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Rising River Farm CSA
Newsletter
Box 16 ***October 4th, 2006
13208 201st AVE SW -Rochester, WA 98579
(360) 273-5368
www.risingriverfarm.com risingriverfarm@yahoo.com
Hey Folks,
Well, with Jen and the kids out of town, it looks like it
is up to me (Jim) to write the newsletter. Sleep-deprived
and all I will try my best.
We have entered into October and things around the farm are
feeling like they are ahead of our usual schedule. Monday
and yesterday I spent many hours on the tractor getting most
of the fields planted with cover crop seed. This year we planted
our usual mix of winter rye and crimson clover in two thirds
of the open ground and the rest in wheat and crimson clover.
Cover cropping is one of the main and easiest ways for us
to maintain healthy soil. By growing plants (ie:cover crop)
on our soil during the times when it is not being used, we
create a habitat for beneficial soil organisms to live in,
provide a canopy and root structure to protect the soil from
being pummeled from the winter rains, and when it is time
to till things in, the plants become organic matter that will
add more nutrients to the soil. We get all this “good
stuff” from the cover crop all winter long, and it only
took me two days to get it finished. There’s not a better
deal on the planet!!!
This week’s box:
10 lb. bag of “field –run” red potatoes:
Field-run means they came straight out of the field and are
unwashed and unsorted (actually we pulled some of the really
funky ones). They will keep longer if you store them in a
cool, dark, dry space. If you would like more “field-run”
potatoes, we are selling them for 50 cents per pound. Give
us a call.
Buttercup winter squash: Check out page 103 of your CSA cookbook
there are some cooking and storage tips for all of the winter
squash you will be getting over these next three weeks.
2 lb. Bag of Shallots: These tasty little morsels will keep
until late spring if stored in a cool, dry, dark place, but
I have a hard time imagining a scenario where they won’t
get gobbled up before they go bad.
Probably the most notable thing about your box this week
is the absence of green beans. We have been giving y’all
green beans pretty much every week since the beginning of
time. I am pretty sure that the crew will be almost as excited
to not be picking them anymore as you will be in not getting
them anymore. Thanks for your patience in dealing with our
green bean fetish
Last week we sent out 2007 sign-up forms and a questionnaire.
Please take a moment to fill the questionnaire out and send
it to us or drop it off in the envelope where you put your
name tags. The few I have gotten already have been very insightful
and helps us as we think about our production plan for next
year. Also, if you know anyone (friend, co-worker, family
member) who might be interested in joining for next year,
let them know about our website and/or we could send them
a brochure.
A couple folks have inquired about having a smaller sized
share option for next year at a reduced price. Jen and I talked
briefly on the phone and we are seriously considering this
possibility. We will still offer the regular sized share (no
worries). If you want to get a smaller share specify it on
your sign up sheet and send it in without money and we will
contact you later this Fall/Winter.
We forgot to mention in last weeks newsletter:
There will be a $25 discount for anyone who signs up and pays
in full by Feb.1st.
Since it may be awhile before I find myself typing the CSA
newsletter again….
This year it has been great to see so many of you at the market,
CSA potluck on the softball field and randomly around town.
Sometimes I don’t always recognize folks or remember
names very well and may seem a bit aloof, I apologize for
that (not to make excuses, but there are a lot of you folks,
103 boxes this year), however, I will say without exception
that I appreciate and applaud each and every one of you for
your willingness to “step outside the box” and
commit yourselves wholeheartedly each week to eating vegetables
from our farm. The financial stability that you all provide
is the backbone of this farm. Thanks again,
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