Written by Community Engagement Manager, Kim Kneeland

Since it’s been more icy and wintery recently, we figured it would be appropriate to shine a light on one of the key historical assets we have at the farm – the “Ice House” and the industry behind it. 

The ice harvesting industry began in the early 1800s in the Boston area. Fueled by demand in Europe, time from off-season farmers, and development of specialized harvesting tools, this industry became a huge part of the New England economy throughout the 1800s, only to disappear by 1930 with the introduction of refrigeration. But we can still find traces of this industry all over.

You may have noticed the small, windowless building tucked next to the 1827 Barn during your Farm visits. Well this structure was a uniquely designed, insulated ice house where large blocks of ice were packed tightly and stored for sale during the warmer months. These blocks were harvested with horse, sleigh, saw, ice picks, a lot of careful calculations, and sheer hard work.

Photo c. 1920 of the Lockes loading ice into the ice house. Photo Courtesy of the Winchester Archival Center. 

I think seeing photos of this process really catches people’s interest as it is a very dynamic task that took community, strength, finesse, and ingenuity. Simple in its concept, there is still something so mesmerizing about ice harvesting. If you are interested in learning more, Wright-Locke’s ice house currently serves as a mini-museum that highlights this craft, with tools, pictures, and explanations of the process (Thanks to our Historic Committee, volunteer, and board help). You can also see photos and read a great account of a modern day ice harvest in this great article originally published in Edible Geography by Nicola Twilley about the Thompson Ice House and Harvesting Museum.

The Ice House at WLF can be viewed by appointment, or during community events at the Farm. E-mail info@wlfarm.org to inquire about visiting Wright-Locke Farm’s Ice House. 

Ice blocks (or cakes) were scored in a grid layout on the nearby ponds, sawed and cracked from the surrounding ice, then carefully guided through the open water channels to the sleigh to be brought to the nearest ice house. Ice harvesters would then have to muscle and maneuver the ice cakes into the house and pack, position, and stack the ice so as to fill the house just right. When filled correctly, an ice house might only lose 25% of the ice to melting over the course of the hot summer. How? Thermal mass, using sawdust filled walls for insulation, and a pitched roof to ventilate the heat that rose from any melting ice. Naturally frozen ice also has fewer air bubbles than most of our artificially frozen ice, which also leads the ice to last longer. 

Bringing ice (early 1900s) from one of the nearby ponds back to the Locke Farm . Photo Courtesy of the Winchester Archival Center. 

The photos below are all credited to Nicola Twilley and document the Thomson Ice House Museum’s ice harvest in 2014.

January 2020

Written by Director of Education, Erika Gorgenyi and Youth Programs Manager, Jack Wright

“One…thumb.”

Take one, big, deep breath. In through your nose and then let it out through you mouth.

“Two…shoe.”

Feel your feet, firmly planted on the ground beneath you.

“Three…see.”

Look around and notice 3 things that you can see.

“Four…more.”

Now close your eyes. Try to identify 3 more things by just listening.

“Five…alive.”

You’re alive! How is your body feeling at this moment? Maybe you’re hungry, tired or energized and alert. Get a sense of what your body is telling you at this moment.

This is just a simple mindfulness exercise called “Take 5” that can be used with children or adults alike. We recently began our information sessions for our new Forest School by inviting parents take part in this for themselves, to get a glimpse of the type of activity their child would do outside in our nature-immerisve program.

Being immersed outside in the natural world commands presence. It calls for us to pay attention, be mindful of our surroundings, discover connections and investigate mysteries. It invites us to muse and to play, to wonder and to want to share these experiences with others around us. Especially for small children, the outdoors is a powerful place and our relationship to it at a young age strongly informs how we will regard it (and care for it) when we’re older.

A while back I reflected on this when I wrote about the concept of “biophilia” for this blog–the term referring to an innate affiliation for the natural world that we, as humans, are born with. This affiliation or attraction to nature is either cultivated or stifled as we grow up, resulting in connection to, or avoidance of, the ecological world, of which we are all a part.

As we’ve outlined on our website, research has shown that a Forest School model has the potential to deliver impressive results in many areas of child growth and development. Forest-based learning can:

• Lead to better academic outcomes than traditional educational settings (Kuo et al., 2019)
• Contribute to emotional learning and wellbeing (Cutting & Sherwin, 2017)
• Lay a foundation for environmental stewardship (University of Colorado at Denver, 2007)
• Boost confidence, social skills, motivation and concentration (O’Brien & Murray, 2007)
• Have positive impacts on children’s resilience, problem-solving, confidence, independence, social and cognitive competence, and overall wellbeing (Blackwell, 2015)
• Improve concentration, executive function, creativity, and resilience to stress and adversity (University of Colorado at Denver, 2007)
• Improve motor skills, such as balance and coordination (Fjørtoft, 2001)
• Play has a significant, positive effect on children’s learning outcomes, especially improving creativity, empathy, cooperation, and sociability (Hattie, 2009)
• Outdoor education leads to improved outcomes regarding leadership, self-concept, personality, and interpersonal relationships (Hattie, 2009)

