Agriculture

04/18/2013

Weekend Outdoor Events: April 19-21

On Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., head over to the Tranquil Lake Nursery in Rehoboth for a day of gardening workshops and demonstrations. Spend Saturday brushing up on your gardening skills to get yourself ready for the gardening season ahead, whether growing plants in containers outside the classroom, in a school garden or in your own backyard. Workshops will cover digging in-ground garden beds, building raised beds, gardening in containers, seeding and seed saving, skills for planting a tree, pruning and more.

Sponsored by Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom in collaboration with Tranquil Lake Nursery, Rehoboth, this event is free and open to educators, school gardeners and the public. Bring your own lunch. For more information visit www.aginclassroom.org or call (508) 336-4426.

Also on Saturday, Noticing Nature: A Guided Nature Program for Families is taking place at Mount Tom State Reservation; 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. See, smell, touch and hear what Mother Nature is up to in the woods and along the edges of fields. Suitable for families and curious adults, the tour will take place over short distances on gentle terrain. Meeting will take place at the Stone House Visitor Center, 77 Christopher Clark Road, at its junction with Reservation Road. Please dress for the outdoors – and possibly wet or muddy conditions. Heavy rain will cancel the event. For more information call (413) 584-6788.

On Sunday, April 21, Find Inspiration Through Nature at Miles Standish State Forest; 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Are you suffering from nature-deficit disorder? Would you like to slow down, observe the world around you, and feel a connection to the natural landscape that surrounds you? Come along on a silent walk through the woods to experience nature in a new way – through thoughtful prose and reflection.

Meet at Headquarters parking lot at 194 Cranberry Road in South Carver. This is best for adults. Dress for the weather. Call (508) 866-2580 x162 for more information and weather cancellation.

For those who live near Breakheart Reservation, one of Ranger Dan’s Nature Walks is also happening on Sunday. From 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. explore the reservation at a family friendly pace. Meet at the Dunne Visitors Center, located off Lynn Fells Parkway near Route 1 at 177 Forest Street in Saugus. CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. Please call DCR staff at (781) 233-0834 or email lynn.hildenbrand@state.ma.us for additional information.

Comments (0)

04/03/2013

Another Massachusetts Farm Joins the Century Club: Davenport Maple Farm Turns 100!

Founded in 1913, Davenport Maple Farm joins the celebrated ranks of Massachusetts farms that have been in the same family for 100 years or more and which are still being farmed. Massachusetts is home to over 115 farms that have met this criteria, with more than a dozen of them having reached the 300-year milestone. These Century Farms have existed for so very many years thanks to the efforts and determination of the families who own them. Although the business plans may have changed over time, the tenacity and resilience of the families who’ve worked them has not. They’ve managed to adapt as markets and consumer demands have changed; they have thrived despite hardships from war, weather and the economy; and through it all, they have persevered.

Davenport Maple Farm Restaurant
In 2010, the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation chronicled the histories of these farms and published Massachusetts Century Farms 2010, a guide to these historic agricultural treasures.  If you have a farm, or know of one that meets the criteria, please contact Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation at (508) 481-4766 so that it may be considered for inclusion in a future edition (a limited supply of the books are available for purchase; Cost is $10.00, including shipping and handling).   

The Davenport Maple Farm is a 4th generation family-owned farm. During the year, the farm offers maple products, fresh eggs, raw milk, hay, and cordwood. At their seasonal Sugar House Restaurant (March and early April), visitors can watch and learn about the sugaring process, visit the cows and calves, and enjoy the view while waiting to eat a home-style breakfast.

And don’t miss out! April 6 and 7 is the last weekend the Maple Farm Restaurant will be open and will feature a special Yankee pot roast luncheon in celebration of this centennial. Call (413) 625-2866 for more information.

Russell-DavenportTo Note: Russell Davenport was also one of the first Faces of Massachusetts to be featured in honor of MDAR’s 150th anniversary.

Comments (0)

03/25/2013

Weekly Outdoor Events - March 25-31: Easter Weekend Fun!

 

On Saturday, March 30, head over to the Blue Hills Reservation at 1:00 p.m. for Project Bluebird! Build and “adopt” a Blue Bird box for our feathered friends in the reservation. You build it and we will place it in the park. No need to be a master carpenter to enjoy this program! Tools and materials provided. For ages 8 and up. Email Raymond.F.McKinnon@state.ma.us for registration and meeting place.

