Late Summer Photos
/
A Poem: Mushroom Thanks
/As Cobb Hill Mushrooms looks forward to this year’s season, we share a poem we received from a CSA member at the end of 2020’s season.
from Judith, Sept 2020
Mushroom Thanks
On summer Thursdays, right at noon
My mind must turn to fine mushrooms
And even if this rhyme's quite lame
I'm full of thoughts whence they came.
Small parasols with curving stems
Bode well for meals that start or end
With soup, duxelles, an omelette.
Shrooms grilled, chopped, or a tartelette.
You've worked so hard to bring them forth:
Log lugging, soaking, spores - take time;
And emails so we'll not forget
To claim our share and cook a treat.
We thank you for delivering
Shiitakes from the end of Spring
To almost Fall, when weather cools
And mushrooms lapse while winter rules.
Hope you can now relax a bit
As we take pickups off our list.
Where Are They Now?
/Cobb Hill is 20 years old this year and one of the things that means is that a whole generation of kids grew up here! Where are they now? I recently got in touch with three of them that just happen to take spectacular photos and chronicle what they’re up to on Instagram.
Instapics from former Hillers:
Gretta graduated from UVM, moved to Montana, helps her boyfriend with The Ugly Onion wood-fired pizza, and tutors kids with dyslexia. She is loving the mountains, sun, and huge fields with lots of cows.
Paul lives and works in Massachusetts as a software engineer and enjoys backpacking and photography.
Jenna has settled nearby in Vermont. She is building a homestead, creative marketing business, and writes, plays, and records music.
The Donella Meadows Quest
/
by Sandy
Cobb Hill now has its very own Valley Quest - the Donella Meadows Quest!
You may be wondering - what is a Valley Quest? Well, the Valley Quest Program is a 25 year old program of the non-profit Vital Communities that offers over 160 Quests throughout the Upper Valley. These Quests are opportunities to bring us into special places, may they be historical, environmental, or cultural gems of our region. Following educational clues, you will learn about the place you are in and you will find a treasure box at the end. You can collect stamp impressions from the unique hand carved stamps in each box and sign-in to the log books you find in the boxes. All the Quests are found on the Vital Communities website.
The Donella Meadows Quest, one of the Quests featured in this year's Climate Connections Super Quest, starts at the kiosk in front of the farm stand. It takes you by the welcome garden, to the greenhouse and market gardens. Then back by the barn and up to our public walking trail that takes you to Dana's bench at the top of one of our pastures before coming back down to find the treasure box. On the way you will learn about the many ways Cobb Hill is using practices and technologies that help the residents live lightly on the planet, emit less carbon, and adapt to climate change.
Donella Meadows was the visionary who brought Cobb Hill to life and her writings are highlighted throughout the Quest. She was one of the pioneering system thinkers, an author, and a climate activist. Her book, Limits to Growth, has inspired millions and is still used in universities today.
So check out the Donella Meadows Quest here and a Questing you will go!
Early Spring Artwork
/Stephen Leslie, long-time community member and owner of Cedar Mountain Farm with his wife, Kerry, shared some of his recent drawings. Many of the colored pencil artworks are inspired by our land.
Stephen says, “I have always loved to write and draw. I went to art school and I am a painter. I’m attracted to the artisanal quality of scale of the farming we do. It’s an aesthetically pleasing place to be in: a healthy, functioning landscape with beauty. Farming is not so far removed from art.”
“Lull Brook” and “Sugar Brook,” Stephen Leslie
“Hemlock Sunset” and “Sumner Falls,” Stephen Leslie
Is Community Living Right for You?
/Unsurprisingly, we've received a lot of inquiries from curious folks in the past year. Having been isolated due to the pandemic, people from all over are reaching out, seeking more rural living and more connection and community.
What does it mean to live in a cohousing or intentional community?
Well, it means a lot of things, and means different things to different people! Here on the Hill and at many other intentional communities nation- and worldwide, it might mean:
Receiving multiple offers when you put out a request to borrow something, even if it is the most obscure item
Doing any number of kind favors for your neighbors
Disagreeing over the right way to handle pandemic precautions (and any number of other things)
Honing and using your best communication skills...or sometimes your worst, and regretting it later
Cooking a community meal or organizing a BBQ
Being part of resolved or unresolved conflict and tension
Finding "your people" with shared interests, values, vision, goals, hobbies, and making life-long friends
Using consensus decision-making and coming together on a final decision everyone can get behind after lots of discussion in a long meeting with fellow community members
Organizing a community celebration of some kind (holiday cookie swap, karaoke, birthday party, for example)
Being part of a committee working toward shared goals
Bringing all of your baggage with you, for better or worse (it doesn't just go away)
Playing various community roles in addition to your day job and household needs
Learning new skills and maybe stretching outside of your comfort zone
Taking on too much because you want to be involved with everything or you have a problem saying "no" or you feel obligated
Facilitating a difficult discussion with support from others
Stepping up to do something because no one else is doing it
Realizing that life doesn't slow down here, it's just busy in different ways than you may be used to
Leaning in because this place is only as good as we all make it
Trusting that the agreed upon process benefits the greater good
Working to change a policy that isn't working or writing a proposal to introduce a new project
Keeping a growth mindset
Learning how to live lighter together on the earth
Thinking about community living and want to learn more? We are part of a larger movement.
