The Aretian Foundation
Network of Agricultural Clusters
Students
Jeremy Burke (MDE ’18)
Ramon Gras (MDE ’18)
Project Type
Food Systems
Year
Fall 2016 – Spring 2017
Course
Collaborative Design Engineering Studio
The proposal of the Aretian Agricultural Foundation is to understand to what extent farming operations can be expanded within the state of Massachusetts to promote food self sufficiency and resilience in the light of economic and environmental changes. In addition we proposed a series of networked food processing facilities which serve as infrastructure to support the production and distribution of food from small and mid-sized farms throughout the Northeast. The support network is necessary to ensure food security within the region and to create more robust alternative to larger scale corporate farms which currently dominate the market.
![A wide framed rendering of the Aretian Agricultural Foundation. The rendering shows a campus of several building, with the focus of a central building made up of three connecting triangular rooflines.](https://mdeharvard.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/aretian_design-1024x235.jpg)
In order to define the proper regions in which to place a food processing facility, the first part of the studio developed a methodology to classify and group land use patterns. These certified zones were defined as Mezzo Regions since the classification was based on farming zones with a common cultural and gastronomic identity, focused on the production of high quality specialty crops such as vegetables, fruits, and meat production. In addition, farming tends to occur within specific geographic conditions and watersheds, which do not always fall within state boundaries.
![A map of Massachusetts, titled "PIONEER VALLEY MEZZOREGION | ARETIAN CLUSTER". The map key highlights seven features: the Pioneer Valley Aretian Cluster, Specialty Cropland, Potential Expansion, Anchor Institutions/Strategic partners, Roads, Urban areas, and Forests.](https://mdeharvard.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/aretian_map1.jpg)
![A map of the northeastern United States, titled "NETWORK OF AGRICULTURAL CLUSTERS | US NORTHEAST". The map points out the Potential Mezzo Region and Generic Cropland Area among 14 regions with a common gastronomic identity: Pioneer Valley, MA, Berkshires, MA, NY, Greater Boston, MA, Southeastern MA, RI, Connecticut River Basin, CT, Coastal CT, Hudson Valley, NY, Northern NJ, North Fork, Long Island, Champlain, VT, Northeast Kingdom, VT, NH, Central Maine, ME, Coastal Maine, ME, and Aroostook, ME.](https://mdeharvard.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/aretian_map_2.jpg)
Through spatial analysis of GIS land use maps, transportation infrastructure, and business location data, the studio was able to establish a set of metrics by which we could clearly define areas of interest. Each Mezzo Region will be named based on the current and historical identity of the place, and will establish a shared identity that each farmer can use to bolster their market identity. The regions will help to build stronger connections between the urban and the rural communities and help to shift food culture to from a generic concept of produce to region specific products known for their quality and good practices. The project is inspired on the successful experience of the Wine Cathedrals in Catalonia, Spain.
The Aretian Agricultural Foundation will offer a unique opportunity for mid-size farmers to join efforts in building a strong community, characterized by shared values and homogenous gastronomic quality standards, able to raise food production output and product quality, offer opportunities for product sophistication, increase market reach by integrating those products in a streamlined supply chain, and to strengthen the regional brand recognition and prestige among potential customers.
![The final rendering of the Aretian Agricultural Foundation from above.](https://mdeharvard.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/burke_gras_final_aretian-1024x494.jpg)