Marini Farm Produce Availability Calendar

Marini Farm grows over 200 acres of fruits and vegetables which are available from May through October. To help you in planning your produce shopping visits to the farm, we have created a seasonal produce calendar. Please be aware that the calendar may vary slightly as growing dates may vary each season depending on the impact of Mother Nature. This season, as an example, our strawberry picking calendar was moved further into June based on the cold spring we experienced. To ensure that the produce you want will be available, don’t hesitate to call ahead to confirm availability. The vegetables are picked daily in the early morning to ensure quality and freshness. 

Marini is always prepared for dramatic changes in weather and incorporates special techniques and utilizes protective coverings to protect the crops from harsh conditions.

“I always need to be ready with a backup plan and can’t fight Mother Nature. It is these challenges that make farming so exciting as no two days and no two circumstances are ever the same”, claims Mike Marini. 

We are picking nine vegetables in June and 22 in July, so please keep our produce calendar nearby so you don’t miss out on your favorite vegetables.

Prepared by Lightning Consulting

Spookley Will Bring A World Of Smiles To The Marini Farm Corn Maze

The 2014 Marini Farm Corn Maze plans are in place and there is a lot of positive energy around this year’s theme. Spookley the Square Pumpkin has had a presence at the corn maze in the last few years. A large inflatable Spookley has greeted maze visitors as they entered the maze park, and this year Spookley will have the largest presence and will get the most attention ever as the 8 acre corn maze design. In 2013, Marini organized an anti-bullying concert event to focus attention on bullying prevention and awareness, and this focus will continue in 2014 with the daily awareness and reinforcement on the importance of accepting everyone, whether they are square or round.

The book The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, by Joe Troiano, is the story about a very special little pumpkin who teaches children that you can't judge a book, or a pumpkin, by its cover, and how being different is okay and how we shouldn’t tease others. 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 the scary fast moving river.
 
Marini wants everyone who visits the maze to feel Spookley’s presence and join in and smile along with him as people help each other navigate through the maze and participate in all the activities at the maze park. At the end of the book, it shows the farmer carrying Spookley to his house and placing Spookley on the porch, lit up with a candle for all to see. Spookley went from the bullied victim to the hero in a matter of seconds, and he never hesitated to come to the rescue and save all those who tormented him because he was square. Being different can make a difference and save lives!

The key messages the book presents are:
 
• Being different is OK

• How differences can become strengths when you least expect it

• How if everyone helps each other, lives can be saved and things will be better

• You can’t judge a book by its cover

• Treating others unfairly can hurt you in the end

• Not everyone is perfect, and not all pumpkins are round

• Friends can help you when you need them most

• It’s not right to hurt others feelings

• There are friends out there for everyone

• If you make others sad, you will experience many sad days yourself

• It is not acceptable to exclude people from the group

• Everyone is special regardless of how they look

• We can all unite against bullying and help one another when it matters most

• Being a bully is not OK!

The book is available on DVD, paperback and as an app for the iPad/iPhone, Android, and Nook platforms.

For several years Spookley has been the official spokes-pumpkin for National Bullying Prevention Month, sponsored by the Minneapolis-based family support organization PACER (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Education (ED), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) partnered with bullying experts to develop a uniform definition of bullying for research and surveillance.

In January 2014, CDC and ED released the definition listed below:

Bullying is any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths who are not siblings or current dating partners that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm.
 
The statistics as stated on bullyingstatistics.org continue to rise and present alarming data.

Bullying statistics:
 
• About 42 percent of kids have been bullied online

• 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

• The American Justice Department bullying statistics show that one out of every 4 kids will be bullied sometime throughout their adolescence

• Well over half of young people do not tell their parents when cyber bullying occurs

The title of the 2014 corn maze is “Spookley brings a world of smiles.” “We expect Spookley to be a hit at Marini Farm and loved by all”, says Mike Marini. We want maze visitors to leave with smiles on their faces and remember one strong message, “It’s hip to be square.”  

Prepared by Lightning Consulting

The Fascination with Strawberries

Strawberries are unlike other fruits and are the “jewel” crop at Marini Farm.  Learn some interesting facts about the popular fruit that is the highlight of many festivals across the country in early summer, and is a household favorite due to its luscious sweetness and health benefits.

• California supplies 80% of America’s strawberries and has over 25,000 acres of strawberry fields

• There are over 600 varieties of strawberries grown in the U.S.

