Bringing the community back to the farm.
On a brisk March morning, I ventured north to Lexington to say hi to my friends at LexFarm and see what the farmers are up to when there’s very little in the ground. I was shocked to see just how much activity there was. Allison, the greenhouse manager, was busy in the lush greenhouse planting several varieties of peppers whilst surrounded by a sea of little green seedlings. There was a crowd of children with their parents in the learning garden and over at Silk Farms next door getting to know the goats, sheep, alpaca, and chickens. Resilient kale and collards that had survived the winter stood proudly in rows and robins pecked at the open fields.
LexFarm was established in 2014 as a certified organic farm on land that has been farmed for almost 400 years. It’s a little oasis in the densely populated Boston suburb that provides a community hub rooted in a connection to the land through food. LexFarm holds a variety of classes for kids and adults from March to December that inspire people of all ages to get outside and connected to nature. I was so excited to hear about the adult classes they hold for foraging, canning, fiber arts, flower arranging, beekeeping and much more!
I met Pam Tames, the executive director, for a tour of the farm. Along the way, she showed me some exciting new developments on the farm.
Some new things happening at the farm:
They’ve planted blackberry bushes and grape vines with the help of volunteers and they’re hoping to get their first real harvest from them this year
The farmstand and CSA is now open and available year round with the help of their glasshouse and hoop house which extend their growing season.
They’ve cleared an area that used to be covered in invasive plants which they will now fill with native plants and wildflowers to attract pollinators and local wildlife.
I also got the chance to speak with Miranda Lachman, the field manager, about the farming practices they use to maintain healthy soil which include the use of cover crops, low/no-till practices, and no pesticides. Make sure to look out for another blog this month where I dive deeper into the importance of these practices.
5 Things LexFarm is Planting in April:
Peas
Carrots
Beets
Broccolini
Onions
5 Things LexFarm is Harvesting in April:
Microgreens
Spinach
Lettuce
Bok Choy
Arugula
April Offerings on the Farm:
Bird Walk, Saturday April 27, 8-10 am
Join the Citizens for Lexington Conservation at Arlington Reservoir to look for early songbird migrants (Warbling Vireo, first orioles, and numerous colorful Yellow-rumped and Palm warblers likely) and lingering migrant ducks (Green-winged Teal likely and maybe a Ruddy).
Meet at the gym set area of Rindge Avenue Playground. You'll do a complete circuit of the reservoir and check Lexington Community Farm also. Bring binoculars. Wear footwear for possibly damp or muddy ground.
Leader: Chris Floyd: hchrisfloyd@outlook.com
Seedling Sale
Dive into a wide selection of premium organic vegetable and herb seedlings, and - new this year - conventional fruit seedlings and saplings. They promise a bountiful yield packed with flavor and nutrients. And, indulge your passion for gardening with tools that offer value, quality and durability.
Order now and pickup on May 10 or 11. Go to this link to view and order your seedlings and garden supplies for the 2024 season.
SNAP customers, use the coupon code SNAPSEED2024 at checkout, and please bring your SNAP card with you when you pick up your order.
2024 CSA Sign Up
A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program connects you with your food. By buying a share in the early part of the year, you’re reserving weekly pick-ups of sustainably-grown produce right here on our farm. Throughout the growing seasons, you visit the farm to pick them up.
LexFarm plants, grows, and harvests vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers to provide fresh, certified-organic produce to the community. They partner with local farms to supplement what they can’t grow. This allows them to offer fruit, mushrooms, and additional varieties of vegetables.
For all of the options available, click here.
Other ways to get involved:
Visit the farm and check out their beautiful farmstand
Become a LexFarm member which includes a variety of benefits all while supporting the farm
Donate to help them continue to educate and provide for the community
Volunteer to help in the fields or at the farm store
Sign up for classes
Host your corporate events with LexFarm. Get your employees out in the sun and with their hands in the dirt.
Subscribe to their newsletter
Follow us on social media for more updates from LexFarm throughout the month of April as they gear up for a busy season!
