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:
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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.
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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.
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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)
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1991-95: Enterprise began selling directly to Bread & Circus (now Whole Foods Market) in Hadley, Mass.
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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, and Food for Free.
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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.
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2007: Enterprise Farm hosted a Winter Farmers' Market 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.
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2008: Enterprise Farm began the 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.
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2009: Enterprise Farm Share program closed its first season with over 400 members. The first summer season began in June, making Enterprise Farm Share a year-round program.
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2009: Enterprise Farm worked with the Northampton Survival Center after they received a grant to purchase local produce.
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2010: Enterprise Farm hosted its first annual "Locally Grown" Pancake Breakfast, a benefit which raised over $1400 for the Northampton Survival Center.
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2010: Enterprise Farm grew crops specifically for use by clients of the Northampton Survival Center, and our metro partner, Food For Free.