The CSA Starts Soon!

A Note from Amanda, our CSA Share Room Manager:

It's hard to believe it’s June! Both farmers and plants are grateful for the warmer weather we’ve experienced over the past few weeks. It’s finally feeling like summer, and our fieldwork is in full swing. During our longer work days, we continue to seed in the greenhouse, cultivate the soil around the crops and transplant seedlings, filling up the fields.

We are pleased with success we have seen in the cover crops that were seeded over the fall. These fields are lush and green, it’s quite a beautiful sight! The grass-like rye has grown to waist high, and the vetch and clover are blooming with brilliant hues of purple and burgundy flowers. We will soon disk the cover crops into the soil, helping to improve soil health and fertility, and closing the nutrient cycle. The strawberries are starting to fruit and ripen, a sure sign that the CSA is about to begin!

Time flies when you are having fun! Before we know it we will be filling up baskets out in the field and preparing them for the pick up! 

Now that Memorial Day Weekend is behind us, we are eager to welcome our seasonal staff to the farm next week. These part time workers play a critical role during the bustling harvest season. Slowly but surely, the items kept in the barn over the Winter are finding new homes, and tables, bins, and CSA signage are being uncovered and cleaned up. As your share room manager, I am already anticipating posting a weekly recipe that CSA Members can snap a picture of on their way in or out of the barn. The weekly recipes will highlight a vegetable available in the share each week, maybe sparking some new ideas for the fresh local produce in your bag!

The share is set to open the week of Tuesday June 12th. 

As a reminder, our share room hours have changed this year. Pick up times are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 12:30-6:30. Shareholders are free to pick up their share any day that best suits their schedule, and do not need to commit to the same day each week. Additionally, shareholders do not need to tell us which day they will be picking up. 

Be on the lookout for the Member Handbook in your email inbox in the coming week. It’s a wonderful resource that lays out the ground rules for how the share room operates. We will be more heavily staffed during the first week of the share to welcome new CSA Members, and to answer any questions pertaining to weekly pick up procedures.

See you soon!

- Amanda

 Appleton Farms CSA Share Room Manager

The CSA Barn at Appleton Farms [photo credit: Above Summit]

Planting Season is in Full Swing on the Farm!

A Note from Farmer Andrew

The farm is finally coming to life as spring slowly makes its appearance. We’ve been waiting for fields to dry and soil to warm, and the crew has been busy with odd jobs like fence repair, tractor maintenance, and barn clean up. Although it’s been nice to tackle some of these projects, we now find ourselves playing catch up. The warm, dry weather last week allowed us to get plants out and seed in the ground, which is always exciting this time of year. We will spend most of the next few weeks preparing the soil and planting.

We are fortunate to have some fabulous people returning to work with us this season. Their skills in growing vegetables and knowledge of our production systems have made my job as manager quite a bit easier this spring. Amanda Stefanik, who is returning for her second season with us, will be managing our CSA distribution this year and has been helping in the greenhouse and fields and with odd jobs like fixing the fence. Emily Fenton is in her third season at Appleton and will be leading our weed management and cultivation efforts. She has been has been working hard to get our tractors and cultivators ready for action. We are also very lucky to have landed Megan Ardolino, formerly of Green Meadows Farm. Her background and skills have allowed her to jump right in with us and fill in wherever needed, even despite a healing broken wrist! 

We are so lucky to have a dedicated and wonderful group of farmers here at Appleton. I am thankful for all their efforts and look forward to the season ahead!

Events on the Farm

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Intro to Backyard Composting

Saturday, April 28
Appleton Farms
Hamilton and Ipswich | North Shore

Gardens & Gardening, Farms & Food, Lectures & Workshops

Art Week Walk & Talk with Photographer Bill Franson

Saturday, April 28
Appleton Farms
Hamilton and Ipswich | North Shore

History, Art & Culture, Lectures & Workshops

REI Wilderness Survival: 3 - Season Skills

Saturday, April 28
Appleton Farms
Hamilton and Ipswich | North Shore

Outdoor Recreation, Lectures & Workshops

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Appleton’s Preschool Farm Explorers

Wednesday, May 2
Appleton Farms
Hamilton and Ipswich | North Shore

Click HERE to register for our upcoming events


Farm Camp Registration

Appleton Farm Camp registration and the weeks are filling quickly! Sign up soon so you don't miss out! For more information and to register visit www.thetrustees.org/appletonfarmcamp

Spring is Here!

