Winter share 3!

Winter Share 3

We are in full on winter mode on the farm these days. The eclectic fence is down the critters are reclaiming the fields. There has been a lot of deer and coyote evidence left in the soft soil in the form of foot prints and scat. For the last winter CSA we will be pulling primarily from the root cellar. The share includes vegetables that will store well in the crisper draws of your refrigerator or in a cool dark cabinet for weeks to come.

bagging up garlic, shallots, and garlic for
the winter share

Canada geese migrating south

Next week your farmers will be busy attending the New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference in Manchester New Hampshire. Winter is a time for us to focus on professional development and the NEVF Conference draws experts from across New England and beyond. This year some of the more interesting workshops include "Results from our Carrot & Beet Variety Trials", "Managing Canada Goose, Starling, & Blackbird Damage at Farms in New England", "Laser Scarecrows: Gimmick or Solution?", and "Comparison of Reduced Tillage Strategies for Small-Scale Organic Vegetable Systems", to name a few. There is also a large trade show where we are able to view the latest developments in equipment and seed development. Something that I love about farming is that there is always more to learn and there are people working hard on their farms or running research projects at their university problem solving the issues that we all face in our effort to grow healthy delicious fruit and vegetables here in New England.

Friendly reminder the CSA and farm stand hours are:

Friday 2-6, December 8th

Saturday 10-2, December 9th

We are entering deep winter on the farm and the farm stand will be closed until further notice but keep an eye on the blog for popup farm stand events through the winter and spring.


Special guests at the farm this week:

Jordan Bros. will be here Friday from 2-6 and will continue to be here every Wednesday with their high quality fish and chowders!

Bibi's will have their delicious fresh baked breads on Saturday

In the Farm Stand:

We will be selling bulk carrots and beets in the farm stand on Friday and Saturday. In addition we are offering cases of tomato puree at a special a bulk price. We also have a limited supply of eggs!!!

In the share:
Leeks
Onions
Shallots
Garlic
Beets
Kohlrabi
Carrots
Radishes
Potatoes
Turnips
Sweet Potatoes
Butternut

Your Farmer,

Zannah


 

Powisset Happenings!

Whether you like it or not, it is officially the holiday season and not only do we have a lot of programs and events coming up, our office is now a gift basket factory and we are here to make your holiday shopping a little easier! We are offering both a Farm-themed and Forest-themed baskets. Both include a Trustees Family level membership in addition to awesome goodies such as Powisset Farm tomato puree, Didi Emmons' book Wild Flavors, a whisk, tea towel, and more!

Order a gift basket today (by emailing me at nnacamuli@thetrustees.org) and share a little bit if the outdoors with friends and family. 

Join us on the 2nd night of Hanukah (Wed, Dec. 13th) as we use Powisset root veggies to make latkes. After our cooking is done in the kitchen and we officially smell like grease, we will use mason jars to make these beautiful lanterns (see photo on the right). To sign up, click here!

Please note that our Winter Solstice Fondue Night on Dec. 21st is now SOLD OUT!

Looking for something to do with your kiddos during vacation week? On Wednesday and Thursday, December 27th & 28th, we will be in the kitchen making cookies (on the 27th) and making pizza and playing board games (on the 28th). We hope you join us for these festive days where we crave the warmth of the kitchen and the convivial atmosphere of the farm.

We hope to see you at one or all of these programs!

Powisset Happenings!

On Wednesday, we hosted 30 volunteers from The Trustees' Charles River Valley here at Powisset Farm These volunteers do everything from teach cooking classes to clear trails to harvest squash, and so much more. We thank all of these individuals as we could not do our jobs without their time and energy. If you are interested in volunteering for at Powisset or at one of the other Trustees properties, visit our web site to see what's available.

Join us for the many events and programs happening here in December! We have a little something for everyone.

Dec. 2nd: Middle Eastern Baking Workshop

Dec. 6th: 'Tis the Season for...Wreath Decorating

Dec. 13th: Latkes & Lanterns

Dec. 21st: Winter Solstice Fondue Night

And during School Vacation Week, we will be hosting 2 programs to keep your kiddos out of trouble!

Dec. 27th: Warm Cookies for a Cold Day

Dec. 28th: Pizza & Board Games

Did you know that we rent out our space for private parties and events? Check out our web site for pricing and options.

