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BrooksBend - Mon, May 24, 2010, 9:59 A
Mid-week pickup at Brook’s Bend
Brook's Bend Mid-week pickup begins June 3rd. To be added to the list, email Suzanne@brooksbendfarm.com.


 
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warmsaltybreeze - Wed, Apr 7, 2010, 10:32 A
midweek pick up emails
you didn't mention the email address to sign up for the weekly emails! Thanks.
 
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BrooksBend - Wed, Apr 7, 2010, 10:08 A
News from Brook’s Bend
Dear Neighbors and Friends of Brook’s Bend,

Happy Spring! I hope you are well.

We have lots of news to share as we begin the 2010 season with renewed vigor thanks to two wonderful housemates. Mira Nussbaum and Joshua Freund have enmeshed their lives beautifully into the farm with a fun creativity and respect for life. We know them through circles at the Peace Pagoda and VT Wilderness School. You may know them through Sirius Community, Lady Killigrew or Leverett Crafts and Arts. In true Brook’s Bend spirit, they travel in a lot of circles. May you meet them soon if you haven’t already.

Mid-week Pickup resumes on June 2nd. Let us know if you want to receive emails about this way of buying produce from the farm. For those of you who don’t know about it yet, Mid-week Pickup is our version of a CSA where you pick up weekly, but you only buy what you want, and you pay as you go. You will receive weekly emails from May 31st to October 25th . We’ll tell you what vegetables are for sale and, if you want some, you’ll place an order by email reply. We harvest Wednesday mornings and your order will be ready to pick up on Wednesday after 2pm. You pay when you pick it up. We’re looking for about 20 people who think they’ll order from us most weeks, and a few more who think they'll order sometimes. Let us know if you want to be on this list.

We are planning to grow a good range of standard veggies including peas, lettuce, greens, beans, zucchini, cucumbers, squash and tomatoes. Al's shitake and oyster mushrooms will also be on the list, along with our eggs and lamb. We are looking for other producers in the neighborhood to see if we can add goat cheese, bread and fruit for a full selection of local produce.

We have Wool for sale! The beautiful Shetland sheep we love so well produced over 200lbs of wool in the last three years. We sent it all to Still River Mill in Connecticut in November and it’s back now for sale to knitters, spinners, felters and crafters. Yarns, roving and batting in 6 natural colors are available at the farm. Check out our samples at the first Mid-week pickup June 2nd or call to come by sooner. Shetland sheep have a diversity of wool types, so we have something for everyone from soft and fine to robust and strong - baby blankets to rugs! Thank you sheep.

Lambing starts in May. We are increasing the flock size as part of a plan to improve the soils on the farm. This year we expect as many as 40 lambs! Stop by to see them “pronking” about the field. Wow is this cheering.

Shearing Day is June 19 from 9am - 5pm. This is a great day for for children and families to watch, and we need volunteers to help clean the fleece, move sheep, prepare lunch, and generally help out on one of the busiest days of our year. Our shearer is Kevin Ford, one of the premier hand shearers in North America. We love this guy. He can shear a sheep in less than 10 minutes and the beautiful fleece comes off in one piece! Please call or email if you want to help!

Summer camp will run again this year with Neill Bovaird as mentor and guide. Check out his website for more information: http://www.wolftreema. com/summer-camp/. Classes for homeschool children are run through the school year through Neill’s Roots program and also through Full Moon Girls http://vermontwildernessschool. org/school/?q=node/13, both of these are exceptional programs of nature connection and skills building for children and families. Summer camp still has a few spaces so let Neill know if you're interested.

Al's connection with the girls of a S. Hadley lock-up facility is brining a group of 10 girls back this spring for afternoons of outdoor exploration. We look forward to being with these young women who inspire us with their appreciation of the freedom to be on the farm, and courage to share our stories in all their complexity and dignity.

Chris Marano continues to grow his medicinal herbs on the farm for his practice, Clearpath Herbals http://www.clearpathherbals. com/, and Jen Audley and Jay Lord continue their trials of greens on the upper garden.

Our vision of the farm at Brook's Bend is to be a place for many people to work and learn together. We are excited to share the 2010 season with you and look forward to seeing you on the farm sometime this year. Thank you for being part of the farm community!

With Much Love,

Al Miller and Suzanne Webber
Mira Nussbaum and Joshua Freund
Brook's Bend Farm
119 Old Sunderland Road
Montague, MA 01351
413-367-2281
 
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masibook - Tue, Aug 4, 2009, 5:23 P
MONTAGUE CENTER FARMERS MARKET
LOCAL PRODUCE AVAILABLE TODAY ON MONTAGUE CENTER GREEN 5-7 PM.
Old books across the street 50 cents each or 3 for a dollar - new titles added.
 
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hfarmriding - Thu, Jun 4, 2009, 5:22 A
Riding Lessons and Summer Camp
Yes, we do offer trail rides for a small group.
 
