PRE-THANKSGIVING THANKS
In trying to come up with a theme to write about this week I found myself continuing to think of Thanksgiving, and all we are grateful for this year. While our country and world have been facing the worst pandemic in over 100 years, our work here has continued much the same as it has in the past. For sure, much has changed. Our challenges in keeping the Farm Store operational and serving the needs of so many who have discovered us has been difficult. And yes, in countless other ways big and small our lives have been impacted. But at the core, the daily hum of working on the farm has remained intact.
Perhaps we feel not much has changed in our lives because we mirror the critters we care for. Over the summer when we rotate the cows, chickens, pigs, turkeys, and other critters through open fields to fresh pasture, not one of the animals, NOT ONE, ever looked up to us with even a hint of concern about the outside world. I don't think the cows have even noticed there is a pandemic raging 'round the world. Which is odd since they are much much bigger than us, thus having MUCH bigger brains, but yet, they haven't noticed a thing different. Sure, they moo when the grass is getting short or the hay is running out, but beyond that, they don't really have ANY idea of what is happening out there. Even the chickens and turkeys - who can be quite the busybodies - haven't sensed something amiss this season. They cluck or follow us around only when they want more grass, more food, more something. Perhaps it's understandable - they just have bird brains. So you see since the animals are carrying on as normal, we have just continued on as well. And to be honest, it has been pretty great, pretty awesome in fact. But to be totally honest, the awesomeness is fading now. As the critters return to the farm or head off for freezer camp, our farm chores are diminishing and we are heading towards the time of year when we, as farmers, get to slow down, go on vacation and recharge ourselves. And as the realization is hitting us, that there will be NO vacations this year, no warm beaches, no escapes to visit with family and friends, no time away from the farm, we are realizing...this kind of, well - sucks! Excuse my french. But it does. And with the pandemic getting worse there are just no other alternatives but to hunker down and get through it. And we will. And so once again, I realize how grateful and THANKFUL I am, we are, for what a relatively great season we have had on the farm. SO many months of good, honest work. The animals grew beautifully, we weathered the drought well enough, our Farm Store has been rockin' busy, and the farm staff kept the farm humming all season long, not to mention our amazing all-volunteer Board of Directors who continued to support the farm in all the ways they could, and so on.
In summary, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Where have I heard that before? This is life my friends, full of ups and downs! So as Thanksgiving approaches let's try and appreciate all the good that still abounds in our lives, and be hopeful that better times are just around the corner.
Oh, and I thought of all of this because Kristy Lee from NBC 10 Boston was here at the farm today doing a story on Codman, and asked, "How have your Thanksgiving plans changed this year?". Look for this short segment on NBC 10 Boston, Monday evening.
TURKEY PICK-UP...NEXT WEEK
For those who pre-ordered a turkey, look for an email from us within a day or so with pickup details. Next week we will be bringing back all of the turkeys that we have in cold storage so we can distribute them over next weekend.
CHICKENS COMING HOME TO ROOST
As mentioned last week, it's time to bring the laying hens home. While we absolutely wish the early spring we experienced this past week would continue indefinitely, reality says we must move forward with bringing the birds back before we experience another snowstorm. Jared completed the temporary winter fencing to keep the birds contained and we are almost finished setting up the high tunnel with wood chips on the ground, our winter barrel waterers, and lighting to keep them laying through the winter. Saturday night we will be catching the birds at Farm Meadow field and by Sunday morning they will "magically" (magic entails lots of folks catching the 1000+ birds and towing all their coops home) appear back at the farm. Andy the guardian dog will also return to keep watch over them. As a reminder, Andy is not a pet and he can get a little nervous when folks approach the fencing and birds...so please when coming to the farm to admire the birds, keep back from the fence line!
Chickens at Farm Meadow field, drone photo by Pete on Nov 8th
NEW ENTRY HOLIDAY FOOD BOX
The New Entry Sustainable Farming Project is selling a holiday box chock full of local veggies, fruit, and local value-added products. $75 for a box and Jen will bring them to Lincoln for your convenience! Pick-up will be November 19th.
