Massaro Farm

On Friday, August 6th Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro stopped by the farm during CSA subscriber pick up. She met Farmer Steve and was presented with a basket of fresh produce, representing exactly what the subscribers were picking up that day.

In addition to Rosa we were very pleased to have Woodbridge’s First Selectman, Ed Sheehy, representatives from the USDA NRCS, and Rosa’s staff members from New Haven and Washington D.C.

Farmer Steve and the Massaro Community Farm board of directors gave her a tour of the farm demonstrating the improvements made with the monies she helped us obtain. They include fencing around the cultivated fields, suitable farm equipment, and a powerful irrigation system.

For a complete write-up by the local paper, click here

As the Massaro Farm CSA concludes its 7th week of providing fresh vegetables to its 125 subscribers, it’s my pleasure to report that the Massaro Community Farm has also donated nearly 2,000 pounds of food to social service organizations.

That’s ton of food, literally, given to those in need.

You may be wondering where the donations are going. We have chosen three organizations representing our community:

• Woodbridge Human Services - It may be surprising to learn there are families in Woodbridge that are food insecure. With the help of the Massaro Farm, some of these families are recieving fresh produce each week.

• Columbus House, New Haven - Last year Columbus House served more than 100,000 meals to over 4,000 individuals. The Massaro Farm is proud to provide wholesome food for their meals.

• Birmingham Group Health Services, Seymour - Each week individuals now receive fresh vegetables grown at Massaro Farm during their Social Club lunches.

Part of the mission of the Massaro Community Farm is to donate produce to charitable organizations in the community. We get the vegetables directly from the Massaro Farm CSA. The CSA pays a percentage of what it produces as a form of rent to the Massaro Community Farm, in accordance with terms of a sub-lease agreement. This arrangement allows the Massaro Community farm to carry out its charitable mission to feed those who need it most.

Thanks to the CSA and specifically farmer Steve Munno, the crops are growing well, making this all possible.

Progress on the farmhouse is nearing completion. The house has undergone an amazing transformation inside and out. From the outside you can see we’ve removed and properly abated the asbestos shingles to expose clapboards dating from the 1930’s, still in perfect condition.

The front and rear porches have been rebuilt and new energy efficient windows and doors have been fitted.

On the inside the house we’ve replaced the wiring and plumbing from the 1920’s. The heating system has been upgraded with an energy efficient on-demand hot water heater and baseboard heating throughout the house. Insulation has been installed (there was none) from top to bottom with cellulose in the attic and spray foam on the first floor.

All of this progress has been made possible by a volunteer from the community, Steve Buda. His assistance has been invaluable to us.

Funding for the house has been made possible through donations and memberships from our supporters. However we still need to raise more money to completely cover the cost of the renovations, which total nearly $100,000.

Please consider becoming a member or making a donation today.

Now, you can do both online thanks to Paypal and their secure payment process.

Together with the Woodbridge Town Library we bring you this wonderful presentation designed to help plan and start your own organic garden. Certified Master Gardener and organic farmer Nicholas Mancini will teach you the basics of starting a garden from beginning to end, the organic way. He’ll also share tips on how to care for your tomatoes, to yield a delicious bounty of fresh produce. Bring your gardening questions, because Nick has the answers! This program is open to gardeners, and budding gardeners, of all skill and experience levels!

Organic Gardening 101
Wednesday, June 9th at 6:30pm

This is a free program and all are welcome to join. Space is limited - registration is required. To register or for more information: please contact the library at 203-389-3433, stop by the Circulation Desk, or email to pvalsecchi@ci.woodbridge.ct.us

And mark your calendars for June 26th when we have our next class at the library focused on Vermiculture (a.k.a. Worm Composting)

Over the past weekend volunteers aided Farmer Steve planting seedlings at the Massaro Farm. These cold-hardy plants include kale, chard, cabbage, and onions. To protect them, a deer fence will be installed in the coming weeks. If you’re interested in attending future volunteer days please contact volunteer@massarofarm.org.

To aid in the planting a dibbler was used. This particular dibbler was designed by Farmer Steve and hand-crafted by a volunteer for the Massaro Farm.

