World Record American PunkinChunkin Cannon in Action at Marini Farm

Pumpkins will be hurling far and high at supersonic speed on October 3rd for the first ever show of the American Punkin Chunker at Marini Farm. The chunker will do a target shooting demonstration and show at the farm located at 259 Linebrook Road in Ipswich, MA. Marini Farm sent a pumpkin to the World Championships in 2013 in Delaware and their pumpkin broke the event world record with a 4,430 foot blast, exceeding over 120 of the best teams from around the U.S. and overseas. Over 30,000 onlookers witnessed the world record chunk and a large group of chunkers put their engineering skills to the test.

In recognition of the world record success, the farm was added to the schedule of six public shows the chunker will be doing this fall. The chunker is a massive 100 foot pneumatic cannon that shoots pumpkins for long distance. The team that runs the cannons represents many areas of technology and scientific disciplines and a team of 25 contribute their technical expertise to making the American team pumpkin chunker a powerful pumpkin shooter capable of breaking records. All of it is done solely by mechanical means without the aid of electricity or explosives. The team’s original goal was to win the world championships, and going forward they will continue to strive to break world records. 

The World Championship PunkinChunkin Association raises funds for the Basset Hound Rescue and the Wounded Warrior Project. The organization has been hosting events since 1986 and was started by Captain Brian Labrie. This fall, the World Famous Punkin Chunkin long distance shooting event, Extreme Punkin’ Chunkin’, will be held in New Hampshire on October 24/25 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH.  Teams from all across the country will participate in hopes of breaking the world record, and the American Punkin Chunkin team will be there to defend their title. Teams compete in divisions such as air cannon, centrifugal, catapult, human power, trebuchet, theatrical and torsion. The Discovery Channel’s video shows the wide range of competitors at the championship events all lined up to catapult their pumpkins into the record books. 

There is a lot going on at the farm in September and October so add a visit to your fall recreation and take on the challenge of the corn maze, Kernel of Gold…A Pirate’s Adventure, enjoy all the action at the maze park with our giant slide, jumping pillow and inflatables, and visit our new bakery for some fresh cider donuts. It’s not every day you get to watch a pumpkin chunking show, so make sure you visit the farm on October 3rd for some supersonic excitement.

Written by Lightning Consulting

 

Marini's New Farm Kitchen Is Ready To Bake Fresh Every Day

The record snowfall this past winter didn’t interfere with our plans to have our new farm bakery ready for its Grand Opening on June 20, 2015. Windhill Builders managed to stay on schedule with the bakery construction project, battling freezing temperatures and day-to-day winter challenges. All the mixers, ovens, and freezers have arrived, and according to the social media activity, our customers are excited to welcome our new fresh baked products. The cider donut making machine photo posted on Facebook received 4488 views, 330 likes and dozens of comments. As Kelley Jane Kloub posted,” I am simply giddy with anticipation of real bread…oh boy, oh boy!”

Our first major decision on the new bakery was finding a Head Baker to keep the shelves packed with fresh baked grab-and-go products for our customer’s breakfast, lunch and dinner tables. Marini’s strong networking helped get the word out that they would be hiring a full-time Head Baker, so Erin Gardner didn’t waste any time to let Mike and Kim Marini know that the job description fit her perfectly. She wanted an entrepreneurial opportunity which would enable her to be creative and artistic with her baking creations. She also wanted to be close to the customers and see them firsthand enjoying all the new products. The open kitchen structure of the bakery enables customers to peer in the windows where all the mixing and mastering is done.

A coffee bar will add some social fun and convenience to the shopping experience. “Our customers have been asking us for fresh baked products for years, so we can’t wait to let Erin loose in the kitchen, and see all the excitement she generates!”, notes Mike Marini.

Erin took the reins with gusto, and she embraces the love of food and the camaraderie that comes with it. She can’t wait to fill the shelves with fresh muffins, cider donuts, scones, breads, cookies and cupcakes. “Cider donuts are a blast to prepare, and seeing them all sugared up with a warm soft glow, will hopefully make them irresistible to everyone who visits the bakery”, states Erin. She wants the full presentation to be pretty and have strong flavors of just baked surprises. Each baked good is an artistic masterpiece, and each day Erin plans to challenge herself with new creations.

Erin obtained her training at Johnson & Wales Baking and Pastry Arts Program, and has worked in the restaurant industry for many years, most recently at the 62 Restaurant located on the wharf in Salem, MA. She quickly learned she “loved the science and art of baking” and was ready for a long-time career in culinary arts. She has her favorites and fresh cider donuts and artistically decorated/colorful donuts are always on the top of her list.

