Article by Shirley Murtha, Photos by Don Shaw, Jr.
When Dave Emery, president of the Friends of Holcomb Farm, called the annual meeting to order on June 28, the board and guests had just experienced the official grand opening of the new facility. Emotions ran high for the largest crowd to ever attend the annual meeting.
Emery’s overview of the 2025 season and treasurer Rocky Piccirillo’s financial report described a very productive year, as did Managing Farmer Joe O’Grady’s recap of last season, which included 528 CSA summer and 300 Pick-Your-Own members. 175 winter share members were thrilled with pickups that extended into March for the first time.
Much of the success of the 2025 season was due to a combination of the weather – no drought or flooding – and Farmer Joe’s customized fertilizer and amendment plan. Placing several fields out of production and into cover crops is expected to improve the 2026 yields.
Fresh Access Committee Chair Laura Midura noted that the farm provided 17 tons of nutrient-dense produce through community partners, reaching over 600 families in Granby, Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, Plainville, Simsbury, and Waterbury from June to October. Fresh Access Partners include: Granby Senior Center, Granby Social Services, Granby Congregational Church’s Open Cupboard Pantry, Healing Meals Community Project, the Hispanic Health Council, Simsbury Food Pantry and Waste Not/Want Not Community Kitchen.
After expressing the Farm’s gratitude to the Granby Community Fund and all the volunteers and donors, Emery adjourned the meeting and the annual pie baking contest took place. A winner was chosen by First Selectman Mark Fiorentino and Assistant Farm Manager and Crew Lead Tom Spatcher, and the crowd enjoyed making sure none of the remaining pastry was wasted.