Essex National Heritage Area
Tom Leonard, President, ENHC

Tom Leonard,
President Emeritus, ENHC

Tom Leonard writes a monthly column for the community newspapers in the Essex National Heritage Area. This is a reprint of this month's column.
tleonard
at essexheritage.org.

Columns
Essex Heritage and Buy Fresh-Buy Local Team Up to Preserve Agricultural Resources of Essex County

The Essex National Heritage Commission offers a schedule of events and activities throughout the year, but this time of the year always seems to be the busiest period. This year is no different with Farm Fresh Event-Essentially Essex County scheduled for June 7 th, and an online auction that “kicked off” on May 1 st. This year in conjunction with the Farm Fresh event, a comprehensive Guide to Farm Fresh Essex County is being prepared to promote the agricultural heritage of this region. Detailed information on all of these wonderful activities can be found on the Essex Heritage web site and we encourage visitation to that site to obtain additional information.

Essentially Essex County - Farm Fresh on June 7th

On June 7th from 6-9 PM at the Smith Barn in Peabody, the ENHC will continue the tradition of gathering friends, partners and supporters for a unique heritage experience. The evening will highlight the rich agricultural history of Essex County and to underscore the significance of the area’s local farms. The evening will feature information on future initiatives in the area of sustainable agriculture, and will help connect our many partners across the region, all while enjoying a sampling of foods grown on local farms. Proceeds from this event will help support ENHC programs and The Essex County/Merrimack Valley Buy Fresh-Buy Local Program. Tickets for this event can be purchased online.

Farm Fresh Guide

In conjunction with the Farm Fresh event, the ENHC has been working with local farmers and the Buy Fresh-Buy Local Program to create a brochure and an on line guide that will identify dozens of local farms in this region. The guide will provide information and will provide directions and maps on area farms to encourage the residents of this region to visit and support these wonderful assets. Both the printed and the on-line guide will be available in time for the June event, and will certainly be a superb resource for the farm community in this region. Essex Heritage and the North of Boston Convention and Visitor Bureau are providing the funding to complete the preparation and printing of the guide. Distribution of the guide will be accomplished through the participating farms and the ten regional visitor centers connected to ENHC. It will also be available as an online guide on the ENHC web site.

Special Online Auction

During the month of May, the Commission will be offering a first-ever online auction with many wonderful items and experiences available. The proceeds of the auction will be shared with Buy Fresh-Buy Local and will certainly offer a financial benefit to the farmers of the region. There are great items to bid on from art to agriculture. Sign on to the ENHC website, sample the auction items, and bid often and bid high. Your support will help to preserve the wonderful agricultural resources that exist in this region.

Volunteerism is Important to the Culture of this Region

In the middle of last month, I was pleased to learn that the Danvers Community Council had named me their “Citizen of the Year” for 2007. The award is presented each year to an individual from the Town of Danvers for their commitment to volunteerism. The spirit of volunteerism is very strong in Town of Danvers and to be singled out, from among the many wonderful volunteers in Danvers is a humbling experience. It is a great privilege for me to be active in several organizations in my hometown that thrive and provide valuable community services because of volunteerism. I am also aware from my continuing association with the Essex National Heritage Commission that all across this region there are small, not-for-profit organizations that are desperate for volunteers to help them accomplish their goals. During this past month the nation celebrated National Volunteer Week with a call for more volunteers who can offer time to help. Please consider offering your services as a volunteer to an organization that needs support. When you have completed a volunteer task, you will certainly feel satisfied that you have accomplished a goal.