The chickens are rejoicing in the increasing light! Let me know if you need any eggs, and I can arrange to have them ready for you in a cooler on the benches by the CSA store. Just give me have a day’s notice and a time you want to pick them up!

In case the weather has made you forget, it is spring, and the greenhouse is filling up with seedlings. I will not be attending any of the plant sales this year, but I will take orders for those who can pick up at the farm on Saturday June 1 in the morning, from 8-12.
I’ve attached a Word document with the plants I’m planning to grow for sale. If you can’t open it send me an email and I can get another version to you saugeenrivercsa@gmail.com
As growing things often doesn’t work out the way it’s planned, I always want you to wait until you pick up the order to pay. If there’s something you don’t see on the list, you can always ask, I might be able to grow it for you…
Happy spring snow shoveling 🙂

Cory

As the moon is rising low on the horizon, I’ve been taking the early opportunity to prune the berry bushes. This is the earliest I’ve ever done it. I’m not changing any other planting schedule at this point, since the snow and for sure frosts I expect through April and into May… Always have to be ready for anything!

A reminder for regular egg customers, and those who get them when there’s a surplus… the winter shares are done, but the chickens will keep laying… actually they will be increasing in the next months. If you need eggs, just send me an email or text at least half a day’s notice and I can have them for you to pick up from a cooler on the benches by the CSA store. saugeenrivercsa@gmail.com or 519 369 8116
I’m still uncertain when exactly the Spring Shares will start (mid-ish April), but the first plants are in the soil. Most will be going in today.

Keep posted. As April comes on and the greenhouse fills with seedlings, I’ll be putting out the first call for helping out.

Enjoy the sun!

Greetings! Before the last Winter CSA pick-up this Friday, we wanted to let you know of some ways we are trying to bring the community and farm together. You can participate in three ways: three planned work bees/potlucks, a Solstice celebration, and a short-notice help list.

Listed below are three workbees. If you can sign up for one or more, please send an email to Christine Forand: christinelovespesto@gmail.com We’re not expecting a large number each time, maybe 8 – 10, but enough so many hands can make for light work. Cory will guide the work, give instructions, and explain best practices. Each event will be 3 hours or so, when we’ll stop and enjoy a potluck together. These are weather-dependent, so they might have to be adjusted.

Planting Workbee ~ Saturday June 1, 2-5pm: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, and tomatillos all go into the ground at the same time.  This will involve bending and crawling on your knees.  You may need gloves since soil can be dry and scratchy.  Bring a trowel if you have one (we have lots, but maybe not enough for everyone).

Weeding Workbee ~ Saturday July 20, 9-12pm:  We’ll likely be harvesting fall carrots since they are time-consuming and can use many hands. It is slow and meticulous crawling on your knees or stooping. It needs careful concentration but is conducive to conversation.

Harvest Workbee ~ Saturday October 19, 2-5pm:  These will be root crops for storage and will involve digging, pulling, hauling, topping, sorting, and bagging. Anyone can fit in wherever it seems right.

Saturday June 22 ~ Solstice Celebration: We are developing plans, but if anyone wants to join the planning committee, please contact Simon Mellor at sairising@yahoo.com  It is a rain-or-shine event, but it will be more indoor if it is raining. 

Short Notice Email List: Many tasks on the farm are decided week to week based on the weather and scheduling and are impossible to predict too far in advance.  If you are willing to be “on-call” to be sent an email a couple of days before, send your name to Cory saugeenrivercsa@gmail.com This is not a commitment to anything, just a willingness to come if you can.  Things that might come up include: April greenhouse seeding and potting; Planting in the field May through July; weeding/mulching anytime in the summer; sitting in the CSA store on Tuesday or Friday (this might be especially important in July and August hay season); fall harvesting (onions and squash in September, and roots in October).  Cory will send an email describing what the task calls for, and you can decide if you think you are up for it.

Sincerely, your CSA Core Group,
Beth, Christine, Marc, Mark, Simon