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hfarmriding - Thu, Jun 4, 2009, 5:20 A
Riding Lessons and Summer Camp
It is held Tuesday-Friday
Campers can sign up for one week, or all weeks..
Half day camp is 240 per week. Full day camp is 420 per week. This includes everything.
We are located in Millers Falls.
 
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MaryM - Wed, Jun 3, 2009, 6:25 P
Riding Lessons and Summer Camp
Where are you located? Do you also offer trail rides without lessons?
 
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hardymum - Wed, Jun 3, 2009, 9:44 A
Riding Lessons and Summer Camp
Clarifying questions about the camps:

Is it 4 days per week and not held on Mondays?

Must the camper sign up for both weeks or can they take one week?

Is the cost $420 per WEEK or $420 for both full day weeks?

Where are you located?

Thanks!

Laurie
 
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hfarmriding - Wed, Jun 3, 2009, 6:15 A
Riding Lessons and Summer Camp
Now accepting new clients into our lesson program. Beginner-advanced, children and adults. Come try us out, the first lesson is free!


We have a few available spots for pasture board. 250 mo, includes water, daily hay/grain feedings.


Ask about our selection of quality horses for sale/lease!


SUMMER CAMP 2009:
Limited to 6 campers per session for individualized attention. Spaces are limited.

Half Day June 23nd -26th , June 30th-July 3rd 2009
Ages 8 and up, 9am- 1:30pm Cost $240*

Full Day July 14th- July 17th, July 21-24
Ages 8 and up, 9am – 5pm Cost $420*



*Reserve a spot by June 7th and receive $50 off of tuition


Horseback riding lessons daily (weather permitting)

Other activities may include:
Horse Care , Feeding, First Aid, Showmanship, Hiking, Judging, Trail Riding, Pool Time, Stall Maintanice,Making Treats, Crafts, Tack Care, Horse Shows, Horse Show Field Trip, Clipping,
Games on Horse Back, Conformation, Clinics, and much more!!!

Campers will be actively involved in the daily routine of running a horse farm; learning by doing and getting dirty and tired. Find out what’s really involved in owning a horse.

Minimum of 4 participants ; First come, first serve. A $50 non-refundable deposit will hold your slot. Full payment and final registration deadline is one week prior to camp.

Full Day Drop off as early as 7:30am, pick up as late as 5:45 pm

Instructors are first aid and cpr certified

Bring your own lunch. Dress for the weather. Appropriate riding shoes required.



Regular lessons are also offered on site with our horses or your own. We have made school and show horses ready to teach anyone at any experience level. Our horses are trained to go hunt seat and western. . The program is geared towards both child and adult riders who strive to ride better. Lessons are offered privately or as a group. We also have a showteam if students are interested.



Please e-mail for more info!
 
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earthskyfirewater - Fri, May 8, 2009, 8:32 P
Together on the Land
=========================================
TOGETHER ON THE LAND
Options for Sustainable, Affordable & Ecological Living in Community

PANEL DISCUSSION
7-8:30pm Friday June 5th, 2009
Second Congregational Church
16 Court Square – Greenfield, MA

MULTI-SITE GUIDED TOUR
9am-4pm Saturday June 6th, 2009
Franklin County, MA
Pre-Registration Required

FIND OUT MORE & REGISTER ONLINE AT VCLT.ORG

====================================================
Can we build sustainable communities that are affordable and ecological? Yes! Throughout the Pioneer Valley (and Franklin County) there are numerous models for how to create communities that balance affordability, ecology and community connections. No one model has all the answers – but they all offer tremendous insights and for some, may be the answer you were looking for today.

This tour & pre-tour discussion focuses on concrete examples of sustainable community living right here in Franklin County. Tour stops will include:

* Cooperatively owned homes
* Homes on community land trust land
* A small cohousing development
* A rural ecovillage
* A working farm utilizing the state APR program
* “In-town” green housing
* New construction & existing neighborhoods
* Intentional community


The goal of this tour is to connect people with organizations and individuals working towards sustainable community living, offer real-world examples of community models, and explain basic information about how they work. We hope you can come!


Co-sponsored by: Cooperative Development Institute, Coop Power, Katywil Ecovillage, Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust & Valley Community Land Trust

FIND OUT MORE & REGISTER ONLINE AT VCLT.ORG

 
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pinnie - Thu, Mar 26, 2009, 4:49 P
Farm Fresh Eggs and baby chicks
Our flock of chickens are laying great farm fresh eggs. They free range, eating good bugs and worms and are fed Poulin grains. We have a great mix of breeds that produce white, brown and green eggs. We also hatch baby chicks, including Silkie, Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, Copper Blue Marans and "barnyard specials". We welcome visitors, just call ahead. Eggs are on the back porch in the black refrigerator, $3.00/doz. Most are fertile if you want to incubate rather than eat them to have your own flock of interesting looking crossbred chickens! Dogs are friendly, just one barks a bit.
367-9746
 
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wellstavernfarm - Sat, Jan 24, 2009, 8:57 A
Bleak Mid-Winter Farmers Market THIS MORNING! **Don’t miss it**
Saturday, January 24th (TODAY! from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
In the Bleak Mid-Winter Farmers’ Market
United Church of Bernardston (58 Church St.), Bernardston, MA

The United Church of Bernardston is opening its doors for an indoor winter farmers’ market. You are invited to come shop. There will be local meat, eggs, cheese, maple syrup, greens, produce, and other fabulous local edibles. Support your neighbors and shop this morning directly from the farmers who grew and raised this food. There will be a healthy showing of Montague and Gill farmers. Say HI!

