11/22/2025
As the seasons change and the Earth breathes in, here at the farm we're embracing the thoughtful, reflective time of year. Moving into the future, Phoenix has begun to incorporate wild-foraged plants into our repertoire. We have plans to add items like silverberry jam, tea blends made from mullein, goldenrod, staghorn sumac, raspberry leaf, and other medicinal/nutritious plants that grow wild in the meadows here at the orchard. We will plant new fruit trees in the spirit of "re-wilding" - embracing the natural defenses of the apple tree with a long-term vision in mind by using varieties that more closely resemble the wild apple and planting them alongside other plant companions, the way they would grow in a wild environment. This will improve their success in a pesticide-free system such as ours.
As these musings come to mind during , we feel moved to honor the fact that these ideas are based largely in Indigenous science. As such, we want to honor the people who have taken care of this land for millennia. That's why we support the campaign to return Lampson Brook Farm in Belchertown to the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band.
For thousands of years, the Nipmuc people have cared for our local lands. With the state seeking new owners for Lampson Brook Farm, Belchertown could be the site of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band is ready to step in as caretakers of this historic farm—not just for ownership, but for renewal, responsibility, and true relationship with the land.
We invite you to join us in our support of Nipmuc stewardship of Lampson Brook Farm. Visit https://www.lampsonbrook-landback.org/ to learn more, sign the petition, and sign up to stay in the loop about this campaign.
Looking forward to celebrating the bounty of the Earth with you all next season! in the meantime, let's all have a sweet and cozy winter🍎🍇🍑