Soil Preparation
March 17, 2025
Soil Preparation
After what I would call a normal winter, it is particularly enjoyable to savor these fantastic long and relatively warm March days. About a week ago, I woke up one day and decided that I had to accomplish many, many things all of a sudden, after worrying mostly about how to keep us all warm enough and in work over the months of January and February.
I pushed forward our tarping and pre-season cover cropping schedule. Friday Marissa and Matt sprayed the west, south and north fields with our pre-season soil preparation – basically 1 part Rejuvenate and 2 parts SeaShield (both AEA products) with a biological called Spectrum (a product of Tainio Technologies). Monday we will tarp the areas that will be planted in as short as 4 weeks. The areas that will see crops around June 1 will be planted with an 11-species cover crop from Green Cover Seed – Cool Season Soil Builder – spring forage pea, vetch, crimson clover, spring oats, barley, rapeseed, radish, brown mustard, sunflower, flax and phacelia. Ready, set, go!
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Marissa spraying the south field prior to tarping.
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Expressing Gratitude This Week
You don’t hear much about or from our son Paul – child number 2. He is the tech guy – the person behind the curtain. Though he doesn’t now actively work for the farm or our website, he is still available when we have a crisis. And crisis we had last week. Regular subscribers probably noted that our newsletter was 7 hours late. We had a snafu with Mail Chimp. Amanda got right on it when she arrived at work, but got stymied and I suggested that she call Paul. Computer savant that he is, he figured it all out quickly and got us publishing. Thanks, Paul, for your decades of supporting our back end!
Jack and Paul making sandwiches in York, England
Community Fridge Update
We now need only $2,028 to fulfill our goal for Fridges shares for 2025. You can donate by sending a check to MHSC, 411 Sheldon Road, Barre, MA 01005 or donate here.
If you work for a company that will match donations, please consider setting up a matching donation relationship with MHSC. Thanks.
And thanks to recent donors Sam and Elizabeth, Stacy, Mary and Glenn!
Farm Zoom Interviews: Why are you a CSA member?
Here is another note from Donnamarie who we interviewed last week –
“I use up every bit of my CSA produce because I make fresh pressed green juice every morning and I loved adding your garlic and herbs, too, since I chose an alternative pathway to healing breast cancer, 13 years ago. My journey continues to evolve. 1 dose of chemo poisoning was more than enough, and I have been working on undoing the effects ever since. Horrible experience. (sorry if that was repetitive)”
Our two interviews this week are with Bill and Maureen Gasko and Becky Kozodoy-Pins.
2025 MHOF CSA – Spotlighted CSA Crops This Week: Broccoli and Summer Squash
Broccoli was in the shares a whopping 10 times in 2024 – definitely our best showing yet. And I think the cabbage looper worms weren’t terribly present that often, on top of it.
Broccoli is a notable source of glucosinolates, which are sulfur-containing compounds known for their health benefits, including anti-cancer properties. These compounds serve as precursors to bioactive metabolites such as sulforaphane, which has been extensively studied for its chemopreventive effects against various types of cancer, including breast and prostate cancers. Research indicates that the concentration of glucosinolates in broccoli can be significantly higher in sprouts compared to mature plants, with levels reported to be 10 to 100 times greater in broccoli sprouts than in mature broccoli heads. This unique aspect highlights broccoli’s potential to act as a functional food with significant health-promoting properties.
Broccoli is exceptionally rich in essential vitamins. It provides notable amounts of vitamins C, E, and K, which are crucial for numerous physiological functions. Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress and has a vital role in maintaining the immune system. Additionally, vitamin E contributes to cardiovascular health and may help reduce inflammation Vitamin K is essential for proper blood clotting and bone health. These vitamins, combined with the antioxidant properties of phytochemicals present in broccoli, underscore its importance as a staple in a health-conscious diet. Indeed, broccoli’s dense nutritional profile assists not only in disease prevention but also promotes overall health and wellness.
We offered these Summer Squash and Zucchini 11 of the 22 weeks of the summer CSA.