• The garden strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 1750s

• The world grows more than 2.5 million metric tons of supermarket strawberries every year

• Strawberries are known as the “inside-out” fruit because the seeds are on the outside

• Strawberries have up to 200 seeds

• Strawberries are a member of the rose family

• Once the strawberries are picked, they do not continue to ripen

• Eight strawberries will provide 140% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C for kids

• Strawberries have the highest antioxidant values, which can help prevent cataracts and eye degeneration

• Ninety-four percent of United States households consume strawberries

• It is a widely held view that the name “strawberry” was derived from 'the berries that are "strewn" about on the plants', and the name "strewn berry" eventually morphed into "Strawberry".

• Strawberries are hand-picked as they are fragile and bruise easily

• Strawberry shortcake is one of the most common strawberry desserts in America and dates back to the American Indians

• Chocolate covered strawberries have become one of the nation’s most popular desserts

• Strawberries are full of a special substance called ellagic acid, which can help fight cancer

• Nutritional experts refer to strawberries as a nutritional “superfood,” as a result of them being excellent sources of antioxidants, Vitamin C, potassium, folate, and fiber

• The ellagic acid and flavonoids in strawberries distribute an antioxidant effect that benefits heart health

• Strawberries come in at number 27 among the top 50 general foods containing antioxidants, and they rank fourth among fruits containing antioxidants
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Marini's plants seven varieties of strawberries in an area of 10 acres, with Jewel as the favorite variety. Known for having their first native berries on the North Shore, they make sure they start planting early and cover part of the fields with a double row cover known as white clothers. The early harvest starts early June and ends around July 4th, but can vary depending on the weather. Marini's has had a robust harvest from their strawberry fields for about three years, so they've added new fields each year to keep their supply plentiful. There are also day-neutral strawberries, which are planted in the spring and harvested in late August until frost. The day-neutral berries are a great summer berry, but tend to be tougher and less sweet than the early season berries. Weather has a dramatic impact on the flavor of strawberries as the sun is vital in bringing out the full sugars, and on sunny days they can be “as sweet as candy”, explains Mike Marini. They remove the flowers on the day-neutral berries which brings the energy back into the plant, creating bigger and better strawberries later. The berries are very perishable, so they are picked by hand seven days a week. They can be refrigerated to help them last longer, but that will have an effect on their flavor and on their “native berry shine”.

Get ready to start picking! Marini celebrates the strawberry season with their annual Strawberry Festival, “Strawberry Fields Forever”, that takes place on June 21, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Enjoy a full day of family fun and memories! There are activities all day long; hayrides, bounce houses, jumping pillow, duck races, farm animals, corn cannons, face painting, antique tractors, play area with tractor, spider, castle, picnic area, food and refreshments. The star of the springtime will soon be ready for your picking pleasure, so plan for making your special seasonal desserts, and stop by and pick-your-own berries. These sweet shiny jewels will make your day complete.

Written by Lightning Consulting

Social Media and Farming Go Hand in Hand at Marini Farm

Mike Marini is rarely seen without his tablet or cell phone during the workday, as he is always ready to be in position to capture the next photo to share what is growing at the farm. He enjoys using social media to tell the farm’s story; give updates during the harvest season; promote the CSA; provide calendar updates on farm family events; answer consumer inquiries and more. It is a powerful tool in Mike’s tool box, as the farm’s 6,539 Facebook followers are actively following every planting and harvesting motion. Weekly engagement for this week was 13,869 which indicates that people want to know what the farm is up to.

Farming is a visual industry, so Mike enjoys having the community follow his workday and see in real-time what is happening at the farm. A recent post showing the first 20 acres of corn planted, was followed the next day by a photo of snow-covered acres. This type of post allows consumers to follow the challenges faced in everyday farming, so people feel as if they have a direct connection to the farm. Social media posts also allow Marini to show its commitment to producing the best quality crops possible.

The farm has been in the Marini family for four generations, so family is at the core of everything they do. Therefore, their social media presence reflects their real-life values - gratitude, family, good food and quality of life. The recent Facebook post, “Took a break from farming for another family wedding; the Marini’s dance like nobody's watching,” showed the Marini children dressed in matching colorful floral wedding attire dancing and having fun. The post received 12,028 views and 528 likes, making it the highest engaged photo of the year thus far.

