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A Winter Season Welcome for CSA Farm Members; November 2006

The winter storage season begins where the late summer season ends. The shorter days and cold nights limit the fresh items that we are able to produce in the field, but we do as much as the season and weather will allow. This fall has been quite wet and chilly, with first light frosts here in mid September, then more of the same through October. Our complaints are few, however, after past summer seasons of heat and drought,

Late season field greens like arugula, choi, mizuna, hon tsai tai, lettuces, kale, chard, broccoli shoots, and brussel sprouts continue growth, albeit at a slower pace than during the warmer season. Many are protected with several layers of floating covers and plastic so they withstand some nighttime cold, but there are limits.

Many of the greens may be combined in one bag to facilitate packing. Rinse before using. Larger leafed greens and stems can be chopped small for use in cooking. Remove leaves from tougher stems for fresh salads or wilt under hot pasta, rice, potatoes or soups. all parts of the broccoli can be used: stems, leaves, and shoots. Some frost damage may show up on more tender crops as we into colder conditions. Damage may show up more as these items are stored or washed. We do our best to catch most of this after harvest but we always miss some.

Field and bed greens will give way in December and January to fresh broccoli and alfalfa sprouts. We here use these in numerous dishes similar to fresh or cooked greens.

Winter storage crops also include many varieties of winter squash : small, tan, striped oblong, delicata and round sweet dumpling(both with edible skins), dark green and orange, round, dry fleshed kabochas, and dark, round, (button on the bottom) buttercup, round, oblong, tan butternut, white/yellow, stringy spaghetti, and more.

Smaller, speckled New England pie pumpkins are alone this year for pies, breads, soups, or table decoration.

Rainbow carrots, red Burgermeister and Walla Walla sweet onions, red and golden beets, white hakurei turnips, and summer garlic will join the pack out through the winter. Our November crops will likely contain more freshly harvested items as we continue to clear out the gardens before winter begins more permanently. Some of these crops may be a bit smaller and will need to be used sooner than our more mature later storage crops. October harvested Red Pontiac and white Kennenbeck potatoes are from the Lisollo Farm – Silt Mesa).

We’ll try to add in some dried crops and other special surprises as we go through the season.

Herbs will consist more of the hearty winter types: parsley, cilantro, perennials, and will depend on what the weather allows.

Orchard crops in the weeks ahead will include Gorman winter pears, along with mixed apples: Gold Delicious, Fuji, Jonagold, Granny Smith, (most from Kropp family, Paonia).

If weather allows a few late season strawberries will be parted into the shares also.

Fresh and frozen cider will be a combination of the above apples along with a few Peach Valley varieties, made by us here at the farm.

This is a fresh apple juice so please remember our yearly disclaimer :

FRESH CIDER INFORMATION:The law requires that we provide the following:

Warning: "This product has not been pasteurized and therefore, may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems."

We’re putting together plans again for a run to Arizona for a December pickup of organic citrus(Justice Farms); oranges, lemons, grapefruit, tangerines. We’ll keep you posted.

Eggs will continue for those who have ordered them as an extra for the winter season. These will be a combination of brown, white, and green eggs from our layers.

Specially ordered farm raised turkeys will be delivered along with the second packout, the day before Thanksgiving. All turkeys are currently sold out.

Thursday deliveries in the winter season can be a bit slowed because of cold temperatures and poor road conditions. Please allow a bit more time for pickup. Down valley shares(GWS, Carbondale) in place by 1 pm; Up valley shares(Basalt, Aspen), in place by 2:30 pm.

Please be vigilant in share pickup this season because nighttime temperatures can damage food. Critters and birds can become a problem in spots where shares are left too long. Let us know if you’ll be out of town for a delivery. Also give us the phone number of any one picking up for you while you are out of town.

Please call drop point hosts if you get in a pinch on pickup days. Shares left past Thursdays may be placed in a more secure location closeby.

As we continue to pack shares into boxes, please return them to drop points for reuse by the farm.

Although shares for the winter storage crops are sold out for this season, we are taking deposits ($50 per share) on 2007 Garden, Orchard, and Flower Seasons if you'd like to reserve those for next year. This is especially important for those wishing to be part of the Spring Garden (March 2007) which usually fills up fast.

Please note the winter delivery calendar included in your box. Post this in a reminder location, and note the packout /delivery dates. All are Thursday’s except next time: Wednesday November 22, the day before Thanksgiving; only one delivery in January. We’ll try to do reminder calls a day or two before each delivery as we go through the season.

We are glad that you are a part of the winter crop season and we hope that the food you receive will nourish and sustain you. We are grateful for your support of our farm effort and appreciate the connection this season provides us to our members. The additional cash flow is helpful to the overall farm budget and allows us to get a positive start on the season ahead.

Please feel free to call us with any comments, questions, or concerns in the weeks ahead. You are always welcome to come by for volunteer work or to share lunch with us.

Thank you all and may this winter season be filled with peace, joy, warmth, good food, and snow!

Kenny, Gail, and the Farm Crew