This document summarizes a study conducted for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments on farmland and local food supply in Franklin County, Massachusetts. The study addressed how much farmland would be needed to meet nutritional needs, identified existing farmland and potential for expansion, and examined related issues like biodiversity and climate change impacts. It was prepared by students at The Conway School, which provides graduate education in sustainable landscape planning and design through hands-on learning projects.

1. Applied. Whole systems. Design.
www.csld.edu

2. Providing sustainable solutions for
resilient communities. www.csld.edu
A
Vision
for
a
Vibrant
Northeast
Har1ord
Walk
Winthrop:
A
plan
for
a
walkable
community
Franklin
County
Farmland
+
Foodshed
Study
Westover
Air
Base
Management
Plan
FRANKLIN COUNTY
FARMLAND & FOODSHED STUDY
Prepared for the
Franklin Regional Council of Governments
FRANKLIN COUNTY
FARMLAND & FOODSHED STUDY
Prepared for the
Franklin Regional Council of Governments
Laura Elizares | Evelyn Lane The Conway School Winter 2012

3. 1. Support
local
food
producHon.
2. Combat
resource-­‐wasHng
and
contaminaHng
pracHces.
3. Protect,
enhance
biodiversity.
4. AnHcipate
climate
change,
greater
storm
acHvity
5. Engage
diverse
communiHes.
Five important actions that move us
toward greater sustainability:

4. Does Franklin County, Massachusetts, have the land resources needed to achieve
residents of the county and of the larger region? These are the questions the
Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG), working with a consortium
address.
1. How much farmland would Franklin County require to meet its residents’
nutritional needs?
2. How much farmland is there currently in Franklin County, and where is it
located?
3.
4. Where is there potential for additional farmland in Franklin County?
5.
The Conway School is the only institution of its kind in North America. Its focus is sustainable
landscape planning and design. Each year, through its accredited, ten-month graduate program
just eighteen to nineteen students from diverse backgrounds are immersed in a range of applied
professional roles in various aspects of landscape planning and design.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
FARMLAND & FOODSHED STUDY
Prepared for the
Franklin Regional Council of Governments
FRANKLIN COUNTY
FARMLAND & FOODSHED STUDY
Prepared for the
Franklin Regional Council of Governments
Laura Elizares | Evelyn Lane The Conway School Winter 2012
Five important actions that move us
toward greater sustainability:
Small
farm
management
plan
City-­‐wide
food
security
plan
Regional
farmland
assessment
1.
Support
local
food
producHon

5. Five important actions that move us
toward greater sustainability:
Condominium
master
plan
Air
base
restoraHon
plan
Green
burial
alternaHves
2.
Combat
resource-­‐wasHng
and
contaminaHng
pracHces.

6. Five important actions that move us
toward greater sustainability:
Connect
remaining
green
corridors
in
a
highly
grazed
landscape
Protect
fragile
places
within
an
ecotourism
desHnaHon
Guide
access
to
a
unique
botanical
sanctuary
3.
Protect
and
enhance
biodiversity

7. Five important actions that move us
toward greater sustainability:
rain
garden
porous
pavement
Guidelines
for
regional
stormwater
management
Infiltrate
storm
runoff
and
reduce
heat
island
effect
4.
AnHcipate
climate
change,
more
frequent
and
severe
storms

8. Five important actions that move us
toward greater sustainability:
FacilitaHng
public
involvement
in
Ajo,
AZ;
Northampton
&
Worcester,
MA;
Adirondack
State
Park
communiHes;
Northeast
Har1ord,
CT
5.
Engage
diverse
communiHes

9. Real world. Real results. Ten months.
www.csld.edu

11. Mollie Babize, Associate Director
P.O.Box 179, Conway, MA 01341
413-369-4044 babize@csld.edu
Information Session
Saturday, May 4th
10:00 am – 1:00 pm