March News from Appleton Farms

Good morning shareholders,

Our work in the greenhouse has begun which makes our vegetable growing season feel right around the corner.  We can't wait to welcome you all back in a few short months.  The farm is quiet under this rock solid snow cover with only a few cross country skiers braving the icy conditions.  If you feel like getting out for a walk this weekend come visit the 10 sweet little calves who are behind the dairy barn, the newly refreshed creamery viewing room, and the farm store which has plenty of milk, cheese and other goodies.  

We have a busy April full of great new programs for adults and children- try your hand at spoon carving, sign up the kids to spend April vacation week with us at "Farmer For a Week" or join us for our Egg-cellent Easter Adventure!  All the details are below or can be found on our website: www.thetrustees.org

From the CSA: 

Liz Green here, Trustees Vegetable & CSA Manager. I started here in October 2016, after 9 years farming in Eastern Mass (including 2 years at Powisset and Moraine, two of our other Trustees CSAs). I’m the manager & supervisor of all our vegetable farms, state-wide. 

I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve hired Andrew Lawson as new Appleton CSA Manager; he’ll be starting work on Monday, March 20 and will have several weeks to work alongside Ryan Wood before Ryan's last day on March 31. And Leah Jurman starts her 3rd season with us as Assistant CSA Manager - she’s a great asset to the CSA and the farm community and will provide continuity and institutional know-how to Andrew as he joins us. 

You’ll hear more from Andrew directly after he starts work at the farm, and you’ll see him in the fields and in the share room as we get towards June. Here’s a little about him, in his own words: 

"Spending my childhood on a family dairy farm instilled a passion for farming in me at a young age. Through these roots, I became an ardent supporter of organic food production, which led me through a master’s degree in soil science at Washington State University focusing on organic vegetable cropping systems. In 2010, I turned my focus back to farming and worked on organic vegetable farms in Maine and Western Massachusetts, seeking to cultivate a deeper connection to land and local community. Besides farming, I enjoy being active outdoors, good food, lively music and dancing. I’m thrilled to be part of the farm team and community at Appleton Farms and always welcome your engagement here on the farm." 

On farm, Ryan & Leah have been working hard all winter - between crop planning, equipment maintenance, seed and supply orders, and setting up the new greenhouses, we're ready to bring Andrew on board and jump into greenhouse and field work this spring. And special thanks to Ryan Wood for his four years of leadership at Appleton, especially for bringing the farm through a very tough drought year in 2016. We’re wishing him the best in his next endeavors! 

Upcoming Programs:

Culinary, Skill Building, and Cheese Making Workshops for Adults

                      

From Cultures to Rinds: Cheese Making Fundamentals

Saturday, April 1^st 9:30AM-11:30AM

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 fresh cheese to take home, and get a tour of our dairy operation and creamery. Kristian will cover all the basics of cheese making and teach you exactly how to make delicious fresh cheese at home. Pre-registration required at our website www.thetrustees.org. Members: $60. Nonmembers: $75

Wild about Greens Culinary Workshop

Friday, April 7^th  6PM-9PM

Kale, collards, chard, and more……garden greens are so incredibly delicious, nutritious, and versatile. They are also easy to incorporate in your everyday menus. Join us for this hands-on culinary workshop as we learn the ins & outs of these super-healthy farm foods, from cleaning & prepping in the kitchen, to pairing complimentary flavors and proper cooking times for best results. We’ll prepare a fantastic menu with dishes such as Farm Beef & Bean Collard Enchiladas, Curried Kale Salad, Swiss Chard & Saffron Couscous and more….fantastic, approachable recipes for keeping it healthy and ‘green’ all season long! This hands-on workshop includes instruction by professional chef Carolyn Grieco, printed recipe booklet and a full meal. BYOB beer and wine is allowed. Registration at http://bit.ly/2mPcD3D Trustees Members: $72. Nonmembers:$90.

Spoon Carving Workshop with Spire WoodShop

Saturday, April 8^th 9AM-12PM

Learn how to carve a spoon from a fresh cut wood with Alyssa Pitman of Spire WoodShop in Gloucester, MA.  This course is designed for beginners and will cover wood anatomy, axing out a spoon blank from a tree or tree branch, knife holds and techniques, basic sharpening skills, drying and finishing. Each student will walk away with their very own spoon as well as receive sand paper and flaxseed/beeswax oil for finishing.  After class you will also have the option to purchase the knives to take home.  Pre-registration required by registering online at http://bit.ly/2mPcD3D Trustees Members: $68. Nonmembers: $85

