Westport
in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Quick
Article Index . . .
Westport's poor farm is rich in heritage, and harvest.
|
Westport's poor farm is rich in heritage,
and harvest. EverythingWestport.com Saturday, October 15, 2011 . Click here to view the
hi-resolution photo album. Need
Adobe Flash to view album? Click here! 51
photos.
And
the day's weather was Currier and Ives perfection. "It
was our best growing season to date," Steve Connors, Farm Manager said. "By
increasing our garden area and installing a new fence to keep out unwelcome herbivores,
we were able to raise over 3300 pounds of vegetables." Most
of that bounty was donated to the Westport Senior Center's food pantry. “The
Youth Corps students really enjoyed bringing the bushels of food to the
Senior Center each week, and seeing how much their efforts were valued and
appreciated,” Connors said. On
Saturday, October 15th, hundreds dropped by to paint pumpkins, join a
scavenger hunt, shop an opulent fall farmers' market, interact with goats,
cows and alpacas from nearby farms, and get back to nature, if only for one
day. The
October 15 event featured food, music, family fun, and a farmers’ market. The
public was invited to join in the celebration, with local food, music, family
activities and a one-day farmers market featuring Westport area farmers. Youngsters
had the opportunity to paint pumpkins, join a scavenger hunt, and interact
with goats, cows and alpacas from nearby farms. Guests were encouraged to
tour the historic buildings, stroll the scenic grounds and enjoy the ambiance
of one of Westport’s most beautiful places.
Public
donations of non-perishable food items for the Council On Aging’s
Food For Friends food pantry were gladly accepted at the Harvest Festival. This
year The Trustees expanded its efforts to provide thousands of pounds of
fresh produce to the Westport Council on Aging and its weekly food pantry
program. According
to Jennifer Dubois of The Trustees of Reservations, "The Trustees’
efforts included expanding its youth program to focus on agriculture. Each
season, the Trustees hire area teens for their environmental work program,
and this year a crew of five young people was assigned to the emerging
agriculture program taking shape in the South Coast Region." "The
students learned about growing and harvesting sustainably grown vegetables
and shared their knowledge and produce with the community at a weekly Farmers
Market in Fall River."
The Westport Poor Farm has a new life as
the Westport Town Farm. Whether
you appreciate the property for its spectacular views of the Westport River,
the historic farm buildings and their significant role in the town’s cultural
history, or its re-emerging role as a community farm, a visit to the Westport
Town Farm reveals it as one of our region’s most special places. Acquired
by the town of Westport in 1824 for use as an almshouse or “poor farm,” the
farm provided sustenance for the needy for over a century. In addition to its
scenic character and ecological significance, what is unusual about the farm
is its longevity. It appears to be one of the last remaining poor farms in
the Commonwealth that is still owned by a municipality and utilized for
agricultural purposes. The Trustees have partnered with the Town of Westport
to ensure the Farm’s revitalization and stewardship as a community resource. “We
are delighted to be working with the Town to revitalize and steward the Town
Farm for the community’s benefit. Between the community gardens, expanded
educational programs, beautiful scenic landscapes and passive recreation
opportunities, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Town Farm,”
Dubois said.
© 2011 Community Events of Westport. All rights
reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
