The first seed orders have arrived. Visions of green and red bell peppers, orange blossom tomatoes and purple basil are dancing in our heads. The first group of lambs were born, 11 so far, and within a week or so there will be goat kids and then more lambs in late March. The soft maple trees have been tapped and the driveway ice has melted into mud. Spring is definitely here at Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm.
It’s time NOW to sign up for the 2010 season.
Outside the house, the snow covering the fields has started to melt and the ground beneath is waiting. Inside the house, the wood stove is warming as we spread the seed catalogs out across the table. The first seed orders are here and our list of intern/apprentices is growing, including two who will be returning from last season. It’s exciting to think of the potential for the new season just ahead and we are looking forward to your partnership in the farm again this season and seeing you visit the farm.
The 2010 membership form is available below, to copy, print and mail to us, or copy and email to us. EVEN IF YOU’VE BEEN WITH US BEFORE, you MUST fill out a new form completely. It is the only way we can keep our records and emails accurate. We are not planning to expand the number of vegetable shares offered this year – 100 is a good number for our land to support and our farmers to work. We have already received several new shareholder/members – so if you are planning to join us again – don’t wait too long! You will be added to the list and receive a confirmation email when we receive both your membership form and your $$$. Your canceled check will be your receipt.
This winter at the farm has been wonderful. We have loved all the snow - providing protection and moisture for the fields, good snow to cross-country ski on, and beautiful to look at. We’ve managed to get away a couple of times for skiing and hiking this late fall and winter, but now we are staying put as the ewes started lambing and the goat does start kidding in mid March (or earlier by the looks of a few of them). We sheared sheep at the end of February and from now on – it is all farm/all the time. We had help tapping maple trees from new intern Kristin and returning intern Dale, and will begin cooking sap down in early to mid April. Seeds will be sown from late February through spring. It is a wonderful time for a spring visit with baby animals and the farm waking up all over (even with the mud!) You can see baby critter pictures up on the blog, but seeing, holding, hearing and smelling the actual newborns in person is amazing. Just give us a little notice and come for a visit.
The Cookbook, in which we are one of the featured CSA farms – (that we spend so much time writing about last year) is nearing publication. We will be signing books at Sur La Table in Edina sometime in May – the date is yet to be announced. There will also be an opportunity for each of you – our shareholder/members – to purchase the cookbook at a reduced rate. Oh by the way – OUR BOX OF VEGGIES (same as the ones you received last summer) – is the cover of the cookbook! We’ll keep you posted as we get more information. Also the Saveur magazine article featuring our farm will come out in April. So look for that too. We just found a picture of the cookbook cover
on line. We haven't seen the inside yet but we think the cover LOOKS GREAT!
Robin and Gigi
Nitty Gritty Dirt Farm
