The Newton Farmer
February 2020
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Well, here we are. It’s a new year. A new decade. And at least for one of us, the start of a new half century. I don’t know about anyone else, but I have the nagging feeling that I still haven’t grown up. When do you become an adult? A full-fledged member of that secret society that is “in charge"?
I think the Farm, though younger by a number of decades, feels the same way (at least to me). Somehow the Farm still feels young. Somehow the Farm still feels like it’s growing into itself. And yet, 2020 marks the start of our
15
th
growing season. Other community farms come to us for advice. For mentorship. They come to us as one of the farms who’s been there, done that.
Time is such a funny thing. It passes faster and faster, but I don’t necessarily feel older. I do notice its passage. Like when my
youngest
kid, who used to work at the farmers’ market with me, is only a couple years from graduating high school. Or when I’m three quarters of the way toward what once would have been a pensioned career (20 years
–-
remember that?) at a farm that many in our community are only now just discovering.
But despite any lingering doubts, we are grown up. The Farm is an established part of our community. We have developed deep and strong connections throughout Newton and beyond, as we strive to provide produce and education to as many people as possible, as we work with other towns to preserve farmland and create vibrant, community-focused farms, and as we continue to work this one, small, magical piece of land. Here’s to all things new (and old!).
Farmer Greg
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Summer CSA Enrollment Happening Now
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Do you know what a CSA is? At the beginning of the growing season, you may purchase a CSA "share" of the produce the Farm will grow in the upcoming season. The income from the purchase of these shares solves a cash-flow problem–-this money covers expenses in the first half of the year, since the Farm has little produce to sell until June. In exchange, NCF provides sharers with a supply of sustainably grown, fresh vegetables and herbs each week throughout the season.
We offer the equivalent of 80 weekly shares. Some of our sharers enroll for an alternate-week share, which means they pick up produce every other week. Other sharers enroll for a weekly share for their family or they split their share with another friend or family (or two!).
Our 2020 Summer CSA program will run for 20 weeks, June through October, with the specific start date to be determined in the spring. CSA pickups are on the first floor of the barn on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. If you don’t have time for the pick-your-own (PYO) options during the week, you can come on Saturdays before 3:00 p.m. to pick those items. NCF donates any unclaimed shares to a local food pantry.
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Newton Community Farm grows most of the produce distributed in the CSA. Some crops require more space than our modest site allows so we supplement 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. Growing vegetables always involves uncertainty, and quantities may vary week to week, season to season. Our goal, which we have met every year, is for sharers to receive at least the purchase price in value, and we have a strong record of exceeding it!
Weekly Share:
$667 per share. Sharers come to the Farm once a week to pick up. Shares include some PYO crops such as peas, beans, cherry tomatoes, and herbs. At the height of the season (Aug–Sept) a typical week might include: 1 bunch of 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 of bell peppers; 4 hot peppers; 2 pounds of potatoes; 1 pound of summer squash or zucchini; 5 or more pounds of tomatoes; 1 pint of PYO cherry tomatoes; 6 ears of corn; 1 quart of PYO beans; PYO herbs (separate from bunched herbs listed above).
Alternate Week Share:
$359 per alternate week share. For people who find that our weekly shares are too much food to eat in a week, we offer a full share of produce every other week. When you enroll please carefully select a starting week, as this will put you on an alternating week schedule for the rest of the summer. We strive to give everyone their choice of starting dates, but need to balance the harvest between the two groups, so your assigned starting date will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Like the weekly share, this share includes some PYO items.
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Application and Payment:
Completed forms and checks must be received at NCF (mail or drop off) by the due date (see below) for consideration in each phase. Click
2020 Summer CSA Enrollment Form
to download the application. Mailing instructions, prices, and other information are included on the form.
All applicants must be a current
Friend of the Farm
(FoF) to apply for a CSA share. Please note that you have been automatically enrolled as a 2020 FoF if you made a donation of $45 or more since November 1, 2019.
Dates: We are currently in Phase 2 of the registration process.
Phase 2: Monday, February 3–Sunday, March 1 (due date) for Newton Residents
General enrollment for Newton residents only. At the end of this period, NCF will hold a lottery to select as many new participants as we have shares available. The lottery will be random, with no preference given for when the application is received before the due date. To participate in the lottery, we must receive your CSA enrollment application along with payment. (Checks will be returned to those we cannot accommodate.) Applications are due at the Farm by the due date. We will notify all applicants by Tuesday, March 3, as to whether or not they were selected in the lottery. Anyone who does not get in during Phase 2 has the option of adding their name to the 2021 waiting list.
