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New Lands Farm seeks volunteers

Date: 4/2/2015

WEST SPRINGFIELD – With more than a foot of snow blanketing the fields of New Lands Farm off Bernie Avenue, it is hard to imagine that only in a month or so, a host of area residents will once again start the tedious process of tilling the soil and planting the seeds to ensure a bounty of crops for the year.

New Lands Farm, a program of Ascentria Care Alliance, seeks volunteers and interns to engage in a meaningful project to assist new farmers in growing food for the local community, according to Sara Tower, market coordinator. Ascentria Care Alliance was formerly known as Lutheran Social Services of New England.

“We are always looking for people in farming because our farmers receive validation about the importance of their work,” said Tower during an interview with Reminder Publications.

New Lands Farm provides agricultural opportunities to refugee and immigrant farmers arriving from countries around the world. Tower added that the multi-cultural community of farmers and gardeners invest their time in growing culturally appropriate foods in a chemical-free environment for their families, provide fresh foods to their local communities through the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in Hampden County, and earn a supplemental income.

Tower estimates that approximately 30 families will return to the farm this year and most work one-eighth of an acre each. Enrollment is now underway for those interested in signing up for the upcoming growing season.

Pat Schutt of West Springfield joined Tower for the interview and noted she has been volunteering at the farm for three years. Schutt’s roles range from greeting shareholders who pick up their weekly bounty, to working at farmers markets.

“I especially enjoy talking with the farmers about the food they grow,” said Schutt. “There is a lot to learn about different ethnic foods.”

Tower noted that the farm is fortunate to have volunteers like Schutt and welcomes others to join the agricultural project. Shared projects range from working in the garlic patch and sprucing up the farm, to cultivating common areas including the farm stand and farm entrance. For Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or local organizations seeking a community project, these are options that can enhance the farm site.

Interns are also needed and work directly with the farm staff to offer new farmer trainings and manage agriculture production.

Tower added that interns are involved in a diversity of activities including field work, market coordination, transportation, farm management, volunteer coordination and program development.

Additionally, interns can attend agricultural trainings, access land for personal gardening and farming, and create self-directed projects that benefit the program. Interns are not paid, however, hours and schedules are flexible. Interns can apply for a semester, the summer, or a year. College or university credit can be provided if requested.

Interns interested in the project can forward a resume and cover letter to New Lands Program Manager Shemariah Blum-Evitts at sblum-evitts@ascentria.org. For more information on the farm, visit www.newlandsfarm.org. For information on volunteering, contact Tower at stower@ascentria.org or call 787-0725.

Area residents interested in purchasing agricultural CSA shares that will provide produce for a family of two to four are available for $450. Shares will be available for pick-up on Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. on the farm at 334 Birnie Ave., beginning June 16 and continuing through Oct. 13. Shares will be full of diverse vegetables including tomatoes, carrots, squash, cucumbers, mustard greens, lettuce, snap beans and bell peppers.

Tower noted that a few “exotic” items such as mchicha, bitter eggplants and bottle gourds, each accompanied by a traditional ethnic recipe from the farmers’ home countries, is also offered.

For details on signing up for CSA shares, visit www.newlandsfarm.org.

In addition to selling CSA shares and selling produce at the farm stand, fruits and vegetables have been sold to the Springfield Go Fresh Mobile Market, Auntie Cathie’s Kitchen, and several local restaurants and stores.

Ascentria Care Alliance notes that between 1,500 and 2,000 new refugees arrive in Massachusetts each year from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. New Lands Farm is doing its part to help new American families in our area feel more at home and succeed in their communities through farming and gardening, according to Tower.