Greetings Friends and Members of CSA!
The New Year seems to be off to a snowy, cold start, with record snowfalls in the upper Colorado River basin. Winter surely seems more manageable with a blanket of white on the ground both here and in the high country. After the past several years of drought conditions, we'll certainly take more moisture.
The winter season always gives us a chance to look toward the upcoming production year as we put together a Farm Season Plan that we hope reflects a productive, enjoyable, and enriching year. Many of our working member farm crew will return again to provide great, experienced help. This year, however, we'll need to add several more new faces and apprentices too.
We are beginning to seed early Spring and Summer Garden Crops in the nursery and outside cold-frame beds. These will be planted into 5 acres of ground here in the valley, including an additional acre of garden here at the home place. We’ll work the Hill place on Highway 6 for at least another year. Several full size hoop houses will continue to expand our early and late production.
Strawberry beds are wintering well under a blanket of snow along with other perennial flowers and herbs. Seeding, transplanting, and bed work is done weekly, starting in February.
Orchard areas are wintering well so far and will be similar in scope to 2005. Several orchards are leased (16 years) that constitute about 5 acres (150 trees). Apples and apricots are our most abundant fruits. The Mandel peach orchard will again provide us with crops as they mature. Hopefully, Mother Nature will provide frost free weather during spring bloom and crops will be abundant. This is, however, the “off” year for our apples, so those fruits will be somewhat lighter. Many trees will need pruning attention in the next months until bloom. Orchard work is also done weekly, March through April.
Last year's spring layers continue to give us beautiful eggs which should increase in number as the weather warms. 100 February born chicks will begin production by late summer. Turkeys will arrive by May. We’ll not raise any broiler chickens or lambs here this year (we’ll work with several other local producers for those).
Last year's production figures show we harvested over 2000 pounds of tomatoes, 750 pounds of green beans, 75 pounds of basil, 1250 pints of strawberries, 6000 pounds of apples, besides many other items. Peas, beets, and eggplant were prominent items with lower than expected yields. Fruit quality and taste were great, along with tremendous supply.
We will again do only one Brochure this year rather than numerous mailings. We'll do mostly seasonal and share updates as the Season progresses through short newsletters and notes.
New Season Shares are usually made available to renewing members first, so we ask that you fill out and return the green 2006 Subscription Form with payment or deposit as soon as possible, so we know whether you plan to be involved this year. Discounts are available for those able to make early payments in full on all shares. Shares do seem to fill up fast and we prefer to get the paperwork mostly done before field work begins in earnest. So if you or friends are interested, please call for more information or brochures!
Thoughts and comments regarding last year's or this year’s season can be recorded on the Survey Form on the back of the green subscription form. We use these to better tune the current season to your family's needs, hopefully reducing waste and increasing foods that you use most.
Spring Garden production of early greens, sprouts, and herbs for the will begin some where mid - March (most of these shares sell out early).
Share Projections and dates of availability have undergone only a few changes as to season duration and crops included. Our Budget for the coming year reflects slightly expanded figures to that of 2005. It is based on the total expenses incurred to run the farm operation for one year, offset by the number of shares needed to cover those costs. We are budgeting our farm production for the year to again serve 35 spring shares, 40 summer fruit and vegetable full shares, about 70 farmer's market shares, and 25 winter storage shares. We'll again supply several custom shares. Prices have increased a bit to reflect rising energy and production prices. Some share prices have gone up more than others.
The Beyond Organic page gives us a chance to discuss some of the broader issues behind small scale agriculture. We also present a description of our growing methods and how community agriculture seeks to impact the economic, social, and spiritual issues related to local food production.
A Map will be included in this year's brochure so you can better connect with where your food is actually being grown. It should also come in handy should you like to stop by for a visit.
Winter storage shares will wrap up at the end of February. We are grateful for all who have participated. It is a great winter connection for us and keeps us focused on ways to be more sustainable during this "off-season".
Great food, company, and energy will fill the house for our annual farm “Garden Party” on Sunday, February 12, 1-5pm. Working crew, interested members, or prospective apprentices are invited to visit, eat good food, and discuss the year ahead. Hot topics may include long term land security, local land development, including oil and gas wells in the Peach Valley/Silt Mesa area, and farming! Everyone is welcome! RSVP please.
Changes are afoot for the Farmer’s Market in Glenwood Springs. The purchase of the property by the district for the new high school may necessitate relocation or at least renegotiations for the 2006 season.
2006 portends to be exciting again on the family front. Gail and I will again open the farm in later June for the wedding of our daughter, Adrea, and her fiancée, Sam Tilford. Family time and visits will surround that event.
Don't hesitate to call or e-mail us with any questions that you may have about shares, costs, drop points, or farm pickup.
Our web site at peachvalleycsa.com, will soon have available all our 2006 information, subscription forms, calendars, maps, farm pictures and much more. We hope this will be a good resource for anyone needing information throughout the season. Season registration can be done on line if you desire.
We look forword to an abundant season of food, fun, and learning from each other and the Earth.
Thanks! Kenny & Gail Kuhns
Peach Valley CSA
3465 Peach Valley
Road (214)
Silt, Colorado 81652
Phone: (970) 876-2850
Fax: (970) 876-2857
E-mail: pvcsawco@rof.net