16-June-2026
On Monday-15-June, the Bogota Public Library hosted a workshop on how to build and prepare a personal " Victory" garden. This was presented by Anthony Bracco of Bracco Farms in New York. He was joined by his wife Christa to talk about their experiences in small farming. Mr. Bracco practices what he calls small batch, naturally grown, sustainable family farm. While not officially a fully organic farm, he goes with a Safe-Seed-Pledge using non-GMO seeds, organic fertilizers, and other natural practices. Bracco Farms also uses natural sustainable farming techniques along with hand-cultivation of weeds without the use of any non-organic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, weed killers, or chemicals.
Mr. Bracco opened with a short history of a "Victory Garden" These were created during the first World War (then called War Gardens) as a supplement of food supplies as part of the war effort. The program was expanded during World War II.
Mr. Bracco talked about different types of home gardens that can be use. For a small personal Planting Box garden, A typical size would be 4 feet by 8 feet made from 2 x 10 lumber as a frame. The lumber should not be those treated with chemical weather proofing. But should be coated with a mixture of 3 parts odorless mineral spirits and 1-part boiled linseed oil. The frame should be placing 2 inches below surface which will allow for the frame to be secured into the earth and hinder most burrowing animals from digging into the plot. A mixture of topsoil, compost peat moss, and organic fertilizers should fill the bed to within 1 inch of the top.
Another is an In-Ground Bed Garden. These allow plants to access nutrient-rich native soil, improving growth and resilience. They typically offer better drainage than raised beds, reducing the risk of root rot. They require a level area with 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. And start at 4 feet wide by 8 feet long, allowing access from both sides without stepping on the soil.
Mr. Bracco then showed a number of the tools he uses in his fields, which can be used in a personal garden. Some tools are used for soil maintenance, while other for planting.
Bracco Farms also runs a Farm Stand located just off of Pine Island Turnpike Pine Island, NY. This is open usually from May to October selling produce grown in the field right behind the structure. They are open only on Saturdays from 11:00a to 4:00p with crops harvested from a few days before, or that same day.
Bracco Farms now offer a Fresh Vegetable Program. This will email and post a weekly availability list every Monday. Simply select what you would wish to purchase from their list. Pick up at thier home in Cedar Grove, NJ or at the farm in Pine Island, NY. Contact them at: info@braccofarm.com
For more information for Bracco Farms please visit their web-site at www.braccofarms.com
On Monday-15-June, the Bogota Public Library hosted a workshop on how to build and prepare a personal " Victory" garden. This was presented by Anthony Bracco of Bracco Farms in New York. He was joined by his wife Christa to talk about their experiences in small farming. Mr. Bracco practices what he calls small batch, naturally grown, sustainable family farm. While not officially a fully organic farm, he goes with a Safe-Seed-Pledge using non-GMO seeds, organic fertilizers, and other natural practices. Bracco Farms also uses natural sustainable farming techniques along with hand-cultivation of weeds without the use of any non-organic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, weed killers, or chemicals.
Mr. Bracco opened with a short history of a "Victory Garden" These were created during the first World War (then called War Gardens) as a supplement of food supplies as part of the war effort. The program was expanded during World War II.
Mr. Bracco talked about different types of home gardens that can be use. For a small personal Planting Box garden, A typical size would be 4 feet by 8 feet made from 2 x 10 lumber as a frame. The lumber should not be those treated with chemical weather proofing. But should be coated with a mixture of 3 parts odorless mineral spirits and 1-part boiled linseed oil. The frame should be placing 2 inches below surface which will allow for the frame to be secured into the earth and hinder most burrowing animals from digging into the plot. A mixture of topsoil, compost peat moss, and organic fertilizers should fill the bed to within 1 inch of the top.
Another is an In-Ground Bed Garden. These allow plants to access nutrient-rich native soil, improving growth and resilience. They typically offer better drainage than raised beds, reducing the risk of root rot. They require a level area with 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. And start at 4 feet wide by 8 feet long, allowing access from both sides without stepping on the soil.
Mr. Bracco then showed a number of the tools he uses in his fields, which can be used in a personal garden. Some tools are used for soil maintenance, while other for planting.
Bracco Farms also runs a Farm Stand located just off of Pine Island Turnpike Pine Island, NY. This is open usually from May to October selling produce grown in the field right behind the structure. They are open only on Saturdays from 11:00a to 4:00p with crops harvested from a few days before, or that same day.
Bracco Farms now offer a Fresh Vegetable Program. This will email and post a weekly availability list every Monday. Simply select what you would wish to purchase from their list. Pick up at thier home in Cedar Grove, NJ or at the farm in Pine Island, NY. Contact them at: info@braccofarm.com
For more information for Bracco Farms please visit their web-site at www.braccofarms.com
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