Concord’s Verrill Farm to Introduce CSA

Of course, doing it their own way.

  After years as a conscientious objector, Verrill Farm is introducing a CSA option that adapts the popular community-supported agriculture model in ways Steve Verrill says should work for both the farm and the customer. “There seem to be quite a few people who are interested in a CSA,” said Verrill. “If somebody really wants one, they would buy it someplace else and we don’t really see them for the summer.” That should change this year, as Verrill Farm unveils its “Farmer’s Market CSA.” Where the “Farmer’s Market” aspect comes from is that the Verrill Farm CSA won’t force seasonal vegetables upon customers, but will put all the week’s offerings out in bins and let customers fill their basket with whatever they wish. Verrill said this …

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Patch Facts

Five Things: Selectmen to Discuss Remote Participation

A quick look at what you need to see, do and know today in Concord.

1. Selectmen to Meet Tonight: The Board of Selectmen is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. tonight at the Town House and its agenda includes a discussion of remote participation by absent board members, along with updates from the Local Option Local Income Tax Committee and Planning Board, among other items. 2. Ag Exhibit: If you haven't yet, now's a perfect time to check out “The Greatest Source of Wealth: Agriculture in Concord," an exhibit at the Concord Museum that explores the changing agricultural landscape of town over time. Costs $8. 3. Other Public Meetings Posted for Today: According to the town website, other public meetings posted for today include the Board of Registrars at 10:30 a.m., the Conservation Restriction Stewardship …

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Patch Facts

Five Things: Agricultural Exhibit Opening Events

A quick look at what you need to see, do and know today in Concord.

1. Ag Exhibit Opening: A new exhibit celebrating the town's agricultural history, “The Greatest Source of Wealth: Agriculture in Concord," opens today. The specially-commissioned film, A Local Love, will play during the daytime at the Concord Museum. 2. Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm: And then tonight, Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and chairman of Stonyfield, will be speaking at Middlesex School on “Inventing a Truly Sustainable Future" in a free program that begins at 7 p.m., also as part of the exhibit's opening events. 3. Monthly Dance Party: The Swing Dance Studio is hostings it's first monthly dance party at the Scout House, at 74 Walden St. For $10, they're offering a lesson in West Coast swing lesson from 7 to 8 p.m., and then …

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Patch Facts

Five Things: Get Caught Up on the Cambridge Turnpike Improvement Project

A quick look at some things to see, do and know today in Concord.

1. Cambridge Turnpike Improvement Project: At 7:30 p.m. this evening at 141 Keyes Road, the Public Works Commission is inviting residents to a public information meeting on the town's Cambridge Turnpike improvement project. According to the town website, the purpose of the meeting is to provide a project overview, review results of a community questionnaire, discuss design priorities and gather community comment about the project, which seeks to alleviate flooding and improve traffic congestion and safety.   2. Leasing Your Land to a Farmer: Concord's Agriculture Committee and the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project are hosting a workshop covering the basics and benefits of leasing land to a farmer to support community agriculture. The …

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About Town

Getting Back to Our Roots

Concord Museum opens a new exhibit on local agriculture, and it’s time to swap.

  I love the fall! I love the rust and gold colors, I love the pumpkins everywhere, I love the apples and cider and cider donuts. Really, this is a fabulous season. And as you know, fall is harvest time, with the gardens giving up the last of their bounties, getting us ready for the cold, dead season ahead. But I digress… Last week I mentioned the library’s exhibit in the second floor art gallery, all about the history of agriculture in Concord. Well, the Concord Museum is in on this gig, too, celebrating our agrarian roots with a new exhibit, “The Greatest Source of Wealth: Agriculture in Concord.” It opens this Friday, Oct. 12, and will run through March 17. Here’s the thing: These days everyone is concerned about what they’re eating, …

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About Town

Author, Author

Two author readings coming up next week, plus an agricultural art reception at the library.

  Have I got a deal for you! Today I’m here to let you know about not one but TWO author talks, since we’re heading into that time of year when the chill in the air makes you want to just curl up with a blanket and a good book. And we certainly live in the right, literary town for that. The first one is part of the library’s ongoing Thursday Author Talk series, and features distinguished author Margot Livesey, currently a fellow at the Radcliffe Writers’ Institute as well as a writer-in-residence at Emerson College in Boston. She will be reading from her newest book, published this year, “The Flight of Gemma Hardy,” which won the New England Independent Booksellers Award. I happened to pick it up over the summer – from our local library, …

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VIDEO: What's Happening at the Walden Woods Farmstand

Where Thoreau used to walk, people now sell vegetables and other produce. Buying helps preserve the land.

The conservation of this farm by the Walden Woods Project prevented a large-scale development close to Fairhaven Hill, a site much-loved by Henry David Thoreau. Today, the farmers working this land are using organic practices to grow fruits and vegetables and operating a farmstand , open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays throuhgh Sundays from now through the end of October.

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VIDEO: A Flourishing Farmers Market Festival in Concord Center

The town's sixth annual 'Ag Day' farmers market festival was held Saturday, Sept. 15.

Being something of a farming community, Concord doesn't have regular farmers markets. So when there is one, it's kind of a big deal. And they do it about once a year at "Ag Day," an annual farmers market in which a dozen-plus local growers get together in Concord Center.  Watch the video above for a sampling of what Ag Day has to offer -- fresh produce, local farmers, a putting green, music and more. The list of participating vendors included Colonial Gardens, Verrill Farm, Hutchins Farm, Brigham Farm and Greenhouses, Scimone Farm, Macone Farm, Millbrook Farm, Kenney Farm, First Root Farm, Walden Bros., Gaining Ground, Lucky Rooster Farm, Pastor Blacksmith Farm, Pete and Jen's Backyard Birds, Concord Land Conservation Trust and more. Also …

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Farm Report from the Concord Agriculture Committee

Previewing Ag Day, the Stone Soup Dinner and more.

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! Ag Day This …

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