Farming

04/05/2012

The fantabulous egg

Chicken eggsA growing number of communities across the Commonwealth are “a-cluck” with backyard chickens, as home hobbyists try their hand at raising small flocks of poultry. There are more than 100 recognized breeds from which to choose and six well-cared-for birds will usually lay four to five eggs per day – perfect for a hearty egg frittata or deviled eggs!  

For those less ambitiously inclined to raise chickens for egg production, there are nearly two dozen egg farms in Massachusetts where the public can go to purchase fresh, local eggs along with other available farm products. One such egg farm is Chip-in Farm located in Bedford, Massachusetts. Besides eggs, Chip-in also has a farm stand, a general store and a petting zoo! To find other egg farms go to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (DAR) Mass Grown and Fresher page.

ChickensSpeaking of wholesome locally produced food, Mass in Motion recently teamed up with DAR to produce a fun monthly newsletter featuring easy-to-make healthy recipes for families. Called ChopChop, the magazine features yummy recipes that use locally grown Massachusetts produce and products.

And what’s up for April’s ChopChop newsletter? The fantabulous high-in-protein egg of course! Click here to find fun facts and a great recipe for Baked Broccoli Frittata.

And for those looking for the Easter egg kind of fun, Bemis Farms Nursery is hosting its 12th Annual Easter Egg hunt on Saturday, April 7, 2012.

 

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Chip-in Farm



 

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03/29/2012

The spirit of spring

Although it has been a relatively mild winter, signs of spring still ignite positive energies and excitement within the Commonwealth.  Lunch breaks take a little longer and the walk to your T stop is a bit more relaxed.  To many people, springtime is about more than just an escape from the bonds of cold weather.  Springtime is the start of the birds’ mating season and the farmers’ planting season; the activities we do in our free time change and we can spend more of our day outside interacting with the nature around us.   

Today I spoke with members of the various environmental agencies to find out what they love about spring.  For Marion Larson with MassWildlife, the mating call of the American Woodcocks “peent….peent…peent,” is a clear sign of the new season.  Although SJ Port, who works with the Department of Conservation Resources (DCR), is reluctant to put her hockey gear away, she is excited to replace her skates with sneakers and take a walk along DCR's Charles River Reservation's Esplanade and hike through some of the DCR state parks.  Anna Waclawiczek, in the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR), looks forward to the busy planting season at our local farms.  Now is the time, she says, whether you are a farmer or a green thumb hobbyist to visit a garden center or nursery and get your fingers dirty with fresh planting soil.  To find local nurseries, garden centers, farmers’ markets and much more go to the MassGrown & Fresher Agri-Google map.   

What do you love about the transition into spring?  What smell, sight, or sound is most indicative to you that springtime is here?  For me it is the smell of hyacinths when I am out on a jog or walking my dogs.  Use the comment space below to share with us your thoughts.     

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03/12/2012

Weekly Outdoor Events! 3-12-12

Maple Month is in full swing! Don’t miss Breakheart Reservation’s annual Pancake Breakfast in Saugus, on March 17, from 9am to noon, where you can enjoy some delicious fresh maple syrup. Come back on Sunday March 18, from 10am-2pm for Maple Sugaring to learn about the history of maple sugaring, participate in tree identification, and even tap your own maple tree.

Interested in learning about local wildlife? Head over to Norwell for a talk on black bears, fishers and beavers in southeastern MA this Wednesday, March 14, from 7-8:30pm, brought to you by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. Or, make your way to the Dennis Conservation Land Trust for a talk on local wildlife and preventing conflict with your furry neighbors, on Saturday March 17, from 10am-1pm.

If you’re looking to get outside this week, meet at the Harold Parker State Forest headquarters in North Andover to walk the woods at 10am on Wednesday, March 14, or head over to Walden Pond State Reservation on Sunday for a Thoreau Ramble.

Educators and teachers: check out the Growing up WILD Workshops on March 13 in Newburyport, and on March 17 in Norwell, designed to help your students connect to nature.