Similarly, there is power in allowing children to get to know a place in a way that can only come from spending long periods of time. In this fast-paced world, it’s often difficult to slow down enough to be in any one space for very long–enough to feel connected (particularly to an outdoor environment and group of people) and comfortable; familiar, and at-home. Over time, especially the critical growth years of early childhood, not having this opportunity can lead to disconnection from and apathy toward natural places. But given exposure to one place over a stretch of time, our ecological identity can be nurtured and allowed to manifest; we develop an “at-home” connection to the earth which can lead to increased care for its well-being. With an understanding and intimate, experiential knowledge of a certain place, its components, inhabitants, behaviors and patterns, empathy develops. This affinity has ripple effects. If given the opportunity to fall in love with just one particular place, especially in early years, comes the ability to love all natural places.

Our Youth Programs Manager, Jack, shared the following upon realizing the strength of his connection to nature and place:

On a recent meditation, I was asked to visualize a place that I feel calm. After fluttering through a few meaningful places, my mind settled on a warm summer afternoon here on the farm. In this moment, I stand next to the Education Garden on the hill, basking in the warmth of the sun and looking upon the farm spread out before me. As the sun begins to set, it casts a wonderful orange hue across the farm. I can hear cars drive by, but the soundscape primarily consists of children’s gleeful chatter as they feed the chickens, accompanied by the faint sound of the rooster’s crow and Hank’s bark.

Thinking back on the places that crossed my mind in this meditation, I realize that each place was outdoors. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that my most tranquil and lasting memories are those in nature. In fact, I believe most people have memories like this; not necessarily of the farm (though that may be the case), but one of enjoying the outdoors. For some, it could be a memory from childhood—perhaps climbing a tree, skipping stones on a lake, or searching for insects. But for others, it could be a more recent memory from any number of outdoor activities.

Here at Wright-Locke Farm, we want to encourage people of all ages to develop and strengthen their ecological identity as well as a sense of place. Young children are especially fertile ground for tending to the seeds of biophilia that we’re born with. Most children want to play in the mud, climb a tree, look under a rock, make a fort or fairyhouse out of sticks, feed a goat or hold a chicken, catch a frog, watch a hawk soaring above, or simply look at a fascinating flower growing. The Forest School model taps into that natural curiosity and desire to move and play by creating spaces outside for children to be children and learn in ways that they are naturally inclined to–following their interests, utilizing their skills, experimenting and taking part in hands-on exploration.

The Forest School affords children some of these critical opportunities: to develop a sense of place through discovery of the farm and forest and begin to feel a kinship with the land and environment; to gain important physical, social-emotional and academic skills through emergent, student-driven learning; to create caring, empathetic community members who see the value of teamwork, patience and resiliency; to encourage creativity and create space for wonder.

Largely, this is our hope for all visitors to Wright-Locke Farm. Many in our community speak of this place as having special meaning to them as a space for recharging, finding respite from the busy-ness of life. We seek to continue to be that as we protect and steward this place for enjoyment, sustenance and education.

“…you will find something far greater in the woods than in books. 

Trees and stones will teach you that which you cannot learn from the masters.”

-St. Bernard of Clairvaux

By 2019 Field Assistant, Tori Dahl

Seven months can feel like an eternity or the blink of an eye. In the damp coldness of April, digging out raspberries, wearing “full kit” rain gear, and cleaning to prepare for the season, it seemed that this season would flow like the prior. But soon enough, farmers’ markets were off and running and the CSA took off and suddenly the rhythm of farm life became a comfortable, though fast flowing, pattern.

Weeks started off with hurried Tuesdays harvesting for the Lexington market and setting up with Diana. Tuesday afternoons were filled with volunteers and a variety of tasks: weeding, transplanting, scuffle (or hula) hoeing, and, frequently, goat walks. While my coworkers could surely tell you I was mostly annoyed with goats for much of the season, as I left the farm Saturday, I realized how caring for Twelvers, Sixteen, Rip(apotamous), Slim Shady, Turbo(nado), Will, and Rufus created excitement and variety within the routine of planting, weeding, and harvesting. And driving goats in a minivan is certainly a unique experience I never planned to have. Are the goats needy and spoiled? YES! Are they whiny escape artists? YES! But they also have strong personalities and a love of sweet things (just like me).

And so, without my realizing it, goat walks became a favorite part of the week: hunting for acorns to feed Twelvers (and the others); holding down tree branches so they could reach higher; even getting knocked over by 16 as I led them back to their paddock. While in the heat of summer we set up fences around the farm, knowing Will would escape and Rufus would likely follow (straight to the compost), on a goat walk, we were able to interact with the goats and each other. I learned that Rufus loves rose hips, Twelvers will eat anything you hand feed her, and they all love kale and collards.

