CSA Letter for Returning and New Members
Dear Returning Friends and Potential New Members,
For those of you who are returning, I am humbled and filled with gratitude that you have chosen to support our little farm during 2012. Through thick and thin your support has not waivered. That is the heart and center of a CSA- eaters investing in a farmer to grow some of their nourishment; whether it be meat, produce, dairy, eggs or honey. No question that the eater takes a risk. If you are not comfortable with risk then the farmer's market or supermarket is where you should shop.
We grow on two parcels of rented land, the 1/2 acre is certified organic, and the 1/4 acre is in its final year of a required 3 year transition. There is absolutely no difference in the soil or crop management between these two locations. Legally until the 2013 season I am not to use the word organic on the 1/4 acre produce. If you have any concerns regarding growing practices please ask-the farm is very transparent, with nothing to hide!
Our crops are grown with rock dust minerals, sea fertilizers, trace minerals and composted manure from our own chickens, ducks and goats. We also use liquid blends from Lancaster Ag. Everything applied to the soil or crops is approved by Pennsylvania Certified Organic, our certifier. For pest control we use row cover, diatomaceous earth, trap crops and beneficial insect predators. It has not been our practice to use organic pesticides. This past season we sustained heavy losses of our potato crop to Colorado potato beetles. I may use Spinosad this year to control these destructive critters. Other ubiquitous enemies are the Mexican bean beetle, squash bug, and the striped cucumber beetle. I know you prefer your broccoli sans squiggly worms too. Management of weeds is with hand hoes, tiller, ground cloth and sometimes a flame weeder. Weeds are the bane of my existence!!! It seems they are never vanquished!
Our CSA does not require work hours. Ideally a CSA should have a group of "core" members who volunteer regularly, with other members filling in as needed. Due to the hectic pace of work schedules, and the distance to our plots it is not feasible to require members to volunteer. Some of you have a difficult enough time making it to market to pick up your share:)
Potatoes are already ordered and some of the seeds. It would be a help to me if I know your preferences. What crops would you like to see in your shares? There will be a much larger assortment of tomatoes for 2012. It is my goal to have at least four varieties each of all the other vegetables. Would you like lettuce every week in your share? These are things as a grower I need to know. Fresh herbs will be more plentiful and varied, with German Winter Thyme, Chocolate Mint, Parcel, and Rosemary Arp returning. There are thousands of vegetable cultivars out there for the choosing. Some of these are better suited for the home garden. I would encourage you to try growing a few of your own veggies this summer if you have even a tiny bit of space and 6 hours of sunlight.
This year I will also have handspun mohair yarn from our goats. They were sheared in October. Carding and spinning will keep me plenty busy during winter nights. The Welsh Harlequin, Blue Swedish and Kahki Campbell ducks should start laying eggs by May. I will have to wait and see what kind of numbers they produce. Duck eggs are rich and delicious.
Pick up for your shares will be at the Swarthmore Library parking lot, Park and Lafayette Aves, across from the Swarthmore Co-op. Market opens at 9:30 and closes at 1:30. It is best if you pick your share up EARLY, especially when it gets hot! Greens do not tolerate the heat and want to wilt. I need to leave promptly at 1:30. If you know you will be late please call and let me know. If you are away,or unable to pick up your share please let me know. It is very wasteful in time and produce to pack an unclaimed share. I understand stuff happens (trust me I get it) just let me know ahead of time if possible. You should have my cell number in your phone:)
If you have any questions please call my cell 610-506-2965
Thank you for your support,
Julie Barrett
WE CAN ALWAYS USE HELP TRANSPLANTING, SEEDING, WEEDING, HARVESTING, WASHING AND PACKING! Consider volunteering a few hours.