And for more Massachusetts Outdoor Events, visit The Great Outdoors interactive Google Calendar.

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02/27/2012

Weekly outdoor events - 2/27/12

On Tuesday, please join the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife’s chief of Hatcheries, Ken Simmons, for a discussion about Trout Stream Insects.  This talk will be especially pertinent for those interested in fly fishing and/or marine habitats.  This event will take place at the South Foxborough Community Center. 

Also, don’t forget that pre-registration is still going on for the Maple Sugarin’ event in mid-March at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus.  This will be a unique opportunity to make your own maple syrup! 

We have a little less going on this week in terms of planned activities, but that does not mean you should feel confined to your houses.  Grab a pair of binoculars and visit one of the many state parks to scout for birds that stick around New England all winter. 

Or visit a local winter farmers market and try a new recipe with some local seasonal food.   Many local farmers can continue growing root vegetables, such as beets and potatoes, throughout the winter.  Food that is grown locally is better for the environment because it does not need to travel as far nor consume as many pesticides as food grown on large-scale farms far away. 

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02/14/2012

Sweet potato valentines and keeping healthly in 2012

Last month, DCR Commissioner Lambert and I blogged about a new partnership to encourage people to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout 2012.

To this end, I made a personal pledge to lose twenty pounds over ten months – in time for an autumn-planned 2K run at a DCR state park or farm location. I’m happy to report that so far – via increased physical activity and eating healthier portions of food – I’m four pounds closer towards my goal!

Fortunately, as it relates to eating, healthier choices are becoming ever easier thanks to the growing number of year-round farmers’ markets in Massachusetts.  For example, the Somerville or Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Markets offer apples, root vegetables, fresh bread, artisan cheeses, seafood, meats, poultry, eggs, local wines, and more. And if you don’t have to lose 20 pounds like I do, there is an appetizing array of baked goods and locally-made specialty foods like Coutts’ preserves, applesauce, and relishes.  Our MassGrown & Fresher website offers a complete listing of winter farmers’ markets throughout the state.

sweet potatos
This month, MassGrown & Fresher, in collaboration with ChopChop Magazine and Mass in Motion is featuring the sweet potato – a “sweet” and healthy treat for that someone special you know. One of the local farms that grow sweet potatoes is Red Fire Farm in Granby and whom we’ve spotlighted on our Faces of Massachusetts Agriculture page. Red Fire Farm is also a CSA (community Supported Agriculture).  If you haven’t already, find out more about the benefits of being a part of a CSA so you can enjoy weekly shares of fresh, local produce during the growing season.

And of course following your healthy Valentine’s Day meal, don’t forget some of the great suggestions made by DCR in our last blog such as the many Healthy Heart Trails located in over 70 state parks across the state! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Leomin_Skiing

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01/21/2012

A healthy 2012: practicing what we preach

 

Signing

On January 1st, 2012, the Departments of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Public Health (DPH), and Agricultural Resources (DAR) signed a joint resolution with the mutual goal of encouraging people to maintain a healthy lifestyle through year-round outdoor recreation and quiet enjoyment in our state parks and eating locally grown and produced agricultural products. The event was celebrated statewide at over nine locations from the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton to western Massachusetts' Mount Greylock State Reservation, where more than 1,700 visitors came out to enjoy nature and get some exercise on a beautiful winter day.

In 2012, our agencies will be promoting the physical, emotional, and nutritional health of our residents, visitors, and of course our own employees!  And one of those employees is DAR Commissioner Scott Soares. Commissioner Soares has committed to losing two pounds per month via a friendly inter-agency “Choose Two for You” challenge that will culminate with a celebration of our collective achievements at a 2K-thon challenge at a featured farm location and/or DCR state park in the fall of 2012. We look forward to seeing many of our colleagues -- including DPH Commissioner John Auerbach -- at the event!

