For several years, Taft Farms has been freezing our famous sweet corn for all to enjoy throughout the off-season.
        Our frozen corn is unlike any other corn on the market. Everyone who tries it says it's just as sweet and tender as it was in the summer. Most other frozen corn tastes like something the cows refused.
         The idea had its genesis in the nature of the marketing season here in the Northeast. Under normal circumstances, best corn of the season comes in August. By that time, markets are flooded with local products and prices are depressed. As a result, the best corn of the season was sometimes plowed back into the soil. This made no sense at all. So the idea of freezing it was born.
        Unfortunately, the methods used, cutting the corn off the cob with a knife and spooning the kernels into bags, was so labor-intensive that despite our best efforts, we could not put enough in the freezer to last beyond Thanksgiving.
         Problem solved... this year, we're purchasing specially made processing equipment, to add some much-needed efficiency to the operation. We are hoping to put up 100,000 pounds of frozen corn, enough to supply our customers throughout the off-season.

     Humming Birds and Butterflies, migrating to a garden near you!   Why not plant some of their favorites, like Salvias, Bee Balms, Columbines and Lobelias.  For close encounters try hanging one of our lush Fuchsia baskets.  No humming bird can resist their many pendulous flowers full of nectar.
        Another nectar lover you may want to attract to your garden is the butterfly.  They are not as fussy feeders as hummingbirds are.  They will feed on just about any species that is in the Daisy (composite) family.  However, planting a bed of colorful Zinnias and Coneflowers will assure you regular visits.

       The promotional group “Berkshire Grown” has been encouraging local restaurants and institutions to purchase locally produced farm products.  Their efforts have paid off handsomely for Taft Farms.
        Demand from Red Lion Inn, Wheatleigh, Seven Hills, and others has pushed production upwards dramatically.  Instead of growing a crop and wondering how we would be able to find a buyer, we find ourselves in the position of finding a way to produce enough to meet the demand.  This is especially difficult in view of the tight labor scene in the South County.  If anyone would like some full or part-time work for the season, please contact us.

         When a warm summer weather arrives, mealtime often means picnics.
      From sandwiches to box launches, to elegant, Tanglewood picnic fare, we are ready to meet your need as.
       We will gladly back you a lunch with your choice from a wide selection of made-while-you-wait sandwiches or call ahead your sandwich order. Pick up a take-out menu, next time you're at the farm.
       We always have freshly prepared salads, hot and cold soups, homemade prepared foods and other delights.
       Every Friday is pizza day at the farm. Our homemade, whole wheat pizza dough is made from our home, whole wheat flour. The wheat is grown and freshly milled here on the form. Each crust is hand-rolled to perfection.
       All the pizza toppings are fresh -- no sauce. Pizza is sold whole or by the slice. If it isn't Friday, look for our pizza in the freezer.

        Last fall we were approached by THE WEATHER CHANNEL to give permission for them to film the fall display in front of our farm market.  Of course, we said “YES” and our farm became the focus of their cameras for one day.  With the enormous display of corn stalks and straw bales covered with piles of gourds, pumpkins and squashes of all colors, size and shape, it made a wonderful display indeed.  So, look for a familiar sight when you check the weather on TV in the fall.
                Another day last fall we were honored when a crew from MARTHA STEWART LIVING stopped by the farm.  They explained that we were recommended by the folks at THE NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM who said they could find the best homemade pumpkin pies around the Berkshires here.  Martha T. was asked to let the camera crew film one of them tasting a piece of her homemade pumpkin pie.  After the look of shock disappeared from her face, she said “YES”, of course.  More film was shot of the pumpkin display in front of the market with Martha T. explaining which pumpkin and squash varieties are best to use for pies.

       As many of you already know, Taft Farms has developed its own strain of butternut squash.  Some years ago, during a drought year, we were harvesting a particularly dry field.  One plant in the driest part of the field was thriving beyond belief.  It had over 18 squash of good size on just one plant!
        We felt we had something special here, drought resistance at least, but didn’t realize until later that it also contained a double sugar gene – that is it is at least twice as sweet as the standard types.  This past year, we also found it appears to have complete tolerance to powdery mildew and other diseases which can be devastating to any cucurbit.  On top of all this, if it isn’t enough, our yield was 40% greater than with any other variety tested under similar conditions.  WOW!!
        As with our special pumpkins, we feel there is still more work to be done before we can even think of releasing the strain from mass production.  However, we are testing one special attribute.  Because of its amazing sweetness, it makes great snack food!   That’s right, squash as a snack!  Stay tuned – film at 11:00.

       As many of you know, the first of our baby chicks have already arrived here at our store.  All is going well so far, and we are looking forward to having a good year.  We have learned a few things in the years since we started raising chickens, and this year’s birds will benefit greatly from our experience.  Here is how some of these changes might affect you.
        The first thing we are changing is the amount of chickens raised for any given pen.  Our system of movable pens was originally designed to accommodate sixty-five to seventy-five birds per pen.   This year we will only be putting fifty birds in any given pen.  What this means is that there will be less competition in the pen for insects, grass, and forage stones.  The chickens will also have more room to exercise.  The birds will also stay cleaner and healthier.
      Please remember when placing your orders that because of the increased demand, there may not be as many available for walk-up sales.  Also if you plan on freezing some for the winter you may want to get an extra one each week because we may not have a lot of extra at any one given time.
        The second major change we will make is that the birds will no longer be kept on our Rye-Vetch grass field.  Although this crop was very good forage, we have something the chickens (and you) should like better.  As many of you know, last year we had a very good Oat crop.  But what many of you do not know is that along with the Oats we planted Ladino Clover.  This clover is extremely high in nitrogen, one of the things that makes our chickens taste so good.  It also grew in so thick that it choked out all of the weeds that once grew in the field.  We are sure that you will be able to notice how much better the chickens will taste.