We hope that you have had a wonderful week enjoying the sunshine! It has been a busy but productive week on the farm and we are counting down the days until we are able to welcome you all back to the share room.
We want to introduce you to someone special who has just joined our team! Sarah Hammond Creighton joins the Appleton Farms Team as the General Manager for Appleton Farms and the Appleton Grass Rides.
Before joining The Trustees, Creighton served as the Director of the
Office of Sustainability where she developed and advanced sustainability for
the institution in the areas of green energy, sustainable dining, gardening and
grounds management. Previously, Sarah
was the Director of the Office of Sustainability at Tufts University, directing
all aspects of the first-in-the-nation university climate commitment program.
She is also the author of two books which have helped to define the college
“greening” movement.
“I am excited to join the Trustees and the excellent staff at Appleton,”
adds Creighton. “The Farm and Grass
Rides offer unique opportunities to steward the land, preserve local farming,
and provide opportunities for visitors to relax, learn, and enjoy this magical
place.”
Sarah can be found out and about on the farm, in her office at the Old House, or by email at screighton@thetrustees.org. Don't hesitate to reach out or stop by to meet her!
CSA News
& updates:
Someone once told me, nothing worthwhile ever comes easy.
The roller coaster that has been the weather this spring has tested our patience
and spirits over the past few weeks, with weekly rainfalls dropping inches at a
time and cool weather that has made for some slow growing. Quite a bit of our
land has stayed too wet to prepare for planting. So, like a puzzle without a
picture, we started shifting our crop plan to fit the early plantings of
lettuce, beets and onions wherever we could find dry ground. After a few days
of dry weather, I’d prepare as many beds as I could for planting and then tell
the crew to bring full rain gear because we’d be out there regardless of
rain. And so we started planting, and planted some more, and then some
more. Every day we have a meeting first thing in the morning to go over what
the plan is for the day, and I think exactly every day since the first of May
has involved planting! And just when I think they will tire of the work, backs
achy and bored, they show up the next morning with a smile on their face, a
willing attitude, and are ready for anything. Now that the warm weather and
sunshine has finally showed up to the dance, it’s beautiful to see how the
fields are coming to life and how the crew has come together to make it happen.
-Andrew
*The
share will start the week of June 12!*
Please
note that pickup hours are slightly different this year: 2-7pm on
Mondays and Thursdays, 12-5pm on Tuesday and Fridays. (Pick up blocks have not changed- you are still a M/T or Th/F share pick up)
Join
us for Meet the Farmers & our first-ever SEEDLING SALE on Friday, June 2,
4-7pm at the
farm. Come say hello to Andrew, the new CSA manager; Leah, our returning
assistant manager; and the
4 great apprentices working in the fields this season. If you’re
new, we’ll be available to answer questions about how the share pickup
works.
And
pick up some beautiful vegetable, flower and herb seedlings grown in our own
greenhouses - frost danger will be past so it’s a great time to put out new
plants.
*One
change you can expect in the share room this season: we’re cutting cut back on
waste & doing our part to be more environmentally sustainable, so EACH primary shareholder will get an Appleton CSA canvas bag this season to pack your share
in! (Additional bags for those who share shares can be purchased in the store. Extra paper bags will be available as a backup on a limited basis, but
we really want to encourage all of you to bring your new share bag. These are printed locally in Rockport and are the perfect size for packing your share.)
If you have questions about billing, have an invoice to pay, or want to check your share pick up days, please call the farm office at (978)356-5728 or email appletonfarmscsa@thetrustees.org
Upcoming Programs & Farm Camp Registration:
Appleton Farm Camp registration is still open! Don't miss your favorite week- sign up today!
Saturday,
June 3rd | 9:30-11:30am
Members:
$60. Nonmembers: $75
Spend the morning
with Appleton’s own cheese maker, Kristian Holbrook for a hands-on cheese
making class in our farm kitchen. You’ll learn all the basics of making
soft cheeses, make your own mozzarella and ricotta to take home, and get a 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.
Friday
May 26th Thursday,
June 8th or 22nd
11am-4pm
Members:
$200. Nonmembers: $275
Spend the
afternoon alongside Kristian and observe his process of turning 200 gallons of
our Jersey milk into our rich and creamy farmstead cheese. You’ll join Kristian in the Creamery at 11am
just after the milk has been pasteurized and begin your in-depth, instructional
cheese making day. A comprehensive
learning experience will follow, covering everything from rennet and rinds to
brines and molds. You’ll watch the
process from coagulation to hooping with opportunities to ask questions at
every step. Lunch and cheese tasting
included. This class is for those
considering cheese making as a career, serious hobby cheese makers looking to
further their learning, or anyone looking for a distinctive experience and
fascinating view into the world of cheese.
Before you leave, you will stop at our farm store and pack your own
cheese box full of your favorite Appleton cheeses. Sessions limited to 5 participants. Significant periods of standing required. ( If you are ill, you must reschedule for a
different date- will put this part in the email confirmation).
Saturdays and Sundays June-October │ 10AM-2PM
Member Child: $5 Nonmember Child: $10
Have you ever
collected warm eggs from the chicken coop or seen how fast sheep will run for
their morning helping of grain? Join us for our NEW weekend Hay Bale Hangout and spend the
day at Appleton Farms. Stop by anytime between 10AM – 1:30PM for fantastic farmyard
meet and greets! Hands on activities start at 10AM and run every ½ hour. Greet
our goats, make a wool bracelet, cuddle a calf, farm story time, collect
chicken eggs and more! In between activities hang out in the Carriage Barn and
explore our all-day learning stations or picnic outside in the Stone Paddock!
