The Newton Farmer
January 2021
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The turn of the new year often brings reflection on the past 12 months. This time around I am also thinking about the past six years that I’ve been the president of the Board at Newton Community Farm. My term will come to an end in February, and I am so proud of so much that has happened at our Farm during these years. We’ve added an executive director, moved this organization into the next stage of stability and maturity, and shifted crucial work from volunteers to our competent and dedicated staff. And we are incredibly lucky to have a top-notch team in place. With additional staff, this Farm is providing even more to our community. Through the pandemic we had the ability to adapt and shift how we distribute our produce and provide online educational programs. This newsletter that you’re reading used to be published only eight months a year, but is now year-round. In normal years, we have over 2,000 people visiting the Farm. I could go on about the great developments in the last half decade, but I’ll stop there. |
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My role as president has challenged me and brought me great joy, and I will miss it. But I am so happy to introduce you to the next president of the Board, Paul Holt. Paul is an environmentalist, an activist, a Board member at Green Newton, a former fundraiser, and small-business owner. And by the way, he’s a fantastic chef. He will be leading our extremely strong board in supporting Sue Bottino, our executive director, and ensuring that Newton Community Farm continues to grow and play an increasing role in our food system and our health. And of course, our one consistent force of nature is Greg Maslowe, our farm manager. Over his 14 years, Greg has always been one of the Farm’s greatest assets—he is incredibly hard-working, smart, creative, committed to NCF, and contributes in more ways than we can count. He has our thanks and our gratitude this year and every year.
I am also grateful for everyone who has had a part in making the Farm a success—the original team of visionaries who got the Farm up and running, all the fantastic staff we have had over the years, Board members who have done everything from pulling down wallpaper to filing tax returns, and everyone who has supported the Farm with gifts large and small, buying our produce and attending our events and educational programs. This Farm will continue to grow and thrive because it is a cherished part of this community.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Cogen, Board President
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At the beginning of each growing season, CSA sharers purchase a "share" of the upcoming produce, which helps the Farm cover a substantial portion of the costs of our agricultural operations. In return, NCF provides sharers with a supply of sustainably grown, fresh vegetables and herbs throughout the growing season.
Our 2021 Summer CSA program will run from June 2 through October 13. These dates are dependent on weather and other growing considerations, and NCF’s farm manager will contact sharers if the dates need to change. We have the equivalent of 80 weekly shares available. CSA pickups take place at the Farm on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2–7 pm. Depending on safety protocols for the summer of 2021, sharers may need to sign up for a day and time slot. PYO crops may also be available on Saturdays before 3 pm. NCF donates unclaimed shares to a local food pantry.
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NCF grows most of the CSA produce. Some crops require more space than our modest site allows so we supplement the shares with potatoes and winter squash from a local partner farm. We also purchase nonorganic sweet corn from Massachusetts farms. CSA sharers participate in the bounty of the Farm, and also the risk. While we have confidence that we will meet our production goals, growing vegetables always involves uncertainty, and quantities may vary week to week, season to season.
Weekly Share:
$690 per share. Sharers come once a week to pick up a full share of produce. Shares may include some pick-your-own (PYO) crops such as peas, beans, cherry tomatoes, and herbs. Share size varies throughout the season. At the height of the season (Aug–Sept), a typical week might include: 1 bunch roots crop (carrots or beets); 2 bunches of greens (changing selection); 1 bunch of herbs (basil, cilantro, dill, or parsley); 1 eggplant; 1/2 pound bell peppers; 1 hot pepper; 2 pounds of potatoes; 1 pound of summer squash or zucchini; 5 pounds of tomatoes; 1 pint PYO cherry tomatoes; 6 ears of corn; 1 quart PYO beans; PYO herbs (separate from bunched herbs listed above).
Alternate Week Share:
$372 per alternate week share. Sharers come every other week to pick up a full share.
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Application and Payment
Completed forms and checks must be received at NCF (by mail or drop-off) by the due dates listed below for consideration in each phase.
All applicants must be a current Friend of the Farm (FoF) to apply for a CSA share. You have been automatically enrolled as a FoF if you made a donation of $50 or more since November 1, 2020. If you are not currently a FoF, click here to sign up.
Phase 1a: Monday, January 18 - Sunday, January 31 (due date) for Returning Summer 2020 CSA Sharers If you were a Summer CSA sharer in 2020, you will be emailed the reenrollment form for 2021 on the morning of January 18.
Phase 1b: Monday, January 18 - Sunday, January 31 (due date) for Late Fall 2020 CSA Sharers Late Fall 2020 CSA sharers will be enrolled after returning Summer 2020 CSA sharers if there are spaces remaining. If you were a Late Fall CSA sharer in 2020, you will be emailed the reenrollment form for 2021 on the morning of January 18.
Phase 1c: Monday, February 1 - Sunday, February 7 (due date) for 2020 waiting list NCF will contact individuals on the Summer CSA waiting list from last year.
Phase 2: Monday, February 1 - Sunday, February 28 (due date) for Newton Residents The link to the enrollment form will go live on our website on February 1. At the end of this period, NCF will hold a lottery to select at random as many participants as we have shares available. To participate in the lottery, we must receive your CSA enrollment application along with payment. (CSA checks will be returned to those who we cannot accommodate). We will notify all applicants by Tuesday, March 2, as to whether or not they were selected. Applicants who do not get in during Phase 2 can sign up for the waiting list.
Phase 3: Monday, March 1, until full. for Newton Residents and General Public
If there are remaining shares available after Phase 2, we will accept applications from Newton and non-Newton residents on a first-come, first-served basis until we are full. Applicants who do not get in by the end of Phase 3 (or March 15, whichever comes later) can sign up for the waiting list.
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Check out our latest healthy cooking and nutrition show on our YouTube channel on Wednesday, January 13, at 1 pm when Jay will discuss how to stay committed to your health resolutions. You will also find our previous shows on gardening, cooking, and story time. And you can 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.
(Pictured here: homemade pumpkin gnocchi with sage, butter, and parmesan along with a cranberry lemon spritzer)
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Thank You for Supporting NCF |
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At Newton Community Farm, we look back on 2020 with gratitude for the opportunity to provide for and connect with the community. With all the changes we faced together, our relationships have grown stronger. Whether it was shifting to virtual education programs, launching our new harvest bag program, or hosting our first online Seedling Sale, NCF took some leaps this year, and this community has been supportive all the way.
Thank you to everyone who donated to the recent Fall Appeal. Your support enables NCF to be the best little farm we can be for you.
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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 to Newton Community Farm at the address listed below. Don't forget to ask your employer if matching funds are available. |
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NEWTON COMMUNITY FARM
303 Nahanton Street
Newton, MA 02459
617-916-9655
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