Dahlia passed away last night. She came to the farm in 2005 (pregnant, which the previous owner and we didn’t know). So she was at least 22 or 23 years old. She’s been with me through this farm journey for so many years. She is the only one of my cows that I ever milked (her calf was not drinking enough so I had to milk her out). None of my other cows were ever personable enough. Dahlia was also the only cow that would let me pet her. All the others would back away if I got too close. Her bull calf was the last one I kept since I wanted to bring her gentleness to the herd, so the other cows that remain are her grand children.
She had been slowly declining the past couple years, but in March she started going downhill fast. In my conversations with her these past two months, she shared with me her wish to die on the soil, connected to the land that she belonged to. I hoped she would make it to when the snow melted. She couldn’t move fast, but as soon as I opened the gate a few days ago, she got up and immediately went out into the paddock. It’s been raining so much so there is a lot of mud, but she chose a high spot with the newly sprouted stinging nettle and laid down and did not get back up. I wanted to let her die on her own terms.
She truly embodied the deep philosophy of the cow, giving more than she took. She was a role model I can try to follow.
Thank you Dahlia.

Beginning in May our farm cabin will be available to rent. Ideally we would love to have an individual or couple stay for the summer and fall, but if we can’t find the right fit it will be available for short term stays. A small family could enjoy it for a week or so. If you know anyone looking in our area have them contact saugeenrivercsa@gmail.com to discuss details.

See the attachment for the list of plants available (in Word or PDF). You will notice it is a shorter list than some years and that is because I wasn’t sure I’d have enough compost for making extra soil mix for many sales. If you are interested in something that is not on the list just ask I might have it.
Pick-up time for the plants will be during the last Spring CSA share pick-up Tuesday May 26 3-6pm. Please if you give me your list by replying to this post leave your name and contact info. But it would be better for me if you send your list to saugeenrivercsa@gmail.com

Well I’m taking a guess that I’ll be able to harvest the first week of greens on the 28th. This is more than a week later than last year, but the consistent cold cloudy weather has kept all the growth in the greenhouses slow. Pick-up time will be from 3-6pm Tuesdays.

A few of you still need to pay for the spring share, and if you have paid just an initial payment for the summer share, another payment would be welcomed now 🙂

There are still summer shares available so spread the word around.

Happy Easter!