Winter Share 2




Amazing breads from Bibi Café and Bakery
will be available again this Saturday

Hi Folks,

There is a lot of information in this weeks blog. Please take the time to read it all the way through. It will be a few minutes well spent.

This is the second installment of the winter CSA blog.
CSA pickup is this Friday, November 17th from 2-6 and Saturday, November 18th from 10-2. You can come either day to pick up your share.
We have a few winter shares still available for purchase at the prorated rate of $100. Please email me at zporter@thetrustees.org if you would like to sign up.


Covering up the broccoli with floating row cover
to protect it from the hard freeze

This past weekend we experienced some extreme cold temperatures which had an effect on the leafy green crops still in the fields. We worked hard last week to harvest crops the last of our storage crops and we covered our leafy greens with row cover to try to insulate it from the extreme cold. Sadly the spicy greens, cauliflower, chard, celery, and lettuce were all wiped out by the freezing temperatures. Fortunately our hardier crops like spinach and broccoli made it through and will be included in this weeks share.


2018 Summer CSA sign ups are live! If you sign up this week we will mail you a $10 gift certificate to the farm stand as a thank you.
Click on this link to sign up:
https://secure3.convio.net/ttor/site/SPageServer?pagename=powissetfarmcsa18
There are a few changes to the 2018 pick up schedule including later pick up hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

In the farm stand:

We have several special guests joining us for the winter share. Jordan Brothers Seafood is present every Wednesday through the winter as well as on Friday's of the winter share. Their fish is second to none in it quality.








On Saturday we will also have outstanding freshly baked breads and treats from BiBi Café and Bakery. Last week I bought a jar of their carrot jam. It was a big hit at my house.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and Bushel + Crumb has you covered with a whole selection of pies from classics like Pumpkin to creative interpretations like Salted Honey Walnut. Take the stress out of Thankgiving, free up your oven, and let Bushel + Crumb do the baking!
Pie Varieties

• Classic Pumpkin
• Salted Honey Walnut
• Wild Maine Blueberry Maple (available fresh and frozen, unbaked)
• Caramel Apple Cranberry (available fresh and frozen, unbaked)
• Savory Winter Squash, Caramelized Onion, and Goat Cheese

Ordering:
Check out our website (www.bushelandcrumb.com/thanksgiving) to see the full description of pie varieties and place your order by Friday November 17th.
Pickup:

 

Pies will be available for pickup at Powisset Farm on Saturday November 18th and Tuesday, November 21st.

Contact Simca at info@bushelandcrumb.com with any questions about Thanksgiving pies.

Winter carrots are the sweetest carrots

In the share this week.
This weeks share is quite substantial with lots of diversity:

Broccoli
Scallions
Leeks
Sweet Potatoes
Spinach
Potatoes
Onions
Shallots
Garlic
Cabbage
Apples
Butternut Squash
Carrots
Daikon and watermelon radishes
Shoshito Peppers
Purple Top Turnips
Kohlrabi
Beets
PYO
Herbs

Tally Ho! - A Stirrup Cup with the Norfolk Hunt Club

Enjoy the pageantry of the centuries-old tradition of the sport of fox-hunting, by watching the Norfolk Hunt as it rides through Powisset Farm and Noanet Woodlands. The Norfolk Hunt Club, founded in 1895, is one of the oldest drag foxhunting clubs in the U.S. Powisset and Noanet were originally owned by Amelia Peabody, an early member of the Norfolk Hunt. the foxhounds follow a drag scent (no live foxes participate) through woods and fields, followed by beautiful horses with riders dressed in traditional foxhunting attire. Horses and riders will stop at Powisset to greet spectators, enjoy a stirrup cup and then proceed to Noanet Woodlands. A perfect event for families. Follow the hunt in Noanet or spend the rest of the day on the farm!
.
Spectators should plan to be in the Powisset field at 1:00 p.m. to watch the horses arrive.  Noanet Woodlands will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. during this event.

Your farmer,

Zannah




 

 

 

 

 

CSA Winter Share 1

Hi folks,

Caterpillar munching on celery

We are shifting gears this week at Powisset. The hectic pace we have been sustaining since early June is slowing. Our days are now filled by some harvesting but mostly bigger single focus projects like cleaning out the hay loft where we cured onions and planting garlic for next year. Yesterday we spent the afternoon re-pinning the floating row cover that was blown around by Sunday nights storm. We carefully watch the weather this time of year (all times of year actually) and make sure we have the tender green crops covered with row cover and protected from frost. We have yet to have the temperatures dip below the mid 30's at Powisset this fall which means many crops are still out in the fields and growing. We are beginning to put the farm to rest for the winter. I surveyed the farm yesterday and was struck by how quickly this process occurs this time of year. Just a few weeks ago practically every field still had crops actively growing now over half the farm is seeded to cover crops, holding the soil in place for the winter and adding vital nutrients to the earth for next years crops to harness.



