It is said that farming is a profession of hope. If that is the case, then Colchester Farm has been cultivating hope since 1751. Situated off a winding country road in the heart of Plympton, the eight-acre slice of heaven has a rich history of turning out vibrant, beautiful crops and feeding the community. Owned by Mary Ann Barrow -descendant of the Barrow family who started and tended the farm for generations, Colchester Farm is one of the regions oldest farms and an integral part of Plympton history.
Centuries later Colchester Farm is still thriving and feeding locals with the best of the best produce. Present day goods are started, nurtured and harvested by Jim Lough who operates the farm. Known to the town as “Farmer Jim”, you can find him ushering bountiful harvests from the barn to the farm stand and interacting with customers -often times knowing them well as regulars. “Farmer Jim” Lough, however, was not always a farmer.
With a background in lab management for cardio research in Boston and New York for eight years, Lough found himself called back to his agricultural roots. Lough grew up in Middleborough helping his father deliver eggs from their egg farm. Lough also worked at Freitas Farm picking blueberries. While immersed in city living Lough was drawn to the smaller restaurants with menus that were limited but offered high quality, locally grown food. He recounts, “I loved those places that were little city restaurants with like eight things on the menu but they had lines out the door because of the quality of what you were served.” Lough decided to come back to the farm communities he knew so well and try his hand at farming.
Once settled in the area again, Lough discovered Colchester Farm. At the time, Barrow was leasing Colchester Farm to New England Village -a residential community-based organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. New England Village hired Lough to be the farm manager for Colchester Farm. After a few years, New England Village dropped the lease and transferred it to Lough who now leases and runs Colchester on his own.
Colchester Farm is long known as a vegetable farm from the beginning, but Lough established the current day honor-system farmstand and pick-your-own sunflowers every August. Overflowing with the freshest produce straight from the fields, Colchester is a hub for anyone looking for produce harvested at its peak. “I am all about quality over quantity,” Lough explains, “I offer limited produce -the classic New England vegetables that everyone likes, but I make sure they are the best quality.” Any produce that is slightly less than perfect in Lough’s eyes is offered in discount baskets but will taste just as delicious because it has been grown in the best conditions.
Colchester Farm sits in a slight basin that has been catching mineral-rich drain off from the nearby wetlands. With nutrient dense, compost accumulating soil that would make any gardener or farmer envious, Lough works with the land to bring out the full potential of every crop grown there. “We do butter and sweet corn, Sugar-Cube cantaloupe, tomatoes, squashes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers -it’s all picked at its peak so it tastes amazing.” Lough doesn’t just harvest the crops at Colchester Farm, he starts many of the crops offered at the farmstand from seed. “All the tomatoes are started from seed in the greenhouse with space heaters underneath the tables and then little tents of plastic covering are placed over the hoops above the table to create a little greenhouse in the greenhouse for each plant. It is a lot more energy efficient than running heat into the greenhouse.” Lough then transplants about 1,000 seedlings from the greenhouse out to the fields once the danger of frost has passed.
In addition to greenhouse starts, Lough direct sows many of his crops as well. “I planted about 35,000 corn this year. It’s our main crop and that’s because it is the best corn you will ever eat,” he assures. Often encouraging people to eat it raw on the cob, Lough stands confident that a sweeter corn can’t be found anywhere else. Another draw to Colchester Farm is the August pick-your-own sunflowers. The cheerful patch of late summer blooms is peppered with happy bees bounding from flower to flower and then flying back past the small pond on the farm to the rear fields where beehives are kept. “The honey from these hives tastes like corn and sunflowers,” Lough remarks.
As anyone who has tried to grow food knows, planting your crops is just the beginning of the effort required to yield a profitable harvest. From disease to pests to wildlife, Lough is constantly working to keep things healthy and abundant. “I don’t even have a commercial pesticide license so I really keep chemicals to a minimum and only apply things as ground applications if needed to make sure the food stays disease free but without a bunch of chemicals on it.” With tomato and squash fields nearly entirely devoid of disease or decay it is apparent Lough’s methods are working well.
As for keeping the local deer at bay, Lough’s approach is unorthodox though endearing. “It’s because of Dapple. Dapple my donkey is my deer control,” Lough explains. “For some reason she reacts when she senses deer in the field and her braying scares them off. And here in the sunflower patch is apparently as far as her braying noise travels because this is always the exact spot where they start eating,” Lough gestures to a clear line of sunflowers eaten and sunflowers untouched. A local celebrity of sorts, Dapple earns her keep not just in spooking the deer from the fields, but in entertaining the customers who stop by to offer donated farm stand treats in her designated container where customers are invited to add a carrot or ear of corn or apple that Lough will later give her. “She is very dramatic and she expects gifts from anyone who visits her. If you don’t have any then she basically wants nothing to do with you,” jokes Lough.
When asked what is in store for the future of the historic Colchester Farm, Lough explains that the barn was renovated last winter and readied for possible rentals for local gatherings and events. “The barn is all cozy and ready for anyone to rent for things like workshops or parties. We want to start hosting some things here as well so be on the lookout for those announcements.” In addition to plans for community gatherings, expansion is also on the horizon for Colchester to offer enough to keep up with growing demand. “It took a while to get going,” Lough explains, “But three years in and the farmstand is catching up financially and we have established a steady customer base -some of the customers are former employees of the farm who have a history here.”
With a history as rich as Colchester Farms has and an innovative, industrious farmer committed to merging time tested farming practices with modern day techniques to compete with the demands of the current day consumer, it looks like Plympton will be blessed with many more years of inimitable produce and farm-stand immersive opportunities to make the farm to table connection personal. “I love seeing the same faces come weekly -sometimes multiple times a week, and knowing I am offering them the best that I can,” Lough says in between greeting a familiar customer at the farm stand. Driving away from Colchester Farm, munching on raw, fresh-off the stalk sweet corn that is truly the best I have ever tasted, Farmer Jim can rest assured that Colchester Farm will continue to stand the test of time as an integral part of Plympton.

