Monthly Archives: August 2016

Alex’s Farm Tidbits

Hello everyone! We have been having a great time bringing in all the wonderful veggies for you all and we have been taking some pictures of the cool things we have been finding! There has been a lot of signs of wildlife these days (even a few coyotes that were getting really close while we were picking tomatoes!) Check out these photos!

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This sweet potato wants to just keep growing!

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We found this big turkey feather while harvesting squash

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This sweet potato looks like it has a pig tail!

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Twin cherry tomatoes!

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You can’t really see it but to the right of the end of the road is a coyote!

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Found a snake while I was digging up sweet potatoes!

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I thought this potato looked funny

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Maybe like a hippo?

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Bringing in those beautiful sunflowers!

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Spiders are always nice to have around on the farm

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So are wasps! Though they do sting, they make the coolest combs

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We think this is some coyote scat!

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Sweet potatoes in love!

Well that’s all for today! Thanks for reading and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

—- ALEX

This post is by Alex MacLellan who is in his first year as one of the Farm Apprentices at Moose Hill. Alex has some of the highest energy we have seen out in the fields. He has begun to share pictures of the varieties of crops that we have and some of the fun things our farm apprentices and farm hands find in the fields.

Week 14 Pickup List

Hi all,

Five more weeks left to go! The chance to grab extra produce at the end of distribution times on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday will continue this week. Please see previous blog post titled “Beginning of Extras” for more information. Buy a 5 gallon bucket of tomatoes will continue during distribution times and Tuesday and Thursday from 5 – 7 pm. Price for shareholders: $5/bucket, non-shareholders, $10/bucket. Lugi’s honey (1 lb jars), and Queen’s honey (3/4 lb jars) will continue to be sold at $12 and $10 respectively. Moose Hill Community farm cookbooks are also on sale for $12. Spaghetti squash and pumpkins are here! Cucumbers, and Summer Squash are on the decline as well as corn. Here is this week’s list…

  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Cantaloupe
  • Musk Melon’s
  • Watermelon
  • Corn
  • Dragon Tongue Beans
  • Tomatoes
  • Pick your own cherry tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Hot Peppers
  • Regular and Gourmet Eggplant
  • Cucumbers (these are winding down so they are a part of the share bin)
  • Zucchini
  • Patty pan and Summer Squash
  • Pumpkins!
  • Spaghetti Squash
  • Lettuce
  • Egg and Fish shares for those who registered
  • 1 lb and 3/4 lb jars of pure and unrefined honey for sale

Some science behind sustainable farming

Lately I have been reading about certain small-scale farmers who have demonstrated ways of growing food without the use of a a single chemical fertilizer, animal inputs, and with minimal use of fossil fuels. What I find most interesting about some of these farmers is the amount of knowledge and resourcefulness they demonstrate by spending less money, yet still producing large and diverse quantities of produce for themselves, and in some cases, a smaller surrounding community.

When I compare our CSA to some of these small scale farms, I realize how difficult it would be for larger operations to prevent crop loss — due to disease, pests, weather conditions — without burning any fuel. When weeding one acre of land, or applying organic pesticides to such a small area, it is certainly possible to do this without the need of tractors or large basket weeders (machines that Ward’s Berry Farm uses to weed some of our 400 feet rows of corn when their young). This could be done by hand and with few laborers, therefore more “eco-efficient” since less money is spent and less fuel is burned compared to a larger CSA. Yet some of the most important aspects of organic farming, and some of the key similarities between smaller sustainable operations and larger organic farms, are the way that soil and the abundant minerals within it are recycled and managed.

Healthy and arable soil (soil which can be used to grow crops) is ultimately what the human population depends on for it’s survival. We breathe from the trees and eat from the crops that come from well developed soil. In fact, roughly 10% of the world’s landmass is considered arable, yet much of this arable land is dedicated to animal pasture and growing food for livestock. Because our planet is inhabited by almost 8 billion people, more and more land suitable for growing is instead being developed on.

On a positive note, the more awareness we have about the affects of carbon emission and climate change, the more likely people will change the way they live and eat. A common phrase I like very much: vote with your fork! Yet in speaking from experience, this phrase seems to resonate with me a little more after learning about and directly witnessing the effects of sustainable farming on the surrounding community. The questions I receive from shareholders about how our compost is made, or the eagerness of some to hold a cooking and canning class, are all based (in my opinion) on a collective appreciation for organic food and the way it is grown.

