The Weekly Bushel 3/25/09

The Weekly Bushel

3/25/09

Hello Hello,

Tim here. I try to use this forum to let you know not only about what we sell, but also just about how things are going out here. This email then will be dual purpose. In trying times like these we need succinct descriptions, cogent and clear plans, but also musn't shy away from soaring rhetoric, banter and ballyhoo. So, this email will tell you: 1. what we're selling, how much we still have left, and how much we want you to partake with us, and 2. how your crops (for those of you enrolled in our CSA program) are doing. It will do so very simply, and most assuredly, in ridiculously flashy prose.

Spring membership push

LotFotL is about 1/3 of the way toward meeting our goal of 150 full share equivalent memberships for 2009. We've just about doubled our membership goal from last year, and are signing people up at just about double the rate of last year. Our next month promises to be the last  large spending period in 2009. We were blessed with good cashflow in the first quarter, and turned that into a farmer's version of a binge, stocking up, improving infrastructure, and so on. I'm on my way to Evansville this Friday to look at purchasing my very first tractor. If it turns out to be the right fit, I will bring back not only a well qualified machine, but my biggest, and most exciting learning curve of the year. Most people spend money to learn by going to college. Me, I go to Evansville. If you're in the "I'm planning on signing up, but haven't made time yet"camp, which is exactly where I would be if I were a member, please take time to renew soon. If you're still on the fence about signing up, well, here's what's in store for you should you decide to join up:

Box #1 forecast

Lots of things have changed for LotFotL in 2009. Perhaps the biggest, and most important change for spring CSA shares is the addition of a hoophouse to our bag of tricks. This plastic tarped set of half circles allows us to get into soil well before this same soil would accept tractor weight on it. This space will be exclusively for CSA purposes in the early half of the year, and currently contains:

Scallions, spinach, and red bok choy. The remaining beds will be sown very densely in arugula, a refined yet primal asian complex of mustard greens (not sure what that means either, except spicey) more spinach, and red and green lettuce. Included in the first share will be Asparagus, sprouts (I'm torn between peas, sunflowers, or radishes, any preferrences?), and some things that must remain anonymous. There has to be some suspense!

Field blessing

Last year, we kicked off the season by having a blessing ceremony. A friend of mine, a trained shaman, helped us bless the land, bless those of us who work within and through its rhythms, and bless all of you for partaking in the fruits of our positive interface with this holy and time tested way of life. A date has not been set yet, but we'd love it if you'd join us for this ceremony. This ceremony is somewhat postmodern: it is no more designed for a pawnee than it is a presbyterian. What the ceremony's about is giving thanks for what's helped, gaining understanding for the challenges presented, and honoring those vital forces that keep us moving along in life. If you'd like to join us, please let me know, and I can keep you in the know as to when we will gather. We usually follow up with a small bonfire, snacks, and drinks, and are typically done with blessings by sunset.

Thanks for helping LotFotL get out to a lion's roar of a spring, the very best spring so far!

Sincerely,

tim huth
LotFotL Community Farm
3037 Main st. Upper
East Troy, Wisconsin 53120