Gardeners and Farmers Friends

04/29/2026

This is a quick reminder about the upcoming program on nutrient density in the food supply that the Westminster Agricultural Commission is hosting with Dan Kittredge from the Bionutrient Institute on the quality of our food supply to be held on May 3rd, 2:30-4:30pm at the Westminster Senior Center, West Main Street.

I know some of you have let me know you’re coming but a reminder for all seemed in order!

But what is it all about? Nutrient Density in our food supply!!

Many of us think that there’s a difference in quality between different food sources – but could we prove it? Dan has spent the last 8 years working with a team to work out some of those details. They started with beef, moved on to vegetables and grains and are continuing on. One of the things they have clarified is that both quality food and poor-quality food are found on farms that use every farming “dogma” available from conventional to organic, regenerative to permaculture and every variation in between. That’s what makes this information so incredibly interesting – and challenging! This kind of information cuts across all kinds of mental boundaries and opens up possibilities for more conversation and more action around quality food (plants AND animals), fiber and fodder production -all of the major pieces of our local farming scene.

Here is a link to an article published in the Journal Nature that outlines the protocols used and some of the results

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-52713-0.epdf?sharing_token=gxi_wHorytqVCfF8vneUUdRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0Pw52-uxf0pdDHhnWl4tKvy65tdqGqJgdThN0YNwWwR68KHMrNQgHC7FjYHcWPzendlHN0KA3uF1eV5lod1s6mTBygdXPNk1REXzQrH0vmzUmPLyKlTBBu06osPwC8kG2Y%3D

Here’s a link to some of the original work done on beef

https://www.bionutrientinstitute.org/beef

Does your food nourish you—
or just claim to?

Join us on May 3rd, 2:30 - 4:30pm at the Westminster Senior Center to listen to Dan Kittredge from the Bionutrient Institute present the fascinating findings of the last 10 years of crop analysis.

Labels can say organic, natural, or fresh, but that doesn’t guarantee what your body is actually receiving. The truth is, much of our modern food looks alive but is nutritionally hollow—grown in depleted soil, bred for shelf life over substance. You can’t always see the difference, but you can taste it. And more importantly, your body can feel it.

That’s where the Bionutrient Food Association (BFA) and the Bionutrient Institute step in.

The BFA is building a new food culture rooted in nutrient density, soil health, and transparency. By supporting growers, educating consumers, and even developing tools to measure real nutritional value, BFA is helping you reconnect to what food is meant to be: nourishing, vital, and alive. Because it’s not just about what you eat—it’s about what that food was fed long before it reached your plate.

This is also a chance to get conversations started throughout our region on what it takes to manage productive land in North Central Massachusetts – in the Northern Worcester Hills. Together, we can all grow stronger – and grow better quality food.

Come for the information. Come for the conversation. Come to bring changes to your farm and your community.

Apply to become a partner and help define the nutrient variation in beef.

10/18/2024

Thanks for a Wonderful Season on the Hill


It’s our last market this season and we’ll be ending on a beautiful fall day. A great day to check in with all our vendors and pick up fresh vegetables and meats for the coming week and beyond. Don’t forget the crafts, jams, honey, dried flowers, creams and lotions both for gifts and to get through the dry winter season. John Sullivan will be providing the tunes.

We’d like thank our vendors, musicians and all the people who make the market and the events within the market happen each year, and without whom the market wouldn’t be possible. As important, however, a heartfelt thank you goes to you, the people who believe in the value of local food and local community and come together each week to support the goals of the farmers and other vendors who provide it. Local agriculture and local community are essential to the health of all of our local small towns. Westminster’s market reflects that, and your support is very much appreciated.

And a “heads up” to enjoy all the activities in Westminster on Saturday - Westminster Cracker Festival, Attic Book Sale at the Forbush Library and the Circle of Artists Annual Art Show at the Congregational Church. You’ll find some of our vendors at the Cracker Festival as well -say HI!!! for us when you see them!

Join us tomorrow on the hill for a beautiful fall day!



The Westminster Agricultural Commission wishes you a happy and healthy holiday season and we’ll see you in the spring.


For the schedule of entertainers at the Market check out the Entertainment tab on our website. This entertainment is supported in part by a grant from the Westminster Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency and the generosity of The Normandin Group, LLC. We thank the Cultural Council and The Normandin Group for allowing us to add entertainment to our beautiful summer Friday afternoons. The entertainment is subject to change given weather conditions or unexpected scheduling conflicts.

