Barn Renovations
Take a drive by the Friends of Holcomb Farm’s CSA Barn, 111 Simsbury Road, and see, as Margaret Mead said it best, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
With the support of a State of Connecticut Small Farm Viability Grant, funds raised by the Friends of Holcomb Farm, and—most critically—hundreds of hours of volunteer time, renovation of the CSA Barn is well underway and on schedule for completion in advance of the annual opening of the Holcomb Farm CSA and Farm Store.
Posse members Dave Desiderato and Ralph Eustis re-side the CSA Barn. Photo by Jack Lareau
Farm Store and CSA opens June 12
The Holcomb Farm CSA and CSA Farm Store will be open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from mid-June through mid-September. You do not have to belong to our CSA to shop at our Farm Store.
At the Holcomb Farm CSA Farm Store, we offer one-stop-shopping for locally-sourced and artisanal foods from a variety of farms, bakeries, dairies, bottlers, and other food purveyors that operate in Granby and throughout the region. You can pull together a full meal—you also can find great gifts. Come visit and see all we offer.
Maple View Farm, Granby (beef), Get Baked! Bakery, Windsor (bread), Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, Moosup (chicken and turkey), Birds and Beans LLC, Boston (coffee), Sweet Pea Farm, North Granby (chevre), Farm True, North Stonington (ghee), Harney and Sons, Millerton, N.Y. (organic juices, sodas and teas), Katalyst Kombucha/Artisan Beverage Co-op, Greenfield (kombucha), Cream of the Crop Farm, Russell (eggs), Alba Apiaries, Granby (honey), Sepe Farm, Sandy Hook (lamb), Sweet Wind Farm, East Hartland (maple syrup), South River Miso, Conway (miso), Real Pickles, Greenfield (pickled vegetables), Howling Flats Farm, North Canaan (pork), Holcomb Farm, West Granby (tomato sauce), Severance Foods/Pan d’Oro, Hartford (tortilla chips), Mi Tierra, Springfield (fresh tortillas), Kitchen Garden Farm, Sunderland (sriracha sauce), Taza Chocolate (chocolate), Lyric Hill Farm, Granby (goat milk soap).
CSA shares—the most cost effective way to put fresh, chemical-free, local produce on your table—are still available, and the harvest is looking strong. Check out shareholder options at www.holcombfarm.org or call Cathy at 860-844-8616.
Friends’ Annual Membership Meeting and Ice Cream Social
As a non-profit membership association, the Friends of Holcomb Farm invites all members, defined as individuals who have contributed $25 or more in the past year, to an annual meeting. This year, the meeting will be held on Monday, June 11, at 7 p.m., at the CSA Barn. Check out the renovations, hear brief reports on our farming, Fresh Access, and Stewardship programs, and offer your input to your volunteer board members. If you’re interested in joining this wonderful organization, please contact cathy@holcombfarm.org.
The History of Holcomb Farm
We are in the process of distributing autographed copies of Peggy Lareau’s newly-published monograph, Holcomb Farm Heritage, Struggles and Successes, to significant donors to the Friends’ Annual Appeal. Beginning with the opening of the Farm Store, June 12, copies will also be available to the public for $15. Stop by and pick one up; it will make a great gift for family and friends who love Granby. Also, please see The Granby Public Library “Browse and Borrow” page for an author talk and book signing on June 7.
More Fun Coming
June 3: CT Trails Day Hike will meet at the farm at 10 a.m. (113 Simsbury Road) for a group hike on the Farm and McLean Game Refuge trails. The hike will be approximately 6.2 miles and is rated moderate.
Red oak leaves emerge as springtime comes to Holcomb Farm. Photo by Eric Lukingbeal
Another successful Progressive Dinner
Huge thanks to the many friends who participated in the annual Progressive Dinner. Special thanks to the host families: Sally King and Eric Lukingbeal; Peggy and Jack Lareau; Celia and Jim Lofink; Kathy and Jeff Sutton; Karen McNey; Pat and Bill Kennedy; Laurie Guinta and Chris Olson; and Avis and Lou Cherichetti. After enjoying wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres at the North Barn (thanks to Lost Acres Vineyard, Lite-n-Up, Sweet Pea Farm, Thomas Hooker Brewery, Bosco’s and Bremar Rentals), guests progressed to these host homes for homemade lasagna accompanied by delicious freshly-baked bread from Lost Acres Orchard and Holcomb Farm greens. All then returned to the Farm for a fabulous buffet of homemade desserts, an annual contribution of members Kathleen Usher and Jeanne Galloway.