gmail - october 2013 newton farmer · 10/6/2016 · october 22 – cheesemaking, elsa and tom...

6/21/2016 Gmail - October 2013 Newton Farmer

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Jenn Martin <[email protected]>

October 2013 Newton Farmer

Newton Community Farm <[email protected]> Wed, Oct 2, 2013 at 11:45 AM

ReplyTo: Newton Community Farm <replyd9bae96d54f5f4dbb17b[email protected]>

To: [email protected]

October, like September, continues the harvest season. But steady progress on the

barn is the big change. See Peter Barrer’s article and Margaret Mallory’s photos

below.

Susan Tornheim

Newsletter Editor

From the FarmerSigne and I celebrated Mabon, the fall

equinox, by planting. We planted lettuce,

chard, bok choi, broccoli rabe, kohlrabi,

radishes, arugula, and beets. We didn’t

get to the spinach or the “hail Mary”

zucchini planting that day but got them

in the ground after the weekend.

The fall equinox is often a bittersweet

time: a time to gather in and celebrate

the harvest, but also a time when we

think of things dying down, preparing for

winter. The recent trend toward year

round CSAs and farmers’ markets, however, runs counter to this. Today, many

farmers are just gearing up for another “season,” but one that doesn’t start until the

fall equinox. They’re still packing their root cellars with roots, winter squash, and other

durable crops grown in the summer as they used to, but added to this they’re planting

their hoophouses and even fields with coldhardy crops that can be harvested all

winter and into the spring.

At NCF we spent the equinox planting our field, and in the coming weeks we’ll be

filling the hoophouses with lettuce, chard, spinach, mesclun, and other hardy greens.

As a farmer I find this trend toward, as Elliot Coleman calls it, “farming the back side

October 2013



of the calendar” both exciting and disturbing. I’m excited because we’re really startingto recognize the potential that exists, even in a place like New England, for producingand eating local food yearround. I also find the challenges of wintergrowing exciting.It stretches my skills as a grower, forcing me to experiment and learn new things. It’sa great, and fun, challenge.

But I also find certain aspects of themove toward yearround growingpotentially disturbing. There’s a naturalcycle of work and rest, growth andcontraction, to the world. As farmerswho are thought to be attuned to therhythms of nature, are we breaking faithwith these cycles? While one of thesecrets of winter growing isunderstanding these very cycles andworking within their parameters(selecting coldhardy varieties andtiming plantings so the plants are at theoptimal size for surviving the cold or being big enough to harvest before the days gettoo short for them to grow anymore), we’re working within the parameters in order toget around them. We’re keeping the soil in production when it’s supposed to beresting. And speaking of resting, we’re forcing ourselves, the farmers, to work at atime when we would normally be resting as well. How sustainable is it to never allowthe land, or ourselves, to take a break?

I suppose, like anything, navigating this conundrum requires balance. And that’s whatthe equinox is all about—a time of balance. Despite my worries I’m strongly in favorof yearround growing. But that conviction is coupled with an equally strong belief thatgrowing on the back side of the calendar needs to be offset by changes in what weexpect from our fields and ourselves in the summer. Winter growing shouldn’t be away to continue to ramp up production, but a way to the work of making a farmprofitable over more months, and at the same time, help build a stronger local foodeconomy by making more fresh produce available more of the year.

After spending the equinox planting, my family, friends, and I sat outside by the fireenjoying a spectacularly beautiful fall evening. The sky was clear and the moon brightand huge. I didn’t feel any of the bittersweetness I often do at this time of year, justhappiness and gratefulness for living in such a beautiful place. Which is another thingthe equinox is all about: gratefulness for the abundance that sustains us. I lookforward to taking the abundance in a new direction as we begin our endeavor intoyearround growing. I hope that you have a chance to get out and enjoy the beauty ofcrisp, clear New England night skies this fall.