"This box will contain the farmers choice of produce perfect for the holidays. Items might include local fruits like apples and cranberries and hearty vegetable crops like carrots, squash, potatoes, and sweet potatoes as well as tasty greens like arugula and kale. And fun treats like popcorn and pesto!
Click here to order!
FISH
Many have been asking if the fish peeps will continue selling fish through the winter...and at this point, the answer is YES! We may bring them into the barn so they can be slightly more protected from the elements, but as far as we know, they DO plan to continue on the current schedule.
FRESH PRODUCE- THIS WEEK
Each week availability of produce and fruit shifts a bit. Some of these items are grown by us using organic growing methods (We are not certified organic), most of the other veggies we buy-in from local farms ARE certified organic, and most fruit is NOT certified organic, but IPM (which means low spray or low use of chemicals, when possible).
Available this week
November 13th-20th
FRUIT
Apples (honeycrisp, mac, macoun, fuji, gala, pink lady)
VEGETABLES
LOCAL organic loose carrots, beets, onions,
lettuce mix, spinach, kale, collards, winter squash, potatoes (gold, russet, red),
sweet potatoes, shiitake mushrooms, celery, herbs, leeks and more. Availability varies!
MOST ALL THE PRODUCE WE BUY FROM LOCAL FARMS IS CERTIFIED ORGANIC
THIS WEEK WE PURCHASED ORGANIC PRODUCE FROM:
Fat Moon Farm, Westford
Red Fire Farm, Granby
Pete's Greens, VT
Picadilly Farm, Winchester NH
FARM STORE DELIVERY and SCHEDULE
As we get into more of a routine we wanted to share what to expect each week as far as product arrivals and days to expect certain items...here goes!
MONDAY
High Lawn Farm (early morning)
Fresh milk, butter, cheese, ice cream deliveries
Myers Distributor (early afternoon)
Our local distributor from Massachusetts grown farms -
Local and Certified Organic fresh veggies, fruit, cider, donuts, flowers, and other items
TUESDAY
Bread Obsession (by 11 am)
Fresh bread baked in Waltham; baguettes, whole wheat slicing loaf, durum levain, sourdough, multigrain
WEDNESDAY
Bread Obsession (by 11 am)
Fresh bread baked in Waltham; baguettes, whole wheat slicing loaf, durum levain, sourdough, multigrain
Cape Ann Fresh Catch
Fresh local fish usually including haddock, scallops, salmon, swordfish, grey sole, and catch of the day
12:30-2:30ish
THURSDAY
High Lawn Farm (early morning)
Fresh milk, butter, cheese, ice cream deliveries
Myers Distributor (early afternoon)
Our local distributor from Massachusetts grown farms -
Local and Certified Organic fresh veggies, fruit, cider, donuts, flowers, and other items
FRIDAY
Bread Obsession (by 11 am)
Fresh bread baked in Waltham; baguettes, whole wheat slicing loaf, durum levain, sourdough, multigrain
Mi Tierra Tortillas (by 11 am)
Fresh, local, organic corn tortillas
Sweet Tahini
Fresh, gluten-free bread, and Israeli inspired sweets made with no processed sugars
Local Veggies
We will be buying seasonally available produce from local farms, as available
SATURDAY
Bread Obsession (by 11 am)
Fresh bread baked in Waltham; baguettes, whole wheat slicing loaf, durum levain, sourdough, multigrain
C&C Fresh Lobster and Fish
Fresh fish and lobster
10am- 12pm
MISC INFO...
1. We remain OPEN 24/7, so if you want to avoid contact with others, visit in the wee hours of the night!
2. MANDATORY MASKS: Please wear MASKS in all public places so be sure to have one on when you visit the store. They are a pain for sure but JUST DO IT! ;-)
3. THANKS: Farm store sales remain brisk and we appreciate your support!
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please contact pete@codmanfarm.org.
WEEKLY PICS by Pete
Drone photo of Mt Misery field...thre green areas are where the meat bird coops were
Drone photo of farm from another angle - are those alien crop circles!?
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