In the meantime, we thought we’d share some of the great “Two for You” challenges we’ve sent out across the agencies:

  • Visit at least two Massachusetts state parks each season and engage in a recreational activity such as hiking, biking or walking.
  • Eat fruits and vegetables (preferably locally-grown) at least two times a day to reach the five or more daily recommended servings and include 2-3 servings of whole-grains (any food made from wheat, rice, barley, oats, or another cereal grain) each day. Go to www.choosemyplate.gov for more information.
    First Day Hike
  • For those who exceed their healthy weight (Body Mass Index [BMI] greater than 25), lose at least two pounds a month until your healthy ideal weight is reached (Please consult your physician first). Calculate your BMI at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator at least two times a week or check out other tips offered at www.mass.gov/massinmotion
  • Integrate movement into your workday at least twice every two hours e.g. a walk to the water cooler, take a lap around the office, do some stretches at your work area.  Take a longer walk in a park, along a greenway or a sidewalk during lunch.
  • Include muscle-strengthening activities two times per week.
  • Exercise for at least two days a week for 30 minutes (e.g. a brisk two-mile walk) towards achieving the recommended 2 hours and 20 minutes per week. Check out DCR’s Healthy Heart Trails in over 70 state parks across the state!
  • Add at least two new exercise routines to your current workout.
  • Try two new recreational activities this year such as canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing, mountain biking or camping.

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11/22/2011

High Above the Bogs

High above the bogsOn a beautiful autumn day in late October, we set out to learn more about Massachusetts’ largest commodity crop and Thanksgiving must-have side dish, the cranberry!

The cranberry is a native plant to North America – a small tart berry which has long established its versatility as a food, drink, fabric dye, and healing agent.

Having finally outfoxed our errant GPS, we arrived just in time to the helicopter launch area at a cranberry bog in Rochester to be transported high above expansive bright red swirls of cranberries floating in the bogs below. We could also see tucked between bogs the cranberry processing plants of Ocean Spray, Inc. and Decas Cranberry Products, Inc.

To harvest the fruit, the bogs are flooded with water.  Water reels (nicknamed egg beaters) then gently dislodge the berries from the vines. The floating berries are corralled and air-pumped into a truck and taken to nearby processing facilities.

Harvesting Cranberries

Massachusetts is home to about 400 cranberry growers who grow cranberries on approximately 14,000 acres of land located primarily in Southeastern Massachusetts. The harvest and processing of cranberries is a waste not, want not enterprise. In recent years many farmers have invested in bog renovations to improve water efficiency. In the processing facilities themselves the seeds, skin, and pulp are all processed to make different products such as juice, cranberry oil, and dried cranberries.

Cranberry BogIn touring the cranberry facility, we especially loved the bounce test.  Premium berries will bounce along specially-constructed conveyers and get tagged for the market. But even they still have to jump another hurdle as they pass through color detectors that distinguish ripe from unripe berries. The less bouncy berries go the juice processing route whereas the no-bounce berries are used for composting.

Many cranberry farms are open for visitors to purchase fresh cranberries or other products at their farm stands. Many allow visitors to watch the harvest operation up close, while a few offer tours and even the chance to get into the cranberry bog.

Touring bogsWe’d definitely recommend this great outdoor adventure. Visit the MassGrown & Fresher website to find cranberry bogs you might like to visit.  Before you make plans to visit a farm, be sure to contact the grower directly. In the meantime, get your hands on some local cranberries and try out some delicious cranberry recipes from the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association Recipes page!

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11/04/2011

Gleaning to fight hunger

Loading apples into truck2Never heard of “gleaning”? Not to worry – you’re not alone! When I tell folks about our new pilot Massachusetts Gleaning Network it’s not uncommon for people to ask, “What’s that?”

Gleaning is the act of harvesting leftover crops from farm fields and orchards that would otherwise not be harvested. Considering that these crops are quite literally the fruits of a farmer's labor, farmers are of course interested in finding opportunities for this food not to go to waste. Solution: Helping solve hunger!