Farmers now have their own term for a selfie on the farm and are posting their ‘felfies’ next to their favorite sheep, crops and tractors. During harvest, Farmers Weekly gets thousands of pictures via Twitter and Facebook and some farmers have become top social media celebrities on Instagram and YouTube. There is even a blog - Farming Selfie - set up by a UK farmer @willwilson100 that shows all the latest felfies from around the world. According to the book Future of Farming, 76 percent of farmers between the ages of 18 and 35 use social media to share knowledge, connect with consumers, and promote their business. Social media offers farmers a unique way to educate the general public about what they do, the practices they use, and the challenges they face. During harvest season, Farmers Weekly gets thousands of pictures via Twitter and Facebook.

Just like with new farming techniques, Mike is always learning about, and incorporating new social media tools. He saves everything to EverNote, a management platform app that helps you remember everything across all of the devices you use and lets you take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders and save important documents. Mike reports that EverNote captures his every move, and is an app he simply can’t live without.

In 2013 Marini developed a new app for their customers to get updates on all the events and activities at the farm. They're free, and keep you up-to-date on the happenings at Marini's farm throughout the season and they are available for both Apple and Android devices. You'll know when the delicious Marini strawberries are ready to be picked, and when the corn is in, without having to go to the website. The Marini app also provides lists of events; CSA info; nutritional info; loyalty coupons; a way to share photos with the farm; access to Marini's Facebook page; a gallery of pictures of happenings at the farm; the history of Marini Farm; a fun "Fruit Salad" game to play, and more.

“Social media is a visual playground showing our love for farming and commitment to provide customers with the best quality produce possible,” states Mike Marini. Some of Marini’s favorite Facebook posts thus far in 2014 were:

Prepared by Lightning Consulting

Mario Marini Loves Every Minute Of Every Day On The Farm

“I love what I do”, was the most common response during our inspiring interview with Mario Marini. You just want to learn more and more about his love for life, family and farming. There was never a time when Mario Marini thought about changing his career path. From his childhood years growing up on the farm, to his 78th year living on the farm, Mario has loved every minute of farming the 200 acres at Marini Farm. According to Mario, there is always something to do, new challenges to resolve, and new developments in agriculture to learn about.

Mario Marini checking on his corn burning stove in his home

Mario rises each day excited to get on his tractor and see the progress being made in the crop fields. It is clear when you have a deep rooted passion for farming as Mario does, the term “hard work” never gets mentioned. He feels good about what he does and loves that the customers have trust in him. “A farm is always changing. There is no such thing as finished. Work comes in a stream and has no end”, says Mario.

It all started in 1928 when two brothers and two cousins emigrated from Italy to the United States. They first settled in Ipswich, but in 1938 two split to start a farm in Wenham. Marini Farm started as a chicken wholesaler until 1972 when Gina Marini set up a roadside stand to sell strawberries.

How did you first get introduced to farming?
 
I was born and brought up in a farming life and have worked ever since I was a kid at the age of ten. Farming will “make a man out of you”, my dad would always say. My dad died when I was 18 years old, so I transitioned into the management role very quickly.

Was there ever a time you thought of pursuing another career?
 
No, farming is a good life and all I know how to do.I worked hard and got the education needed to run the farm and incorporate the best techniques for crop management and sustainability. I graduated from the The Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts, and took over the farm at age 21.

What wisdom did you learn from your father? 
 
How to grow crops and get out and do what was needed to be done. I love what I do! Ever since I was ten years old I was learning about planting and spraying and everything else. It was long hours from sunrise to 11:00 PM most days of the week.

What was your biggest challenge?
 
Surviving financially. We worked long hours for a little bit of money. I enjoy everything about farming and don’t view anything as a challenge, but instead an opportunity to improve. I love what I do and handle the challenges the best that I can.

What was your biggest accomplishment?
 
Building a roadside stand. That was when things changed financially.It was in the front yard and mom ran the stand selling fruits and vegetables. We stuck to it and it got better and better and bigger and bigger.

What advice do you have for farmers today?
 
I was fortunate and owe a lot to my family for continuing to farm and not sell our property. Today it is harder to buy land and start a farm, so I am blessed my family stayed committed to farming. I owe a lot to my parents.

What is the best thing about farming life?
 
 It is a good healthy life. You can push hard in the summer and relax in the winter. You start with a seed and if you take care of it well you eventually have a good crop. Different crops require different care, so I love the diversity of the farming process.

If you had a crystal ball twenty years from now, how do you think farming would look?
 
