Bardwell Farm
  • 49 Main
    • FAQ
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Wholesale
    • Produce Weekly+
  • Employment

Homegrown News Blog

SINCE 1685

2020 Year in Review

12/22/2020

0 Comments

 
I know we say this every year, but 2020 certainly was "the year" to remember in so many ways. It had its challenges for sure, but so many great things as well. Here are some of our favorite moments!
Spoke at several farming engagements!
The start to our new greenhouse this year!
MaterMacc going to work!
My father built us this awesome greenhouse bench!
First spinach harvest of 2020!
Our Online Farm Store pickup porch kicked into high gear early spring!
First tomato sprouts in the new greenhouse!
First flowers on the stand!
As COVID19 ramped up Paula provided the crew masks!
First asparagus customers of 2020!
Heirloom tomatoes in high tunnel 2!
First early spring winter greens harvesting in high tunnel 1!
Renovating space to have our first manned farm stand!
Extreme no-till field corn into rye cover crop!
New cooler up and running and filled with fresh veggies this spring!
Our new installed irrigation pump to supply water for the greenhouses!
Thank you to my father for the many hours and time into constructing our new irrigation pump and storage building for the farm!
Thank you to the Grinspoon Foundation for the Local Farm Award and the opportunity to purchase our Paperpot Transplanter
Trialing microgreens!
The new tent arrives to begin our expansion!
​​Our awesome 2020 field crew getting it done in the rainy kale field!
The tent expansion becomes a reality!
Trialing winter greens!
When the Heirloom tomatoes start rolling in this summer! Our largest harvest was over 600lbs in one day!
​​Ohhh the lovely smell of fresh sweetcorn in the middle of July!
CSA crew 2020!
Many thanks came in for keeping our customers safe!
Beautiful skies in late summer as we were getting our fall seeded crops in the ground!
Probably one of the best years for tomato production! What a crazy season! 2000lb hauls almost every other week!
Brought our first cow to market!
Our Farmstand was a huge success and thank you to everyone who was able to be a part of it, hope to see you all next year!
An amazing thank you, to all of our essential farm workers!
When the farmstand crew comes out to play in the pumpkins and get a taste of the field life!
Construction of our new pump-house and toolshed well underway in time for winter!
Awesome 2020 garlic harvest!
The feeling of FINALLY having fresh carrots on the farm after a grueling summer of drought!
High Tunnel 1 filled with winter greens for peoples plates all winter long! First time going year-round!
Farm stand setup during Pumpkin Days!
Our first ever labels came in this year to begin advertising our products!
Garlic planting 2020, first crops in the ground for the 2021 season!
First snow on the fall/winter spinach!
So proud to bring our raw honey to market!
Our new addition to the family, overwintering onions! Coming to the farm stand early summer 2021!
Our first winter Saturday Walk-In Mini-Market!
The start to our winter season! Online ordering and mini markets with fresh goodies all winter long!
0 Comments

2019 Projects Year in Review

12/28/2019

0 Comments

 
We decided to make a seperate blog about all of the projects that were completed and continue to go on here at the farm. I really can't believe all of the work we have done. A BIG thank you to my father, friends and others who have made these improvements possible.

We arranged all of pictures below in chronological order from the start of the season to the present.

​Scroll down to see how far we have come! 
Picture
Installing electrical conduit in HT1
Picture
Organizing pipes for HT2 and finishing ground leveling
Picture
Ground has been leveled and piping and bows starting to get installed for HT2 and GH1
Picture
Starting end wall construction on HT2 and digging the roadway for all the greenhouses
Picture
More road construction and getting ready to put fill in
Picture
Digging trenches for water pipes for all greenhouse 5' down
Picture
Materials for HT2 and GH1, endwall and plastic
Picture
The endwalls are underway
Picture
Digging test well points for our irrigation system to ensure good water flow
Picture
HT2 is ready for plastic, an exciting moment in August
Picture
Installing electrical conduit for all 3 structures
Picture
The main lead for electricity to all structures
Picture
Three well points going in for 3 greenhouses
Picture
These are precast hictical pears that we are putting in for the "Tool Shed" for the irrigation pump and electrical panel
Picture
Mixing and poring concrete for new foundations under the back barns
Picture
Plastic going on HT2, thank you to the crew who came to help! Today would also be the storm of the season...we are lucky the plastic was still intact!
Picture
More digging? Yes! This is a drainage system for the back of the farm so things stay a little drier!
Picture
New catch basin to keep water flowing in the right direction
Picture
Terminating our first cover crop and now are seeding in some new crops to continue building the soil heath
Picture
Spencer and Collin my wonderful brothers helping digging out old foundations on the barn
Picture
Mix mix mix, new foundations for the barn, she shouldn't go anywhere now!
Picture
Concrete board going in to keep barn protected from erosion
Picture
Finally that time, bows for GH1 are under way
Picture
More layout for barn additions and improvements!
Picture
Building our new tool shed space
Picture
Malanowski Farm dropping fill for the new addition
Picture
Greenhouse construction continues! Cross bows going up!
Picture
The new road, looks great!
Picture
We took a speedy turn to finish the metal structure of the GH, next-up frame work for the endwalls
Picture
Polycarbonate goes on GH1, so close now
Picture
One side complete, on to the next!
Picture
My father and I contemplating the next step on the roof vent for GH1
Picture
We finally have plastic coverings on all greenhouse structures
Picture
Digging trenches for the GH propane heating system

