Ample Harvest Grows Big in 2024

Ample Harvest West Milford reached several new milestones this year with more than 50% of gardeners at Apple Acres sharing their produce in the weekly harvests.  Some produce harvested included sweet small strawberries, literal buckets of beans and tomatoes, leafy greens, and the ever faithful zucchini.

Our second year at Wallisch Homestead resulted in a great variety and volume of donated produce. Some highlights at Wallisch included large leafy swiss chard, petite eggplants, tomatoes and piles of cucumber.

Finally, our presence at the West Milford Farmers Market brought in over $200, which we used to purchase fresh produce.

We’d also like to thank Courtney. Her outreach generated fresh egg donation through the Ample Harvest program for the first time this year

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Some Stats from 2024:

• Apple Acres yielded 262 pounds with 15 plots participating

• Wallisch Homestead yielded 180 pounds with 6 plots participating

• $272 cash donations used to purchase 129  pounds at West Milford Farmer’s Market

• 24 pounds dropped off at Farmer’s Market for donation

• 16 pounds fresh eggs sourced from Courtney’s outreach

• AND …. Jim’s potatoes are yet to be harvested

It Takes A Village

Behind the numbers are people helping their fellow neighbors.

Many, many thanks to: 

Barbara & Midsummer Farms for the donation of plants for the Ample Harvest plots.

Our community gardeners for sharing your produce:   Anne, Peggy, Jane, Sue L, Gail, Patrick, Tim, Dawn, Norma&Karl, Deb, Sue F, Steve, Gary, Mike, Courtney, Olive, Jim, Clara, Jessica.

Courtney, Jim and Jessica for maintaining the Wallisch Ample Harvest plot, and Courtney for your outreach and hosting the weekly donation at the West Milford Farmer’s Market.   

We would also like to thank Jim & Jessica for assisting, as well as Anne Thornton and Friends of Wallisch for sharing the gift of land.

WM Presbyterian Pantry

Collecting Donations at the WMFM

Happy Pantry Managers

2024-2025 Winter’s Farmers Market

NCWM Is excited to announce our very first monthly Winter Farmers Market.

Beginning Saturday, December 14th, find us INDOORS at the West Milford Presbyterian Church Meeting Hall (same location as our Wednesday market—enter from the parking lot). We’ll be there monthly onthe second Saturday morning of each month from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Same great vendors, same great prices—stock up on your favorite farmers market offerings to enjoy during the colder months.

Stop in to enjoy your favorite baked cookies and cakes, breads, pastries, pies, and quiches. Craving fresh produce and pantry staples? You will also find hothouse lettuce and tomatoes, root vegetables, meats, milk, and eggs. We’ve got you covered with fresh and frozen empanadas, as well as pickles, olives, relish and peppers, soups, healthy salads, muffins and more.

Winter MARKET Dates  (mark your calendar!)

• Saturday, December 14, 2024

• Saturday, January 11, 2025

• Saturday, February 8, 2025

• Saturday, March 8, 2025

• Saturday, April 12, 2025

Stop in to enjoy your favorite baked cookies and cakes, breads, pastries, pies, and quiches. Craving fresh produce and pantry staples? You will also find hothouse lettuce and tomatoes, root vegetables, meats, milk, and eggs. We’ve got you covered with fresh and frozen empanadas, as well as pickles, olives, relish and peppers, soups, healthy salads, muffins and more. 

Winter Market Manager: Lori Novak

Many thanks to our Winter Market Manager, Lori Novak for supporting us as our Winter Market Manager this season.  Local nutrition educator and natural food advocate, Lori works for the Passaic County Health Department here in West Milford when she is not bringing our vendors to you during the winter months. 

HERBAL SPOTLIGHT Jessica's Comfrey Tea Recipe

by Jessica McCann-Dampman

This is my second season in the Wallisch Homestead Community Garden, and this year I’ve learned more about comfrey and its benefits to the soil. If you’ve seen this plant you may know that it just gives and gives – to the bees, to us, to the soil, adding needed nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus through its deep-reaching roots. 