The volunteers that help glean these crops provide an opportunity to move these crops from field-to- fork by harvesting and then delivering them to food pantries, food banks and other hunger relief organizations. USDA estimates about 96 billion pounds of pre-consumer food are wasted each year. With approximately 600,000 Massachusetts residents struggling to feed themselves, this is a wonderful way to recover some of this safe and nutritious food that would otherwise get thrown away.

Even though these crops are left behind, they are still fresh and good quality. There are all kinds of reasons why produce might not be marketable. Often it’s for cosmetic reasons, a blemish on an apple or a bruised squash. Sometimes the market price due has dropped below the harvest cost due to a high volume of a particular crop.

4H Club gleaners

On October 24, I joined Governor Patrick, EEA Secretary Sullivan and Congressman Jim McGovern and many enthusiastic volunteers from 4H, the Boston Area Gleaners, Project Bread and the Food Project at The Food Project Community Farm in Lincoln and the Tougas Family Farm in Northboro. Together we gleaned well over five bushels of carrots and 2,040 pounds of apples!

The Massachusetts Gleaning Network includes farms, volunteers, service agencies, food banks and other organizations – our role is to help them partner with one another in gleaning projects across our Commonwealth.

Gleaning is one of the most rewarding activities I’ve ever participated in and I hope you’ll join the effort.

For more information about the Massachusetts Gleaning Network contact Rose Arruda at 617.626.1849 or Rose.Arruda@state.ma.us.

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10/07/2011

Celebrating the cranberry harvest

CranberryBog When I think fall in Massachusetts, my mind conjures up images of the vast network of cranberry bogs that stretch across the south shore. 

The harvest itself is reason to celebrate because cranberries are so indigenous, colorful and traditional; they are a constant source of pride. With the unique wet harvesting methods employed, water floods into the bogs creating quite a spectacle. As the harvest wheel knocks the cranberries off the vines they float to the surface where they’re herded into land for picking. It makes for a stunning portrait of the New England countryside.

Cranberry scoops BCO

Nothing illustrates this unique process better than the Cranberry Harvest Festival in Wareham on October 8 - 9. It’s a wonderful year to celebrate this Massachusetts tradition, especially since the cranberry yield here is forecasted at 2.10 million barrels – up 11 percent from 2010. If production live up to estimates, it would be tied for the second largest crop on record. Favorable weather conditions during June and the first half of July aided pollination and led to a robust yield this year.

Some 14,000 acres make up the wetlands of South Eastern Massachusetts, including the cranberry bogs harvested by nearly 400 cranberry growing families. Bogs also serve as a protectorate for wetland plant and animal species. Cranberries flavor our drinks and muffins daily, and are a Thanksgiving favorite. If you have a chance, try to visit one of these bogs during harvest to see where the flavor originates. 

Use the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association website to find bogs that host visitors as well as our Mass Grown and Fresher site.

 Cranberry Photos from CD 017 

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09/02/2011

Take your Food Shopping Outside!

Gloucester Farmers' Market 032 With the local harvest season well underway, now is the perfect time to take your shopping to the great outdoors and enjoy the bounty of Massachusetts farmers’ hard work.

A recent trip to Gloucester revealed a large and festive farmers’ market in Stage Fort Park overlooking Gloucester Harbor. 

With lots of room and over two dozen vendors or more setting up each week, the market offers a wide variety of farm and food products, including produce, fresh fish (right off the boat), two wineries, baked goods, honey, maple products, and mushrooms. Market vendors also include a wide variety of locally made specialty foods including pasta, soups, tarts, dips, prepared foods and more. Several artists from the Gloucester art community show their wares as well.

With weekly music, children’s activities, and community booths, one could easily spend an hour or more to take it all in. Bring a blanket and take your goodies down to the beach for an impromptu picnic after you shop. The park even has a small beach! The Cape Ann Farmers’ Market is located in Gloucester’s State Fort Park every Thursday, from 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm through October 13th.

The Cape Ann Farmers’ Market is one of 245 markets up and running across the state this summer and fall.  Find a local market near you!

Gloucester Farmers' Market 022

Gloucester Farmers' Market 017


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