Greg MasloweFarmer

Farm NewsOur annual Fall Festival was a HUGE success! We could not have asked for a betterfall day. I am excited to report that more than 1,300 people attended this year, whichis more than we have ever had. Special thanks go to all of the generous localbusinesses who supported us. Our sponsors were The Village Bank, Sotheby’s, andCentre Realty Group. Our musical entertainment was Finally Friday and Julia Priest.



The Farm Grill prepared a deliciouseggplant salad using farmgrowneggplant and garlic. Iggy’s Bread of theWorld donated rolls and croissants,Trader Joe’s gave us apple cider andlemonade, and Starbucks donatedcoffee. Rosenfeld’s provided bagels andcream cheese, and Fresh City donatedsalads and smoothies. Thanks also goto our fabulous CSA members whobaked up a delicious spread of treats.

This event would not have beenpossible without Dede Vittori, GregMaslowe, Signe Porteshawver, AlisonWilson, and Margaret and Ken Mallory,the event photographers. Nor would ithave taken place without the help ofmany wonderful volunteers. Heartfeltthanks to Jon Orren, who prepared andgrilled the locally grown corn; RuthLederman, who coordinated thevolunteers at the festival; and BeckyLeiter, who spearheaded the verypopular pumpkin decorating again thisyear. Sincere thanks to all of the volunteers who made this day such a success:Marie Longo, Jennifer Brooks, Barney Kezell, Arnie Bauchner, Rachel Rosner, TaylorKay Green, Ginna Vogt, Jessica Brooks, Jen Lehrman, Marysol MasseMakimura,Sam Fogel, Margaret Fogel, Marti Breiden, Kayla Ucciferri, Alex Ucciferri, DanScheib, Lisa Fitch, Rachel White, Audrey Cohen, Liz Reilly, Amy Sellke, Claire Cane,Linda Huang, Paul Gerrity, Jen Cusack and her two sons, Tommy Scheib, RheaBasileMaslowe, Jessica BasileMaslowe, and our student volunteers from LasellCollege.

LumièreOur annual farmtotable dinner will be on Tuesday evening, October 15, at Lumière,1293 Washington St., West Newton. Appetizers start at 6 p.m., and dinner will beserved at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will have four courses with wine pairings and locally grownvegetables from area farms, including Newton Community Farm. Vegetarian andvegan options are available for all courses. To see the menu click here. [email protected] if you have questions.

Time: 6 to 9 p.m. Cost: $150 per person (patron and sponsor tickets also available) Register: Click here

Looking Ahead Remember Halloween on the Farm on Friday, October 25.

Mara Gorden [email protected]

Education



I recently spent some time in the Learning Garden. On this occasion I was notleading Farm Sprouts on the hunt for insects, flowers, or signs of fall, nor was I tryingto encourage 13 to 14 year olds that weeding was really fun. Instead it was just meand the Learning Garden.

I started off picking cherry tomatoes, and whilelooking for the perfect ones, under the leaves andhidden in the vines, I was reminded me of being achild back in England and going out pickingblackberries. The excitement of finding thatperfect one that was just hidden away, thatsomeone else may have missed. Pint tub filled, Iembarked on a weeding project and got familiarwith a range of critters―ants, earwigs, spiders,and even a woolly caterpillar that decided it wasgoing to take a stroll up my leg. I dug, pulled, andteased weeds and roots out of the soil. I got dirtunder my fingernails, up my nose, and goodnessknows where else, but it was perfect. Eventually Icleared the area, and I had this wonderful senseof achievement. I could actually see what all myhard work had accomplished. I may have beensore and unable to move the following morning,but I enjoyed every single minute of it. I alsogained a greater appreciation for the work of Gregand Signe. Being a farmer is hard work!

So what do we have for you this coming month?

October 19 – Fall Tree Walk, Marc Welch Fall in New England brings an array of colors. Join us at this beautiful time of year asMarc Welch, Newton’s official arborist, takes us on a guided tree walk.

October 20 – Healing Herbs, Signe Porteshawver Learn how to make your own tinctures, oils, and salves using medicinal plants fromthe farm.

