Happy Spring Solstice!
Happy Spring Solstice!
It's officially spring! Woohoo! That storm last week certainly didn't give it away. I have never seen it snow that much at one time. Granted, I have only lived in New England for 12 years, but it still felt like something remarkable. The farm got about 32" in total, and I had to go out to the greenhouses three times to knock the snow off the roofs. I kept doing it until I ran out of room for the snow to slough off, and then I just crossed my fingers and hoped that at some point, eventually, the snow would stop coming down. I'll admit that there were times when I wondered if it would ever stop. The farm escaped relatively unscathed, luckily. The power flickered a few times, but we never lost it completely, which is a good thing because the greenhouse is on a propane heater with an electric start. There isn't too much in our propagation tunnel that couldn't take a few cold nights, but had the power gone out I would have had to bring about 10 trays indoors to keep warm by the woodstove.
Spring is always an anxious time of year. Losing power through the night is probably my biggest fear, especially once we get tomatoes rolling in the greenhouse. Even a light frost would spell disaster. I have an alarm rigged up to a battery that will let me know if it goes below 45 degrees in the tunnel, but even then, I would have to find a space large enough to fit all of the trays we are growing. I just got an order of about 2,000 cold sensitive flower starts. My house would be filled to the gills if I ever needed to vacate the greenhouse!
Here is my weekly call for summer CSA share signups. We're nearly at our sold out mark and only have a handful of shares remaining for members.
Spring Shares Week 2
I hope everyone enjoyed the first round of spring greens last week! It'll be a similar basket this week. Carrots are back in shares. Likely for the last time until May. It was just a short bed, but I was glad I got to pick some for our members this year! Kale has another week left in it before it goes to seed. Then the plants will be pulled from the bed and we'll replant! Microgreens are going to be the spicy variety this week. This is my favorite microgreen seed and the one we seed the most often for shares. Pea Shoots are taking the place of chard this week. Scallions will be back in shares. I'm not sure if we will get enough to pass out more than last week, but they should at least be bigger. Spinach is going to be an every week staple for at least the first six weeks of the season, usually into week 8 or 9. It'll be large leaf spinach again until our new beds size up.
Spring Week 2
* Carrots
* Kale
* Microgreens
* Pea Shoots
* Scallions
* Spinach
Egg Share: Weekly Eggs Only
The Farm Store is OPEN!
Our store is officially open for the season! Stop in for some fresh greens or delicious ice cream!
We'll keep adding new products in to the store as spring carries on. This week available in the store is:
Spinach
Microgreens
Carrots
Kale
Ice Cream
& Eggs!
Workshare with Us!
We are looking for workshares to come help out on the farm one day a week for the summer season in exchange for a CSA share. Workshares are one of my favorite parts of the farm. We often get returning workshares year after year, and they almost always become longtime friends of the farm. It's a great way for me to get to know our CSA members and for members to get to know their farm.
Physical labor is a given for workshares, but we are often able to find tasks that suit the abilities of those that are able to help out. We have seen workshares of all ages on the farm over the years. It is a full day commitment, and we ask that members pick one day out of the week and come in that day for the duration of the season. Workshares are allowed to miss up to three days during the summer to accommodate vacations. In exchange, you receive a full summer share plus bread and eggs, as well as lunch on the farm on the days you work and access to deals on bulk veggies.
If you are interested in worksharing, please email me at jack@dogdaysnh.com
Monadnock Farm Share Program Now Accepting Applications!
The Monadnock Farm Share program makes farm shares more accessible to limited-income community members who otherwise would not be able to participate in a local community supported agriculture (CSA) program.
CSA programs are an opportunity for community members to enjoy farm fresh produce, while supporting local agriculture!
Through the program, community members pay 50% of the total farm share cost. View
program eligibility here!
This year's applications are due by March 30, 2023, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis (first come, first served).
Community members choose from a listing of participating farms throughout the region!
Access this year's program information, eligibility, application, and participating farm list below!
Program Information and Eligibility
What is a CSA?
Farmers face many costs in the operation of their farms. Community Supported Agriculture programs, or CSA's are designed to alleviate the financial burdens of farmers before the season begins. CSA customers provide an upfront cost to reserve a share of the season's harvest.
The cost of the CSA can be viewed as a deposit for the season! This upfront cost allows farmers to purchase needed seeds, materials, or equipment for the upcoming season, while customers are able to reap this investment by taking home delicious produce once
the farm season begins!
Many farms offer half share or full share CSA options. These options vary from farm to farm, but half shares are smaller to feed smaller households, while full shares are designed to feed larger household or households that eat a lot of vegetables.
Some farm's offer on-farm pick up days, while others offer delivery! Some farm's pre-package their CSA shares for a quick pick up, while others allow customers to pick your own (PYO!). Pick up days provide a unique experience to see where your food is grown, and interact with other community members! While delivery offers a convenient way to
bring produce to your household!
Through purchasing a CSA, you are supporting local agriculture, while also eating delicious, nutritious, and locally grown produce!
For additional information, questions, or for assistance in completing your application, contact
Benée Hershon: info@cheshireconservation.org or
603-756-2988 x3011
Monadnock Food Co-Op Farm Fund Grant!
I am so thrilled to share that Dog Days Farm is a 2023 Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund Award Recipient! The Farm Fund is a partnership between The Monadnock Food Co-op and Cheshire County Conservation District. The fund supports local farmers in increasing sustainable food production and wholesale sales to contribute to a thriving local farm economy! Learn more here: https://www.cheshireconservation.org/farm-fund
I am beyond excited to have received this grant. This fall we will be putting up another greenhouse to expand on our young plant starts production on the farm. As many of you know, we have been growing plant starts for years at the roadside stand. Over the past six years I have grown the plant stand more and more, and with the help of the Coop and CCCD, we will be doubling our heated greenhouse space to offer even more varieties and increase our wholesale production.
I've got big plans for this greenhouse and I will be excited to share what we are doing with members and friends of the farm once it is up and running. A key component of the tunnel will be integrating automation to keep it running as efficiently as possible. That means heaters, fans, vents, and sidewalls working in tandem to keep a controlled climate in the greenhouse. I can't wait for our members to see it this fall!
