CSA and Farm Store renovation update
By Cat Kadrle
As spring turns to summer, Prescott Construction Management is making significant progress at 87 Simsbury Road. Demolition is complete, the framing of new structures is underway and a wall has been removed to expand the central area of the building, which will house refrigerators and a freezer for our growing selection of local products. As a nonprofit organization, our goal is to increase access to local, sustainable, nutritious food through retail, wholesale and our Fresh Access program.
A major transformation of the front entrance also is underway. The new entrance will offer space for community connection, with a covered portico under which visitors can gather and enjoy the beauty of historic West Granby.
The major impetus for this project—to create a safer, more weather-stable place for staff to wash, pack and prepare produce for sale or distribution—is quickly taking shape. The concrete floor has been demolished so that radiant heat and drainage can be installed, new loading doors have been installed and an exterior loading dock will be poured shortly. This dedicated space will allow staff to wash and pack produce efficiently, protected from the elements.
Thanks to the foresight and hard work of Farm Manager Joe O’Grady and the late Jenny Emery, who led our board of directors, all Wash and Pack and Farm Store equipment is grant-funded, and the cost of construction is being supported by generous donors. Volunteers and board members continue to drive fundraising efforts, and we’re deeply grateful for their dedication.
Jenny Emery’s vision remains central to this project. Her expertise and belief in its importance laid the foundation we’re proud to carry forward.
We look forward to this summer, when we can welcome you into this space that honors the history of the property and continues to serve as a place of nourishment and connection under the Friends of Holcomb Farm.
Plant Sale Weekends
By Hanna Malzenski
Warmer days are upon us, and planting season is around the corner. It is that time of year when all the organic, non-GMO seedlings you need for your garden can be found right here on the farm. This year, our annual plant sales will be spread across not one, not two, but three weekends, giving you maximum opportunities to plan your garden, choose your varieties and make sure you have a productive garden all summer long.
We will have vegetables, herbs, flowers and greens. All seedlings are grown in organic-standard soil using non-GMO and organic seeds, inoculated with beneficial microorganisms, and hand-seeded and cared for by the farm crew. Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9, are great opportunities to celebrate Mother’s Day and give the gift of backyard abundance and beauty to mom. Already have Mother’s Day plans? There are two other weekends in May to gather all the varieties you need for your summer garden. During all three weekends, we will offer package deals so you can get the most plants for your buck! Don’t forget to bring a box to carry your plants.
Why choose Holcomb Farm seedlings
By Hanna Malzenski
We only use seeds that are organic, non-GMO and insecticide-free. We choose local seed companies like High Mowing in Vermont, Fedco in Maine and Johnny’s Seed Company in Maine. All our seedlings are potted in certified organic soil that prioritizes the health of seedlings while in the pot, but also feeds the soil with compost, minerals and microorganisms after transplanting. The seed varieties chosen are based on flavor, resiliency, yield, aesthetics and popularity with CSA members.
The seedlings that are commonly found in big-box stores are grown in commercial greenhouses where standard practices include spraying the seedlings with fungicides, herbicides and pesticides. This increases the chances of harm for the farm workers, for waterways, for beneficial insects like pollinators and for the home gardener who plants the seedlings in their garden.
In contrast, our seedlings are hand-seeded and potted by the farm crew and come into contact with only water and sunlight before they are transplanted into your garden. When you choose Holcomb Farm seedlings, you can plant confidently, knowing that at every stage in the life of that seedling, human health and a healthy ecosystem were the priorities.
Grow your own shiitakes workshop
May 16, 12–1:30 p.m.
Curious about cultivating your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Join us for an engaging, beginner-friendly workshop where you’ll learn the essentials of growing shiitake mushrooms.
Learn how to inoculate and grow your own mushroom log with Andy from RMS Growers. Inoculate your own log to bring home, and get tips for maintaining healthy, productive mushrooms. $40 fee to attend. Proceeds benefit Fresh Access.
Interested in growing shiitakes, but not the workshop? We will have pre-inoculated logs for sale at our plant sales. And if you can’t come to a plant sale, we’ll be stocking freshly harvested shiitakes in the Farm Store all summer long.
Celebrate CT Trails Day at Holcomb Farm
June 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join us for a guided walk through the scenic landscapes of Holcomb Farm. We will enjoy a two-hour easy stroll through the Holcomb Farm Tree Trail and wooded trails over rolling hills. This hike will include beautiful vistas along arboretum paths coupled with trails through a mature forest. The pace will be easy and well suited for children.
Comfortable walking shoes and drinking water are recommended. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Meet in the main parking lot at 113 Simsbury Road. Rain date: Sunday, June 7.
Spring on the Holcomb Tree Trail
Spring is here and the Holcomb Tree Trail is waking up. A variety of trees are blooming, and Holcomb Tree Trail volunteers have already been out working. Also, more Adopt-a-Tree volunteers have signed up to tend to the new arboretum trees during the summer. If you are interested in becoming a Stewardship Volunteer, please email info@holcombfarm.org for more information.
Holcomb Farm Plant Sale Dates
Holcomb Farm CSA Barn and Farm Store, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Mother’s Day Sale, Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9
Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16
Friday and Saturday, May 22 and May 23