They would be more advanced in improving the quality of crops. Corn is different today than it was 20 years ago. There is a big difference in flavor and taste. You’ve “got to get the water boiling before you pick the corn”, was the way it used to be.  Corn would lose its flavor during the cooking process, but today it stays sweet and maintains its flavor.
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What do you enjoy doing the most?

I like all that I do! I like the challenges of farming and enjoy studying and getting into it all. I like to figure out why something is not growing well and determine what to do to make it better. I go to agriculture conferences and am continuously learning about agriculture and techniques for improving the quality of our crops.

You must be considered a local role model for regional farmers. How does that make you feel?
 
Yes, a lot of people call me for advice. I utilize the best resources which help make Marini farm look good. I love to help people and know we can all learn from each other.

What sustainable techniques do you use? 
 
We have five greenhouses heated with corn burning stoves. The cost of oil affects us financially, so we are doing all we can to manage those costs. I am heating the original farmhouse with a corn burning stove, and have cut my heating costs by one-third. 

What is your favorite part of farming?
 
Being on my tractor! I just love tractor work, especially the new modern tractors. Life doesn’t get much better than plowing, harrowing, seeding, cultivating and irrigating the fields. If you want to stay with it, you have to change with the times!I also love contributing daily to the welfare of society.

What age are you planning to retire?
 
NEVER! I love being committed to my profession and doing the best job I can. Sitting around at coffee shops or diners simply doesn’t excite me. I like to keep moving!

What is your favorite crop?
 
Corn. It has changed so much over the years. Also, I love my strawberries and having the first crop of the season. It’s always great to outdo our fellow regional farmers.

What else excites you about farming?
 
I love seeing how the irrigation can quickly change the fields to be more alive, and I can watch crops literally come back to life in front of my eyes.

What’s the coolest thing you have done?
 
I grew a half acre of corn on Hog Island for the movie “The Crucible”, staring Danielle Day Lewis. It was a challenge giving the island weather, irrigation challenges and transportation issues. It was pretty exciting that they approached me directly to grow the corn.

Mario spoke throughout the interview about how blessed he is with his beautiful family. He has been married for 52 years, has four children and eight grandchildren. “The good lord gave me Michael to take on the farm, and keep the momentum going", states Mario. He feels lucky to have the life he has and owes a lot to his parents for staying committed to the farm.

“There is no better feeling than taking on a challenge and doing it better than the next guy”, says Mario. He loved referencing the farm’s victory in the World Championship Punkin Chunkin contest, and how their pumpkin went the furthest at 4,693 feet.

His eyes light up when he speaks about the customers and how he welcomes their waves of appreciation. He feels responsible for making a better life for everyone. He is a steward of creation and sees farming as ever changing the quality of the world we live in.

“The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer and restorer and resurrect or, by which disease passes into health, age into youth, and death into life. Without proper care for it we can have no community, because without proper care for it we can have no life.”
- Wendell Berry, The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture

Written by Lightning Consulting/Blogger Pros

Mike Marini's Love For Family, Farming and Life

There is no doubt Mike Marini is happiest being with his family on the farm, and he wants his three children to experience the same work and family values he did growing up on the farm. Mike Marini is in action many mornings hours before sunrise, and continues to work until dusk, which can be a fifteen plus hour day, but every step he takes he realizes how fortunate he is to be able to provide his children with the same amazing childhood he experienced living on the farm.  His children are at home on the farm following their dad from field to field and greenhouse to greenhouse, learning the Marini farm culture along the way.
 
We recently did a short interview with Mike Marini so people could learn about what farm life and raising a family on the farm meant to Mike. It is clear Mike is in awe with the beauty and abundance of farm life and providing a good quality of life to those around him.

What is the best thing a customer has ever said about you?
 
At a recent children’s birthday party at the farm, a mother said “I watch how you interact with your kids and can see you were meant to be a dad.”

What three words describe you best?
 
Hard-working, motivated and passionate

What things would you never change about your job?
 
Nothing! I am doing what I love to do and am happy doing it every day all year round! I learn from the environmental, social and economic challenges local farming presents and know I can always improve upon the quality of the produce I am producing. I am driven by the opportunity to continue to create a better system.

What motto do you operate by?

I learned early on from my father, Mario, that nothing should ever get me down. Every day brings new challenges, new achievements and new successes, all of which I learn a lot from. Taking on new challenges makes us stronger, more confident and more aware of alternative management practices.