Phase 3: Wednesday, March 4, until CSA is full; for Newton Residents and General Public
In the event that 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. Phase 3 will end when all of the shares are sold. Newton residents who do not get a share in the 2020 program by the end of Phase 3 (or March 14, whichever is later) will be given an opportunity to sign up for the 2021 Summer CSA waiting list.
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CSA Volunteer Work
Newton Community Farm is a nonprofit community resource. We depend on volunteer support from our CSA sharers for help in the fields, with our events, and to serve on our committees. We ask that all weekly sharers give 10 hours, and alternate week sharers give 5 hours, during the 2020 season. This is a voluntary commitment, but it is important to the health and vitality of our Farm community. If you are unable to volunteer and would like to make a donation, we would appreciate your contribution!
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NCF is seeking four lead farm educators for our 2020 summer programs for children age 3 to 13. Our summer programs combine farm and garden work with other hands-on activities to explore where our food comes from, the work that is involved in growing food, and how our food choices can affect our health, the health of the community, and the health of our environment. The weeklong programs include preparing daily healthy snacks, outdoor exploration, games, crafts and hands-on projects.
This educator is responsible for teaching the curriculum in each hour-long program for our youngest participants (with adult caregivers) in Farm Sprouts and Farm Babies. Typical activities include craft projects, story time, sing-alongs, movement, farm exploration, and free play.
Unpaid opportunities for students to learn about sustainable growing practices and community farming in a fun, friendly environment. No experience is necessary, just a desire to learn and work hard.
Unpaid opportunities for students who have a combined passion for the natural world and for working with children in an educational setting. Interns work as part of a team in which following instructions, a flexible approach, and a positive, enthusiastic attitude are a must.
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Upcoming Education Programs
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Farm Babies
(under 2.5 years with an adult)
Interactive farm-themed story time, movement, and songs followed by time to socialize with others and free play for the kids. Outdoors when weather allows or in the big red barn as needed.
Saturdays
9:00
–
10:00 a.m. (1st Saturday of the month) April 4, May 2, June 6
$7 per child when registering in advance; $10/child for drop-in.
Preregistration is preferred but NOT required for this program.
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Farm Sprouts
(ages 2.5–5 with an adult)
Foster curiosity through experiential learning by building a healthy foundation for a lifelong relationship with real food and the natural world. Enjoy outdoor exploration of the Learning Garden, animal encounters, story time, songs, and craft projects. Meets on the colorful mat near the Learning Garden or in the big red barn in bad weather.
Registration closes 24 hours prior to each session. There is no charge for adult caregivers and a maximum of 3 children per adult.
Tuesdays, March 24–April 21, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
$60 per child for five-week program; $15/child for individual sessions
Tuesdays, April 28–May 26, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
$60 per child for five-week program; $15/child for individual sessions
1st Saturday of the month, April 4, May 2, June 6, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
(Register for one, two, or three classes)
$36/child for four-class pass; $15/child for individual class
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Meets weekly on early-release Tuesday afternoons for elementary-school kids. Start seedlings for planting at the Farm and at home, care for chickens, and help prepare the Learning Garden for the growing season. Rain or shine we’ll spend most of the afternoon outdoors learning about the Farm, working in the garden, playing games, and doing projects.
8-week session on Tuesdays, March 31–May 26, 1:30–3:00 p.m. (no class April 21)
$160 per child
Your children can experience the beauty and bounty of the Farm and give their summer a whole new meaning! At NCF's Kids at the Farm Summer Camp, kids dig, plant, weed, and water. They harvest fresh produce, prepare delicious snacks, feed the chickens, collect eggs, and explore the world through the lens of farming and food. Register today! Some weeks are filling up so don’t wait!
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Donors Needed for
Growing Green Online Auction
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Do you have a skill you can offer to teach? Do you work for or own a business that would be able to donate a gift certificate or unique experience? Maybe you have a vacation rental property on the Cape? If so, we want to hear from you! We are planning for our "Growing Green Online Auction" coming up in April, and we are counting on our supporters to contribute in-kind items and services! Please reach out to our events manager, Jay Vilar, at
[email protected]
to discuss your donation.
Thank you!
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NEWTON COMMUNITY FARM
303 Nahanton Street
Newton, MA 02459
617-916-9655
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