Beneficial insects are a sign of diversity and health in our fields 

We have shifted to our early winter farm stand hours which are listed below. The farm stand is still well stocked with items like Powisset's own tomato puree, amazing local honey and jams, local hot sauce, and salad dressings. We will also have bulk potatoes for sale this week in the stand. Keep an eye out for other bulk crops for sale in the farm stand in the coming weeks.

We have some special guests joining us for the winter share as well. We will have freshly baked breads from Bibi's for sale on Saturday's. Jordan Bros. Seafood will be at the farm on Wednesdays through the winter as well as on the Fridays that the farm stand is open.


The farm stand is open during these days and times:
Friday: 11/3 2-6
Saturday: 11/4 10-2

Rye and vetch cover crop sprouting in on of our fields

Friday: 11/17 2-6
Saturday: 11/18 10-2

Friday: 12/8 2-6
Saturday 12/9 10-2

This week marks the start of our winter share. You have the choice of picking up on either Friday 2-6 or Saturday 10-2.

In this weeks share:
Sweet potatoes
Cabbage
Potatoes

Diane, Phil, and Jared taking care of business

Garlic
Onions
Scallions
Chard
Spicy greens
Hot peppers
Butternut squash
Carrot
Spinach
Lettuce
Celery

PYO:
Herbs

Your farmer,

Zannah

Summer CSA: Week 20

Canada Geese migrating through

Howdy folks,

I spent most of today hustling around the farm on various tractors with various tractor implements attached to them tilling the fields preparing them for cover crops. With lots of rain in the forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday, today was the perfect day to spread seed with the hopes that it will germinate quickly with the coming rain. We still have crops in the fields; we are taking advantage of the mild fall and additional moisture to allow root crops, like purple top turnips and storage radishes, to put on as much size as possible before we harvest them.



Bella, Bonnie, and Betsy are back on pasture for the fall

This week marks the end of the summer share. We have spent the last seven months seeding, tilling, transplanting, weeding, fertilizing, irrigating, weeding some more, and harvesting. And most importantly sharing the bounty with you each week. The CSA works because you invest in us, in this farm, and in local agriculture. We hope the experience you've had this season, being part of this special community, was meaningful in a way that a grocery store just can't match. Our work would not be possible without you. Thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing you in the spring. Or for the winter share which starts nest week!

You can keep the veggies flowing into December by signing up for a winter share. It's not too late, we still have a few left!  For more information and to sign up, follow this link: https://secure3.convio.net/ttor/site/SPageServer?pagename=PowissetFarmCSA.

Rye and vetch cover crop seed

The farm stand will also be open during winter share hours. Throughout the winter share we will continue to have delicious veggies, apples,  meats, honey and other dry goods available. I am also really excited to announce that we will have freshly baked breads from Bibi's Café and Bakery available on Saturdays during the winter share.

Winter share and farm stand schedule for November and December:

Friday, November 3 from 2-6PM, or Saturday, November 4 from 10AM-2PM
Friday, November 17 from 2-6PM, or Saturday, November 18 from 10AM-2PM
Friday December 8 from 2-6PM, or Saturday, December 9 from 10AM-2PM
(you can get your share either Friday or Saturday of each pickup weekend)

To mark and celebrate the end of the summer CSA we will be busting out the bicycle-powered cider press on Saturday. Come crush some apples, sip some cider, and celebrate with your farmers.

In the share this week:
Sweet potatoes
Potatoes
Carrots
Onions
Garlic
Lettuce
Radishes
Spicy greens mix
Spinach

PYO:
The herb garden is open. Folks are invited to pick what they will use in the hot peppers. You can still get a few sweet bites in the raspberry patch as well

Your farmers,

Zannah, Andrew, Diane, Jared, and Phil



 

Summer CSA: Week 19!

Howdy folks,

This is week 19 of the Summer CSA. This means it is the last week of the summer share for half share folks who's name starts A-L. It has been a real joy to share in the harvest with you all this season!

