Slight modification on my last message.  We still have an abundance of tomatoes, though not for long.  If anyone would like more canning tomatoes they are still available for $15/half bushel and $30/bushel. Please let me know soon. Some could be available even at tomorrow’s CSA. Also, Shiying has offered pastured pork (3 types of sausage and bacon) which I have available at the farm.  We still have roasts from our own pigs available too.  Shiying’s whole chicken and breasts are still available at the farm too.

The space previously reserved for apprentices has been changed to a Bed and Breakfast.  A new page has been set up for it here on the website.  If you know anyone looking for a farmy place to stay, have them contact us.

Many of you may have seen the farm’s Facebook posting that our lead horse, Molly, passed away of a stroke on the May long weekend.  She is pictured working on the post farther down this page.  This has created an urgent need for a new horse on the farm, as I am only set up to make beds for planting with the horses.  A new horse will arrive today, but the farm cannot afford the unexpected Capital Cost right now. I’m putting out a call for folks to make a Capital Contribution if they have not already, and perhaps contributing a bit more if they have, and are able to.  I have written a quick 2 page newsletter giving more details which you can find on the “Newsletters” page.  I’ve also posted the 2017 cash flow summary to put the capital needs in perspective.  There is some important information in the newsletter, and I apologize for springing this out so fast, but this is the busiest time of year for the farm.  Thank you.

I’m getting a bunch of questions about the first pick-up… well, if you all ate grass I could have a pick-up tomorrow.  Please remember, although it feels like summer now, vegetables don’t instantly pop out of the ground the moment it is warm.  April was like February this year and this was the first year in the 21 years I have been farming here that I was not able to work the ground initially in April.  This is still the end of May… I do not expect the first pick up to be any earlier than the third week of June… and it likely will be later than that.  The first lettuces and kale are only two inches tall… the first scallions look like hairs growing out of the ground, and this is normal, or slightly late for this time of year.  The first carrots, beets, peas and radishes have all germinated and are looking good… but they are only just starting to grow… please be patient.  Because of the unprecedented weather pattern this spring, I’m not able to predict the first pick-up date for at least a couple more weeks.  Keep posted, I’ll let you know as soon as I know!

Was finally able to get the first crops in the ground today!  It is the latest spring I have experienced, but that shouldn’t mean late harvests… it just means we have to get more done in a shorter period of time!  And for those Winter Shares who wanted kale, you could come and get it next week.  As I kind of expected, with all the freezing and thawing, it is trying to go to flower before making big leaves, so it’s not lots, but if you are driving by, you could pick some up, just let me know when.

There are still plenty of shares available for this coming 2018 main season CSA.  See the CSA Economics page for share sizes and prices, or contact me for more information.  Also, those of you who usually get eggs from the farm let me know when you want to come by for your eggs, as they are piling up… As you can see, the chickens are so ready to lay, they are crowding the boxes!

Tomorrow, March 27 will be the last Winter CSA for the season, so if you haven’t signed up for the coming season this is a good chance!  I will also be seeding the first lettuces, frisee, radicchio, kale and cabbage tomorrow, if anyone can lend a hand.  There are still extra carrots and rutabaga if anyone is interested in buying any…