Dear Farm Friends,

We're heading into our busy season here at the Farm, and there are lots of ways for you to get involved! If you are a home gardener or would like to be, you can't miss our annual Seedling Sale on May 18 and 19. See our informative list of commonly asked questions below. We will also have experts on hand the days of the sale to help answer your questions. We put out all our seedlings at the start of the sale, so come early for the best selection.

If you know any high schoolers who would like to learn farming in a hands-on, supportive environment, enrollment is open for our high school field crew intern program. There are two sessions, each limited to only four students to ensure the best experience. Spots are already being filled, so don't delay!

We are always looking for volunteers to help on the Farm. We have weed-pulling duties and other farm work that we need help with. Because we have an extremely small staff, we rely on our volunteers to help get the work done. For this reason, we ask that volunteers commit to a set schedule. Email admin@newtoncommunityfarm.org if you are interested in getting your hands dirty! If you have any specialized skills, we'd also love to hear from you.

If you simply enjoy eating fresh, local produce, you can get involved by buying directly from the Farm. Our late-summer fruit shares are already open for enrollment, as they are in high demand. We also open our farm stand here on Winchester Street in June and will be at the Newton Farmers' Market at Newton North High School on Saturdays starting in June as well. There is nothing like farm-fresh vegetables!

We look forward to welcoming you to the Farm in 2024!

Allyson MacKenna

NCF Director

Annual Seedling Sale

Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19

12 pm to 3 pm

Thank you to our generous sponsor, The Village Bank!

Fruit Shares Coming Late Summer!

For eight weeks starting August 28 and ending October 17 you can enjoy fresh, delicious fruit from Autumn Hills Orchard for only $110! Click here for more information and to sign up. Our fruit shares are very popular, so sign up now!

Flower Shares

NCF is partnering with Duck Hollow Farm to bring you fresh, local flowers all summer. Sign up for 15 weeks of floral bouquets, organically grown in Sherborn, MA.

Pick up weekly at NCF on Wednesday or Thursday, 2–7 pm from June 19/20 to September 25/26.

Price is $300.

Click here to sign up.

Please email laurel@al-freshco.com with any questions.

Apply Now to Join the Field Crew!

NCF is currently accepting applications for summer high school field crew interns. This program offers the experience of working on an intensive market garden (the traditional term for small vegetable farms) for students entering 9th–12th grade in the fall of 2024. These unpaid internships last for four weeks and are three mornings a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), 8 am to noon. Applicants can indicate if they are available for session 1 (July 9–August 1) or session 2 (August 6–August 29). Check out our website for more details and to apply online.

We are busy nurturing all the seedlings (over 80 varieties!) for our Annual Seedlling Sale on May 18-19 from 12 pm to 3 pm right here on the Farm. We asked Andrea Egan, our assistant farm manager, for the answers to some commonly asked question to help you plan for the day of the sale.

Where do your seedlings come from? 

We grow all our seedlings from seed at Newton Community Farm, except for our perennial herbs, which we purchase as small plugs and then grow from there.

Are your seedlings organic?

We purchase organic seeds when possible and start our seedlings in organic Fort Vee soil from Vermont Compost Company.

Which plants do better with more/less sun?

All plants require sunlight to grow. Plants that can thrive with fewer hours of direct sunlight include: lettuce, kale, bok choi, chard, spinach, mustard greens, beets, turnips, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, mint, chives, cilantro, oregano, parsley, onions, brussels sprouts. Plants that need more direct sunlight (at least 6–8 hours of sun a day) to thrive include: tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, cucumbers, melons, corn, tomatillos, basil, and lavender.

Do I need to harden off my seedlings before planting them?

All of our seedlings are hardened off before the sale. However, certain plants like peppers, eggplant, melons, and winter squash may be better off waiting an additional week or two before planting due to the potential for cold weather in May. 

We'll have master gardeners on hand the days of the sale to answer other questions you may have. We're looking forward to seeing you on the Farm!

We are pleased to welcome Jeff Frisch, our newest member of the team! Jeff joins NCF in the role of assistant grower. He works alongside Farm Manager Greg Maslowe, and Assistant Farm Manager Andrea Egan.

Jeff has a long history of working with the land. His grandfather loved to grow vegetables and had land and a tractor to fuel his passion. Jeff grew up helping his grandparents, but as forced labor, he didn't fully appreciate at the time the passion that was being instilled in him from a young age. He did enjoy working outside, however, and remembers how he would stand in a forest of tomato plants taller than he was! In later years, when he went back to help out on the farm, he found he really enjoyed the work and the knowledge that he was doing something with a bigger purpose.

Jeff became interested in ecology and regenerative design for homes and landscapes. As his interest in permaculture, a design system for creating sustainable ways of living in harmony with nature, grew, he also wanted to learn more about growing. He completed a work-study program in Costa Rica on a biodynamic farm growing turmeric and ginger, among other herbs and medicinal plants.

Jeff came to NCF because he wanted to continue to learn and be involved in sustainable agriculture under the guidance of an experienced farmer. He specifically wanted to expand his knowledge in an environment dedicated to sustainability and education that produced high-quality vegetables. We are thrilled to have Jeff with us, making a difference in the community and the the world!

Roasted Rainbow Potatoes with Peppers and Onions

Here’s a vibrant and tasty recipe for Roasted Rainbow Potatoes with Peppers and Onions.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds multi-colored potatoes, washed and cut into halves
• 2 bell peppers (choose different colors for variety), seeded and sliced
• 1 large onion, peeled and cut into wedges
• 3 Tb. olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish
• 
  

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
3. Spread the potatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 20 minutes.
4. While the potatoes are roasting, heat the remaining olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the onions and bell peppers with a pinch of salt until they’re soft and slightly caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.
5. After 20 minutes, remove the potatoes from the oven and add the sautéed onions and bell peppers to the baking sheet. Sprinkle the minced garlic over the top.
6. Return the baking sheet to the oven and roast for another 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden and crisp.
7. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Enjoy your Roasted Rainbow Potatoes with Peppers and Onions as a colorful side dish or a vegetarian main course!

We're still looking for volunteers to help with our Seedling Sale. If you can spare some time either the days of the sale (various shifts available) or can help us prepare ahead of time, we'd love to have you!

Please click here to see shifts and to volunteer!

Saturday, May 4, 9 am to 12 pm - Help label and prepare the seedling packs.

Friday, May 17, 9 am to 12 pm - Help set up for the Seedling Sale here at the Farm.

Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19 - Help out on the day of the event. Training provided.

Thank you!

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. Please also check with your employer if matching funds are available.

NEWTON COMMUNITY FARM

303 Nahanton Street

Newton, MA 02459

617-916-9655

www.newtoncommunityfarm.org

information@newtoncommunityfarm.org