagement
Red Shirt Farm is training the next generation of small farmers through its apprenticeship program.
We are a host farm for Roots Rising, an amazing organization with a mission is to empower youth and build community through food and farming.
Jim leads farm tours, teaches workshops and speaks at conferences.
Red Shirt Farm is involved in grant-funded research studying the effects of regenerative farming methods on food quality.
Every other Sunday June-September