Community Kitchen

2018 saw the completion of the MDAR grant-funded community kitchen in the Lancaster Community Center.  After weather delays, renovation and construction came to an end, resulting in a gleaming example of a commercial kitchen where farmers and community members can create value-added products using state-of-the-art appliances, infrastructure, and utensils to begin or expand food-related business ventures. 

 

 

Burgoyne Farm Acquisition

Through a generous arrangement with the Burgoyne family, World Farmers acquired the 12-acre Burgoyne Farm in Lancaster and celebrated at an event in May by hosting Thomas Burgoyne and his family, community members, state and local politicians, and farmers. Currently, African White Corn, pumpkin vines, and mushrooms are in cultivation on this land.

 

 

 

State Funding

A bipartisan effort spearheaded by Senator Dean Tran with Senator Jamie Eldridge, secured state funding for Flats Mentor Farm.  Speaking about this funding, Senator Tran reported, “I have been a long-time supporter of farming as I believe farms are an integral part of any community. Farms not only play a vital role in our economy but also serve as a source of food and nourishment for many families.  I am tremendously proud to be able to secure the funding for World Farmers and Flats Mentor Farm, which has never been done before, and I have no doubt the funds will be well utilized to further the importance of farming.” We thank Senator Tran and Senator Eldridge for their efforts on behalf of farmers and farming.

CSA

Three new drop-off sites for our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) were established, expanding the reach of our CSA and the the opportunity for farmers to sell. CSA shares, delivered weekly, included bountiful produce from our farmers, many of whom sold their crops for the first time.  A special selling point of our CSA is the weekly inclusion of a featured ethnic crop with a corresponding recipe card.  The CSA is successful in introducing our subscribers to new crops, and our subscribers look forward to their weekly share.

Farm Production

Market research helped World Farmers determine a significant demand for a new crop, gongura.  World Farmers acquired and distributed seeds to farmers and provided production guidance for gongura.  After ten weeks, farmers, ready to harvest, attended harvest and post-harvest trainings provided by World Farmers. India Market (Shrewsbury) purchased gongura, as did other Indian shops in Burlington and Framingham. The height of production saw farmers growing almost fifty pounds a week. Farmers found the crop to be little affected by torrential rain, resistant to inspects, and a hardy crop overall.

Student Interns

World Farmers hosted six intelligent, delightful, and hard-working summer interns from Nashoba Regional High School. The group completed plot assessments, assisted in packing for CSA deliveries, and participated in pest identification and education, farmer outreach, media support, and general farm maintenance. They produced CSA newsletters and packed the CSA, and they streamlined data gathering and data entry. Interns braved heat, bugs, heavy rain, and rapidly shifting assignments due to the weather and were smiling and professional throughout their work.

Donations and Support

World Farmers received several in-kind donations and the support of many this year; we are thankful for all donations, and we acknowledge supporters here: Lunenburg High School helped us in maintaining Taioba transplants in their greenhouse, and Dawn Gearin, Science Teacher, supervised plant maintenance. Her students lent their help and strong backs in planting and loading plants for transport. We received significant seedling donations from Bigelow Nursery of Northborough, and ECHO, International, donated Cassava cuttings, thanks to Lydia Hoffman, Propagation Manager, who facilitated that acquisition.