STOUGHTON, MA… Nine older adults at Stoughton Adult Day Health recently celebrated completing a six-week basic computer skills course through the “Traveling Computer Lab – Digital Literacy for Older Adults” program. Offered by Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the program aims to bridge the digital divide and equip seniors with essential technology skills for greater confidence and independence.
The digital literacy course, tailored specifically for adults aged 60 and older, provides in-person, hands-on instruction with the goal of enhancing independence, social connectivity, and access to vital online resources. Over the span of six weeks, participants attended a total of eight engaging sessions held at their familiar community setting.
During the course, the group gained confidence using laptops. Core topics covered the basics of computer use, along with using Microsoft Windows to improve typing skills and learning how to navigate the internet.
“The class was really helpful—most older adults were hesitant to use computers before, but they feel more comfortable now,” said Armindo Rocha, Volunteer Programs Manager at OCES.
The Traveling Computer Lab is a mobile program that rotates monthly to new sites across the region, bringing digital literacy training directly to older adults in Councils on Aging, senior centers, and housing communities. By providing all necessary equipment, including laptops, Wi-Fi, and printed materials. The program removes common barriers to access and ensures participants receive personalized, step-by-step guidance at their own pace.
Through this initiative, OCES is not only teaching older adults how to use technology, but also fostering greater confidence, social connection, and safety in the digital world.

For more information about the Traveling Computer Lab or other services offered by OCES, visit ocesma.org or call (508) 584-1561.

On Thursday, July 31, at approximately 1 a.m., Regional Old Colony Communications Center received a call for a motor vehicle accident in Plympton in the area of 127 Brook St.
On arrival, paramedics and Plympton Police located the operator of the vehicle walking around the scene. The vehicle struck a telephone pole and landed on it’s roof. The street was closed, and Eversource Electric responded to the scene to assess the powerlines.
The operator was not injured and released by EMS. There were no hazards on scene.

Massachusetts Attorney General Disapproves Proposed Watercraft Restrictions on Monponsett Pond – Monday, July 14, 2025
The Town of Halifax received official notice that the Massachusetts Attorney General has disapproved the by-law amendment proposed under Article 2 of the December 16th, 2024, Special Town Meeting. The amendment sought to prohibit the use of personal watercraft (PWCs) on East and West Monponsett Pond unless the operator held a resident permit.
The Attorney General cited that Monponsett Pond qualifies as a Massachusetts Great Pond as it exceeds 500 acres in size and therefore is considered a public resource under Massachusetts law. Local governments do not have statutory authority to restrict the public’s use or access to boating on these waters.
Additionally, during their review, the Attorney General also determined that two earlier amendments — enacted in 1997 and 1998 concerning speed limits and nighttime PWC operation on the Pond — were also in conflict with state law and would likely be unenforceable.
What This Means for Residents
Public access to Monponsett Pond remains protected under state law.
The Town cannot implement resident-only PWC permits or enforce prior restrictions without special legislative approval.
The Town will work with state agencies to explore legal alternatives to ensure safe and responsible use of the Pond.
To view the Attorney General’s full decision, please use the link below.
Download Official Notice from the Attorney General (PDF)

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, honored volunteers at a special luncheon and awards ceremony held at Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston, MA. A total of 130 attendees attended the appreciation luncheon.
“It is through the unwavering support of all of our volunteers that many OCES programs and Community Service Partner programs are better able to assist those in need,” said Armindo Rocha, OCES’ Volunteer Programs Manager. “We recognize and thank all of our generous volunteers for their tremendous dedication to helping others and our communities.”
Armindo Rocha and Cidalia America, OCES’ Volunteer Coordinator, hosted the appreciation luncheon and presented awards. OCES presented the Make a Difference Award to 12 outstanding volunteers in recognition of their dedication to helping others and making a meaningful impact in the community: Tom Adduci, Bridgewater Meals On Wheels (MOW) volunteer; Ellen Lash, Ellen Jacobs and John Durnan volunteers for OCES’ Money Management Program (MMP) in Brockton; Mike Pauley and Sandra Ivers, Brockton MOW volunteers; Beth Kelley and Bob Kelley, Duxbury MOW volunteers; Rita Pope, Easton MOW volunteer; Donna Blaschke, Middleboro MOW volunteer; John Melchin, Pembroke MOW volunteer; and Edward Sore, Plymouth MOW volunteer.
OCES had the pleasure of having Mark Grossman give a brief statement on behalf of Abbott Care, the premiere sponsor.
Volunteering for OCES:
With the help of more than 550 Nutrition Program volunteers, OCES serves 2,600 meals every weekday as part of its MOW services. MMP volunteers, assist older adults and individuals with disabilities with bill paying, reconciling bank statements, balancing checkbooks, and in special cases negotiating debt with creditors. Volunteers also serve on the OCES Board of Directors, participate in the MMP Advisory Board, and contribute to many other important efforts.
OCES’ is proud to have a Volunteer Center in Plymouth which serves as a central resource for volunteers and service partners offering volunteer opportunities in Plymouth County. Prospective volunteers can talk one-on-one with volunteer program staff who can assist them in their search for volunteering opportunities that fit their skills and interests. The Volunteer Center is equipped with computers for researching volunteer opportunities as well as brochures and other literature from organizations seeking volunteers. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit https://ocesma.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities
OCES is recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO).
For more than 50 years, OCES has been a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities.
Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org