​To be continued...
0 Comments

2019 Year in Review

12/17/2019

0 Comments

 
It has been a year to remember! 

As we settle down after a very long and eventful season we took a moment to reflect on all the fun and good times we had. 

Here are some of our favorite moments of 2019!

March

March started with a decent snow cover and our high tunnel was all about growth. We focused on getting seeds organized to begin planting and we filled the high tunnel with early starts. We also received new tools like harvest crates and bins. Senator Jo Comerford stopped by for a short visit and discuss farm issues we were facing and how she may be able to help. We hope to see her more next season! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

April

April was a wet one! We were still recovering from last year and we were well underway with high tunnel crops and even had plows in the soil. We were busy burning the asparagus field and getting the first seeded crops in. We also played with our custom built germination chamber and the farmstand opened early with flowers!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

May

May was a busy month! The harvest began while we were in full planting mode! In between the madness we were busy cultivating the first plantings of brassicas and laying plastic for long season crops. The soil was finally workable after the wet spring we had and we were bustling now. We really started to get our feet wet with our new MaterMacc planter as well!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

June

We participated in our first event of the year, the Asparagus Fest in Hadley! This was also the first month of the CSA farm share 2019 program. We continued planting away by hand and testing the new no-till planter. We had plenty of field work staking tomatoes and pulling garlic scapes.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

July

July was garlic month! Harvest, cure, harvest, cure! Our high tunnel tomatoes were growing as tall as Navi and we were super busy trellising. We had the first field tomatoes in the area and the winter squash was looking fantastic. We had a fun farm visit with the Hatfield Recreation Camp too!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

August

August sure threw us a curveball, we started the month with the biggest storm of the season. Heavy rains, wind, and hail destroyed acres of tobacco, leafy greens and other crops. It was also one of the busiest harvest months of the year. Sweetcorn, cucumbers and tomatoes were abundant! We said goodbye to our amazing summer crew as they prepared for a new school year. We tried new exciting things like cover crop no-till drilling, planting our first round of spinach and having our first ever tomato tasting. There were many late nights in the moonlight washing tomatoes and some of the crew went "tomato blind", long story :) 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

September 

September sure felt like fall! The overwintering onions started to pop in the high tunnel and our first setting of spinach looked absolutely amazing. The stand was packed to the gills and the new greenhouse frame started to emerge. We were still full steam ahead harvesting tomatoes and squash by the truckloads. The month flew by, with lots to do! 14 hours a day, 7 days a week! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

October

October blessed us with more pumpkins than we could imagine! The harvest was in full swing and we kept the stand stocked and overflowing. We introduced many fall greens that people had been looking forward to. We had a visit from the second grade class and preschoolers from the Hatfield Elementary School. They learned lots about farming, planting seeds, and the value of a dollar. We finished our last week of CSA farm share and it felt bittersweet. Navi and I attended the CISA fall gathering to have some fun with local farmers and celebrate the amazing season we had. The Malanowski boys helped us donate and decorate Smith Academy for Homecoming.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

November 

November was another busy month, when we are usually slowing down, we were full steam ahead! We started the month off with planting the overwintering onions along with the 2020 garlic crop. We had the largest spinach harvest of the season right before the cold snap. We helped out Malanowski Farm with their tobacco and in return they helped us install plastic on the new greenhouse. We rounded out the month with a mini vacation to celebrate the incredible season we had!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
We want to thank you for another amazing season, we feel blessed with the support you show us year after year. Without you, it wouldn't have been possible.

