News from the farm, Monday October 12th

Farm life held a lot of high notes this week. One was the purchase of a goodly number of vinyl bags which we filled with sand. The crew put the sandbags down on the edges of the Remay that we’re using to protect a number of tender growing crops from the cold. Cathleen used this method in her previous work with Simple Gifts farm, and it worked like a miracle during Wednesday’s burst of high winds. The Remay stayed on – huzzah! Julie feels “elated to find a solution to keep the Remay on the crops” destined to be the “fresh portion” of the Fall CSA shares (arugula, cilantro, radishes, turnips, chinese cabbage, tat soi.)

In good staffing news, Anthony Brogno joined the farm as a full-time staffer this week. He has been coming to the farm regularly throughout the summer from his previous work with Earthlands, and Julie is excited to welcome him to Many Hands – “a nice addition to the crew, and a good farmer”. Our regular crew also welcomed five employees from Trader Joe’s in Hadley as farm volunteers this week, thanks to AJ and Rachel. Julie observes that “So many young people have come to the farm this year, feeling that farming is the solution to so many of the worlds problems. It’s very gratifying, and we’re so glad that they chose us”.

Finally, Julie is very excited to have joined the Ware Community Band. She’ll be playing her French horn, and instrument she started playing at age 10. Rehearsals start on October 21st.

One bittersweet note this week: Gavin’s time at the farm has come to an end. He is off to his next adventure: working at a B&B in upstate New York. The farm wishes him well on his next adventure – “he’s a real sweetheart”, says Julie.