On Sunday, March 31, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., investigate vernal pools. Come and learn why vernal pools are a vital part of the ecosystem within the Wachusett watershed. These pools dry up later in the year, but are teaming with an interesting array of life in the spring. Participants will learn how to identify a vernal pool in the field and carefully search within the pool for organisms that rely on this habitat for breeding. This is a program suitable for families. Meet at the Stillwater Farm in Sterling.

And next week, check out Agriculture Day at the Massachusetts State House! Each year, Massachusetts Agriculture Day is held to showcase agricultural products and industry achievements!

On Tuesday, April 2, join hundreds of Massachusetts farmers, agricultural officials, legislators and residents at the State House to celebrate the agricultural industry's contribution to the Commonwealth's culture and economy.The event kicks off at 11:30 a.m.

Ag Day

Comments (0)

02/27/2013

Weekend Outdoor Events - March 1-3: Maple Sugar Days and More!

It’s Maple Sugar Days at the Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park this weekend! On Saturday & Sunday, March 2 and 3, 11:00am – 2:00pm, park staff and volunteers take you through the art and science of producing maple syrup. See trees being tapped, participate in gathering sap, and visit the steamy sugar house to watch syrup being made.

Tours include both indoor and outdoor elements. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for a short walk. The program is free for all ages and open to the public. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. To check on event status, please call River Bend Farm Visitor Center at 508-278-7604.

On March 2, as part of a series of Winter Talks offered by the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary, MassWildlife's Natural Communities Ecologist Pat Swain will talk about the natural (common and uncommon) communities in the Wales/Monson area. Find out what a natural community is, what types are in the area and some general information on the rare species that live in these community types. The free presentation will be at the Sanctuary at 1:30pm. Reservations are required as seats are limited. Please call 413-267-9654 or email Lduthie@norcrossws.org for reservations and information.

And on Sunday, March 3, 1:00pm - 2:30pm, join a DCR forester and a DCR naturalist for the Winter Greens Walk, a fun and frosty trek exploring our winter trees, shrubs, and groundcover! Take a hike through the forest and near wetlands to learn about Myles Standish State Forest’s winter greens. After the hike, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and a snack!

This event is co-sponsored with the Friends of Myles Standish State Forest. Meet at the state forest’s headquarters parking lot at 194 Cranberry Road in South Carver. This event is best for adults. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy winter footwear. The walk is about 2 ½ miles; weather and ground conditions will determine route. Call (508) 866-2580 x164 for more information and for weather cancellation.

And don’t forget to check out the Great Outdoors interactive Google calendar for a full calendar of Massachusetts outdoor events.

For more great events happening this and every week, check out our outdoors calendar for events near you. - See more at: http://environment.blog.state.ma.us/blog/#sthash.tr8PLFpS.dpuf
For more great events happening this and every week, check out our outdoors calendar for events near you. - See more at: http://environment.blog.state.ma.us/blog/#sthash.tr8PLFpS.dpuf

Comments (0)

02/13/2013

Visit Your Local Winter Farmers’ Market for Taste, Convenience and Community!

Editorial Contribution by Division of Agricultural Markets Staff Julia Grimaldi and Bonita Oehlke

I don’t know about you, but the fact that there are now so many opportunities to savor the bounty of MassGrown products during the winter months is, well, just awesome!  There are 40 winter farmers’ markets to choose from across the state that offer an extensive selection of seasonally unique produce and products. Farms are selling storage crops such as crisp apples, several varieties of winter squash, onions, purple potatoes, sweet potatoes, candy cane beets, yellow carrots, and watermelon radishes, as well as a variety of greens such as salad greens, spinach, kale and collard greens grown in a ‘hoop house’ (a structure used as a greenhouse to extend the growing season).

And that’s not all. More and more local businesses are adding to the variety including fresh seafood and shellfish, farm wineries, farmstead cheese makers, pastured raised meat, poultry and egg producers, bakers, honey and maple products, hand crafted pastas, sauces, prepared foods, dry goods, and even fibers.

Dave from Inman Square shops at the Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Market because farmers’ market carrots and radishes “taste better”. One of the new vendors at the farmers' market is Green River Ambrosia from Western Massachusetts who hand crafts unusual mead products made with local honey, ginger, and fruit from Valley farms.

