Agriculture group names local heroes

[ Originally published on: Monday, June 01, 2009 ]

DEERFIELD -- When we support local agriculture we are all heroes, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture tells us with their advertising campaigns.

And for those who go above and beyond to promote agriculture and sustainability in the Pioneer Valley, the local agricultural support nonprofit gives Local Hero Awards.

This year's recipients are Alden Booth, owner of The People's Pint, Greenfield; John LaSalle, of LaSalle Florist, Whately; and Deb Habib and Ricky Baruc, of Seeds of Solidarity farm, Orange.

''(The award winners) are individuals who can serve as role models for all of us and can help us to create and nourish long term change,'' said Philip Korman, executive director of CISA, in a press release.

At his restaurant and brewery, the release says, Booth aims ''to prove that good dining is not synonymous with mountains of trash, wasted food and high fuel costs.''

Most ingredients at the restaurant are local, they use minimal paper and no plastic disposable items, and recycle.

They produce only a single bag of trash per day at the restaurant. Most restaurants of the same size produce many times that amount on a busy day, Booth said.

''And we're also careful about what we're buying and how it's being packaged. You don't need to generate much trash to serve a good meal,'' he said.

LaSalle Florist ''is proof that careful stewardship, enlightened pesticide management, and commitment to community involvement can go a long way...'' the release said. The business is in its 75th year of operation.

The awards are ''given to individuals, institutions and businesses that are committed to promoting and strengthening local agriculture, and have demonstrated long-term vision, social responsibility, and/or an environmental ethic in their work,'' the press release said.

Farmers Habib and Baruc run educational outreach programs and founded the North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival in addition to growing organic produce.

''Through the transformation of abandoned land into a successful farm, working with their neighbors to grow the annual festival, and establishing innovative educational programs, Seeds of Solidarity is planting the seeds for a sustainable future while helping to revitalize an overlooked part of the region,'' the press release said.

''It's really all about supporting local farms and local agriculture and reducing pollution,'' Booth said.

 

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