A Note from Farmer Andrew: 

Farmer Leah, vacuum-seeding broccoli 

Ross, working away in the greenhouse

They say, “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.” After some extremely mild weather last month, we certainly felt the harsh return of winter over the past few weeks. Despite the snow and blustery cold, we have spent most of March in the warm oasis of the greenhouse seeding onions, leeks, beets, and the first rounds of broccoli and cabbage. After two months of mostly office work, it feels good to be back in the sun with our hands in the soil. If the proverb about March weather rings true, this snow will be gone in no time!

We are very fortunate to have Ross MacGregor back on the crew this year, his third season at the farm. He returned to work here the first week of March and has been helping in the greenhouse with seeding and with carpentry projects. Ross brings a positive energy and has a keen interest in continuing to build his skill and understanding of vegetable production. His role has expanded slightly this season, as he takes on more of the tractor work and a lead in some of the field production. We’re happy to have him back this season and to see him continue to grow.

Here’s another reminder to renew your CSA membership for the 2018 season if you’re still interested in participating in the upcoming season. We have opened signups to people on the waitlist but there’s still space for current members interested in renewing. If you need the link to renew, feel free to contact us at appletonfarmsCSA@thetrustees.org.

The greenhouse is full of life!

Upcoming Events at the Farm...    

Egg-Cellent Easter Adventure

Saturday, March 31st 

10AM-12PM

Info & Registration

From Cultures to Rinds: Cheese Making Fundamentals

Saturday, April 7th

9:30-11:30AM 

Info & Registration 

From the Farm Kitchen: Brunch Culinary Class

Sunday, April 8th 

9:30AM-12:30PM

Info & Registration

Appleton Farm Camp Registration

Summertime is coming to Appleton!

Appleton Farm Camp registration is open and weeks are filling quickly. Sign up soon so you don’t miss out! For more information and to register visit www.thetrustees.org/appletonfarmcamp

In the Farm Store...

The Easter Bunny is here to bring you great deals on all the treats & toys you need to fill your baskets this weekend. Check out our make your own Easter basket display at the store & receive 20% off $20, 30% off $30, or 40% off $40 or more on selected items.

This weekend is your last chance to renew your membership in store & receive our March madness promo deals. Join, renew or buy a membership for a friend through 3/31/18 & receive free Appleton Farms cheese & a tote bag (see shopkeeper for details & availability).  As if you needed another reason to join, April is Trustees Member & Volunteer Appreciation Month in the farm store.  In addition to great sales on staff & customer favorites, throughout the entire month of April Trustees Members will receive an extra discount in store - 20% off on all non-sale items purchased at the farm store.

Attention: Cheese Lovers!

The Appleton Farms Spring 2018 Cheese Share starts Friday, April 13th.  Sign up in store or via e-mail today to reserve your spot!

The Spring cheese share will be 6 pickups spread over 12 weeks for $100 per share.  Pickups start at 11 AM on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, beginning with Friday, April 13th and ending on Friday, June 22nd.  Pickups are at the Appleton Farms Store during regular store hours (Monday-Friday: 11 AM - 6 PM; Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM - 4 PM).  Each pickup will feature at least one Appleton Farms signature hard cheese along with a rotating selection of our own or another local cheese selected in collaboration with our cheesemaker.

Late enrollments at a pro-rated amount will also be accepted.  Please e-mail the store manager, Staci Zarimba, directly at szarimba@thetrustees.org with any questions or if you need to sign up via e-mail. Please spread the word to your fellow members & cheese loving friends! 

Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of Spring. We look forward to seeing you in the store.