What is your favorite vegetable to plant?
Field house and greenhouse tomatoes as they are important with everything we do.

What is your favorite event to do when you are not farming?
 
When I am not farming, I would rather be with my kids and family on vacation at Disney World. I love creating new family memories.

Walk us through a typical day at the farm…
 
The business is so seasonal and is always changing, so no two days are alike. New challenges and new accomplishments happen every day, but I love the thrill of making things better. Some days, like when I have market deliveries, I am up at 4:00 AM, and in the summer I am in the fields at 6:00 AM and stay until dusk. The work is never done and new goals are set at the start of every day.

What motivates you?
 
I love seeing the results with a fresh crop of corn and tomatoes and stand back and see what I have accomplished. I see the seeds grow into crops and see the clients enjoying the beauty and bounty of the produce we bring to market. It is rewarding seeing the excitement generated over the first corn of the season or the first picked field house tomatoes. I like seeing people better informed as to the importance of fresh food in their life.

If someone met you, they probably would never guess…
 
I have three kids and never ate vegetables until I was in my 20’s.

What is your #1 pet peeve?
 
When I see jobs that are half done. I like to see projects getting completed and see consistent progress being made. It drives me crazy when I am surrounded by jobs that are half finished.

When you are not working you are most likely to…
 
go to the gym and do cardio and weight lifting. I just love working out and getting stronger, so being healthy and fit are big priorities of mine.

What is one thing everyone can do to create a better, stronger food system?
 
Support the local food movement. It helps our food security. It helps our own health. It helps our local businesses, restaurants, farmers and community.

What is your favorite vegetable?
 
Asparagus cooked all different ways.

What is the best thing about farming?
 
No two days are ever the same and the best thing about farming, is that it is always changing. There is no time to ever be bored with my job.

What has been your biggest achievement?
 
My biggest achievement has been keeping the third-generation family farm going. I have had to be creative and develop ways to control the costs of production and adopted a diverse farming culture. It is a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but the rewards are staring at me each and every day.

There is no doubt Marini feels he has the best job in the world and is passionate about connecting us all to the abundance and beauty of farming. Learning from his dad's work philosophy to "take things as they come and roll with the punches, enables him to embrace each day with confidence, passion and commitment. As Marini knows, the skies can turn dark, but the earth has immense power to renew itself, to heal, and to give abundantly, and this more than anything is what gets him out of bed before the sun every day.

Written by Lightning Consulting

Marini Farm Corn Maze Has Miles of Thanks!

The 2013 corn maze, “T-Rex on the Loose”, had a record number of maze travelers this season. Marini is also happy to report that the maze received a 95% approval rating through Groupon from the surveys customers completed. One comment, “it was a great educational experience”, was the type of comment we love to hear as education is a key focus of the overall maze experience.

From selecting the maze design to selling the last ticket on November 2nd, the maze management is an eight-month process. Our maze team makes it all happen! They booked parties, schools and outings, blew up the inflatables, supervised the maze on the bridges and pathways, sold tickets, organized all the marketing and sponsorship relationships, supported the social media activities, managed the maintenance, kept everyone heading in the right direction, and provided educational programs about dinosaurs and the farm. Our daily operations staff successfully managed the process with crowds which could reach as many as 2,000 per day. Tracy Hamilton, the maze manager, was responsible for hiring the maze staff, organizing the work schedules and overseeing the day-to-day operation for the 55 days the maze was open. With thirty guides involved in the process, it can be a busy job juggling the schedule to make sure there are people in position on the lookout bridges and throughout the maze’s ten miles of pathways to guide people in the right direction.We are so appreciative of Tracy, and her staff for making the 2013 maze season a stellar season!

Kim Marini, was busy in the months before opening and during the season, booking field trips for schools, scouts, corporate, church groups, scheduling birthday parties and special outings, and taking reservations for our special events. As a result, this season had more first time visitors, had groups of all sizes booking outings and had visitors coming from greater distances to conquer the maze.

Each year our mission is to add to the maze park attractions, and in 2014 we have some new structures which will add more excitement to the interactive experience. This was our first year having a rock concert event, and next season we will plan additional entertainment programs and events.

Our staff has fun making you have fun! In the next two months we will be selecting our design for the 2014 maze and would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks again to all our customers, staff and sponsors for making “T-Rex on the Loose” the giant of all maze seasons!