Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Waking up the Land

We are bringing the world back to life! As Spring rolls in, the soil in our fields is slowly warming up and shades of green are beginning to appear everywhere we look. 


For the past week, we've been welcoming the land back into production, starting with Packard-Littlefield Farm (Libson) on April 21st, Boyd Street Urban Farm (Portland) on the 22nd, Tidewater Farm (Falmouth) on the 28th, and Turkey Hill Farm (Cape Elizabeth) coming up on May 5th!


Here's this year's group of Tidewater Farm community gardeners! Not all NASAP participants are interested in developing farm businesses; some are looking only for land to grow food for their families. These folks will still receive land access and technical assistance from NASAP, even if they don't bring their vegetables to market.


Here's a great field shot of the growers spreading amendments into their soil, refreshing its nutrient content and preparing the beds for seeds and seedlings to eventually start taking root.


Our new tractor!! Up to this point, we have been renting Bob Packard's tractor, but now our 54 horse power machine will help bring Fresh Start Farms to a new level of independence.

Batula Ismail gazes out into the fields that will soon become home again. Batula is featured in the documentary There Is My Home by Amy Brown about two Somali Bantu women who return to their agricultural roots in Maine. Be sure to check it out!


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Would you like to help wake up Turkey Hill Farm this weekend?
On Saturday May 5th we'll be hosting
Pancakes, Planting, and Play at Turkey Hill Farm! 


Come eat Pancakes at 8:30am - $5 pancakes, $2 THF meat
Come ready to work in the gardens and woods from 9:30am - 12:30pm
Come ready to celebrate May Day from 12:30 - 1pm

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Support Fresh Start Farms growers as they revitalize their land and welcome the new season. Considering a Fresh Start Farms CSA share this season? We still have spaces left! Give us a call at 761-4769 or visit our website here to learn more and sign up online.