Activities may
change depending on what’s happening at the farm, but a typical schedule will
include:
10:00: Feed the
sheep & brush the goats
10:30: Spin wool
bracelets
11:00: Collect
chicken eggs
11:30: Farm story
time (feel free to bring a snack from home!)
12:00: Explore
the milking barn & Dairy tools
12:30: Cow dress
up and meet a calf
1:00: Collect
chicken eggs
1:30: Brush the
goats
Please check in
at the entrance of the Carriage Barn to pay and receive your hand stamp. Become
a Trustees member at the farm on the day of and come for free! Once you’ve paid,
stay for an hour or all day! Cash only
please. No additional cost for adults. We will do our very best to
accommodate everyone, but some activities are first come, first serve.
We have picnic
tables, bathrooms, water, and plenty of stroller friendly walking paths for you
to enjoy. Parking available the Visitor Center for a shorter walk or at the Farm
Store for a longer stroll through our vegetable fields.
Four Wednesdays in June |
9:30-10:30AM
Member Child: $60. Nonmember Child: $75
Explore the
rhythms of Appleton Farms with your preschooler. We’ll meet the cows, taste
test the vegetable fields, collect chicken eggs and dig into life on the farm. Preschool
Farm Explorers experience it all through age-appropriate sensory activities,
stories, and crafts. Each program will last 1 hour and will have a different
theme such as “What Plants Need to Grow” or “Meet the Cows.” Please
pre-register. Fee covers one adult and child. Younger siblings are welcome with
an additional fee of $24/$30 for member/nonmembers. Questions? Email Farm Educator Caroline at crouillard@thetrustees.org.
If you have a
group of moms or children in afternoon kindergarten, contact us about signing
up your group of 6 or more for private Farm Explorer sessions.
Saturdays in June │3:30-4:30PM
Members: $12. Nonmembers: $20
This in-depth look at our dairy
operation will take you from the pastures to the cheese kitchen viewing area –
and everywhere in between – to learn about how we make our delicious farm fresh
cheese. We’ll talk about our rotational grazing, see the milking in action, and
get a glimpse of the cheese caves. Finish up with a sampling of some of our
products. This program meets at our Dairy Store and there is no need to
pre-register. Become a Trustees member at the farm on the day of the tour and
come for free!
Sunday,
June 11th 2pm-5pm
Members:
$72 Nonmembers: $90
These sweet, juicy red berries
are back in season and what better way to celebrate this favorite than in the
farm kitchen? We’ll create a fantastic
menu of sweet & savory recipes featuring sun-kissed field strawberries as
the star ingredient. Strawberry, Basil, & Goat Cheese Flatbread, Grilled
Pork & Field Berry Salad with Hazelnuts, and delicious country-style Summer
Strawberry Cake are just some of the dishes that will appear on this very
special strawberry crop menu! This hands-on
workshop includes instruction by professional chef Carolyn Grieco, printed
recipe booklet and a full meal. BYOB beer and wine is allowed.
Sunday, June 18th │ 4PM-8PM
Member Family: $24. Nonmember Family: $30
Bring a picnic blanket and load up the kids for a summer evening on the farm to celebrate the special fathers in your life. Enjoy dinner from Fat Belly BBQ, A&B Burger, 15 Walnut and CopperDome Crust and beer and wine from Ipswich Ale, Riverwalk Brewing, and Old Planters Brewing. With live bluegrass from Old Cold Tater!
Your family
ticket pays for parking, lawn games, a visit with the farm animals, and live
music from 5pm-7pm. Dinner from the food trucks and beer and wine, sold on
site, are on you. The summer sunset over the farm fields, warm summer breeze
(we hope!), and the memories you’ll make with friends and family are
free!
Make sure to pre-register, these tickets will go quickly. Food and beverages are purchased directly from our vendors. Any proceeds help support our farm education programs.
Rainy? We’ll still hold the event under our tent and in the Carriage Barn. Just bring an umbrella for your walk over from the parking area. Sorry, no BYOB, coolers, or dogs allowed.
Make sure to pre-register, these tickets will go quickly. Food and beverages are purchased directly from our vendors. Any proceeds help support our farm education programs.
Rainy? We’ll still hold the event under our tent and in the Carriage Barn. Just bring an umbrella for your walk over from the parking area. Sorry, no BYOB, coolers, or dogs allowed.
Friday, June 23rd and June 30th-
5:30PM- 8:00PM
Member Adults: $36. Nonmember Adults: $45. Member
Children under 12: $12. Nonmember Children under 12: $15 Children under 1 FREE
Each Friday Appleton Farms and Chive Events invites you to join us for dinner. Relax under the setting sun and enjoy a truly unique farm to table experience. From fresh vegetables and fruits, to local pasture raised meats and sustainable seafood, Chive Events will prepare each meal using the best ingredients available from our own and other local farms. Menus may include slow roasted pork with rhubarb jam, seasonal fresh salads and homemade strawberry short cakes. Watch the season change with each meal and bring the whole family to enjoy the weekly harvests. A casual dinner set overlooking the Great Pasture will remind you to slow down and breathe in the summer's air. Enjoy a cold beverage from our friends at Ipswich Ale while you play old-fashioned lawn games and listen to live music.