10/11/2024

From our newsletter:
Don't miss out....two markets remain

Hey!! We’re down to the last two markets of the 2022 season! It seems like it was only yesterday that we were opening up the market for the year… Time flies… Nate Grigos will be bring the Gazebo to life tomorrow.

This means that NOW is the time to start stocking up on all of the treats you’re taking for granted – like pepper jellies, granola, honey and maple syrup, greeting cards for all occasions, frozen pasta, quirky gifts (have you seen the really nifty mushroom earings??), and much, much more. Think of the storage vegetables that are available – like winter squash, potatoes, beets (and all of them make a great backbone for soup). And then the wonderful apples of all kinds (Empire apples are just now ripe – the BEST!). Take the time to dry some of your favorite ones and you’ll have a delightfully sweet and totally good for you snack for sometime in February. Apples are one of the easiest of fruits to dehydrate – they never (almost never) go wrong. And a simple dehydrator is all you need to make it happen….

And – since we brought up winter storage soups – here’s a classic butternut squash soup that uses maple syrup as a key flavor accent - so helpful that maple syrup is at the market! But don’t be held back by this recipe – butternut squash soup is an infinitely adaptable soup and can go in so many directions! Let your own imagination out for a spin 😊

Westminster’s Crackerfest will be in full swing in downtown Westminster on Saturday 10:00-5:00pm. You’ll find some of your favorite vendors on the front lawn of the Westminster Library, corner of Bacon and Main – 10:00am to 2:00pm. Stop by as you head to or from the festival. The Circle of Artists Art Show will be at the American Legion, across from the Pharmacy. This is an exhibition for the members of the Circle of Artists as well as local artists and high school students to display their work. The talent in town is amazing. The Westminster’s Historical Society building will also be open – check out what they have going on.

For the schedule of entertainers at the Market check out the Entertainment tab on our website. This entertainment is supported in part by a grant from the Westminster Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency and a grant from Workers Credit Union. We thank both organizations for allowing us to add entertainment to our beautiful summer Friday afternoons. The entertainment is subject to change given weather conditions or unexpected scheduling conflicts.

For more information on our vendors check out our website.

10/04/2024

The Westminster Farmer's Market is open today from 3 to 5:30. THere will be meat from Hubbard's Farm, apples from Pease Orchard, lots of veggies from Rock Harvest Farm, pepper jelly from Skip, embroidered towels and hats and Halloween crafts from Singing Valley, amazing greeting cards from Heart to Heart, flavorful spirits from Home Fruit Wine, honey and beeswax candles from BeeNice, smoothies from Rachel, eggs and bread from 5 Chicken Farm, lamb and yarn from Greenwood Hill, the most wonderful skin care creams and lotions and lip balm from Circle Life, pastries from Giacomo's, the best granola I've ever had from Blue Darner, and gingerbread and salsa kits from Sargent's Kitchen.

Believe it or not, we only have 3 more markets left to the season (our last market is October 18). Stock up now on the season’s bounty so local eating is still part of your winter menus. And - it’s not too early to think about prepping some of those locally sourced hostess and holiday gifts–dried flower arrangements, jams, jellies, candles, breadboards, or a selection of soaps and lotions can make a good start towards a nifty looking gift or hostess basket.

John Bubello will be providing the music for us to enjoy. Always great to have tunes to listen to.

For the schedule of entertainers at the Market check out the Entertainment tab on our website. This entertainment is supported in part by a grant from the Westminster Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency and the generosity of The Normandin Group, LLC. We thank the Cultural Council and The Normandin Group for allowing us to add entertainment to our beautiful summer Friday afternoons. The entertainment is subject to change given weather conditions or unexpected scheduling conflicts.

10/02/2024

Autumn Leaves . . . it's that time of year

As we turn the calendar page to October, leaves in many parts of the country are starting to change or will be changing soon. Have you ever wondered “Why do the leaves change color?” . . . or have you ever wondered “Does precipitation play a role in leaf color?”

“The amount and brilliance of the colors that develop in any particular autumn season are related to weather conditions that occur before and during the time the chlorophyll in the leaves is dwindling,” says University of Kentucky agricultural meteorologist Tom Priddy. “Temperature and moisture are the main influences. …The countless combinations of these two highly variable factors assure that no two autumns can be exactly alike.”

