LexFarm Update: Farm Share Fair in Cambridge

[Allison Moody]

Update

February 1, 2011

Busa Land Use Proposal Committee Meeting February 2, Town Office Building, Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 pm According to the agenda, the BLUPC will start with committee members sharing their thoughts about the use of the Busa Land.  The committee with then share and review drafts of materials for the final report.  Lastly, they will review the timeline for finishing the report and submitting it to the Board of Selectmen.  We encourage you to submit any final thoughts you have about the use of the Busa land directly to the BLUPC. Farm Share Fair February 3, Democracy Center, Harvard Square, 5:30 - 8 pm This Farm Share Fair, hosted by theMOVE, is your perfect opportunity to meet the folks who grow your food and find out more about the CSAs available in our area.  You'll learn that it's a great way to support small-scale agriculture and get great fresh produce in return.  Entrance is free and pizza and spring rolls will be available for purchase, with the proceeds going to support theMOVE.  Find out more details about this event here.  If you can't make it this Thursday, Arlington will be hosting its own CSA Farm Share Fair on February 24. Subscriber Interest Survey Results The comments from the survey were encouraging and helpful.  For instance, the following comment shows how we can continue to learn from all those interested and involved in our efforts: "As a local farmer, I'd just like to point out that biodynamic and holistic farming don't mean the same thing.  Biodynamic farming is a highly specific form of agriculture formulated by Rudolf Steiner.  Holistic farming is a very broad term that has some particular, specific applications which are not the same as biodynamic farming at all." In addition to the supportive and grateful comments, there were many suggestions such as: "I am in favor of organic farming if it helps to create a market niche, but being certified organic is not a major issue for me because of the paperwork involved." "I strongly support the idea of a community farm but only if it can be designed to minimize impacts on the nearby stream and the Arlington Res." "From a Lexington business persons perspective the LexFarm concept is what will add value to the community in non-monetary terms... our connection with local agriculture and the land is essential to us all here in eastern Mass." Some of the suggestions were specifically about the use of the Busa property; we continue to encourage all those with comments such as the following to send them directly to the Busa Land Use Proposal Committee who will be preparing their final report and recommendations this month: BusaLa...@lexingtonma.gov "If affordable housing does become part of the property, then it should be part of a smart community that has some connection to the farm and also has green themed buildings - super energy efficient, passive solar, and good roof orientation for future solar projects, possibly through a power purchase agreement (lease panels)." To see a chart with the details from our survey, you can go to this link: http://lexfarm.org/sub_int_survey_2011/ Further Thinking Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) started in the Northeast as a way for small farms to stay in business by asking the community to share both the risk and rewards of the farming season.  CSA has become such a successful business model that now even medium to large farms across the country are using CSA shares as a way to distribute produce. Read a fascinating history of CSAs in Community Farms in the 21st Century: Poised for Another Wave of Growth? Spotlight on Community Farms Sustainability: Natick Community Organic Farm (NCOF) has a business model developed over two decades through close collaboration with the town. The town sees it not just as open space but as productive open green space. The Executive Director, Assistant Director, and Farm Administrator are town employees. A monthly report as well as an annual report are submitted to both the Board of Directors and the appropriate town divisions, such as the Conservation Commission and the Recreation division. While key staff are considered town employees, their salaries are covered by revenue from the farm, making it a self-sufficient organization.   One-third the income comes from education programs, one-third from farm products, and one-third from annual events, membership, fundraising, and the annual appeal. NCOF keeps its energy costs down thanks to the installation of solar panels on their 200-year-old barn.   NCOF has no need for a CSA program due to the town's commitment to the farm and the farm's ability to primarily sustain itself with a farm stand. NCOF sells its produce to the community from its farmstand which uses a self-help system— buyers write down their purchase and leave the appropriate amount at the stand. Other sources of sales are a restaurant or two, a small local grocery store, and two farmers’ markets stalls which the Board members manage. Like most community farms, NCOF relies heavily on volunteers, some who are members, many who are not. Membership offers discounts on programs and events and ensures a commitment to the farm from community members who purchase it.   According to Lynda Simkins, Executive Director, the key to the farm’s success is it’s “open-gate” policy. Anyone has the right to walk on the property since NCOF belongs to the community. We welcome your feedback Please write us at upd...@lexfarm.org with all feedback regarding the Update or if you have suggestions for area events that we can announce. Allison Moody You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Lexington Community Farm News" group. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here. This is an announcement-only group; if you'd like a notice posted to this announcement list, please send email to the owner of this group.

News and Upcoming Events BLUPC Meeting, Feb 2 Cambridge Farm Share Fair, Feb 3 Survey Results Further Thinking Spotlight on Community Farms Area Events Feb 2 - March 2, Codman Community Farm, 5 - 7 pm Beekeeping Class The Middlesex County Beekeepers Association is offering this 5 week course in the basics of beekeeping $90 member, $110 non-member Feb 3, Waltham Community Farm, 7 - 9 pm Oh Starry Night! Bundle up and come out to the farm for an evening of mid-winter stargazing, hot cider and good company! Free Feb 5, Drumlin Farm Backyard Sugaring Join Drumlin Farm and the New England Wild Flower  Society to learn how to make your own delicious syrup from the trees growing in your very own yard. $24 member, $32 non-member Feb 9, Newton Community Farm, 7:30 - 9 pm Jam and Jelly Making: Sweets for your Sweet Just in time for Valentine's Day, learn how to make jams and jellies to share with your sweetie. $30 member, $34 non-member Feb 24, Arlington, 4:30 - 7:30 pm CSA Farm Share Fair Want to support local small-scale agriculture? Farmers, fishermen and beekeepers will be on hand to tell you how their farm share works and how you can join their CSA. Free Upcoming Conferences/ Seminars Feb 5, Barre, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Systematizing a Diverse Vegetable Operation NOFA is offering this all-day seminar to present practical information for making farms more economically viable through soil health and effective management. Register by Jan 22 for early-bird discount. Follow us on: The Blog Feed Click here to: Join our mailing list View Event Calendar How you can help Volunteer Donate Sign our petition Board Members Janet Kern, President Jay Luker, Vice-President Derek Moody, Treasurer Margaret Heitz, Clerk Carol Damm Ellen Frye Todd Hay Kristen Reed Rosemarie Sansone