This week we definitely felt a shift toward autumn. The nights are cooler, the goldenrod is blooming, and the leaves on the trees are beginning to change color. August and September are the months when we dive deep into planning mode. The board of directors will have its annual retreat next weekend. The nominating committee is interviewing potential board members for 2020. The five paid staff (Alyson, Jon, Andrew, Wilson, and Pam) are spending time and a lot of mental energy redesigning the farm and our educational offerings for next season. Soon we will present a draft budget to the finance committee for review. Plant growth may have slowed, but there’s always plenty of work to do!
On the first Saturday of the month from 9 to 11, we have a program for all ages called The Living Landscape. This is a fun opportunity to explore the farm with Woodland Steward Wilson Alvarez. Each month’s class is different based on what the land presents and what questions you ask. Topics covered may include:
Animal and insect tracking
Identification of wild plants
Tree and bark identification
Macro-invertebrates
Soil analysis
Reading the landscape
Nature observation
Bird language
Topography
Understanding water flows
Primitive skills
Come prepared for all weather, to get dirty, wet, and sometimes hot and sticky! This class is family and child friendly, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is per person, regardless of age. Our next The Living Landscape session is Saturday, September 7. See you there!
While the growing season may soon come to the end, there are simple ways to preserve the harvest! Canning foods is an easy way to preserve seasonal produce, to support local agriculture, and to be sure of what is in your food. Join us On September 10 for our final canning class of the season: Introduction to Canning Applesauce. The class will be led by Mary P. Hall. Mary grew up surrounded by canning, starting in her great grandmother’s kitchen. From a young age she helped her great grandmother as she grew and canned most of the food she served to her family. Although a career in communications and raising her family took her away from canning for several years, a desire to be more in control of the food she was eating and to be able to preserve the food grown in her own garden brought Mary back to preserving food. Each year, Mary and her now-adult children host marathon canning weekends, where they can jam, pickles, relishes and other goodies that feed their families throughout the year as well as making great gifts for friends. Mary lives in Manchester, Pennsylvania with her four cats, three chickens, too many fruit trees, and an unruly garden. The class will be held in our historic summer kitchen, so space is limited. Register today!
September is a wonderful transition time between summer and fall and signs of abundance are everywhere! On Saturday, September 21 from 9 to 11 a.m. we’ll walk the property and see what is thriving on the edges. September Foraging – Plant Walk
Also coming up in September is the very popular Pawpaw Festival on September 28 and 29 from 10 to 3 each day.
Upcoming events:
Every week: Farm Stand – Tuesdays 1 to 7 and Saturday 9 to noon at the farm and the Online Farm Stand – pre-order vegetables and flowers for pick up at the farm on Tuesday afternoon.
September 7 – The Living Landscape
September 7 – The Ayurvedic Kitchen
September 10 – Introduction to Canning: Applesauce
September 21 – Foraging Plant Walk
September 28/29 – Pawpaw Festival
October 5 – Cooking with Flowers
October 5 – The Living Landscape
October 7 – Kombucha Making
October 12 – Bread: Rising to the Next Level
October 15 – Woodland Steward Training Program
October 19 – Foraging: Soups
October 26 – Holiday Harvest Table I
November 2 – The Living Landscape
November 9 – Foraging: Roots
November 9 – Holiday Harvest Table II
November 19 – Bread Baking
December 7 – The Living Landscape
December 14 – Foraging: Winter Offerings
Custom Classes & Workshops
See you at the farm!