November News from Northeast Harvest

Scott Soares
MA Commissioner of Agriculture

Sandy Trefry
Gibney Gardens

Steve Verrill
Verrill Farms

Mary Williamson
Essex National Heritage Commission

Stephanie Wilson
USDA Patriot Res. Cons.

Frederic Winthrop
Former MA Commissioner of Agriculture

Links

MDAR Culinary Calendar of Events

MDAR Resources

MDAR 2009 Farmers' Market

Massachusetts Association of Roadside Stands

Good Tastes

Essex Agricultural Society

Essex National Heritage Commission

Attention! Essex and Middlesex Farmers...
Please review your farm listing regularly on NortheastHarvest.com and advise us of any changes required to your crop listings, contact info, offerings, events and hours of operation.

New categories are now available, click here for a complete list.

Please add NortheastHarvest.com as a reciprocal link on your farm website.

THANK YOU!

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS:

As you gather with family and friends this holiday season, treat your guests to the delicious, local bounty of food, decorations and gifts. NortheastHarvest can help fulfill your shopping needs by helping you to locate fresh turkey, artisan cheeses and the perfect accompanying wine at Essex and Middlesex County farms. And don't forget those crisp pie-apples or pumpkins, a local fresh-cut Christmas tree or wreath, maple syrup, tart cranberries or flowers! Make you're a spectacular locally-grown table this holiday season.

Winter Markets:

Lexington Thanksgiving Market, Tuesday, November 23, 2:00 pm - 6:30 pm, Seasons Four,1265 Massachusetts Ave., EBT-SNAP accepted

Carlisle, Saturday, 9:00 am - Noon, November 27, December 18, January 22, February 19, March 19,April 16, Union Hall, 27 School Street

Chelmsford, Saturday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, November 13 to February 5, Chelmsford Agway, 24 Maple Road, No market 12/25 or 1/1

Dedham, Sunday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Year Round, 626 High Street

Natick, Saturday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm October 30 to April 2, Johnson Elementary School, Rt. 27/South Main St. No market 12/4, 12/25 or 1/1

Newburyport, Sunday, November 7 to December 19, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, No market 11/28,The Tannery Marketplace, 50 Water Street

Wayland, Saturday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, January 8 to March 12, Russell's Garden Center, 397 Boston Post Road, Rt. 20.

Westford, Saturday, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, January 15 to March 19, Roudenbush Community Center, 65 Main Street

Featured Product: Christmas Trees

Its time to tag your Christmas tree at a NortheastHarvest Tree Farm. Find a special evergreen wreath for your front door, a kissing ball or roping for the porch and pine boughs for the mantle. Deck your halls with locally-grown greens from a nearby farm. Visit NortheastHarvest to plan your holiday decorating adventure.

MA AG Facts

Massachusetts is 2nd in New England for direct sales of farm products to consumers. At $42M in direct sales, Massachusetts farmers were responsible for 40 percent of New England's total.
Massachusetts ranks 9th nationally in total value of direct sales, following states such as California, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and Washington.
More than 80% of Massachusetts farms are family-owned. Over 95% fit the category of "small farms", sales below $250,000.
Massachusetts ranks 1st in the U.S. for farmland value at $12,202 per acre.
Female farm operators account for 29% of the farm operators in MA, up from 21% in 2002.
Massachusetts increased number of organic farms from 129 in 2002 to 295 in 2007, and organic sales from $7.8M in sales in 2002 to $17.5M in 2007.

Sources: New England Agricultural Statistics 2007 and U.S. Census of Agriculture 2007.

Recipe of the Month: Cranberry-Apple Chutney

Ingredients:
1 cup whole fresh or frozen cranberries
2 ½ cup tart apples, peeled, cored and cubed
½ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled, slivered
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup sweetened dried cranberries
½ cup walnuts, chopped
¼ cup golden raisins
½ chili pepper, seeded and chopped1. Wash cranberries, remove stems.
2. In 5 quart heavy saucepan combine cubed apples, vinegar, sugar, ginger, salt, sweetened dried cranberries.
3. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
4. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered 5 minutes or just until apples are tender but still hold their shape.
6. Add nuts and whole cranberries. Simmer 2 minutes.
7. Remove from heat.
8. Put in tight sealing container. Store in refrigerator.

Method:

Wash cranberries, remove stems.
In 5 quart heavy saucepan combine cubed apples, vinegar, sugar, ginger, salt, sweetened dried cranberries.
Bring to boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered 5 minutes or just until apples are tender but still hold their shape.
Add nuts and whole cranberries. Simmer 2 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Put in tight sealing container. Store in refrigerator.

Source: Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association

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