Westminster Agricultural Commission

12/02/2022

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) persisted in several midwestern states over the extended Thanksgiving weekend, affecting both commercial turkeys and laying hens.

11/03/2022

Jody Jess
You don't have to be from The Montachusett Region to join the learning.

Interested in farming, homesteading, join us for a networking educational event focused on locating and writing grants?

10/28/2022

Calling all cottage food producers: this upcoming Members-Only Webinar is for you. And just in time for the holidays...

10/14/2022

From our newsletter:
Don't miss out....two markets remain

Hey!! We’re down to the last two markets of the 2022 season! It seems like it was only yesterday that we were opening up the market for the year… Time flies… Nate Grigos will be bring the Gazebo to life tomorrow.

This means that NOW is the time to start stocking up on all of the treats you’re taking for granted – like pepper jellies, granola, honey and maple syrup, greeting cards for all occasions, frozen pasta, quirky gifts (have you seen the really nifty mushroom earings??), and much, much more. Think of the storage vegetables that are available – like winter squash, potatoes, beets (and all of them make a great backbone for soup). And then the wonderful apples of all kinds (Empire apples are just now ripe – the BEST!). Take the time to dry some of your favorite ones and you’ll have a delightfully sweet and totally good for you snack for sometime in February. Apples are one of the easiest of fruits to dehydrate – they never (almost never) go wrong. And a simple dehydrator is all you need to make it happen….

And – since we brought up winter storage soups – here’s a classic butternut squash soup that uses maple syrup as a key flavor accent - so helpful that maple syrup is at the market! But don’t be held back by this recipe – butternut squash soup is an infinitely adaptable soup and can go in so many directions! Let your own imagination out for a spin 😊

Westminster’s Crackerfest will be in full swing in downtown Westminster on Saturday 10:00-5:00pm. You’ll find some of your favorite vendors on the front lawn of the Westminster Library, corner of Bacon and Main – 10:00am to 2:00pm. Stop by as you head to or from the festival. The Circle of Artists Art Show will be at the American Legion, across from the Pharmacy. This is an exhibition for the members of the Circle of Artists as well as local artists and high school students to display their work. The talent in town is amazing. The Westminster’s Historical Society building will also be open – check out what they have going on.

For the schedule of entertainers at the Market check out the Entertainment tab on our website. This entertainment is supported in part by a grant from the Westminster Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency and a grant from Workers Credit Union. We thank both organizations for allowing us to add entertainment to our beautiful summer Friday afternoons. The entertainment is subject to change given weather conditions or unexpected scheduling conflicts.

For more information on our vendors check out our website.

10/12/2022

10/02/2022

Local man teaches Texas how to grow nutrient dense food.
Dan Kitteridge gave a series of classes in Westminster, on Bio-nutrient Gardening, sponsored by the Westminster AgCom, a number of years ago.

AUSTIN, TX!

Curious about the nutritional density of your food and soil health?
lies has Dan Kittredge to speak to its Austin community this coming Monday, 10/3, for a potluck and lecture/discussion.

Dan will share how the BFA is enabling consumers and producers to readily measure the nutrient density of foods with the handheld Bionutrient Meter. Creating a food system where quality is as visible and valued as quantity and economics.

The floor will then be opened for a community discussion to see how people can participate in a more nutrient-dense food system in Austin.

https://bit.Lu/nutrient-dense-austin

09/30/2022

From our newsletter:

It's Apple Time!

The end of September, unfortunately, means that we are closing in on the end of the growing season. Now’s the time to check out the apple crop coming in – try out varieties other than Honey Crisp – a great eating apple (and available at the market), but there are lots of other flavors as well. Our personal favorites are Empires and Cortlands. Don’t forget it’s a great time for the winter squashes – butternut, acorn, hubbard to name a few – along with the kales and cabbages.

