The Growing for Good Fund
In September of 2022, ServiceNet’s Prospect Meadow Farm set an ambitious goal—one of the largest program fundraising goals at ServiceNet to date. The farm aimed to raise $100,000 to supplement a grant from the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development to achieve major updates and renovations for their farmhouse, transforming it into a modern vocational training and production center.
And thanks to our passionate community of friends, family, and neighbors, we met our goal!
Now, we hope to expand the farm’s successful model to involve more vocational programming in Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampden Counties. Your continued support of the Growing for Good Fund is crucial in bringing the vision of Prospect Meadow Farm to individuals all across western Mass.
We truly appreciate your support and generosity in helping us make a difference in the lives of all members of our communities.
Thank you for your continued partnership in growing for good.
Make a Gift Today
Did You Know?
Since the farm opened in 2011, hundreds of participants have taken part in meaningful agricultural work, received a fair wage, contributed to the local food economy, and been supported in their personal and professional growth as they further explored employment in a variety of workplaces.
As a vital contributor to the local food economy, Prospect Meadow Farm is the largest producer of log-grown shiitake mushrooms in western Massachusetts, with more than 4,000 inoculated logs between its two sites. The farm also has 500+ egg-laying hens; dozens of goats, pigs, alpacas, ducks, and rabbits; and seven planted acres of vegetables.
Prospect Meadow Farm distributes its produce, eggs, and other products through its farm stand and retail store, 100 CSA farm shares, delivery to 20 area group homes, and several local grocery stores and restaurants.
Dedicated to addressing food insecurity in the area, the farm uses some of the money earned from these commercial sales to subsidize farm shares sold to elderly, low-income, and disabled individuals.
Prospect Meadow Farm participants reside in three of the four counties with the highest levels of poverty in Massachusetts. 15% of participants identify as people of color, consistent with the median for counties served. To ensure accessibility for all, including urban, rural, and low-income participants, ServiceNet developed its own transportation program with vans and drivers.
Prospect Meadow Farm participants can progress from the role of Farmhand to Senior Farmhand to Job Coach. Once a farmhand progresses to Job Coach, they are no longer a program participant and are now program staff.
Completion of the Vocational Training and Production Center project will allow Prospect Meadow Farm to add two additional work crews: one in culinary production and one in carpentry, resulting in at least 8-12 new jobs—further growing the area’s agricultural and food industry workforce.
Thank you to our generous Growing for Good Sponsors
Harvest Sponsors
Meadow Sponsors
Sprout Sponsors
Seed Sponsors
Berkshire Facial Surgery, Inc.
Florence Bank
Morgan Stanley
