School's back and education continues at Massaro Community Farm.

Summer has been bountiful at Massaro Farm. Even though Labor Day looms, there’s still a lengthy stretch of growing season ahead, along with many activities for you to come out and enjoy.

It’s true the peak of the growing season typically coincides with the longest days from June through August, but the start of school doesn’t spell the end of fun at the farm. This past week farm staffers were seeding fall crops, including lettuce, spinach and kale. They had help from summer youth employees and Yale students taking part in Harvest, a student orientation program for incoming freshman. Long after tomatoes are finished and tilled under, many crops will be harvested into November and December, including potatoes, radishes, beets, carrots, and a mixture of leafy greens. This means that even after our subscription service ends for the season, farm produce can be found every Saturday at the Wooster Square Farmer’s Market and Sundays at the Edgewood Park Farmer’s Market, both in New Haven. Meanwhile, we invite you to come out and enjoy our nature trail.

New this fall at the farm will be a Growing Sprouts program. Our education staff invites parents or other caregivers to bring children ages 2 to 5 to the farm to spend time outdoors and learn about how things grow. Eight weekly morning sessions begin on September 15. Preregistration for this small-group series is required. Details and registration info on this and other programs mentioned below can be found on our website, www.MassaroFarm.org .

We are now accepting registration for our after-school immersion program offered in partnership with Beecher Road School. While Beecher Road students are bussed to the farm, this program is also open to all residents of Woodbridge and surrounding towns. This extended-day program is for students ages 6-11 who will visit the farm each Thursday afternoon to watch the farm make its slow and steady transition to fall, and eventually, winter. As the days grow shorter, students will traverse the trails through the woods, watch the birds migrate, and continue to sample fresh produce from the learning garden, absorbing all the farm has to offer for young minds. Again, you can register on our website or through the Woodbridge Town Recreation Department.

Reservations are now open for field trips for school groups and home schoolers. Field trips typically last 90-120 minutes and we can tailor lessons to align with the visiting school’s curriculum. We recommend scheduling these trips before mid-November, when it starts to get chilly. Call the farm office at (203) 736-8618 or see our website for the reservation form.

In addition to offerings for youth and families, adult workshops will continue with Canning Farm Salsa on September 12, the last Beekeeping Workshop of the season and a Bird Migration walk on September 29, Dyeing Cloth Naturally on October 12 and Wreath-making & Decorating on November 16. Information about each of these workshops can be found on the farm’s website, on Facebook and on Eventbrite.com.

Last but not least, we are pleased to partner again with Valley Shakespeare Festival to bring a Shakespeare play to the farm. This year, you are invited to see The Two Gentlemen of Verona on October 5 (6pm) and 6 (2pm). In this comedy, Valentine and Proteus are best friends until they fall in love with the same young woman. Rivalry, shenanigans, and a dog round out this raucous tale. Other fall-themed activities will accompany each performance. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 6 through 12 and for seniors. Children 5 and under are free. We will also offer some pay-what-you-will tickets for each performance. Tickets will be available shortly on www.Eventrbite.com.

Make it a point to visit the farm this fall and enjoy one of our many programs. More details on the programs and events mentioned above can be found on our website, www.MassaroFarm.org or by calling the farm office at (203) 736-8618. The staff looks forward to seeing you at the farm this fall!

Massaro Community Farm is a nonprofit, certified-organic farm on the border of Woodbridge and Ansonia, CT. It is committed to supporting the legacy of farming, feeding neighbors in need, and building community through events and hands-on education for all ages.