It’s a beautiful day, great for a ride to Bernardston.
 
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BrooksBend - Sat, May 31, 2008, 7:50 A
Heirloom Tomato Starts
Hi Friends,

It’s been a cold spring. The right place to be if you’re a tomato is in a greenhouse! Even this coming week looks a little cool, so if you haven’t got your tomatoes in, don’t worry!

Brook’s Bend Farm at 119 Old Sunderland Road in Montague Center has heirloom tomato starts that are ready to burst into action as soon as they’re put in the ground and the temps heat up.

Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Prudens Purple, Rose de Berne, Nebraska Wedding, Yellow-Orange Pineapple, Black Pineapple, Black Krim, Black Prince, Black Russian, Caro-rich, Orange Banana, Aunt Ruby’s German Green, Isis Candy, Garden Peach, Ceylon, and Indian Moon!

And, surprise! We have Paprika Peppers, the best for drying and eating fresh. These exquisitely colored small round peppers like it warm, but once the days heat up, they produce prolifically and fast.

Visit the farmstand to stock up on beautiful tomatoes and paprika peppers. We’ll be glad to see you, and tell you how to save seeds of your favorite plants, so you can have your own supply of your favorites varieties.

Suzanne and Al
367-2281
 
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BrooksBend - Mon, Mar 10, 2008, 9:02 P
Photosensitivity in Chickens
Hey kids, did you know that chickens start laying more eggs this time of year?
Yep, that’s because chickens are

pho-to-sen-si-tive: sensitive to light

As the days get shorter, our flock of 30 hens
gradually slows down egg production.
We go from collecting about one dozen eggs a day in September,
to collecting only 5 or 6 eggs a day through the winter.

Now that the days are getting longer again
(and it’s not ’cause of daylight savings time),
the chickens start producing more and more eggs.
In April, we might collect as many as two dozen eggs a day!
Photosensitivity is cool.

Some people leave the lights on in their chicken coop
all during the winter (how can they sleep??)
to keep the chickens laying heavy all year.
We don’t use any lights.
We like a rest in the winter, and we figure the chickens do too.

In fact, people are photosensitive. If we didn’t drink so much caffeine,
we’d notice that we slow down in winter, and speed back up again in spring.
Just another way,
chickens are people too!

Come try our eggs sometime. They’re in the little fridge on the porch at

Brook’s Bend
119 Old Sunderland Road
Montague Center
367-2281
 
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BrooksBend - Sun, Mar 2, 2008, 5:27 P
Seed Fest - Liberate Diversity!
Check out this magnificent Seed Emancipation Proclamation by Daniel Botkin of Laughing Dog Farm in friendly Gill, MA

http://www.laughingdogfarm.com/whysaveseed.htm

Thanks for having a way with words, and for understanding the politics and soul of SEED-saving!
 
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BrooksBend - Sun, Mar 2, 2008, 4:08 P
Seed Fest - Liberate Diversity!
Help us spread the word:

A Seed Fest is coming to the Montague Grange
Sunday, March 16th from 1 - 5pm
with a potluck to follow

Seed Saving is the missing link in a truly sustainable agricultural system. Join us to learn how to save seeds, and to hear about a few of the wide variety of seed growing projects in the Pioneer Valley. Your input is valuable to help us save the amazing wealth of heritage vegetable varieties - come learn about saving and breeding your own seeds! A SEED SWAP begins at 4pm. Everyone is welcome.

Lots of good detail about the day’s events are at www.growseed.org, or call Suzanne at 367-2281

1:00 Registration - $5 Donation requested
1:30 Saving Vegetable Seed- Danny Botkin
2:00 Breed Your Own Vegetables - Suzanne Webber
2:30 Homestead Seed-Saving – Nina Keller
3:00 Restoring Heritage Wheat – Eli Rogosa
3:30 Planning a Community Seed Network– Adrienne Shelton and All
4:00 Seed Swap
5:00 Potluck and Networking

We are interested in hearing about what seeds you save and what you are interested in saving. Come to share your interests and learn more!
 
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mik - Wed, Jan 23, 2008, 1:13 A
New Area
I just created a new area on the website in preparation for the coming growing season -- Local Farms.

If there are any local farms out there that want to advertise their farm stands, or any programs they’re running, please feel free to post here.

Mik
 
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