Franklin Land Trust

08/22/2026

Buon giorno 🚲 21 years of D2R2, the original gravel grinder! Our limited edition retro T-shirts are available here at the fairgrounds and on our website

08/21/2026

Our friends from Four Star Farms are here pouring pints! Come down for a taste of Franklin County terrior before you hit the road tomorrow 🍻

The Brewery at Four Star Farms opened in 2021 with goal of bringing together locally grown ingredients AND b**r!   Built on the property of Four Star Farms, The Brewery uses only hops grown onsite, creating unique interpretations of styles ranging from crispy la**rs to juicy IPAs.  Visit the taproom and brewery nestled in beautiful Northfield, MA.  Learn more and plan your visit at fourstarb**r.com or for the most up to date information follow on Instagram and Facebook The Brewery at Four Star Farms

08/21/2026

Sneak peek...we're getting ready for D2R2, are you? 🚴

Start the weekend right at our Friday night pre-ride party! Come down to the Franklin County Fairgrounds tonight for music, food, b**r, around the campfires.

08/14/2026

Tonight! Join us at the newly restored 1780 Wilder Homestead Barn Museum at 7pm for a screening of this seriously acclaimed 1973 documentary about subsistence farming right here in our region. The film showing will be introduced by Rawn himself and followed with discussion and refreshments by donation to the museum.

This event is hosted by the Buckland Historical Society and co-sponsored by the Franklin Land Trust.

08/11/2026

The Food & Farms 1st Franklin Candidate Forum is TODAY at Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls! Swipe for a link to the livestream if you can’t make it in person, but still want to watch.

A video recording will also be shared after the event - subscribe to our enews to make sure you don't miss it! Thank you for caring about food and farming issues, and making this a strong, community-based conversation. 🎤

08/06/2026

Time's almost up to lock in your spot for this year's Deerfield Dirt Road Randonnée on August 22, 2026, online registration closes at the end of the day on August 9th, in just over 48 hours!

D2R2 has a brand-new home this year at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 89 Wisdom Way in Greenfield, MA — bringing improved on-site camping, easy access to food vendors, and a great home base for the whole weekend of riding, food, drink, and community.

Pick your challenge: the legendary 180K, the reworked 140K (formerly the 160K), the 110K or 100K options, or the family-friendly Green River ride and Family Ride for those riding with kids or looking for a more relaxed day on dirt roads.

Whatever route you choose, expect the same unforgettable mix of quiet backroads, panoramic hilltown views, and the laid-back campout vibe D2R2 is known and loved for.

A classic dirt-road ride and weekend campout in the picturesque hilltowns of Franklin County, Massachusetts.

08/06/2026

Whoever represents the 1st Franklin District will have a say in the policies that shape farmland access, food security, and rural livelihoods across the region.

We're proud to co-sponsor the Food & Farms Candidate Forum on Tuesday, August 11 from 5:30-7:30pm at Shelburne Falls Theater. Join us to hear directly from all three candidates and ask the questions that matter most to you!

Registration appreciated, not required. Scan the QR code to submit your questions for the candidates, or visit tinyurl.com/firstfranklin

07/30/2026

Late summer is a good time to do a quick assessment of tree health. Taking just a few minutes to check up on the trees in your yard, neighborhood, or park can make a real difference to protect our local forests. Early signs of disease or invasive species are easier to spot, and and to treat before they take hold. Healthy trees = healthy communities - for people and wildlife alike.

Quick things to check:
🌳 Trunk: holes, mushrooms, flaking bark, or sawdust. IF YOU SEE A ROUND HOLE about the width of a pencil, report it at massnrc.org - it could be a sign of Asian longhorned beetles
🍃 Leaves: early browning, bare branches, or odd patterns (for example, the elm zigzag saw fly leaves small scars and leave zigzag notches from feeding)
🪲 Bugs: 5+ of the same insect could be a sign of trouble. Try to ID the bugs first using field guides, iNaturalist, or other resources
🍂 Beech trees: curled leaves or other signs of damage could be an indicator of beech leaf disease

If you have concerns, there are many certified arborists and foresters in Massachsuetts who may be able to assist. Franklin Land Trust can help connect you with individuals and resources for sustainable forest management - contact us anytime.

07/23/2026

Come see us in Southwick next week! 🐛

07/09/2026

Seen anything wild this summer? Show us! Share your spottings and be featured in our "In the Wild" photo series in Franklin Land Trust's email newsletter 🌱

You can DM your pictures or email to [email protected]. And if you're not already signed up, visit our website to subscribe to our biweekly enews!