October 22 – Cheesemaking, Elsa and Tom Lawrence Fresh, delicious ricotta and mozzarella cheeses are simple to make and requirerelatively little time. Learn how by participating in making both kinds of cheese.

October 25 – Halloween on the Farm This funfilled family event includes traditional crafts, games, songs, and stories. It isthe perfect way to start your Halloween celebrations!

November 4 and 11 – Beer Brewing, Sam Fogel Make your first batch of beer and be totally surprised at how great it tastes.

For more information or to register for any of these programs please visit our Website at www.newtoncommunityfarm.org.

Alison Wilson Education Coordinator



Barn Renovation UnderwayThe contractor has made significantprogress in the past six weeks inreinforcing the foundations of the barn.New concrete footings and steel posts inthe lower level have been put in, and thestone wall supporting the futurescreened meeting room has beencapped and stabilized. The roughwooden planks that historically formedthe floor on the main level have beencarefully removed and are in the shopfor refinishing. Each piece is beingplaned to a uniform thickness, then allwill be reinstalled as the finished floor inthe next few months. This step of the barn renovation willprepare the interior for public use forcommunity education, workshops, andevents. Funded through Newton’s CommunityPreservation Act process, the projectwill install heating, electrical, lighting,and fire alarm systems and bathrooms,refinish the main floor, and providehandicapped access to the main barnlevel.

The farm’s Board is planning to raisefunds to complete the project with ademonstration kitchen, a farmmanager’s office, a sprinkler system,and additional workshop space in ascreened meeting room, to be installedafter the current project is completed.

Peter Barrer Building Committee Chair

An Apple a DayThis year the orchard gave us 150 pounds of Liberty, Crimson Topaz, Empire, andHoneycrisp apples. Goldrush will give us another 20 pounds in late October. Theapples are for sale at the farm stand, and they are delicious.

Sam Fogel

Introducing Alex Ucciferri, NCF TreasurerThis summer Alex Ucciferri became the Treasurer of Newton Community Farm. Hebrings more than 20 years of accounting, finance, tax, humanresource management,and operations experience. He currently works for a CPA firm and also maintains his



own consulting business. Alex has a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts,

Boston, and is a member of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs. Alex enjoys

cooking, dining out, music, movies, travel, mindless TV shows, and spending time

with his family, daughter, and girlfriend.

Art in BloomNewton Community Farm’s vision

includes preserving open space so the

public can enjoy the land. Members of

the Newton Watercolor Society recently

did that by spending a sunny Saturday

morning painting pictures and taking

photos of the farm’s beautiful landscape.

A group of painting enthusiasts set up

their chairs and easels on the sidewalk

on Winchester Street and then spent

several hours capturing the scenery, as

exemplified by the accompanying photo

of a painting by Katalin Sprang.

One of the group’s members, Nancy DuVergne

Smith, commented on the many shades of green

in the field and the contrasting red barn in back.

The varied features of the farm and the

compelling panoramic view offered different

perspectives for the artists to draw from.

Newton Watercolor Society meets monthly

(usually the second Saturday). In spring, summer,

and fall the group typically hosts outdoor painting

sessions at a location in Newton or in the

surrounding area. During winter months the group

arranges for models to sit for figure drawing

and/or painting. The group also takes day trips to

museums, offers live demonstrations by

accomplished local watercolorists, and hosts two

multiday workshops in Newton by master

watercolorists. For more information about this

group, please go to their Web site.

Dede Vittori



Painting by Katalin Sprang

Sharing the BountyThe Newton Community Farm has beena resource for Community SupportedAgriculture (CSA) sharers with altruisticintentions. During last year’s farmseason, CSA sharers Joan Balaban andAmy Silberstein brought food each weekfrom the Newton Community Farm tothe Centre Street Food Pantry, whichgives Newton families access tonutritious food. Joan and Amy, whodescribe themselves as midcareerprofessionals who were looking for away to give back to the community,began planning their project three years ago. “The issue of food insecurity keptcoming up in our interviews,” they said. “We talked with farmers who let us know they had excess food, and we wonderedhow we could get food from those who grow it to those who need it.” Now that theyhave partnered with the Newton Community Farm, they “are able to bring freshvegetables to those in the community who may not have access to them.” Dependingon the season, these vegetables include corn, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, andeggplant.

