Newsletter Week 20: October 23-25-27, 2006
Dear CSA members,
Well, here it is, that last week of the CSA has rolled around again. This year has been one of ups and downs for sure. Actually it was mostly down until July 1 followed by mostly up from then on, but the early season ravaging storms and cold weather were rather scary. I am glad that the season leveled out and we were able to get good crops. We have learned some more lessons about how to farm with temperature fluctuations and stronger than previously known storm fronts. As the climate change issues occupy more or all of our consciousnesses, we will try to stay on top of how to best farm to stay even.
This week you will receive the following in a full share: 2 garlic, 1 lb potatoes, 1 pumpkin, Celery, Radishes, 1 bu. beet greens, 2 lb Asians, Broccoli or cabbage - Wednesday and Friday, kale, collards, 1 lb spinach, 1 lettuce.
For those of you who like to free range, the following crops are available for you to pick as much as you would like:
In the west field: that is the field across the street and through the lower bar way (the hay barn is at the top of this field) - we are harvesting the celery, so don't pick any of that. You can have parsley or chard in this field.
In the garden: this is the little field with all of the trellises. Below where the marigolds are there are beds of radishes and cilantro. Feel free to glean from them remembering that we are harvesting radishes still for the CSA. There should be plenty for everyone.
In the north field (behind the hoop houses): you can glean the leeks and the Asian greens. Please do not pick spinach, beets, cabbage, broccoli, kale, collards or lettuce.
In the south field (the field next door that has a lot of carrots in it) there is nothing available for gleaning.
Please find attached our evaluation form for the farm. Please get it back to me (electronically is preferred) by December 1.
Lots of folks ordered beets and carrots for storage. I am heartened that this bulk buying through another farmer was so popular. You will find your bulk orders under the shelves in the cooler with your name on them. Come find me if you have any questions.
We are adding more hoop house greens growing this year. I am not sure if I will have any sizeable lettuce or Asian mixes for sales to you all, but will let you know via email if I do have any. We can work out details of pickup and payment at that time if it comes to pass.
I have received more thankful and kind emails this year than ever before from many of you. Thanks for giving us the positive feed back. It helps make this fun job all the more fun.
Have a great winter! Keep eating local and organic food. Your support of our local agricultural economy is a very important contribution on many levels!
Julie