Reaping What We Sow- Looking Forward to 2018
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2017 ANNUAL REPORT RELEASED:
FOOD DONATIONS EXCEED 10,000 LBS!
We’ve just released our 2017 Annual Report, which includes highlights of this year on the farm. We got to oversee more farm improvements, saw many new faces on the farm – staff and volunteers, and hosted a visit by farm family descendant, Jim Massaro. Of course we take the most pride in fulfilling our mission to
Keep Farming, Feed People and Build Community.
For the first time since inception, our donations of fresh organic produce to hunger relief partners in the area exceeded 10,000 pounds. Thanks to theFarm2Pantry effort of the CT Food Bank, volunteers conducted several gleanings over the 2017 growing season. According to a CT Food Bank Survey, only 1/3 of its partner agencies receive fresh produce from farms, but most would like to. Storage and transportation continue to be barriers for getting more fresh produce to those families who need it most.
Support our continued farm preservation efforts and produce donations to families facing food insecurity.
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VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION RESCHEDULED:
JANUARY 20, 2018 12:30PM
The new date for the Volunteer Appreciation Lunch and get together will be Saturday, January 20th from 12:30- 2:30pm. We will have some fun foods with vegan/gluten-free options. Whether you’ve volunteered once or numerous times at the farm, join us for this opportunity to thank YOU – at Beechwood Road School in the South Assembly Room. Please RSVP to Becca at [email protected] to let us know if you can come! You’re welcome – but not required – to bring a dish to share. Thanks for all you do for Massaro Community Farm!
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FOODCORPS SUCCESS:
A COMMITMENT TO NUTRITION EDUCATION
This fall marks five years since Massaro Farm began hosting a
FoodCorps service member. This program’s commitment to increase nutrition education and vegetable preference among youth directly aligns with Massaro’s mission to Feed People. Which is why we continue to host this effort to reach students with the highest needs in surrounding schools. In the last year alone, FoodCorps sites across CT have seen a 57% increase in healthy food preferences. Our efforts to reclaim a school garden at Ansonia High School showed a 40-point increase in vegetable preferences, while students at Emmett O’Brien School – the Vo-Tech school 1.5 miles from the farm with a culinary education program – showed a 28-point increase in vegetable preferences after working with our FoodCorps service member.
We see FoodCorps as critical to improving youth awareness of locally grown, fresh foods, decreasing obesity, and increasing overall health by getting kids moving out in the garden and choosing healthier vegetables to eat.
Recruitment for the next FoodCorps service term opens in January. If you or someone you know is interested in this domestic civil service program, visit the website for key details.
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BEEKEEPING OPPORTUNITIES THIS WINTER
 Massaro Farm’s collaboration with Connecticut Beekeeper’s Associationwill continue in 2018. This means more workshops and more information sharing for new and existing backyard beekeepers! If you’re considering beekeeping or already have hives, you won’t want to miss
Bee School, a full-day session on everything you need to know.
January 20, 2018 (Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven) OR
February 3, 2018 (Housatonic Valley Regional High School)
Either way, you’ll want to sign up early as these sessions sell out!
Also, NEW in 2018, CTBA will be hosting BEETALKS, monthly gatherings to meet and exchange information and practices on beekeeping. The meetings will be held monthly at the Rockfall Foundation in Middletown, on the second Thursday of each month beginning on January 11, 2018 at 6:30pm. January’s topic discussion will be on the nutritional needs of an overwintering colony and how to formulate a simple but appropriate supplemental food.
Bee Talks will be led by farm friend and neighbor, Bill Hesbach, of Wing Dance Apiary in Cheshire. For more information contact Bill at [email protected] or (203) 430-2895.
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MASSARO AND WOODBRIDGE LIBRARY
CO-HOST NEW SERIES
 Massaro Farm and the Woodbridge Library are partnering to bring you a series that will focus on food and where it comes from. We want to keep good local food on your mind during the colder months of the year, so we’re inviting you to our first event, a Potluck on January 31 from 6:00-8:00pm.
Keep your eyes open for upcoming events and topics on the last Wednesday of each month.
Be bold! Start the new year by trying a new recipe: select from the many cookbooks available at the library.
Bring a dish to share, a serving spoon, a friend and a copy of your recipe.
Plates, napkins and cutlery will be provided.
RSVP by calling the library at (203) 389-3433 or by visiting their website.
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SUPPORT FARMING, FEEDING PEOPLE & BUILDING COMMUNITY
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The farm thanks this year’s event sponsors.
The MFUNd * William & Jeannie Graustein
The La Tronica Family
(Fair Winds Farm, Lock Stock & Barrel & The UPS Store) Paul & Judith DeCoster * Southern CT State University
Buckley, Wynne & Parese * Laticrete International * Griffin Hospital Real Living-Wareck D’Ostillio * The Kayne Family The Valley Community Foundation * Stihl
BIC Corporation * Coldwell Banker Real Estate Hocon Gas, Inc. * Schaefer Inspection Services
Wells Fargo A-1 Toyota * Ciola Excavation LLC * Guido & Anne Calibrese * Nancy Daoud Encon * Jacobi, Case & Speranzini PC * Serv-Pro of Milford-Orange-Sratford
Marcus Insurance * Stop & Shop |
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