Meal-kit idea from Bardwell Farm Store

Recipe Serves 2 people

Ingredients
​
Hearty Vegetable Soup
1 Tbsp butter
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium potatoes, diced
¼ small head cabbage, shredded or chopped
3 cups chicken stock
2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
¾ tsp kosher salt (to start, adjust to taste)
¼ tsp black pepper

Classic Grilled Cheese
4 slices sourdough bread (2 sandwiches)
4 slices cheddar cheese
1½ Tbsp butter, softened (for grilling)

Warm Macoun Apples (Dessert)
2 Macoun apples, cored and sliced
½ Tbsp butter
Small pinch of salt

Method

1. Make the soup
In a medium pot over medium heat, melt 1 Tbsp butter. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook 6–8 minutes until soft and lightly golden.

Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add carrots and potatoes, stirring to coat.

Add cabbage, thyme, remaining salt, and pepper. Pour in 3 cups chicken stock, just enough to cover the vegetables.

Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat, and cook uncovered 25–30 minutes, until potatoes are tender and broth is rich. Remove thyme stems and adjust seasoning.

2. Grill the cheese
Butter one side of each slice of sourdough.
Layer cheddar slices between unbuttered sides and cook in a skillet over medium-low heat until bread is golden and cheese is melted. Slice in half.

3. Warm the apples
Melt ½ Tbsp butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add Macoun apples and a tiny pinch of salt. Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring gently, until just tender and glossy.

Serve hot bowls of vegetable soup with grilled cheese on the side for dipping. Finish with warm Macoun apples for a simple, naturally sweet dessert. Enjoy!

PHOTO CREDIT | Bardwell Farm

Bundle Up, Friends and Neighbors
Hey everyone, Farmer John here from Bardwell Farm. You know, every year about this time, we farmers get to squinting at the skies and poring over every weather prediction we can get our hands on. It's not just for our crops; it's for planning everything from when we bring in the last of the harvest to making sure our equipment is ready for the cold. And this year, well, let's say winter's got some interesting things in store for us here in the Northeast.

Now, I'm no fancy meteorologist with all the big words, but I can tell you what all the "science talk" means for us down on the farm, and for you, too!

So, What's the Scoop on Winter?
Basically, we're looking at a colder winter than we've seen in a while, and when it does decide to snow, it could really come down.

Here's why, in plain ol' weather talk:

1. The Pacific Ocean is Playing it Cool (That's "La Niña")
Imagine a huge swimming pool way out in the Pacific Ocean. Normally, that water is pretty warm. But this year, that big pool is getting colder than usual. Folks call that "La Niña."

Why does that matter to us in Hatfield, Massachusetts? Well, that cold water way out there actually messes with the big river of air that flows high above us, what the weather folks call the "jet stream." It's like that cold spot gives the jet stream a big nudge, pushing it further south than it usually goes over our country.

The result? That jet stream becomes a superhighway for cold air. It just funnels freezing air straight down from Canada and the North Pole right to our doorstep. So, expect to really feel that chill in your bones this winter!

2. The North Pole's Cold Air is Getting Jumpy ("Wobbly Polar Vortex")
Way up north, at the actual North Pole, there's a huge, swirling mass of super-cold air. Think of it like a big, invisible lid on a pot, keeping all that freezing air trapped up north. That's the Polar Vortex.

This year, this "lid" is looking a bit wobbly and unstable. When that happens, chunks of that super-cold, Arctic air can break off and come wandering south, right into our region.

The result? This is what brings us those really sharp, sudden cold snaps that make you want to stay indoors by the fire with a warm cup of cider. We might see a few more of those this winter!

3. When it Snows, it'll Really Snow (Even if we don't get a ton of storms)
Now, you might hear some folks say we won't get more storms than usual. But here's the kicker: because of all that cold air we just talked about, when a storm does come through, it's almost guaranteed to be cold enough for snow.

The result? So, even if the total number of storms isn't record-breaking, the storms we do get are very likely to dump a good amount of the white stuff. Get those shovels ready, and maybe think about investing in a good snowblower if you haven't already.

The information for the weather forecast was gathered from a number of resources, including: The Farmers' Almanac, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, USDA Agricultural Weather Highlights

Farmer Harrison Bardwell, right, speaks to U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, front left, other state officials, and members from the United States Department of Agriculture and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources during a visit to Bardwell Farm, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Hatfield. Staff Photo/Daniel Jacobi II

McGovern’s Annual Tour Highlights Need for Support
This week, Bardwell Farm had the honor of hosting Congressman Jim McGovern during his 15th annual farm tour through the region. He was joined by state officials from USDA and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, and together we walked the fields, stepped inside the high tunnels, and talked about the challenges and opportunities that farms like ours face every single day.

A Look Inside the High Tunnels
We showed Congressman McGovern our two 200-foot high tunnels where bell peppers and tomatoes were growing strong - a full month ahead of the outdoor field season. These tunnels help us achieve our dream of becoming a “365 farm,” with fresh greens available even through the winter.

But as we explained during the tour, this year hasn’t been easy. Weather extremes, market swings, and political uncertainty have made 2025 one of our most challenging seasons since we started in 2016. To keep moving forward, we need three more high tunnels to help stabilize production and meet the growing demand for local produce year-round.

Concerns About Federal Program Cuts
The conversation turned serious when we talked about losing federal funding in programs like LFPA (Local Food Purchase Assistance) and Farm to School. These initiatives are critical for connecting local farms to schools, hospitals, and food pantries - and when the funding goes away, so does a reliable market for what we grow.

