Stand with Farmers on Martha’s Vineyard

If you’ve ever bitten into a sun-warmed tomato that tasted like summer, or sprinkled sea salt on greens harvested just hours before dinner—then you’ve already felt the impact of small farmers on Martha’s Vineyard.

Here at Woods & Waters MV, we believe food is only as good as the land and hands it comes from. And on this island, the hands that grow our food are often the same ones mending fences, tending bees, raising children, and preserving a way of life that’s getting harder and harder to hold onto.

We want to talk about that.

Farming Here Isn’t Easy—But It’s Essential

Martha’s Vineyard has a long agricultural history. Long before it became a vacation destination, it was a patchwork of farms, pastures, cranberry bogs, and working woods. Today, that tradition still exists—but it’s at risk.

The truth is: it’s hard to farm here.

• Land is expensive. Even small parcels are priced well beyond what most farmers can afford.

• Affordable housing is scarce. Farmers, farmhands, and food workers struggle to stay rooted here.

• Tourism-driven development pressures landowners to sell or convert farmland into rental properties, second homes, or commercial ventures.

And yet—despite these challenges—there are people on this island who rise every day to grow food in harmony with the land. They compost, they rotate crops, they care for animals, they steward soil. Many of them sell their harvests at local markets, to restaurants like ours, or directly to neighbors and chefs who care deeply about where food comes from.

These small-scale growers are not just part of the local economy. They’re the beating heart of a resilient food system—and a Vineyard that feeds its own.

Why This Matters to Us

At Woods & Waters MV, we don’t just use local ingredients—we build relationships with the people who grow them.

We believe that preserving this agricultural landscape is just as important as protecting our beaches and woodlands. Without active farms, we risk losing open space, biodiversity, food security, and a part of the island’s soul.

That’s why we’re vocal about supporting farmers, especially the small, independent ones who rely on community partnerships and creative solutions to stay afloat.

We want a Vineyard where:

• A child can grow up and decide to become a farmer—and actually make a living doing it.

• Land is preserved not just for scenery, but for cultivation and care.

• Local food is available to everyone, not just a seasonal luxury.

• Farming is respected as a vital, long-term investment in community wellness.

What We’re Doing (and Dreaming Of)

We’re committed to:

• Sourcing ingredients from local growers whenever possible.

• Amplifying farmer voices through our blog, events, and conversations with guests.

• Supporting land preservation groups working to protect farmland for future generations.

• Developing the Harvest Haven Fund—our vision for a nonprofit that supports exceptional small farmers on the island through grants, mentorship, and community investment.

How You Can Help

Whether you live here, visit seasonally, or simply care about sustainable food, you can make a difference:

• Buy directly from island farmstands and markets.

• Support restaurants and chefs who source locally.

• Learn about and donate to groups like Island Grown Initiative, Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank, or local land trusts.

• Advocate for affordable housing and land access for farmers.

• Talk about where your food comes from—and why that matters.

This Island Grows More Than Just Food

It grows community. It grows care. It grows resilience.

We believe that the future of Martha’s Vineyard should include more greenhouses, not just guest houses. More pasture gates than picket fences. More hands in the soil and fewer “For Sale” signs on farmland.

We’ll keep doing our part—dish by dish, event by event, story by story.

We hope you’ll join us.

– The Woods & Waters MV Team