Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm CSA

12/9/11

Nitty Gritty News - December 2011

Happy winter, holiday and solstice season to all of you from Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm.

We have had a pleasant time with the long fall getting pens ready for the animals, lights hung for the poultry, heated buckets set up for winter watering and round hay bales moved for feeding the sheep and putting up wood for the woodstove. The feeders are hung for the wild birds and Robin made a batch of suet, a mix of lard, peanut butter and bird seed for the woodpeckers and flickers and an occational cardinal.

It seems quiet at mealtime with just the two of us but before we know it, our first two interns will arrive in time for lambing and goat kidding. Soon after that, we will be pulling out the equipment for collection maple sap, and setting up the cooker to turn it into syrup. In the meantime, we are still milking one goat, Novel who is giving us a very rich quart of milk a day, just enough for milk on granola, in our coffee and Gigi's favorite - goat milk white russians.

The seed catalogs have begun to arrive with colorful pictures of mouth watering varieties. The fields are not completely covered in snow yet but we are hopeful for a deep snowfall over the next few months to help provide much needed moisture for next spring, (not to mention good cross country skiing).

We wish you joy in this holiday season in what ever way you celebrate. Blessings to you all.

Robin and Gigi

Below is the membership form for the 2012 season.

We are reducing the number of shares so sign up early.

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Membership Form 2012

Either send form via email and mail check separately or copy and print membership form and send them together. If splitting a share, both shareholders should fill out a form

Date ________________ (required)

Name ___________________________________

Co-Share ________________________________
(if splitting a share)
Address _________________________________

City, State, Zip ____________________________

Phone: __________________________________

Cell: ____________________________________

Email(s) _________________________________
VEGGIE SHARES

_______ $560 The Great Share (One and one-ninth bushel)
For those interested in a smaller share, we suggest purchasing a Great Share box and find a co-shareholder to split it with. This is the most sustainable and affordable method and gives the shareholders some flexibility.

_______ $410 The Good Share (five-ninths bushel box)

MEAT SHARE OPTIONS

________ $12 each Broiler Chickens

________ $135 Lamb share (half a lamb)

________$270 Lamb share (whole lamb)

__None in 2012_$ 160 Pork share (one quarter)

__None in 2012_$ 280 Pork share (one half)

__None in 2012_$ 525 Pork share (whole)

__check availability_ $2.75 per pound Turkey share

_______ TOTAL

____________ Drop Site Choice (see list below)

Checks payable to Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm

(Contact us if you need additional payment options)
office use only:
check # _________
deposit $________
balance due $_______
check # _________
balance pd $_________

DROP SITES

Use the addresses to google or mapquest or look up the drop site from your particular location. Keep in mind that the folks at the drop sites are volunteers, allowing us to use their space (and in some cases, their homes) as drop sites. Be nice to them. We couldn't do this without them. If you have any questions about your share etc., you should ask us, not them. They have enough to do....as do we all. All deliveries occur on Thursday afternoons. Approximate drop site times are listed below each location. The end times vary but you should pick up your share as early as possible. Look for the NITTY GRITTY DIRT FARM DROP SITE signs at your delivery locations along with lists to check your name off when you pick up, and a description of exactly what you should take.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm

10386 Sunrise Road (Cty Rd 9)

Harris MN 55032

35 north past North Branch to the Harris Exit. Turn Right.

Go into Harris, cross RR tracks to stop sign. Turn Left

Go 2 blocks to County Rd 9, also called Sunrise Road. (at Heartbreakers Bar) Turn Right. Farm is 4 1/2 miles out on left side of road. Look for Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm sign.

Shares available from 3:00 to 6:00

United Theological Seminary 3000 5th Street NW, New Brighton MN 55112

694 to Silver Lake Road exit. Go south to 5th and turn west (right). Go three blocks to UTS. Follow driveway (left) to the maintenance garage at the far north end of the parking lot. Shares available after 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM.

Pilgrims United Church of Christ

8801 Rice Lake Road, Maple Grove MN 55369

Just off of Weaver Lake Road across from Rice Lake Elementary School. Use main church door. Shares available from 3:30 to 6:00.

Acadia Cafe

329 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis

NW corner of Cedar and Riverside. Park on Riverside or

in lot behind the cafe.

Shares available after 3:15 PM until 6:00 PM

Vincent Avenue

3646 Vincent Avenue North, Mpls MN 55412

1/2 block north of 36th Ave N, and 2 blocks south of Dowling. Park on the street. Shares available after 3:30 until 6:00 PM

Additional drop sites may be added as shares are sold. Drop Sites are subject to change but plenty of notice will be given and alternate sites will be within close proximity to the original drop site.

