The abundance of August was evident all across the farm, with the majority of crops ready to harvest, lush greenery everywhere, and flowers of both annual and native plants popping up in waves. The vibrancy of summer was captured in various art projects, and mirrored in the hues of tomatoes, peppers, and squash waiting to be enjoyed in the Farm Stand. 

August was the second busiest month of the year, with 57 volunteers sharing over 274 hours of their time. Many pitched in with native plant work -including the first seed collection of the year!-  and many more helped with weeding and flower cutting activities. We have now donated over 7,900 lbs of farm fresh food, thanks to our hard working farmers and lots of volunteer time spent in the field caring for all that we have grown.

There are some unique volunteer opportunities on the horizon, including trail maintenance, native plant seed collection, and joining us for the Head for the Hilltop 5K in October. Fall is a special time on the Hilltop as we watch the leaves change, and we look forward to sharing some time here with you. 

See you at the farm,
Cynthia
HHF Food Donation + Volunteer Coordinator

-William Shakespeare

Click here to learn more and sign up to volunteer with us!

August's Community Farm Work Day

August often entails harvesting often from many different crops, and we were excited to share the opportunity to harvest eggplants with those who came out for August's CFWD. Volunteers helped collect over 100 lbs of eggplants from the four beds planted this season.

Then, after a quick walk to a different field, we got to work uncovering crops from the weeds that had shot up over the past few weeks: volunteers weeded fennel, broccolini, cabbage, collards, and beets so that these crops thrived and could go on to feed our community.

The photos below show the difference made to a bed of cabbage: on the left was the state it was in at the start, and the right shows how one team of volunteers did a fabulous job cleaning it up. Amazing!

We were so thrilled with everyone's help, which truly showed how many hands make light work of a big weeding project!

The hard weeding work has started to pay off: some plants of at least two of the varieties are doing so well, they flowered and produced fruit! While only a handful of raspberries have ripened, it's a great sign that these plants will be producing in abundance next year. 

Friday sessions in the flower beds have been going in full force during the peak blooming period of August. Volunteers have not only helped stock the Farm Stand's flower bar, but have also been in charge of pruning, trellising, and weeding the three beds planted this year. 

Artistic Volunteer C has been working alongside staff to design and sketch the new mural on the side of the native plant seed coop. This has been a work in progress for several months, and on  August 30th this project kicked off with lots of volunteers joining us for the first painting day. With lots of music and plenty of paint, the first flowers and insects came to life.

This project is now open for volunteers to continue during our open times- reach out today to see how you can contribute and leave your mark here! 

Now is the time for planting, including installing new species in the native Founder's Plot space as a living seed bank. 

Volunteers took part in this satisfying finale of the growing cycle by helping to plant these seedlings, after taking part potting them up and caring for them earlier in the year.

Additionally, earlier native plantings are now paying off, and showing off! 

Here, a formerly empty area in front of the Historic House was full of invasive plants, and is now replanted with natives. It is now blooming with color.

Other sites on the farm have been prepared as new native beds that will fill out within the next few years. 

The cooler months of fall also mean it is time for seed collection! Teams of volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays will learn to identify and collect ripe native seeds all across the farm; the seeds will be dried and then will undergo a cleaning process throughout the winter months. 

On the theme of animal art, Volunteer T has been honing his woodworking skills and decorating the native seed coop with a nod to the building's past as a chicken coop. Thank you for sharing your creations with the farm!

Which one is your favorite?

- Robert Baden-Powell