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Calendar
August 2011
Nature Play Day
Saturday, Aug 6th,10am-3pm
Drumlin Farm, Lincoln
From Field to Fork
Thursday, Aug 11th, 6-8pm
Verrill Farm, Concord
Summer Tour - Boston
Tuesday, Aug 16th & Wednesday, Aug 17th
Visit local farms
Corn and Tomato Festival
Saturday, Aug 20th, 11am-3pm
Verrill Farm, Concord
Massachusetts Tomato Contest
Monday, Aug 22nd
9am-12:30pm
Boston City Hall Farmers' Market
TV Diner Summer Farm Food Fest
Sunday, Aug 28th
11:30am-5pm
Smolak Farm, North Andover |
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Links
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Corn - Corn - Everywhere!
Sweet corn is a warm-season crop and one of the major vegetables grown in New England. It is an extremely popular crop for farm stands and farmers' markets. The average ear of corn has 800 kernels arranged in 16 rows. There is one piece of silk for each kernel. To select corn, look for bright green, moist husks. The silk should be stiff, dark and moist. Between the time of purchase and cooking, keep the corn moist and cool. Refrigerate it immediately to help the corn stay sweet. You can add a teaspoon of sugar for each quart of water used to cook corn that has not been used immediately. Be sure to use corn within 2-3 days. ENJOY THE SEASON - IT CAN SEEM MUCH TOO SHORT! |
August is Asian Longhorned Beetle Awareness Month
The Asian longhorned beetle, discovered in Worcester, MA in August 2008, is an invasive pest of hardwood trees, including maple, birch and elm. The beetle is large in size with very long black and white antennae. The body is glossy black with irregular white spots. Adult beetles can be seen from late spring to fall. Most of the initial ALB infestations have been found by the public, not pest specialists. The spread of this pest would cause serious negative impacts to the maple sugaring, nursery, tourism and forest product industries, as well as to our state's forest, park and street trees. If you suspect any sighting, click here to contact Jennifer Forman at MDAR. |
Massachusetts Tomato Contest
The 27th Annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest will be held at Boston's City Hall Plaza Farmers' Market on Monday, August 22nd from 9am to 12:30 pm. Tomatoes will be judged by a panel of experts on flavor, firmness/slicing quality, exterior color and shape. Farmers who want to submit entries can bring tomatoes to the Boston market between 9-10:15 am on August 22nd or drop their entries off with the registration form to a number of locations across the state on August 20th and 21st. This friendly contest is designed to increase consumer awareness of local agriculture. The contest is sponsored by the MDAR, New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association and Mass Farmers Markets. For more information and registration form, click here. |
 Stir the Pot
The second annual Stir the Pot program aims to collect fresh fruits and vegetables for greater Newburyport families in need. Donations are welcome from all community members with gardens and shares in CSA's, or those who just see a great bargain at their local farm stand. All types of fresh fruits and vegetables may be dropped off from now until the fall at the YWCA Greater Newburyport Aquatic Center, 13 Market Street, on Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 7 pm. The YWCA will store the produce and oversee distribution to people and families in need. Fresh produce is an important tool in the fight against obesity and critical to leading healthier lives. The partnership between Stir the Pot and the YWCA ensures that local summer and fall harvests are shared among those who need them most. For more information, contact Jeff Bard or Ellis Davis. |
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 Summer Tour - Boston!
The 2011 North American Strawberry Growers Association Summer Tour will be held out of the Boston area. Massachusetts has the hightest sales of produce at the farm gate. The tour dates will be August 16th and the 17th. Our tour includes Marini's Farm in Ipswich, Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury, Parlee Farms in Tyngsboro, Verrill Farm in Concord, Wards Berry Farm in Sharon, Spring Rain Farm in East Taunton, Four Town Farm in Seekonk, and Foppenma's Farm in Northbridge. Each farm has unique features you'll want to explore. See the Summer Tour schedule for information and hotel reservations. |
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 Corn & Tomato Festival
The Annual Corn & Tomato Festival will take place on Saturday, August 20th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Verrill Farm in Concord. You can taste over 30 varieties of tomatoes and up to 8 varities of corn. There will also be samples of dishes made in the farm stand kitchen. The cost is $8.50 for adults and $4.50 for children under 10. For more information visit Verrill Farm. |
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Nature Play Day
Free Discovery Days Event!
Come celebrate fun and creative outdoor play the old-fashioned way at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln on Saturday, August 6th from 10 am to 3 pm. Romp in the hay playground, test your skills on our natural obstacle course, and explore the Forest Discovery Trail. Naturalists will lead hands-on programs related to wildlife, farming, and the environment. And of course you're welcome to visit the farm animals, crop fields, and collection of native New England mammals and birds. Activities will occur rain or shine. To save time the day of the event please fill out this free admission ticket (only 1 ticket per household is needed) and bring it with you. |
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TV Diner Summer Farm
Food Fest at Smolak Farms!
NECN's "TV Diner," New Englands #1 food and dining program, is bringing together some of greater Boston's best chefs and restaurants to the beautiful land of Smolak Farms in North Andover for the 1st annual TV Diner Summer Farm Food Fest. The date is Sunday, August 28th from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm. The festival will feature cooking demos and tastings, and activities will include live music, children's games, hayrides, contests and more. Tickets are $30 online for adults and $40 purchased at the door - children under 10 are free. For more information, click here. |
 We Want to Hear From YOU!
CONSUMERS - Tell us your interests.
FARMERS - Let us know what's happening at your farm. We will try to publish your events in our newsletters.
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