“… I remember Tony sending us kids to the back line to bring up the cows (with only a stick and directions about what to yell) for milking at the end of the day. He would have us help in hooking up the cows, the collection tank process, scraping down the stalls, etc. and encouraged us to groom the cows (as well as delivering me a squirt in the face). Tony never let us near the bull, and was remarkably fond of the multitude of stray cats who lived in the garage.

He treated us with a lot of respect and without supervision even though some of us were very young.  Likewise, he would send us off to collect and weigh eggs for him and explained the coop rotation but never asked that we round up the hens on their last day.  I suspect he had the older ones in the neighborhood assist at those times.  As well, I think the older boys may have helped out with hay.  I can remember having freedom to roam the property (particularly the frog pond), help out if we wanted or not, and never seemed to become angry or intolerant.

In fact, the farm was always my first stop on Halloween because they gave good stuff out.  Mrs.  Massaro was patient and kind just like her sons while she was alive and I remember how much my mother enjoyed speaking about her.  Her grape vines and roses were off limits.  There had to be dozens and dozens of different kids from all over the hilltop that spent time at the farm who maybe, like me, look back fondly at this time as a rarity never to be repeated by their own children. “

If you’d like to volunteer at our next work day, please join our email list and keep your eyes open for future opportunities.

Field #6, next to the farm house, was turned over and planted with winter rye about the same time as the garlic planting. Winter rye is a perfect cover crop and known as “green manure”. It will grow throughout the winter and turned back into the soil in the spring. This process enriches the soil and prepares it for future vegetable crops.

Renovations to the dairy barn are moving along nicely. The roof should be weather tight before the first snow falls. Other exterio work includes new siding and windows, rebuilt dormer, and a restored roof vent. On the interior, new stairs to the hay loft have been built, and we’re planning the restoration of milking stanchions and manure cart. All of this has been made possible thanks to the State of Connecticut’s Agricultural Viability Grant awarded at the start of 2009.

We signed the ten year lease with the town.

This is another major milestone crossed in 2009: barn renovations, $300,000 USDA grant, and Family Fun day are just a few others. We certainly have much to be thankful for this year. Let’s not forget one more reason to be thankful, the opportunity given us by the Massaro brothers to continue their agricultural heritage.

And last, but not least, thanks go to our supporters. If you have not become a member of the Massaro Community Farm, visit our membership page and complete the form today.

The Woodbridge Library , in collaboration with the Massaro Community Farm, Inc (MCF), is offering a free screening of the movie, Food Inc. Representatives from the MCF will be present to answer questions before and after the movie.

When: Thursday, November 12th at 7pm

Where: The Woodbridge Library
(click here for a map)

** Seating is LIMITED to 45 **, so arrive early

We hope everyone who came today will come again. And, for those who missed it, please come by next time.

Click for full size

The Massaro Community Farm, in collaboration with the Woodbridge Conservation Commission, is pleased to announce the 1st Annual Massaro Farm Family Fun Day.

SUNDAY October 25th from 1 ’til 4:30pm

Some of the activities on the farm will include:

• Walking history tours given by past Massaro farm-hands
• Planting 350 garlic plants
• Carving and painting pumpkins
• Homemade pies and goodies for sale

Community partners at the event, with more activities:

• Peabody Museum
• Ansonia Nature Center
• CT NOFA
• CT Beekeepers Association
• Woodbridge Clean Energy Task Force
• Woodbridge Garden Club

Stop on by, the event is FREE and open to the public.

===== VOLUNTEERS NEEDED =====

We need volunteers to help with this event (volunteer for just an hour and enjoy the rest of the event!). To make this event a success we’ll need volunteers to:

• Help set-up and/or clean-up
• Help facilitate activities geared towards children/families
• Bake pies or other homemade goodies (all proceeds will go to support the farm)

Please contact us at familyfunday@massarofarm.org if you’d like to help.

If you haven’t already, please consider becoming a member of the Massaro Community Farm today.