And if you are just trying to find out where the leaves are turning during a certain week or in a certain place in the country, the Foliage Report Network: “The Foliage Network” keeps track of leaf colors in the midwestern and eastern half of the country and the US Forest Service keeps you advised on fall colors throughout the US at: “Fall Colors”.

For more info on the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events that are influenced by environmental changes, especially seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation driven by weather and climate, please visit the National Phenology Network Web site at: “National Phenology Network”.

09/27/2024

It’s Apple Time!!


THANK YOU! to The Circle of Artists, Reptile Shows of New England, DAWN, The Herbarium from Mt. Wachusett Community College, the Forbush Memorial Library and everyone else who made our Autumn Palette of Possibilities event a success despite the gloomy weather. Turns out that fairy houses are fun to make and that African bull frogs are BIG!!!

This week’s weather is forecasted to be sunny for the first time in a week, so we’ll see, but it will be dry and there will be plenty of vendors, both craft and produce for you to check out. Joe Reidy will be bringing his tunes to the Gazebo.

The end of September, unfortunately, means that we are closing in on the end of the growing season.

BUT!!!! That means that IT’S APPLE TIME…the time to check out the apple crop that’s coming in – all of the classics are available – like Macintosh, Honey Crisp, and Galas but there are other tastes as well - try out a variety that you don’t know…. Experiment!!! Our personal favorites are Empires and Cortlands – and we’ve rediscovered Northern Spys as a great cooking apple. Everyone loves pancakes so check out these Apple Cinnamon pancakes – a great way to introduce a fruit into a beloved staple breakfast food.

Believe it or not, we only have 4 more markets left to the season (our last market is October 18). Stock up now on the season’s bounty so local eating is still part of your winter menus. And - it’s not too early to think about prepping some of those locally sourced hostess and holiday gifts–dried flower arrangements, jams, jellies, candles, breadboards, or a selection of soaps and lotions can make a good start towards a nifty looking gift or hostess basket.


For the schedule of entertainers at the Market check out the Entertainment tab on our website. This entertainment is supported in part by a grant from the Westminster Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency and the generosity of The Normandin Group, LLC. We thank the Cultural Council and The Normandin Group for allowing us to add entertainment to our beautiful summer Friday afternoons. The entertainment is subject to change given weather conditions or unexpected scheduling conflicts.

09/20/2024

09/20/2024

Also how to make pink lemonade with local berries.

09/20/2024

Welcome In Fall on Friday and Join Us On The Hill for
AUTUMN’S PALETTE OF POSSIBILITIES!
September 20, 2024, 3:30-5:30pm
inside the regular market hours of 3:00-6:00pm


Ahhh, fall in New England, wouldn’t it make sense that after 28 days of sunshine and dry, we have clouds and possible rain on Friday? Yup – that’s the forecast but don’t let that stop you from coming out and enjoy the possibilities that fall brings. As usual, there’re all the meats, vegetables – including the winter squashes, that you could wish for along with jams, desserts, and premade meals. Don’t forget the skin care products and soaps, crafters as we’ve been told by folks in our world, the holidays are right around the corner. Bob Jordan will be providing the tunes.

But….let’s not forget that FALL is actually JUST BEGINNING so, let’s celebrate the arrival of the fall gardens as the trees burst in to a variety of colors. Speaking of variety, we thought we would capture of some the variety of fall with an eclectic fall mix of activities tomorrow at our Autumn Palette of Possibilities! event.

Look at this line up:

The region’s Circle of Artists will be joining us to showcase the colors of fall and the landscape. Some of their work will also be available for sale. They are amazing artists.

Reptile Shows of New England https://reptileshowsofnewengland.com is back by popular demand - We had a GREAT time last year!! Stop by to see if the giant turtle has escaped.

Westminster’s Forbush Library’s Children room will be visiting with books about fairy houses – and you’ll get a chance to build a (small!!) fairy house to take home.

Plainview Farm’s alpacas will be back – always a crowd pleaser

And then there’s the cabbage smashing – the precursor step to making sauerkraut – try your hand!

There will be more, but you’ll need to come to the market to find out!


For the schedule of entertainers at the Market check out the Entertainment tab on our website. This entertainment is supported in part by a grant from the Westminster Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency and the generosity of The Normandin Group, LLC. We thank the Cultural Council and The Normandin Group for allowing us to add entertainment to our beautiful summer Friday afternoons. The entertainment is subject to change given weather conditions or unexpected scheduling conflicts.