We also discussed cuts to SNAP and the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which make it more difficult for families to afford fresh food. These programs don’t just help farms - they strengthen entire communities by making sure everyone can put healthy meals on the table.

Stanley Zalewski picks a ripe bundle of romaine lettuce at the Wellspring Harvest greenhouse in Springfield, Massachusetts | Alexi Cohan  GBH News

Massachusetts farmers scrambling to sell crops after USDA funding cuts leave them without a buyer
Alexi Cohan | GBH News

May 01, 2025 On a humid April afternoon at Wellspring Harvest in Springfield, Stanley Zalewski is in the midst of a rapid search for a backup plan to sell countless heads of lettuce and basil plants.

He doesn’t have a buyer for much of the upcoming summer harvest, as he was expecting.

This season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut $1 billion in two federal grant programs that had helped schools and food hubs pay for locally produced food. That’s left Massachusetts farmers scrambling in an already difficult-to-sustain industry — while the schools, food hubs, food pantries and food banks who got those grants grapple with an unifiable gap in fresh, local food.... read more

Protesters stood outside of Hadley's Town Hall on March 23 to speak out against federal funding cuts impacting local farms. JOHN GOVE

John Gove is a family farmer and environmental journalist in Leominster.

No federal grants spells bad news for the Mass. local food ecosystem
Funding cuts are taking money out of farmers’ pockets and food out
of hungry mouths.
By John Gove Updated April 23, 2025, 3:00 a.m.

Sunny afternoons in the spring mean New England farmers are tending to their
greenhouses, working with livestock, or pruning their fruit trees in preparation for the upcoming growing season. Protesting usually doesn’t make the list of chores.

In late March, several hundred farmers, their supporters, and legislators gathered at
the Town Hall in Hadley to voice their frustration with cuts made by the Department
of Government Efficiency to federal programs that provide grants to farmers...

​Read full article

Harvest Cash Cash Open Enrollment Link:
www.bardwellfarm.com/hcc.html

​About Bardwell Farm:

Bardwell Farm is a 50 acre diversified vegetable farm settled in Hatfield, Massachusetts growing over 50 varieties of crops in some of the richest silt loams along the Connecticut River. Established in 1685, we are proud to cultivate the finest produce and serve the Pioneer Valley through our roadside farm stand and wholesale distribution services.

Contact:

Rick Labrecque | Sales & Marketing Manager
ricklabrecque@bardwellfarm.com
(413) 800-5583

Social Media:

YouTube > www.youtube.com/@bardwellfarm1685 
Facebook > www.facebook.com/bardwellfarm
Instagram > www.instagram.com/bardwellfarm
Threads > www.threads.net/@bardwellfarm
Bluesky > https://bsky.app/profile/bardwellfarm.bsky.social

Photo Bardwell Farm | Katie Degnan 

I want to extend my deepest gratitude for the opportunity to speak at the Hadley Farm Rally. It was truly inspiring to stand alongside so many passionate advocates for our local food system, especially in light of the devastating federal funding cuts.

The USDA's decision to cancel the Local Food for Schools and the LFPA (Local Food Purchase Assistance Program) is a direct assault on the resilience of our communities. It will have a profound impact on our children, our farmers, and our local economy for a very long time.

A big thank you to Kerry Taylor, your leadership is truly remarkable. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to this cause.

Kristen Wilmer, Stephen Taranto, and Claire Morenon of CISA, thank you for your guidance, support, and dedication to our farming community.

It was an honor to share the stage with all of you. Each of your stories resonated deeply and highlighted the urgent need to address these cuts. The impact extends far beyond spreadsheets; they affect real people, real families, and real communities.

For the folks who weren't there, the rally was an attempt to communicate the tangible losses our local farms, schools, food pantrys will be facing. The $12.2 million in Massachusetts alone, is not just a number; it represents lost opportunities for our children to access healthy, locally sourced food, and a severe blow to the livelihoods of farmers.

The impact will ripple through our communities. Schools will struggle to afford healthy food, local food hubs will face financial strain, and farmers will be left with unsold produce and unfinished projects. The domino effect is undeniable, and the consequences will be felt by us all.

Thank you again for providing a platform to address these critical issues. I am committed to continuing this fight alongside all of you.

Remember, our unity is our strength.

Harrison Bardwell
​

Video Bardwell Farm | Katie Degnan

Related:

• Local farmers lose USDA resources as federal cuts continue - Concord Bridge
  
• Valley farmers sound off over ag cuts at ‘Attack on Small Farms’ rally - Gazette
• ‘Cut hay, not USDA’: Mass. farmers rally in Hadley - Commonwealth Beacon
• Death by a thousand cuts - The Boston Globe​

​

Seedlings grow in starter trays at Urban Edge Farm in Cranston, R.I. The incubator farm, operated by Southside Community Land Trust, provides small farmers with access to land, greenhouses, and equipment. While farmers can continue growing, recent USDA cuts eliminating nearly $3 million from local food programs will significantly reduce market opportunities
ERIN CLARK/GLOBE STAFF

The smash-and-grabbers who now run the country will destroy it with
their indiscriminate federal funding cuts. Here’s the damage one cut,
among the thousands, can do.
By Yvonne Abraham Globe Columnist, Updated March 15, 2025, 2:00 p.m.
​
The federal government was doing something smart, wonderful, and cost-effective for kids, small farmers, and the wider economy in Massachusetts...