Custom Greenhouse Plants and UUVA Annual Plant Sale

Almost a decade ago, I approached Russ and Anita of Sirkos Greenhouse to grow our H E I R L O O M - tomatoes and other veggies for us in their greenhouses.  They were generous enough to dedicate a whole greenhouse for our farm

 - and to this day we are still working together!  It is great to see a small scale greenhouse - hands on family working together - and be able to purchase such vibrant plants to kick off our season.  Our first pick up was over 600 plants...with many more over the next few days.  We need to "harden" them off before they can be planted in the fields.  By working together -we support the local economy and essentially help create a village like the one featured in Vermont.  They have added a great store with seeds for sale - soon they will carry heirloom seeds from Baker Creek, we hope.  Best Wishes for continued success.  Thank you members of the Upper Unadilla Valley Assoc. for helping to preserve this beautiful valley and all of it's beauty, natural habitat, and wildlife - as today is their annual plant sale.  And thank you members for supporting small scale farmers, artisans and bakers!

http://www.uuva.org/
http://www.romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20110513-142034

Ramps are In - Goats are Out!

Happy Spring!
Ramps are picked with a limit per member of 2 bunches (quantity same as shown here!) cleaned and ready for one more washing when you get them home.  Quantity is limited.  I roasted them and ate with Pasta e Olio.  Please contact me to reserve your bunches - if you want some - I am delivering these since that is the only item available right now.

Drop off point.
For members in Utica/NH area, we need a drop off point - a store with refrigeration would be best - for those rare occasions you need a delivery.  I will try and find one but any member who has a suggestion - please let me know.

Our goats are out in their newly fenced pasture, 

covered with a variety of good eatings - the wild roses, thorn apple, the more thicket the more they like it, with some grass here and there.  Lots of varied terrain so they don't get bored and best of all - rocks to climb!  Here's the happy HERD!!  

Make sure to look for them near the store when you visit on Sat, Sun, or Mon after Memorial Day weekend - the start of our weekly CSA -  the store will be stocked and more greens are foraged...

UPICK - HARVEST DAYS

 - harvest days will generally be held on SAT, SUN, & MON - we are doing this so we can be available and minimize traffic -if you need a harvest day not shown here - please let us know in advance- we will try and work with your schedule as best we can

 

PLANTING BUSY'NESS

News about the CSA will  be posted and sent via email as a link to the blog - so when you get this link - you know we have entered a blog post!

We are busy planting - it is that time of year - here are some of the photos from what we have been doing:

the list of what we planted so far is here:

garlic - overwintered
scallions
escarole
peas
fava beans
summer squash
- zucchini - many varieties from Italy
- yellow - crooked neck
kale
corn
herb patch -below

Gene is busy making fenced pasture for the goat herd we are building with  kids born so far and more on the way!

we make the soil from composted manure, peat moss, sand, and our own muck soil lifted by these additions.  organic, natural, no plastic - Yea!

This is only the beginning - every day - with the sun - there is  more going in - so heres to the sun!!!

Thanks to all who Signed Up at our Open House - It was so fruitful we are having another one for Last Minute Members!

OPEN FARM DAY

C i r c l e CSA- April 10th, 9am-3pm

last chance to sign up to our a Multi Farm CSA

we will have muffins, coffee, tea, and other brunch items to sample!

We'll answer any questions you have about our CSA, to learn more and Join us!

C i r c l e CSA and Custom Woodwork

 As  a member, you'll receive so many cost savings - we hope you join us.   Many members have asked "How do you make money?" Answer, "We don't - if we cover costs to save this land and open space for future generations, we are lucky."  We saved an expansive panorama in our scenic river valley- most of it preserved for natural habitat.  Our horses, goats, and chickens provide composted manure for the fields that we work - sustainable agriculture preserves our ecosystems - wildlife preservation and dedicated areas untouched by humans - preserved forests and orchards.  Nina has planted only heirloom vegetables tirelessly for 22 years.  Gene is a 30 year carpenter now customizing work to order!  Our hay is the best - ask any animal!  Call or email us to join our CSA - you'll also receive discounts on custom woodwork like these great outdoor showers.

Fill a Smaller Basket with Italian Specialty Vegetables

We will offer a smaller sized basket for our custom Italian vegetables - these can not be offered in your typical laundry sized basket but you will get a generous supply within reason.  There will be certain items you can't pick directly from our fields - like the garlic. It is picked and hung to dry in July - once it is ready for sale - we will apportion member sized baskets available in the store to deduct from your share.  Hardneck garlic retails for $1.30 at garlic festivals and stores - members will pay 40% less.  Tomatoes and Peppers - these are all heirloom varieties which sell for $4/lb retail - they must be picked at the right stage of ripeness - we'll offer a generous supply in a smaller sized basket.  Members will receive instruction on how to pick and handle these items correctly - and are welcome to pick directly from the fields within reason - so that all members get a share of these items.