State of the CSA February 2009
Sawadi Khap!
Hello all. Tim here. I'm back from three weeks of buses, bikes, trains, planes, buddhas, pad thai, and so many other things that make up the heart of Old Siam. Although my brain is still partly on the beach, and partly shoved under the awning of a tuk-tuk, I've made some good early progress toward establishing what promises to be a season of advancement for LotFotL and its membership. I have some exciting new offerings to share with you, am looking for a bit of help (it's painless, no worries), and want to meet up with some of you soon. Read on for more details!
The Weekly Bushel
2009 - The State of the CSA
Changes to LotFotL's crop plans in 2009.
FRUIT!
In addition to adding 4 weeks onto the full, and 2 weeks onto the MEOW (member every other week) shares, we've established a relationship with fruit growers in Eastern Michigan. While not organic, these family farmers are not only clinging onto their land (as the "big boys" have moved in and are swiftly buying up orchards), but also have an abundance of some wonderful crops that are not available, organically or otherwise, at a satisfactory level of quality and quantity in most of Wisconsin. I'm still brainstorming on exactly how to make these available for resale, and how (if at all) to incorporate them into CSA shares. I'm contemplating a once-a-month fruit share, providing at least 5 lb. of a few different types of fruits, for an additional cost, or simply selling these at market. Any interest in a once a month Michigan fruit share? Lemme know.
At the very least, I will have vast abundances (weather permitting) of Michigan Cherries, Blueberries, and Peaches, for canning, eating fresh, pie making, or whatever, so if you're willing to compromise organics for local, farm-friendly fruit throughout 2009, I'll have you covered. I'm also in the process of sourcing Wisconsin apples and pears to add to all shares in 2009. They too, may not be organic (though I will try), but will at least be raised using as few chemicals and as many beneficial insects as possible, and only be grown by family farmers in need of the extra sales volume. These will not be the misshapen, slightly bug bitten fruits of last year, but large, crisp, bug-free apples and pears, and will be in greater abundance.
If you have concerns, questions, wish to pre-order peaches, cherries, or blueberries in bulk, or anything you want me to know about in relation to this change, let me know.
EXPANDING OUR ROSTER!
I've reviewed what we gave our CSA members in boxes in 2009, and while I believe that our shares, for the most part, had nice rotation and a good mix of greens, veggie-fruits, roots, and herbs, I'm making many changes to our crop mix in 2009, including the following:
- more carrots, many more carrots
- more types of radishes, but fewer weeks including radishes of any types
- including potatoes, more garlic, cauliflower, celery, brussel sprouts, bigger and better sweet corn, better tomato variety, less lettuce, and some exotics like sorrel, claytonia, nettles, and bok choy.
The size of our shares will remain close to the same size, but should have 1-2 additional items/wk, every week. We don't want to give you too much, but also don't want to give too little. The "just enough" portion size is our goal, but is different for everyone. If you have any thoughts on this, please share them.
In need of a favor
LotFotL will not be able to drop off boxes at Beans and Barley proper in 2009. The market was simply too expensive for us to justify, and will no longer be at that site. So, I'm looking for alternative places to drop off that are as close to Beans and Barley as possible. We hope to drop off at this new location on Wednesday afternoon (3pm) and would like members to have access to their boxes at least until 7 pm. This could be the home of a CSA member, a local business, or anywhere else that has a shaded spot large enough for 15-30 boxes every week. I'd be happy to compensate this business owner, CSA member, or ordinary citizen, in some fashion that we agree to, for this favor. Ideal locations would be within 5 minutes walk or drive from Beans. In the event that this location does not work for any CSA member who has already paid for a 2009 membership, we will reimburse you promptly for the amount you've paid for your membership. While I'm not excited about having to pre-box shares for east side delivery, and doubley not happy that the beans market was the disappointment that it was, the addition of 240 hours in the field (5 hours, two workers, 24 weeks) will pay vast dividends in the quality and quantity of our shares. If you own or rent a home or business near beans and barley, have a shaded location, and can be available, or make available space for these boxes on wednesdays from 3-7pm, PLEASE contact me as soon as possible. Thanks so much. We'll figure something out, even if that's us in a van in the parking lot of beans, patiently awaiting you. The more time we're in the field though, the better for all!
Finally, I'd love the opportunity to meet with current and former members in a group to discuss how 2008 went, and what needs to improve to make 2009 all it can be. Feel free to contact me directly to let me know when the best times in the coming weeks would be for you to meet up with some others.
Khap Kun Khap!
tim huth
LotFotL Community Farm
262-951-0794