“Sharing what I love to do with other people is simply a dream job”, Erin explains. “The creation process from kneading the dough, to making it pretty and irresistible, never gets old.”

When you meet Erin you want to put on an apron and join her in the kitchen. She is ready to go, and has her favorite recipes she has collected from years of baking, flagged in a thick notebook. As Erin explains, every ingredient and its measurement impact the quality of the products. The biggest challenge of being a pastry chef is that, unlike other types of chefs, you can't throw things together. “When you're working with baking powder and a formula, you have to be exact, or you won’t get the desired results”, Erin comments.

Kim and Mike Marini can’t wait for the fresh bakery aromas to linger through the farm stand, and they are excited to see all the new bakery shelves packed with scrumptious selections. They are happy to be able to enhance the visitor experience, in a unique country atmosphere with wonderful downhome creations from their new farm kitchen.

Erin enjoys yoga and golf and spending time with her husband and family. Please join us in welcoming Erin to the new Marini Farm Bakery, and don’t hesitate to share ideas for products, as we will constantly be adding new items to the menu. Grab a coffee and a fresh baked scone, and join us for breakfast!

Written by Lightning Consulting

It's a Goat's Life at Marini Farm

We recently asked our Facebook followers what they wanted for topics on our winter blogs and some responded they wanted a story on our goats, so we are happy to share our love for goats in our first blog of 2015. First of all, we love our animals and welcome everyone who visits our farm to spend time visiting with our animals. Goats dominate the animal pen at Marini Farm. We currently have seven Nigerian Dwarf goats, two Boer goats, and two Sicilian donkeys named Macy and Arial.

Boer Goats are imported to the United States through South Africa and are raised for meat. They have distinctive coloring with a light neutral tone body and red head. The Nigerian goat is a miniature dairy goat of West African origin and they were originally called Pygmy's. They love to battle each other, but it is all friendly battles.

Last year we doubled the size of our animal pen and in the future we plan to add a better access pathway from the road as well as a new parking lot close to the pen.

Our goats love socializing with the other animals and dart to the gate when visitors arrive. We currently don’t use them for milk production, but as our farm grows this may change.

Did you know goats have rectangle pupils and have excellent night vision? We found there was a lot about goats we didn’t know about as we were gathering information for this blog. There are even goats that faint when they get excited. Did you know goats have four stomachs so they can eat just about anything? Let us know if you know any interesting goat facts not included here. We hope you are as fascinated with them as we are.

Interesting and fun goat facts:
 
Goats are a member of the Bovidae family

They are one of the oldest domesticated species

There are over 300 distinct breeds

Female goats are does or nannies and male goats are bucks or billies. Under one year they are bucklings and female babies are doelings.

Goats are able to breed all year long

They are ruminants, which means they have 4 stomachs and can eat almost any diet. Some even love peanut butter.

Their longer guard hairs are used in the textile industry to make cashmere.

Goats typically live for 8-12 years, but some can live up to 20 years.

Goats can have 1-6 kids per litter

There are over 500 million goats in the world

The U.S. has 3 million goats with Texas leading the production.

It is estimated that 72 % of the world’s milk consumption is from goats

Goat milk is naturally homogenized

Goat meat is called chevon or cabrito

Along with the octopus, goat pupils are rectangular and they have great night vision

They are good swimmers

They love socializing with other goats

Goats are one of the first animals to be domesticated as far as 6000 years ago

Goats have no teeth in the upper jaw

They are very athletic and some goat species can jump over 5 feet

Goats are herbivores (plant eaters)

They have no tear ducts

They are good climbers and have great balance which is why you always see them standing on rocks and steep slopes

Race horses are often given a 'goat friend' so they are not lonely in the stall

Goats have 15,000 taste buds, which is 5000-6,000 more than humans

Goat kids stand minutes after birth

Goat horns never stop growing.

Some say goats even discovered coffee in Ethiopia

Goats have natural oils that help repel ticks

Enjoy this hilarious video of funny goats. We look forward to expanding our animal pen, so let us know what additions you would like to see us add to the pen. They love visitors so please come see them when you stop by the farm.

Written by Lightning Consulting

Marini Farm Hosts Tree Jubilee Benefit For Ipswich Humane Group

The farm is filled with community spirit and joy this Christmas season as the Tree Jubilee lights up the greenhouse. More than 60 businesses and families gather to donate and decorate trees and wreaths for the benefit of the Ipswich Humane Society’s annual fundraiser. Floor to ceiling creativity brings the excitement of the holiday season alive. All the trees were judged on many categories and the public will gather on December 5, 6, 12 and 13th to view the beautiful display and purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win their favorite tree or wreath. It’s a fun free event for the whole family and 100% of the donations go to the Ipswich Humane Group.

