Last fall, in addition to placing a permanent conservation easement on 277 of the 312 acres of Granby’s own Holcomb Farm, the Town updated and extended its relationship with the Friends of Holcomb Farm.
The Friends are, and will continue to be, responsible for farming the agricultural fields, raising money for and distributing food to people in need through Fresh Access, building and managing the farm’s walking and horseback riding trails, and developing the educational Holcomb Tree Trail, all for the benefit of the people of Granby and without the support of taxpayer dollars. Included in the refreshed relationship was a requirement (more like an opportunity!) to provide an annual report to the Board of Selectmen. We did so on March 6, and the Town has included the full report on its website. Go to granby-ct.gov and click on News, then select “Holcomb Farm Annual Report to the Town 2022” or go to: granby-ct.gov/home/news/holcomb-farm-annual-report-town-2022. I won’t bore you with the details but offer several highlights: 1) thanks to success in farming, fundraising, and grant-access, we closed the year with an increase in net assets of more than $40,000; and 2) along the way, we gave away some 20 TONS of fresh, chemical-free, Granby-grown produce.
The latter is thanks to the support of so many and is made possible through relationships with our institutional partners. In this and the next four months we would like to highlight our work with these diverse organizations.
Spotlight on Fresh Access Partner: Wheeler Health Family Health and Wellness Centers
Wheeler Health is a non-profit, community-based health center serving the greater Hartford region. Wheeler provides a wide range of health care services to low-income residents in Hartford and surrounding communities. Services include primary and pediatric health, behavioral health and dental care, as well as nutrition, prenatal and postnatal care.
In the fall of 2017, then-President of Wheeler, Susan Walkama, joined the Friends of Holcomb Farm at our Harvest Dinner fundraiser, and a partnership blossomed. Wheeler was in the process of launching its Family Health and Wellness Centers, and the idea of distributing our fresh produce to their clients weekly throughout the summer seemed like a natural fit. From a small start, Wheeler and the Friends of Holcomb Farm have worked together to grow the program to five locations: Hartford, Plainville, New Britain, Bristol and Waterbury.
In 2022, Wheeler reports that its Fresh Access produce program served an average of more than 200 clients per week during the 22-week season. More than half of these clients also receive behavioral health services such as substance abuse and mental health services. The food not only nourishes them but it also encourages them to access the other services they need.
Last year, Wheeler’s Christiana Pimentel served as the Fresh Access distribution coordinator and her enthusiasm for the program added to its growth and effectiveness. She reports: “Before the distribution, I would talk with Joe O’Grady, [our farm manager] to learn what would be coming our way. Then I would research the items and put together a little fact sheet with nutritional information and recipes. The clients loved it!” She told the story of one man who lived alone, and never missed a distribution. Near the end of last summer he told her, “You know, I don’t just come for the food. I come for the companionship.” Fresh, locally grown food: providing nourishment for body and soul.
Beginning in 2021, the Friends were able to secure support from Thrall Orchards and Clark Farms in an effort to provide more ready-to-eat produce to support Wheeler’s clients with limited kitchen access. And new in the 2022-23 winter, each of the five Wheeler locations received a delivery of 20 Winter CSA shares, providing their clients an opportunity to experience nutritious and delicious Holcomb Farm produce during winter months.
In 2023, we have budgeted more than $30,000 toward continuing this support of Wheeler, and Wheeler has agreed to cover 50 percent of the cost. Beyond this, our good work could not be accomplished without generous support from Friends of Holcomb Farm members, donors and customers. If you want to learn more, or support our work, please visit the Holcomb Farm website (www.holcombfarm.org) and select Fresh Access.
MORE FARM NEWS
While we await the final frost, when the fields along Simsbury Road can come alive after their winter rest, there is still plenty going on. Here’s a rundown.
Heather Lombardo, Chair of Granby’s Agricultural Commission, will have represented Granby at the March 22 Agricultural Day at the State Capital. In celebration of the Friends’ 30th anniversary we customized seed packs to give to all 250 of Connecticut’s legislators. Thanks to our board’s own graphic arts professional, Susan Canavan, for the design work.
Our good friends at Lost Acres Vineyard will once again host a Spring Farmers’ Market on April 6 beginning at 4 pm. We will be there, and you should be too!
The trail stewards report mud season has come early to the trails and they will be working with the Horse Council to be sure to avoid damage. Keep this in mind when you (and your leashed dogs) take spring walks at the farm.
Construction of the new roof on the CSA barn should be starting soon, and just in time, given the leaks reported by Farmer Joe.
The work on maintaining 312 acres of New England farm and woodlands is never done. The Friends of Holcomb Farm are grateful to be able to provide this community service in Granby and invite you all to join us.