So it all comes back to soil. Or dirt if you prefer, which is made up of a mixture of rocks, sand, clay, and organic matter – all of which are composed of different kinds of minerals. Geologically speaking, these minerals originate from different types of igneous rocks – rocks that are formed from the cooling and solidification of magma and lava –  which break down overtime due to chemical erosion and the extremely slow and gradual movement of glaciers (glaciation). Overtime these primary rocks  become sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone and limestone which contain essential minerals that soil requires to support growth. When an area of soil lacks certain minerals, or if vegetable plants cannot access them, it is most often not because this soil is devoid of nutrients, rather these minerals lay deep below the soil surface, or they exist in more concentrated forms – needing to be “digested” and dissolved in order for the roots of vegetables to access them. The mineral silica for example, is the most abundant element in the earth’s crust, and many plant species use it as a defense against pests and disease. Yet because silica is one of the least soluble minerals, many plants need it to be “pre-digested” for them. Ferns and sedges are succulent plants that are able to do this. In terms of “bringing up” some of those latent minerals located deep below topsoil, trees are able to do this the best, yet so can various green manure crops such as winter pea, which we actually plant in our upper field! By not planting any vegetables in this designated area of our field, we allow the soil to “replenish” itself through the help of this cover crop.

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Though difficult to see, winter peas are abundant in this area of our field.  A large compost pile lays here as well, which is continuously breaking down into more “accessible” forms of nutrients for vegetables to benefit from.

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Our spaghetti squash as well as our tomatoes, are able to grow and access the nutrients from a much “rougher” form of young compost. Other crops such as carrots or beets for example, require a finer form of soil.

Some other methods that we use to replenish our soil without having to buy additional minerals, are by harrowing, or “blending” up dead and decaying crops into the soil. By attaching drag harrows to the back of their tractors, Ward’s Berry farm is able to churn up our soil, thus recycling the nutrients that originated from it. Though our methods are not “100% green,” it is nonetheless worth noting how our soil is formed and developed from a series of natural events. From the surrounding trees that bring up valuable minerals deep below the surface, to the recycling of nutrients into the soil via harrowing and composting…a co-dependent Eco-system. Considering the manner in which larger corporations produce and ship food by the masses, I can’t think of a better cause to support than something that recycles the resources it produces instead of solely consuming it.

Reference

Will Bonsall’s Essential Guide to Radical, Self-Reliant Gardening

This post is by Matt Eiland who is in his first year as one of the Farm Apprentices at Moose Hill. In addition to the weekly pick-up posts, Matt has been sharing stories from the fields, ways to care and store for the crops, and other helpful insights.

Beginning of Extras

Hi all,

As some of you may already know, we are now going to be providing extras at the end of distribution times on Monday’s and Wednesday’s at 7 pm, and Saturday’s at noon. Because Friday’s harvest is provided for both Friday’s and Saturday’s distribution, we will not be able to provide extras on Friday. Here are some guidelines about what extras are and how it all works…

What are “Extras”?

This is an opportunity for shareholders to return on Monday or Wednesday at 7pm or Saturday at noon and pick-up unclaimed harvested vegetables. Why do we have this opportunity? There are several reasons:

  • When we harvest, we intentionally harvest just a little more than we need for distribution on that day. This helps ensure that shareholders will have a choice as they select each item all the way through to the end of the evening.
  • There are times when shareholders do not take everything that is offered at distribution – perhaps it is a vegetable that they do not like or they just cannot handle this vegetable one more time (zucchini or radishes are often the classic scenarios here, but even tomatoes or potatoes can fall into this category). Although we encourage shareholders to move items they are not taking to the share bin so that throughout the distribution, unclaimed vegetables can find a home with another shareholder, it doesn’t always happen and we arrive at the end of the evening with some excess – unclaimed harvested vegetables.
  • Sometimes a shareholder unexpectedly misses their pick-up and we have already harvested their share for the day.

It is important to note that we do not harvest vegetables with the intent of having “extras” – they really are a product of unclaimed vegetables as described above.

What does this mean for you?

We prefer all vegetables that we harvest for our shareholders go to our shareholders, and if there are items that are not being taken, then this is a great way to get it back out there.

How does it work?