Ipswich Humane Group is a non-profit group that assists Ipswich Animal Control to enable a no-kill animal shelter for the Town of Ipswich.  The group is 100% donation funded and 100% unpaid volunteer run.

For 32 years, the organization has been providing veterinary care, housing in their animal shelter, and has operated a successful adoption program which has placed over 1800 dogs and cats in homes throughout the north shore community. 

2014 Tree Jubilee Top Honors! 
 
TREES:
 
Best of Show Tree:
WEEBLOS - Ipswich Cub Scouts Pack 109

Most Creative/Unique Tree:
Gold: Windhill Realty
"There's No Place Like Home"  
Silver: Traveis Eye Care "Frozen"
Bronze: Ipswich Bear Den Pack 109

Honorable Mention:
Mrs. Clasby's 3rd Grade Class
"What the Holidays Mean to Me" 

WREATHS: 

Best of Show Wreath:
Institution for Savings

Most Creative/Unique Wreath:
Gold: Ipswich Bottle Shop
Silver: Bear's Family
Bronze: Gordon Florist & Greenhouses
   
“Seeing the Marini Farm greenhouse illuminated with community love and support truly makes this season special for us,” said Mike Marini. "Contributing to community has always been part of our mission as third-generation farmers.  Let’s get the crowds gathered over the weekend to support our local furry friends!”

Written by Lightning Consulting

The ABCs of Christmas Tree Shopping

Some people rush to get their Christmas tree the day they come off the trucks, while others see no urgency and wait until days before Christmas in hopes the perfect tree is still waiting for them. Getting a group/family consensus is what makes the experience the most fun. “How about this one?” are words you hear down the pathways of trees. Sometimes people circle back to the first tree they saw, while other times it takes dozens of inspections as people stand the trees up and shake them to see how heavy and full they are. The worst is when someone grabs a tree that was on your top contender list, and places a “sold” sign on it. The good news is that there is always another tree, so the quest to find the perfect Christmas tree just continues.

Some helpful hints in buying the perfect Christmas tree…size, fragrance, freshness and symmetry all matter.

• Size it right: Measure the room and entry ways in your home before you bring a tree home. A good rule of thumb is one foot below the ceiling height. You should also measure the opening in the tree stand you plan to use to make sure the trunk of your chosen tree will fit.
• Healthy tree all the way to Christmas: “It’s bad weather out, so let’s get the tree next weekend instead.” A week delay may leave you with fewer options and fewer trees that meet your criteria. Early buyers have a better chance of finding the perfect tree, and have more choices. Always make sure to have a clean cut done as it will last longer in your home and can better absorb water. December 8/9 is a recommended time to purchase your tree and December 15/16 is a good time to bring it inside to decorate.
• Weight is good and tree branch spacing tight: This means the tree is healthy and full of water, and will drop fewer needles.
• Fresh Cut: Find out when the trees were cut. The closer to Christmas the better, but some tree sale spots cut their trees as early as October so by December needles are all piling up.
• Tree branch strength is solid: Nobody wants a droopy tree and one that loses ornaments because the branches can’t hold the weight of your ornaments. If you have heavy ornaments and ones you want securely hanging from the tree, make sure the tree branches are thick and strong.
• Pet unfriendly: To discourage your pet from using your Christmas tree as a bathroom stop, select a tree with sharp needles. If they get too close and get pricked, they won’t want to do it again.
• Full of water: Bend the needles and see how fresh they are.You need to make sure you routinely check the stand and keep the tree hydrated, and never let the water go below the bottom of the trunk.  Another trick is to spray the branches with water so give it more moisture. Some trees require several quarts of water each day, so make sure you check the water level every three hours.
• Evergreen scent: Trees which sweat expel the strongest scents, so if you are looking to fill your home with that great Christmas tree aroma, select the trees which naturally have the best scent. As an example, the Balsam fir tree exists in a cold climate which makes it sweat more and deliver a great scent.
• Straight and in balance: If the tree has a crooked trunk it will be tougher to get it securely positioned in a stand. Hold the tree up and examine it from the trunk to the top so see if it is well aligned. Nobody wants a tree that topples over when you are not home. If you have to tie it down, once it is in the house for fear it will topple, you have definitely bought a crooked nightmare of a tree. Also, make sure the tree trunk is at least six inches long so it fits securely in the stand.
• Tree type: Balsam and Fraser trees are the most popular based on overall quality and shape, with Balsam known for their fragrance and Fraser known for their strong branches and minimal needle drop.

