NOFA Harvest Happenings

The Great Pumpkin Is Here.  

Frerichs Farms is known for its giant pumpkins!  They’ve made national news! Who would have thought Warren, the smallest town in the smallest state, would be known for something so large? Since 2000 Frerichs has hosted the Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Grower’s Annual Weigh-off on Columbus Day Weekend.

This year, on October 7, thousands of people will come to see the pumpkins and enjoy the festivities and NOFA/RI will be there too.  Stop by and say hello!

Rain dates October 8 or 9.

Enjoy the flavors of the season with Apples

Food and Wine Magazine calls this simple, classic rustic apple tart “a virtually fail-safe recipe that is completely hassle free.”  But don’t limit your apples to tarts, pies, cakes, fritters, crips or turnovers.  Slice into salads, spice up a grilled cheese with ham and apples, or savor a bowl of apple and winter squash soup.  Simply bake them or eat them fresh off the tree.

You can find apples from these orchards around the State that are certified organic, like Elwood Orchard in North Scituate, or listed as chemical-free or using integrated pest management (IPM).  IPM seeks to control pests with sustainable methods without relying solely on pesticides:
Old Stone Orchard, Little Compton
Appleland Orchard, Smithfield
Barden Family Orchard, North Scituate
Fraser Orchard, Green
Hill Orchards, Johnston
Leach Farm & Orchard, Greenville
Pippin Orchard, Cranston
Steere Orchard, Greenville

Farm Succession School

The Farm Succession School is a three-session program designed for farmers looking for a bit of structure and motivation to tackle succession planning. The program will bring you from thinking about the future to doing active planning. Your commitment of three winter days will help to guide you toward a successful planning outcome for you, your family and your farm.  The first season is December 8, 2018 in Warwick, RI.

To learn more or to register for this program, view New England Farm Succession School.