Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm CSA: Nitty Gritty Dirt

7/13/11

Nitty Gritty Dirt

It’s been another great week at Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm. With cooler temperatures this week, it has been a joy to be farmers – even when the work is weeding, weeding, weeding! With last week’s heat, all those heat loving crops like tomatoes, melons and peppers and squash have taken a leap in growth and production. The zucchini that weren’t quite ready for harvest last week have exploded in size. There are a few caveman size clubs among the harvest as well as a few curved ones that could double for phones as Birgit demonstrated from the field. This would be a good week to mix up a few loaves of Zucchini bread.

Our laying hens and pigs have been delighting in the loads of weeds being dumped in their pens for them to scratch and dig through and eat and eventually compost. Those baby pigs we started with just a few weeks ago are getting bigger and bigger – definitely over 100 pounds each. Just a reminder – we do still have a few pork shares available. And the baby broiler chicks that arrived last week are already growing feathers and turning from cute fuzzy chicks into something that looks like they will be dinner someday. It is always amazing how fast everything from cabbage to chicks grows at the farm. Reminder – we also have broiler chicken shares available.

We attempt to keep weed growth in check here at the farm in a variety of ways – using hay mulch between rows, planting in plastic mulch, hoeing, tilling, hand-weeding – and mowing. This week, we’ve been catching up with the explosion in weed growth by mowing and mowing and mowing between veggie rows. It is hard work but extremely gratifying to see the rows of healthy tomatoes, basil and cabbage set off against the neatly mowed rows between them. We have also been doing some roto-tilling between rows of corn and beans. This is our least favorite technique as it pulverizes the soil and causes the organic matter to break down faster, but this year with all the rain and heat, we’ve resorted to tilling just to keep up. It is back-breaking jarring work, but the corn and beans look relieved to have the weed pressure removed.

Harvesting New Potatoes

One for shares, one for lunch, one for shares, one for lunch...

As I write, I’m looking out the front door of our house. The old rows of lettuce and greens are no more, most of their field area tilled. I’m imagining what that section of the field will look like in just a few weeks after we finish tilling, composting and replanting it to a variety of flowers – marigolds, cleome, celosia, asters, Echinacea….. The evolution of the farm is amazing and wonderful………

Until next week……….

What's In Your Share This Week

Snap Peas - Cascadia

Cilantro - Santo

Zucchini - Cash Flow, Slick Pick, Lita,

Cavelli, Sunburst, President

Radish - Rover

Bok Choi - Joi Choi

Onions - Walla Walla

Kohlrabi - Winner, Kolibri

Potatoes - Red Norland

Basil - Thai

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

_sold out $12 each Broiler Chickens

________ $135 Lamb share (half a lamb)

________$270 Lamb share (whole lamb)

__unavailable for 2012 $ 160 Pork share (one quarter)

__unavailable for 2012_$ 280 Pork share (one half)

__unavailable for 2012_$ 525 Pork share (whole)

__sold out_ $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 # _________

amount pd _______

confirmation code _________

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.

Apprenticeship / Internship for the 2013 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 2013 season. Call early. The 2012 interns contacted us in October of 2011.

Blessing of the Fields and Flocks

Join us on Sunday June 3rd from 3:00 to 5:00 for our Spring Blessing of the Fields and Flocks. Come and see the farm where your food is grown and meet your farmers and interns. Shareholders, family and friends are all welcome. Send an email to nittygrittydirtfarm@gmail.com and let us know that you are coming so we have an idea of how much food to prepare. If you decide to come at the last minute and didn't RSVP, don't worry. Just come on up. There'll be plenty. Directions to the farm are on the Drop Site list below. We'll see you here.

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 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 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'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

Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm CSA

7/13/11