Author: Core Group

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A Note from the Farmer

April 2013

Dear CSA Member

A CSA Spring Farm Visit is being planned for the first time this year for May 18th from 11-3. The Spring Farm Visit will be an opportunity for CSA member families to visit the farm and be part of how we transplant, seed and care for the vegetables at the beginning of the CSA season. Come and enjoy the activity of the early season farm. There is a lot of excitement in the spring and a great chance to be part of their CSA share right from the start of the season.

Please dress in comfortable clothing and shoes that you don’t mind getting in the soil. Bring your own picnic lunch and drinks. We will take our lunch break in the barn. There is a lot of activity in the fields in May and you will be able to see how our tractors and transplanters work, meet the wonderful Stoneledge Farm crew and help with some of the planting. A great day for the whole family. The directions to the farm can be found on the farm website www.stoneledgefarmny.org, click on Contact and Directions and go to the West Farm Address 145 Garcia Lane, Leeds, NY 12451. If you plan on attending, please send an e-mail to the farm at info@stoneledgefarmny.org. In case of any changes I will be able to e-mail you directly.

The Fall Farm Festival is also planned for September the 14th. It is never too early to mark your calendar for the fall visit.

The greenhouses are filling up quickly with seedling transplants. The plowing has started in the fields. The work of the season has begun. I post farm photos on the farm FaceBook page regularly at https://www.facebook.com/StoneledgeFarm. Take a look.

Happy Spring and Welcome 2013 CSA season.
Deborah
for everyone at Stoneledge Farm

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Note from the Farmer

March 2013

Dear CSA Member

We trudged our way through almost eight inches of snow to get to the warmth of the greenhouse today. Red and White Onions, Leeks, Shallots, Hot Peppers and Rosemary have been planted. The sunshine that is predicted for the weekend should be just what the seeds need to send out their first leaves. We all wait with great anticipation each year for the first green to appear.

As we gear up for the season we are also reaching out to members to help spread the word about joining CSA. If you are part of a church, synagogue, community group, parents group, have a building or job e-news, we would greatly appreciate it if you could post a notice about how to join the CSA. A sample has been included at the end of this e-mail.

We are very excited to announce the addition of the local, naturally grown Mushroom Share to the 2013 CSA shares. We were encouraged by the positive feedback from members and thank all of the members that took time to write. The Mushroom Share will be delivered every week, 24 deliveries, one variety of mushroom per week. We heard from members that a weekly delivery of the share would be the best. The varieties that are available from the neighboring Mushroom Farm are Crimini, White Button, Portobello, Shiitake, Oyster. The full Mushroom Share information can be found on the farm website, Mushroom Shares link on the left side bar. If you have already ordered your CSA share it is easy to add a Mushroom Share. Just log into your CSA Member Account by clicking on CSA Member Login under the center photo of the farm website and log in with your e-mail address and password. The additional shares are added to your Vegetable Share.

Mushrooms are also going to be available for weekly order from the Marketplace. Crimini, Portobello, White Buttons in 3 pound baskets and Shiitake and Oyster in 1 pound bags. The Marketplace will open for online orders two weeks before delivery begins.

Spring must be on the way!
Deborah
for everyone at Stoneledge Farm

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WInter – Spring Months

Lewis Waite Farm will be making monthly Tuesday deliveries throughout the winter and spring months. Quickly browse their long list of vegan, dairy, and meat products –here. Thanks to Michelle for compiling this list.

The schedule for deliveries are:

January 08, 2013
February 05, 2013
March 12, 2013
April 9, 2013
May 14, 2013

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What’s in the Bag — Week 24

Dear CSA member

This is the last delivery of the 2012 CSA season. It is a time to reflect and give thanks.

The fields have produced so much this season. Starting with the earliest plantings of tender greens for spring time salads, to the hearty kale and carrots that can withstand the cold, late fall weather. It is grey and cold now out side but the fields are green with Winter Rye. Taking a rest, but never really asleep. It is amazing to be part of.

The partnership between farm and community is also amazing and we are thankful to be a part. We are grateful for your support of local, organic agriculture, for being part of our farm and your community through your CSA membership. A special thank you to the coordinators and volunteers that work week after week to organize the local CSA sites and membership.

Keep warm this winter and enjoy the vegetables. We’ll see you in the spring.

Happy Thanksgiving
Deborah
for everyone at Stoneledge Farm

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Farmer’s Note — Week 24

This week’s full share is:
Beets-1 pound
Carrots-2 pounds
Red Russian Kale-1 bunch
Garlic-2 bulbs
Potatoes-2 pounds
Turnips with greens-1 bunch
Radish-1 bunch
Parsley-1 bunch
Dill-1 bunch

This week’s fruit share is:
1 bag of Golden Delicious Apples,Fuji Apples, Bosc Pears

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What’s in the Bag — Week 23

Dear CSA member

We are nearly finished with the 2012 CSA season. There will be one more delivery after this week and we are filling your share with delicious fall vegetables. Soup, stew, pot pies  home made with the fall share will warm you body and soul.

If you have any last minute Market Place orders, please log in and place your order soon. There is nothing like the sweet taste of honey or maple on a bowl of oatmeal in the morning along with a delicious cup of organic, fair trade coffee. I love breakfast!

Our fields are green with Winter Rye as each space is tilled and seeded as we finish picking the crops. The Rye is like a beautiful, growing blanket that covers the soil over the winter months.

We planted the garlic for 2013 during last week. It has been so wet and the weather so warm that we could not plant it before this. We did not want to plant the garlic and take a chance that the warmth would encourage the cloves to grow.  Last week the weather turned cold and winter like.  The wind was howling and it was cold and it was time to plant the garlic.  The garlic cloves are now under the soil and will pass the winter months in the field.  Next spring, they will be some of the first plants to break through the soil. The circle of garlic. The garlic that was not saved to use as seed has been coming in your share and will again this week.

Keep warm and enjoy the vegetables.
Deborah
for everyone at Stoneledge Farm

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Farmer’s Note — Week 23

This week’s full vegetable share:
Beets-2 pounds
Carrots-1 pound
Brussels Sprouts-2 stalks
Lacinato Kale-1 bunch
Garlic-2 bulbs
Sage-1 bunch
Boc Choi-1 bunch
Potatoes-2 pounds
Celeriac-1 head
Turnips with greens-1 bunch
Pop Corn-2 cobs-let this dry for 2 weeks or so.  The pop corn that was sent earlier will be dry enough now to pop.  The color of the kernels gets a little more intense and they look drier.  Pick the kernels from the cob, heat up about 1 TBS of vegetable oil in a pot with a lid.  Put in the kernels and wait for the popping to start.  Add butter and salt to taste.  Fresh pop corn is addictive and delicious.

Fruit Share
1 bag of Winesap Stamen Apples, Golden Delicious Apples, Bosc Pears
1 jug of locally produced Apple Cider