Commonwealth Conversations: The Great Outdoors

Massachusetts Apple Picking Season is On!

Anna Waclawiczek

Chief of Staff, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)

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What do Governor Deval Patrick, Sarah (pictured in the blue shorts) and little Aaliyah have in common? All love locally grown Massachusetts apples! This year’s apple crop yield is a good one  with popular varieties such as the Macintosh, Honey Crisp, and Golden Delicious in crisp-and-sweet abundance!

Governor Patrick recently joined Secretary Rick Sullivan and Representative Harold Naughton for a visit to Northborough’s Tougas Farm to voice support for local agriculture in the Commonwealth. Owner Maurice Tougas was on hand to talk about the importance of preserving working landscapes and how new technology efficiencies are helping to keep Massachusetts farmers competitive. But in between “business discussions”, there was also opportunity for the Governor to take a ride around the farm for a tractor ride and then to take a walk through the apple orchard to pick his own bag of juicy, sweet apples. “There’s not a bad apple out there,” he smiled.

Sarah had more or less the same idea on a spectacularly clear, first-fall weekend day spent at Parlee Farms in Tyngsboro. Joined by her family, not only did Sarah help pick apples, she also enjoyed a hayride into the orchard. She and her brother then tried  the hay maze and checked out tractor training school. And what would a day at a pick-your-own farm be without some savory local apple cider and apple cider doughnuts at the end? Find delicious apples at a Pick-Your-Own Farm near you!

Apple Fun Facts: The pilgrims planted the first US apple trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1623, William Blackstone planted seeds from Europe on Beacon Hill, Boston. Apples are the second most valuable fruit grown in the US behind oranges.

 

 

Finding Your Favorite Fishing Spot

Tim Purinton

Director, Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration

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The Great Outdoors Blog provides inspiration to go outside to visit Massachusetts farms, parks, and ponds. For example in previous posts I have encouraged you to visit Red Brook or Green River and explore our 10,000 miles of rivers and streams. But for now, selfishly, I want you to avoid the stream I’m about to describe.

Once you find a glorious trout water, the kind that is worthy of Trout Unlimited calendar or the glossy pages of the Fly Fishing Journal you start to get anxious about others knowing your secret and unexpectedly meeting you there.

The river as it tumbles over granite is clear as London Gin. The structure of the stream is a balance of deep-dark pools and long-lazy riffles, punctuated by thick submerged logs that hide rainbows. Hemlock shades the water keeping it cool even in the early September sun. The immediate river valley is undeveloped without a house, farm or road in sight or earshot.

We all know exceptional places that we feel inclined to share and speak volumes of; other places are so special that you want to keep them for yourself. What’s surprising is that stunning natural places can still be readily found in a densely developed and populated state like Massachusetts. So I encourage you to get out and find that spot so special you want absolutely nobody else to know about it.

Weekly Outdoor Events: Celebrate the Beginning of Fall!

Reginald Zimmerman

Assistant Press Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

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With fall underway, the Department of Conservation and Recreation is hosting three events this week to celebrate the season that signals the start of cooling temperatures, changing leaves, pumpkin pie and football!

On Saturday, September 29, the Annual Fall Festival is taking place at the Breakheart Reservation in Saugus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  There’ll be scarecrow making, face painting, balloon sculptures and arts and crafts. And you’ll be able to learn about Native American song, story and dance!

On Sunday, September 30, Belle Isle Park is holding the Harvest Festival from 1 to 3 p.m. Swing by to see live animals, take a hayride, decorate a pumpkin and listen to live music! It’s free fun for the whole family.

Sunday is also the day of the Fall Fest at the Webb Memorial State Park in Weymouth. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., learn how cider is made; go on the Fall Foliage Walk and learn how to make candles.

Celebrate Massachusetts Agriculture Fairs

Commissioner Gregory C. Watson

Commissioner, Department of Agriculture Resources (DAR)

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For 49 years, the Oakham Youth Agricultural Fair has been a place where girls, boys, young men and women come to show the animals, veggies and plants they’ve lovingly grown.  Eva Grimes, one of the fair’s co-founders still attends wearing her T-shirt sporting the outline of the Massachusetts map.  It bore the question: “whereinhellis Oakham?”  The sales of T-shirt sales help support the fair. Another source of revenue is the Oakham phone book that is published and sold by the town’s youth. 

Commissioner Watson and Eva Grimes, co-founder of the Oakham Youth Agricultural Fair

I visited this jewel of a fair one sunny Saturday morning this month and instantly fell in love with the look, feel and pace of this great example of a proud Massachusetts tradition. I also recently visited the Truro Agricultural Fair to partake in the “Zuchinni500” 2012 Race. 

I consider state agricultural fairs a great Massachusetts tradition because, according to Massachusetts Agricultural Fairs Association, the first agricultural fair in the U.S. was held in Pittsfield in 1814. Today Massachusetts hosts 40 annual agricultural fairs. They fall into one of five categories:  major fairs, community fairs, youth fairs, livestock shows and grange fairs. I wish I could visit each one every year! Each is unique but all are bound together by the common thread of the Commonwealth’s rich and proud agrarian heritage.

I enjoy each kind, but must admit I have a special fondness for our youth-oriented fairs firmly anchored in and supported by community that help inspire young people to pursue careers in agriculture. I believe that it is absolutely vital to do all that we can to support the next generation of Massachusetts farmers. Fairs help jumpstart and sustain “ag-passion” in young people.

Casual observers may miss the multidimensional nature of Massachusetts’s agricultural fairs. Visit a few this year while there’s still time and you will be amazed by their ability to simultaneously celebrate, educate, entertain, nourish and inspire. To find the listing of agricultural fairs in Massachusetts for the 2012 season, click here. Enjoy!