Dear Farm Friends,

We hope you have been taking advantage of the summer and all the fresh produce it brings. There are many ways to enjoy the bounty of the Farm, including our farm stand and the farmers' market. We love welcoming our Summer CSA sharers every week as well.

We are excited to welcome our fruit sharers beginning on August 28. There is still time to sign up! For only $110, you can enjoy eight weeks of fresh, delicious fruit from Autumn Hills Orchard. Our fruit share will include apples and other in-season fruits, such as peaches, plums, and nectarines. As always in agriculture, the actual fruit will vary based on growing conditions. Don't delay if you want to take advantage of this popular CSA, as the registration deadline is August 20!

You can't beat the taste of fruit and vegetables straight from the farm. Eating locally produced food benefits the environment as well. The shorter the distance from farm to table, the more our carbon footprint is reduced. This can be from fewer vehicle emissions and less energy spent keeping food cool for longer time periods. Local food is also more likely to be grown sustainably, and the extra nutrients benefit you and your family. You can read more about the benefits of healthy soil practices below.

We can't wait to share the harvest with you!

Allyson MacKenna

Director of Administration and Programs

Fruit Share Starts August 28

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!

You can also find fresh, delicious fruit from Autumn Hills Orchard at our farm stand and at the farmers' market.

You can buy fresh, locally grown produce every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Our farm stand is open, selling produce grown right here on the Farm as well as from other local growers. The farm stand is located on Winchester Street.

Farm Stand Hours:

Thursdays and Fridays, 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For updated hours and to see what is available at the farm stand each week, make sure to check our website.

Please note that in order to keep you and our staff safe, the farm stand will close temporarily during periods of extreme weather (thunderstorms, temperatures above 95 degrees). Please plan accordingly.

We are also at the Newton North Farmers' Market at Newton North High School on Saturdays.

Newton North Farmers' Market Hours:

Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Healthy soil is the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture and nutritious food. It is a living, dynamic ecosystem that supports plant growth, enhances biodiversity, and plays a crucial role in the global food system. Understanding the relationship between soil health and food quality is essential for promoting sustainable farming practices and ensuring food security.

The Importance of Healthy Soil

Healthy soil is teeming with life, from microorganisms like bacteria and fungi to larger organisms such as earthworms and insects. These organisms help break down organic matter into essential nutrients. Plants need these nutrients to grow. Soil health can be defined by the soil's ability to act as a living ecosystem that sustains those that use it for nourishment. This includes plants and animals.

Nutrient-Rich Food

The quality of the soil directly impacts the nutritional value of the food it produces. Healthy soil provides plants with a balanced supply of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace minerals. Plant growth and development rely on these nutrients. The quality of the nourishment that plants receive ultimately determines our food's nutritional value. For example, crops grown in nutrient-rich soils tend to have higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Sustainable Farming Practices

Sustainable farming practices are essential for maintaining healthy soils. These practices include:

1. Crop Rotation: Alternating different crops in the same field to prevent nutrient depletion and reduce loss from pests and disease.
2. Cover Cropping: Planting cover crops to protect the soil from erosion, improve soil structure, and enhance nutrient cycling.
3. Reduced Tillage: Minimizing soil disturbance to preserve soil structure and protect soil organisms.
4. Soil Organic Matter: Adding compost, manure, and other organic materials to enrich the soil and support microbial activity.

Healthy soil is the foundation of healthy food. Here at the Farm, we do all we can to preserve the health of our soil by utilizing the practices outlined above. We take our commitment to our community seriously. We want to ensure a resilient food system that will be here for generations to come. Stop by and see the difference for yourself!

If you've visited the farm stand lately, you have likely been helped by Aanika, our new farm-stand worker. Aanika shares a strong passion for sustainable agriculture. While completing her freshman year at UMass Amherst, she volunteered in the permaculture gardens. Permaculture is a holistic approach to land management and agriculture. It seeks to integrate human activity with the natural environment in an ecologically responsible way. Aanika learned about sustainable agriculture and the importance of eating locally. She is passionate about promoting the benefits community farms bring to their localities. These include maintaining a healthy environment, healthy people, and a healthy economy!

Aanika will be studying public policy at Notre Dame in the fall. We are proud to be a part of her journey to make the world a better place!

Taste of Summer Salad

Here’s a simple and healthy salad recipe that can easily be turned into a light, refreshing dinner as well:

Summer Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• 4 cups mixed lettuce leaves (e.g., romaine, butter lettuce, or mixed greens)
• 2 large tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• Any other fresh veggies you have on hand
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
• 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds or nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts)
• 
  
• For the Lemon Vinaigrette
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tb. apple-cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp. honey or maple syrup
• Salt and pepper to taste



Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables: In a large salad bowl, combine the lettuce leaves, chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and red onion.
2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, apple-cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Assemble the salad: Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
4. Add toppings: Sprinkle the feta cheese (if using) and toasted sunflower seeds or nuts on top for added flavor and crunch.
5. Serve: Enjoy your fresh and healthy lettuce and tomato salad immediately.



This salad is light, refreshing, and packed with nutrients. Add your favorite protein to make it an even more satisfying, healthy dinner.

Sunday, October 6

Fall Family Fun Party

303 Nahanton St., Newton

9:30 a.m. to noon

This popular event is lots of fun for the whole family! There will be a farm scavenger hunt, pumpkin decorating, and other activities. Registration and more info coming soon. Make sure to mark your calendars today!

We are looking for volunteers to help on the Farm on Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. If you like getting your hands dirty, we'd love to have you! Due to our small size, we are unable to accommodate drop-in volunteers.

Please click here to sign up for available shifts.

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