Preliminary Winter 2012 Share Information

Many of you have asked about the Winter Share. We are checking to see if we can use the church's space this winter for that. If we get the go ahead, we will need to rapidly accept payments. Winter distribution would be once a month from December - April. More details about the winter share will be provided when we know it's a sure thing. In the mean time, you can look at what was included in the winter share last year by clicking here.

This year we have chosen to do 5 months rather than 6 at $40 per delivery rather than $50 for a total of $200 rather than $300. There will be a $10 administrative fee. The $210 needs to be paid in full upfront. We are doing this because we feel it will give more people the opportunity to participate in winter share. Also, we did not feel like the additional $10 per month last year was truly that value added.

Tropical Storm Lee Causes Major Flooding Across Chenango County, Affects Farm

There's major flooding going on up at the farm today. We were actually lucky to get our shares delivered yesterday - today they're trapped and can't get the trucks out to CSAs that distribute on Thursday. Here's the update Zaid sent this morning:

Just got back from farm after digging trenches to divert water and checking things out to see what was happening with fields. It is too early to tell how much damages we sustained we will know more as the flood waters recede and as the days go by as we usually develop major disease outbreaks after floods.

Please remind CSA members that this year people have gotten almost twice the monetary value almost every-week. shares are most likely to be less as we go forward.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Closing June Farm News

The latest from the farm, brough to us of late by Zaid's daughter:

The weather is still a major issue; lots of rain and gloom with little to no sun. Thankfully, though, the crops are growing pretty well. We are still awaiting the arrival of the last three Egyptians. Very recently we have added a trio of Guatemalans to our crew because of this. This weekend we were to host a group of CSA members from Washington Square and Harvest Astoria, but the trip was cancelled, with the hope of rescheduling in September or October. Anyone interested should speak to the organizers there. This week marks the second week that Zaid and Haifa have been at the markets, chicken processing, and the start of the summer CSA deliveries. On a slightly sadder tone, both of the walk-in coolers broke down at the same time, making life quite challenging. On the flip side, the truck that was involved in an accident in NYC is coming back tomorrow. Interesting tidbits from NJ involve a teenage deer living inside a fenced off section of land (there are 12 acres with 8ft high deer fence), and the harvesting of okra.

2011 Season Begins Wednesday, June 22nd

Our season will officially begin next week! Our first distribution will be Wednesday, June 22nd. Vegetable distribution will take place between 5:30pm and 8pm at the Church of the Redeemer community hall (located behind the sanctuary). The Church is on Crescent Street near 30th avenue. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR OWN BAGS. We will have bins to collect compost through the Western Queens Compost Initiative.

Delivery Shift: we are still waiting to hear what is the exact time our truck is expected in the morning. If you signed up for a delivery shift on June 22, you will be hearing from Tanya, our volunteer coordinator, shortly.

Distribution Shift: the distribution shift begins promptly at 5:30pm and will go through 8:30pm (shorter if we get all our cleaning done quickly!) You will be hearing from Tanya, our volunteer coordinator, shortly.

The volunteer schedule will be available here shortly. Please refer to it!

HARVEST ASTORIA FARM TRIP:

This year we have partnered with the Washington Square CSA. Our farm trip is scheduled for Saturday, June 25th. Please email Mary if you are planning to attend so we can reserve the correct size bus. Harvest Astoria will subsidize the cost. Last year we asked members to pay an additional $20 per head to attend. We do not yet know what the cost will be this year, but it will not be more than that. The bus will likely leave from a convenient location in Manhattan around 7:30am. It is a 4+ hour drive. The group will stop for lunch before heading to the farm for the visit. Details are still being worked out, but please only email Mary if you are very serious about attending so that we rent the appropriate bus. 

GREEN MARKET COMING TO SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK:

Beginning Saturday, June 25th and going through November. A great way to supplement your CSA shares and continuing supporting local, organic farmers. For more information click here.

Earth Day/Foodworks Update Letter - Farmer Zaid Selected For First Government-Based CSA in NYC

FoodWorks is a comprehensive ground-to-garbage food system re-think announced late last year by the City Council and spearheaded by Speaker Christine Quinn. Last Friday, on Earth Day 2011, Quinn, along with fellow City Council Speakers James Gennaro and Letitia James, released an FoodWorks update announcement. We're including the entire text of the announcement (after the jump, please click the title), but pay special attention to the part in bold - our farmer Zaid and Norwich Meadows Farm were selected to pilot this groundbreaking new City Council initiative!

Click to read more ...