Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce farms in the Monadnock Region have come together, in partnership with the Cheshire County Conservation District, for the second year of ensuring that farm-fresh CSA vegetable shares are affordable for all interested community members.
Shares are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The program will accept applications until June 1st or until all available shares have been awarded.
The Monadnock Food Co-op announces six grant recipients for the 2020 Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund: Abenaki Springs Farm of Walpole, Green Wagon Farm of Keene, Pete’s Stand of Walpole, Picadilly Farm of Winchester, Stonewall Farm of Keene, and Windyhurst Farm of Westmoreland. The Farm Fund proudly distributed $27,411 among these six farms. Since starting in 2017, the Farm Fund has awarded over $59,000 in grants to fourteen local farms.
The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund, created in partnership with the Cheshire Country Conservation District, has a mission to support local farmers in increasing sustainable food production and wholesale sales to contribute to a thriving local farm economy. This grant supports several of the co-op’s goals, including contributing to a healthy, sustainable food system, supporting local farmers and producers, and building a strong, sustainable, and improving local economy. The Cheshire County Conservation District, fiscal agent for the Farm Fund, supports farm viability in the region and promotes the responsible stewardship of natural and agricultural resources.
Abenaki Springs Farm will build a wash/pack shed for their certified organic vegetable farm. Green Wagon Farm will purchase ‘Harvest Carts’ to improve the ease and efficiency of harvesting strawberries and other vegetable crops. Pete’s Stand will secure a potato planter, potato digger, and wholesale packaging materials to scale up their potato production. Picadilly Farm will purchase a new set of precision vacuum seeders for field seedings of root crops and greens. Stonewall Farm will build a 14′ x 100’ caterpillar tunnel to expand spinach production into the winter and provide shade to offer a cool growing space in the summer. Windyhurst Farm will increase their milk tank storage from 2,000 to 6,700 gallons.
“Our Farm Fund is an essential way to invest in the future of local, sustainable farming in our region,” said Michael Faber, Monadnock Food Co-op General Manager. “Especially in these times, it helps ensure we have a healthy, local food system for our community now and into the future.”
Funds for this program are provided by donations from Monadnock Food Co-op and its shoppers. Additional funds come from the You Have Our Trust Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation.
Fundraising is already underway for the 2021 Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund grant cycle. During May, July, October, and November 2020, co-op shoppers can round up their change at the registers to donate to the fund. So far this year, shoppers have contributed over $7,600 to the Farm Fund.
For more information, please visit monadnockfood.coop/farmfund. To make a tax-deductible donation to the fund, please contact Amanda Littleton at the Cheshire Country Conservation District at 603-756-2988 ext 4 or donate anytime online at cheshireconservation.org/make-a-donation.
Originally published on New Hampshire Maple Producers Website
Hosted by the New Hampshire Maple Producers Association, Maple Sugaring Month runs March 7 through March 29, spanning four weekends of maple madness! The 25th Annual NH Maple Weekend will be March 21 – 22, 2020.
Join the fun at a local participating sugar house! Across the state, sugar makers open their doors to the public to demonstrate the centuries-old craft of maple sugaring.
Meet the maple producers of New Hampshire. Discover how their operation works, enjoy free samples of fresh syrup, maple candies and confections, coffee and doughnuts. Some locations offer pancake breakfasts, petting farms or horse-drawn rides. Come taste why pure New Hampshire maple syrup has long been a delicious harbinger of spring.
Meet the faces behind your CSA fruits, veggies & more at the 2020 Monadnock Region CSA Fair. Seven area CSA farmers will set up informational tables and answer questions about their farms and CSA memberships.
This year’s Monadnock Region CSA Fair participants:
– Abenaki Springs Farm in Walpole offers berries, herbs, and vegetables in rotational production; uses biodynamic principles and remineralizes the soil: 603-209-7100, abenakispringsfarm.com, info@abenakispringsfarm.com.
– Hillside Springs Farm and CSA Garden, a hand and horse-powered farm in Westmoreland, offers vegetables, herbs, apple cider, and cutting flowers, all grown using only organic and biodynamic methods. Full and Half shares available on the farm or in Keene: 603-399-7288. hillsidespringsfarm.com, hillsidespringsfarm@gmail.com.
– Picadilly Farm in Winchester grows certified organic produce. Various types of CSA shares are available June-December, with share pick up at the farm or in Keene or Brattleboro: 603-239-8718, picadillyfarm.com, jenny@picadillyfarm.com.
– Seven Generations Farm in Gilsum is a small scale herbal farm and homestead, practicing permaculture and herbalism. Offers a bi-monthly Full Moon Herb Share. Each share includes a variety of apothecary items and medicinal plant products. Half and Full shares are available: sevengenerationsfarm.com, sevengenerationsfarm@gmail.com.
– Sun Moon Farm in Rindge provides vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers to members from June to November and grows a variety of greens all winter long. Located at “The Meeting School,” a property that has been continuously farmed since 1783, the farm grows over 75 varieties of old and rare Dahlias and offers members artisan breads that are baked on the property: 603-899-2806, sunmoonfarm.org, sun.moon.craig@gmail.com.
– Tracie’s Community Farm in Fitzwilliam offers spring, summer, and fall CSA shares in a variety of sizes and with the option of home delivery to Keene and the surrounding areas. Shares are harvested, washed, and packed day of delivery, and include a large variety of ripe, in-season produce: Jack Rixey, 443-994-4629; traciesfarm.com, farmers@traciesfarm.com.
– Village Roots Permaculture Farm in East Alstead offers spring and fall season greens and poultry shares. All birds are raised on pasture and fed only organic grains. Breeds include Freedom Ranger broiler chickens and heritage Narragansett turkeys: 603-477-5533, villageroots.org, marty@theorchardschool.org.
Yarden of Eatin' 