Several of you have expressed interest in buying a whole duck. I will have them ready by the end of the day today, Tuesday Oct 20. Freezer space is tight, so if anyone would be interested in an un-frozen duck, you could pick it up on Wednesday the 21st. Please send me a message to let me know so I know how many to set aside in our extra fridge.
For the next two weeks there will be tickets at the CSA pick-up to raffle off a sweater through the Saugeen Trading Community. Liz Barningham, who was a long time, and very supportive CSA member began knitting a sweater before she passed away this spring. It has been finished by another community member and is being raffled off to support the Grey Bruce Women’s Centre and Amnesty International. Look for the poster at the pick-up.
I believe I’ve spoken to everyone getting a Winter CSA share, please bring a cheque or arrange an e-transfer for the share: small shares are $250, large $400. The Winter shares are full for the season and will start Tuesday December 1 and continue every other week. The pick-up time is from 2 – 6 pm. I would like only one person at a time coming into the root cellar, and will try to have the weighed out crops pre-weighed for you to take. Nothing will be pre-bagged.
The main season CSA is coming to a close: the last one will be October 27. You can bring a cheque post-dated to January 1, 2021 for next season to reserve your space. I’ll be holding the month of January for return members to rejoin, but then will open it up to people on the waiting list and it will be first come first served until the CSA is full. I’m guessing it will fill up quick this coming year.
It’s almost the end of August, and those who have not paid up their CSA share for the main season, now is a good time to either finish paying or let me know your payment plan. In another month or so I’ll start signing folks up for winter shares. Priority will go towards those who have had winter shares in the past. The fall crops look good, I would say better than last year, so I will be able to take at least the same number of winter shares as last year.
Just a reminder that you can get bread delivered for you at the CSA on Tuesdays. Aster Lane Farm’s bread is amazing and easy to order. Go to http://www.asterlanebread.com to see what they do. Send them an email to orders@asterlanebread.com and get on the list to order from their weekly selection. They send out what is available each week on the weekend, you just need to fill in their form by Monday morning. All communication is with Bennett and Catherine, so ask them more questions through the email.
For folks who don’t have a share, or would like a bit extra, the farm market will begin this week, Friday’s from 3-7pm. It will be similar to last year, only there is a limit to two people in the store at any one time. Hope to see you there!
Anyone who was a member the last few years, but has not rejoined, please let me know if you would like a share, since I could squeeze you in, but registration is now closed for any new members.
An update: This is the closest to a ‘normal’ spring that we’ve had for a while. Over the 24 springs the CSA has been operating, on average I have managed to get the first crops in the ground before the end of April. The last five springs this has not been possible with it either being still covered in snow! or just too wet. This week I managed (with help) to get the first lettuce and scallions transplanted and the first peas and carrots seeded ahead of this rain.
Let’s hope for a not too wet, and not too dry season!
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.
Aster Lane Farm’s bread is amazing and easy to order. Go to http://www.asterlanebread.com to see what they do. Send them an email to orders@asterlanebread.com and get on the list to order from their weekly selection.
All emails should now go to saugeenrivercsa@gmail.com. I will be forwarded emails addressed to the old account for a while, but then this is how to reach me. Thanks!