If you decide to return on Monday or Wednesday at 7 pm or Saturday at noon, you will form a line and be told how much of each item you may take. Take those items that interest you and skip those that do not. Once you have gone through the line, if you would like additional vegetables, then you return to the end of the line and you have a new chance to receive more vegetables. This continues until the vegetables are gone.

Some things to note about how this works:

  • This can be very hectic so PATIENCE and GOOD HUMOR should always be top of the list.
  • There are some vegetables that will be more popular than others so please follow the rules.

Week 13 Pickup List

Hi all,

Last week were brought in up to 18 crops for distribution, and because we are at a peak point in the season, we should be bringing in similar numbers. “Buy a 5 gallon bucket” of tomatoes will continue during every distribution day this week, as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 – 7 pm; price for shareholders is $5, non-shareholders, $10. Our local and unrefined honey will also continue to be on sale; 1 lb jars for $12, 3/4 lb jars for $10.  In other news, Sunflowers are on the horizon! Here is this week’s list:

  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Corn
  • Watermelons
  • Cantaloupe
  • Dragon Tongue Beans
  • Tomatoes
  • Regular and Gourmet Eggplant
  • Peppers
  • Hot Peppers
  • Swiss Chard (only certain distribution days)
  • Cucumbers
  • Zucchini
  • Squash
  • Basil
  • Lettuce
  • Pick your own cherry Tomatoes (occurring every distribution day)
  • 1 lb jars of Lugi’s honey and 3/4 lb jars Queen’s honey on sale for $12 and $10 respectively
  • Egg and Fish Shares for those who registered

Types of Eggplant

Types of Eggplants

Here at the farm we are growing all kinds of different eggplants, some long and thin, some fat and round, all delicious. Here is a quick look at some of the various types of eggplants you can see in your shares.

– Machiaw

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Long purple Japanese – Chinese hybrid eggplant

– Galine

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Classic glossy black appearance

– Imolese Bianca

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Ivory white eggplant, be careful of the sharp spine!

– Rosa Bianca

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Pink and round with mild flesh

– Barbarella

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Dark purple and round

– Shikou

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Long dark asian eggplant

+++ Alex

This post is by Alex MacLellan who is in his first year as one of the Farm Apprentices at Moose Hill. Alex has some of the highest energy we have seen out in the fields. He has begun to share pictures of the varieties of crops that we have and some of the fun things our farm apprentices and farm hands find in the fields.

Farm Tidbits

While digging potatoes we found the elusive heart potato

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And these two sweet potatoes sure are sweet on each other! (Sorry for the bad joke!)

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The bees sure are liking this final set of corn

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The sunflowers are just about ready to pop

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The melons are ripening up, you can tell by the noise they make when you knock on them and the yellow spot on the bottom

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The chard is pulling through in this drought! Look forward to some in your share soon!

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The soy beans are almost ready

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Pumpkins are coming along great! We even carved one quick while harvesting one morning.

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You can even kind of carve eggplants! (Sometimes they have funny noses)

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Thats the news from the farm! Thanks for reading

– Alex

This post is by Alex MacLellan who is in his first year as one of the Farm Apprentices at Moose Hill. Alex has some of the highest energy we have seen out in the fields. He has begun to share pictures of the varieties of crops that we have and some of the fun things our farm apprentices and farm hands find in the fields.

Week 12 Pickup List

Hi all,

A wide variety of produce lies ahead this week, as we should be harvesting between 13 – 15 crops for each distribution day! Sweet potatoes and some late season Lettuce are new additions, and melons and cantaloupe are on the horizon. “Buy a bucket” of tomatoes will continue to be held at the lower field on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 – 7 pm, and during all distribution times this week. 5 gallon buckets of any variety they choose to harvest will be available; for shareholders the price is $5, non-shareholders, $10. Moose hill community farm cookbooks are also on sale for $12. Here is this week’s list…

  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Lettuce
  • Potatoes
  • Eggplant
  • Hot Peppers
  • Peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Onions
  • Cucumbers
  • Zucchini
  • Squash
  • Basil
  • Green and Yellow Beans
  • Pick your own cherry tomatoes – occurring every distribution day this week
  • Pick your own Zinnias – occurring certain distribution days depending on amount available
  • 1 lb and 3/4 lb honey jars priced at $12 and $10 respectively
  • Egg and Fish shares for those who registered

 

Star Gazing Nights – July 29: Planets and Meteorites

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Night sky

It was another day where the weather at the start of the day was very different from the weather by the time the star gazing night event began.  In the morning, it was showering, but by mid-afternoon, the clouds were disappearing.  We had a few clouds at the start that partially blocked the sky, but by dark, the viewing was actually pretty good.  Eight amateur astronomers and 22 people came to the event.

