12/19/08

Greetings from Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm

Greetings from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm.

Tomorrow is the shortest day of the year. The chores, though fewer, seem harder in the cold and dark. Even though the animals have been moved closer to the barn where they can get under the lean-to and out of the weather, we bundle up like we’re trekking to the North Pole, just to go out to the barn.

Those of you who know how diversified we are, won’t be surprised to know that we have added and subtracted a few livestock this year. Our original plan was to cut back, but that didn’t last long. We bartered away the Highlander Cow, Apple, and her calf, Rhubarb, to a nice young man with a farm in Maple Lake. In exchange, he is going to paint the inside of our house in January. We then drove down to Kevin and Connie’s farm near Rochester and came home with two young bull calves to raise. So much for cutting back…Then after one of the two goats we bought became ill and had to be put down, we got two more. We now have two Saanens and one Toggenburg goat and all three have been bred. So much for cutting back…

Also, after our beloved 19-year-old dog Cody left us, and Bracken the 4-year-old was now and “only” dog, we stopped by the Humane Society based on a gut feeling and came home with a bouncing 4 month old husky lab mix. He is black and white and his name is Birch. So much for…. Well, you get the picture.

We hope this greeting finds you all warm and peaceful even in these difficult economic times, and like the increasing light of each day, you find hope throughout this holiday season.

The seed catalogs have already begun to arrive so we knew it was time to update the blog for the 2009 season. All of the current info for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm CSA is below. Don’t call with questions until you’ve read through it. The answer you’re looking for is probably in there somewhere. Those of you have been with us before will see a few changes. Those of you looking at this for the first time, welcome.

We look forward to hearing from you all.

Sincerely,

Robin and Gigi
Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm
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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.