Deer Population Cuts Held Back By Lack of Butchers

The Martha’s Vineyard Gazette, November 13, 2025

A drop in deer hunting this season combined with the rise of tick-borne illnesses has Vineyard hunters wondering if increased access to butchering could help manage the Island’s overgrown herd.

Several different efforts are in various stages of development on the Island to increase deer processing options, and advocates said making it easier for hunters to butcher their harvest could boost hunting.

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With food-assistance cuts, businesses and farms go to work

By Sarah Shaw Dawson, November 6, 2025

Under cloudy skies on Monday afternoon, Meg Athearn of Morning Glory Farm laid out a last-minute free farmer’s market on a folding table outside the Agricultural Hall. As she processed a basket of onions on the porch, cars pulled around the circular driveway to pick up some of the fresh produce. 

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Seed Specialist Shares Gospel of Reciprocity

Vineyard Gazette, Emma Kilbride, October 30, 2025

When Petra Page-Mann stood to face a circle of Island farmers and gardeners at the Agricultural Hall on Saturday, she was wearing floral overalls printed with tiny gnomes and a chain of marigolds around her neck. Packets of seeds from her company, Fruition Seeds, were arranged on banquet-style tables lining the room.

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Two Lucky Calves

The Martha’s Vineyard GazetteOctober 6, 2025

Blind Brian and Calamity Carl are two hard-luck bull calves. Brian was one of the last calves born at Grey Barn before it shifted its focus from milk production, and Carl was born on a dairy farm in New Hampshire.

Photo Courtesy of Carol Soule

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Buddhist monks to create sand mandala

Vineyard Gazette, Emma Kilbride, October 30, 2025

A group of Tibetan Buddhist monks — from Mundgod, Karnataka in India — are visiting the Island, with plans of blessing the land and creating traditional artwork.

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Local food program geared toward better health outcomes

Martha’s Vineyard Times, August 15, 2025

This summer, a fresh fruits and vegetables membership was expanded to help locals facing diet-related disease or food insecurity.

Photo Courtesy of Shaw Dawson

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Slough Farm: Growing Food to Give Away

Blue Dot Living,  August 2025

How this nonprofit farm blends agriculture, art, and community — focusing on impact, not income.

Photo Courtesy of Shenny Leon

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The View: The Grass Café is Open

The Martha’s Vineyard Gazette, May 22 2025

As spring segues into summer on Martha’s Vineyard, everything seems to speed up – there’s a palpable energy – and suddenly we’re all eyes and ears about what’s new and exciting. The animals at Slough Farm in Edgartown are no exception.

Photo Courtesy of Mindy Dutka 

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A feast of cultures

The Martha’s Vineyard Times April 8, 2025

“The English Learners Parents Advisory Council hosted its first “Flavors of Nations” at Slough Farm on Thursday evening. Shared was food from different students’ cultures, poems from around the world, and the stories of parents’ countries of origin.” 

Photo by Dena Porter

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