Remember my post about Potash Hill Farm? Well, I dropped by the Potash Hill Farm booth at our town's recent Harvest Fest. The owner, Melanie was selling her incredible goat's milk soap and lotion. As you can see from the picture above, she proudly displays her "Be A Local Hero" sticker on her soaps. Being a "Local Hero" is certainly something to be proud of.Launched in 1999 in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, The "Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown" campaign from the non-profit organization CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture) was created to raise public awareness and support of locally grown farm products. Now the longest running campaign of its kind, "Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown" has become a model for "communities across the continent and world that are seeking to sustain farming by helping consumers find and purchase locally grown products."
CISA's most recent intiatives include a Farm2City program connecting rural farmers with urban consumers and an institutional buying project which increases use of local farm products at area schools and hospitals.
Melanie is one of many farmers in this valley who benefit from the local attention CISA brings. I wanted to spread the good word about Potash Hill Farm soap and lotion, and the inspiring message of CISA to all of you.
