April 1, 2012
Preseason Newsletter #1

Waltham Fields Community Farm

CSA Newsletter

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Welcome to the CSA at Waltham Fields Community Farm!
Seedlings

Welcome to the 2012 season at WFCF!  Despite this spring's crazy weather, sprouts and seedlings are popping up in the field and the greenhouse. We are almost finished hiring our field and weed crews for the season, and Farmer Andy is plowing up our new fields at Gateways Farm to plant cucumbers, melons and squash as soon as it warms up for good. 

We've had a busy winter here at the farm -- while we were finishing up construction on our new CSA barn, we got the news that we received a grant from the USDA to construct a new hoophouse for year-round greens production.  Andy and Farmer Erinn will be working on that all season, so look for a new structure to go up beginning in the fall.

We are excited to bring you a few early-season updates about the CSA this year.  Please read the bullets below for more information!
  • We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Rockville Market Farm to offer delicious, antibiotic-free Vermont-grown Eric's Eggs again this season.  The eggs were so popular last year that Eric has added another option for 2012:  a 20-week egg-n-chorizo share!  While we will have a limited quantity of eggs a la carte when they are available, the best way to make sure you get your weekly egg fix is to buy an egg share now!  
  • The first CSA pickups of the season will be:
    •  Tuesday, June 12 2:30-7:30  
    •  Thursday, June 14 2:30-7:30
    • Saturday, June 16 9 AM-1 PM

Bring bags to carry home your veggies, scissors for pick-your-own herbs, and a big hello for your farmers!

If you are a weekday-only shareholder, please plan to pick up on Tuesday or Thursday.  We look forward to seeing you all at the farm in June! 

  • We'll be holding CSA orientations the week before pickups begin.  Please click on a link below to register for an orientation if you plan to attend.  
  • We will not be providing plastic bags for CSA shareholders this season -- so start saving up those grocery produce bags now if you prefer to bag each item separately.  Or, better yet, invest in some reusable produce bags or cloth bags to contain veggies this year.  
  •  Still have a balance to pay on your CSA share?  Look for an invoice from Deb in your email inbox in April; final payment is due June 1.   
  • We still have a few winter shares available!  Winter share pickups are November 3 and 17 and December 1 and 15, 2012.  Email Amanda if you are interested in purchasing a winter share.    
  •  We are working on furnishing our new CSA barn!  If you have any rustically elegant decorations, including old milk jugs, farm implements, or wall art, let us know -- we might be able to use them for the new barn! 
 

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Quick Links

Events and Programs

 

SPROUT! 

 

Tickets are on sale now! Saturday, April 14, 5:30-8:30pm  

 

Silent auction fundraiser and spring celebration.

 

Online auction starts April 2!   

 

Seedling Sales!

 

Can't get enough veggies?  Grow your own!  Come to our seedling sales in May to buy vegetable and flower seedlings, with varieties are carefully selected by Farmer Erinn to grow well in our area.  All organically grown right here at Waltham Fields!   

 

Saturday, May 12 9-4 and

Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20, 9-4 here at the farm.

 

Children's Learning Garden Programs!

 

Spring programs begin May 9 -- sign up now!   Registration is also open for our well-loved summer programs.  Sign up for Garden Explorers, Little Sprouts, Farmer for a Week and more by clicking on the link above.

 

Soil Testing Workshop! 

 Saturday, May 12th, 10am-12pm.
Learn how to take a take a proper soil sample and understand your test results with Dr. John Spargo from UMASS.

Click on the link above to learn more about this and other adult practical skills workshops at WFCF.
 


Help Wanted!

Seedling Sale Volunteers NeededNew Barn

 

Love plants?  Available May 12, 19 or 20?  Come help out at our farm's annual seedling sale! Contact Erinn for more information or to sign up for a time to volunteer.

 

Drop-in Volunteer Hours

 

If you have some time on your hands and would like to exchange it for some dirt, we have just the job for you!  Drop-in hours for high school and adult volunteers are Tuesday-Friday beginning promptly at 9 AM; Saturday hours begin at 9 AM on April 7.   Show up ready to work and dressed for the weather! 

 

CSA Work Share Positions Available

 

We are looking to fill two half-share distribution coordinator positions for the upcoming season.  Distribution coordinators help our farm staff stock the farm stand and check shareholders in at CSA pickups -- it's a great chance to get to know the farm and the farmers "behind the scenes" even as you meet your fellow shareholders.  We are looking for friendly, personable people who don't mind a little heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds) to fill in for the second half of the season in exchange for half a CSA share.  Spread the word to anyone you think might be interested!

 

Position one:  Tuesdays, 2:00-8:00 PM, September-October

Position two:  Saturdays, 8:30 AM -1:30 PM, August-October   

 

 Contact Amanda if you are interested.

 

 

Waltham Fields Community Farm Staff  

Claire Kozower, Executive Director

Kim Hunter, Education & Volunteer Coordinator

Amanda Cather, Farm Manager

Andy Scherer, Gateways Field Manager

Dan Roberts, Field Manager

Erinn Roberts, Greenhouse & Field Manager

Marla Rhodes, Development Coordinator

Deb Guttormsen, Bookkeeper & Tech Coordinator

 

www.communityfarms.org          781-899-2403  

 
Waltham Fields Community Farm | 240 Beaver Street | Waltham | MA | 02452