Brady Hatch and her husband Brendan McQuillen (pictured here with their child) are the owners of Morning Dew Farm. (Photo courtesy Erin Little Photography)
The next meeting of the Old Bristol Garden Club will be held on Thursday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church, 51 Main St., Newcastle. Following a short business discussion, Newcastle resident Brady Hatch will present a program on Morning Dew Farm in Newcastle.
Hatch and her husband Brendan McQuillen grow 10 acres of certified organic vegetables on fields in five area towns. Since its founding in 2004, Morning Dew Farm’s focus is providing Damariscotta-area and Rockland-area customers with the highest quality, certified organic, seasonal vegetables available. The farm specializes in salad greens, culinary herbs, and unique vegetables, as well as traditional favorites like carrots, heirloom tomatoes, and new potatoes. Produce is available through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, at the Monday and Friday Damariscotta farmers’ markets and at numerous stores and restaurants along the Midcoast.
Starting this year, the farm will also be expanding its garden seedling operation. On Saturdays in May and early June, Morning Dew Farm organic seedlings will be available to home gardeners at the Greenery (formerly Spencer’s) in Damariscotta.
Hatch and McQuillen’s approach to agriculture has been influenced by the biointensive Parisian market gardeners of the 19th century. They emphasize soil nutrition with the goal of generating high yields of food on smaller plots of land and are dedicated to certified organic practices. With support from loyal CSA families, market shoppers, restaurant owners, and farming mentors, they have steadily expanded their farm’s acreage as well as the ability to grow with ecological sensitivity and personal care.
Hatch will be talking about healthy soil-building practices, organic growing, and garden seedlings, as well as her favorite vegetable varieties and ideas in agriculture.
Following the program, tea and cookies will be served by this month’s tea committee: Jean Macleod, Rachel Zoller, and Kathy Fagan. All are welcome to attend and new members are welcome at any time.