Since we haven’t had a regional frost yet, almost everything else is still available at the market, so it’s well worth a trip to check out what our excellent vendors are putting together for this week. Joe Reidy will be making the Gazebo hum with his unique blend of Jazz, Blues, Rock, Country. Stop on by.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to last week’s Artsy Fartsy event and made it a success. It was a late season chance to catch all the aspects of farming from livestock, to pollinator corridors, to microbe eaten underwear, to art and to the classic food storage technique – fermentation!!! A wonderful blend of people and activities. Thanks to all who participated 😊

Believe it or not, we only have 4 more markets left to the season (our last market is October 21). It’s not too early to think about prepping some of those locally sourced hostess and holiday gifts–dried flower arrangements, jams, jellies, candles, breadboards, or a selection of soaps and lotions can make a good start towards a nifty looking basket.

Since it's winter squash season it’s time to check out this Butternut Squash with Apples and Cranberries recipe.

For the schedule of entertainers at the Market check out the Entertainment tab on our website. This entertainment is supported in part by a grant from the Westminster Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency and a grant from Workers Credit Union. We thank both organizations for allowing us to add entertainment to our beautiful summer Friday afternoons. The entertainment is subject to change given weather conditions or unexpected scheduling conflicts.

For more information on our vendors check out our website.

09/23/2022

From our newsletter:
It’s an ARTSY FARTSY FARM EVENT ON A FRIDAY!!!

Can you beat that??

We’re betting you’ll have a great time on a brisk fall day up on Academy Hill enjoying an eclectic array of entertainment (and education!). Bob Jordan will be bringing the Gazebo to life with his tunes.

First up: Lacto-fermentation! Possibly the oldest true food preservation method that humans have used - and Cheryl Wade is a master!!! Her sourdough bread?? Her kombucha with ginger?? And her sauerkraut (and other pickled veggies) – superb. Be sure to stop by and ask her how you can learn to create ferments for yourself!

Then there is our intrepid Fire Department…they will be answering all kinds of safety questions about all kinds of heating systems. Have you cleaned out your chimney this year? Checked for loose bricks? Vented your stove (and what kind of stove?) properly? They can answer those questions and more. Stop by and chat.

Now on to the animals: We’ll have a trio of baby goats just learning to walk on leads – handled by three children learning how to work with goats (is that a win/win or what?!). There will be a calf and sheep – and then a couple of Newfoundland ponies (with their livestock dogs for protection). This is your chance to ask Emily Cox how she works with her dogs to protect their herds. WORD OF CAUTION – NO DOGS VISITING THE MARKET ARE GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO APPROACH THE LIVESTOCK DOGS – THESE ARE WORKING DOGS…AND THEIR JOB IS TO KEEP ALL DOGS OF ANY KIND AWAY FROM THEIR CHARGES.

There will be local artists demonstrating that they too know how to work with our farm landscapes – by putting them on canvas!!!

We’ll also be wrapping up our Soil Your Un**es contest – who will win this year (drop off your un**es before 4:30pm – winner announced at 5:00pm)

Now that’s a lot of different activities – something for everyone and that’s not even mentioning the food and crafts!!! Rachel’s chili will be an excellent supper, supported by the wonderful bread that several vendors have…then there are the apples, peaches and other sweet treats to round out the meal. Winter storage crops are coming in strongly now – make sure you get yours! Speaking of storage crops check out this Loaf Pan Lasagna with Butternut Squash and Sausage recipe.


For the schedule of entertainers at the Market check out the Entertainment tab on our website. This entertainment is supported in part by a grant from the Westminster Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency and a grant from Workers Credit Union. We thank both organizations for allowing us to add entertainment to our beautiful summer Friday afternoons. The entertainment is subject to change given weather conditions or unexpected scheduling conflicts.

For more information on our vendors check out our website.

