The Ag Hall in West Tisbury has hosted a number of agricultural related events this winter.
The new mobile poultry processing unit has encouraged more islanders to consider raising chickens.
Some knit, some spin at the Fiber Folks bi-monthly get-togethers.
It can be easy to overlook the Vineyard's longstanding agrarian heritage in the height of the summer crush when, it seems, all 15,000 year-round residents are focused on either how to avoid the visitor onslaught, or how to make the most of our short tourist season. But in the dead of winter, it's nice to remind ourselves of our roots and take advantage of our rich agricultural tradition.
We're fortunate to have a few local organizations with a goal of focusing Vineyarders on issues of sustainabilty. Some winter events have helped raise awareness, while uniting the community around farming-related issues and activities.
Last Saturday more than 150 people showed up at the Ag Hall for an informative all-day symposium on everything poultry. Guest speakers from on and off-island held workshops that dealt with every aspect of the bird business - from raising to cooking poultry.
One of the most relevant workshops at All Things Poultry Day, sponsored by the Island Grown Initiative, was a discussion on processing. Thanks to efforts by IGI, a Mobile Poultry Processing Unit is now available to local farmers. A number of attendees were interested in hearing more about the mobile unit and how it has made the raising of livestock a more viable prospect on island.
The IGI also recently hosted a winter local foods dinner in collaboration with the High School's Culinary Arts Program which drew a sell-out crowd.
Another agriculturally oriented group keeping busy this winter is the Fiber Folks. On the second Sunday of every off-season month, the informal group gets together at the Ag Hall for communal knitting sessions. There's always an expert on hand to help out and a few people spinning local wool. The group is also currently running a yarn swap, and the leftovers will be donated to Windemere and the local thrift shops in June.
Island Alpaca holds periodic spinning classes at their farm, and as part of the high school adult evening school. MV Fiber Farm has recently started a yarn CSA which is a first, and has garnered a lot of interest both on island and off.
Whatever your reasons for making the Vineyard your home, now is a great time to explore ways in which you can get involved in local agriculture - whether by raising a few chickens, and creating clothing with local wool, or just taking advantage of the local bounty of produce and seafood.
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