This week we have another guest author. Jared has been a critical member of the farm team, honing his craft, as an apprentice.


Jared preparing to load winter squash

 

 

This is an ode to the creatures behind the scenes.
First the earthworm from which all farm life springs:
nature’s squirmy tractor and great recycler.
Here comes the toad, the colossus of the kale,
throwing beetles into his slimy gullet.
The ancient snapping turtle wants nothing
from our crops. She climbs from the swamp
to field edge and warns the farmhand
to mow no further, her eggs are near.
Here comes the swarm of pests, mice
dart over winter squash and beetles suck the
life from collards and tomatoes with bendy straws.
Unprompted, the farmer’s forces counter:
the cat and hawk, the ladybug and toad.
We catch glimpses of this action in the field,
but most of it happens while we’re away.
The coyotes are out playing and yapping,
they can sneak past the electric fence or
just don’t care, a watermelon is worth the jolt.
Guardian of the Greenhouse, Simba mistakes a skunk for
his brother and gets a more than a noseful.
Lastly the honeybee, who transmutes
the earthstuff of the worm into ambrosia.
Fruits fill our kitchen with laughter and joy.
Powissett Farm is the paper on which this
great comedy is written. Sometimes we forget
that these actors share the same food as us.
We give thanks to them and they return grace.

Jared

This week I have been travelling for a dear friends wedding. I left last Wednesday and I returned late Monday evening. I was gone for just a few days but a vast amount of change can take place on the farm in such a short amount of time. I have heard through the farmer network that I missed our first frost and with temperatures dipping down in to the mid 30's tonight the fields are ripe for a good frost. That is all to say my vegetable list for this week is an educated guess of what will make it through tonight's cold weather.

Potatoes
Onions
Shallots
Sweet Potatoes
Lettuce
Spicy greens
Garlic
Beets
Radishes


2017 WINTER SHARE SIGN-UP IS OPEN!!!

Typically the winter shares include:
Onions
Shallots
Garlic
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Broccoli
Scallions
Cooking greens
Chard
Popcorn
Carrots
Cabbage
Leeks
Radishes
and more

These vegetables are distributed over the course of 3 pick-ups:

You can get your share either Friday or Saturday of each pickup weekend):
Friday, November 3 from 2-6PM, or Saturday, November 4 from 10AM-2PM
Friday, November 17 from 2-6PM, or Saturday, November 18 from 10AM-2PM
Friday December 8 from 2-6PM, or Saturday, December 9 from 10AM-2PM
 

Follow this link: https://secure3.convio.net/ttor/site/SPageServer?pagename=powissetfarmcsa to sign up online.

OR Bring payment to the farm stand: You can now register and pay for your 2017 winter share at the farm stand while you are picking up your summer share!

The farm stand will also be open during the above times!


The Trustees Winter Meat CSA is growing!

Cattle on pasture

For a second year, a full variety of sustainably-raised, grass-fed and pastured meats from Trustees farms are available from our Winter Meat CSA program. CSA shares include beef, pork, chicken, and (new this year) lamb! An add-on option for eggs is also available. The CSA runs from November through May this winter. Sign up now to reserve your share!

Winter Meat CSA pickups will include 7 lbs. of frozen meat—cuts will vary, ranging from steaks to ground beef, chops to sausage, as well as chicken. Choose the frequency that best suits your needs: every-other-week or once-a-month, beginning the week of November 7 and running through the week of May 22. Shares total either 105 pounds (every-other-week share) or 49 pounds (once-a-month share) of meat. All meat is frozen and the cuts vary each pickup with an option of adding one dozen free-range eggs. We hope provide CSA members with a chance to try some new and adventurous meals while accommodating the supper-time realities of everyday life! Pickup at Powisset Farm will be Wednesdays from 2-6.

We expect shares to sell out this winter, so don’t delay! More information is available at www.thetrustees.org/meatcsa and we’ve answered some frequently asked questions on the Meat CSA blog, http://trusteesmeat.blogspot.com/.

Your farmer,

Zannah

Powisset Happenings!

Hi All!

The Powisset blog has been very quiet on the event and program front, but we are back in action and we have lots to say!

We are in the midst of a 3 week series - a collaboration between the Dover Parks & Recreation Department & Powisset Farm. Each week is different but all weeks involve food! Last week focused on chickens & eggs. This week, we will focus on harvesting carrots. And the final week is pumpkin whoopie pies as we prepare for Halloween! To prepare for next week's whoopie pies, I made these over the weekend, based on the recipe by Renato Poliafito (see the 11/11 class below). Yum!





