Gardening with Newton Community Farm
August 25, 2020
The Power of Small Farms
|
|
The days are getting shorter and the heat is (somewhat) relenting as we find ourselves in late August. It’s always surprising how fast the season can zip by when we’re hard at work on the Farm!
This newsletter began in May as a tool for empowering our community members to grow their own food, particularly as the pandemic rattled food distribution systems. If you’ve been with us since the beginning, thank you! And if you joined along the way this season, we’re so happy to have you. We hope you are learning and growing along with us.
As the summer harvest season begins its descent and the abundance of tomatoes, eggplants and peppers begins to taper, let's take a look at the very important role of small farms in local food supply.
Community Engagement
Worldwide, small farms— those of about 25 acres or less — produce over 70 percent of the world’s food, according to National Geographic. In addition, they also engage community members in the process of growing that food in unique ways. Whether that’s walking or driving by farm fields, visiting a farmers' market, or purchasing a local CSA share, connecting people to where their food comes from can be educational and transformative. Local farming also encourages engagement between farmers and their customers – a connection that is sorely lacking in the industrial food system.
|
|
Sustainability & Health
According to the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, just 12 plants and five animal species make up 75 percent of what the world eats. This narrow global sourcing creates food systems that are vulnerable to natural disasters and disease outbreak. By growing non-commercial varieties (crop varieties that are not typically found in grocery stores), small farms help to bolster biodiversity and increase food security.
This biodiversity, when partnered with other sustainable farming practices, improves soil health. Healthy soil sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, which makes it a powerful tool in combating climate change. And this soil results in more nutrient-dense food. So not only do small farms create healthier environments but they also contribute to a healthier diet.
By supporting small, local farms, we support ourselves, our communities, and our global environment. And if we grow our own food – as many of us have this summer – we strengthen our connection to the food that we eat.
So, buy local...
and happy growing!
|
|
This week will be our last with Interim Director of Education Hope Kelley. She has done an amazing job of adapting her role on the Farm due to the pandemic. She shifted quickly to plan the online gardening program and this newsletter, give expert advice to calls and emails about gardening from the community, and provide much-needed assistance in the field with her farming skills. Her versatility, knowledge, and can-do attitude have been an incredible asset to the Farm and we will miss her calm, thoughtful presence. Thank you Hope! We wish you much success in your next chapter.
We will be continuing our gardening show with Jay and also will also include cooking segments. Tune in at 1:00 pm this Wednesday for a very special episode of "Gardening with Hope." We'll have an interview with Hope & Jay on small farms and sustainability available on our YouTube channel. You can also view our channel anytime to see our show archive. If you know of someone who might like to receive this newsletter, contact jay@newtoncommunityfarm.org to be added to our email list.
|
|
Check our website starting at 9:00 a.m. on Monday mornings to get details on our Healthy Harvest Bags full of fresh, local produce. Order through our online store and arrange for pickup at the farm on Friday afternoon. Quantities are limited and contents and price vary each week based on what's in season.
We're also offering pre-order of delicious sweet corn by the half dozen from Verrill Farm in Concord for pickup in Newton.
|
|
The Newton Farmers' Market is going great this summer! Come visit us on Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., at Newton South High School, 140 Brandeis Road. We bring a terrific variety of fresh produce including squash, eggplants, tomatoes and peppers this week. We now accept SNAP/EBT cards. For more details and market guidelines, visit the city's website.
|
|
Newton Community Farm is once again offering an incredible weekly fruit share in conjunction with Autumn Hills Orchard of Groton, MA. Each weekly share consists of a bag of about five pounds of delicious apples, although the share may occasionally include pears, peaches, or grapes. The program costs $88 per share for 8 bags September 2 through October 22. Sharers can pick up the fruit at the white tent by the NCF barn on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. To learn more about the program and to sign up, visit our website.
Deadline to enroll is this Thursday, August 27 at noon.
Photo courtesy of Autumn Hills Orchard
|
|
NEWTON COMMUNITY FARM
303 Nahanton Street
Newton, MA 02459
617-916-9655
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
