4th of July PARADE ...ABORTED!
We hope and trust everyone had a memorable 4th of July. As I mentioned last week, certainly it was not a typical 4th of July weekend but it certainly was a weekend to enjoy and spend time with friends and family. Codman was pleased to join the annual, but modified 4th of July parade just as we always have over the years. A big thanks to DJ Mitchell, Montana and Cadence for decorating the tractor so Abe and I could race through town among the other decorated vehicles. In fact all was going swell and you may have seen us along the route....until...Tower road! Where the parade of cars seemed to enter race mode and zipped ahead of us on that very winding and bumpy Tower Road where Abe and I tried to put the pedal to the metal but we were only able to take so much bouncing in the tractor until our chicken hats bounced off again and again as we hit the ceiling of the tractor! By the time we returned to Lincoln Road to head up towards the library nary a car ahead ahead of us was in sight. Thanks to a police officer who pointed us in the direction of where the rest of the parade went...only to be approached by another police officer on Sandy Pond Road who asked us to roll down our window! Uhh, tractors don't have roll down windows, as Abe pointed out, so we opened the cab door and he said,"Your outta the parade, you are too slow!." So, that's the story of the 2020 parade for Codman Farm. We were booted for being on a tractor that can only go 20mph in what turned out to be the 4th of July NASCAR RACE Parade. It was fun while it lasted! On our sulking ride home we ran into DJ and others near town hall and Abe was able to share in some consolation rock candy withe the other kids. So, it was all good in the end....and there is always next year!
If you didn't see us on the route...that's the story.....our hearts were in it even if we could not make it to the end. Hope you had a great day!
LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS
Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) are an important part of how we manage our livestock on the farm. While we use them mainly to guard our chickens and turkeys, they were originally used to guard larger livestock over 2000 years ago in 150 B.C. Rome, as "Aristotle's History of Animals" makes mention of them. How cool is that! So, as we continue the very long tradition and use of LGDs, it's always a good reminder to mention that these dogs are NOT pets. According to our friend Wikipedia, "The three qualities most sought after in LGDs are trustworthiness, attentiveness, and protectiveness - trustworthy in that they do not roam off and are not aggressive with the livestock, attentive in that they are situationally aware of threats by predators, and protective in that they will attempt to drive off predators." Not mentioned but also very important to understand is that they are extremely independent. LGDs are not the kind of dogs you teach tricks to like fetch or roll over. They have their own way of thinking and are not much into playing games, they have a job to do and are most interested in this instinctual feeling of responsibility for the livestock they are charged to protect.
We mention all of this so folks understand never to approach our dogs in any way other then with respect. They are large, powerful animals, that are no doubt also quite beautiful. Please respect these animals and never approach or call out to them or reach out to pet them as they can be unpredictable if they sense a threat or are startled. All the farmers here at Codman respect our dogs and their important work on the farm. We give them love and attention and high quality veterinarian care and we do our best to keep them healthy and strong. Their job is a tough one, living outdoors 24/7, often up all night keeping predators at bay. In the mornings if you pass by a field where the dogs are, you might see them laying out in the middle of field, napping, quite exhausted from a night at work, finally feeling a bit of relief that the sun has risen and the danger of the night has passed once again. Lincoln is full of woodlands, swamps and open space where many a dangerous critter lurk.
Now when you enjoy our eggs or even your turkey this fall, you know who, in part, to thank! Our dogs provide an essential role in keeping our livestock alive and well, which in turn allows us to continue to grow healthy, local food for all.
Photo by Eli Newell
THE GREAT BACON STANDOFF
See anything unusual in the image below? A perturbed Jen, perhaps an exhausted Jared, or perhaps a very alert pig eyeing the photographer (me)?! Yes indeed, this was our reality Wednesday morning after we attempted to load this very agile sow onto the livestock trailer to bring her and other pigs in for "harvest". As Jared and I opened up the gate in Barn A to load her onto the trailer she, in a flash of a second, threw the gate up into the air with her powerful neck, and sprinted out from the barn. There began a two hour chase through the community gardens. It was fun! No, not at all. Memorable, a good story for sure, but not really fun in the moment. It was humid, hot, sweaty, and quite terrifying actually as you realize you are chasing a 400lb tuskless Rhino through beautiful patches of tender kale! Not to mention every horrible scenario playing out in your brain as you dart here and there trying to head her off before she gets too far up the road into the street or, worst case, charge directly at you in an attempt to run for the hills. In then end our bigger brains prevailed and we built a cage of sorts to contain her, but it was a long sweaty, tiring morning. A big shout out to my lovely wife who had a meeting that morning but was willing to do her part to help contain this energetic beast. And of course a big shout out to Jared who can hustle like anyone out there when needed to get the job done!
FRESH LOOK
A quick shout out to Turner the volunteer for taking on a long needed project...painting those ratty, chipped and moldy stairs. Actually, it was a Turner x2 effort! Turner Gnazzo who has been working on the farm this season as a farm assistant, pressure washed the stairs last week and our newest Turner volunteer has spent countless hours putting several layers of fresh white paint on the rather old and worn staircase. It looks great!
FRESH BERRIES and GREENS
A reminder once again that we are now harvesting fresh Codman grown currants and raspberries! Each day we harvest quite a few pints and half pints of very delicious berries grown right here on the farm. They go fast so get them while you can. They are in the COOLERS most of the time since the fruit flies come out quickly and they are also VERY ripe so we put them in the fridge to preserve their freshness.
We WILL have some cherries and blueberries on Thursday as well! Gotta love summer!
SMOKIN' FISH from CAPE ANN FRESH CATCH
REMINDER...we are now carrying smoked salmon and smoked salmon dip from Cape Ann Fresh Catch. We have tried them both and they are very rich and tasty with excellent freshness dating. Look for them in the refrigerator case in the farm store and in the barn.
 
Just in time for summer! We are also now carrying a few flavors of High Lawn Ice Cream, made in Lee, MA. We are stocking pints only, in a select few flavors including vanilla, chocolate, mocha, and mint...and this week we are adding Strawberry and other flavors.
If you have a favorite flavor let us know and we will do our best to add it to the list!
A BIT of NATURE
Our little orchard continues to grow and mature, though while it has not produced all that much fruit quite yet, this year it seems to be the host of one very beautiful nest of Robin eggs. This persistent Robin is doing a heck of a job at protecting her little cache of blue beauties. Every time we check she is sitting their guarding her work. If folks want to peer from a distance they are in a tree near the rock wall on the edge of the orchard.
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, cheese, ice cream deliveries
Myers Distributor (early afternoon)
Our local distributor from Massachusetts grown farms - we normally receive fresh veggies, cider, donuts, flower, 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
THURSDAY
High Lawn Farm (early morning)
Fresh milk, cheese, ice cream deliveries
Myers Distributor (early afternoon)
Our local distributor from Massachusetts grown farms - we normally receive 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 breads, and Israeli inspired pastries, breads and cookies
Local Veggies
We will be harvesting our own veggies and 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
Courtesy of Jared Martin
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