You may have noticed that it’s been quite rainy over the past few weeks, and that’s actually a good thing. After a mild winter with little to no snow, we were still facing drought conditions, so this recent rain has been a much-needed boost as we continue planting in the fields.
According to Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper, the drought status for MA changed on May 20th. She “declared the Connecticut River Valley, Western and Northeast Regions have been downgraded to Level 0-Normal Conditions, joining the Central Region. Recent rain has improved streamflow and reduced fire risk across the state. However, drought conditions continue to affect groundwater levels, which typically take longer to recover. Although some regions have recovered at the regional scale, there may be localized deficits in a few areas that will take more time for full recovery. Recent rains have provided relief, but more precipitation is still needed to restore water systems and groundwater levels.”
As we continue to monitor rainfall to make sure our plants get enough as they grow, we are thrilled to announce that we officially have power to our well!
We turned it on last Friday and watched as cool, clean water came up from 20 feet below. It’s been a long time coming and we couldn’t be happier or more grateful for all the help we’ve gotten over the last 2 years. We want to specifically thank our neighbor and CSA member, Al Hamilton, for his help installing the solar powered pump. His guidance, advice, and hours of work have finally paid off! None of this would be possible without him. And soon, a representative from the National Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) will visit the farm once we’ve finished with the final touches and then will release the funds we were awarded to pay for the well and pump.
This is a truly momentous occasion for the farm as we reduce our reliance on city water and enter a new era of sustainability at Stearns Farm.
