This spring, the greenhouses full of seedlings and the freshly turned soil of the Salmon Brook flood plains at Holcomb Farm are providing a sense of normalcy in these unsettled times. Just as people turned to growing their own victory gardens in times of war, our community is counting on Granby’s own farm, under the stewardship of the Friends of Holcomb Farm—along with the whole local farming community—to fill tables with fresh produce. This urge to connect with the soil and nourish our souls is happening throughout the country.
“The victory garden movement began during World War I and reemerged during WWII. It called on Americans to grow food in whatever spaces they could — rooftops, fire escapes, empty lots, backyards. It maintained that there was nothing more valuable than self-sufficiency, than working a little land, no matter how small, and harvesting your own eggplant and tomatoes.” (NYT; Food Supply Anxiety Brings Back Victory Gardens, March 25, 2020).
There have been several farming victories at Holcomb Farm already this spring. The winter larder of potatoes, carrots and beets enabled our customers to stock their shelves with local produce in March; the annual Mothers’ Day plant sale allowed many community members to bring some seedlings home for their own victory gardens; our summer CSA shares sold out early; and a special fundraising outreach on #GivingTuesdayNow increased our ability to provide the food we grow to people in need through our Fresh Access program. If you missed out on joining our CSA, you can always partake of the retail farm store offerings, which will include our own produce as well as offerings from the larger ag community. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please observe social distancing and wear a face covering while at the farm.
Helping feed neighbors in need
If you are looking for ways to contribute to others during these trying times, your donations to Fresh Access are always welcome, and go directly to providing the food we grow to people in need right here in Granby and throughout the greater Hartford region. This pandemic has caused unprecedented need, and we are working to help as much as possible. To learn more or make a donation, go to holcombfarm.org/freshaccess
Editor’s Note: If you’d like to know more about the Victory Gardens that helped to feed the world, here’s a link to a great History.com article. (history.com/news/americas-patriotic-victory-gardens)