A Harvest Dinner to remember
Each fall, the Friends of Holcomb Farm (FOHF) invites the community to come together to celebrate the season’s bounty at a special Harvest Dinner showcasing Holcomb Farm vegetables. This year’s dinner, held at the Holcomb Farm North Barn on Oct. 23, was a wonderful success. Attended by more than 120 people, the event raised more than $14,000 for the Friends of Holcomb Farm.
In a room decorated in jewel tones, with elaborate vegetable centerpieces, guests enjoyed an exquisite meal catered by Metro Bis Restaurant in Simsbury, under the direction of acclaimed Chef Chris Prosperi.
The Friends presented two awards at the dinner. The first, the Friends of Holcomb Farm Community Service Award, was given to Kirk Severance, Granby’s director of public works, in recognition of his enthusiastic support of Holcomb Farm and his dedication to caring for the town-owned property upon which the farm sits.
The second honor was the Friends of Holcomb Farm Bud Murtha Volunteer Service Award—the FOHF’s highest distinction—named for longtime Granby resident Bud Murtha and given to a volunteer who embodies Bud’s dedication to community service and volunteerism. This year, the award was presented to FOHF board member Susan Canavan in gratitude for her service to the farm over the last seven years.
A talented graphic designer with a deep passion for Holcomb Farm, Canavan not only works with the farm’s marketing team and shapes the farm’s visual identity; she also spends time planting trees and caring for the Holcomb Tree Trail. In presenting the award, FOHF Vice President Amy Eisler said, “Her talent, generosity and dedication have truly elevated Holcomb Farm.”
One of the most moving moments of the evening came when Dave Emery took the microphone. Dave’s wife, Jenny Emery, who led the Friends of Holcomb Farm as board president and who was a tireless champion for the farm, was tragically killed in a bicycle accident in early September. Dave spoke about projects left unfinished in the wake of this loss, and he encouraged all in attendance to help realize Jenny’s vision of a new home for the Holcomb Farm CSA and Farm Store. His heartfelt and inspirational words were met with a standing ovation, tears and a renewed sense of purpose.
Later in the evening, radio personality John Dankosky, an enthusiastic supporter of Holcomb Farm, interviewed one of the evening’s special guests—Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt—in a spirited fireside chat about the importance of supporting farmers and agriculture in Connecticut. Hurlburt expressed how delighted he was to witness the enthusiasm and energy in the room and thanked everyone for supporting the critical work being done by the Friends of Holcomb Farm.
We are deeply grateful to Wheeler Health, one of FOHF’s Fresh Access partners, for sponsoring the dinner. We also are so grateful to all who donated items to our silent auction: John O’Brien of O’Brien Nursery, Missing Link Wine Company, Laura Eden, Kristal Fiorentino, Farm crew member Emma Hoyt, FOHF board member Eric Lukingbeal, Lost Acres Fire Department, My Flower Pots and Cooking at the Taylor Treehouse.
Finally, we thank everyone who supported the Friends of Holcomb Farm through their attendance; and the committee who worked so hard to make this event happen—especially Event Chairwomen Cat Kadrle and Christiane Pimentel-Olatokunbo. Events like this take an enormous amount of volunteer effort, and we feel truly fortunate to have such a passionate and dedicated team.
Coming Events at Holcomb farm
Moonlight Hike: Join the Friends of Holcomb Farm for a moonlight hike on the Holcomb Tree Trail on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. Please meet at the main Holcomb Farm parking lot (113 Simsbury Road, West Granby) at 6:45 p.m. This free, family-friendly event is open to all—no registration required. If the weather looks uncertain, check our Facebook or Instagram pages for updates. Don’t miss this magical evening on the Tree Trail!
Lost Acres Vineyard Holiday Market: Saturday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Get everything you need for a festive celebration at the holiday farmers market, held indoors at Lost Acres Vineyard. We’ll be there with greens, potatoes, onions, squashes and more for your holiday table. You’ll also find meats, cheeses, baked goods and specialty products from other local farms. We hope to see you there!