A beautiful summer day provided the backdrop for opening day of the Harvard Farmers market at the Hildreth Elementary School parking lot Saturday, Aug. 15. While vendors hurried to get their stands stocked in time for the 9 a.m. opening, residents seemed to be in the grip of the summer doldrums, prompting a few new vendors to express concern over low attendance. But by 11 a.m., the parking lot was alive with hobnobbing Harvardites and their four-legged friends, and vendors gradually moved their heaps of beets, bagels, and bok choy into the hands of customers.
From left: Elly vandeVaart and Kirsten Sundeen set up the General Store’s booth at opening day of the Farmers Market as Diane Borton checks out their tasty wares. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Celebrating dirt
This year’s market theme is “dirt.” Farmers market board member Jen Sundeen explained that after last year’s heavy snows, the first glimpse of actual soil was such an awe-inspiring moment for board members that they chose to celebrate it by making it this year’s theme. Several events are scheduled to showcase the theme.
Growing Places Garden Project will be making multiple appearances with their “Garden on the Go.” It’s a square-foot garden in a cart that gives kids the opportunity to plant, harvest, and just plain “get their hands dirty,” said Regina Connerty, Growing Places’ outreach coordinator. Connerty explained that the “soil” in the garden isn’t really soil at all—it’s a mix of coconut husk, rock dust, horse manure, and perlite, a volcanic glass. “This garden teaches kids how food can grow in different elements,” said Connerty. “We use the beans and peas to teach them about trellising, and bugs on the leaves to teach them about pest management. It’s important for kids to learn about where food comes from and how it’s grown.”
Tomatoes in every shade of red and orange.
Sundeen said that a soil analysis event is being planned that will allow residents to bring soil samples from their garden to the market, where the samples will be packed up and sent to the University of Massachusetts soil-testing laboratory for analysis. The results will provide residents with information about what might be lacking in their soil for successful gardening.
Produce: from farms and backyards
Two vendors have been selling at the market since opening day in 2006. Farmers from Flats Mentor Farm of Lancaster have been expanding Harvard palates with Asian greens and herbs. Their bestseller this time of year is pea tendrils, which are harvested from sugar snap pea plants and, according to the vendor, are excellent sautéed with garlic. Fred Farmer of Nissitisett Apiaries in Pepperell has been selling honey at the market since 2006, when he first introduced Harvard kids to flavored honey sticks. Farmer has since added blueberries and raspberries to his stand.
Other produce vendors this year include Harvard’s own Westward Orchards, Harper’s Farm of Lancaster, and a new vendor, Full Basket Farm of Littleton, selling produce that is grown using organic practices. In addition, a variety of backyard gardeners will be selling their produce throughout the season. At the first market, Olga Vystyd of Bolton Road, a native of Czechoslovakia, was selling the bounty from her 60-by-60-foot plot. Vystyd said that her husband was the driving force behind their garden. “We lived in Prague and had no space for a garden,” said Vystyd. “But my husband’s grandmother had a garden in the country. That was his inspiration.” Most of her produce was gone by the end of the morning, and Vystyd said that she ended up giving away basil “because it doesn’t hold in this hot weather.”
Harvested horseradish root ready for peeling and dicing.
Another backyard gardener, Lucas Thayer of South Shaker Road, has a larger garden, 60 by 200 feet. Thayer uses organic practices and said that his soil is already high in nitrogen because sheep used to be kept in the fields there. His offerings at the first market included horseradish, purple long beans, mustard blossoms, and arugula bolts. Thayer explained the process of drying, extracting, and planting seeds from the bolts, giving his customers the opportunity to enjoy fresh arugula from their own backyard containers throughout the early fall.
Proteins
A variety of protein options are again available at the market. River Rock Farm of Brimfield sells all-natural dry-aged beef, and Lilac Hedge Farm of Berlin sells sustainably raised beef, pork, poultry, and goat. Seafood vendor C & C Lobster is back again this year with fresh lobsters and fish. Berlin’s Balance Rock Farm will return to the market soon, selling milk and naturally raised grass-fed beef and lamb.
Baked goods
Gone are the days when Fred Farmer’s honey sticks were the only sweet treat at the market. Sweet Boutique of Hudson has been selling baked goods at the market for a number of years, and market-goers seemed happy to see them, quickly buying up their cinnamon twists and strawberry lemonade. The Harvard General Store is selling pastries at the market every other weekend this year, and Bagel Alley of Nashua is back for another year. They’ve been selling bagels at the market since 2007, and the vendors really enjoy the camaraderie with their customers. “We know the customers, and we know their dogs,” said stall manager Brett Fleckner. “The dogs love our bagels.” Fleckner told the story of Lily, a Newfoundland with anxiety issues, who came to the market with her owner but wouldn’t budge when she saw the crowds. Fleckner offered a piece of plain bagel, and eventually, Lily came to the booth and went on to make it all the way through the market.
Coffee and knife sharpening
Muddy Waters Coffee Roaster of Acton is back for its second market season, selling coffee both hot and iced, as well as freshly roasted coffee beans, which can be ground for customers. Founder Tim Van Sipe also offers free local delivery of his coffee beans. “I’m like the milkman, but with coffee,” said Van Sipe. Knife-sharpening service Venier Forge is also back at the market. Owner Matt Venier said that if customers drop their knives off when they get to the market, the knives are usually ready to pick up when they’ve finished shopping.
Alpcas from Sunny Knoll Farm.
Alpacas and extracts
Sunny Knoll Farm Alpacas owner Jennifer Baum will be bringing two alpacas to most markets this season, and for a mere 25 cents, customers can buy a handful of alpaca chow to feed the furry beasts. Baum said that all of their alpacas are socialized early and are trained by her children so they are used to kids. Baum also sells a variety of alpaca yarn as well as products made from the yarn.
A new vendor trying out the market this year is Nashoba Valley Extract Company. Owner Meagan MacNeill was there opening day, selling three different vanilla extracts as well as peppermint, lemon, anise, espresso, and cocoa extracts, all made in her kitchen in Stow. She also sells vanilla sugar, ground vanilla, and vanilla beans, and she hopes to be back at the market once a month.
More vendors to come
The market will be in full swing come September when many residents return from summer vacation. Chef Paul’s soups, Peg’s Preserves, Turtle Creek Winery, Flowers at Westcott Barn, pasta from Fior D’Italia, and produce from the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Farm will all be back, and Narragansett Creamery of Providence, Rhode Island, will make its debut at the market selling cheeses and dairy products.
Senior day
There will be live music every weekend, and events and special guests most weekends. On Aug. 22, the market will host “Senior Day.” All Harvard residents 60 and older will receive free doughnuts and cider, and the Council on Aging’s director, Debbie Thompson, will provide musical entertainment with her band “Back to the Garden.” The MART van will be available to anyone who needs a ride from 9 a.m. to noon; call the Council on Aging to schedule a pickup.
Farm to Friend and volunteers
The Harvard Farmers market provides many programs to benefit the community, including Farm to Friend, which delivers fresh produce to residents who may not have access to it. Residents can purchase produce at the market and donate it at the Harvard Farmers market booth, or they can bring produce from their own gardens to donate. Volunteer drivers are needed throughout the market season for this program. To volunteer for Farm to Friend, contact Kim Manning at themanningclan@me.com. Volunteers are also needed to do setup and breakdown at the market. Contact volunteer coordinator Shannon Kelley at skelley@thepaperstore.com for more information. For a complete schedule of music and events or more information, visit the website at www.harvardfarmersmarket.org.