"People choose to join intentional community for many reasons – better quality of life, sense of purpose, connection with people, opportunities to make a difference. The process starts with learning as much as you can about communal living and the various kinds of community models." (ic.org)
The Foundation for Intentional Community website is a wealth of information. It includes a directory of hundreds of communities, newsletter, blog articles, and more. If this type of living is a new concept to you, we encourage you to do your own reading and research!
CohoUS, the Cohousing Association of the United States, is also a wealth of information, with a directory, eNews, articles, videos, and a listserve.
Check out the Communities magazine, too!
It's Mud Season, y'all!
/It’s that season between winter and spring - usually March…and April. And it usually coincides with sugaring.
Like stick season follows foliage season in the fall, when the leaves have fallen and the trees are bare, but before skiing season (i.e. before any snow has fallen) - generally November. There are many seasons in Vermont :)
Two Views
/Which backyard view do you like best? Snowy tracks or grazing sheep?
Wildlife Brush Pile Creation
/Project on January 16, 2021
by Bill, photos by Sarah
During work day last month, four folks built a wildlife habitat structure. They started by getting the material – felling and bucking up a weevilled-pine tree in pasture to give more light to shaded-out apple trees (above).
Operating the skidder to get the material to the construction site. Design engineer starts building the habitat. Log crib begins to form interior. Brush pile is tied into existing fallen tree, which adds diversity to this habitat.
After the crib was built, other features were added to enhance habitat complexity, reinforce stability & increase “live-ability” (e.g., logs piled on side at angles and old wool for nesting, insulation, flooring).
We stock piled branches during the tree felling process, which were added for the habitat roof – wind/rain protection weather, insulation, and hiding cover.
The completed wildlife brush pile is about 6-7 ft tall & 15-18 ft in diameter. Located along edge of field, forest, and wetland/stream to provide opportunities for food, water & foraging. Now open for business! Plus, three happy apple trees have more light and we’ve increased the field area.
More info on brush piles for wildlife habitat here (Natural Resources Conservation District).
Vermont Hot Chocolate Week
/It’s Vermont Hot Chocolate Week! Perfect for a snow day at Cobb Hill.
Meet “Whipped Cream” and “Coco” with Maeve!
The Great Cobb Hill Baking Show
/Is there a way to have your cake and eat it too? How do we bring people together for three fun days during a pandemic? Can you bake over Zoom? While dancing and singing?
From January 16-18, 2021, Cobb Hill took inspiration from The Great British Baking Show and ran a baking contest for adults and families. We followed the format of the Great British Baking Show: Day One, The Signature Bake (pies - sweet or savory); Day Two, The Technical Challenge (Paul Hollywood's Fruit Turnovers); and Day Three, The Showstopper (a layer cake with a social justice theme in honor of MLK Day and current events).
Nine households baked and two judges ("Rollin Pein" and "Stella Rose") carefully sampled their creations and declared the winners of the Star Baker Awards. We met over Zoom at 8:45 AM for the kickoff (jokes, instructions, advice) and bakers had from 9 - noon to complete each bake. Baking happened in individual kitchens. We had a grand time while the bakers were hard at work, with three MC's asking questions and encouraging contestants to sing, dance, and share stories.
The Technical Challenge recipe was tested and adapted for U.S. cooks by judge Rollin Pein and the contestants were provided with the recipe (abbreviated for all adult teams) and all ingredients. It was the first time most households had made a rough puff pastry, and all were successful. The bakers surprised themselves and impressed the judges!
The finished baked goods were brought to an outdoor table where the judges examined and cut into them. Observations were made, taste samples taken and prizes awarded. The contestants produced the most delicious, beautiful and creative result all three days – quite worthy of the TV show! They really outdid themselves on the third day, however. Showstoppers featured a tempered chocolate bridge, a stash of hidden treasure, up to seven different layers, and hand carved decorations. Exhausted and sweet tooth satisfied, everyone hung up their aprons and dreamed of ... perhaps an annual bake show?
“My cake is rainbow, and imperfect - like people!” -Kai
"My heart shines and my face smiles when I think of all the incredible joy and connection that emerged from this event! I am filled with immense gratitude for Lorie, who created this activity and all the other community members who joined the effort. Loved cooking with my 19 year old son and his girlfriend! First bake, pure fun and excitement! Second bake for us was tense and down to the wire, as we had to temper chocolate for our chocolate bridge." -Karyn
Stay tuned for the film of the whole event!
CMF Instagram Photos
/Some Cedar Mountain Farm favorites below. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for farm highlights.
