Yes, Lauren, the onions were challenging this season.  We did try our best to sort all of the onions and it was very disappointing for us as well.  We start every onion, shallot, scallion and leek in the green house as a single seeded transplant.  Thousands and thousands of plants that we seed, care for in the greenhouse, transplant and then keep weeded all season.  We think that the extreme heat for days on end caused the  problems we had with the onion crop this season.  No rain and temperatures over 90 were great for the tomatoes but the onions suffered.  It seemed like they almost cooked from the inside.  As far as what we can do next year, we just have to wait and see what the weather holds.

This week’s newsletter includes recipes for a fig mole sauce and an apple pear crisp.

Carnegie Hill Newsletter – Week 20

Dear CSA Member.

When the week number starts to be in the 20’s we are very near the end of our season.  The weather is colder, wetter and everything is full of color.  The fall greens love the cold and you will notice that the colors and flavors are enhanced when the vegetables have been touched by a frost.  Hopefully the snow will stay away for a bit longer.  I remember years when we had to pick carrots in the snow and it is not easy.

Everyone that works on the farm has put in an extra ordinary effort this season.  It was the hottest and driest on record.  Fall crops are generally planted late May to early June as small seedlings, right in the heart of the summer heat and drought. To keep the fall greens growing through the summer and into the fall has taken much skill and time.  We did not have a drop of rain this entire summer so the only way the fall crops were to survive was with irrigation.  We do not have enough pipe, drip tape or even reserve of water in a drought to water the entire garden at once.  Each day a portion of the fields would be watered.  The next morning the pipes would be taken apart, moved and re-assembled in the next area.  By the time the irrigation made its way back to the beginning you could almost see the plants begging for water.

The time and effort have paid off and now with the rain and cold the fall crops are coming into their peak.  Many of the fields have a cover crop of winter rye that also flourishes with the cold and rain.

Just a note, there is only Grade B Maple Syrup remaining and supplies of both Honey and Maple are getting very low.  If you would like to place an order for honey, maple or coffee, please go to the farm website, download the order form from the listing for Honey and Maple or Coffee and send it to the farm .

Enjoy the vegetables-
Deborah for everyone at Stoneledge Farm

Full Vegetable Share
Ancho Peppers – 1 pound – Mildly hot, traditional pepper for making Chili Rellanos.  Check on line for many good recipes
Red Ace Beets – 1 pound
Thyme – 1 bunch
Potatoes – 2 pounds
Gourds – 3 – just for decoration but the colors of fall and very interesting shapes
Sweet Dumpling Winter Squash – 2
Siberian Kale – 1 bunch
Leeks – 1 bunch

Fruit Share
Bosc Pears
Golden Delicious Apples
Empire Apples

Stonewood Farm and Lewis Waite Farm are offering FRESHLY FROZEN BIRDS. They will be delivered on November 23 at your normal distribution site*, along with all of our monthly meat, cheese, etc. offerings so you also have the choice of our full range of products for your holiday entertaining. Please place your orders by November 11. We are ordering a few extra birds too to try to accommodate those who make plans later on in November.  Turkeys are $3.99 per pound and come in sizes ranging from 12 to 45 pounds.

To place an order:

- visit the CSA Pastured Meat and Poultry website

- If you’ve ordered before, login and look for the link for Thanksgiving Turkey Orders.  Orders for other products like meat, cheese, eggs, sauces, etc should be placed separately.

- If you haven’t logged in, you can browse the products.  Contact Nancy Brown at ndkbrown@lewiswaitefarm.com or call her at 518 692 3120 to get setup with a login or ask any questions.  She’s very helpful and will probably take an order over the phone if you prefer.

Stonewood Farm specializes in premium quality turkeys with superior flavor and juiciness that can only be grown in Vermont. They grow their turkeys naturally; that is they do not feed antibiotics or growth hormones. They raise their turkeys for your family without using any preservatives or artificial ingredients. Just plenty of fresh Vermont air, cool nights, good feed and tender loving care on their family farm.  Paul Stone was the Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Vermont and now his son Peter is taking a leading role on the farm.

*Yorkville CSA note – 11/23 is not a vegetable delivery day, turkey and meat orders will be made to an apartment in the neighborhood very close to our normal pickup site, the details will be given to people placing orders.

Please enter your separate order for Thanksgiving on our website www.csalewiswaitefarm.com by fax or email to Nancy Brown at nkdbrown@lewiswaitefarm.com or 518-692-3120 (both a phone and fax. – press start right after dialing to fax!)

Please include Your Name, CSA and Phone # with your choices.