09/15/2022

From our newsletter (via Gardeners and Farmers Friends)

Fall Activities

It should be a spectacular weekend, and I do believe the wonderful rainstorm may just have broken the back of the heat and humidity. I, at least, can hope. I know there are plenty of you out there bemoaning the end of summer. Since I enjoy the changing seasons, the change is a good thing, even though it means I’m falling behind on projects…

Fall is also the time of year when we get a bit restless as we're inside more and looking for an occasional opportunity to do something different. Here are a few possibilities...kicking it off with the

Sterling Fair – Sterling Airport – Sep 9-11 It’s a family oriented agricultural fair and much closer than the
The Big E - West Springfield, MA - Sep 16 to Oct 2, 2022

Apple Picking (the traditional fall activity)
- Hollis Hill Farm, Fitchburg, MA
- Nashoba Valley Winery & Orchard, Bolton, MA
- Sholan Farms (a vendor at the market), Leominster, MA

And for the local touch – local IS where it’s at after all
Artsy Fartsy Farm Day at the Farmer’s Market, Friday, Sep 23, 3:30-5:30
- Artwork focused on agriculture
- Lacto-fermentation – sauerkraut and more
- Soil Your Un**es Awards
- Working Animals – oxen, livestock dogs, goats
- Westminster’s Fire Dept Winter Heating Safety program

For a totally different activity check out the Jewels of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Treasures at the Worcester Art Museum

Westminster Historical Society’s Annual Attic Treasure Flea Market Sale, Saturday, September 24th, 9:00am-2:00pm

Westminster Cracker Festival, Saturday, October 15th, 10:00am-5:00pm

Holiday Farmers’ Market at the American Legion Saturday, November 19.

Don't forget to stop by the market for all your fresh vegetables, meats, smoothies, breads, sweets, skin products, hot jellies and more. Ward Browne will bring the Gazebo alive with his tunes.

I know we said it last week, but we hope to see you on Academy Hill tomorrow for a beautiful summer afternoon.


For the schedule of entertainers at the Market check out the Entertainment tab on our website. This entertainment is supported in part by a grant from the Westminster Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency and a grant from Workers Credit Union. We thank both organizations for allowing us to add entertainment to our beautiful summer Friday afternoons. The entertainment is subject to change given weather conditions or unexpected scheduling conflicts.

For more information on our vendors check out our website.

09/05/2022

Get the details here 👉 https://returntonow.net/2021/12/23/maine-passes-first-right-to-food-amendment-in-u-s/

09/02/2022

Labor Day

Lots of folks are saying that the end of summer is here. There’s a touch of fall in the air, and school is back in session. Deep breath, you survived the first week of school (parents and kids alike) and in reality, we’re due for a perfect summer weekend – the best kind of weather that New England can offer! And for those who love the heat and humidity, given how the summer has gone, many a hot and humid day is still ahead. It’s not over yet!

Join us at the Farmers' market to listen to John Sullivan’s lively tunes and pick up all your Labor Day needs; locally raised meats, breads, snacks, cookies, produce, spices, spicy jams, and fruits. The season's vegetable production is in full swing and savoring the flavors and preserving the harvest is the main focus (at least it is in our house!). Don’t forget to buy extra to preserve for the winter.

And – introducing our next event – Arty Farty Farm Day on September 23 both at the canopy and around the hill as we’ll have oxen, art, and lacto-fermentation on the list of activities among others. We’re giving everyone a long heads up on this one because anyone can participate in the art exhibit and we wanted folks to know about it. This an art exhibit, NOT a contest and any piece that features farms and/or farming activity is welcome to participate.

Now to our recipe of the week: You’ve probably already discovered this “recipe” (not really a recipe…) on your own…but… last week we picked up a salsa mix from Sargent’s Kitchen/Dragon Soil Health. Karen has always had an excellent salsa mix that goes well with all kinds of fruits. So, we had a bowl of cherry tomatoes that we mixed the herbs and spices and then added some cooked cold corn. And we “grew” it through several iterations ending with arugula base with a dressing of the last of the salsa. Each version was fabulous. All the ingredients are at the market, give it a try…unless we buy all of Karen’s salsa mixes before you get there 😊 (promise – I’ll only pick up two!!!)

We hope to see you on Academy Hill tomorrow for a beautiful summer afternoon.

For the schedule of entertainers at the Market check out the Entertainment tab on our website. This entertainment is supported in part by a grant from the Westminster Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency and a grant from Workers Credit Union. We thank both organizations for allowing us to add entertainment to our beautiful summer Friday afternoons. The entertainment is subject to change given weather conditions or unexpected scheduling conflicts.

For more information on our vendors check out our website.