by Erica Prempeh, Tolman High School Marketing & Management Academy Student
Over a decade ago, the O’Dwyer family set out to build Langwater Farm and provide their community with fresh, healthy, organic produce. With the help of their community and the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program they started the first year, they had enough support to start their first season. Langwater Farm soon became a community favorite and they have been able to expand their farm and customer base with the help of Farm Fresh RI.
Langwater Farm’s CSA program allows people in the community to purchase shares at a discounted price in the winter, providing the farmers with seed money to buy the supplies they need to start the season. CSA members then come to the farm every week for 24 weeks (May through October) to pick up a share of that week’s harvest. Because of their CSA, Langwater Farm is able to continue harvesting during the entire growing season.
In addition to the CSA, Langwater Farm has received tremendous support from Farm Fresh RI in expanding their products and customer base. The partnership started soon after Langwater Farm began in 2010. Farm Fresh RI has helped Langwater Farm distribute their products all over the Northeast region, and the farm has been able to build a larger customer connection because of it. “Farm Fresh RI has allowed us to be able to focus our energy on growing while they take on the distribution,” said Kevin O’Dwyer, one of the owners of the farm. Langwater Farm enthusiastically recommends Farm Fresh RI to any new farm that wants help with distribution and growth of customers.
Langwater Farm grows a large variety of crops on about 80 acres of land. They grow many types of fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, beans, corn, cucumbers, arugula, cabbage, kale, watermelon strawberries, peas, and sweet potatoes to name a few. They even have flowers that you can pick for yourself. You can purchase their products at their farm stand in Easton, MA, at several local farmers markets, through Farm Fresh RI’s Market Mobile wholesale and home delivery service, or through Langwater’s CSA. In the naer future, the O’Dwyer family hopes to open their own bakery where they can sell fresh, homemade baked goods.
If you are interested in feeding yourself or your family fresh, organic products stop by Langwater Farm at 209 Washington/Route 138 in North Easton, MA, or visit their booth at a local farmers market. By doing this you are not only living a better life, but you will be helping a local farm in your community. For more information about Langwater Farm and where you can find their produces, please visit langwaterfarm.com, or email them at thefarmers@langwaterfarm.com.
A group of students from the William E. Tolman High School Marketing & Management Academy in Pawtucket recently took on a project of writing profiles about some of the local farms that work with Farm Fresh RI. This was a great opportunity for students to get interviewing experience, learn about the local food system, and see it firsthand. Thank you to all of the students and farmers who participated!