Season 2020 will be bigger and better than the last, stay tuned for all things Bardwell Farm :)

From myself and the crew, Happy Holidays!
0 Comments

Year in Review: The Best of 2017

12/29/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
First smiles of the 2017 season getting one of our first products out. It was a happy day to officially start the new season!
We might be a dysfunctional group sometimes but I couldn't think of a better way to spend some of my days this year working with some close Stockbridge friends!
Picture
Rebranding my business really made this season fun and exciting! Big thanks to my marketing guy and his business Rocket Strategies for making all this happen!
Being out on the tractor in the fresh summer air is my happy place. Turning over the field for the new season, planting the seeds, and watching the plants thrive, there's nothing better! 
Hard work really paid off this year. Seeing all of the beautiful vegetables harvested, one after another coming out of the fields brought endless smiles to my face!
Picture
"Trevor who are you calling?"..."the gourd goblin, hehe!"... shenanigans were a must on a weekly basis, many many laughs out in the field! 
Famers help farmers. Friends help friends. Couldn't ask for better! Love making memories with the people who have your back no matter what. 
Picture
Having Congressman Jim McGovern, along with many state agriculture and local farming representatives come tour my farm this past summer was a huge milestone for me. It gave me enormous satisfaction that they were excited to see what I was doing and offer resources to help our farm grow. It was an awesome day and I felt thankful we were chosen. Thank you again!
We took some big steps this year and ventured off the farm. Fun times at the Hatfield Harvest Festival and UMASS Farmers Market and they were a big success!
So many great connections, conversations, and memories. On top of it all our displays were kick-ass! Can't thank Rick and Kaitlyn for all their help with these events. 
Watching all of our produce going out on daily basis made me feel like I'm giving back, doing something for my community and helping others. I Wouldn't trade it for the world!
Picture
A biggggg shout out to my number one employee this season! I Wouldn't be where I am today without you. Countless hours out in the field with me. Countless hours of cleaning up after me and making this farm shine is all a big thanks to you. Your ideas, knowledge, and enthusiastic energy every day sure made working on the farm much more fun. You haven't been recognized nearly as much as you should have.
Picture
Also, a big thanks to my behind the scenes guy. I can't thank Rick enough for all the website editing, photo taking, and endless days of hard work to make our social media side of the farm shine! Not to mention all the hot days in the field and help with the farmstand when I couldn't be there. The days where you were ready to rip my head off because I was difficult... you're the best. You made this season that much better and was glad to share a piece of Bardwell Farm with you.  ​
Dad, your knowledge and experience when I was in a bind was always helpful! The times you came out to help without me even asking you were always appreciated even though I may not have shown it. I know you were super busy this past year and how much farming means to you. I cannot wait to get you more involved in the seasons to come. I love you.
I cant explain how awesome it is to wake up and go to sleep to the best sunrises and sunsets in the valley right here on the farm! ​
Picture
Its been a busy end of the year but we are glad to have so much progress on the new high tunnel. The snowfall has stumped work for the winter but we will be right back at it once the weather warms up. It'll be fully operational for the 2018 season!

Thank you everyone for sharing this amazing season with me. I couldn't have done it without the love, help and support from all my friends, family, and loyal customers.

Wishing you all a safe and happy new year!
Picture
1 Comment

    About

    ​Follow Bardwell Farm and all of our adventures here!


    Archives

    February 2023
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    December 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017


    Categories

    All
    5 Reasons
    Announcements
    Did You Know
    Education
    Gardening
    General
    Harry's Farm VLOG
    Kitchen
    Partnerships
    Recipes
    Tech
    Week In Pictures
    Who Knew?
    Wisdom
    Year In Review


    Gift Cards

    Give the gift of a CSA farm share or farmstand goods with gift certificate from Bardwell Farm!

    PURCHASE

    Newsletter

    Subscribe to Harry's Farmstand Monthly newsletter! 

    SUBSCRIBE


    RSS Feed

#BARDWELLFARM

LIKE & SHARE

DIRECTIONS

GOOGLE MAPS

SITE MAP

49 MAIN
GIFT CARDS
HOMEGROWN NEWS
ABOUT
CONTACT
​
NEWSLETTER
WHOLESALE
EMPLOYMENT
​FAQ
SEARCH

STAY CONNECTED

Picture
Picture
Picture

©2022 BARDWELL FARM, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
POWERED BY ROCKET
  • 49 Main
    • FAQ
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Wholesale
    • Produce Weekly+
  • Employment