Here’s what’s growing on
July and August are prime months for growing high quality, nutrient-dense, chemical-free food in Granby, and that is exactly what is growing at Holcomb Farm.
While our CSA is sold out, the Farm Store is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and everyone is welcome. In addition to our own produce, we sell exciting products from other local producers as well, including honey, cheeses, organic coffee beans, ice cream, kombucha, sriracha, ginger syrup, salsa, chips and more. All proceeds help support the work of the nonprofit Friends of Holcomb Farm, including public trail maintenance, an arboretum and our Fresh Access program, through which we make about 20 percent of what we grow available to others who might not have access. We also now accept SNAP payments and, thanks to a grant, can double the value of every SNAP dollar spent in our store.
On June 12, we kicked off 20 weeks of Granby Senior Center Fresh Access distributions. Some 90 registered Senior Center members drive through each week and receive free produce from a team of dedicated volunteers. This year, with a nod toward our ethos of sustainability, we invested in reusable produce bags; so, a reminder to all our Senior Center friends—please remember to bring your empty bag back each week!
Other Granby organizations we support through Fresh Access include Granby Social Services, the Waste Not Want Not Community Kitchen and the Open Cupboard Food Pantry (who gave us the idea of the reusable bags). The first week, recipients received fresh greens, garlic scapes and sweet potatoes in their new bags; the bounty will grow as the summer progresses. We can serve our Granby partners thanks in part to a grant from the Granby Community Fund. Beyond Granby, our partners include the Hispanic Health Council, Wheeler Health and the Healing Meals Community Project. And all of this—with an expected retail value of more than $130,000 for the summer of 2025, is made possible through generous donations from Fresh Access Heroes and supporters of the Friends of Holcomb Farm.
Holcomb Hoedown, mark your calendars for Sept. 7
The second Holcomb Hoedown will be held at the farm on Sunday, Sept. 7, from 2 to 6 p.m. This follows Granby Open Farm Day on Sept. 6, so it will be a great weekend to be in Granby. Mark your calendars and bring your out-of-town relatives and friends, too. The event is free to all; we do encourage donations to benefit Fresh Access. In addition to reprising the best events of last year—line-dancing with Stompin’ Boots, a puppet show by the Hispanic Health Council and cowboy mounted-shooting by the Granby Horse Council—this year will also feature Sarah the Fiddler, courtesy of an Arts Grant from the Granby Education Foundation. Also new this year will be hay wagon rides, a team of oxen demonstrating field work and a Kids and Families Costume Parade with prizes for the best hoedown-inspired get-ups. See our ad in this month’s Drummer and visit our website (holcombfarm.org) for more information.
CT Trails @ Holcomb Farm
What a great turnout for a hike in the east fields of the farm on CT Trails Day. Long-time volunteer and trail steward Jack Lareau led the group, who were treated to seeing a box turtle and a few red efts (Eastern newts) along the way. We also got a great testimonial from one of the kids who joined in, “This is the best day ever!”
The Holcomb Farm trails and tree trail are open dawn to dusk every day. Maps are available at our website, holcombfarm.org All the work and maintenance is provided by volunteers, with expenses funded by the Friends through membership and donations. Workdays are held periodically on Saturdays, and more volunteers are always welcome. Drop a note to info@holcombfarm.org if you are interested in joining our intrepid stewardship volunteers in tackling invasives, building bog bridges and maintaining these trails for public enjoyment.
