What's coming up at Massaro Community Farm in Woodbridge.

There is a lot going on at the Massaro Community Farm.  41 Ford Road, Woodbridge, Connecticut.

 

The following is shared here unedited a s a public service:

 

Fall Session of Kids Dig Farms: Get your child unplugged and outdoors through this hands-on farm program. Kids will learn fall farming basics , the role of food preservation, make a harvest pizza, prepare for seasonal transformation, plant garlic and more. Snacks included. $110/Woodbridge residents; $120/non-residents. Runs every Monday from 9/21-11/16, 3:30-5:30pm. REGISTER HERE.

Exploring Climate Change Adaptation Strategies through CT Agriculture: This workshop, taking place this Wednesday, September 23 from 5:00-7:00pm, will offer attendees a chance to explore and share strategies to help farms cope with the challenges of climate change associated with drought, heat stress, excessive moisture, longer growing seasons, unpredictable weather, and changes in pest pressure.  Participants will also learn about State and Federal programs that can help them adapt, including conservation programs, risk management tools, and crop insurance products. Current examples and techniques from the Massaro Farm will be discussed. REGISTER HERE.  Bring a potluck dish or snack to share for a social time with beginning and experienced organic farmers.

The Basics of Essential Oils:  Join class leader Kristin Gholson this coming Saturday, September 26 at 10:00am as she leads us through the basics of using essential oils at home. Attendees will receive a basic overview of essential oils and how they can be used for home health care, clearning & gardening. Attendees will also receive a product buying guide and get to assemble & take home a jar of detox bath salts! There will be some essential oils door prizes; bring a friend for an extra chance to win! $10/pp at the door includes class & all materials. REGISTER HERE.

Family Fun Day, Saturday October 3 1:00-5:00pm (rain date October 4): Visit the farm for our annual fall extravaganza! At this family-friendly event you can ride a hay wagon, get your face painted, paint a pumpkin, plant some garlic, play corn hole, play tug of war or try your hand (or leg) at sack races, and much much more! This year we are also very happy to host the Woodbridge Rotary who will be registering kids for Amber Alerts. Parents will greatly appreciate this FREE service of having vital information on hand in case of an emergency. This year's event is part of Woodbridge Day, a town-wide celebration including a road race, car show, and scarecrow celebration. $10/family. Food available for purchase. Those interested in volunteering their time & talents in leading a game or craft should contact Caty Poole at (203) 736-8618 or via email at caty@massarofarm.org. 

Massaro Community Farm to hold event on Rock to Rock ride

Massaro Farm in the Fall

Massaro Community Farm will hold an open house event about the annual Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride at the Woodbridge Town Library from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 28, according to a release.

Thw event will serve as an advance registration for those who wish to join Team Massaro in this year’s ’quest for the gold’ and ride with the team in the 7th annual Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride in New Haven, the release said.

The ride will be held April 25 this year. It runs from West Rock to East Rock.

Atop East Rock

 

"The farm will also be inviting community members to get involved at the farm this year, and to drop off their CSA subscription forms for the coming season," the release said.

"Last April, on a cold and rainy day, a dozen or so riders braved the elements and rode with Team Massaro, helping them raise more than $10,000 towards the purchase of a much-needed new tractor for the farm," the release said. (The number of riders is an estimate, the release noted)

The view from East Rock

The Angel of Peace atop East Rock

"In only its second year participating in this event, which raises funds for area environmental organizations, Team Massaro eked out first prize in fundraising by a slim margin on the morning of the event. As a result, the team won several prizes, including a cruise for the team aboard the classic schooner, Quinnipiack, which sails from Long Wharf Pier. But most importantly, we achieved our fundraising goal and purchased that new tractor," the release said.

Stop by the Woodbridge Town Library for the event to learn how to register and learn what it would mean to be the "phantom rider."

Information also will be available "about individual and group volunteering at the farm, and accepting CSA subscription forms for the 2015 season."

Editor's note: All information and the photo in this post were contributed. Click one of the buttons below to share it.

