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 9:09 PM

Shares Available for 2012

NGDF is cutting back on the number of shares offered for 2012 to make room for a few other simultaneous projects. If you are interested in a share for next year, sign up early. When we reach our limit, there will be no room to add extra shares.

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



_check availability $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















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.

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.















Not every day is like this either.

Not every day is like this either.