We have several events & programs happening this fall which can all be found here or click on the specific links below:
10/29: Powisset Farm Trail Run: whether you are a serious runner or only up for the 1-miler
11/4: The 4th Annual Tri-Town Hike. Hike the entire 13 miles (through Hale Reservation, Noanet Woodlands, Powisset Farm, and Rocky Woods) or one of the shorter sections.
11/8: Thanksgiving Pie Baking Class with Julia!: At this class, you will take home 2 sweet pies which you can save/freeze for Thanksgiving....or eat right away!
11/11: Pumpkinpalooza with Baked NYC: Join well known owner and chef of Baked (in NYC) who will lead a class focused on pumkpins. This will Renato's 2nd time at Powisset.

We hope to see you around the farm!

Summer CSA: Week 18

2017 Mobile Market Crew: Allison, Estela, Kelvin, Sadrak

Howdy Folks,

We've got really innovative and exciting programs we are cultivating at Powisset. This week our guest writer is Mobile Market Manager Allison Pekel. keep reading to learn more about the expansion of our meat CSA and winter share options!

In my 8 years as a Boston resident, I've always lived and worked in and around the city, surrounded by tall buildings and people in business suits. As much as I've enjoyed that part of my Boston life, what an absolute dream it's been to get to experience a summer at Powisset Farm! As the manager of The Trustees Mobile Farmers Market, which launched its' first season this year, I have the added benefit of getting to share some of the bounty of this gorgeous farm with the people of Dorchester and Roxbury.

The Mobile Market is a new food access venture run by The Trustees with this pilot season funded by a grant from the USDA. The project is designed to bring the same fresh, local, seasonal produce you get in your CSA shares every week, into the city where finding quality fruit and veggies can be a struggle. We try to make this produce as attainable as possible by both accepting payment from government supported programs like SNAP (Food Stamps) and WIC's Farmers Market Nutrition Program in addition to the usual cash, debit, and credit cards.

At this point you've undoubtedly seen me driving our brightly colored 16-foot Mobile Market truck up and down Powisset Street on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays on my way to and from market days. We'll be running the market until November 4th and next time you see me, feel free to swing by, say hell, and take a quick tour of the truck. We couldn't do projects like these without the support of the wonderful community  you've built up around this farm. So thank you!

For more information on the project, you can find us on Instagram @TrusteesMobile, in the new, Fall issue of Special Places or watch our CBS News broadcast! 

 
 
 

 

The Trustees Winter Meat CSA is growing!

Cattle on pasture

For a second year, a full variety of sustainably-raised, grass-fed and pastured meats from Trustees farms are available from our Winter Meat CSA program. CSA shares include beef, pork, chicken, and (new this year) lamb! An add-on option for eggs is also available. The CSA runs from November through May this winter. Sign up now to reserve your share!

Winter Meat CSA pickups will include 7 lbs. of frozen meat—cuts will vary, ranging from steaks to ground beef, chops to sausage, as well as chicken. Choose the frequency that best suits your needs: every-other-week or once-a-month, beginning the week of November 7 and running through the week of May 22. Shares total either 105 pounds (every-other-week share) or 49 pounds (once-a-month share) of meat. All meat is frozen and the cuts vary each pickup with an option of adding one dozen free-range eggs. We hope provide CSA members with a chance to try some new and adventurous meals while accommodating the supper-time realities of everyday life! Pickup at Powisset Farm will be Wednesdays from 2-6.

We expect shares to sell out this winter, so don’t delay! More information is available at www.thetrustees.org/meatcsa and we’ve answered some frequently asked questions on the Meat CSA blog, http://trusteesmeat.blogspot.com/.

In this weeks share:

Livestock manager Jesse

Pullet eggs

Spicy greens mix
Onions
Potatoes
Garlic
Scallions
Beets
Carrots
Broccoli Raab
Spinach
Winter Squash
Sweet Peppers


PYO:
Herbs
Hot Peppers
Feel free to pick cherry tomatoes, husk cherries, and tomatillos
as well. We will be turning these fields in soon to put down
cover crops.

 Your farmer,

Zannah

Summer CSA: Week 17!

