Notes From the Field
Read on to discover what we’ve been up to at Growing to Give.
Theda’s Farm Report – 7/23/2021
BUGS! Our days begin with what we call bug patrol. Trying to rid our plants of cucumber beetles and various beetles is a daily activity. We have found that a very long pair of tweezers to get into the bright yellow blossoms and rid them of the cucumber beetles work best. Making duct tape bracelets is a great way to collect the amber eggs of squash ... Click to read more.
Theda’s Farm Report – 7/12/2021
After being gone for 10 days, I was eager to see what impact 3 inches of rain had on the farm. I was most interested in what we could start to harvest. We are starting to see some new vegetables enter our harvest schedule. Our first peppers, cucumbers and scallions are now being donated. Just a few for now, but basket loads in the not ... Click to read more.
Carrie’s Farm Report – 7/7/2021
This week we (Carrie, plus Bowdoin interns Paul, Grace, Tucker and WWOOFERs Nathan and Nathaniel) held down the fort while Theda was away in Wisconsin. The heat wave certainly made things challenging, but thanks to John--who came to the rescue with every irrigation blowout--we were able to keep the fields watered before we finally had rain later in the week. The crops seem to be ... Click to read more.
Theda’s Farm Report – 5/28/2021
Some new vegetables went into our donation boxes this week: purple top turnips and zucchini. Hopefully there will be lots and lots of zucchini. I say hopefully, because last year's crop got hit with the squash vine borer and cut short our harvest. We grew more of the Costata Romanesco variety, to combat the borer, and we love the taste of it. Here is a portrait of ... Click to read more.
In the News
Local organizations step up to help feed people in need during pandemic
“Growing to Give, a farm-based nonprofit in Brunswick, is ramping up production to help feed more people, while local farms and the Brunswick Topsham Land Trust are distributing seedlings to help people grow their own food.” (read more)
Maine Voices: Hungry Mainers need help from Washington to feed their families by John Newlin
“We need Sen. Collins to push the Republican majority to increase SNAP benefits in the next COVID bill. This is not a time to let perfect be the enemy of the legislative good. This is a time to feed Americans in need.” (read more)
Children, Bowdoin students and community members joined in solidarity protest for climate
“John Newlin, co-founder of Growing to Give, a local farm-based program dedicated to reducing food insecurity through climate-friendly farming, said that with the right practices, agriculture would not simply become a smaller part of the problem, but a part of the solution. He encouraged those gathered to shop and eat locally, but more importantly, to “use your voice and vote.”” (read more)
Students ‘growing, giving and learning’ in new farm-based program
“Organizers say the program will teach students about local solutions to hunger, healthy food, and climate-friendly agriculture.” (read more)
Brunswick farm looks to expand, marks 30k in vegetable donations
“In gifting half a ton of organic vegetables to 15 area food access organizations earlier this month, Growing to Give surpassed the 30,000-pound mark in total donations since 2017.” (read more)
Spotlight: Theda Lyden (Merrymeeting Food Council Summer 2019 Newsletter)
A fun interview with Theda Leyden, Growing to Give’s Farm Manager, that features her work, her thoughts on the local and regional food system, and what one of her favorite summer meals is. (read more)
Brunswick group grows fresh produce for food banks by Steve Minich (WMTW, 7/26/19)
Steve Minich of Channel 8 in Portland (WMTW) honored Growing to Give as a “group” Community Champion on Friday, July 26, 2019! Watch the video. (Note: The lead-in is missing from the video: “It’s an organization out of Brunswick – called Growing to Give…”)
Brunswick farm fights food insecurity with Growing to Give by Elizabeth Clemente (The Forecaster, 6/8/18)
“It’s easy to miss Scatter Good Farm while driving along the winding East Coxon Road. But a food bank at the farm is attracting attention for helping several organizations fight food insecurity in Maine.” (read more)
Update: 17,000 lbs. were grown and donated in 2018, but the goal for 2019 has been revised to 18,000 lbs. The tentative goal for 2020 is 25,000 lbs.
“Growing to Give” by David Treadwell (The Times Record, 6/8/18)
“Great things can happen when good friends with big hearts and fine minds have a good idea. Growing to Give stands as a shining example.” (read more)
Article featuring Growing to Give volunteer Robin Knight (L.L.Bean intranet, October 2018)
Newsletters
Spring 2021 Newsletter
The growing season has begun and we have a goal of producing 24,000 lbs of produce for neighbors in need this year! Read more about what's happening at Growing to Give here.
Newsletter – Fall 2020
Let's celebrate the 2020 growing season together! Read our fall newsletter here.
Newsletter – Summer/Fall 2019
Check out our most recent newsletter to take a journey through the growing season this year. The newsletter is rich with photos, Farm Reports, gratitude, and updates. To read it, click here.
Newsletter – Spring 2019
Growing to Give's spring newsletter includes: an Update from Patty a Farm Report a Funder Highlight a Call for Volunteers and more! To read the newsletter, click here.