Similarly, CSA sharer Claire Caine has been bringing vegetables from NCF to theNewton Food Pantry for the past three years. She describes herself as this project’s“courier.” The Newton Food Pantry, located in Waban, gives needy Newton residents



three days’ supply of food once amonth. Claire has been heavilyinvolved with the farm since itsfirst year. In addition to being oneof the farm’s first CSAshareholders and driving itsproducts to the Newton FoodPantry, she has installed anirrigation system for the orchardand taught cooking classes forchildren. “The farm is a wonderfulresource for the city’s residents,”she said. “It has improved thequality of our life.”

Peter Diamond

The Fall Run

As a gardener who loves to fish, I love fall. Fall is when the bigger ocean fish start tohead south and fill up on bait before their long trip south. It is often the best fishing ofthe year, and you do not need to wake up at 3 a.m. in order to catch them. The samecan be said about your fall garden. It is time to harvest your bounty and do your bestto save what you can for our long winter. If you have not tried canning, now is thetime to do it. As I write this, my wife, Barbara, is upstairs cooking down 10 pounds ofapples she bought at the farm stand and farmers’ market. I will can the apples forapplesauce later in the day. Also my son, Sam, has been working at the Tuesdayfarmers’ market. At the end of each market he goes around to each stand and asksfor any leftover tomatoes. This has resulted in about 50 quart jars of tomato sauce inour basement.

If you have not tried canning, youshould. I go to China Fair on NeedhamStreet to buy my Ball jars. The directionsfor canning are on the back of the box,or you can Google them. It is a greatSunday afternoon activity, and you canwatch sports or enjoy other activitieswhile your sauce cooks down. Thegrowing season is not over, so don’tgive up. There are still lots of wonderfulcrops at our farm stand, and with thenew hoophouse we should have plentyof vegetables until well after the firstfrost. Also now is a great time to plant

garlic and other bulbs for next year. I wait until later in the season to buy my flowerbulbs; they go on sale for 50 percent off around November, and it is not too late to



plant them at that time. So enjoy the shorter cooler days, keep eating those fresh

greens, and do try canning them for the cold days ahead. For you firsttime canners,

let me know how it goes.

Bon Appetit!

Barney Keezell

RecipesBeets are being harvested now, and beet soup is a favorite at our house, although we

often wear purple overshirts when we eat it to mask stains! Check out Sweet Beet

Soup on the farm’s wiki. The recipe calls for orange juice, honey, and vinegar to give

the soup its sweet and sour flavor.

Susan Tornheim

Farm Stand and Farmers' MarketThe farm stand on Winchester Street is open Tuesday through Friday from 2 to

sunset and on Saturdays from 10 to 2. You can find out what's for sale by checking

NCF's Web site or our Facebook page, or by following us on Twitter (@NCFtweets).

Visit NCF’s produce stand at the Friday Newton Farmers’ Market from noon to 5 p.m.

at 295 California St., American Legion Post 440, in the parking lot. The market

continues every week into the fall.

VolunteersVolunteer hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9 to noon. Time

working on the farm counts for CSA work hours. October is the last month for

volunteer hours, and the last chance for CSA sharers to fulfill their work requirement

doing field work.

Please contact us if you have any questions about this newsletter or ideas for futureissues, or if you want to be added to our mailing list. Just email Susan Tornheim [email protected]. For more information about the farm, email our farm manager,Greg, at [email protected] or check out our Web page atnewtoncommunityfarm.org (or click on the image at the top of the page).

updates on class listings, events, NCF news, and more!

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Newton Community Farm 303 Nahanton Street Newton, Massachusetts 02459

gmail - october 2013 newton farmer · 10/6/2016 · october 22 – cheesemaking, elsa and tom...

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