Farm happenings:
These days there is a tremendous amount happening on the farm. Between work in the field, on farm structures, and on the farm house, there are many people involved in making this endeavor a success.
Our first planting in the field took place on May 7th with a few rows of kale getting in the ground. Since then we’ve followed with lettuce, onions, scallions, cabbage, potatoes, peas, beans, fennel, beets, radishes, chard, corn, leeks, basil, parsley, arugula, spinach and so on. Hot season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and melons are soon to follow.
The farm has seen many improvements in infrastructure. As of early May we have a new greenhouse, a most welcomed addition to the farm. We also now have a farm truck, a rental tractor (with a tractor of our own coming soon), a deer fence in construction, a cooler and wash station for the produce being worked on, and an equipment shed being built. Our irrigation has been established thanks to a new well and a system designed to use water efficiently and effectively. All of this is great progress in creating a sustainable farm.
There has been great help from individual volunteers coming to the farm as well as a few groups of people. Last weekend Cub Scout Pack 902 spent a couple hours on the farm planting sunflowers, corn, beans and potatoes after removing rocks from the field and piling them up at the edges for use in future projects. Also, a group of students from Yale spent a weekend on the farm in mid-May. They started off with some hard work digging trenches to plant potatoes, and finished off sowing many seeds both in the greenhouse and in the field.
Many thanks those groups and to all the individuals who have come to help at the farm. Also, we are most appreciative of Andy Bozzuto at 3B Ranch in Northford for lending us greenhouse space for two months, allowing us to get plants started for the farm.
Check out what’s happening at the farm.
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Produce distribution:
The first distribution of produce is tentatively set for Tuesday, June 22 and Friday, June 25. You will be notified
should there be any change. Please come between 2:30pm and 6:30pm on your designated pick up day.
Here is what you can expect:
In the first few weeks of distribution the share of produce will be simple and light. As we move deeper into
summer the bounty should increase, allowing you to take home a greater variety of produce. There will be some
crops that you can pick yourself, including green beans, and cherry tomatoes. When such “U-pick” crops are
available, there will be instructions at the farm as to how to proceed. Please be prepared to bring your own bags
for produce. Canvas bags, paper bags and plastic bags all can be used to take home your produce. If you have a
stash of extra bags you’d like to bring to the farm, we’d be happy to have them.
I look forward to seeing you all at the farm.
Best,
Farmer Steve