Author Archives: Ryan B.

The Fields In May

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Ryan B.

The first CSA pickup is nearly upon us and the crops are looking great for our shareholders! There are still a few spaces in our CSA for Monday, Friday and Saturday distributions; 18 weeks of fresh, local, organic vegetables! Learn more and register today.

Here are is a sample of whats growing in our fields so far.

Strawberries getting ready for June.

Carrots growing in our lower fields.

Cucumbers basking in the sun.

 

Rows of radish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another row of radish.

A predated robin egg found in the field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garlic ready for the CSA – new this year!

Farm apprentice and weeding dynamo Matt Eiland working in the carrots.

Lettuce beneath the row cover.

Sharon Green Day !

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Ryan B.

Join us tomorrow, Saturday May 6 from noon to 4pm, for Sharon Green Day!

Sharon Green Day is a local sustainability festival that is free and family oriented. Come learn about sustainable practices and how you can make a positive difference in your community.

The event will feature local environmental organizations, renewable energy exhibitors, local crafts, recycling, sustainable transportation, water conservation, green farming, kid’s activities, live music, and free food.

For more information on Sharon Green Day click here.

Remember to visit our table to learn more about Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary and to register for the Moose Hill Community Farm CSA. Our CSA provides 18 weeks of fresh, locally grown, organic vegetables. CSA shares are still available for this season, so register today and help support local sustainable agriculture.

Another Maple Sugaring Season Wraps

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Ryan B.

As the final sap buckets are stored away for the season, it is worthwhile to take a moment and reflect back on the 2017 maple sugaring season here at Moose Hill.

Sap buckets waiting to be stored in our barn.

During this season’s seven week sap run, that began on February 9 and ended on March 30,  we collected approximately 2,240 gallons of sap from about 140 taps. From this volume of sap, we yielded 37 gallons of maple syrup, which is approximately a 60:1 sap to syrup ratio. When talking about making syrup, the usual ratio you often hear is 40:1, but it can go as high as 80:1 – so what does this mean? Was this an impact of the drought last year? Was it an impact of the gypsy moth or winter moth infestations? Was it an impact of the few heavy rainfalls that we have seen? Or is this simply more typical for us?

Comparing this to last year’s season of roughly the same length of time, February 2 through March 28, we collected about 1,815 gallons of sap from the same number of taps. From this volume of sap, we yielded 34 gallons of maple syrup. which is roughly a 53:1 sap to syrup ratio. For both years, we have been delighted with the final results!

End of the season view of the sugarbush.

If the throws of nostalgia still have you hankering for this season’s maple syrup, please stop by the Moose Hill Visitor Center and pick up a bottle before they are gone!