One of the foremost qualities of summer squash and zucchini is their high fiber content. Dietary fiber plays a critical role in promoting digestive health by enhancing bowel regularity, preventing constipation, and supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. A higher intake of dietary fiber has been associated with a lower risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders, including diverticulitis and hemorrhoids. Additionally, the fiber in zucchini is predominantly insoluble, which adds bulk to the stool and aids in efficient movement through the digestive tract. This is further supported by studies indicating that regular consumption of fiber-rich vegetables, such as zucchini, can have a positive impact on gut microbiota composition and diversity, a critical factor for overall gut health.
Another significant aspect is the presence of specific bioactive compounds found in zucchini and summer squash, including vitamins and antioxidants. These compounds not only contribute to general health but also enhance gut health by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress within the digestive system. For example, the high levels of antioxidants like vitamin C and phenolics found in zucchini can help mitigate inflammatory processes in the gut, which are often linked with dysbiosis and gastrointestinal discomfort. Research indicates that these antioxidants can also help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including those affecting the gut, by promoting a favorable environment for beneficial gut bacteria. Moreover, the presence of carotenoids and vitamin E, which provide additional anti-inflammatory properties, supports the role of zucchini in maintaining gut health by promoting mucus production and protecting intestinal cells.
I miss fresh vegetables with a vengeance this time of year, and I miss most of all the summer squashes!
We are taking shares right now. Here is the form.
Download the 2025 CSA Order Form
Volunteering at MHOF
Soon we move to M, T, W, F from 8-12 (come at 7:30 for breakfast and stay for lunch at noon) – March 31st. Also, we are working on Saturdays with breakfast at 7 and work from 7:30 – 9:30. All of a sudden we have to tarp, start seedlings, continue with pruning, finish up our wood for the season, and get all of our perennials ready for the season. And the chickens move out onto the field on March 31, so there is bird moving each day. Lots of fun things planned. And you get lots of good food in return for your efforts.
This Week’s Recipe from Jennifer: Spring Quinoa & Sprout Bowl with Zesty Ginger Dressing
About this recipe: I was inspired by Julie last fall to buy a sprout grower thing. Jackson has been learning about sprouting them and eating them. I’m super proud of him for eating salad with sprouts at my house. For some reason he insists he will only eat salads at Mimi’s house. Just some fun thoughts about this recipe.
This bowl is light, fresh, and slightly cooling, making it ideal for the transition into spring. Sprouts and quinoa are easy to digest and gently detoxifying, while ginger and apple cider vinegar help ignite digestive fire (Agni), reducing sluggishness from winter. Spinach, snap peas, and lime add alkalizing, liver-supporting benefits.
Dosha Balancing:
- Vata: Add a little more olive oil or ghee and warm the quinoa slightly to reduce dryness.
- Pitta: Reduce raw onions and add more avocado for cooling energy.
- Kapha: Lightly sauté the snap peas and sprouts for easier digestion, and increase ginger for more warmth.
Get the Recipe at Jen Zen Living
Mexico Bans GMO corn by Constitutional Amendment
Jack Kittredge
In a huge victory for GMO opponents worldwide, on March 5 the Mexican Senate approved, by a vote of 97 to 16, a constitutional amendment to ban planting genetically modified corn. The Chamber of Deputies approved the measure on February 25.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated: “Mexico is the center of origin and diversity of corn, element of national identity, basic food of the Mexican people and the basis of the existence of indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples, its cultivation in the national territory must be free of genetic modifications produced with techniques that overcome the natural barriers of reproduction or recombination such as transgenic ones. Any other use of genetically modified corn must be evaluated under the terms of the legal provisions to be free from threats to biosecurity, health and the biocultural heritage of Mexico and its population, priority must be given to the protection of biodiversity, food sovereignty, agroecological management, promoting scientific and humanistic research, innovation and traditional knowledge”.
More info on this development can be found here: The Corn Saga: How Years of Activism, Scientific Research and Perseverance Led to an Inspiring Victory Against Big Ag and the GMO Giants – Organic Consumers
Meat Chickens
We have been raising meat chickens for decades now, and they are one of our signature crops. We raise non-GMO Freedom Rangers (that means that their parents were not fed GMO grain) that do well on pasture. They start their life in our brooder house and then move to pasture at around week four. For the next 8 weeks the birds live in movable pens and are moved 5 times per week. The hens end up about 5-6 pounds in weight and the cockerels grow to between 7-8 pounds. They acquire up to 25% of their nutrition from the pasture grasses and forbes and 75% from Green Mountain organic feeds. Thus, our birds are certified organic and free range. You can order your 2025 supply of meat birds now. We also have a handful of birds left in our freezer for purchase now.