Events coming up at the Massaro Community Farm in Woodbridge

Here are the events coming up at Massaro Community Farm in June, with details and wonderful photos provided by the farm:

Down the Garden Path Garden Series*

June 4^th, 11^th and 18^th from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

A garden series for adults sponsored by the Institute for Learning in Retirement by Albertus Magnus college.

 

Educational Trail Walk

June 8^th from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Casual trail walk in conjunction with CFPA's CT Trails Day Weekend. Open to all ages! No registration necessary. Just meet in the farm parking lot.

 

Open Farm Days – Hands on in the Learning Garden

June 3^rd and 20^th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

These are fun, hands-on drop in sessions for toddlers-young adults to plant, pick & water, and also do a creative activity. Activities will take place at 3:30 and 4:30 on each day. No reservation necessary.

 

Cooking Demos

June 10^th and 27^th from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Featuring the weekly farm harvest, with recipes to share. Come by for a taste! 

Beekeeping Workshops – Summer Hive Management*

June 21^st at 9:00 a.m. and again at 11:00 a.m.

Instructional sessions led by the CT Beekeeper's Association. Space is limited so registration is required. All levels of interest are encourage to attend. Suggested donation $10/pp

 

Nurturing a Bird Friendly Habitat*

June 21^st from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

This workshop, led by Katherine Blake of Audubon CT,  will include an overview of how Audubon CT is helping landowners, schools and communities throughout Connecticut connect with nature while contributing real conservation impact. Includes a walk of the farm. $20/pp.

 

Items with an asterisk require advance registration. Please visit our website, www.MassaroFarm.org for more details, a full calendar, and registration.

 

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. Click one of the buttons below to share it.

New Haven Rock to Rock Day of Environmental Service this weekend

NEW HAVEN ­— The Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride will hold its second Day of Environmental Service at five sites around the city and one in Woodbridge from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 6.
Volunteers from across the region will gather to garden, clean, mulch, and green., according to a statement. Six Rock to Rock partners are hosting volunteer crews: Common Ground, :358 Springside Ave.;  New Haven Farms, 15 James St.; Friends of Edgewood Park, at Edgewood Park; Solar Youth, 53 Wayfarer St.; Farmington Canal Rail-Trail Association, prepping the trail for Spring and Summer; and Urban Resources Initiative, in a project that will have a crew will canvas a neighborhood need of trees, speaking to the residents. Also, Massaro Community Farm, 41 Ford Road Woodbridge.
“The Environmental Day of Service is a chance for Rock to Rock riders and friends to get to know the local organizations involved, meet other riders and volunteers, and improve the local environment,” the statement said. Register on-line at www.rocktorock.org.
The Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride, one of the region’s largest environmental events and fundraisers, to be held April 20 this year, is “a day-long celebration of Earth Day and New Haven’s rich environmental and cultural resources,” the statement said.
“The goals for 2013 are $150,000 raised and 1000 riders. In 2012, the Ride raised (more than) $100,000 to support 21 local environmental organizations, signed up over 750 riders, received donations from over 500 individuals, and attracted more than 40 corporate and organizational sponsors. The funds raised annually support youth education, community gardens, city tree planting, environmental education, green policy work, local and healthy food projects, park improvements, and much more.”
“Specifically, registration fees support the organizing partners who are making Rock to Rock run: Common Ground High School, New Haven/Leon Sister City Project, The Urban Resourc
es Initiative, CitySeed, and the nature centers run by the New Haven Parks Department.”

Also according the statement: “Pledges collected by riders can be designated to one or all of our participating partners: CitySeed, Inc., CT Folk, Common Ground, Connecticut Mental Health Foundation, Elm City Cycling, Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association, Friends of Edgewood Park, Friends of Beaver Pond Park, the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network, New Haven Bioregional Group, New Haven Inner City Outings, The New Haven Land Trust, New Haven-Leon Sister City Project, New Haven Parks Department, Schooner Inc., Solar Youth, Student Conservation Association, The West River Watershed Partnership, and The Urban Resources Initiative or one of the organizing partners. All of these organizations share a commitment to helping New Haven residents explore and learn from the city’s parks, and all of these organizations are in need of additional resources to keep their important work strong and growing.”

 Editor's note: All information and the photo in this post were contributed.