Newsletter — September 24, 2020

Aurelia’s Garden is a Massachusetts Public Charity

Only a few short weeks ago, Aurelia’s Garden became a registered Massachusetts Public Charity. We are very proud that the Commonwealth’s Attorney General’s Office granted us this respected status. Most importantly, this means we are now free to raise funds to support our mission of building an inclusive and passionate community of dedicated volunteers who will sustainably grow vegetables to feed local people in need. Anyone wishing to donate can do so at our website.

Fundraising

Since being granted public charity status, we have filed a grant application with the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program announced by Governor Charlie Baker in May of this year. If funded, we will be able to purchase a BCS Model 739PS walk-behind tractor. We have several more grant applications in process for funds we would use to improve our Wayland farm infrastructure. In November, we will be launching our first Annual Appeal.

Last but not least, Kathy Martin held a Facebook fundraiser last month benefiting Aurelia’s Garden to which several of you donated, raising $900! Thank you!

Our Harvests

As of this newsletter, we have provided nearly 650 pounds of fresh produce to Open Table, and we expect to at least double this amount by the end of the growing season. Being our first year and breaking ground late in the season, we take pride in this accomplishment and its positive impact on addressing local food insecurity. We are planning many improvements and farm additions this winter and have set the goal of delivering 20,000 pounds of produce to Open Table next year! Harvest has been lusciously abundant in Wayland and Medway! Our crops of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, okra, peppers, chard, onions!, potatoes, cucumbers, green beans, peas, beets, broccoli, cabbage, basil, lettuce, radishes, parsley, celery, cucumbers, melons, and winter squash have been flowing for weeks now to Open Table, Many Hands Food Pantry, and Medway Village Food Pantry. We also experimented with seed-saving from an heirloom flour corn.



We are looking forward to starting some winter seedlings soon in our newly renovated hoop house (thanks again to Kathy and her husband) with clean out of junk left by the previous tenants, new doors, improved framing, and flexible sides that roll up as needed to keep it cool in summer and warm in the cooler months. Unfortunately, we already experienced our first frost, three weeks earlier than the average date.


Protecting crops from frost in Wayland

Busy Time in Medway

Aurelia’s Garden continues to lead the charge at the Medway Community Farm food pantry garden that we manage. Harvests are still coming in as our cold-hardy crops are thriving with Autumn’s chill! Fall is certainly here and winter is fast approaching and we plan to spend the next few weeks pecking away at tasks to get the space whipped into shape for it’s winter slumber. We could really use some extra muscle as tasks will include shoveling, wheel-barreling and raking, as well as pulling out spent plants and infrastructure such as stakes and trellises. Please visit our Medway SUG and join us on Fridays between 10am and 2pm through Columbus Day.

Valued Volunteer of Summer 2020



We want to highlight the wonderful work Carrie Wager has been doing for many, many hours all summer at our Wayland field. Carrie has also recently stepped in to help Aurelia’s Garden with fundraising, newsletter creation, graphic design, and future social media involvement. Carrie brings her energy, ideas, and sparkling personality to everything she does. Thank you, Carrie!

Fall Gardening Hours Begin this Week

Our volunteer session starting time is changing this week! Sessions will run from 10am-2pm, with shorter time slots from 10am-noon and noon-2pm. We hope to see you then! Sign up here for Medway or Wayland.

Virtual Annual Meeting

We’ll be holding our Virtual Annual Meeting on October 29, 2020 at 6pm. We are very excited that Hannah Traggis, our Chief Agriculture Officer, will present to you on what we have accomplished in 6 very full months and our goals for the coming year. We’d love to see you there! Stay tuned for meeting details soon.

Find Out More

Copyright © 2020 Aurelia’s Garden, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Aurelia’s Garden
54 Bridge St
Medfield, MA 02052-1568