We have a few fun things to share from the past two weeks. Our Easter event was truly egg-cellent! Over 300 people braved the chilly wind and came to celebrate the holiday with us. Thanks to all of you who participated and especially to our wonderful volunteers who helped serve refreshments, managed the crafts, introduced children to our chicks, calves, and bunnies, and worked our activity stations. Missed it? Join us for our next holiday event: Mother's Day Spring Alpen Celebration
We also enjoyed a visit from Trustees President and CEO, Barbara Erickson, along with her executive team this week. Directors from our three regions and all of our major departments took part in a cooking class, farm tour, and the afternoon milking. Here, Livestock Manager Aaron Knight preps Barbara for her turn at milking.In other news, we have a handful of seasonal employment opportunities available: part-time Education Assistant, PYO Flower Fields coordinator, and Farm Camp counselor positions. Please inquire with Beth at bzschau@thetrustees.org or see our website for more information.
News from the CSA:
The familiar hum of the greenhouse heater and the smell of
warming soil fills the air as we start our greenhouse work. It
is refreshing to just be standing inside of it, meticulously seeding tiny
seeds thinking and talking about what the season will bring .After an
extensive clean out and repair session,
we quickly filled every space the greenhouse has in just about a week! Luckily
we have the use of the Moraine Farm greenhouse where we have already moved over 200 trays of storage onions and shallots.
This additional space is key to being able to produce all the seedlings we
need. We have since filled all the space up again, so hopefully we can get out
in the fields and plow soon!
In the greenhouse you get to see a mini map of the whole
farm (of course, without the direct seeded crops) where the successions for continued supply
become apparent. A lot of crops we see
over and over: lettuces and some greens,
beets, summer squash cucumbers, fennel. Whereas other crops- peppers, tomatoes,
eggplant, leeks and onions, have just the one seeding. Storage onions were
seeded March 15 and they will not likely be harvested until the end of august.
Solanaceous crops are seeded next week and they don’t really start producing
until the end of July. All this makes a lot of our early greenhouse work
especially important because we one get one shot. These little babies are nursed
along, given room to grow, extra food, and extra care. We then help them along to independence in
the field, with initially a lot of support and attention hoping they live healthy lives and produce for a us
beautiful fruits and the happiness that goes along with them. In the end, that all the TLC is totally worth
it. They really do grow up so fast.
-Leah, Assistant CSA Manager
THE FARM WISH LIST: Have what we are looking for? Email appletonfarms@thetrustees.org and thank you!
- Chainsaw artist who can create some veggie friends for our lonely but well-loved wooden carrot outside the farm store
- Garden carts or wheelbarrows in decent condition
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: email appletonfarms@thetrustees.org for more info
- Public Program Assistants
- Monday morning greenhouse volunteers
- Appleton Cooks! culinary class volunteers
- Morning and afternoon barnyard animal care (chickens, sheep, and goats)
UPCOMING FAMILY PROGRAMS, CULINARY WORKSHOPS & FARM EVENTS:
From Cultures to Rinds: Cheese Making Fundamentals: Saturday, April 9th 1PM-5PM
Our cheese making classes are back! Spend the afternoon with Appleton’s new cheese maker, Kristian Holbrook for a hands-on cheese making class in our farm kitchen. You’ll learn all the basics of making soft and hard cheese, make your own mozzarella and ricotta to take home, and get a behind-the-scenes tour of our dairy operation and cheese caves. Kristian will cover all the basics of cheese making and teach you exactly how to make delicious fresh cheese at home. Pre-registration required. Members: $100. Nonmembers: $135. Registration and all the details at www.thetrustees.org
Handpicked: Farm Dinner and "When Food Works for You" Talk with Core Retreats: April 16th 5PM
Tour the dairy barn and learn how cheese is made at the farm
Enjoy a signature cocktail and hors d’ oeuvres on the porch at the
farm house over looking the beautiful fields and gardens. Sample a farm fresh dinner created by local chefs followed by dessert and an enlightening talk “When Food Works for You” with Catrina Marie
Catrina Marie is a AADP certified Holistic Health Coach and international
yoga and meditation teacher with the Art of Living Foundation. She has
over 17 years of experience with alternative healing, preventative care,
spiritual based life coaching, and healing with food; learning and working
with internationally recognized experts in Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. www.coreretreats.com
Appleton Farm Summer Camp Open House
Saturday, April 16 & Saturday, April 23 from 10AM-3PM
Calling all mini-human animal lovers! You asked, we listened. Our new farm camp is coming this summer and we’d like to show you what a day in the life of a camper looks like here on the farm. Join us for a FREE drop-in camp sampler. Meet with our camp director, see our camp headquarters, and find out what Appleton Farm Camp will offer for activities, learning, and summer fun. There will be crafts, games, and activities all day for kids. Register for camp on site or take home information to share with friends. FREE
