A NOTE FROM OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Codman Farm community is deeply saddened by the events of the past week. We remain proud of our farm team and the work done to support the community during this COVID-19 pandemic. But the masks we wear and the social distancing we practice has not shielded us from the crisis of racial injustice. We, the Board of Directors of Codman Community Farms, extend our sympathies to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and others who have suffered at the hands of senseless acts of aggression and discrimination. Codman Farms is committed to the embrace of the human spirit and it's relationship to the land we cherish and live upon.
As we mentioned last week, the farm has purchased a new bull to keep our cows happily serviced for the next several years. Eagle Valley arrived Thursday morning thanks to George Travis who trekked to Pennsylvania to pick him up at the half way mark. He arrived in good health and strutted his stuff off the trailer (both George and the bull) and was met by a very receptive audience...see photos below. Welcome Eagle Valley!
Eagle Valley 636 arrives at Codman South field
TURKEY POULTS ARE HERE!
Yes, it's time to think about Thanksgiving! As farmers, we have to think and plan ahead...so while everyone is wondering if camps and the Codman pool will be open this summer...we on the farm already have our sights set on turkey day! Yes we still very much live in the present day but have to think of tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. And with all this thinking , we are optimistic that much of the chaos in our world today will have settled down a bit by the time Thanksgiving arrives. At least we can hope! Certainly the sun will rise tomorrow and we can all wish for better times ahead. So, reserve your turkey today and with it, hope for a brighter future for all!
IT's ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY
Farming mirrors life. Mirrors the world. It's tough out there and it can be tough here too. It doesn't always work out for the best. This week on the farm we faced our own challenge when one of our cows had a problem birthing a calf and despite our best efforts, the calf didn't make it. But what did prevail was the enduring community spirit we have on the farm. When there are problems, our community rises to the occasion to help. Thanks to all who lent a hand this week to try and save this beautiful calf. It was not in vain. The mom is recovering, and our love for the farm and the community it brings continue on. Here are some photos from the week.
HAYING HAS BEGUN!
It's that time of year! Spring grasses have all of a sudden exploded in growth and pollen is blowing everywhere. It's time for first cut hay! First cut hay is usually our largest hay harvest of the season where we bale more than half of the hay we need to feed the cows all winter. Keep an eye out for our team of volunteers cutting and raking fields all around town. Jared can be seen bailing and I usually wrap the bales. It's a hectic time but critical to get the hay harvested and put away for winter feeding. In the photo below you can see us wrapping hay with our bale wrapper.
Wrapped hay is called BALEAGE, and the wrapping process excludes oxygen from the hay and causes the hay to ferment slightly. Fermented hay becomes more digestible for the cows and hay harvested this way has higher moisture content which means we don't need to fluff up the hay (called tedding) multiple times to dry the hay out. This saves lots of fuel, tractor time, and impact on the field. Our process just involves cutting the hay, letting it rest for a few hours, then we immediately rake it into windrows to bale into round bales. This process dramatically shortens the time from cutting to harvest making haying quicker and easier. The use of the plastic is offset by much less tractor and fuel usage and also allows us to store the hay outdoors.
Codman grown spinach now available in the Farm Store!
FRESH FISH UPDATE - REMINDER REMINDER
Some folks have been asking what the fresh fish schedule is...so to clarify...
Cape Anne fresh catch will continue to sell fish every WEDNESDAY from 12:30 until 2:30ish
Carolyn from C&C Lobster will be here on SATURDAYS from 10-12pm.
OTHER FARM STORE UPDATES - SAME AS LAST WEEK!
1.. FRESH BREAD continues: Tuesday, WEDNESDAY, Friday, Saturday from Bread Obsession. Bread usually arrives between 10-11 am all hot and steamy! We are now pre-bagging all bread for your convenience and it will be located IN THE BARN instead of the Farm Store to improve accessibility. Saturday we have the widest selection including bagels, brioche, cinnamon bread, rye and the regular offerings which include Durum, Lex Sourdough, Multigrain sourdough, baguettes and sliced wheat loaf.
2. PROTEINS: We are doing our best to keep beef, pork and chicken in stock. Hang in there! We will be supplementing our own beef with some very nice Vermont grown beef in the next week or two until we harvest our next 3 animals in a few weeks. Inventory will fluctuate so keep checking! Local means local so when we are sold out, we are sold out. We don't buy in these items from big distributors.
3. GREENS and PRODUCE: Spring greens are finally coming in with lots of chard and kale to start with local Asparagus also making appearances. Soon other crops will start as well with beets and carrots soon to arrive.
4. EGGS: All chickens are all laying great so stop in for as many eggs as you wish, we have plenty!
5. OPEN 24/7: Remember that the Farm Store is open 24/7, so if you want to avoid contact with others, visit in the wee hours of the night! More and more folks are shopping early and late, but it's still mostly empty so just do it!
6. MANDATORY MASKS: The town of Lincoln mandated 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! ;-)
7. THANKS: Farm store sales remain brisk and we appreciate your support! WE remain in good health and are gearing up for the farm season! If you are feeling ill, stay away, have someone else shop for you. We need to stay healthy to farm! Wear your masks! Be well.
Codman Community Farms is OPEN and here for you!
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please contact pete@codmanfarm.org.
THIS calf arrived safe and sound, the 1st of the year. Jared tagged it 000! (year born and sequence born)
Abe giving a thumbs up and shaka sign after we moved all of the cows to Codman South field on Sunday.
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