Great Outdoors

Friends of Holcomb Farm

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2021 marks the 28th year since the creation of the Friends of Holcomb Farm. Formed shortly after ownership of the property transitioned from the University of Connecticut to the Town of Granby—per the will of siblings Tudor and Laura Holcomb—the volunteer, not-for-profit Friends have stewarded the property on behalf of the town, and within the Board of Selectman-adopted “Plan of Use,” which outlined agriculture, education, arts, and passive recreation purposes.

NOT WANTED

Garden-Variety Invasive Plants

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Many of the state’s most serious invasive plants appear in home gardens as well as the open areas they rapidly dominate. Garlic mustard, multiflora rose, Asiatic bittersweet, Japanese barberry, Japanese knotweed and mugwort pop up and should be pulled by the roots when young.

Who’s Who on the Friends of HF Board

It started with working in the fields; Brittany Gauthier’s experience at Holcomb Farm

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Farmington native Brittany Gauthier wanted to experience what it would be like to work on a farm, to be directly involved with the food she ate. A history of farming on her mother’s side of the family and her early career as an educator for Whole Foods Market had given rise to this curiosity, although it took her a few years to actually get her hands in the soil.

What’s for supper?

Awesome Mango Salsa

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This month I am going to share one of my favorite recipes—it’s not exactly a typical “dinner,” but if you have ever had just chips and salsa for dinner or you just want to be a hit at the next party, then this one is for you.

Friends of Holcomb Farm

Farm Store Opens to the Public June 15

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The Summer CSA sold out early this year, which is one of the reasons we need to grow more produce, but you aren’t completely out of luck. The Farm Store in the CSA Barn next to the Methodist Church, at 111 Simsbury Road, is opening for the season June 15.

Friends of Holcomb Farm

The Resurrection

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Farmers are known to require skills that go well beyond planting and harvesting. Sophisticated knowledge of soil chemistry and its impact on nutrition come to mind.

Friends of Holcomb Farm

Five-Year Farm Business Plan Complete

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Tons of volunteer time from board members Donna Snyder, Rocky Piccirillo and others, as well as some consulting support funded through a State grant, have helped the Friends of Holcomb Farm complete a Five-Year Business Plan for our farming operations at Holcomb Farm.

Friends of Holcomb Farm

Emma’s little orchard

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Being the partner of farmer Joe O’Grady, Emma Hoyt is well aware of the goings on around Holcomb Farm. Last year, in fact, the Drummer published a story about her mobile chicken coop and its productive occupants who are now laying lots of eggs and eating lots of insect pests in the growing fields.

NOT WANTED

Invasive action in town and at home

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Invasive Plant Activists (IPAs) now gather monthly on the second Saturday morning to control invasive plants and allow natives to flourish.

Friends of Holcomb Farm

Tree Trail Continues to Grow

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Now entering its third year of development, the Holcomb Farm Tree Trail is really taking shape. The entrance, off Day St. South near its intersection with Simsbury Road, will soon host an information kiosk, and more interpretive signs and maps are planned.