First Annual Pansy Festival at Singing River Farm on May 2

After helping with Green Up Day in your town treat yourself to the delights of the first annual Pansy Festival at Singing River Farm in Rockingham, VT on Saturday, May 2, 2015 from noon until 4 PM. This community celebration of spring happens rain or shine because heirloom pansies herald the season of hope whatever the weather.

"We believe that our true security lies in relationships and so we are working to build a strong and sustainable community," said Laurel Green and Steve Crofter, farm owners and hosts of the festival. "The Pansy Festival is a place for neighbors to talk and play with each other and we hope will lead to deeper friendships developing across class and political divides. All kinds of people are welcome."

The Pansy Festival is great for the whole family looking for a fresh view of Spring. A short program each half hour will include a mix of music, skits, poems, a little history of the place, and interesting facts about pansies. There will also be activities for all ages such as crafts, face painting, photo fun, and cooperative games. Items for sale include field grown pansies just in time for Mother's Day. Chili and cornbread made from dry beans and flint corn grown at Singing River Farm will be available for purchase as well as jams and farm produce.

Pansies are a colorful harbinger of spring, but what are Field Grown Pansies? Singing River Farm's field grown pansies are nurtured to grow as nature intends with long, large root systems. When compared to commercially grown hothouse pansies grown in cell pack trays the root systems are much stronger. They are cold hardy having been started in the summer, then wintered over in the field with only some mulch for cold protection. The seeds of this heirloom landrace of pansies have been adapted to this region and organic cultural practices without cross breeding to other types of pansies. Laurel informally apprenticed with Jenny Wright of Unity, New Hampshire who has grown this species of pansies for more than 30 years. Jenny in turn learned the craft of raising them from the Charles Gastler family who have grown them since the 1930's on their farm in Connecticut.

"We want our farm to be a welcoming place for all people. In the same way that polyculture (the raising of multiple plant species near each other for mutual benefit) is a good farming practice, we believe that human diversity is beneficial for our society," Steve Crofter commented. "We're very aware that one use of the word 'pansy' is as a disparaging term for an effeminate or gay boy or man. The fact that we are naming this event as a Pansy Festival is a great opportunity for us to explicitly support our diverse community."

The event will take place outside in a meadow so please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Bring sunscreen or umbrellas as you see fit. You are encouraged to bring a picnic to enjoy as you relax, take in the views and visit with your neighbors. To encourage a healthy community they ask that there be no smoking or use of alcohol on the property. Also, Singing River Farm has a "no dogs allowed" policy for the animals' safety and out of respect for the crop growing areas. The parking is in the sun, so for the dogs' sake it is best to leave them at home.

"Vermont Green Up Day is also on May 2nd and we are supporters of that important community event," Laurel noted. "So, please participate in Green Up Day in what ever way you choose, then join us for the Pansy Festival to revel in the wonders of the season and our community."

The Pansy Festival will take place at Singing River Farm, on Brockways Mills Road in Rockingham, 1 tenth of a mile north of Vermont Route 103 between I-91 exit 6 and Chester. For more information contact Laurel Green at 802-275-4646 or email [email protected].

Photo: Laurel Green and Steve Crofter preparing for photo fun at the Pansy Festival.