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A 6:30am harvest makes for some great sunrise views!
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Thank you, July Volunteers!
July involves long days and early starts, so that the hardest work is done before the humidity and heat exact their toll. We are saying goodbye to the very first crops on the southern-most fields, and are shifting our energy towards nurturing the warm weather crops that thrive in the hot, long daylight hours of summer. July volunteers showed up rain or shine, even on record heat wave days, and were a force to be reckoned with: a final count shows over 1,300 hours were spent volunteering at the farm so far!
There have been some changes to our recurring volunteer hours, so please be sure to check out the Volunteering page for the most up-to-date information on how you can be involved! I hope to see you back on the farm soon.
-Cynthia S.
HHF Food Donation + Volunteer Coordinator
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July's Community Work Day, Harvesting Onions, had a great turnout! We were so excited to welcome you to our fields, and we hope you found a good recipe to use your fresh onions in.
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Some younger volunteers made quick work of pulling up the onion bulbs, leaving them on the ground as the next group came to trim off the tops and roots.
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The last step was to store these bulbs somewhere dry for about two weeks, to cure and develop more flavor. The Dairy Barn was the perfect spot: look at those full tables!
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On Saturday, August 20th from 9am-12pm, join our next Community Work Day as we harvest all that Midsummer has to offer!
As the weather starts to shift to (hopefully!) cooler, shorter days, our summer crops come to the end of production with one last round of flowering and fruiting. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to hop into this special harvest as we glean the last of these crops, harvesting all usable produce directly for donation to one of our pantry partners. Afterwards, we will work together to come full circle and clean up these areas by removing infrastructure and composting plants in our on-site facility, giving our fields a clean slate and a chance to rejuvenate over the winter.
Stay for the whole morning, or drop in before or after our other events of the day: just remember to register in advance via our events page to reserve your spot!
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Field Crew Leader Jeff, left, helps lead volunteers like Asha in harvesting tomatoes from the High Tunnel. Field Crew members lead special harvests and excursions every so often, both on the farm and on the surrounding trails. Put on your farmer hat, and you'll fit right in!
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"I'd had more than my share of beautiful today.
Tomorrow I'd give some back, restore and replenish the world."
- Rachel Hartman
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A generous donation of some much-needed water bottles was so appreciated, and keeps our volunteers hydrated: take one for your volunteer visit, and skip the one-use water bottle!
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Know someone who's thinking about volunteering? Flyers are now in the Farm Stand, ready to share!
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"Double Click" Cosmos are a favorite stop in our flower fields. During Friday Flower Appreciation hours, volunteers work hard to keep up with pruning and weeding these blooms. Curious about growing flowers at home? Be sure to pick up some tips at the upcoming class on DIY Flower Beds on 8/14!
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The Big Yellow Farm truck comes in handy as we haul buckets of flowers back from the fields, as well as tired farmers and volunteers!
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The Pollinator Garden is thriving, and finally filling out! Constant weeding and maintenance from our amazing volunteers has really helped these struggling plants turn around, and thrive, feeding lots of insects that can be seen buzzing around.
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The last garlic standing! After many weeks spent staring at the stalks, and then harvesting succulent scapes, our garlic bulbs were finally ready to be pulled up.
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With salad out of the fields during these hot days, most of the Wash + Pack process is now focused on weighing microgreens, and pinting up our summer crops: thank you for being so gentle with these veggies!
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If you've been in Wash + Pack, this should be a familiar sight: do you think this is a Spicy or Mild microgreen?
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Remember our last big project together, potato planting and then their harvest? They are now cured, and ready to be enjoyed! They will be part of Wash + Pack as another item to pint up.
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Can you dig it? One volunteer could! This area, formerly full of deep-rooted invasive plants, was completely turned up, weeded and edged in order to make room for a brand new Founder's plot of local ecotype plants. Seedlings incoming!
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Giving back to our community, in every way we can.
We again just about doubled the amount of food donated: a total of 2,069lbs made it to our local food pantry partners in July!
The more volunteers that are involved, the healthier our vegetables are and the more they are able to produce. For all those who have volunteered with weeding, washing, weighing, cleaning or maintaining: our plants thank you!
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In line with our no-waste goal, flowers are also on the list of possible donation items each week, with recipients including volunteers, hospitals, + food rescue organizations. We love to support our favorite local theater, Westchester Collaborative Theater, here posing after a show decorated with Hilltop bouquets!
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We did it! We met our goal, and our second goal, and raised enough money to support 102(!) individuals who applied for a Food Sovereignty Share this year. A huge thank you, to each and every donor.
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Keep reaching for what drives you, whether that's native preservation, organic produce, or tasty Dawn Redwood leaves, Cheyenne's favorite!
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The 2022 Hilltop Hanover Farm Volunteers motto:
"Try and leave this world a little better than you found it."
-Robert Baden-Powell
Thank you, July volunteers!
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The Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center are dedicated to the development and advancement of sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, community education, and accessible food systems for all. Please help to further our mission by coming to one of our many events this summer on the farm or by making a donation today.
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Thank you for supporting local agriculture!
The Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm Staff & Board
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We gratefully acknowledge Consolidated Edison Company of NY, Inc.
for their ongoing support.
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