With the weather too cold for painting, our weekend work will shift to clearing the old silage pit at Koulas Farm. The pit sits just to the left of “Big Red” and is about 40 feet long. It’s only a few feet deep with gently sloped sides, making it a perfect and safe place for younger kids to sled once the snow arrives. We wanted to get it cleared before the first real snow so it’s ready when winter comes.
For those not familiar, a silage pit was once used for storing and fermenting chopped grasses or corn to feed livestock through the cold months. Farmers would fill the pit with freshly cut plant material and cover it tightly to keep out air. Over time, the material would ferment naturally, preserving nutrients for the winter. It’s a simple but clever piece of farm design that helped make New England agriculture sustainable long before modern equipment came along.
Today the old pit is a reminder of that history, and by clearing it we’re making it both safer and more usable for the community. When the snow falls, it should be a great little sledding area for families with younger children who want a gentle hill and a soft landing.
Friends of Koulas will post details about the work party, most likely for Saturday morning around 8:30. We’ll bring tools, show you what to do, and make sure everyone stays warm and busy. It’s a fun way to help out, learn a bit of history, and get the site ready for winter fun.