Hello everyone! Given that we are currently in a transition between Winter and Spring CSAs, we thought we’d take this opportunity to share a little buzz about some of what’s going on locally!
First of all, we wanted to say welcome back to Springdell’s farmer extraordinaires, Samuel and Jonathan. For those of you that have not met them yet, they are an integral part of the Farm Fam, making it possible for so many of us to enjoy everything that Scratch Flat has to offer. Hailing from Jamaica, Jonathan and Samuel join us usually in April, bringing the wonderful warm weather with them (just in time, the chilly weather is getting a bit dreary). Through the H2A program, they are able to stay with us throughout the season and well into November tending to the land and keeping us all well fed. The next time you are in the ‘Dell, be sure to say hello! We’ll be checking in with them throughout the season for sure.
A view of the field from the old Springdell equipment. There are onions under that layer of hay!
Though the rains can feel monotonous, we are reminded that the ground is thoroughly enjoying the long overdue drink. It will all be worth a bit of a chilly drizzle when the summertime comes!
Photo by Jamie Cruz
Springdell Farm has been taking full advantage of the weather and been busy transplanting away. We can’t wait to see these guys in a couple of months! Meanwhile, Farmer Jaime and Crew are still finding time to hold children’s programs for Earth Day, planning the big Sheep Shearing event at the end of May, planting the herb beds and about 3 zillion other things… Did I mention this bright pink sign lighting up the gloomy Littleton sky?
Photo by Jamie Cruz- best of luck tomorrow, Jamie!
Speaking of road signs, those of you driving through Westford lately have undoubtedly seen signs for Fresh Start Food Gardens, the brain child of Fat Moon’s Elizabeth Almeida and good friend Christine Berthold. These ladies had been taking Westford by storm with their goal of getting a fresh organic garden into every yard in Westford. They are well on their way to meeting that goal, recently breaking the mark of 100 gardens installed across town.
This week the raised beds went in at Westford Academy, completing the circuit of installing a garden at every school in Westford. The gardens are also being seen in the business districts in town, with one installed this week at Red Hat for the employees there. We plan to follow the progress of the gardens throughout the growing season.
Peas sprouting in Fresh Start garden bed.
Elizabeth and Christine also spend their time serving on the Agricultural Commission in town. With their Ag Comm hats on, they participated in last year’s Strawberry Festival with a photo contest featuring beautiful agricultural photos. (To see last year’s winners, click here!) This tradition will continue at this year’s Strawberry Festival on June 18th. If you have a photo to submit, check out this link. Be sure to swing by the Ag Comm booth at the Festival and cast your vote for your favorites! For more info on the contest, email Kim Liner at kpliner at gmail dot com.
The Anderson boys hard at work weeding the family plot at the Westford Community Garden
The Westford Community Gardens also opened for planting on April 30th, and the Anderson family is excited to be a part of it again this year! Opening weekend was well attended and the gardens are already looking great!
Whole Foods on Opening Day!
Many folks are very excited about the new Whole Foods Market opening, ourselves included! We thought it would be a good time to reiterate that our order of food shopping is similar to many of you: When shopping, we suggest starting at the farm stands and in the gardens, and then supplement from the markets as needed. ‘Local first’ is the unwritten code of the locavore (or maybe it’s written somewhere, we’re not sure, but it sure makes sense to us). There is so much that local farmers, gardeners and markets give that can’t be measured, in our humble opinion it’s something so incredibly special and absolutely needs to be nurtured. (If you are not sure how to make a grocery list on the fly based on the seasonal veggies, please check out Veggiescope as a means to help!)
Mother’s Day is just two days away, and if you’re short on ideas for mom, here is a fabulous last-minute one for you!
Mother’s Day Basket -available Saturday and Sunday until sold out!
Springdell has a basket for only 65 dollars (valued at WELL over that, not to mention the 10% discount for 2016 Summer CSA members)! This rustic gift basket is complete with everything you need to make a locavore’s dream breakfast in bed for the Moms in your life. I say “Moms” because there is enough in here to feed an extended family! The basket includes a pound of awesome Muddy Water Coffee, Springdell Sausage, Ham Steak and Bacon, along with Ben’s Maple Syrup and pancake mix, asparagus, spinach, one dozen of Eggs (wouldn’t fit in the picture) and a lovely daisy. What better way to say “I love you” than with a basket overflowing with lovely abd local?
If you’re looking for something to do on Saturday (after voting if you live in Littleton, of course), check out the Westford Food Truck Festival (Aka Savor in Style) at the Abbot School between 11-4pm. Many local food trucks will be serving up their wares alongside activities for the kids and kids-at-heart. Be sure to stop by fellow CSA365 blogger’s new food truck, Whisk on Wheels. It’s a great time, we hope to see you there!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this Buzz About the Farm, and if you have anything you’d like to contribute to a future Buzz, feel free to drop us a line!