I've come to the realization that I simply cannot grow less produce! I always have way more than I need for my small family but not nearly enough to go to a farmers' market. So, this year I have decided to offer a "micro-CSA." Not micro as in small shares but micro as in only a few shares. I'm planning to offer three shares this year. If you are local to our farm here in Milford, NH, consider signing up for a weekly share of our bounty! As a micro-CSA, you can expect benefits from us that you just can't get from the big guys. Because I'll only be preparing shares for a few families, I can tailor them to your preferences. Can't stand radishes? No problem! Like yellow squash but not zucchini, you got it! Want extra basil to make some pesto? We've got you covered. When you sign up, I'll send you a survey to get a feel for what you want out of your share and what you really don't want! We will do our best to give you a basket that suits you based on what we have available that week. Our shares will run approximately 20 weeks, from roughly early May to the end of September, depending on what Mother Nature give us. While the shares in the beginning and end will be lighter as things ramp up and trail off, you can expect up to a full bushel of delicious farm fresh produce per week (about two grocery sacks worth). Most weeks will also include a bouquet of beautiful flowers. Pick up will be at the farm and days and pick up times will be decided on a case by case basis closer to the season. Our shares will include a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Please be aware that the amount of fruit will be somewhat limited as our production of many of those items is still developing. A list of the expected varieties is listed below as is a gallery of images of some of the produce you can expect to receive. Please remember, that as a CSA, I cannot guarantee that every single one of these items will make it into your basket, as there is always the chance of crop failure for one reason or another, but I am growing enough of a variety that there will be plenty of bounty! Here is what we are planning to offer as far as varieties this year:
If you are interested in subscribing, the cost for a share is $950, which is less than $50 per week. To reserve your share, a deposit of $50 is required and then you can pay all at once or as you can until May 1, when the total amount is due. You can reserve your spot online with a credit card for the deposit. We can accept cash or check for the remainder of the share price. If you would like to reserve your share, you can do so here. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch!
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It's been a while since the elk have been up by the house. I put them in the back forty late last summer as the drought was making feed a bit scarce in our main pastures by the house. I've sure missed seeing them out the window! We're getting close to Big Guy's antler shedding time, and I certainly don't want to have to search for them in the ten acre heavily wooded pasture that they been in. I had to do that the year before last, and it was really hard to spot that one missing antler among all the deadfall! The good news is that the elk have learned in the last three years that when I shake the bucket and ask them to follow me, there is usually good stuff waiting for them on the other side. I always feel like the Pied Piper! As usual, Big Guy tries to keep them from following me, but there's only one of him and as soon as one cow slips by and starts running after me, it's all over! Everything went splendidly... right up until the elk saw the yak standing next to the gate I wanted them to go through! I finally decided to go up to the house and figured I could go out and close gates after they got up the courage to walk through the gate. I knew it wouldn't take them too long; they were hungry and there was a fresh bale of hay waiting for them!! After seeing they made it into the target pasture, I closed gates but decided that moving the elk was enough for one day. The yak and Piggy still needed to be rearranged, but we were scheduled to get a bit of snow, so I went back and cozied up at the house. What fun to look out my window and see the yak and elk at the same time again... at least for a little bit.
That Big Guy... he sure ain't no rooster. What do I mean by that? Well, when you look at this picture, you are seeing the exact pecking order of this little herd. Big Guy always pushes the girls out of the way so he can get the first bucket and then they sort themselves out down the line. If they don't move fast enough, he "helps" them along with a prod of his antler. He's fairly gentle about it compared to Piggy, but he's still clearly saying, "Get out of my way, girl." One of the things I miss about having chickens (I'm hoping to add them to the menagerie this year) is the rooster. You don't need a rooster to have laying hens, but there are some benefits to having one. Generally, they are such gentlemen! When they find some choice morsel, they call their ladies over with a chortle and stand by proudly as they eat it. What a man! Here is my last rooster. He was such a nice fellow and always made sure he found the best treats for his ladies. Isn't he a handsome fellow? Hard to believe it has been almost 14 years since I last had chickens! But I digress... I have thought, perhaps, that I should cut Big Guy a little slack; I mean, he is getting to be an older gentleman. I have seen him be very generous and polite to the ladies (unlike a certain young whippersnapper I know. Cough. Piggy. Cough.). Here he let the ladies enjoy their grain while he stood watch. Of course, I suppose it is a lot easier to be magnanimous during the summer when the grass is green and the weather balmy. We've been sitting in the single digits at night lately, so I imagine he's using a lot of resources to keep warm, so, it's OK, Big Guy. I get it. I won't hold it against you that you ain't no rooster. Cockadoodledoo!
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