Wednesdays were our catchall and catch-up days. I love weeding (no joke)! so I always enjoyed knowing I’d get to spend a few hours with my hands in the dirt pulling out the weeds that never quit. Thursday and Friday were filled with harvesting for CSA and market respectively. And then Saturday I enjoyed spending all day meeting customers and selling our beautiful produce. This is our weekly routine which was punctuated with laughter and community.

Which leads me to another favorite aspect of Wright-Locke: how multi-faceted it is. Every day, community members wandered through enjoying the animals, the fields, and the forest. Most mornings the joyful sounds of children echoed across the farm from the education programs and camps. And evenings and weekends were crowded with private events, farm dinners, speaker series, and family farm nights. I never grew sick of hearing folks new to the farm exclaiming that they couldn’t believe how beautiful the farm is and that they had never been here before, or known it was here, though they’d lived in the area for years.

Having worked on farms for 5 years now, I can say that the absolute best part is creating vibrant relationships with fellow staff members. Starting with the mid-summer staff & volunteer potluck of randomly assigned vegetables (a few delicacies were lemon garlic pasta, kohlrabi curry, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, cherry tomato caprese salad, scallion pancakes, tomato and onion pie, kale salad, eggplant with lime and thyme, and so many more) we continued to celebrate the bountiful harvest, good food, and community with birthday lunches, goodbye parties, and general celebratory potlucks. I loved that these events brought the whole staff together around delicious shared dishes (a few highlights: kale honey pesto, homemade sourdough, raspberry cheesecake coffee cake, and delicata galettes).

For me, the reasons I farm center around just such community. When I first got into farming, it was because all of the things I was passionate about could be combined into one: building a loving community, fostering compassion and caring for the earth, teaching a positive earth ethic, and creating and building a healthier planet through improved soil and organic foods. I love teaching people about these passions of mine through hands-on farm experiences and I love that my time at Wright-Locke Farm allowed me to interact with youth and adult volunteers on a regular basis. As I leave this place, in the blink of an eye, I am so grateful for the relationships I have formed with staff and volunteers, for the wonderful food we created and shared, and for the gift of growing soil and food in a beautiful place with beautiful people. Thank you to all the staff who have become members of my extended “farmily,” to the volunteers and customers who always greeted me with smiles, and to the earth for helping us create delicious, nutritious food to nourish ourselves and our community. May the winter months bring you peace and serenity to better create and inspire community next year. Cheers!

Thank you for everything that you’ve done for the farm this season Tori. You truly added to our farm community and you certainly won the award for “most amazing farm dishes to share.” We will miss all of your tasty concoctions and the warmth that you brought to the farming team. Good luck and keep us posted on your next adventures! – The Wright-Locke Farm Team

September 2019

Written by Youth Programs Manager, Jack Wright

­Hi! For those of you that I haven’t met yet, I’m Jack, the new Youth Programs Manager! At the end of this past May, I joined the Wright-Locke Team and jumped right into our summer education programs.

It’s been an incredible experience for me as an educator to look back on how the education programs evolved throughout the summer. While some of my original lesson ideas didn’t land as expected, other new activities naturally arose from the kids’ interests on the farm. For example, early in the summer, one of our scavenger hunt activities naturally flowed into a grasshopper-catching extravaganza. Seeing how excited the kids were to catch grasshoppers (as well as how they were collaborating, communicating, and problem-solving as issues arose), I knew that our insect expedition would have to be a regularly scheduled activity! I’ve learned so much over the course of this summer and I’m excited to implement these new ideas into more programs at the farm!

In addition to growing as an educator, I’ve also had an incredible time. Looking back on this summer, I feel so lucky to work at such a wonderful place doing something as important as sharing my love for the outdoors with others. It’s been so rewarding to work with so many different kids (over 300 this summer!) and experience their sense of wonder as they explore the farm. While some of the participants were regulars on the farm, others were here for their first time. This variety of participants and their experiences allowed me to witness the farm through new eyes each week, reminding me of how special the farm is!

I’ve also had so much fun making connections with each of the program participants. Helping the kids build their fairy houses, prepare our daily farm snack, or complete our chicken chores has allowed me to bond with the kids—and share many laughs. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed talking with the kids, exploring their questions along with them, and joking around!

This summer has been an absolute blast and I look forward to our upcoming fall programs (shameless plug: click here to register). One of the most exciting aspects of this work is the freedom that Erika (the Farm’s Education Director) and I have to continue developing our programs. Our goal is to retain the most successful aspects of our existing programs while exploring new topics and aspects of the farm! For example, Erika and I are both looking forward to incorporating more environmental education into our lessons, in addition to our existing farm-focused activities. As the farm continues to grow, we look forward to offering new and engaging experiences for our community.

This summer has been one filled with excitement, joy, and growth (pun intended!). I look forward to our upcoming programs and I hope to see you on the farm soon!

Thank for all of the hard work that you do, Jack. All of us at Wright-Locke Farm are delighted to have you on the team and think you make us a stronger one! We’re excited to implement your ideas as our programs continue to evolve organically (pun intended!).