9/14/11

Nitty Gritty News

 From the Farmers

With the weather forecast predicting widespread frost, we’ve spent the day hustling to bring in as much of the susceptible crops from the field as possible.   The morning started in the potato patch where the challenge of finding the rows can be difficult.  Then on to the melons which more than filled the trailer.  Some of them will be in your boxes this week and some of them, we will try to hold until next week.  After harvesting the bouquet of herbs and zinnias, Robin found a whole section of cucumbers, enough to get them into the shareholder boxes as well.  The day ended in the tomato rows.  A rainbow of colors filled the harvest buckets along the edge of the field.  The buckets were loaded into the truck with the topper, so they will be protected from the possible overnight frost too. 


The ewes were moved in to the one of the corn fields a couple of weeks ago.  It looked then like they were wandering through a corn jungle.  We could hardly see them as they pushed their way through the stalks.  Now, that field looks cleaned out and they are becoming quite vocal about wanting to move on.  Soon, we’ll move them again to another patch on the west side of the barn. 

Yesterday, Robin and Gigi butchered the broiler chickens with the help of Robin’s daughter Katy.  We have processed our own birds at the farm every year.  This year, we decided to find another resource and found two.  One was a shop in Little Falls who would do it for $2.50 a bird but we would have had to get them there on what turned out to be the hottest day this week.  The second choice was someone who would come here, charge $50 for his travels and $3.50 a bird.  Consequently, we decided to continue the tradition of doing it ourselves.   

The neighboring farm fields of corn and soybeans are yellowing from the end of the season and from the lack of rain.  The leaves on the trees aren’t turning yet but the DNR predicts brilliant colors this year.  Hard to believe it was 90 degrees on this past Monday. 
This has been a very interesting year for weather patterns. 

This would be a good week to cook up a tomato sauce with lots of peppers and onions. Robin is planning some chili for tomorrow for lunch and will be canning some tomatoes this weekend.  Tis the season…

Until Next Week…

What’s In Your Share:

Onions:  Red Zeppelin
Potatoes:  Red Norland
Watermelon:  Sunshine (stripe – yellow), Starlight (stripe – red), New Orchid (stripe orange), Mickey Lee (pale green – pink), Picnic (green oblong – red)
Pepper Sweet:  Carmen, Gypsy, Merlot, Lipstick and Sweet Chocolate
Pepper Hot:  El Jefe Jalapeno, Serrano del Sol, Yellow Banana
Tomatoes:  Paragon (red), Pink Beauty (pink), Taxi (yellow), Orange Blossom (orange),
Green Zebra (green), Tough Boy
Okra:  Cajun Beauty
Herbs:  Bouquet of Dill, Lime Basils, Thai Basil, Zinnea Garden flowers
Cucumbers:  Raider, Sweet Slice and Diva
Swiss Chard: Fordhook Giant
Cilantro:  Santo

Posted by at

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.