It’s Full-Swing Farming In Hardwick Once Again!
by Mary Ward
If it seems like there’s been an explosion of farming activity (and tractors) in Hardwick lately, that’s because there has been!
Since the early spring and into the summer peak, Hardwick’s farms have been a hive of activity.
(Speaking of, the hives at area apiaries including Briar Ridge Farm on Ridge Road really are buzzing. Welcome Guild Members and relative newcomers to town, the Culross family!)
From fruits and vegetables and perennial crops to planting, haying, and livestock, farming is in full swing in Hardwick and the surrounding communities. We’re seeing consistent fruits, vegetables, and berries with solid livestock crops, hay, and more coming off the fields and farms.
What’s going on on the farms of Hardwick?
Where can you find local hay and livestock feed?
And where are the best places to find the best quality, healthiest local (untraveled) foods for you and your family?
Here’s our summer list of all things food and farming in Hardwick: Mid-Summer Edition!
Hey! They’re All Haying!
Good ground moisture, spring growth, and finally a balance of days with and without rain have let the area’s farmers get on the hay fields slightly ahead of schedule.
This is good news for horse and livestock owners as stocks were getting low in supply, especially for dry hay bales.
Looking for local hay in Hardwick? Here are some farmers to contact:
- Clover Hill Farm (also selling custom grinds of livestock grain for most types of farm animals including chickens and poultry, pigs, and cows)
- Hanson & Roberts Farm
- Korzec’s Farm
- Crossroad Farms
Have You Seen that Fabulous Field of Flowers at Lone Birch Blossoms?
Lone Birch Blossoms at Clover Hill Farm is bursting with blooms! The selection and the colors are nothing short of amazing.
The cut-your-own flower field is now open weekly. Stop in, spend some time, smell the flowers, and enjoy the butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
Two sizes of containers are available, starting at just $20. There are also picnic tables if you want to bring a lunch or a snack to enjoy amongst the flowers.
Flower Field Hours for 2024 are:
- Friday 10-2
- Saturday 9-2
- Sunday 9-2
- Address: 1805 Lower Road, Hardwick, MA
You can also find bouquets for sale at the Clover Hill Farm Store. Special orders are always welcome, along with LOCAL flowers for weddings, events, and more.
Hardwick Farmers’ Market, Sundays on the Hardwick Common
The Hardwick Farmers’ Market started up again in June. It is open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Father’s Day through October.
Along with fresh local farm fare, there are crafts, baked goods, and much more. It’s also a place to gather and enjoy some music and relaxation – be sure to check it out!
Follow along and find updates and posts from the Farmers’ Market here:
- https://hardwickfarmersmarket.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/p/Hardwick-Farmers-Market-100057821012806/
Hardwick’s Got the Best for Burgers and Grill Meats (And More)
Hardwick is historically known for its grasslands and pastures, which means it has always been a great place to raise livestock, including grass-raised and pastured beef, pork, poultry, and more.
The burgers and grill meats of Hardwick can’t be beat!
Looking for local? Try these farms:
Burgers without cheese? Not a thing.
Top off those burgers with some of the finest cheese from Round Table Farm, located on Jackson Road. They’ve got an on-site farm store open seven days a week. In it they carry a variety of specialty products that pair perfectly on a cheese plate or charcuterie board, along with farm-fresh eggs and more.
If you’re really lucky, you’ll get a glimpse of some rollicking little baby goats – yes! (Goat kids at play are the cutest!) Goat Cheese coming soon!!
Wine: Cheese’s perfect partner.
Speaking of perfect pairings, don’t forget about the wide and growing selection of unique wines from Hardwick Winery.
John and company have released a new wine this spring called “Lavender Lookout”. It’s light and floral, slightly sweet and is excellent chilled for a relaxing evening glass out on the deck.
Fresh Veggies for Sale!
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the boon of summer. We’re lucky our town has so much to offer.
Find area vendors selling on the common at the Sunday Farmers’ markets, along with numerous large and small roadside stands.