Use comfrey to make a fertilizer “tea” that is easy to make, and provides excellent nutrition for plants.

Always leaving some for the bees, I take the stalks and flowers for the fertilizer tea mix.   Typically there is an abundance of plant material, so some goes to the compost pile as well. Comfrey can be a fantastic bioactivator that results in healthier compost. Using this plant in compost and the garden is new to me and I am looking forward to its results.

To make the tea:

Fill a five-gallon jug ¼ to ½ full of chopped plant material.

Fill the jug to top with water, being sure to submerge all of the plant material. 

Allow to sit for 3-6 weeks in a cool, dark place, topping off with more water as needed.

I put mine under a table, away from common hang out areas as it’s pretty stinky. You can also use this sooner than 3 weeks, if you feel your plants need it.  

There is much to learn about comfrey and its uses. I hope you enjoy reading more about it.

Culinary Herb Program

This year Nature Connection of West Milford is piloting a culinary and medicinal herb garden at the Wallisch Homestead. Our goal is to grow, harvest and deliver enough fresh organic herbs to support a few of our local restaurants in town. Later in the season, we hope to provide those same herbs in a dried form for both culinary and medicinal uses.

Last season, we had a chance to build a dedicated culinary herb plot at Wallisch. Thanks to the helpful hands of a few volunteers, we tested the concept and learned which herbs grow best in the plot. Organic oregano, a variety of peppermint, parsley, basil, cilantro and more were successful. 

Despite a late start, we were able to provide fresh herbs to the Vreeland Store for four weeks last year. Owner, Fran Lanza, was excited to partner with Wallisch and the Organic Community Gardens and to have her chef include the herbs in a variety of recipes. We also donated 50+ jars of dried herbs with culinary and medicinal recipes to community members and local food pantries for the holidays. From peppermint tea to oregano oil, there are so many fun uses for our taste buds and our health!

At the end of the 2024 season, we plan to sell jars of dried herbs and accompanying recipes from local cooks and herbalists. Look for us at our winter market and other holiday events. 

Culinary Herb Garden Program Leader: Jessica MccannDampan

We are so excited to welcome Jessica MccannDampman in this new leadership role as our Program Leader. Jessica has been with the Wallisch Community Garden and will be using her experience to lead a team of six gardeners in liaising with Friends of Wallisch Homestead leaders on this project. 

During the coming season we hope to set growing goals, and adjust the existing garden as necessary to accommodate those goals. Jessica will guide volunteers, ensuring compliance with local and state regulations, tracking revenue and expenses, as well as identifying interested restaurants and growing and preparing the organic herbs they need. We are excited to have Jessica bring her own culinary and medicinal herb skills and knowledge to the table as she educates and informs the community on the benefits of organic herbs. 

Thank you Jessica for bringing your talents to this role as an important member of our local community gardens.

Herbal CSA Pilot

This season (2024), the Culinary Herbs Program has piloted a sold-out herbal CSA [Community Supported Agriculture]. CSA participants make a one-time payment for their subscription “box,” and receive a mix of fresh or dried herbs, plus a rotating selection of tinctures, sprays, balms, herbal salts, baked goods, and more each month. The pilot participants are supporting the growth of our burgeoning Culinary and Medicinal Gardens, while trying different herbal uses and applications, and adding preserved herbs to their pantry, medicine cabinet, snack stash and more.

To learn more about the Culinary Herb Garden Program, or to get involved, email Cathy at cgb2673@optonline.net

NCWM August News and Updates

NCWM is happy to bring Jim Segal and his knowledge and experience to the board. Jim joined the Wallisch Community Gardens this March after a time gardening at Duke Farms. His experience as a teacher, engineer, gardener and nonprofit support is as welcome as his infectious enthusiasm. Please join us in welcoming him aboard. 

Nature Connection of West Milford is now officially in Guidestar and can receive donations from the public. Thank you to everyone who has supported us in our journey, as well as those of you we’re just getting to know.

We would like to thank everyone who supported us in our Gala and fundraising efforts. Although the event was postponed, we plan to hold a modified version later next month. Stay tuned to learn more!

