Most people do not know how maple syrup is actually made. They see a bottle on a shelf. Maybe a bucket hanging on a tree in an old photo. That is about it. Here is what is really happening. In late winter, when nights drop below freezing and days warm above freezing, maple trees build […]

Due to winter restrictions still in place at Sunny Meadow, today’s walk had to jump through a few hoops to happen. None of the internal access roads were cleared, and the typical farm road across the property could not be opened. Plan B became the original farm road off Route 27, which had been cleared […]

Through snow and wind, nine brave souls gathered in the parking lot at Koulas Farm as a winter storm rolled through. Armed not with swords, but with loppers, hand saws, and chainsaws, our band set forth into the fields on a quest to free the trees from choking bittersweet and prepare the infamous “Devil Tree” […]

When we have work parties and start clearing areas covered in heavy bittersweet and other invasives, you never know what you are going to uncover. Today was no different. We had a full crew of nine volunteers, all experienced with invasive mitigation at Koulas and other sites. This was not a casual brush-cutting day. This […]

Maple season is officially underway, and I wanted to give everyone a clear update on what is happening with Cooking Buckets in Chelmsford. Jamie operates two very different sugar bushes here in town. The first is a traditional hillside sugar bush. This is what most people picture when they think of maple syrup production. Long […]

Not with buildings. Not with pavement. But with stories. Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship (COSS) and Friends groups are continuing the steady work of identifying and restoring twelve points of interest across the Koulas site. None of these are large construction projects. They are small, thoughtful upgrades that add color, history, ecology, and meaning to the […]

Possible Bands for “Music From the Farm” We are starting to line up this summer’s Music From the Farm series at Sunny Meadow Farm, and I have to say… it is shaping up to be a great season. Below is a list of possible bands who have expressed interest in playing. Take a look. If […]

COSS has been reaching out for grants to help provide free, outdoor, family-friendly events in Chelmsford, and we just heard back. They have been approved. Here is what was funded for 2026: • Music at the Farm at Sunny Meadow Farm (expanded from 4 in 2025) Six free outdoor concerts Grant ID FY26-LCC-126989 • Pumpkin […]

One thing I tell every volunteer is this: I have an 80% rule. If you show up and give me 80% of what we planned, that’s fantastic. I can handle the last 20%. Volunteering isn’t about perfection. It’s about participation. Life is busy. People have different abilities, different schedules, and different comfort levels. The goal […]

Well, over the last few weeks Roberts Field keeps coming up, and residents are starting to talk. Nothing formal yet, just a lot of interest bubbling up in conversations. The park sits in Precinct 5, and with that seat contested this election cycle, it is reasonable to expect Roberts Field will become part of the […]