Dear CSA Member,
It seems that a farmer is never satisfied. It is too rainy, it is too dry, it is too cloudy, it is too sunny, it is too hot, it is too cold. Mother Nature is always in charge and all of our complaints make no difference. In the big picture, things balance out. Last summer we had nothing but rain and cold weather. This summer there has been endless sunshine and no rain. Put the two together and you have a perfect summer.
The heat and lack of rain bring with them their own challenges, but no mosquitos. We are moving irrigation pipes every day and irrigating the fall greens to keep them growing. The summer crops are at their peak and full of flavor but their growth has stopped and so they are not on the irrigation priority list. The vegetables that you receive in your share do not change much during the summer because we need to pick the summer crops on a very regular schedule. Summer squash is picked every other day. Miss a picking and the zucchini is the size of a base ball bat. Some members are asking about carrots, winter squash potatoes and beets. They will come in their time. Please try to savor the summer crops because as quickly as they came, they will stop.
Our second Farm Work Visit is scheduled for next Saturday from 11-3. If you can make the trip please bring your own lunch, plenty to drink, a hat and sunscreen. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. If the weather holds we will also open the raspberry patch at the end of the visit for members to pick their own raspberries. The cost will be $4/pound and you will need your own container. We just can’t transport the raspberries to the CSA because they are so perishable so this will be an opportunity for members to pick some of the berries. I would also suggest stopping at the Malden Rest Stop on the NYS Thruway to use the rest rooms before you exit the Thruway. It is the last stop before you get to Exit 21, Catskill. We have a port o let, but the rest rooms at Malden are much more spacious and also are inside! If you have questions you can give us a call at 518-291-2467. Directions to the farm are on the farm website www.stoneledgefarmny.org, Email and Directions link. Use the 145 Garcia Lane, Leeds address to reach the farm.
Enjoy the vegetables.
Deborah for everyone at Stoneledge Farm