Here’s to a vibrant, more connected community!

Culinary Herb Garden August Updates

 We have been piloting a variety of strategies in the culinary and medicinal herb garden and wanted to share how it’s going so far.

The culinary and medicinal garden started the season with thriving oregano. Some of the plants have had challenges, but are now bouncing back happily. Chives, parsley, sage, dill, lemongrass and basil are all thriving. 

As plans for the gardens solidify, an herbal CSA looms on the horizon, offering various items from the garden itself. More than just fresh herbs, items such as herbal salts, compound butters, teas, balms, treats and more will be available.

We hope a CSA will help to raise funds for future needs and improvements, such as a hoop house and regular maintenance and upkeep.

We’d like to thank everyone who has helped with the garden in any way this year. It does not go unnoticed and it is greatly appreciated.

  Happy gardening,

  Jess

Ample Harvest Keeps Giving this August

Two community gardens (Apple Acres, and Wallisch Homestead)  with two dedicated plots and seven gardeners sharing their yield, plus the support of one farmers market add up to a lot of support for our community!  

And we keep counting: 

Three separate harvests this week alone supported three different food pantries: Queen of Peace, WM Presbyterian, and SOS.

Many thanks to the individual gardener who donated 24 lbs of cucumbers.

That all adds up to 80+ pounds of fresh organic food for our neighbors in need.

Our gardeners and volunteers helping Ample Harvest West Milford make a positive difference. Thanks to Sue, Peggy, Anne, Gail, Courtney, Jim, Olive and Cathy for sharing your garden's wealth. Thanks to Courtney, Jim and Jessica for minding the Ample Harvest plot at Wallisch and the Donation Station at the Farmer's Market.

The season is beautiful and bountiful!

Community Gardens August Updates

There’s plenty happening in the community gardens this summer. Keep reading to learn more about what’s happening in our community, and how our gardeners are helping others make the connection.

Apple Acres

Apple Acres is proud to have—yet again—received the second place award for best community gardens at Dirt’s 14th annual Kitchen Garden Tour on Sunday, July 28.  Congratulations to all of the gardeners and volunteers who helped make this happen!

Wallisch Homestead

In our first Hands On Garden Series—Natural Pest Control, Courtney Sands encouraged participants to learn about what bugs are helpful and which ones are a problem in our organic gardens. Courtney shared companion planting approaches as well as natural pest control recipes to make at home. Participants left with a kit that included organic dill seeds, garlic spray and orange peel spray, as well as directions on how to make their own. 

Get involved in our next hands-on garden series: Planting for a Fall Harvest, and learn about future events on our website

Spotlight on Garlic Scapes

Information courtesy of Cathy Bruce & The WM Community Gardeners

Garlic scapes are curly shoots that appear on garlic plants in late spring.  The experienced garlic grower cuts these shoots to divert the plant’s energy to producing bigger bulbs below the ground. When scapes are left uncut, the plant will divert its energy to flowering and produce smaller bulbs.    

Garlic scapes are edible. They taste like a cross between garlic and chives, and can be used as a substitute in recipes that call for either. For gardener’s who practice “no-waste”, the shoots are a great and tasty way to harvest and enjoy garlic in your garden.     

Garlic scapes have many health benefits and a similar nutritional profile to garlic cloves:

• Allicin: This compound that gives garlic its pungent flavor, can lower cholesterol, improve metabolism, and reduce inflammation.

• Antioxidants: These are essential for good health and preventing chronic diseases.

• Vitamins and minerals: Garlic scapes are a great source of manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, selenium, and potassium.

• Other compounds: Garlic scapes also contain allium, which may help keep bones healthy. 

Recipe: Garlic Scape Pesto

3-4 garlic scapes

1-3 bunches of tender spring herbs of your choice (eg: oregano, sage, basil, fennel fronds)

Olive oil (¼-½ cup)

Salt & pepper to taste

Parmesan cheese to taste (optional) 

Roughly chop the garlic scapes and place in a food processor. If everything falls neatly to the bottom, you should not need more than enough olive oil to cover—approximately ¼ cup depending on how many scapes you have. Don’t overdo it! You can always add more oil later. Roughly chop the herbs and place in the food processor as well. Blend thoroughly until you have a nice, dippy-but-not-too-drippy consistency. Add a small amount of water if needed to blend all the ingredients together smoothly. Add cheese if desired and blend again.

