AGRICULTURE

We visit New Salem Orchard ahead of Franklin County Cider Days, check in with folx from Self-Evident Education about how to support their programming and check out semantic bleaching with the Word Nerd.

We meet the first of two candidates vying for mayor in North Adams, Jennifer Macksey, Mr. Universe discusses the new "Frankenstein" movie, and BAV joins us to get a tour at Square Roots Farm

We hear from Easthampton mayoral candidate Lindsi Sekula, learn about Massachusetts Farm to School Month and celebrate Catherine Newman's new novel, "Wreck."

Monte and Kaliis are taking some time off, but while they're gone, they explore the Cricket Creek Farm Fall Festival, the Write Angels Conference, A new play "Swamped" in Wendell, new documentary "Hunting Yellow Pigs", and Recordville's Northampton Record Fair.

We get a preview of the Fall Festival at the Berkshire Botanical Garden, find out how the Bogin Playscape Project will improve outcomes for children in western Mass., and talk next steps on the government shutdown with Rep. Jim McGovern.

We talk to the president of Smith College about its new plan to make tuition free for some students, and tour Farmer Clark's in Hampden.

We talk to the new leader of Community Action Pioneer Valley, preview the North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival, and learn about the Arabic origins of English words with the Word Nerd.

We listen to live music with Ron Sexsmith, learn new recipes from the authors of new cookbook "Heartland Masala" and talk about apple season with Mountain Orchard.

We take a trip to Springfield Museums to learn about the third Latino Arts Festival, visit Book and Plow Farm in Amherst and describe body parts with the Word Nerd.

We celebrate 25 years of Mike's Maze in Sunderland and learn about the 2nd annual QueerCore Fest in Easthampton.