The Newton Farmer
March 2022
New England has always been known for its fickle weather, but this winter feels like we’ve been riding a pogo stick: up down up down, warm cold warm cold. Our “new norm” seems to be an environmental Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. As I sit here writing in late February, the field is entirely free of snow and, if it weren’t for the flooding, looks like it’s ready for us to begin plowing. What will March bring?

As we move from winter into spring, the Farm is gearing up for another terrific season. We’re finalizing hiring a new assistant grower. We’re continuing to work on getting our new heated greenhouse completed, hopefully in time to help with seedling production this spring. We're looking to hire a summer educator, farm-stand manager, and field crew soon. We've posted the summer student internship application on our website. And we’re welcoming a new farm dog to the crew! (We’ll make a more formal introduction once he’s had time to settle into his new home.)

We’re just a couple weeks away from putting seeds in soil and setting in motion the germination of over 27,000 seedlings for our annual Seedling Sale. It’s an exciting time of year. Every day when we enter the greenhouse there are more sprouts, more green, more space filled with what, in a few months, will be luscious tomatoes, eggplant, squashes, cucumbers… Yum, I’m making myself hungry just thinking about it.

I hope your winter has been good and that you are excited to begin planting your own garden and counting down the days until the first harvests arrive at the farm stand, the farmers’ market, and our CSA.

Cheers,
Greg Maslowe
Farm Manager
Summer CSA Program Almost Full
We only have a few spots left in our 2022 Summer CSA program! Shares include sustainably grown fresh vegetables and herbs, and applicants can select either an alternate weekly share with pickups every other week for $391 or a weekly share for $725. The program is planned for June 1 through October 12, but the exact start date depends on weather and other growing considerations. Pick up at the Farm on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 2–7 pm (may need to be scheduled in advance, depending on Covid safety protocols this summer). NCF donates unclaimed shares.

We are accepting applications from the general public on a first-come, first-served basis until we are full. The enrollment process will end when all of the shares are sold, and we will post on our website when we are sold out. Please note you must be a current Friend of the Farm to apply for the CSA. You are automatically an FoF if you made a donation of $50 or more since November 1, 2021. Click here to make a nonrefundable donation. Applicants who do not get a share in the 2022 program may sign up for the waiting list for next year by March 14, 2022.

For more information about our Summer CSA program, go to https://newtoncommunityfarm.org/produce/csa/,
Upcoming Education Programs
Registration is open on our website for spring and summer education programs for kids. Preregistration is required. Scholarships are available.
Our classes are small so sign up before we fill up!
Spring After-School Program 
Wednesdays, 1:30–⁠3:30 pm, two sessions of seven classes each in March–⁠June for ages 5–⁠12, first session starts on March 16, $280 per session
Join us to plant seeds in the Learning Garden, uncover the hidden world beneath our feet, conduct experiments with plants, and spend time with the chickens.

Spring Break in the Garden 
April 19–⁠22, 9–⁠11:30 am for ages 5–⁠12, $200
Young gardeners will help prepare our Learning Garden, plant seeds and seedlings, and observe creatures emerging from their winter rest. 
Summer Classes on the Farm
July 5–September 2, mornings 9–⁠11:30 am for ages 5–⁠8, or afternoons 1:30–⁠4 pm for ages 8–⁠12, $250 per week (We offer flexibility with the age groupings so please let us know if you would like to keep siblings or other peers together and we will try to accommodate requests.)
Calling all future farmers, scientists, chefs, naturalists, and gardeners! Join us to discover boundless connections between our food, each other, and the natural world. We will explore a different garden-based theme each week on topics like life cycles, the food system, and garden creatures, as well as learning gardening skills. We'll create a garden snack during each class to enjoy. We hold classes in our Learning Garden as well as the larger farm, giving kids valuable time in a natural space that they can call their own.

Additional Offerings
Would you like to arrange a group visit to the Farm? Or set up a class off-site for students or members of your organization? Check out our offerings on our website and fill out an inquiry form to get started. Reach out to our Director of Education Matt Durham (matt@newtoncommunityfarm.org) with any questions or feedback. We'd love to connect with you! (Photo of Mr. D. on his way to teach an off-site after-school program.)
A Book Is Like a Garden...
...carried in the pocket. ~ Chinese proverb
Seed Money by Bartow J. Elmore traces the history of the company formerly known as Monsanto from its founding to its current form as part of the pharmaceutical conglomerate Bayer. Elmore describes the firm’s founding in the early 1900s as a producer of various medicines and cure-alls, and its rapid expansion into the highly extractive chemical industry.

The author details how Monsanto came to research, manufacture, and aggressively market some of the most infamous and hazardous chemicals of the 20th century: the insecticide DDT, the defoliant Agent Orange, PCBs used in electric insulation, and the herbicide Roundup. Along the way Elmore shows how Monsanto took every shortcut imaginable to produce these chemicals with little regard for the massive toll they would take on people and the planet.
Let's learn more about each other and discover new reads through book recommendations around our common interests in farming, gardening, the environment, food, and good health. Send your review and a note to describe yourself to sue@newtoncommunityfarm.org.
We're Hiring: Join Our Team
Summer will be here before you know it, and we're looking for some hardworking, talented people to help with our produce and programs. Check out these position descriptions and share with anyone you know who might be interested:
Save the Date for our Spring Seedling Sale
We're growing 27,000 seedlings for our annual Spring Seedling Sale. We'll have all your favorites, plus some new varieties this year. Our plan is to bring back the in-person sale at the Farm on May 14–⁠15, from noon to 3 pm. More details to come.

Thank you to Pat Costello, Pat Freysinger, Meghan Gill, Julie Irish, Helen Jordan, Deana Lew, Susan Paley, Nyssa Patten, Julie Pierce, Anne Simunovic, Madelyn Sorensen, Debra Sugarman, and Melissa Toulan for writing out thousands of plant labels. Special thanks to Yael Ort-Dinoor for creating the graphic designs for the event. A volunteer signup is coming next month for help with organizing, publicizing, and working at the sale.

We're looking for business sponsors for this event in exchange for an excellent opportunity to promote your company and your support of the Farm to our community. To learn more about sponsorships, please check out our Business Sponsorship Program.
Newton Community Farm is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, EIN #20-2482452. If you would prefer to donate by mail, please send a check payable to Newton Community Farm at the address 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