Farm Report from the Concord Agriculture Committee

The following was provided on behalf of Concord's Agricultural Committee.  

Early September is the peak of the local growing season, with a cornucopia of fresh vegetables and fruit available from Concord farms. If you are not already visiting your favorite Concord farm stand, you have a treat awaiting you. Corn, tomatoes, beans and dozens of other fruits, flowers and vegetables are ready, with fall crops on the way.

The Concord Agriculture Committee has just rewritten the “Guide to Concord Farms”, an informative brochure with listings for twenty one stands and producers. It is available at the Town House, Visitors Center, and other outlets around Town.

There are several upcoming agricultural events. Mark your calendars!

–  The Committee will sponsor a sixth farmers’ market festival Saturday, Sept. 15, Main Street on the Milldam from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  “Ag Day” has been popular with townspeople and visitors and good for local growers.  Meet your local farmers, see your friends and neighbors, bring a shopping bag and get your fresh vegetables, eggs and flowers.

The fifth  Stone Soup Dinner will again feature Concord grown produce prepared by Concord chefs.  This is an enjoyable and delicious event.  It will be held Sunday, Sept. 30 at , 4 p.m. for drinks and appetizers, 5 p.m. for dinner.  Tickets are $40 per person, on sale now at , Verrill Farm and .

The farms and food establishments of Concord donate their time, energy, and fresh produce to this event. All profits from the sale of tickets go to help young farmers. The Stone Soup Dinner has its own Board and operates independently.  It made three “Plant a Farmer” grants in 2011, and three more in 2012 to help new farmers in Town.

Meeting to Connect New Farmers with Landowners - The Ag Committee has been working with the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, a Tufts University program that trains beginning farmers and operates a matching service that connects new farmers with farmland.  An informational meeting for Concord landowners about working with new farmers will be held on Wednesday, October 10th at the Town House. The presentation will include a panel of farmers and  organizations that currently lease land for farming, and a discussion of related issues.

Jim Catterton, for the Ag Committee