June is Dairy Month.  Let's Celebrate Mansfield's Mountain Dairy!

Mansfield is proud to be home to one of the state's premier dairy farms, Mountain Dairy. We've captured this video to share just what an amazing agricultural business and asset this farm is to our community: https://www.facebook.com/tasteofmansfield/

The Stearns Family has farmed this property for ten generations--nearly two and a half centuries!  Today Mountain Dairy has grown to approximately 1,000 acres of farm land to grow feed for its hungry herd of dairy cows.  The family still owns and operates 100% of all the land, most of it preserved so it will remain as farmland forever, plus the dairy plant that bottles the milk.  This is an agricultural and business tradition of which we should all be very proud!  (To the right is their historic truck which appeared in Mansfield's Memorial Day parade.)

Milk contains protein and calcium that builds strong bones and muscles, plus a long list of important vitamins and minerals we all need: Phosphorus, Vitamins A, D and B12, Potassium and Riboflavin.  So look for Mountain Dairy milk at your local stores.  Lift a glass to toast this amazing source of local food, and to the farmers who bring it to us every day!

And in the fall, watch for details about a tour at Mountain Dairy for the Last Green Valley's Walktober co-hosted by the Mansfield Agriculture Committee, Mansfield Parks & Recreation and Mountain Dairy. 

It’s Time to Pick, Enjoy—and Preserve—Fresh Strawberries

“They’re not in season right now,” is a phrase no one wants to hear when craving the sweetness and freshness of a berry in the middle of winter. On the bright side, if you act on it right now, there are several ways to enjoy our favorite native-grown berries all  year round!  The benefits to shopping for fruit at a local farm don’t end with a level of freshness we won’t get anywhere else — our purchases will also be helping to support the farms in our area. Many of these farms allow us to pick your own berries and enjoy the experience with our friends or family. So remember: the only way to get farm-to-table freshness is from farm-to table products!

There are farms in and around Mansfield that offer fresh berries at peak ripeness. There are many benefits to shopping for fruit at a local farmers' market or farm stand.  You can also find fresh berries in season at the Storrs Farmers Market every Saturday afternoon on the Town Hall lawn.  In addition to a level of freshness you won’t get anywhere else, you will also be helping to support local farms, and you may be able to enjoy picking your own berries and making memories with friends or family. Be sure to contact the farms for information on availability.

Once you bring your farm-grown berries home there are a few great ways to preserve them to make them last longer. One of the best ways is to freeze them. To accomplish this, rinse them thoroughly. Next, make sure they are FULLY dried with a towel. Once dried, place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet, then spread out the berries individually to ensure they are not touching one another. Place the juicy berries in the freezer overnight to ensure that they will not be frozen together. Take them out the next morning and place them into plastic bags, removing as much air as possible. This process can help berries last up to six months in a normal freezer, and a year in a deep freezer. 

There are many ways to turn your berries into different forms of treats to enjoy. Some common ones include: dehydrated berries, jams, fruit spreads, and fruit leather. Here is a recipe to try for Mixed Berry Jam by Alison Roman of The New York Times (2022)

Photo by Alexis Meehan.  Article submitted by Trinity Jones, Sophomore, Edwin O. Smith High School Agri-Science Program, Plant Science 

Mansfield Farms to Families Offers Fresh, Local Produce and Farm Products. Distributions Started this Week!  You Can Still Apply!

The Mansfield Farms to Families Program is still accepting applications for households interested in signing up for distributions of local food products and fresh produce throughout the coming growing season. Learn more and find the application through Mansfield's Human Services Department's website. 

The Storrs Farmers Market Brings Fresh, Local Produce and Fun to Downtown Storrs Every Saturday

Storrs Farmers Market has returned to the lawn at Town Hall!   Join your friends and favorite farmers every Saturday from 3 to 5 PM.  The summer produce is beginning to roll in--fresh greens, early crops like peas, broccoli and swiss chard, native strawberries, carrots, plus meats, eggs, cheese and other great surprises.  Watch their Facebook page for new product offerings, plus guest vendors featured on the first Saturday of each month.  See you there!

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