Weekly Farm Reel March 24th

Pictures from the farm this week.

Parsley, Leeks, Broccoli

Tomatoes

Chickens and Tom Turkey

Flowers and Avoiding Monsanto Like the Plague...No Offence to the Plague

If you're really into the organic farming and gardening scene, the name "Monsanto," is your "Voldemort." It's a company so unethical and corrupt that the mere name makes you cringe (i.e. suing neighboring farmers if the wind carries pollen from plants grown with Monsanto seeds onto their farms...you know, because farmers totally control the wind. Did I mention buying members of congress to pass a bill allowing their seeds to be planted before there is enough scientific research on the effects of GMO products on people and the environment?). Click here to read a MOFGA article on Monsanto. Because we care about maintaining a safe food supply, free from genetic modification, Hidden Acres does all that we can to avoid supporting Monsanto in any way. We're always looking to buy seeds from companies that have signed the Safe Seed Pledge, or that can at least validate that they do not sell genetically modified seeds. Renee's Garden is one of these companies, which is why we ordered some of our flower seeds from them. Johnny' Selected Seeds of Maine and High Mowing Organic Seeds of Vermont are another two.

Flower Seeds from Renee's Garden- GMO free!

More Seedlings and Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes

Tomatoes, Leeks, Peppers, etc.

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage.

After meeting with an apiarist (beekeeper) to put hives on the farm, we spent another Saturday starting seedlings. We planted quite a few leeks, several types of sweet peppers, one type of jalapeno pepper, two types of cabbage (Napa and Red), radicchio, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and a ton of tomatoes. Assuming all goes well in the realm of tomatoes, we should have Moskovich (heirloom), Beefsteak, Amish Paste (heirloom), Sweeties, Sun Cherries, and Red and Yellow Jelly Bean (click on the links for tomatoes you may not have heard of). Of course there is always time to go through the various seed catalogs and "accidentally" order more types of tomatoes, so who knows what else we'll have. We also started a few early tomato seedlings a couple weeks ago as you can see below. Sign up for our CSA or visit us at the Bridgton, Lovell, and Bridgton Paris Farmer's Union farmers' markets to pick up our basil and tomatoes this summer. Add in some local mozzarella and you've got a delicious, fresh, and local Caprese Salad.

Early tomato seedlings.

Weekly Farm Reel March 12th

We're going to be doing a Weekly Farm Reel, with pictures from the farm for that week. This week we'll be featuring the chickens (the turkeys make an appearance or two). These birds provide the farm with fresh eggs, amusement, and a never-ending supply of manure. Enjoy!

One of our hens in the laying box.

Our Goat Farm Is Finally Getting Goats

Hidden Acres Farm was originally supposed to be a dairy goat farm. We were going to start a small goat herd and make cheese; that's it. We've read every goat related book in publication, taken cheese making classes, been to "Goat School," visited numerous goat farms and creameries,  and even took a goat soap making class. Roughly four years later we have a small vegetable farm and CSA, a great hand painted sign with two goats on it, but no goats. It's not certain how that happened, but it may have to do with running out of goat books to read and getting lost on the internet. Regardless, we are finally getting goats! We put a deposit down on two Nigerian Dwarf goats (isn't everything better in miniature?) from Sunflower Farm. The owners are very nice and knowledgeable, their goats are healthy and happy, and their barn is so clean (we have a thing for clean barns). The kids should be born around April and ready to come to the farm in June. We still haven't decided if we want to start with two wethers in order to get into goat husbandry without the added stress of milking, or if we want one wether and one doe, to breed and milk within the next year or so after we've had some practice. Either way, they'll be an adorable addition to the Hidden Acres Farm family.

Seedlings and Wishful Thinking

Early Tomato Seedlings

Onions and Other Early Vegetables

In an effort to will Spring into existence, we've started some early seedlings. Most seedlings wont need to be started for another couple of weeks, but it will be nice to have some small tomato plants for sale at the farmers' markets in May, and certain things, like onions, need to be started early when you're growing them in Maine. If you're starting your own seedlings in zone 4, we recommend two pieces of affordable equipment: grow lights and heat mats. If you have a really sunny window, you may be able to forgo the grow light, but heat is essential. Tomatoes in particular require a temperature of about 65 degrees on average (70-80 is best) to germinate and grow well.

There's still snow on the ground, but things will look more like this before we know it:

Summer 2012

Welcome!

Welcome to Hidden Acres Farm! We're a sustainable produce farm in Bridgton, ME. All of our produce is grown without harmful pesticides, fungicides, and/or insecticides. Our mission is to provide fresh, locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables. This is our second year in operation, although we have decades of combined vegetable production experience. For the 2013 season you can connect with us in a few ways; We will be selling at both the Bridgton and Lovell Farmers' Markets, and we also offer CSA memberships. The CSA memberships are either half or full-shares and last from May to November . A full share costs $475 and will provide you with enough produce to feed a family of four (approx). The half-share costs $250 and will provide you with enough produce to feed two people (approx.). Both memberships come with weekly eggs, the number of which varies depending on how many the hens feel like laying. We do offer work-shares (you work five hours a week on the farm, we give you veggies), but the number is limited so inquire soon if you are interested.

We grow a wide variety of produce including but not limited to: several varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers (sweet and hot), green beans, zucchini, yellow squash, patty pan squash, radishes, several varieties of lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, pak choi, tatsoi, sorrel, peas, winter squash, pumpkin, potatoes, rhubarb, blackberries, corn, onions, scallions, garlic, a variety of herbs, zinnias, sunflowers, etc. Feel free to contact us through our blog, Facebook, or via phone (207-615-1585) if you have any questions or are interested in signing up for a CSA membership.