On Saturday, the Massaro Community Farm of Woodbridge hosted a Pizza, Pickles and Pedals event. The event ran from 10:30-5:00 and featured agricultural and culinary workshops spread throughout the day as well as music and food.

Workshops included demonstrations on beekeeping, managing invasive species and raising backyard chickens as well as pickling and lacto fermentation techniques.

The invasive species workshop was provided by Jane Torello of Dirt Floor Designs. For Woodbridge resident Jeff Axt, Torello’s insight proved very helpful.

“There are those of us who are trying to get back to what is native to the area,” Axt said. “With so many invasives, you are bound to be beaten down at every turn.”

“It is the kind of reinforcement we need,” Axt said of the workshop. “The common person doesn’t know what’s being done to the forest until it’s already done. Then it’s too late.”

The CT Beekeepers were on hand as well as Bethany resident Benjamin Gardner of Pollen, who spoke on the intricies of raising and keeping backyard chickens. Gardner lectured on topics including purchasing chickens, coop size, diet, maintenance and protection. He spoke about ways to identify a healthy chicken and the importance of committing to the proper care of the birds.

Microorganism farmer Ariana Bain delivered the pickling and lacto fermentation workshop in which spectators were taught first hand how to make pickles and Kimchee.

In addition to the lectures, Massaro also hosted the riders of Tour de Farms bike circuit who stopped in on their route through Bethany. The bikers trickled in slowly at first, but soon came as one large pack.

“They came in like locusts,” joked Outreach and Partnership Coordinator Melissa Waldron Lehner of the hundred or so bikers who stopped in for pizza cooked from fresh farm produce as well as beer, provided by the New England Brewing Company of Woodbridge.

Music was provided by CT Folk artist Michell Riganese. After performing at Massaro, Riganese continued on the Tour de Farms to perform with other CT Folk artists at Teat Farm in Orange.

Massaro Community Farm is located at 41 Ford Road in Woodbridge. For more information, please visit their website.