Serve as a dip with chips (mix with sour cream for a creamy version!), crackers and cheese, or over pasta for a hearty and healthy dinner.

RECIPE COURTESY OF L&D PROVISIONS

Ample Harvest June Update

At our first Farmer’s Market of the season, the Ample Harvest Donation Station raised $40 in cash donations from community members.

With these donations Ample Harvest was able to provide thirteen pounds of fresh produce to the Strengthen our Sisters Women's Shelter. Donated produce consisted of three large heads of romaine lettuce, four beefsteak tomatoes, five green bell peppers, four sweet yellow onions, and one large red onion at a cost of $20. The remaining $20 balance will go toward the following week’s donation. 

Ample Harvest provides fresh produce to the five locations listed below. We have a donation rotation to ensure that each pantry gets access to the community's contributions.

1. Strengthen our Sisters Women’s Shelter

2. Our Lady Queen of Peace Church

3. Holy with Lutheran Church

4. St. Joseph's Food Care

5. West Milford Presbyterian Church

Keep your eyes out for the coolers at the entrance of the market to make your donations… and thank you!

Want to get involved in growing, supporting, harvesting or delivering? Contact Cathy Bruce at cgb2673@optonline.net 

Farewell to West Milford's Native Medicinal Garden

ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE WEST MILFORD MESSENGER REGARDING THE CLOSING OF THE GARDENS

I write to you today with a heavy heart as Volunteers work to close down the Native Medicinal Plant Garden forever. 

This thriving adopt-a-spot garden at the triangle between Warwick Turnpike and Clinton Road has had thousands of hours invested in it by hundreds of loving hands over the last 15 years. This location was the site of the original one-room schoolhouse for the town and over the years has been used and abused, and then abandoned. Eagle Scout projects have tried to heal it or at least smooth it out, but the dumping and neglect over the years was still evident underneath each project. Glass, asphalt, rocks, oil from trucks, and poison ivy were the main residents when our group took over in 2008. Within three years of our volunteer efforts, it was transformed into a peaceful and blossoming native medicinal plant garden that visitors could not only relax in and enjoy, but also learn about the medicinal benefits of native local flora while preserving the local habitat and these precious plants for generations to come.

We want to thank all of the volunteers that helped to start, nurture and expand the garden over the years including Robin Rose-Bennet, Karen Longo, John Harrison, Karl & Norma Stehle, Tim & Karen Dalton, Renee Allessio, David Watson-Hallowell and the hundreds of apprentices, master gardeners, local residents, learners, nature lovers, and medicine makers from all over the tri-state area and beyond who came to learn about and support our town and environment through thousands of combined volunteer hours. Special thanks to Jay Cahill from Mountain Landscaping for donating materials and assisting with pick-up and disposal of brush and debris from the garden.

We are grateful for the community that was built, and the healing that was found through our time together, and the medicine we made and shared from the garden. It was truly an oasis.

The wide variety of both shade-loving and sun-loving medicinal plants are being re-homed around town before we end our stewardship of this garden. In mid-May, we understand this adopt-a-spot site will be maintained by a local landscaper. 

Our organization is relieved to be exiting from an abusive relationship with the Beautification Committee who has harassed us, refused to communicate issues, mowed down and pulled out plants without permission—many of which are endangered, ‘at-risk’ and protected by law—and has created more work than any adopt-a-spot volunteer would be expected to do. We are grateful to David Stires, Coordinator of the Recycling Solid Waste and Recycling Division, for his support at the meetings, and Mayor Dale who have helped us to secure the time needed in order to remove the plants. 

Sincerely,

Wendy Watson-Hallowell

Board Chair

Nature Connection of West Milford

(formally Sustainable West Milford)

HERB SPOTLIGHT: Greek Mountain Oregano

Each month we hope to spotlight either a native, medicinal or garden herb and share its benefits and uses in your kitchen or medicine cabinet. 

