Happy New Year! It has been a long time since we provided an update on the farm. If you follow us on Facebook or Instagram, you may have kept up with us over the last couple of years.
After three really great years at the Sturbridge Farmers Market, we took a break from the market last year to welcome a new baby to our now family of four. We also spent the year working on numerous projects, including finishing up our small farm store. Our hope is to open in early April with spring greens and beef.
While we did not participate in a market last year, Joe didn't stop farming! We were grateful to the folks over at Echo Farm in Woodstock, CT who carried our produce and beef in their great little farm store. Check them out if you're in the area. They carry local art, crafts, cheeses, honey, seasonal flowers and produce, our grass-fed beef, and more! They are open year-round, and are a wonderful place to stop if you're in need of a gift or if you just want to shop local. Their store is a great asset to our community!
Despite not participating in any markets, we learned just how excited customers are about figs! People travelled from far and wide to the our farm and to Echo Farm to buy them. We quickly sold out after each harvest. We were excited to see how much everyone enjoyed them and look forward to the 2024 fig season. Joe has dreams of a "Fig Festival" on the farm someday.
Joe also collaborated with Interlace Commons to offer a Silvopasture Fundamentals training at the farm last September. Participants learned how Silvopasture, the intentional integration of forages, trees, and livestock, can help increase the productivity and health of farm and forest systems. We also expanded our orchards through an agroforestry research project with Interlace Commons.
As I sit and write this update, Joe is filling out our application to (hopefully!) once again be a part of the Sturbridge Farmers Market this coming June through October, 2024. We love Sturbridge and miss all of our customers that have supported us over the years. Keep an eye out on our Instagram and website to see if we will be participating in the market this upcoming season.
Joe also decided to surprise us all with a new member of the farm family - our Guernsey cow named Celeste. While we don't have any plans in the near future to offer dairy products, we are excited to start experimenting with cheese making to see if it's something we want to offer in the future. More to come on that!
That's all for now! We look forward to seeing what 2024 brings for Hidden Blossom Farm.