Like the bees that bring us honey, our winter farmers’ markets are cross-pollinators themselves.

Many not only sell their own products, but also sell products from neighboring farms. Misty Brook Farm in Barre sells organic meats and vegetables, grains and Robinson’s Farm cheese located in Hardwick.  Red Fire Farm in Montague & Granby sells all of their own produce as well as maple syrup from Williams Farm Sugarhouse in Deerfield and yogurt from Side Hill Farm in Ashfield. Silverbrook Farm in Dartmouth, like many of the growers selling at winter farmers’ market, is growing a nutritious assortment of greens grown and micro-greens.

“We really enjoy this market every weekend, the Cambridge community is very supportive of our work and I like seeing repeat customers,” said owner/grower Andy Pollock.

A growing number of markets also accept EBT-SNAP coupons (formally called food stamps) to help families stretch their food dollars and provide nutritious foods to them all year long. The Cambridge Community Center (5 Callender Street) which hosts the winter market on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. through April also has a Food Scrap program where you can drop of compostable materials for repurposing.

Oh, and did I mention venues for celebration? The Wayland Winter Farmers’ Market which runs on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through March , hosts over 40 vendors in an airy, open greenhouse at Russell’s Garden Center, surrounded by luxuriantly growing plants. The market recently hosted the 3rd Annual Massachusetts Farm Wineries Day which featured nine Bay State wineries made from honey, grapes and other local fruits and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Wine and Cheese Trail brochure. Peg Mallet, the enthusiastic and effervescent market manager, welcomes visitors and encourages more to join the ranks of dedicated customers!

Comments (2)

02/01/2013

Animals Can Get Help This Tax Season

There’s nothing that brings a smile to your face like watching a dog sprinting across a field to catch a flying Frisbee. Or glimpsing an adventurous cat prowling the garden for adventure.

Fred IMG_4025And what do dogs and cats have to do with agriculture you ask? Well what you may not know is that the Department of Agricultural Resources is also responsible for the health and safety of all of the Commonwealth’s domestic animals. Dogs, cats, chickens, goats, cattle, horses, and more – DAR’s Division of Animal Health helps to ensure the general welfare of companion and food-producing animals across the state through inspections, licensing, awareness and education.

As to our canine and feline friends, dogs and cats enjoy the Great Outdoors as much if not more than we do. And now thanks to a new law recently passed, some of our less fortunate companion animals can receive the responsible care they need.

The Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund is part of a new law that took effect on October 31, 2012. Massachusetts residents may now check off a donation on Line 32f of their 2012 tax return; contributions to this fund will:

  • Help reduce the number of homeless cats and dogs by spaying/ neutering animals in shelters and animal control facilities, and provide vaccinations
  • Assist families who would not otherwise be able to afford these services for their pets
  • Provide training to municipal animal control officers so that they can safely and effectively protect animals and people in their communities

Fund_Postcards-4

The text of the authorizing statute can be found here.

Looking for a great dog park or hiking trail to go to?  Check out the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s parks page: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/forparks.htm (dogs should be on leash) or there are also a number of off-leash dog parks to explore. These include:

Beecher Street Park, Jamaica Plain
Boston Harbor Islands Dog Cruise, Boston
Charlesgate Dog Run, Boston
Corey Hill Outlook Park, Brookline
Dufresne Park, Granby
Medway off Leash Dog Park, Boston
Peter’s Park, Boston
Pilgrim Bark Park, Provincetown
Sheepfold, Middlesex Fells Reservation, Stoneham
Stoddard Neck, Weymouth
Vietnam Veteran’s Park, Billerica

Comments (0)

01/23/2013

Beat the cold with piping-hot-roasted locally grown veggies!

Thinking about Massachusetts-grown vegetables usually has folks thinking summer outdoor farmers’ markets and farm stands. But there is in fact an impressive array of fresh root vegetables available throughout the cold winter months as well. Think beets, carrots, onions, parsnips, potatoes, rutabagas, and turnips! Roasted to sweet tenderness in a hot oven for about 45-50 minutes, root vegetables provide comfort-food goodness and vital nutrients during the long winter months.

