The Newton Farmer
December 2020
|
|
It's hard to believe but 2020 will soon be coming to an end. In some ways this has seemed like the longest year of our lives and in others, the shortest. When I reflect on the past 12 months, I am reminded that despite all the adversity, this little farm:
- Increased our food donation program to $11,000 in produce given to local organizations to help food-insecure individuals in our community.
- Enabled the safe pickup of over 1,700 CSA share distributions from June through December to 150 summer and 40 fall families.
- Sold 770 prepacked Healthy Harvest Bags full of fresh, seasonal produce.
- Supported more gardeners than ever before with over 24,000 seedlings at our seedling sales and through seedling donations.
- Produced around 50 gardening, cooking, and story time YouTube Shows plus newsletters, providing weekly tips to keep both you and your plants healthy.
- Sold produce from June through October at the Saturday Newton Farmers' Market where we also were able to accept SNAP benefits.
- Hosted our first community-building, educational online fundraiser "Crisis Farming."
|
|
And now we look toward 2021. When we were preparing the Learning Garden for winter last week, we came across two of these praying mantis egg sacs. If all goes well, about 300 eggs will hatch in the spring, and the garden will thrive again next year in part due to these amazing insects. It's a reminder that while winter is a time for the land to rest, the natural world is also preparing for 2021, and so is NCF.
What will next year hold? Here at the Farm we are hopeful. We will have our annual Seedling Sale in the spring, and we hope to offer small group, outdoor educational experiences again, particularly in the summer for children. We hope to open the Farm stand or sell our Healthy Harvest Bags or a combination of both. We are thinking of innovative ways to run our Dinner on the Farm event. And of course we will be growing nutritious vegetables for all of you!
With gratitude,
Sue Bottino
Executive Director
|
|
Help Keep the Farm Strong |
|
|
|
Has Newton Community Farm been part of your life in 2020? The Farm is built on our community, and your gift is important to keep it strong. Please donate today!
This year has been incredibly challenging in different ways for all of us. And we are all seeking joy and comfort. Have you been cooking and sharing more meals with family? Exploring your neighborhood while walking, biking, or hiking close to home? Or taking up a new hobby or learning a new skill like canning or gardening? Make a gift and ensure that 2021 will be a year to grow, flourish, eat well, and learn with Newton Community Farm.
|
|
P.S. Did you know? The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress in response to the Covid-19 crisis encourages giving to nonprofit charities by December 31, 2020. Individual taxpayers can deduct donations to a qualifying charity up to $300 (or $600 for married couples filing jointly) in addition to the standard deduction if they do not itemize deductions. Also, the deduction cap is increased from 60% to 100% of adjusted gross income for those who itemize deductions. |
|
Check out our shows on gardening, cooking, and story time on our YouTube channel. You can also view our shows on NewTV. An archive of our newsletters on gardening and cooking is available on our website.
To sign up for our brief newsletter focused on gardening and cooking tips, recipes, and information, contact jay@newtoncommunityfarm.org.
|
|
Community Organization Spotlight: Boston Area Gleaners |
|
Leave no crop behind! Boston Area Gleaners, a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to rescue surplus farm crops, last year delivered one million pounds of produce valued at over $1.5 million to improve food security for people in need. Gleaning, or collecting surplus unharvested farm crops, is an ancient practice. Boston Gleaners works with hundreds of volunteers to glean crops from more than 80 local area farms, including Newton Community Farm. Volunteers also package the produce, and staff transport the bounty to 50 direct-distribution, hunger-relief agencies. Founded in 2004 and currently headquartered in Waltham, Boston Area Gleaners has a full-time staff of eight and benefits from the work of groups of volunteers. The organization also has an apprentice program for college graduates interested in agriculture, food security, and public health.
The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in the food supply chain, and economic hardship increased food insecurity for many. Boston Area Gleaners responded by reworking their operations to ensure the safety of volunteers. The organization was awarded a contract from the USDA Farm to Families Program to purchase produce from farmers, package, and deliver the food to partner distribution agencies. This program had the double benefit of paying farmers and offering fresh produce to food pantries. To learn more including how to volunteer, check out https://www.bostonareagleaners.org.
|
|
Duane F. Hillis passed away on Tuesday, November 3 at the age of 74, surrounded by his family after a short battle with heart failure and cancer. Duane was a leading member of a team of volunteers that successfully applied for Newton Community Preservation Funds to purchase the Newton Community Farm. For this work, the Newton Conservators named Duane and two others Environmentalists of the Year in 2006. Duane was also president of Friends of Nahanton Park for thirty years and a board member of the Newton Conservators, and he assisted with NewTV’s environmental programming.
Bill Hagar, Newton Conservator and Farm supporter, stated "I will always remember Duane's energy, helpfulness, and thoroughness in preserving the environment and making Newton a better place. No topic was impossible for him to try. When he first mentioned the possible Angino Farm acquisition for a community farm, his eyes lit up, especially as he forcefully pursued his argument. He convinced the entire board that night to get busy and start the process. Everyone moved forward with tasks. Others joined from around the City, and it became a success. This was all because of Duane Hillis, whose vision, energy, and determination initiated and helped complete the process. He will be missed."
We are forever grateful for Duane's work to develop this community treasure. You can read the full obituary here.
|
|
Order Online
Last Healthy Harvest Bag Plus T-shirts for Sale
|
|
Order our last Healthy Harvest Bag for 2020! We're putting together our final offering for pickup at the Farm on Thursday, Dec. 10, 3-5 pm. You'll get a bag full of fresh produce for $33 which includes: carrots, bok choi, parsley, arugula, fruit, potatoes from Drumlin Farm, winter squash from Drumlin Farm, and yellow onions from Porter Farms.
NCF has restocked our supply of super comfy T-shirts! Preorder and pay now and pickup at the Farm on December 10, 3-5 pm. We have adult sizes S–XL in pink, dark gray, blue, red, and green, as well as youth and toddler sizes in a variety of colors. Adult and youth shirts are $20 each, and toddler shirts are $15. For a full inventory list and to order, visit our website. Support the Farm and buy some T-shirts for your friends and family!
|
|
Thank You to Our Grantors and Business Partners |
|
We would not be able to do all that we do without the generosity of grantors and businesses in our community. We are so thankful for their support!
- The Village Bank - corporate sponsor for "Crisis Farming"
- Rebecca Pomroy Foundation - grant for our Produce Donation Program
- Whole Foods Market - general support
- Charles River Neighborhood Foundation - education scholarship grants
- Newton Cultural Council - grant for "Crisis Farming"
- Needham Bank - general support
- Baystate IT - Seedling Sale sponsor
- Green Newton - partner for "Crisis Farming"
- Dedham Savings Bank - general support
- Archstone Law Group - partner for "Crisis Farming"
- Newtonville Books - partner for "Crisis Farming"
- Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP
- Noble, Wickersham & Heart LLP
|
|
This year, NCF received a generous bequest from the estate of Pauline Kalman upon her passing at the age of 99. Although we did not know Polly personally, she supported a number of local nonprofits dedicated to the environment and animal welfare with her bequests. She lived in Newton for over 60 years where she was an avid volunteer in the children's room at the Newton Free Library and with the Newton Low Vision Group. We are touched by her incredible act of kindness. You can read the full obituary here.
|
|
Newton Community Farm is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, EIN #20-2482452. If you would like to donate by mail, please send a check to Newton Community Farm at the address listed below. Don't forget to ask your employer if matching funds are available. |
|
NEWTON COMMUNITY FARM
303 Nahanton Street
Newton, MA 02459
617-916-9655
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