April Vacation Programs:
Warmer spring weather means its sheep shearing time on the farm. But what to do with all that wool? Learn about the time honored tradition of wool felting. We’ll start by learning how to “card” the raw wool into soft fiber for spinning or felting. Afterwards, we’ll try our hand at making felt balls to be used for farm-fun necklaces. Wool, wood beads and decorative string will be provided, but feel free to bring anything special of your own to add to your necklace. Recommended for ages 6-9. Trustees Member Child: $12; Nonmember Child: $20
Mason Jar Terrariums
Monday, April 18 & Friday, April 22 from 2PM-3PM
It may still be too cold for fresh flowers or green grass so bring some green life inside with an easy and adorable mason jar terrarium. We’ll create a miniature natural world with gravel, soil, mosses and plants that can stay on your desk or windowsill. You’ll leave with a mini terrarium of your own, plus the skills to make bigger ones at home. All materials provided. Recommended for ages 7-12. Trustees Member Child: $12; Nonmember Child: $20
Spring Yarn Wreaths
Wednesday, April 20 from 10AM-11AM & 2PM-3PM
Winter is over and the bright colors of springtime are here. Celebrate the season and create a beautiful decorative wreath for your front door! We’ll use bright colored yarn to make the base of our wreath and then decorate with felt flowers, ribbon, and items from nature such as lavender and mosses. We’ll provide all the materials and instruction. You provide the creativity! Recommended for ages 7-12. Trustees Member Child: $12; Nonmember Child: $20
Our cheese making classes are back! Spend the afternoon with Appleton’s new cheese maker, Kristian Holbrook for a hands-on cheese making class in our farm kitchen. You’ll learn all the basics of making soft and hard cheese, make your own mozzarella and ricotta to take home, and get a behind-the-scenes tour of our dairy operation and cheese caves. Kristian will cover all the basics of cheese making and teach you exactly how to make delicious fresh cheese at home. Pre-registration required. Members: $100. Nonmembers: $135. Registration and all the details at www.thetrustees.org
Handpicked: Farm Dinner and "When Food Works for You" Talk with Core Retreats: April 16th 5PM
Tour the dairy barn and learn how cheese is made at the farm
Enjoy a signature cocktail and hors d’ oeuvres on the porch at the
farm house over looking the beautiful fields and gardens. Sample a farm fresh dinner created by local chefs followed by dessert and an enlightening talk “When Food Works for You” with Catrina Marie
Catrina Marie is a AADP certified Holistic Health Coach and international
yoga and meditation teacher with the Art of Living Foundation. She has
over 17 years of experience with alternative healing, preventative care,
spiritual based life coaching, and healing with food; learning and working
with internationally recognized experts in Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. www.coreretreats.com
Appleton Farm Summer Camp Open House
Saturday, April 16 & Saturday, April 23 from 10AM-3PM
Calling all mini-human animal lovers! You asked, we listened. Our new farm camp is coming this summer and we’d like to show you what a day in the life of a camper looks like here on the farm. Join us for a FREE drop-in camp sampler. Meet with our camp director, see our camp headquarters, and find out what Appleton Farm Camp will offer for activities, learning, and summer fun. There will be crafts, games, and activities all day for kids. Register for camp on site or take home information to share with friends. FREE
April Vacation Programs:
Farm Felting
Monday, April 18 & Friday, April 22 from 10AM-11AMWarmer spring weather means its sheep shearing time on the farm. But what to do with all that wool? Learn about the time honored tradition of wool felting. We’ll start by learning how to “card” the raw wool into soft fiber for spinning or felting. Afterwards, we’ll try our hand at making felt balls to be used for farm-fun necklaces. Wool, wood beads and decorative string will be provided, but feel free to bring anything special of your own to add to your necklace. Recommended for ages 6-9. Trustees Member Child: $12; Nonmember Child: $20
Mason Jar Terrariums
Monday, April 18 & Friday, April 22 from 2PM-3PM
It may still be too cold for fresh flowers or green grass so bring some green life inside with an easy and adorable mason jar terrarium. We’ll create a miniature natural world with gravel, soil, mosses and plants that can stay on your desk or windowsill. You’ll leave with a mini terrarium of your own, plus the skills to make bigger ones at home. All materials provided. Recommended for ages 7-12. Trustees Member Child: $12; Nonmember Child: $20
Spring Yarn Wreaths
Wednesday, April 20 from 10AM-11AM & 2PM-3PM
Winter is over and the bright colors of springtime are here. Celebrate the season and create a beautiful decorative wreath for your front door! We’ll use bright colored yarn to make the base of our wreath and then decorate with felt flowers, ribbon, and items from nature such as lavender and mosses. We’ll provide all the materials and instruction. You provide the creativity! Recommended for ages 7-12. Trustees Member Child: $12; Nonmember Child: $20
P.S.- Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about what's happening on the farm