Howdy folks,

Andrew mastering the
tine weeder

Where did the summer go? I can't believe that it is October already. This has absolutely been the fastest summer I have experienced as a farmer. I took my dogs for a hike to the summit of Mt. Cardigan in New Hampshire on Sunday (time and energy for such adventures is a sure sign that the season is winding down). It was the perfect New England day with a crystal clear blue sky and a hint of orange and red in the maple leaves.
With clear skies and cool temperatures we are sure to get our first frost soon. This week we will be staging row cover next to our fields of tender fall greens. Ready to pull the covers over if the temperatures dip down into the 30's. We are also continuing our sweet potato harvest. The sweet potatoes need at least 2 weeks to for the skins to toughen and the flesh to sweeten. I expect to have them in the last two weeks of the summer share as well as in the winter share.

A nest of snapping turtles
hatched this week

 2017 WINTER SHARE SIGN-UP IS OPEN!!!

 

Follow this link: https://secure3.convio.net/ttor/site/SPageServer?pagename=powissetfarmcsa

 

OR Bring payment to the farm stand!!! You can now register and pay for your 2017 winter share at the farm stand while you are picking up your summer share!!!

In the share this week:
Potatoes
Winter Squash
Onions
Garlic

I found this horned caterpillar
 in the beets

Spicy greens
Lettuce
Carrots
Peppers
Spinach

PYO:
Herbs
Hot peppers

Your Farmer,

Zannah

Summer CSA: Week 16

Howdy folks,

 

2017 Apprentices: Diane, Phil, Jared

This week you get to hear a new voice from the field. Phil is completing is first year as an apprentice at Powisset and his second year farming. I have invited other members of the farm crew to share their perspective of the farm over the next few weeks

Farming leaves me dumbfounded.　 Our crops grow big, ripe and delicious from nearly nothing.　 Sure, we expect this.　 It's the whole point.　 We spend our days ensuring this growth, doing things that have worked for millions of farmers over centuries.　 We're a skilled group at Powisset, and we expect success.　 Still, while we farm I can't shake the feeling that what we do is ridiculous, even insane - that messing around in the dirt all day cannot actually make food grow. 　

For example: we start the season with white paper envelopes filled with seeds.　 These seeds are tiny, dry, and unremarkable.　 Some look like dark grains of sand.　 Some are larger and horned and usually you'd only notice them if they became stuck inside your hiking boot.　 These lifeless bits of trash we bury in dank soil.　 We hose them down.　 The next day, we hose them down again.　 Same thing the day after that, and the next.　 Within a week or two - are you kidding me - from the spots where each seed was buried, fragile sets of matching leaves poke through the soil, waving from tender shoots.　 Pretty soon, the leaves are recognizable: there's basil, there's lettuce, kale, beets, cabbage, et cetera.　 How can I match the silly little things I did, the burying and the watering, with this miraculous result?　 You'd think I must have cast a magic spell over each seed to make life arise where no life had been.　 At the least, you'd think I must have been concentrating very hard.　 But when life began I probably wasn't even paying much attention - my mind likely wandered elsewhere, to the smells in the greenhouse, my bank account, the stiffness in my neck, or a joke from one of the knuckleheads on the farm crew. 　

Look for our new labels around the farm stand

Because I'm very new to farming, the strangeness of this job is still clear to me.　 Farmers make changes to the ecosystem which favor the seeds they've planted.　 Sometimes these changes are simple, like weeding.　 Other times they're complicated, like adding nitrogen to deficient soil.　 But no matter what changes we make, we can't take credit for the mystery at the center of what we do.　 Life starts, and food grows.　 We facilitate the mystery, but we aren't responsible for it. 　

 

Phil, 2017 Apprentice

 

This weeks share:

Scallions

Lettuce

Beets

Winter squash

Peppers

Bok choi

Garlic

Potatoes

Simba is always ready to distract with snuggles

This hot weather has stressed out the fall lettuce. This week we have to harvest it small because it is starting to bolt (go to seed) prematurely.

 

In the Farm Stand:

 

- Wild Maine Organic Blueberries: Available in 1 pound and 10 pound cotainers

- A variety of Bushel and Crumb take and bake pies

- Powisset grown Tomato Puree

- and so much more!

 

2017 WINTER SHARE SIGN-UP IS OPEN!!!

 

Follow this link: https://secure3.convio.net/ttor/site/SPageServer?pagename=powissetfarmcsa

 

OR Bring payment to the farm stand!!! You can now register and pay for your 2017 winter share at the farm stand while you are picking up your summer share!!!

