Ashfield Rod and Gun Club hosting archery shoot, pig roast

PLAINFIELD — The Ashfield Rod and Gun Club, located at 161 North St. in Plainfield, will host a pop-up archery shoot and pig roast on Saturday, July 27.

The archery shoot begins at 11 a.m. and the meal starts at 4:30 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three shooters. There will also be door prizes and a raffle.

Tickets cost $30 to both participate in the shoot and have dinner, while tickets for just the meal are $20.

To inquire about tickets, contact Dan Hebert at 413-325-6616 or hebert2009@yahoo.com, or Jack Shea at 413-522-6150. Tickets can also be purchased using Venmo @Mike-Dufresne-4.

Buckland resident represents area co-ops at UN headquarters

NEW YORK CITY — Buckland resident Erbin Crowell joined the International Cooperative Alliance and representatives from co-ops and credit unions around the world at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on July 9 to celebrate the declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Co-ops.

The theme for the year, “Co-operatives Build a Better World,” was chosen to highlight how co-ops are key partners in achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including reducing economic inequality, addressing climate change and contributing to food security.

“It was an honor to represent our local co-ops and credit unions at the celebrations in New York City,” Crowell said in a statement. “Despite how many co-operatives there are here in our region, many people don’t understand our impact and the important role that we play in the UN to address the challenges of our time and support sustainability and international economic development.”

Crowell serves on the board of directors of the National Cooperative Business Association and is executive director of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association, which includes co-operative grocery stores across the Northeast, including many local businesses such as the Brattleboro Food Co-op, Green Fields Market, Leverett Village Co-op, McCusker’s Market in Shelburne Falls and Quabbin Harvest in Orange.

“Food co-ops have a profound impact on our regional economy,” said Crowell, noting that a survey of Neighboring Food Co-op Association member co-ops found that they are locally owned by more than 185,000 people, provide 2,545 local jobs and generate $442 million in annual revenue. On average, local products comprise more than 25% of sales at food co-ops in the Northeast. “The International Year of Co-ops offers us an opportunity to join with other co-operatives and credit unions in promoting our business model to consumers, policy makers and young people interested in building a better future for everyone.”