7 Day Spring Rejuvenation Cleanse with our Daughter Ellen: April 7th thru 13th
This 7-Day Whole Foods Detox/Cleanse is designed to help you feel better, have more energy, and get rid of nagging inflammation/bloat/heaviness.
Are you experiencing any of the following?
- Excess weight around your belly
- Sugar or salt cravings on a regular basis
- Skin blemishes and breakouts
- Can’t think straight or feel like you have brain fog
- Getting a late afternoon energy slump
- Waking up still feeling tired
- Feel like you’ve lost your inner and/or outer glow
I’m excited to be bringing my 16 years of experience supporting 1,000’s of clients through food-based Cleanses, to this Spring’s experience! You are guaranteed to walk away lighter in mind, body and spirit. Here’s the direct link for more info: 7 Day Cleanse
And please feel free to join me for a free educational call about detoxification on March 23rd!
Spring Detox Masterclass
Flower CSA
Last year we reinstated our flower CSA. For folks who are signing up for any size vegetable share, you can purchase a flower share too. We provide about 25 stems at least 10 weeks of the summer, though I think we passed out flowers over 14 weeks last year. You can purchase your flower share here.
Now Available at the Farm
We have much available at the farm right now.
Frozen Foods including Lard, Chicken, Apple and Pear sauce and more. Fresh Eggs, Shelf Stable items including Juices and Dried Peaches, Tinctures, and personal care Soaps and Salves.
Gut Health
After a brief foray into butyrate, in my confusion about how to best get across the mountains of information that Kiran Krishnan has compiled in his course “Build Your Resilient Gut Biome and Beyond with Rebel Health Tribe is to take it one slide at a time, especially as I am heading into the long tunnel of overwork in about 2 weeks – out of which I will leave around November 30. Check out Rebel Health for lots of good info and you can always google Kiran on the internet if you want to go deeper faster.
The Human Holobiont – (Superorganism)
We have 20,000 genes, yet our microbiomes have 3 million. We have more microbial cells in and on our bodies than human cells. There are 1000’s of species of bacteria that have been identified in the gut, on the skin, in the mouth and other areas of our bodies. All of our microbes weigh about 3 pounds, about what our brains weigh. They are responsible for digestion, nutrient absorption, immune regulation, metabolism, hormones, neurotransmitters, detoxification, and 1000’s of other processes.
Kittens
All gone. And now our cats will move outside into the big world when Beba deems it appropriate. We have some dog taming to do before that happens. Wish us luck.
Farm Doin’s
This past week, besides utterly enjoying shirt sleeves weather, we made serious progress on pear pruning and also cleaned up a few peaches that needed more work. Pears are fun. They are very strong, and also very supple and have big and succulent leaf and flower buds. 2 ½ more pears to complete that fruit.
Paula in the pears
We also started lettuce and chard on Monday in the greenhouse and the chard was up by Saturday.
My organic certification mentee Clare came on Monday to see how we do our starts.
We are watering in the hoophouses now and have removed the row cover.
Matt and Marissa did some significant spraying as noted above and we planted some hedge plants around our generator and gas tank.
Justin mowed down all of the brassicas in readiness for either covercropping or tarping next week.
Danny and Stu finished a layer house and will finish the other new one on Monday.
We enjoyed lunch on the front lawn on Monday and then again on Friday. We have to remember to keep our hands on the table so that the chickens don’t sample them from under the table.
Julie
Harriet took her first car ride off the premises on Friday to get her rabies shot. After slipping her collar and running out in traffic in North Brookfield, she got her shot, and puked on the way home. Here Skippy checks to make sure that Harriet is okay, and then beats her ass to retain dominance. It seems that Skippy was not happy that she didn’t get to go along for the ride.
Quick Links
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Many Hands Make a Farm
https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/many-hands-make-a-farm/
