November Farm Bulletin

Monthly updates from the farm recorded by Owen Aptekar-Cassels F14 with input from Farmers Nancy Hanson and Jason Dragon.

• The shift in weather patterns that made this an amazing growing season also affects the lives of insects. This year’s experimental Brussels sprouts crop, the first on the farm in 10 years, was covered in gray aphids that do well in warm weather. Next season the farm plans to adapt by introducing ladybugs and using organic sprays recommended by the UMass agriculture program.

• About 3,500 ears of “Mr. Warner’s Red” popcorn that were hanging in the barn to dry are now ready to be popped – 1,000 more ears than past years. This variety of popcorn was originally grown on the grassy fields at the entrance to Hampshire, which was Mr. Warner’s farm. He selected and grew seeds from the odd red ears that showed up in his popcorn crop, creating his own variety. This popcorn goes to shareholders, to the dining hall, is used at events, and will be sold on campus during the winter.

• The first seeding of winter salad greens for the dining hall has been planted in the greenhouse behind Greenwich.

• The other greenhouse behind Greenwich is a moveable greenhouse mounted on short tracks, and it has been moved to cover spinach that was planted outside at the end of the summer.

• Workstudy students are harvesting all the remaining root vegetables for storage for the dining hall throughout the winter. So far the root cellar contains 2,000 lbs of of beets, as well as many rutabagas, turnips, and cabbages.