Marini Farms has a solution to simplifying the tree set up process. The Stand Strait Christmas Tree Stand--also known as The Marriage Saver--is available for sale with free tree drilling for owners of the stand. Considered the best Christmas tree stand available, it enables your tree to stand tall, straight and stable to prevent it from toppling over, and requires only one drill hole in the base of your tree. All you need to do is line up the drilled hole on the stand pin and it is as stable as a rock. See Mike’s demonstration video on how easy the Stand Strait System is.

As Marini states, “Our hands-on selection process is the reason the quality of our trees is second to none, and we want our customers to feel like they have found that special perfect tree.” 

From all of us at Marini Farm, we wish you and yours a very happy holiday season and hope you find the perfect tree.

Written by Lightning Consulting

Trick Or Treat Hayrides With Frozen Friends

Marini Farm’s most popular hayride adventure is the special character journey which on October 25, 2014 will feature the characters in the Frozen movie. This classic fall activity will take you on a tractor-drawn hayride along the farm’s scenic 200+ acres through the corn fields, pumpkin patches and animal park area. Experience a lazy roll through the rural landscape with the vibrant beauty of the leaves changing and the crisp fall air. Trick or Treaters will have the opportunity to take a scenic hayride around the farm while stopping along the way to pick up and receive treats from a few of their favorite storybook friends, including Elsa.The rides are running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and tickets can be purchased online ahead of time.

Hayride tickets

Hayrides are popular for obvious reasons…

• You can enjoy a great bonding experience with family and friends
• You get to explore the farm up close and personal
• You get to learn the about the history of the farm
• You can enjoy the spirit of fall and Halloween
• You can embrace nature and the beauty of family farming
• You can relax and breath in the fresh farm air
• You can capture some great memories!

Dress up and come to the farm for some trick or treating fun and surprises.

Written by Lightning Consulting

Marini Farm's Corn Maze Is All About Raising Bullying Awareness

 “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”-Judy Garland

Spookley, the square pumpkin, is bigger than life and is at the center of the 2014 Marini Farm Corn Maze. Marini Farm is focused on anti-bullying awareness and this year’s maze will publicize the importance of taking the right steps forward in stopping bullying.

The book The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, by Joe Troiano, is the story about a very special unusually shaped pumpkin who teaches children that you can't judge a book, or a pumpkin, by its cover, and how being different or square is okay.  Spookley invites you to “Dare to Be Square” and embrace the beauty of being different! The book shows how sometimes it is better to be square. Spookley saved the day and all the other pumpkins from tumbling into the river during a mighty storm by wedging between the hole in the fence and stopping all the pumpkins from tumbling into the fast moving river.

School bullying statistics in the United States show that about one in four kids in the U.S. are bullied on a regular basis. Between cyberbullying and bullying at school, the school bullying statistics illustrate a huge problem with bullying and the American school system. About 80 percent of all high school students have encountered being bullied in some fashion online, and this has attributed to a rise in youth violence and suicides. Last month a 14-year-old teen from Florida took his own life to escape the pain from bullying. "Shaq was emotionally and physically abused while at school," Lamar's mother said. "They pushed him down stairs, knocked him out of his chair in the cafeteria … repeatedly attacked him with an intent to emotionally harm. Despite constant attacks, he never let the bullies see him sweat," Lamar's mother said. "We now know that he was unable to continue his fight against the bullies. They won, because he took his life as a result." When you google teen and children suicides believed to be caused by bullying, it is difficult to read the stories. These are beautiful innocent children who feel there is no way of escaping the horror of bullying.

Please join us in raising bullying awareness, and come to the farm matching Spookley and dress in orange in recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month. Special prizes will be awarded to the brightest orange maze visitors. We will be providing a donation to Stomp Out Bullying and welcome your contributions. Please leave your donation (cash and checks accepted) in an envelope marked “Stomp Out Bullying” at the maze hut.

The statistics continue to climb and the most alarming one is that 77 percent of students have experienced bullying at some point in their lives.

Bullying statistics:

• About 42 percent of kids have been bullied while online with one in four being verbally attacked more than once.
• About 35 percent of kids have been threatened online.
• About 58 percent of kids and teens have reported that something mean has been said about them or to them online.
• Other bullying statistics show that about 77 percent of students have admitted to being the victim of one type of bullying or another.

We encourage communities to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying by increasing awareness of the serious impact bullying has on innocent children of all ages. Our maze is a bully free zone!

Written by Lightning Consulting