How to Start Your Own Seeds
Saturday, May 15 at 1:00pm
Woodbridge Public Library

This FREE class is being taught by certified master gardener, Nick Mancini. This hands-on class will teach you about starting your vegetable garden from seeds. Seating is limited to the first 25 people. Learn more about Nick at his website:
http://organicgardeningsimplified.com

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Earth Day at the JCC
Sunday, May 2,  from  12 - 5pm

We’re offering a FREE plant-a-pea activity (with a take-home newspaper pot) to all attendees. For directions and additional information, please visit:
http://jccnh.org/Earth%20Day/earth%20day%20flyer.pdf

Come celebrate the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system.

This Friday evening, April 16th, at 7pm we’re screening the movie ‘Fresh’ at the Ansonia Nature Center’s Red Wing Pondhouse. The event is open to everyone. We’re encouraging people to donate $5 at the door to help cover the cost of the movie, the venue, and support the renovations being done at the Massaro Farmhouse.

WHEN:  Friday, April 16th @ 7pm

WHAT:  * FRESH *
http://www.freshthemovie.com

WHERE: The Ansonia Nature Center
http://www.ansonianaturecenter.org

The first annual meeting of the Massaro Community Farm (MCF) was held on Sunday, March 28th at 1:30pm at The First Church of Christ Parish Hall, at 5 Meetinghouse Lane, Woodbridge, CT 06525.

More than 70 members and supporters attended.  Those who attended the meeting heard about the Massaro family and history of their farm. They also met the MCF board members and our farm manager, Steve Munno.

To all who went to the meeting, we would like to say “Thank You” for attending.

Farmhouse update:

Work on the house continues with Steve Buda volunteering as its general contractor.  Materials and subcontracting work are being financed with a $100,000 loan backed by the MCF board members.  The MCF is counting on donations to help pay back that loan.

Call for help:

A wish list for donations and a sign-up sheet for volunteers was circulated at the meeting.  We ask all members of the CSA and supporters of the farm, to make a donation, large or small, to help in this effort (see list below).  Donors of $5000 or more will be recognized on a plaque in the dairy barn.

All donations to the Massaro Community Farm are tax deductible. To donate or join, visit the membership page.

Volunteers needed for:

- General farm work: planting, harvesting, weeding, washing produce

- Harvest Mornings (Tuesday and/or Friday mornings 9-12): Pick and wash produce

- CSA distribution (Tuesday and/or Friday afternoons 1:30 to 4 & 4 to 6:30): Stock produce, help members with pick with produce pick-up

- Property clean-up: Trash pick-up, brush clean up

- Carpentry and welding: As needed

- Special projects: Refurbishing milking stanchions and manure bucket in the barn, mowing, weed wacking.

Donations sought:

- Farm and garden supplies: Metal rakes, leaf rakes, wheel barrows, shovels (pointed and flat head), pitchforks, hoes, trowels, sand bags, hoses, sprinklers, landscape fabric, mower, weed whacker, etc.

- Office supplies: Computer, desk, printer/fax/copy/scanner, office chair, file cabinet, phone, binders, folders, etc.

- House: Gas stove, dishwasher, furniture

- Supplies: 5-gallon buckets, blackboard and chalk, whiteboard and markers, fuel cans, electrical tape

- Tools (hand and power): Hammers, saws, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.

If you’re able to volunteer or donate goods or money, please email the MCF at donate@massarofarm.org.

The first Annual Meeting of the Massaro Community Farm is

Sunday, March 28th at 1:30pm
The First Church of Christ Parish Hall
5 Meetinghouse Lane, Woodbridge, CT 06525

This is the best way to learn more about the farm. Hear reports directly from our committees and meet the board members with a special guest speaker; our farmer, Steve Munno.

Light refreshments will be served, courtesy of the board of directors.

If you’re able to attend, please RSVP to our board member Suzanne Rosenberg, suzamy@gmail.com

The CSA would like us to let you know they’ve reached their subscription limit for 2010. For more information visit their web site www.MassaroFarmCSA.org