PITTSFIELD — Health and human services agency ServiceNet recently acquired Jodi’s Seasonal in Pittsfield. This popular flower farm, which covers 16 acres and includes several year-round greenhouses, will be the newest site for Prospect Meadow Farm.
Part of ServiceNet’s Developmental and Brain Injury Services division, Prospect Meadow Farm is a therapeutic vocational training program that provides employment and daily activities for individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism, many of whom also have mental health challenges.
ServiceNet opened the first Prospect Meadow Farm location in Hatfield in 2011, which now employs 80-plus participants who raise market crops and care for animals on two chemical-free farm sites totaling 18 acres.
In 2023, the Hatfield farm embarked on a significant renovation project, supported by a $600,000 grant from the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development plus private fundraising. Renovations included a new commercial kitchen and carpentry workshop, which further expanded the program’s vocational offerings.
Creation of Prospect Meadow Farm’s newest site extends the program’s reach to Berkshire County participants, in collaboration with ServiceNet’s Berkshire Vocational Services. Like the Hatfield location, Pittsfield’s Prospect Meadow Farm will offer diverse opportunities such as animal care, agricultural production, and Shiitake mushroom cultivation. Eventually, the plan is to also offer culinary training and more.
NORTHAMPTON — The Polish Heritage Committee of Northampton is sponsoring a Polish Christmas Carol Sing Along on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m., at St. Valentine’s Church, 127 King St., Northampton.
All friends of Polonia are invited. The carols will be led by singers from area church choirs. Refreshments will follow the event in the parish hall of the church. For more information, call Chris Newman at 413-584-4531 or Bob Gibowicz at 413-224-1309.
HOLYOKE — The spring 2024 semester officially began at Holyoke Community College on Tuesday, Jan. 16, but prospective students have two more opportunities to start classes in February and March.
Spring session II classes at HCC begin Monday, Feb. 5. Spring start III classes begin Monday, March 19.
Feb. 5-start classes run for 12 weeks. March 18-start classes run for seven. All spring semester courses conclude by Thursday, May 2.
Students who enroll for spring session II or III have the opportunity to take a variety of classes in a wide array of academic areas and can earn as many as four credits per course for a lab science, such as biology or forensic science.
These accelerated spring courses are being offered in person and online in accounting, anthropology, biology, business, communications, culinary arts, economics, English, environmental science, forensic science, general studies, geography, history, human services, law, management, marketing, math, medical assisting, nutrition, psychology, social science, and sociology.
To get started, visit: hcc.edu/flexible-spring-starts
For more information, please contact HCC Admissions at 413-552-2321 / admissions@hcc.edu or visit us online at hcc.edu
CHESTERFIELD — A public hearing will be held Monday, Jan. 29, at the Select Board Meeting Room at 5 p.m. on planning for this year’s community development block grant and implementation of prior years’ grants.
Communities invited to participate are Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg and Worthington. Comment is welcome on housing rehabilitation and social services projects such as the Hilltown Elder Network, Health Outreach Program for Elders, the Goshen Food Pantry, and others.
Those unable to attend the meeting are welcome to submit written comments to beavh@hilltowncdc.org within two weeks of the hearing.
Snow date is Feb. 12.