MANCHESTER, NH – Summertime and the growing ain’t easy – a cold spring followed by a dry summer so far has put a hurting on local farmers, who are scrambling to keep up with watering and nurturing plants and animals.
Christine Templeton, matriarch of Templeton Family Organics in Goffstown, says this growing season has posed several challenges – vegetables are germinating much slower than usual due to dry soil conditions, and keeping their chickens and pigs hydrated and safe from the sweltering hot spell has been labor intensive.
“We have 1,700 chickens and we’ve had to go around watering them every two hours to keep them hydrated and as cool as possible. We had 400 chickens in the field, and there’s not a lot of shade there except for the roofing on their houses. They’re at risk for sudden death,” says Templeton.
They haven’t lost any chickens yet, with all family farm hands on deck – which includes her own brood of kids – who are assisting with growing season 911.
“Our pigs need a wallow, which is a pond of water – they cake the mud on to keep themselves hydrated because they don’t sweat. The water dries right up – it’s been so dry it’s like sand out there, so we have to truck the water around the farm,” Templeton says.
Since buying the farm in 2015, the Templetons have experienced all sorts of challenges – one year they had so much rain it flooded out the crops, which were all lost.
“After that season we adapted by making raised beds so the crops would drain if ever it happened again. Every year has its challenge,” she says.
Normally they use a drip line, but this year they didn’t get it set up in time, so they’re trucking the water where it’s needed, and using hoses. And unfortunately their utility vehicle, which has a water tank, broke this year. But they’re working around all that because, as Templeton says, it’s all part of the farm life they love.
“We have no employees, so the kids have to sometimes begrudgingly pitch in, especially when it’s so hot you don’t want to go outside, but it’s a labor of love – we wouldn’t trade the lifestyle for anything,” says Templeton.
“We love sharing the experience, which is one reason why we rent chickens out for the summer season. People have lost sight of the source of their food – we had one boy tell us he likes spinach, but he likes the kind that grows in a can. We have a whole generation that’s lost that knowledge that, for years, was passed down from generation to generation,” she says.
Temple Family Organics promo
Buy fresh and local
There are lots of fresh local produce and meats available in the Greater Manchester area where you can buy anything you’re looking for – local beets, rhubarb, zucchini, asparagus, peas, lettuce, herbs, honey, meats and more.
- Manchester Community Farmers’ Market, organized by Intown Manchester, is now located at Stanton Plaza on Elm Street (in front of the Manchester Downtown Hotel, formerly the Radisson) open Thursdays from 3 to 6:30 p.m. until October 4. Local farmers sell their produce, and artisans participate as well. Shoppers can park at the Middle Street parking lot, Center of New Hampshire Garage, Victory Parking Garage, and Citizens Bank Garage.
Community Market slideshow/Laura Aronson via YouTube
Find what you’re looking for at one of many local farms in the Greater Manchester area. Click here for a comprehensive list via Local Harvest.
- Farm and Flower Market, 15 Webster St., sells produce, flowers, and other products year-round.
- Templeton Family Organics, 176 Kennedy Hill Rd., Goffstown. Self-serve farm stand open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Featuring vegetables, fruits, chicken and pork, herbs, flowers, grains.
- LaValley Farms, 1801 Hooksett Rd., Hooksett, offers produce grown on 60 acres in Pembroke, Allenstown, and Hooksett. It also partners other local farms to sell local eggs, meats, honey, milk, cheese, and more.
- The LaValley cart, located just outside the Massabesic Traffic Circle at 2180 Candia Road, is is open daily mid June through September.
- Johnson’s Golden Harvest, 412 W. River Rd., Hooksett, is open year-round and sells locally grown fruit, vegetables, pasture- raised meats, raw milk, farm fresh eggs, fresh baked breads, homemade pies and baked goods.
- Bedford Farmers Market at 190 Meetinghouse Rd., Bedford, is open Tuesdays, 3:00 – 6:00 PM Tuesdays until October 9.
- Devriendt Farm Stand, 178 S. Mast St., Goffstown, is open daily for pick-your-own strawberries through mid-July.
- Wilson Farm, 144 Charles Bancroft Hwy. (Rr. 3A), Litchfield, grows its own produce.
- McQuesten Farm, 330 Charles Bancroft Hwy. (Rr. 3A), Litchfield, is open seasonally.
- Sunnycrest Farm, 59 High Range Rd., Londonderry, is open seasonally and has pick-your-own fruits and vegetables.
- Mack’s Apples, 230 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, is open seasonally and has pick-your own fruits and vegetables.
Reporter Carol Robidoux contributed to this story.