Still Life Farm is ready and waiting to fill your needs. Contact them for pickup orders and also check out their seasonal CSA’s.
Don’t Forget Dessert!
Did you know? There are at least three locations in town where you can buy local Massachusetts-produced ice cream (yes, I’m counting!).
- Old Furnace General Store carries Mapleline Ice Cream
- Hardwick Farmer’s Co-Op carries Barts
- Four Acre Farm carries Flayvors of Cook Farm
The local toppings can’t be beat, either – vanilla ice cream and Maple Syrup from Hardwick Sugar Shack? Yes, please!
A “Boatload of Berries” Says Halley Stillman
You may have noticed that any perennial plants (ornamental or edible) have exploded with blooms and blossoms this year. And that means, as Halley Stillman says, “a boatload of berries”!
Berries of all sorts are in abundance this year. Now’s the time to buy some to enjoy fresh, and put in a bulk order for preserving, jams, jellies, and more.
For the kids
Try making some easy but kid-approved fruit leathers (aka fruit roll-ups) with local raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and more as the fruits and berries come rolling in.
Berries freeze well, too, so stock up and put some away to enjoy later in the year. Berries of all sorts are one of the easiest things you can freeze. Just clean, drain, dry, bag and pop in the freezer for future smoothies, baked goods, desserts, cobblers, shortcakes, and more!
Still Life Farm and others will have berries now through fall frosts, but do get them while the getting is good!
Through the end of July we can expect currants and gooseberries along with summer raspberries and black raspberries.
Blueberries are bursting and there will be blackberries from August through the fall frost, and even fall crops of raspberries starting in mid-August and continuing until frost.
If we’re lucky and frost comes late like it has been, we could be in berries from now until October!
An Exciting New Shopping Option is Coming to Town!
You may have noticed something new popping up in the north part of Gilbertville. That red rustic building on the right up the road from Cumberland’s?
It’s a new local farm store coming to town!
Chestnut Farms is building a farm store that will feature their high-quality Hardwick meats but will also be a collective of all area farm products from a variety of area farms. All area farms are welcome to contact Chestnut Farms to see where your products can fit in.
This store is being curated as a local community and farm-to-table resource to bring more of what is grown right here to the people who live here and in surrounding communities; a way for all of us to more easily access the excellence and abundance of our local farms on a regular basis. HIP and EBT will be accepted.
This is exciting stuff! Stay tuned for more and a future featured post as we follow their progress toward opening!
Hadwick Fair is Less than a Month Away – And the Farmer’s Guild Burger Bash!
It’s very quickly nearing that time – time for the Hardwick Fair!
Mark your calendars for Friday, Augst 16th and Saturday, August 17th.
In the meantime, check out the Hardwick Fair website for a list of events. See the program and start planning, crafting, and building your fair submissions!
There will be the usual display of farm and garden, agricultural, home arts, baked goods and more.
2023 Burger Bash was a Huge Hit – and a Sellout!
Get your 2024 tickets now!
YES! The Hardwick Farmer’s Guild will be throwing our Burger Bash again Saturday evening following the fair.
Tickets are on sale now!
We sold out last year, so don’t wait – buy now and get your pick of seating time (we will be serving in three seatings so we can feed even more of you this year!).
Connect with your friends, plan your evening and buy a block so you can all dine together as you wrap up what is always an enjoyable and fun-filled weekend of community, friends, and family, and old home days.
2024 Farmer's Guild Membership Drive in Full Swing
Are you a farm owner in Hardwick?
Want to connect with other farmers in town?
We are 17 farm members and growing! Contact Us to learn about networking, resources, farm directory listings, advertising and social media, and get support from new and experienced area farmers.
Together we can continue to connect the community to its agricultural roots and keep farming relevant and moving forward.
Our Mission:
“To protect, pursue, and encourage the sustainability and advancement of the agricultural endeavors of Hardwick, MA and its surrounding communities.”
*To locate these and other member farms and learn more about what they offer (and where you can buy it), check out our Members Page.