"the human cost of operating a farm in a culture of cheap food" (video)

There are three local farms in Franklin: Grateful Farms, Ak-Bak and Hoffman Farms. Scenes from their locations could fit in this film. #shopFranklin and shop local when you visit the Farmers Market on Friday!


Seedlight Pictures premieres a new film:

GROWING LOCAL—A mid-length film in three parts that explores the growing pains of the local food movement and the uncertain fate of the farmers and farmland that keep it alive.

The locavore movement is old news. Growing Local takes the conversation to the next level. While "buying local" is on the rise, these three poignant vignettes make clear that small farms and access to locally produced food is not a sure thing. 

In Growing Local, we meet father and son organic dairy farmers struggling with the realities of producing a commodity food product to keep their farm going and in the family, we follow an artisanal butcher who helps us understand how healthy, thoughtful meat production can be supported and sustained, and the series closes with the story of a young farm couple who, on risky sweat-equity, have revitalized a fertile piece of farmland into a thriving community food hub. These stories help us to better understand the interconnected fates of farmers and farmland, consumers and the local food movement.

Growing Local (Trailer) from Seedlight Pictures on Vimeo.

Artist Bridget Besaw talks about the Making of Growing Local

"We’ve made a series about small farms and the uncertain fate of the local food movement. The challenge of this series was weaving together three separate but connected stories to create a coherent narrative about local food and local farms. Our goal was to craft a project that will help fellow Mainers, and hopefully others around the country, better understand the agrarian landscape surrounding us and the important role it plays in growing community as well as food. We hope to inspire viewers to actively seek out local foods for their own health, the health of their communities and that of the planet."

Continue reading what Bridget says about the film here
http://www.growinglocalfilms.org/about-the-series/artists-statement/

For more about "Growing Local" check their webpage  http://www.growinglocalfilms.org/

hat tip to Sarah Mabadry for finding this piece to share

RIP - Howard Crawford

Driving by the Akin-Bak Farm on Friday, it was closed and that was unual for this time of year. I heard later that Howard had passed that day which explained why they were closed. Driving by on Saturday, the flag was lowered.

Akin-Bak Farm closed in honor of Howard Crawford

Franklin has lost one of their treasured gentlemen!

Howard A. Crawford 91, of Franklin, died peacefully, surrounded by his family at home Friday April 10, 2015 following an illness. He was the beloved husband of Santina E. (Accorsi) Crawford. 

Born in Bristol, Connecticut on July 17, 1923 a son of the late James E. and Alice M. (McGuire) Crawford, he was a former resident of Sherman Mills, Maine before moving to Franklin in 1950.

... his funeral service Wednesday April 15th, at 10AM at the Franklin United Methodist Church 82 West Central St. Franklin. Interment with military honors will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. 

Calling hours are Tuesday from 4-8PM at the Charles F. Oteri & Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. Franklin.

Howard's full obituary can be found on the Oteri page here
http://oterifuneralhome.tributes.com/obituary/show/Howard-A.-Crawford-102371517

Holiday Gifts at Akin Bak Farm - Dec 20th

Holiday Gifts at the Farm

Saturday December 20th 

10am- 5pm

Stocking stuffers, organic soaps and salves, 

wooden toys and birdhouses, knit and crochet items, 

maple syrup, honey, pomegranate hand scrub, snowmen and more

Santa visits Akin Bak (Photo by Akin Bak)

Santa will be here 12 noon until 2 pm. Bring your camera!

Akin Bak Farm360 West Central StreetFranklin

For more info you can find them on the web here  http://www.akinbakfarmllc.com/

or on Facebook here   https://www.facebook.com/AkinBakFarm

Akin Bak Farm To Set Up Produce Stand At Museum For Harvest Festival

Pumpkins, apples, winter squash, honey and crafts! The Franklin Historical Museum is pleased to partner with Akin Bak Farm at this year’s annual Harvest Festival on Sunday October 5th. Akin Bak will set up a farm stand on the Museum’s front lawn and will sell their fresh local harvest to festival visitors. 

“We’ll also have some greens and maybe some tomatoes”, said Seth Rousseau of Akin Bak. 

Akin Bak Farm on RT 140

The display will also include the farm’s famous local honey. “Dad wants to sell his honey, so he’ll be there,” said Bette Rousseau of her 90 year old father, beekeeper, Howard Crawford. 

The Museum will be open 11:00am – 4:00pm and will serve apple cider and donuts to all visitors. People can enjoy the opportunity to purchase fresh produce, crafts and honey from Akin Bak Farm as well as visiting the Museum’s many displays and exhibits during the extended Sunday hours. The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, two doors down from the fire station.

Franklin Historical Museum

You can find Akin Bak on Facebook here  https://www.facebook.com/AkinBakFarm

or their webpage here  http://www.akinbakfarmllc.com/