Farm & Field
Although today’s is the last Farm and Field column for the year, the farming season is far from over. Fall brings fields full of squash and pumpkins, late summer corn, green and red tomatoes. Farm stands will stay open on through October and November. Come December, many Island farms will shut down and farmers will turn their attention to planning for the spring, summer and early fall crops.
The Sept. 15 sun went down in one blazing ball and after the last bit of color was gone, the crowds gathered on Lambert’s Cove Beach brushed the sand from their bottoms and turned around to go home. And then a brilliant harvest moon rose to rival the sunset.
If I were a tomato, I would want to be a porch tomato. It is a lesson which took only 15 months, about $50 and a bowl of bruschetta on a warm summer evening to learn.
Tomorrow, students at the Edgartown School will have a choice at lunchtime: chicken salad sandwich or peanut butter and jelly. And on Thursday, they will have another choice: tossed green salad or a salad of mozzarella cheese and tomato.
Chicken or peanut butter, tossed or tomato salad, may not seem like a weighty decision, but for Edgartown students the choice will also be an opportunity to choose locally-grown, fresh food over a meal made from imported ingredients.
Whilst August yet wears her golden crown,
Ripening fields lush — bright with promise;
Summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing
Her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn.
— Michelle L. Thieme, August’s Crown
On Saturday morning, a group of parents, instructors and friends stood on the grounds of Crow Hollow Farm in West Tisbury and watched as 40 young riders, dressed in their very best, trotted horses and jumped them in the outdoor ring. The 20 rolling acres of surrounding farmland glowed in the August morning light.