Letter From Rep. John Olver: A Fond Farewell

By U.S. Rep. John W. OlverGuest Columnist
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U.S. Rep. John W. Olver at this year's Fall Foliage Parade in North Adams.

As my time in Congress draws to a close, I want to take a moment to thank the constituents of the 1st Congressional District for your friendship and counsel.

When I arrived in Washington in 1991, I never expected to be in office for 21 years but there were many important issues to fight for and many things to change. The priorities that I fought for over the years were the ones that you brought to me in meetings in my offices, in letters that you sent and in phone calls that you made. Your thoughts and opinions guided my efforts in Washington.

I am proud of my work to protect human rights, expand energy efficiency measures and advance renewable energy technology, conserve our natural resources, expand community health centers, defend and promote affordable housing, increase access to rail and advocate for the effective use of transportation dollars.

There is still much to do and I am happy that Representatives Neal, McGovern and Tsongas will be representing central and Western Massachusetts. Their contact information can be found below.

Many of you have asked what my plans are for retirement. I look forward to spending time with my family, hiking in Western Massachusetts and beyond, tending to my garden, and traveling.

Thank you all for your well wishes and your calls of thanks. But it is you who deserve my thanks for providing me with the opportunity to serve you over the last 21 years.

Be well.

 

 

 

 

Congressman Richard Neal (MA01)
www.neal.house.gov
300 State Street, Suite 200
Springfield, MA 01005


413-785-0325

Congressman James McGovern (MA02)
www.mcgovern.house.gov
34 Mechanic Street
Worcester, MA 01608
508-831-7356

Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA03)
www.tsongas.house.gov
Lowell MA Office
11 Kearney Square, 3rd Floor
Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (978) 459-0101


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BRIDGE Hosts Earth Day 2026 Activities

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Multicultural BRIDGE will host its Earth Day 2026 celebration on Wednesday, April 22, at Solidarity House, marking both the opening of the growing season and the next phase of its Solidarity Farm & Garden at April Hill.
 
This year's gathering brings together state leaders, regional partners, and community members to advance a shared vision for environmental justice, food sovereignty, and climate resilience in the Berkshires.
 
Gwendolyn VanSant, CEO and founding director of BRIDGE, will moderate the panel with Lina Maria Polo Caijao. Panelists include Betsy Harper, chief of the Environmental Protection Division in the Attorney General's Office; 
Elizabeth Cardona, community engagement manager for the state Department of Environmental Protection; and Charles Redd, DEI officer with Berkshire Health Systems.
 
After five years of growing at the Great Barrington Fairgrounds, BRIDGE's Solidarity Farm has supported the development of a strong cohort of community growers. As part of this next phase, several Solidarity growers are now ready to expand beyond community plots into more independent, production-oriented farming.
 
The April Hill site in South Egremont represents the next evolution of this work, building on the World Farmers' Flats Mentor Farm model in Lancaster and adapting it for the Berkshire context of BIPOC emerging farmers. Partnering with Greenagers in a values-aligned effort across constituencies, trainings and agricultural resources.
 
This expansion includes new grower plots supporting transition to independent farming; expanded mutual aid and community distribution capacity; culturally specific crop cultivation; integration of climate-resilient agricultural practices, and youth engagement 
 
April Hill serves as a partner hub in the first year with expanded plots to meet urgent food security needs, supporting growers as they evolve our community-based growing model toward long-term land access, increased food sovereignty and economic sustainability.
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