History

From a modest 2 acres in 1983 to 80 acres of organic vegetables 27 years later, Enterprise Farm has evolved over the years -- but our values remain the same.

A brief timeline of the evolution of Enterprise Farm:

• 1983: Dave Jackson began working at the famous Funny Farm, operated by Bill Hewitt, with two acres in production, and began selling to the old Northampton Food Cooperative.

• 1985: The Funny Farm was certified organic by the NOFAmass Organic Certification program, increased production to ten acres, and joined the Vermont based growers cooperative Deep Root.

• 1989: Dave established Enterprise Farm as its own operation, growing lettuce, cooking greens, tomatoes and other summer vegetables on land that is now home to Enterprise Farm. Enterprise Farm joined the Pioneer Valley Growers Association (PVGA)

• 1991-95: Enterprise began selling directly to Bread & Circus (now Whole Foods Market) in Hadley, Mass.

• 1991-95: Enterprise began selling at the Northampton and Brookline farmers markets, and later the Cambridge and Somerville farmers market.  After every farmers market, Enterprise Farm donates unsold produce to local food pantries, such as the Northampton Survival Center, Food for Free, and many others.

• 1996: Happy Valley Organics (HVO) was born as a combined effort of Enterprise, Maiewski, Coolwater and Full Bloom farms. Happy Valley Organics was the first all organic growers cooperative based in Massachusetts, and now provides produce to retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Albert’s Organics, Big Y, and Stop and Shop.

• 2007: Enterprise Farm hosted a Winter Farmers' Market, located at the farm, and started a winter distribution business in conjunction with the Connecticut Valley Neighborhood of Cooperatives of CT, MA and VT. In order to provide a broader selection of goods in the winter, and working with the idea of a regional foodshed, Enterprise offers produce from farms along the East Coast.

• 2008: Enterprise Farm began their Farm Share program.  The Winter Share began with 72 members with a pick up at the Farm in Whately and one in Somerville at Kickass Cupcakes.

• 2009: Enterprise Farm Share program closed it's first season with over 400 members.  The first summer season began in June, making Enterprise Farm Share a year round program.

• 2009: Enterprise Farm worked with The Northampton Survival Center after they receive a grant to purchase local produce from area farms.

• 2010:  Enterprise Farm hosted its first annual "Locally Grown" Pancake Breakfast.  Over 180 people were served breakfast that included all local ingrediants.  Enterprise Farm Donated over $1400 to the Northampton Survival Center.  After the sucess of the Pancake Breakfast, Enterprise Farm realized the power of its farm share membership to help us reach a goal of making local, organic, tasty and healthy produce available to all people.

• 2010: Enterprise Farm goes one step further locally, with the Northampton Survival Center, and our metro partner, Food For Free. Together, we plan to grow specific crops for the food pantries.