While some may think that winter would be a welcome break from the summer's work, we work year round to provide for our members. We've just finished placing the bulk of our seed orders for the season, and finalizing field plans. And of course there's always the chicken chores, as well as tidying up the greenhouse, and making sure heating systems are all in order to start seedlings in a couple weeks. We also will be traveling to Wisconsin for another MOSES organic farmer's conference from Feb 26-28. We therefore won't be at the Regional Market that weekend, unless we get someone to cover it for us.
A brief overview of some of the NEW crops we will be growing this year include: asparagus- we will be harvesting from our new plantings this spring! Cipollini onions, small sweet onions, great for roasting; more herbs including parsley, chives and the usual basil, mint and oregano. We will be trying some new-to-us varieties of tomatoes this year, both slicing and cherry/grape varieties. We also will be planting way more eggplants, and give them a try in the high tunnel. After last year's mild temps adversely affecting our pepper and eggplant production, we hope to see a better yield this year. Also we will forgoing early summer broccoli as past experience has shown us that it bolts too readily to get a decent harvest, so we will be doing late summer plantings of romanesco, and a few traditional varieties of broccoli instead, as well as orange cauliflower. And much more beets and carrots. In addition to the same variety of fennel we grew last year we will be growing a Florence variety which is more bulbous than some of the others. We will be trying melons in the high tunnel as well, as last season again the cool temps and wetness resulted in crop failure. And many of the same crops we grew last year you can expect as well, greens, beans, peas, cucumbers, summer and winter squashes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, garlic and more....
We are excited and can't wait to get the season going (and be done with snow!) We have recently been approved for a grant for another high tunnel, which we intend to use to extend our growing season. While we had greens from the high tunnel last year until the end of December, with the right plants and timing, we hope to keep it going even longer, and perhaps be able to offer an extended share option.
Egg shares are almost filled up for the season already, so if you haven't signed up yet, do so soon before we have to take them off the list of offerings! If you miss the eggs and can't wait until June, we do have monthly egg share options through the "off season" months, available for pick up at select drop sites, as well as the Regional Market. Still going strong our 3rd winter there in cooperation with Grindstone Farm with lots of organic fruits and veggies, our eggs as well all the other great vendors there; what a wonderful alternative we have here in CNY to the grocery store to have a year round farmer's market. Stop by to say hi, buy some great food, or ask questions to your farmer about this year's CSA. Our market pick ups are growing with the "build your box" option, so it may justify buying a larger delivery vehicle.
We have expanded our delivery area to include a drop site in Camden, as well as a drop site at Black Creek Café in Mexico. Our West side pick up site has been changed to Middle Ages Brewery, sign up there and remember to bring your growlers Thursday along with a container to bring your produce home in. Spread the word if you enjoyed your share last year.
Cicero Library has asked us to come and do a talk on our CSA and the importance of organic agriculture March 10th at 12:30. Keep posted on our facebook page for this event. They host an incredible community garden and all sorts of educational events throughout the year.
The next CSA-CNY planning group meeting is also March 10th at 7pm at the Friends Meeting House on Euclid Ave. All CSA members are welcome to join; share ideas and skills, and meet the dedicated movers and shakers who've kept the organization going strong since 1997.
Looking forward to spring, and dirt, and all the goodness that come with it.
A brief overview of some of the NEW crops we will be growing this year include: asparagus- we will be harvesting from our new plantings this spring! Cipollini onions, small sweet onions, great for roasting; more herbs including parsley, chives and the usual basil, mint and oregano. We will be trying some new-to-us varieties of tomatoes this year, both slicing and cherry/grape varieties. We also will be planting way more eggplants, and give them a try in the high tunnel. After last year's mild temps adversely affecting our pepper and eggplant production, we hope to see a better yield this year. Also we will forgoing early summer broccoli as past experience has shown us that it bolts too readily to get a decent harvest, so we will be doing late summer plantings of romanesco, and a few traditional varieties of broccoli instead, as well as orange cauliflower. And much more beets and carrots. In addition to the same variety of fennel we grew last year we will be growing a Florence variety which is more bulbous than some of the others. We will be trying melons in the high tunnel as well, as last season again the cool temps and wetness resulted in crop failure. And many of the same crops we grew last year you can expect as well, greens, beans, peas, cucumbers, summer and winter squashes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, garlic and more....
We are excited and can't wait to get the season going (and be done with snow!) We have recently been approved for a grant for another high tunnel, which we intend to use to extend our growing season. While we had greens from the high tunnel last year until the end of December, with the right plants and timing, we hope to keep it going even longer, and perhaps be able to offer an extended share option.
Egg shares are almost filled up for the season already, so if you haven't signed up yet, do so soon before we have to take them off the list of offerings! If you miss the eggs and can't wait until June, we do have monthly egg share options through the "off season" months, available for pick up at select drop sites, as well as the Regional Market. Still going strong our 3rd winter there in cooperation with Grindstone Farm with lots of organic fruits and veggies, our eggs as well all the other great vendors there; what a wonderful alternative we have here in CNY to the grocery store to have a year round farmer's market. Stop by to say hi, buy some great food, or ask questions to your farmer about this year's CSA. Our market pick ups are growing with the "build your box" option, so it may justify buying a larger delivery vehicle.
We have expanded our delivery area to include a drop site in Camden, as well as a drop site at Black Creek Café in Mexico. Our West side pick up site has been changed to Middle Ages Brewery, sign up there and remember to bring your growlers Thursday along with a container to bring your produce home in. Spread the word if you enjoyed your share last year.
Cicero Library has asked us to come and do a talk on our CSA and the importance of organic agriculture March 10th at 12:30. Keep posted on our facebook page for this event. They host an incredible community garden and all sorts of educational events throughout the year.
The next CSA-CNY planning group meeting is also March 10th at 7pm at the Friends Meeting House on Euclid Ave. All CSA members are welcome to join; share ideas and skills, and meet the dedicated movers and shakers who've kept the organization going strong since 1997.
Looking forward to spring, and dirt, and all the goodness that come with it.
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