Imagine
December 30, 2024
Imagine
Highlights from John Kempf’s podcast
As I listened to this podcast I started to Imagine for 2025. What an exciting concept to imagine a farm that serves more people, many of them of limited income, a place where all are welcome to come and learn and work and eat and commune, argue, and kibbitz. I have been imagining a greater level of fiscal success for our farm, always a limiting factor in the past, and a beautiful landscape of vegetables and herbs that is scaled down a bit (Marissa and Drew taking over the pond field garden) and a few notches more productive than in the past. I have been imagining how to focus in on how to solve our scab problem with our apple trees, prioritize more education on our website (keep an eye peeled for Leslie and Jennifer’s project), and more opportunity to buy for those who aren’t CSA members (we will let you know when we roll this out too). If you have been thinking about getting more involved with MHOF or the MHSC, this might be the year to reach out.
Expressing Gratitude this Week
For the past ten years or so, Clare was the main seed orderer on the farm. When Luke and I sat down to order seeds on Friday, I realized how much I missed this wonderful rite of winter/spring which represents like nothing else, the essence of gardening and vegetable farming. As Luke and I read through the seed catalogs to make our choices, I was reminded how remarkable CR Lawn, the now retired CEO of Fedco Seeds (he was head of Fedco for perhaps 40 years) was at running this solid seed coop. If you have some time, whether you ever order 1 packet of seeds, just click around and feast on his engaging and hilarious text.
Here is an example –
Divino Brussels Sprouts – Organic
Brassica oleracea (gemmifera group)
(105 days) F-1 hybrid. Brussels sprouts are Fedco’s former trials coordinator Heron’s favorite veggie, which may explain the inordinate trial budget that has gone into sprouts research. His dedication doubled down on a serious challenge: finding brussels with less aphid presence, a scourge in some Northeast growing seasons. We’ve discovered that plant architecture really matters: well-spaced branches and sprouts allow airflow, which helps keep aphids to a minimum. Divino seems blessed from above in our trials, with only a scattering of aphids or none at all. Tall-stalked Divino’s plentiful very tight half dollar–sized sprouts are dark green and delish, making us count our brussels blessings that breeder Bejo keeps the faith. Tested negative for BR and BL. Organic is NEW! ④
I am grateful not only to Fedco, but the many seed companies, many small and diverse, who have been keeping our seed sources strong and diverse. Buy some heirloom and open pollinated seeds this year, and be part of keeping our seed stocks diverse.
Maria Thun Calendar
It is worth having one of these around. Each year I buy one for the farm and one for my son Dan to use on his farm. I am not a dedicated biodynamic farmer, but do appreciate knowing best times to plant and tend leafy vegetables, flowering plants, fruiting plants and root crops.
Save Money on the 2025 CSA Share – Only 1 day until the end of the year!
Yes, you can get in on some end of the year savings if you sign up by December 31. Production costs for us go up across the board in 2025, and we also plan to give our salaried staff a $1/hour pay increase next year. We appreciate early commitment to this venture, which comes to 50% of our budget, and are encouraging you to commit early by offering this discount.
- Small shares – $475 before January 1; $500 in the new year
- Medium shares – $640 before January 1; $675 in the new year
- Large shares – $835 before January 1; $875 in the new year
- SNAP shares – $Small – $425; Medium: $525; Large: $725
Here is a link to the order form.
Volunteering at MHOF
For now, we are only working Mondays and Fridays, but by April we will be working M, T, W, F, with a 2 ½ hour stint on Saturdays for those who can’t come during the week. Now is a good time to sign up for a season of “fun and games” (as Jason used to say) at the farm. And lots of work, of course, also!
Protecting our Precious Mitochondria
Dr. Isaac Eliaz
Dr. Eliaz always has something important to share about how to have a healthier, happier life.
Protecting our Precious Mitochondria
This Week’s Recipe from Jennifer: Beef, Barley & Carrot Stew with Hingvastak
This nourishing Beef and Carrot Barley Stew is perfect for grounding and warming during the cold season. Infused with the digestive power of hingvastak—a blend of Ayurvedic spices known to support agni (digestive fire) and reduce vata—it combines tender beef, hearty barley, and sweet carrots in a rich bone broth. Finished with fresh garlic for an immune-boosting kick, this stew is both comforting and deeply restorative.
Get the Recipe on Jen Zen Living
Year-round shopping at MHOF
Thanks to all who have been over to shop. We still have lots of food and personal care items that are perfect gifts.
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21 Day Gentle Winter Healing Cleanse begins January 13th! Early Bird Discount good through end of 2024!
Who Is This Cleanse For?
You may benefit from this cleanse if you:
- Want to lose weight, reduce cravings, and feel fit.
- Struggle with chronic congestion, sinus issues, or bloating.
- Long for peaceful, refreshing sleep and clear thinking.
- Desire glowing, youthful skin and improved energy.
- Want to identify hidden food sensitivities impacting your health.
- Are seeking support from a community to make your cleanse successful.
- Feel ready to reconnect with yourself and cultivate vibrant health.
All Cleanse Info and registration can be found here.
6 Guest Teachers will be a part of this New Years Cleanse: Meet one of the Brand New teachers here!
Farm Doin’s
On Monday we started the wood collecting process for 2025. We only have two parts of woodsheds to fill this year, so it should be pretty easy. We have a couple of big ash trees that we need to get taken down, and we are focusing on the east wall of the west field. It is nice to be back at this wonderful winter task again.
Before we could start on the wood harvest, we needed to move a bunch of tarps and sandbags out of the way.
On Friday Luke and I ordered our seeds, after a careful inventory with Jennifer on Monday to ascertain our supplies. We also started some lettuce and Asians in the greenhouse to use as transplants in the hoop houses later in January. Then we inventoried our cover crops and started making planting maps for 2025. Jack and I ended the day ordering 12 fruit trees to fill in holes in our orchards.
Website updates, marketing plans for 2025, finalizing budgets, collecting payments due has been another part of this week’s work. Thanks to Jack and Leslie for help with this, and to Leslie who is working on a USDA grant for vegetable growers.
Julie
As we cut brush and small trees and grapes on Monday, I kept getting strong messages from the trees and plants, wondering whether what we were doing was in their best interests.
Quick Links
Buy Meat
2025 CSA Order Form
Contact Julie
Products Available Now at the Farm
Become a working shareholder
Donate to the MHSC
Workshops
Buy J and J’s book
Many Hands Make a Farm
https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/many-hands-make-a-farm/
