‘Green’ Martha’s Vineyard: Conservation, Sustainability, & Community

The past couple of years has brought the “going green” movement to the forefront of our everyday society, but here on Martha’s Vineyard we’ve believed in being green since before it was ‘cool’.  Due to Martha’s Vineyard only being 87 square miles, locals here know our resources are finite and we do our best to preserve them. Did you know there are over 10 groups on island dedicated solely to preserving Martha’s Vineyard? And that’s not even counting all  the local farms that provide fresh produce and proteins to our locally owned restaurants and grocers! Below is a list of all the different organizations, farmers markets, and farm to table restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard.

 

Conservation and Environmental Organizations on Martha’s Vineyard

Community Solar Greenhouse (COMSOG), 508-693-2019. Since 1983 COMSOG has striven to provide a sustainable agriculture cooperative in Oak Bluffs, including seedlings, flowers, plants, and veggies.
Conservation Partnership of MV, 508-693-9588. Formed in the summer of 1997, the partnership is an all island conservation consortium, consisting of 5 separate programs, for an enhanced effort to save and preserve as much land as possible.
FARM Institute, 508-627-7007. The FARM Institute is a non-profit teaching farm whose mission is to reconnect children and adults with agriculture through the diverse operations of a 162-acre working farm
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, 508-627-4850.  Felix Neck is 321 acres of wildlife sanctuary with four miles of trails, and truly impressive views of Martha’s Vineyard landscape.
Island Grown Initiative, office@islandgrown.org. The Island Grown Initiative (IGI) is a non-profit grassroots organization working to support local food and farming on Martha’s Vineyard. Currently there are over 28 local farms working with IGI. 
MV Agricultural Society
, 508-693-9549. Established in 1859 the Agricultural Society is, perhaps, one of our oldest and most respected group on Martha’s Vineyard. The Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society was established to promote awareness and “pursuit of  agriculture, horticulture, land conservation, youth activities, mechanic and domestic arts and encourages the raising and improving of plant and animal stock and the sale of island-grown produce and flowers at local farmers’ markets”
MV Land Bank , 508-627-7141. Established in 1986 the martha’s Vineyard Land Bank acquires land in order to preserve and protect it. “The land bank is a rare breed. Neither a sanctuary program nor a park system, it is a middle ground where the highest virtues of conservation can be realized: public enjoyment of nature, where limits and restraint secure the natural world’s future and prosperity.”
Nature Conservancy, 508-693-6287. The Nature Conservancy on Martha’s Vineyard focuses on preserving  and restoring oyster reefs, eelgrass beds, and sandplain grasslands.
Polly Hill Arboretum, 508-693-9426. Poly Hill was first founded in 1958 as a private arboretum, then in 1998 Poly Hill became a not-for-profit program with a focus on “the cultivation and study of plants and the preservation of the character and magic of this tranquil landscape.”
Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, 508-693-5207. Formally Chartered in 1952 Sheriff’s Meadow focuses on conserving and managing wildlife properties on Martha’s Vineyard.
Trustees of Reservations, 508-693-7662. The Trustees of The Reservation focus on protecting properties of historic, ecological, or scenic value for the people of Massachusetts to enjoy.
Vineyard Conservation Society, 508-693-9588. Founded in 1965 The Vineyard Conservation Society supports land conservation on Martha’s Vineyard through many initiatives.
Vineyard Open Land Foundation, 508-693-3280. Vineyard Open Land Foundation is a non-profit land use planning  organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and rural character of Martha’s Vineyard since 1970.
Vineyard Power, 508-693-3002. Vineyard Power is a  non-profit, energy co-operative with a mission to produce electricity from local renewable sources including wind, solar, and sea. Recently they built public solar charging stations for smart cars.

Farmers Markets and Local Grocers

West Tisbury Farmers Market, Grange Hall, West Tisbury. Celebrating it’s 39th year, the West Tisbury Farmers Market meets Saturdays June 8th- October 5th, and Wednesdays June 19th- August 28th. Here you’ll find that all products and produce sold are made or grown on Martha’s Vineyard.

Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury partners with the Island Grown Initiative to provide locally grown produce to the public
Vineyard Grocer & Tisbury Farm Market have combined forces to provide produce, groceries, supplements, and prepared foods on Martha’s Vineyard. Here you’ll find locally grown foods from Martha’s Vineyard as well as other organic items from small independent groups throughout the nation.

Farms & Farm To Table Restaurants

 North Tabor Farm, (508) 645-3311.  North Tabor Farm is a 6-acre family-run farm off of North Road in Chilmark. It specializes in organically grown salad greens, shitake mushrooms, blueberries and farm fresh eggs.
Whippoorwill Farm old county road | west tisbury. Established in 1992 Whippoorwill Farm is the first “Community Supported Agriculture” (CSA), on Martha’s Vineyard. When you purchase a share you get a fresh bundle of organic produce every week, and you help keep a business running.
The Grey Barn 22 South Road | Chilmark. Purchased in 2009, this family run farm full of foodies provides cheese, raw milk, pork, beef and eggs all from their farm.
Fiddlehead Farm 632 State Road| West Tisbury. Fiddlehead provides locally organic grown groceries and produce every day from 8 – 6
Sweet Neck Farm 76 Norton Orchard Road | Edgartown. Sweet Neck Farm is revolutionizing the farming industry, but farming oysters into creation naturally, and organically. In 1996, the Blake family  first brought oysters to Katama Bay, establishing the first and most elaborate of 8 oyster farms on Martha’s Vineyard. Today, his oysters are highly sought after, rarely leaving the island, but when they do, they go to some of the finest oyster bars on the East Coast.

State Road Restaurant 688 State Road | West Tisbury. State Road’s unparallelled menu highlights Martha’s Vineyard sustainability by using ingredients from local farms and seafood caught in local waters.
The Little House Cafe 339 State Road | Vineyard Haven. The Little House Cafe is known for its made to order organic, made from scratch food.
Lucky Hanks 218 Upper Main Street | Edgartown. Lucky Hanks is a cafe and restaurant offering a menu inspired by Martha’s Vineyard’s favorite comfort foods with an organic, locally grown twist.
The Port Hunter 55 Main Street | Edgartown. Designed with sustainability and the “locally grown” movement in mind, The Port Hunter is the newest, and well praised restaurant & bar in Edgartown. From the chairs & tables, to the food that is served, all come from Martha’s Vineyard or Maine.

 

 

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