This week we are excited to introduce you to Greek Mountain Oregano (O. vulgare L. hirtum). This variety of oregano is different from common oregano (O. vulgare L. vulgare) thanks to stronger antibacterial properties. It also has all of oregano’s prized antioxidant and anti-pathogen activity, making it a power hitter for cold season. 

The NCWM Culinary Herb Program grew Greek Mountain Oregano as part of our pilot year. We hope to harvest more this summer for sale to local restaurants as well as the public. 

suggested uses for Greek oregano:

Oregano Oil – dried herb filled ½ way, fill the bottle with organic olive oil, keep in a sunny spot for 4-6 weeks, shake weekly. Strain and transfer to a bottle with a dropper for antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-viral support.

Oregano Tea – 1 tsp dried herb = 1 Pot of tea (4 cups). Relieves sore throats, mild coughs, bloating and gas.

Oregano Tincture – dried herb filled ¾ way, fill the bottle with vodka, keep out of sunlight for 3-6 weeks, shake weekly. Strain and transfer to a bottle with a dropper. 

Oregano Dried Herb – include ½ tsp or more in sauces, stir-fry, soups, and salad dressings.

The Importance of Farmers Markets

Farmers Markets are uniquely interwoven with their local communities. They support local businesses and sales provide more direct benefits to the regional economy. The majority of the money spent at markets stays in the communities where the markets are located. Enjoying freshly harvested food and the social atmosphere means healthier people and a stronger community.

Local food pantries often benefit from being near a Farmers Market, as they aren't always able to provide fresh produce and other quality local products. Our market has been a part of bringing food to our neighbors and is proud to support other local groups who are connecting with the community. Our mission is to connect you to your food - while supporting farms, and helping out our environment too!

Keep your eyes peeled this year for an Ample Harvest ‘donation station’ at the Farmers Market this year! Bring your excess produce or make a donation! Both will benefit our local food pantries.

Sign up for our newsletter to get weekly reminders for market day, plus information on what will be happening at market that week as well as a list of the vendors and musicians you’ll see there.

What are the Community Gardens

Back in 2007 two local young residents, Katie Hayes and Joe Natale, decided they wanted to build and support an organic community garden. At the time, the mission of Sustainable West Milford (now Nature Connection of West Milford) was to support participant-led projects… so of course we said yes!  Robin Rose Bennett, a local herbalist and author, introduced us to Anne Thornton who owns Apple Acres. We asked if she had room to accommodate a community garden, and she said YES. 

After many backbreaking hours of work turning over the old Apple Acres cow pasture and building a garden fence from a deck on the property that our volunteers had helped deconstruct, the community gardens were born. 

By 2011, we had so many people on the waiting list that we created a second garden at Wallisch Homestead. Today, there are 65 garden plots in total: 30 at Apple Acres and 35 at Wallisch. Each year 3 to 4 plots of the 65 are turned over to new gardeners on the waiting list, but some of our long-term gardeners have even been willing to share their larger plot with new members. 

An 8x8 community garden plot at either Apple Acres or Wallisch Homestead costs $40 for the year. Soil amendments, pest control resources, education, and a community of like-minded people who support each other are all included as part of the membership fee. Because our gardeners range greatly in age and working schedules, we tend to have a group of people sprinkled throughout the week during the mornings and afternoons, as well as a different group that tends to garden more on weekends. 

At least 30 of our gardeners engage in the regular fun and lively social events at both gardens where you will find them sharing food they made from what they are growing, and enjoying a mocktail (or cocktail) while gathered around a bonfire. In addition to social and educational events, garden members have exclusive opportunities to purchase organic plants from local farmers, bring their skills and talents toward overall garden improvements that benefit all members, and are encouraged to contribute to a garden committee to help keep the gardens maintained and thriving. (mowing, pest control, composting, etc.). The gardens truly have become a community meeting place all season long. 
For those who wish to garden with us, but are not ready for a plot, the Ample Harvest Culinary Herb Garden project is a great place to start.