Updated June 8, 2017
Description
Dating back to 1860, early island maps show fences bordering the land currently know as Katama Farm, indicating early agricultural use of the property. Today, the land is leased from the town of Edgartown and operates as a The FARM Institute, non-profit educational working farm, whose mission is to provide all who visit a greater connection to agriculture by helping to collect eggs, plant a seed, or simply see animals and the actual land where food comes from.
Location
14 Aero Avenue, Edgartown 02539
Contact
Phone: 508-627-7007
Email: office@farminstitute.org
Online: www.farminstitute.org
Facebook: facebook.com/TheFARMInstitute
Twitter: twitter.com/FARMInstitute
Instagram: instagram.com/farminstitute
Products include
Meat & poultry, seasonal vegetables, eggs, merchandise
A fall or spring meat CSA is occasionally offered. TFI always offers “Meat Money” where customers can prepay and receive a discount.
Sales locations
Farmstand open daily 8:30am-4:30pm, Memorial Day through Columbus Day Weekend
West Tisbury Farmers Market, summer and winter, Saturday only
History
Once a dairy, Katama Farm has been in agricultural use since the 1930s but was placed into agricultural conservation in the late 1970s by the “Committee to Do Something” to avoid the land being subdivided and turned into housing. The FARM Institute moved to Katama Farm in 2005 from Herring Creek Farm, and raises pastured poultry, pork, beef cattle, sheep, hay and mixed produce with the helping hands of over 1000 local and visiting children each year. As an educational non-profit, they offer seasonal programs for children and adults alike, along side workshops, summer camp programs and short-term residential programs that give students the ability to experience where their food comes from as well as helping cook it and put it on the table. Although as a non-profit, they feel a responsibility to give back to the community, they also feel a responsibility to explore the great heritages behind the animals they raise, in counter to industrial models of raising livestock.
Additional Information
The FARM Institute also offers a camp and child/adult learning opportunities; Meals in the Meadow in July – farm-to-table dinner and dancing; Sheepapalooza! in April – meet the new lambs, sheep shearing, fiber arts and crafts and local farm food; Alfresco movie nights in the summer.