Carrots-at-market
With 40 winter farmers’ markets located throughout the Bay State, there are lots of places where you can find sweet root vegetables. The colorful assortment of fresh produce one can find at these winter markets (both indoors and outdoors) always renews my appreciation of New England’s versatile seasons. Besides root vegetables, many of the winter markets also provide ‘hoophouse’ (a structure used as a greenhouse to extend the growing season) vegetables like chard, collards, lettuce, and radicchio. And more good news: a growing number of markets also accept EBT-SNAP coupons (formally called food stamps) for low income families looking for nutritious supplements.

Roasted_Root_Vegetables-2I’m definitely going to try this delicious-sounding roasted veggie recipe featured in ChopChop’s January magazine. This monthly publication is a wonderful resource for easy-to-prepare healthy meals for the whole family. This recipe calls for onions, carrots, and potatoes drizzled with olive oil, salt, and pepper. For extra flavor, consider adding fresh garlic and sprinkling with some fresh herbs like rosemary.  Or throw in some Brussels sprouts (my favorite vegetable). Bon appétit!

 

INGREDIENTS

1 red onion, diced

2 carrots

2 russet potatoes or sweet potatoes

1 Tablespoon olive oil

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

 

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Turn the oven on and set it to 425 degrees.
  2. Put the onion, carrots, potatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper in the bowl and mix well.
  3. Dump the contents of the bowl into the baking sheet, making sure the vegetables are in a single layer, not crowded on top of each other.
  4. Carefully put the baking sheet in the oven and bake until the vegetables are deeply colored on the outside and tender inside, about 45 minutes.
  5. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate up to 2 days.

Comments (0)

11/27/2012

Celebrating "Green Friday"

As residents across the Commonwealth contemplated whether to repurpose their Thanksgiving leftovers or partake in the madness of “Black Friday”, I decided to take the obvious best choice and head to Mendon, Massachusetts to celebrate “Green Friday”.

Commish sawing treeYes, folks, it is time to celebrate the abundant offerings of Massachusetts’ local Christmas tree farmers by buying a locally grown tree for the upcoming holiday!

One could say that Christmas came early, by way of sunshine and toasty temperatures, at the annual “First” Christmas Tree Cutting for 2013 at the Vandervalk Farm.

The morning had all the makings of a traditional event for dozens of families. As children excitedly ran around the Christmas tree farm, a two-story Santa Claus hovered at the entrance to Casey and Susan Vandervalk’s winter wonderland. Another special highlight is the farm store filled with many handmade ornaments.

Fueled by a cup of freshly mulled apple cider, I trekked towards the 10 acres of rolling hills as Casey shared the vision of his farm and how it continues to grow -- if not in acreage, by diversity of what they produce. Approximately a year ago, the Vandervalks starting producing blueberry wine. They were so successful last year that they are preparing to double their efforts.  Customers visiting the farm in the summer are able to “pick their own” blueberries with the dedicated acre for this additional opportunity to buy local.

Blueberry wine
20 minutes later, with the historical briefing on the years of planting and care that created the wave of the deep green made of Balsim and Concolor firs, I got ready to harvest the official “first-cut” of the season, by choosing a full Fraser fir for the celebration.  Let the season begin!

We brought the fragrant Fraser tree back to the tree wrapping station to give to a deserving military family identified by the National Guard.  The family will celebrate their holiday, like so many across the Commonwealth, with a local Christmas tree, grown with pride and love. To find a local tree farm near you, go to DAR's MassGrown and Fresher webpage.

Happy Holidays! And don’t forget to buy local for your holiday feast too.

Standing with tree

Comments (0)

11/09/2012

Farmers’ Markets – Not Just for Summer Anymore!

Thanks to David Webber, DAR staffer, for his contributions to this blog about winter farmers' markets! Enjoy!

Wayland Winter Farmers' Market 003

Traditionally thought of as a summertime activity, shopping at the local farmers’ market is becoming more of a year-round activity in Massachusetts, thanks to the burgeoning number of communities hosting winter farmers’ markets across the state.  With consumer demand increasing, local farmers are extending their seasons to meet the growing demand for local food, year round!

Root vegetables and storage crops such as apples, carrots, potatoes and turnips abound at the markets, along with a wide variety of other locally grown and produced foods, including, meats, cheeses, wine, poultry, fish, honey, maple products, baked goods and specialty items.