For me the night was especially great – I acquired a new telescope!  One of the astronomers had a reflector that he owned but didn’t use since he had larger scopes to use, I’ll call it the ‘Meade’ scope, here.  So, I bought it, to try out a respectable entry-level scope and from time to time report what I see with it. I’ll compare this scope with another scope that Moose Hill has in a later blog.

We started the night as the International Space Station flew almost overhead.  Several of us also saw a ‘shooting star’ or two – possibly from the Delta Aquarids.

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Scorpius Constellation

That night, Mars and Saturn were out forming a bright triangle with Antares, the bright orange star that forms the heart of the constellation, Scorpius.  It’s hard to see a lot of detail on Mars with the typical instruments available.  The Meade scope showed the disk, and I believe I saw a white polar cap.  The Meade scope defined Saturn and its rings easily, and I could see darker portions closer to the disk that make it look like Saturn had handles.  Larger scopes showed more details such as the ring divisions, as well as perhaps three of its moons that were just too small for the Meade scope.  Throughout August, these planets and Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury at the western horizon will be forming tight formations.  Check out this website, Sky and Telescope for more information,

I tried a few other common sights.  I couldn’t find the ring nebula in Lyra, which looks like a smoke ring in the larger telescopes – I will try again with charts this time.  I did manage to see the pair of stars in B Cygnus, “Aricebo” a favorite because one is blue and one is orange.  I found M1, the globular cluster in Hercules, which looked like a lumpy cloud compared to the image in larger telescopes that are able to resolve individual stars.

Toward the end of the evening, I was able to show someone the main constellations.  She knew a few and some of the stories behind them.  I was able to add a few more constellations and stories.  So many sites have information about constellations.  Constellations are as much about science as they are about our culture and imagination.  So, I recommend studying both. Windows to the Universe is a great site to get you started.

The next Star Gazing Night is tonight, August 11 – hope to see you there!

Thank you to Craig Austin for this Star Gazing post and these pictures. Craig is often present during Moose Hill’s Star Gazing Nights, along with a few members of the Astronomical Society of Southern New England, and other local amateur astronomers. We are grateful for those who share their scopes and knowledge with anyone who is interested in learning more and seeing the night sky from our open field.

How to grow beans in cotton – very easy!

Hi all,

Similar to a blog post I wrote earlier in the season, I thought I would share some steps for how you can regrow your green and yellow rocdor beans. I discovered this process from a friend of mine, who was simply using cotton balls to do so! As you will see in this article, all you will need is a small jar or plastic container, a few balls of cotton, and your beans. You can grow beans in this way using many types of bean varieties: green, black, kidney beans, etc.

Start by placing about 3 moist cotton balls inside a jar or small plastic container. Cotton should be spread apart and not tightly compacted. Do not soak the cotton, rather you can lightly pour water on it.  Make a very small indentation in the cotton for the seeds. Each seed can be placed about 1 inch apart. Cotton should be 1 – 2 inches from the surface of the cup or jar.

These beans should receive only about a half hour of sunlight a day, and the rest of the time they can be in a well lit area. Make sure they are not placed in the dark for long periods as this will not allow photosynthesis to occur. Water the cotton and beans when the cotton starts to dry up in order to maintain moisture. In no time you will see the beans break out of it’s skin like in the picture above!

Image titled 403px The bean sprout which surprised me 1

When bean sprouts reach about 6 -8 inches you can bury them along with the cotton into potting soil. At this point they can be exposed to sun throughout the day but should be watered daily so that it’s soil is continually moist.

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This photo was taken myself…watch it grow!

 

Reference:

How to grow beans in cotton

How do you grow a bean using cotton wool?

This post is by Matt Eiland who is in his first year as one of the Farm Apprentices at Moose Hill. In addition to the weekly pick-up posts, Matt has been sharing stories from the fields, ways to care and store for the crops, and other helpful insights.