Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1239297
75 that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts deemed "COVID-19 Essential Services" on March 23, and local farms are pushing forward with production amidst the upheaval. "For now, we continue to farm and seed as if we were heading into a regular season [and] hoping for the best," Valerie Rosenberg, marketing and events coordinator for Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury, told Northshore in late March. But even beyond providing food and sus- tenance to their North Shore neighbors, local farms are community gathering places and always have been. That's why when life returns to normal, we'll all be craving warm weather, delicious food, and community connection more than ever before. "In these times people are looking for activities that feed the soul and the mind," says Michael Smolak, Jr., manager/owner of Smolak Farms in North Andover. There's no better place to find such activities than on our local farms, many of which have offered outdoor farm dining, cooking classes, flower and herb workshops, farm-chic shops, and workout classes during past seasons. Here are a few to visit when social dis- tancing becomes a mere memory. All of this information was accurate at press time, but remember to check each farm's website for the latest news and information. WILLOW SPRING VINEYARDS HAVERHILL Willow Spring Vineyards is not only known for its wines, like its best-selling rosé blend "Pink," but also for its stellar lineup of events. During typical seasons, you can find "literally anything and everything" going on at Willow Spring Vineyards, says manager Jade Jalbert, like monthly paint nights, craft events, floral arranging classes, farm yoga, Friday night fires, and band nights. Of course, this is not a typical year. "Events this spring might be changing," Jal- bert says. But when social distancing rules lift, the winery will open. Look online for updates, as well as information on new-this-year events, like a farm-to-table wine pairing meal, cook- ing demos from local chefs, and a Friday food truck. willowspringvineyards.com PHOTOGRAPHS BY JARED CHARNEY