8/26/09

Nitty Gritty News August 27th




From the Farmers

The pictures above were too good to resist even though it was last weeks rainy harvest. The interns kept their spirits up by singing camp songs and discussing the differences in lyrics from one region to the next, (Nebraska, Indiana or Minnesota) and from one organization to the next (Girl Scouts, Campfire Kids, Y camp and 4H).
The shareholders too, didn't seem to mind the rain as they sorted through their boxes.

This week the rain fell early and by Wednesday, had stopped so that we were finally able to harvest the rest of the green beans. Because we were unable to pick them in last weeks rain, and while we have sorted as carefully as time would allow, you may need to sort out some that may be overly mature or have some rust damage on them. We thought that you would rather have the beans with a little extra work, than no beans at all.

The first seven lambs were shipped to the meat processor in Braham Minnesota. With some help from a neighbor, they were delivered last Sunday night. The rest of the lambs have a little more room and a little less competition for their food. They ended up with some feathered friends to help make up the difference.

Robin, Cara and Gigi were catching the ducks to move them into the pen with the lambs. Four of the ducks were already wandering in the field, having escaped earlier that morning. The next four were carried to their new home. The lambs seemed intrigued and walked slowly toward the newcomers, but the ducks clearly did not appreciate the greeting. By the time we got back with the next group, the first four ducks had escaped through the fence and were wandering up and down the tomato rows. We put the four we were carrying in with the lambs, and then retraced our path to get behind the rest of them. We walked slowly toward them so they would head toward their new home, jogging occasionally to the left or right when they tried a new direction. Gigi's daughter Katy Anne joined the parade and we managed to get the whole group back together in with the lambs. They are safer closer to the barn and other livestock but we might not be able to convince them of that.

Gigi and Robin enjoyed a church retreat outside of Alexandria Minnesota over the weekend and Dale watched the farm. He stayed busy with all the chores, and put up some sauerkraut with purple cabbage. It probably will change color slightly when he processes it in the canner but he's looking forward to serving the pink food to his friends. Cara will care for the farm over Labor Day weekend so we can get away for a few days of paddling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. We haven't done a canoe trip since we started the CSA and are looking forward to it.

We have some new help arriving to help us out this fall. One of Gigi's former music students is joining us after her camp job is done, and a very nice young man who found us online wants to volunteer some help while he is between jobs. It will be wonderful to have incoming help at a time when we have to lose some of our farm family who are returning to school or to other opportunities.

Until next week...


In Your Share This Week

Onions - Red Candy Apple, Walla Walla
Zucchini - Cavelli, Slick Pick, Zephyr, Sunburst Pattypan, Bennings Green Tint Pattypan, Lita, Raven, Elite and Horn of Plenty
Melons (possibly) Honeydew-Diplomat, Passport, Cantaloupe-Goddess or Asian Sun Jewel
Egg Plants (possibly) Dancer (pink), Dusky (purple) Orient Express (skinny purple) or Orient Charm (skinny pink)
Carrots - Forto
Basil - Ararat, Lime
Green Beans - Landmark
Sweet Peppers - Islander (purple bell), Snapper (green bell), Gypsy (yellow) Jimmy Nardello (1" X 6" green)
Hot Peppers - Conchos (jalapeno),
Tomatoes - Taxi (yellow), Orange Blossom (orange), and New Girl (red)
Collards - Vates
Acorn Squash - Cream of the Crop

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.

FARM CONTACT INFORMATION

Robin Raudabaugh & Gigi Nauer

Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm

10386 Sunrise Road

PO Box 235

Harris MN 55032


(651) 226-1186


nittygrittydirtfarm@gmail.com

Also Nitty Gritty Goods Wool CSA
Robin Raudabaugh
651-216-9012
nittygrittygoodswool@gmail.com

We are a 15 acre Community Supported Agriculture farm providing a wide variety of fresh, organically and sustainably grown vegetables, fruit, lamb, pork, turkey and chicken. Located one hour north of the Twin Cities, we deliver to several metro locations. We are intentional about our organic and sustainable farming practices which include (but are not limited to): maintaining soil health through green and animal manures, compost, mulch, cover crops and crop rotations; Organic Pest Management to naturally monitor, prevent and control insects and other pests; maintaining animal health and well-being through the use of portable and loose housing and pasture rotations. Owner/operators Robin Raudabaugh and Gigi Nauer provide over 30 years experience in fruit, vegetable and livestock production, education and customer service. Our primary goal is to build community, relationships and personal health and well-being around good food and the intentional living that creates it. We’d love to have you join us.

Not every day is like this but we try.

Not every day is like this but we try.

Not every day is like this either.

Not every day is like this either.