Romaine calm, and lettuce kick off the new year together!
Welcome to 2022! Here at the farm, we're excited to be welcoming the new year into our hearts and minds, full of intentions and possibilities.
One of our favorite things about winter is that it's the time we have to spend planning the farm and programs for the upcoming year. This means lots of brainstorming, logistics, plans, hopes, and dreams! We have so many amazing visions for the year to come, and hope you'll join us in being a part of them!
First, we're expanding our Certificate Program in Regenerative Urban Agriculture. We'll be sending out the application page with our February newsletter, so keep an eye out for opportunities to join this season-long agriculture education and training program!
Next, we have an amazing series of community events lined up for you, starting with our winter pop-up markets in January, February, and March (see dates below). In January we'll be limiting the event to just a pop-up market to avoid spreading the omicron variant, but we hope to be back with more dynamic programming in February. And don't forget--our regular weekly market starts back up in April!
LEAF has extended its winter break due to omicron, but should be back in person soon. In the meantime, you can join them online this Sunday January 16th at 4:30 pm. Email Emily if you'd like the info to join!
Last, the farm plan for this year is TOTALLY RADISH! We can't wait to show you all the amazing things we're growing this year. In the meantime though, here are some of our favorite seed companies to order from:
Seed Savers Exchange - non-profit dedicated to the collection and regeneration of rare and heirloom seed varieties
Johnny's Selected Seeds - 100% employee-owned and still the go-to seed company for many farmers!
Alliance of Native Seed Keepers - a new one to us, and we're looking forward to stewarding some heirloom natives this year
Truelove Seeds - a seed co-op with a strong commitment to food sovereignty! Based in the Philadelphia area, they are one of the closest to us.
Baker Creek - every year this is the most beautiful seed catalogue with hundreds of heirloom varieties. They're also a farm sponsor and provide lots of free seeds to us!
High Mowing Organic Seeds - another farm sponsor, this company continues to source much of its seed from independent organic farmers.
Don't need a whole packet of 100+ seeds? Save the date for our Pop-up Market and Seed Exchange on March 19th.
Check out upcoming opportunities, classes, and CSA sign-ups below!
Shop at our Next Pop-Up Farm Market
Sunday, January 30 from 1-3 pm
Find us under the farm pavilion! We will feature produce from our farm, Franklin Sustainable Farms, 4P Foods, and Dreaming out Loud. We have installed tarps to cover the sides of the pavilion as well as heaters so that will help to provide some warmth.
The LEAF Youth program is providing craft and recipe kits for kids. Kits will have the ingredients for carrot cranberry slaw and supplies for a valentine’s day craft.
We will also have FREE pizza, bagels, and hot chocolate.
We will have
Apples
Beets
Butternut squash
Carrots
Dandelion greens
Garlic
Garlic chives
Mushrooms: Crimini and Portobello
Onions
Potatoes
Radishes
Sweet potatoes
Turnips
Home Apothecary Program
Our 9-month Home Apothecary Program takes students on a journey of discovery, creating relationships with medicinal plants, caring for them, and learning how to make their own medicines from these wonderful gifts of the earth.
Join the Common Good CSA
Now bigger and better than ever, you can join the Common Good City Farm CSA to receive a full or half share of produce from Common Good, Franklin Sustainable Farms, Dreaming Out Loud, and other partner farms! Now with more options to add on fruits, meat, dairy, and eggs.
Coming Soon: City Farmers Sign Up!
Many of you have emailed us asking about when you can sign up to volunteer as a City Farmers. We'll have that link for you in the February newsletter!
The Certificate Program in Regenerative Urban Agriculture is BACK!
This is an application-based program focused on agricultural training for those looking to start or improve their own growing operations. It begins in March and meets weekly through October. Though students can choose to participate in just the first half of the course, those who are interested in making the full commitment will be prioritized. Application form coming soon! In the meantime, you can read more about what this year's students did here.
Youth Programs Update
We had a lot of fun in December in our LEAF class. In the pictures above students are learning about herbs and making an infused calendula oil with special guest LEAF parent Judith! We also had a fun end of year class, making seed art and hot cocoa bombs!
We are taking a short break from in person class with some virtual lessons to start the year. Last Sunday we made a yummy bean salad and you can join us this Sunday afternoon to make veggie fun dip! If you are interested in joining, email Emily to make sure you are getting the latest LEAF class updates.
LEAF (Learning about the Environment, Agriculture and Food) is a FREE drop-in program designed for elementary-age students, but all are welcome. We explore the garden, learn about food and cook recipes together, and we'd love to have you join us. Find more info and download the registration form here. We will brave the outdoors through the winter, and we are also adding heaters and pavilion sides to keep the space warm enough for class. When we resume our in person classes, they will be every Thursday and Sunday from 4:30-5:45.