At LexFarm we’re grateful for many things. Here’s our top 10.
1. The Super (Hero) Staff
Many thanks to Tim and Elena, the farm crew Quin, Micah, Sam, Jess, and the work-for-shares for their many hours over one of the hottest and driest summers on record. They kept our CSA shareboxes full, provided much needed fresh produce to local families in need and continued to improve the health and productivity of the soil — all using organic farming practices.
2. Volunteers
Our volunteers helped to transplant, weed and harvest, facilitate our produce donation, beautify the farm and support us at events on the farm and in the community. You were a critical part of our successful 2016 season.
3. Our New Mascot – Stewey!
Stewey, we love you just for being you.
4. Food Access
LexFarm met its goal again this year, donating 10% of its harvest to local food pantries and food rescue organizations. Over $12,000 worth of fresh produce was passed to our partners, including Lexington Food Pantry, FoodLink, Boston Area Gleaners, and LexEats.
5. Our Grant Supporters
LexFarm used our Community Endowment of Lexington (CEL) grant to retain Lori Rutter of Adviza Consulting, who provided long-term planning geared toward improving management of the farm and farm programs. A grant from the Adobe Foundation funded Gretta Anderson’s work as Volunteer Coordinator for 2016. Gretta lent her vision to our new volunteer program, launched late summer.
6. New Tractor!
Our beautiful orange Kubota M6060 tractor, purchased with a generous donation from the Willow Tree Fund, will make work on the farm more efficient, safe, and productive. Its acquisition is a key component in our plan to develop a sustainable and efficient farm operation.
7. Property Improvements
Mark Gabrenya, Tim Hines, the property crew and countless volunteers completed an impressive list of improvements on the farm this season, including:
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a new end wall and double layer of plastic on the large hoop house
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replacing our oil tanks
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striping the parking lot
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removing the small hoop house
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finishing the wash house siding
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painting much of the exterior on our buildings and the farmstand porch interior
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burying the overhead power line to the large hoop house
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upgrading the power
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building the information kiosk, repurposed from the unused swallows nest.
8. Fall Rains (and surviving the drought!)
Challenged this season by the untimely springtime failure of our irrigation pump and what seemed like endless weeks of hot dry summer weather, we joyfully welcomed the cool fall rains and hope for a replenishing of our groundwater resources.
9. The Winter Market at LexFarm
Collaborating with the Lexington Farmers’ Market brought local food to area communities over winter 2016 and gave neighbors an opportunity to meet and greet. Stay tuned about the location of the 2017 Winter Market.
10. Our Members
Thank you to our members! Your support guarantees the success of our mission to connect the community to locally grown food and sustainable farming practices while preserving historic farmland.
We’re grateful to be planning for future growing seasons. We look forward to improving and building upon infrastructure and farm systems over the next few years.
We’re diligently shifting from a largely volunteer run organization to a non-profit community farm that can sustain staff leadership.
Together, we are embarking on a new phase, one that will be marked by enhanced productivity. That means more sustainably grown veggies on the farm and more hands-on learning opportunities for the whole community. We wouldn’t be here without your generosity as we grew from an idea to a community farm. We need your continued support and participation to move into the next stage.
As you consider supporting environmental causes this year, please also consider supporting the mission of this local community farm. We appreciate any gift to LexFarm that you are able to make in this giving season. You may send a check to PO box 554, Lexington, MA 02420 or donate online.