 

Your farmer,

 

Zannah

 

 

Summer CSA: Week 15

Howdy folks,

We are expecting several inches of rain over the next two days. I am anticipating that the rain will wipe out the remainder of our field tomato crop (I am keeping my fingers crossed for the cherry tomatoes). I didn't put tomatoes on the list this week for that reason. On the up side, the rain is really good for our fall lettuce, radishes, arugula, and salad mixes. It is going to be a slog out there the next few days however I am grateful that hurricane Jose is weakening and I have those whose lives have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria which is currently building in the eastern part of he Caribbean.

Over the next few weeks I am handing the blog over each week to one of the farm apprentices. I am looking forward to hearing their perspectives of the farm and to take a little vacation from writing.

Winter Share sign-ups are officially open! There are 3 distribution; 2 in November and one in December.

1) November 3-4: pick up either Friday 2-6 or Saturday 10-2
2) November 17-18: pick up either Friday 2-6 or Saturday 10-2
3) December 8-9: pick up either Friday 2-6 or Saturday 10-2

The shares will be larger than our average summer shares and consist of broccoli, sweet potatoes arugula, shallots, lettuce, winter squash, onions, leeks, garlic, potatoes, popcorn, herbs, carrots, and more. The first share will have more leafy greens and as we progress into December you can expect mostly crops that store the longest such as roots (carrots, beets, radishes), tubers (potatoes, sweet potatoes), alliums (garlic, onions, shallots) and winter squash in the share. We will have recipes and storage guides to help you make the most of the winter bounty.

The link to sign up is:
https://secure3.convio.net/ttor/site/SPageServer?pagename=powissetfarmcsa

This weeks share:
Arugula
Bok Choi
Peppers
Beets
Carrots
Lettuce
Potatoes
Fennel
Eggplant


Your farmer,

Zannah

Summer CSA: Week 14

Howdy folks,

 

Still cleaning onions

Here we are at week 14 of the summer CSA. It is hard for me to believe that we only have six more weeks of the summer CSA left. This summer has really flown by. The maple trees along Powisset Street are turning their fiery reds and oranges. I hope that this year we will witness more spectacular fall colors then last year. Everything suffered with the drought last year and as I remember it the fall leaves were pretty dull.

Look for our cool new labels on items
in the farm stand

I don't have much to report from the farm from the last week. As my farm mentor Amanda used to say, with an emphasis on the "st", the weather has been outstanding the past few weeks. I love this time of year on the farm. Cool and dry. The days have been shortening for several months now but I am only starting to really notice it as we pack up after the CSA.  The last thing we do on those nights is take out the compost and close up the field gates. As we progress into fall we have to wonder into the inky darkness to complete those chores. I am ready for the farm to quiet down a bit. Fall encourages farmers to slow down and winter forces farmers to take a pause. We have just a few more bulk harvests to get out of the fields over the coming weeks. The sweet potatoes are up next. I think the popcorn will be ready in short order as well.

I have gotten lots of inquiries about the Winter CSA. It is happening again this year! Signups will be online this year. Our IT team is working on updating the website and the link to sign up will be coming in the next week or two.


In case you haven't had time to put up
your own tomatoes we have
Powisset grown pureed tomatoes
available in the farm statnd!

Harvest Fest!
Please join us for harvest fest this Saturday! The farm stand will be open and you will be able to pick up your share however the Pick Your Own Fields will be closed to picking on Saturday. There will be many vendors and events at harvest fest. The cost is member: 9/person, $24/family and non-member $15/person and $30/family. Follow the link to learn more:





http://www.thetrustees.org/things-to-do/greater-boston/event-33152.html?srregion=&srrelated_property=56508840&srevent_type=&dateType=srevent_start_date&srstartDate=&srendDate=&x=9&y=9

**Parking on Saturday will be in the event field on the other side of the barn from where you usually park for pickup**
**the CSA will be open on Tuesday and Thursday until 6:30 to offer more time this week to do your pick your own your share**



We had a special visitor while weeding beets on Thursday

In this weeks share:
Potatoes (red and blue)
Onions
Garlic
Lettuce
Arugula
Carrots
Peppers
Tomatoes (still holding on but really slowing down)
Cooking greens (the kale is still rebounding, please be patient with your farmers as we coax it back to health)

Your farmer,

Zannah