Strawberries from Springdell

We had our first CSA pick-up from Springdell Farm! Talia was a big fan of the strawberries. Here she is, polishing off the last two. She picked up the basket and didn't put it down until it was empty. Luckily, I was able to get her to share a few with me before they were gone. Yum!

Springdell Farm, Littleton MA

Springdell Farm

57 Great Road, Littleton, MA 01460

978.486.3865

springdellfarms.com

Today we were invited to bring a picnic lunch and get a guided tour of Springdell Farm's herd of cattle. In addition to their vegetable CSA (which I signed up for this year), they also have a meat CSA. Apparently, they have a really long wait list, so I'm happy we are already shareholders at Chestnut Farm out in Hardwick. Plus, we love Kim and Rich, our farmers there. Anyway, we got a really good look at some of their herd (including babies born a couple of days ago--baby cows are so cute), and learned about their livestock practices.

It was a beautiful day for a picnic and to walk around the fields. They were full of spring wildflowers, which seemed to be well-serviced by a couple of hives hanging around.

I can hardly wait for their vegetable CSA to begin!

Chestnut Farms, Hardwick MA

Chestnut Farms

P.O. Box 545; 404 Turkey Street

Hardwick MA 01037

www.chestnutfarms.org

My freezer doth floweth over... with meat from Chestnut Farms! Since last May, my family has belonged to a meat CSA--how great is that? As an omnivore, I appreciate that now most of the meat I eat is humanely-raised. Twice each year, they host an open barn where you get to see just how the animals live before they end up in your freezer: Meet Your Meat, as they say. We went to the one they had last October and were pretty impressed! The farmers, Kim and Rich, really work hard and take wonderful care of all the animals. And, they are pretty tasty, too. How it works is that once a month we pick up a cooler of frozen assorted meat from a pick-up spot (there are several--ours is in Harvard center). It's a mystery cooler full of surprise cuts. In the summer months, there were many cuts suited for grilling; now that it's winter, we've gotten a lot of cuts good for stewing. We've gotten all types of meat: ground beef/pork/lamb, bacon, sausage, filet mignon (only once but, man, was it delicious!), ribs, rack of lamb, ham steak, chicken breast, pork loin, etc., etc. We also ordered a Thanksgiving turkey (not included in the monthly share) which was fantastic. Everything has been absolutely top notch. I would highly recommend this farm if you are looking to join a meat CSA.

I am under the impression that this is the only meat CSA in the state, but don't quote me on that. However, there is a new one at Springdell Farm, in Littleton, MA, starting this year. So, now that makes two. Springdell Farm started a vegetable CSA last year and we signed up for this coming season. Once the crops are ready for eating, I'll post an update on that.