Think Summer, Not Snow!
Happy Snow Day!
I'm going to keep the same header as last week because it looks like I'm writing on the eve of another snow day. This could be a big one, although I am hoping it fizzles out to just rain. The reckless side of me is hoping for the max amount of snow they are predicting just because it's always fun to get a few feet in a night, but the practical side of me will be anxious about our high tunnels and loathing the prospect of plowing a completely thawed, gravel driveway the next day. Our poor driveway, it needs some work this spring once it's dry enough to grade it. Speaking of, if you are coming to pick up a spring share this week (Wednesday, woohoo!), be aware that the driveway can get pretty mucky in the spring.
I've got some help on the farm this week from one of our long time farmers, Joe. He'll be back on the farm helping keep everything in order this season, and I'm certainly happy to have him and his experience. A few more returning farmers will be back this week as well, Tiffany, Gracie, and Kristen are all coming to the farm this week as workshares! I am very lucky to have such a wonderful community helps keep the farm running. If you are interested in workshare, I'm including a bit about it below.
Things are mostly going as planned on the farm. The greens in our tunnels are growing steadily. We've got a good mix of overwintered and newly planted beds. The propagation greenhouse is up and running and I've even got some tomatoes sprouted in preparation for the plant stand! Joe was here on Friday and we seeded some celery for the field and flowers for the stand, followed by cleaning up the paths in our middle greenhouse. It was such nice weather all week, I don't want it to snow!!
There are still some summer CSA shares available, but they are going quick. As it stands we have 22 more shares available. I'll keep saying it, now is the time to buy a share because I don't expect to have many left come April.
Spring CSA Shares Start Wednesday 3/15!
Below is the email I sent out to spmembers earlier this week:
Hello spring members!
Spring CSA shares will be starting THIS WEDNESDAY! Woohoo!
The snow this week shouldn't effect shares, so plan on picking up Wednesday afternoon.
I can't wait to harvest! We have some absolutely gorgeous radish microgreens ready to go, large leaf spinach, chard, kale, scallions, and carrots. It ought to be a good first week of shares! I'll go into more detail in the newsletter I send out on Monday. If you don't receive the newsletter by Tuesday morning, let me know and I'll check to make sure you're on the list.
Couple of things for the first week of pickup:
On-farm pickup shares will be ready at 3:30pm to be collected from the barn. Baskets will be arranged on the racks in the center of the barn. All baskets are assembled with the same veggies, so you can pick any basket off the racks that speaks to you. (listen for the veggies haha) Pickup should be made by 8:00pm, but we allow members to pick up their share later or by the end of the next day if need be. Be aware that not all veggies are bagged, and greens do not want to be out of the cooler for too long. Best to pickup as soon as possible. I will be driving shares to Keene for the first couple of weeks, but will be in the barn until 4:30 to answer any questions.
Keene pickup shares will be ready for pickup at 60 Russel St by 5:00pm and should be collected by 7:30pm on Wednesday afternoons. Shares are in the enclosed glass porch. If you are not able to pick up your share in time, please let me know 443-994-4629 so I can let the pickup person know. Occasionally you can pick up the next day, but the porch can freeze if it gets cold enough and we discourage picking up outside of the allotted time. I will be dropping off shares for the first few weeks, so if you're there right around 5, I can answer any questions.
At both locations:
There will be a table with a checklist on it for members to mark off their name when they pick up their basket. Please mark off your name!
Egg shares will be on a table with a checklist for members that elected to get eggs in their share. Please only take eggs if your name is on the list! If you are an every other week egg share member, your name will only be on the list for the odd weeks (weeks 1, 3, 5 etc). Weekly members will see their name every week. Week 1 everyone gets eggs, so if your name is not on the list and you believe you signed up for eggs, send me an email and we will get it sorted out. There will be additional eggs in the farm store.
Bring back your basket each week! And bring back baskets from previous years! The delivery driver from Keene will pick up baskets and bring them back to the farm for you. In the barn you can stack them on the racks or anywhere you see a stack of baskets.
Farm Store
The store will be open on a limited basis, but I believe we are going to get an ice cream delivery in time for the start of spring shares! Everyone's favorite! I'll look into ordering bread and cheese once we get into April, and eggs will be available, as well as additional greens.
Look forward to seeing everyone again!
Jack Rixey
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 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!
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
Changes To On Farm Pickup
There are going to be a few extra options for our on farm pickup shares this year. If you usually get your share delivered, shares will remain the same setup as last year.
MARKET STYLE PICKUP
The new standard share for picking up from the farm will be a market style pickup in our barn. Members come to the barn on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 - 7:00pm to pick which vegetables are right for you! Market style pickup is new on our farm this year, but has proven success among CSA farms in our area. With this model, members can come pick out which vegetables they want in their kitchen that week. Produce is setup around the barn on a point system for members to select from. Members receive an allotted amount of points each week to select their produce, so if you want to make tomato sauce one week, you can use more points to get more tomatoes for processing! Or if you prefer a more balanced share on a weekly basis, you can spread out your points amongst your favorite veggies for using in the kitchen!
FLOATING HALF SHARE
HALF SHARE members can pick which weeks during the season they want to pick up their shares! Instead of getting a share every other week, half share members can pick which weeks they want to come to the farm for pickup. Maybe you're craving greens in the spring, or want to wait for tomatoes in the summer, or stock up on root veggies in the fall. The floating CSA share gives you flexibility to pick your favorite growing season! You are also welcome to come every other week if you want a taste of all seasons. The choice is yours!
PRE-PACK FULL AND HALF SHARES
This option is similar to the Tracie's share setup for members that aren't always able to make it to the farm Wednesday afternoons, but with an added benefit for those members! If you prefer to come to the farm outside of market style hours, shares will be pre-packed and held in our walk-in refrigerator until Friday for you to pickup at your leisure. Now if you have to come the next day, shares will be kept fresh until you get here! Shares become available on Wednesday afternoon. Full CSA Shares will still be sixteen weeks. Half CSA shares will remain on the every other week schedule for 8 weeks like in years past.
©2023 Tracie's Community Farm, LLC | Tracie's Community Farm. 72 Jaffrey Rd. Fitzwilliam, NH. 03447.