And if you are looking to create a locally grown holiday meal or find a unique gift for that someone special, several festivals and one day holiday markets are being held in addition to the 36 on-going winter farmers’ markets across the state. Here are a few:

10th Annual Thanksgiving Festival -- Bring Thanksgiving to your home from the North Quabbin Region. November 17 – 18, Red Apple Farm, Phillipston.

Berkshire Grown Holiday Markets -- Visit these holiday markets filled with local food producers and vendors of other agricultural products including locally-grown plants, bee-related products and yarns. December markets will also feature local artisans. November 17 – 18 and December 15 – 16, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Cape Ann Thanksgiving Harvest Market -- You’ll find more than 20 local vendors selling produce, jams, baked goods, meats, cheeses, maple syrup, crafts and more. EBT/SNAP/WIC & Senior FM coupons accepted. November 17, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, 10 Church Street, Gloucester. 

4th Annual Harvest Festival & Market -- As part of Americas Hometown Thanksgiving Festival, Edible South Shore Magazine & Plymouth Farmers' Market bring you this holiday event where you can shop for holiday meals from a selection of locally grown produce and specialty foods, as well as locally made desserts, and buy holiday gifts from local artisans and crafters. November 18, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Water Street, Plymouth.

Lexington Farmers’ Market FESTival -- This community tradition offers locally grown and produced items for your Thanksgiving table from some of your favorite farms and local vendors. November 20, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Seasons Four, 1265 Mass Avenue, Lexington.

Carlisle Winter Faire -- This one day farmers’ market will host local and organic vegetables growers and specialty food producer. You will also find farm fresh eggs, cheese, meat, breads, baked good, fibers and more.  December 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 27 School Street, Unitarian Universalist Church, Union Hall, Carlisle.

For a complete list of winter farmers’ markets and a holiday food buying guide go to www.mass.gov/massgrown.

Wayland Winter Farmers' Market 018

Comments (0)

10/30/2012

To “Happy Valley” for Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins...and Barley.

Fletcher Farm_Pumpkin Patch
Sara Grimaldi & Cheryl Fletcher
They don’t call it the “Happy Valley” for nothing! The Pioneer Valley made up of three counties: Franklin, Hampden & Hampshire; collectively feature much of New England's most fertile farmland. Nestled along the Connecticut River this region is known for its scenery and as a vacation destination, however its agricultural heritage dates back to the 1600’s. On a recent beautiful fall weekend, Agricultural Markets Program Coordinator Julia Grimaldi traveled west from Boston to pick pumpkins and celebrate a lesser known but emerging crop, barley.

Her first stop, with niece in tow, was to Fletcher Family Farm in Southampton, a dairy farm that also offers a pumpkin patch with pick-your-own pumpkins and a seasonal farm stand. Bob and Cheryl Fletcher along with their three children, Nicole, Elizabeth & Mathew farm over 100 acres of land. They are the recipients of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Agricultural Improvement Program Grant resulting in a new modern dairy facility completed in spring 2011 and in 2010 they received NECN favorite distinction award for “Best Pumpkin Patch in New England”.  Pick up a MassGrown & Fresher pumpkin at a local farmers’ market (most are opened through Thanksgiving week) a farm stand near you, or at a number of pick-your-own pumpkin patches.

Brewers_Wormtown Brewery_Barleyfest
Ben Pratt, Ben Roesch and Tyler Fitzpatrick, brewers from Wormtown Brewery, Worcester

The fall’s foliage complemented Valley Malt’s 2nd year anniversary party at the 1st annual “Barleyfest” at the Young Men’s Club in Hadley. Valley Malt‘s goal is to reintroduce small grains and hops to the area and produce beer that would possess the unique characteristics and flavor from grains and hops grown on native “Valley” soil.  This year’s celebration featured eight beers all produced with malt made from a combination of Massachusetts hops and grains.

Local Beers_Barleyfest
The festival also featured Four Star Farms from Northfield who produce sustainably grown sod, hops and small grains, an antique tractor show, wood fired pizza made with local wheat, apple cider donuts and kettle corn from the North Hadley Sugar Shack, home brew demos, and lives music.


Antique Ford Tractor_Barleyfest

Comments (0)

Next »

Categories

Featured Content

Archives