Jo has lived and worked in western Massachusetts since the late 1990s, arriving fresh out of New York City’s Hunter College School of Social Work where she focused on homelessness policy, prison reform, and earned an MSW.
Farming is intrinsic to the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district.
There are local farms and farmers in every city and town and we have some of the richest soil in the nation.
As much as our region values local produce, meat, and dairy, we know that our farmers often struggle financially. It is nearly impossible for them to compete with the big agribusinesses that benefit from larger scale, lower pay, and notoriously lower environmental standards. Yet our farmers and farms persist, season after season.
I firmly believe “No farms, No food.” It’s as simple (and as profound) as that. When farms and farmers thrive, everyone thrives.