Except for a few surprisingly cold days that have popped up at random over the last few weeks, the winter of 2011-12 on Martha’s Vineyard has been remarkably mild.  So it doesn’t feel out of place that the FARM Institute will be starting its Little Farmers (ages 5-7) and Farmers in Training (ages 10+) programs this week.  Kids get to help out with age appropriate chores – not the boring stuff they are asked to help with around the house --  but  collecting eggs and working with the farm animals.  If the fun and enthusiasm they are experiencing rubs off, the whole family can get into the act starting on Sunday, February 5th--  children 10+ may be dropped off without a parent, but adults are encouraged to participate in projects that may include giving animals new bedding, moving & stacking hay, mucking stalls or moving livestock fencing.

Now when the Island is quiet is actually a wonderful time to make the FARM Institute’s acquaintance, if this is something you’ve overlooking doing so far.  The working farm is a great resource not only for Island raised produce, meats and poultry products,  it also has an active Community Garden program  that provides the opportunity to farm your own plot and raise your own vegetables.  Come July and August, the sweet smell of hay and the sight of the contented livestock  expresses the very essence of a summer.

This certainly seems to be the week for FARM and farm related events: on Friday, February 3 The FARM Institute & Morning Glory farm present dinner and a movie 6-9 pm at the Morning Glory farm stand in Edgartown.   Chef Chris Fisher of Beetlebung Farm will be the man behind the stove serving up TFI and MoGlo meat from 6-7 pm. Hot drinks provided by Chilmark Coffee Co. A  screening of 'American Meat' directed by Graham Meriwether follows.  Film begins at 7 pm.  $5/individual, $10/family (food items are available a la carte). Get $1 off admission by bringing an item for the Island Food Pantry! 

But back to keeping the kids busy…besides the FARM Institute cabin-fevered kids can drop in at the West Tisbury library on Saturday, Feb. 4 for crafts, focusing this week on…you guessed it…Valentines cards fashioned from buttons and eggshells. A few days earlier on February 2nd, Clifford the Big Red Dog pays a visit at 10:30 am.

Enjoy the Week Ahead

Share