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By LISA GOODRICH

“When people think of farms, they tend to think of the summer, abundance, corn fields, and flowers. What people don’t realize is that farms function year-round, and there are many business models that allow farmers to grow products year-round or have products year-round to sell,” says Hannah Logan, Market Manager of the Greenfield Winter Farmers’ Market.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — The Connecticut River Conservancy is receiving $32,366 from the state Department of Environmental Protection as part of a larger $200,000 statewide grant to nonprofits for water quality monitoring of rivers, lakes, ponds and coastal resources.

By LISA GOODRICH

For local farmers, winter is a time for planning the next growing season, catching up on small business tasks, and maintaining structures and equipment. For the local community, winter is the time to lock in prices on produce for the growing season by signing up for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership.

By CAROLYN BROWN

The roots music festival Back Porch Festival, which takes place in downtown Northampton, will return for its 11th year from Friday, March 7, through Sunday, March 9, with more than 60 performers.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Jazz bassist George Kaye, longtime member of the Valley’s Green Street Trio, died on Monday, Feb. 10, at the age of 73 after a period of failing health.

Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares and the Northampton Center for the Arts will present “A World of Piano,” an event series featuring one of three solo pianists per night, at 33 Hawley in Northampton from Thursday, Feb. 27, through Saturday, March 1, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

By JENNIFER CORE and CLAIRE MORENON

By CAROLYN BROWN

Smith College alumna Nava Grunfeld recently opened a retrospective show of still lifes and figure paintings at the Smith Alumnae House Gallery.

The Easthampton-based Nonotuck Valley Hockey Association U-12 PeeWee hockey team participated in the Ocean State President’s Classic in Warwick, R.I., this past weekend from Feb. 15-17. The team celebrated President’s Day by bringing home the tournament championship after going undefeated – a perfect 4-0 – over the three-day span. 

By JACOB NELSON

Plenty of young kids tap a few maple trees, inspired by the sweet promise of maple syrup. Few become enamored with it to the point of kickstarting a family business. Cooper Deane, who helps run Bear Hill Sugar Farm, is one of them.

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — The Massachusetts Association for Community Action has launched its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program that helps low-income taxpayers prepare their tax returns.

A trio of Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy fencers went undefeated as a team during their last two competitions, where they faced off against nine other schools. The three fencers, junior captain Willa Barman, junior River Burnell-Wojtech and senior Klara Sokop, not only represent PVFA, but Northampton High School as well.

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

GREENFIELD — Clare Higgins, executive director of Community Action of Pioneer Valley, will retire this summer after nearly 14 years at the helm of the nonprofit anti-poverty agency, marking an end to a career — she previously served as Northampton’s mayor and on its City Council for about 18 years — that has enabled her to make a difference in the lives of residents up and down the Pioneer Valley for the last three-plus decades.

By EMILEE KLEIN

SPRINGFIELD — Most Massachusetts farmworkers whose hard work puts food on the dinner tables for Massachusetts families have difficulty affording the produce they pick and process.

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association has begun a multiyear effort to bring to life a project exploring the experiences of Lucy Terry Prince, the earliest identified African American writer. The work began last Saturday on the first day of Black History Month.

By JACOB NELSON

At Smith College, the power of local ingredients and diverse cuisine is on display.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has issued a draft decision approving a water quality certification for FirstLight Hydro Generating Co., marking the latest required step in FirstLight’s relicensing process through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

By LISA GOODRICH

Richardson’s Candy Kitchen in Deerfield celebrated its 70th anniversary last year. The Woodward family has operated the business since 1983, when they took over where the Richardsons left off. Owner Kathie Williams (née Woodward), grew up in the business, which has always had strong ties with the local farming community.

STAFF REPORT

HOLYOKE — The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke has selected actress, author, and model Bridget Moynahan as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious John F. Kennedy National Award.

By JACOB NELSON

Some restaurants are once-in-a-while places. Maybe they’re a bit fancy. Maybe their menu is a bit one-dimensional. Maybe they’re great for grabbing a sandwich to-go between meetings, or a sit-down Sunday morning brunch while your parents are in town, but not both.