Voice Images

Island Grown Initiative, IGI, held an all-day educational "Poultry" event at the new Ag Hall, Saturday February 16th.

Upwards of 60 people at any one time listened to speakers and shared their experiences on growing egg-layers, meat birds and heritage hens. What birds to raise, how to pasture chickens and protect them from predators and the design and construction of mobile pasture "tractors" were some of the generous discussions. In all, it was an informative community exchange of knowhow and insight.

On Tisbury Great Pond Tom Osmers tends thousands of healthy seed oysters in the oyster nursery. The seed are part of a larger effort by Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group to build sustainable hatcheries here.

Jim Norton and his wife Sonya have owned and operated Norton Farm since 1973.

Elizabeth Germain has been offering classes on the preparation of fresh local foods for many years.

Local food production shows us how all of the things on the farm, — people, animals, plants, dirt, micro-organism, sun and air — are all interconnected.

The Jilo, or Garden Egg is a very particular small eggplant. Particular in its growing season, its shape and color and its flavor.

Native Earth Teaching Farm is a wonder not just for its animals and its vision of farming. That alone would be a rich resource for islanders and seasonal residents and visitors.