How to use the Membership Form

Highlight the membership form -and copy it to print or to insert into an email. If you are splitting a share, both shareholders should fill out a form, and list the other on the co-share line. Complete the form(s) and mail it back to us with your payment. OR fill out the form and attach it to an email to (nittygrittydirtfarm@gmail.com) and send the payment via snail mail at the same time. If sending the form and the payment separately, indicate clearly on the payment, the name of the shareholder(s). When we receive your membership form and payment we'll add you to the list and send a confirmation email. Your cancelled check will be your receipt. Welcome to the farm.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm
10386 Sunrise Road
PO Box 235
Harris MN 55032

Apprenticeship / Internship for the 2012 season

Apprenticeships at Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm provide the opportunity for hands on learning in organic and sustainable living and CSA farming. Nearly full-time schedules of 4 days per week are available. Apprenticeships may start and end throughout the growing season. Rustic housing is provided which includes access to a shower house, kitchenette and composting toilet. We share a midday community meal and provide fresh food and some staple items for morning and evening meals. In addition, apprentices receive a full veggie share and other products from the farm. Based on experience and needs, a stipend may be negotiated. Call (651) 226-1186 or email us at nittygrittydirtfarm@gmail.com if you are interested in being considered for the 2012 season.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm CSA shareholder Gift Certificates

Nitty Gritty Goods Wool CSA

Watch the Nitty Gritty Goods Wool blog for fiber days coming this winter. Spend time at the farm and enjoy access to the equipment and Robin's expertise in preparing fleeces, carding, dying, spinning and knitting wool.

NITTY GRITTY GOODS WOOL CSA.
The Wool blog address is http://nittygrittygoods.blogspot.com/
and the email is nittygrittygoodswool@gmail.com.

Available now - Gift Certificates for the 2012 season. Purchase a gift certificate toward a Nitty Gritty Goods CSA membership or workshop. We will send the certificate to you or to the recipient from you. Send us your name, the name of the recipient, the dollar amount of the gift certificate, your email and the address you would like us to send it to. Once payment has been received, we will send out the gift certificate through the mail and a confirmation email to you.

How our Program Works

1. Become a member by purchasing a season share. (See membership form and delivery locations below).

2. We deliver a carefully prepared box of fresh produce to metro-area drop sites or you can pick it up directly from the farm. Delivery day is Thursday afternoons from June through October.

3. With your share, you will receive a weekly newsletter updated on the blog with information including what is in your produce box, occasional recipe ideas or recipe resources, calendar updates and a weekly note from the farmers and apprentices about what's happening at the farm.

4. Members are welcome to visit the farm throughout the season. Let us know so we can set aside time to visit with you. You will also be invited to a Spring Blessing of the Fields and Flocks on Sunday, June 5th, 2011, a Summer Abundance Celebration on Sunday, August 7, 2011 and a Fall Harvest Festival on Sunday October 2, 2011.

What If...?

Q: What if I want to join but the weekly share is too much for me or my family?

A: We encourage you to find someone to divide a share with you. Split the box up each week or take turns taking the whole box home. It is the most sustainable and affordable to find a co-shareholder and it also gives you some flexibility in how you split your share. However, we understand that some would prefer a half share and will be offering one this year. See membership form.

Q: What if I don't want some of the items included in the box?

A: Be adventurous. Seek out new recipes and try veggies that are new to you. Try new ways to prepare those things that you thought you didn't like. Pass on what you don't want to a friend, neighbor or food shelf. If you are looking for more decision making about the produce in your box, we suggest a farmer's market where you can make your own selections.

Q: What if I am on vacation and miss a box?

A: If you are on vacation and will miss a pick-up, please invite a friend or neighbor to pick up your box and enjoy the produce. If that cannot be arranged, let us know and we will put the box to good use.

Q: Is the produce washed and how is it packaged?

A: Depending on the item, some of the produce is hydro-cooled to remove the field heat, some of the produce is rinsed and some of the produce is simply brushed off so the natural protective coating is not disturbed and the food maintains it's freshness longer. Our packaging is sustainable, so as much as possible, your produce goes directly into the box. Bags are used for the lettuce and mixed greens, but nearly everything else is carefully packed directly into the box.

What is a CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture
- is a partnership between a farm and a community of supporters directly connecting the farmer who grows the food with the consumer who eats it...

- provides a one-on-one trusting relationship that no amount of labeling or marketing can provide...

- shareholders cover the farm's operating costs by purchasing a share of the season's harvest and receive a weekly box of produce throughout the growing season.

- decreases our dependence on imported food, creates a sustainable, regional food system, and provides you with great food at a fair price.

What's In Your Box?

Here's a sample of what you might find in your box. Over the season, your box may vary from 5 lbs early on, to over 50 lbs and contain 5-12 different varieties.

Early Season (June - early July) Lettuce, Mixed Greens, Spinach, Green Onions, Radishes, Broccoli, Bok Choy, Kohlrabi, Sugar Snap Peas, Zucchini, Basil.
Mid Season (July - August) Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Eggplant, New Potatoes, Green Beans, Peas, Carrots, Kale, Lettuce, Mixed Greens, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Peppers - sweet and hot, Sweet Corn Cabbage, Onions, Broccoli, Basil, Cilantro, Flowers
Late Season (September - October) Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Potatoes, Onions, Carrots, Rutabaga, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Sweet Corn, Squash, Pumpkins, Ornamental Corn, Gourds, Sage, Basil, Parsley, Flowers