Inspired by Spring: Vegetarian Culinary Workshop

Saturday, April 22^nd 6PM-9PM

Spring has arrived on the farmstead and we’re celebrating the soon-arrival of wonderful seasonal crops we’ve all been waiting for.  This special vegetarian-inspired cooking class will incorporate farm foods & flavors of the season with signature dishes such as Dilly Beer-Battered Asparagus, Garden Spring Rolls with Sweet & Sour Maple Dipping Sauce, and savory Spinach & Farro Risotto, along with a seasonal dessert of course! Hands-on cooking, printed recipes, and professional tips & techniques by chef Carolyn Grieco, will all be included as we create our very own vegetarian Spring menu to share and savor at the end of our workshop!  BYOB beer and wine is allowed. Registration at http://bit.ly/2mPcD3D Trustees Members: $72. Nonmembers: $90

Cheese Making Intensives with Cheese Maker Kristian Holbrook

Thursday April 6^th or Thursday, April 27^th 11AM-4PM

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. Registration at http://bit.ly/2mPcD3D  Trustees Members: $200. Nonmembers: $250. 

For Children and Families:

Egg-cellent Easter Adventure at Appleton Farms

Saturday, April 15^th  10AM-12PM

Say goodbye to the cold and celebrate the arrival of warmer weather here on the Farm! While we often associate eggs with the Easter Bunny, in many cultures eggs symbolize new life and are tied with the coming of spring. At this event, we celebrate spring, new life on the farm, and the bounty of fresh eggs produced by our hens. Go on the “Egg-cellent” Quest around the farm and learn about the journey from egg to chicken, collecting Easter eggs at each station to complete the Quest! Enjoy homemade refreshments and face painting in our Carriage Barn, visit with our chicks, bunnies and calves, try your hand at “candling eggs” and play games in the stone paddock! Quest begins at 10am.  Please plan to arrive between 10AM and 11:15AM and bring a basket of your own to collect the Quest eggs. Recommended for ages 8 and under.  Pre-registration required: http://bit.ly/2mPcD3D Trustees Member families: $24. Nonmember Families: $30

April Vacation Week!

Appleton’s Farmer for a Week:

Tuesday, April 18^th - Friday April 21^st 

Come celebrate the plants, animals, and people emerging from the winter on the farm. In a small group, camp-like setting we’ll enjoy outdoor activities, gardening, exploration, and of course, try out some new recipes in the kitchen! We’ll learn some farmer yoga, help out with the farm chores, hike across the property in search of signs of the season, get our hands dirty in the soil, and find out how everyone at Appleton is preparing for the springtime! Program runs Tuesday-Friday.  Preregistration is required.  http://bit.ly/2mPcD3D Ages 5-8: 9am-12pm, Ages 8-10: 1-4pm. Trustees Members: $140. Nonmembers: $175.

Farm Felting
Monday, April 17 |  10AM-11AM
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. Registration at http://bit.ly/2mPcD3D  Trustees Member Child: $12; Nonmember Child: $20

Mason Jar Terrariums
Monday, April 18 from 2PM-3PM and Friday, April 21 from 10AM-11AM
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. Registration at http://bit.ly/2mPcD3D  Trustees Member Child: $12; Nonmember Child: $20

April Vacation Bread & Butter Making

Wednesday, April 19 from 10AM-11AM
Cooking together and having fun in the kitchen makes our farm family happy and we want to share that enthusiasm for cooking with you. We will work together to measure ingredients and kneed the dough to make our own homemade rolls. While the bread cooks we’ll turn fresh Jersey milk into delicious butter. Learn about our cows and enjoy the sweet fruits of our labor together. Recommended for ages 5-10 but all are welcome! An adult must attend but there is no additional charge. Pre-registration is required. This program meets in the farm kitchen. Registration at http://bit.ly/2mPcD3D   Trustees Member Child: $12; Nonmember Child: $20

Earth Day Cook & Grow

Saturday, April 22^nd 10AM-11:30AM

Celebrate our Earth, farming, and delicious food with this fun hands-on planting and cooking experience!  We’ll start in the teaching kitchen and get cooking. Kids will practice basic measuring and knife skills as we work together to whip up a tasty farm frittata with our own eggs. While our creation cooks kids will plant their own mini herb garden to take home. Learn about what plants need to survive and see what were planting in our own kitchen garden. Afterwards we’ll enjoy our snack together! Recommended for ages 6-10 but all are welcome! An adult must attend but there is no additional charge. Pre-registration is required. This program meets in the farm kitchen.  Registration at http://bit.ly/2mPcD3D  Trustees Member Children: $12. Nonmember Children: $20.