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SPRING 2009 NEWSLETTER
As a newcomer to “farming”, I am just
coming to realize what an emotional time Spring must
always be for farmers. And why so many farmers are
people of great faith.
There is excitement,
hope, and promise in the air: budding life, strong
sunshine, and a new season with the potential to
work hard and reap great rewards. For us, this year
brings a new (old but rebuilt and donated) tractor,
a new greenhouse, a new children’s and neighborhood
garden area, new volunteers and programs, a
caretaker to soon occupy the farmhouse, and so much
more.
But we, like all farms
and farmers, face many financial needs and
pressures in the beginning of the growing season
while we wait for the time of harvest. Thus evolved
the infamous bank loans and promissory notes that
often drove family farmers deeply into debt, and the
very creative new farming model, the CSA (community
supported agriculture) farm where many families
purchase shares up front and share the rewards and
the perils of harvest and nature along with the
farmer.
Our shared journey on
this “holy ground” is just over two years old now.
It would not be this far along without the deep,
abiding faith and tireless giving nature of my
co-director Anne (with the strong support of her
family) and the continuing support of so many
neighbors, churches, and businesses, and not least,
the blessing of the Bethel20AME church.
It seems like so little
to just say thank you. Instead, my wish for you all
is that this farm, a gift across time and
generations from Mr. Alfred Hobbs, can take up a
special place in your heart and bring you as much
true joy and comfort as it has for me.
Peace, love, and
vegetables,
Tom
Don’t miss the
SECOND ANNUAL SPRING FESTIVAL
-
Sat. MAY 9th Noon-5pm
(Rain date May 10th)
Our major Spring Community event-
Food, vendors, music, crafts, hayrides, animals,
tours of our new greenhouse, children’s garden and
community garden and much more.
Volunteers needed and welcome
two festival planning meetings are scheduled for
Wednesday, April 15th 7pm at the
farmhouse
Wednesday, April 29th 7pm at the
farmhouse
For information, call Mary Lewis - 738-8283
SPRING VOLUNTEER HOURS
Beginning April 28th
Day Time
Tuesdays-Saturdays 10am-5pm
Evenings Tuesdays,
Thursdays 5pm-8pm
For information, call Anne - 774-1556
FARM
STAND HOURS
Fresh produce will be available during
certain hours at the farm stand on Washington Avenue
this year, 3-4 days per week. Start date will be
some time in June.
SPRING CASH FLOW - SEED MONEY NEEDED NOW
Sadly, it is No Surprise: The food pantries
we supplied last year are reporting demands for
assistance like never before.
We grew a lot of very healthy and very much
appreciated food last year for their clients on only
two acres. Our goal is to double that and more this
year. We have new volunteers, new equipment, and
a20new determination to do all that we can to help
our neighbors in Brookhaven Town.
We are not a family farm, nor a CSA that
can raise money by selling shares. So we are trying
new ways to increase our spring cash flow. If all of
our “friends” participate at a level comfortable to
them, we can make great strides in helping out
neighbors and making this second season our
“breakout” year for Hobbs Farm where we really
fulfill the vision of becoming a community farm and
a major source of hope and sustenance for the needy
in our area.
FRIENDS OF THE FARM MEMBERSHIPS FOR 2009
Please join or renew your membership.
Family memberships for $25.00 include a certificate
and Five Hobbs Bucks, as well as special volunteer
privileges.
HOBBS BUCKS
We hope you will buy, and help us to
sell, Hobbs Bucks. The $5 bills (sold for $5) are
redeemable throughout the season for Hobbs farm
produce, merchandise, event fees, etc. When you
sell (or give as a gift) Hobbs Bucks to your friends
and neighbors, you also increase the n umber of
visitors to the farm.
SEED MONEY
You too can be (almost) like a banker
from the old time movies. Hobbs Community Farm will
accept seasonal loans and/or donations from anyone
who supports our vision and work.
Please make checks payable to:
Bethel AME Church/ Hobbs Farm Account
Checks can be brought to the farm or mailed to:
Hobbs Farm Friends - 161 Chestnut Street, Mount
Sinai, NY 11766
Thank You
( a very incomplete list)
To the students and teachers from Oxhead
Road Elementary’s Fourth Grade who are planting and
learning on the farm every Friday this Spring.
To Elizabeth Takajian who has taken
charge of the Community and children’s garden area
with assistance from Bob Becherer and landscape
designer Iman Marghoob.
To Mary Lewis, Maryanne Degenhart , and
Christine Macari who are heading up the committee
that plans various festivals and events.
To Steve and Don Jimenez for their
donation of time and materials to construct our
greenhouse.
To Ruppert and Regina Hopkins ,
founders of the Ripple of Hope food security
project in Guatemala for the donation of our marvelous
rebuilt 1948 Ford 8n tractor.
To Amanda Jollon for bringing the idea
of an Easter Egg Hunt to us, and helping to organize
our first event.
And So Many More!!!!!!!! God Bless you all!
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THE FRIENDS OF HOBBS FARM
Membership Drive for 2009.
Membership fees are modest and
designed to help create a long-term, sustainable,
community-based financial foundation for the
future.
Your membership enables us to:
a) provide a regular financial
base of support for the substantial overhead costs
of maintaining a farm
and education center open
to the public. (insurance, water, electric,
maintenance, etc)
b) develop a number of member
only benefits.
c) monitor volunteer activities
on the property.
(Only
members can be permitted to participate in volunteer
activities for liability reasons. )
d) provide documentation of
strong community support as we seek outside funding
sources.
***** Membership includes Five
dollars worth of Hobbs Bucks for purchase of Hobbs
Farm Products
Individual memberships $20 *
Family memberships $25 *
Student membership $10 *
Business membership $40
***** Financial difficulties will not
exclude anyone from membership.
PLEASE JOIN US AND HELP US BY RECRUITING ADDITIONAL
MEMBERS !!!
Or call: 219-0783 928-4317
Please make tax deductible checks
payable to: Bethel AME Church/ Hobbs Farm
Account
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YES! WE SUPPORT
THE HOBBS FARM VISION
We have enclosed a
donation of
____________
for a_________________ membership In “Friends of the
Farm” for
2009.
Name
(s)________________________________________________________________
date __________
Address_______________________________________________________________________________
e-mail
contact____________________________________
phone(s) _____________________________
We understand that in order to
participate in volunteer activities on the farm,
We will be required to sign an
insurance release
SIGNATURE_____________________________________
Mailing address Friends of Hobbs Farm c/o
Lyon
161 Chestnut
Street, Mount Sinai, NY 11766
