Share Forecast and updated farm news, August 12, 2009

First, some updates from the farm, courtesy of Zaid and Martha: 

We had 5 dry days in a row a record for this year. However it continues to be cool and last night it rained till morning. So the blight threat continues and we continue to spray Oxidate ( similar to hydrogen peroxide).

So far this year has been our most challenging. However, our crew especially the Egyptians have come through and made a difficult situation more manageable. On another note we finally brought in a container of organic herbs from the farms owned by Egyptian crew and we will be marketing the herbs.

In terms of crops everything this year is different, many crops are late and some are diseased. We had to remove ½ an acre of tomatoes and lost a few other crops such as cauliflower. Overall things are not bad but everything can change if we lose our tomato crop.

In related local news, The NY Times continues to provide excellent coverage of late blight, this time exploring how farms and crops are regionally interconnected, from the city dweller with a window box to the major agricultural operations in the area. There are also especially interesting notes on how regionalized tomato breeding has been eschewed in favor of one-size-fits-all crops picked for traits like shelf life instead of flavor or disease resistance.  Highly recommended reading that lends perspective to just how hard our farm is working to bring us the best produce possible. 

And now, what you've all been waiting for - this week's share forecast: 

• 3/4 lb. Fava 
• 1 lb. Greens
• 1 lb. Tomatoes
• 1 Pac Choi
• 3/4 lb. Eggplant
• 1 lb. Squash
• 2 large or 3 small Peppers 

Fruit share: 

• 2 lb. Peach
• 2 lb. Apricot
• 2.5 lb. Plum

Share Forecast and news from the farm, August 5, 2009

Lots of action today!  First, please don't forget that order forms AND PAYMENT IN FULL are due by 8:00pm (the end of tonight's distribution) for our 2nd Market Day.

In other news, Norwich Meadows Farm is working overtime to get the amazing produce to us.  Here's correspondence from Martha, bringing us the latest from the farm concerning operations, weather, increasing share sizes, and the late blight that you may have been reading about online or in the NY Times lately.

In the next few weeks as we increase production on the farm, you will notice an increase in your CSA shares.  Please keep that in mind during leaner times when the share might be slightly less.

The last few weeks have been very hectic between a stolen truck, rainy cool weather, new personnel, and starting a new. We too have been afflicted by late blight. However, thank God, our tomatoes in the high tunnels have not suffered and we are taking precautions to make sure we do not get blight in the greenhouse.  Many crops have been delayed due to the cool weather such as the abundance of squashes, cucumbers, and tomatoes until this last week. The weather continues to be a concern with the threat of rain almost everyday and temps barely reaching 80 f. Having said all of that things are settling down some now as we settle into somewhat of a routine. This year we are adding two rented farms one for crops and the other for livestock.We will be doing goat, lamb, beef, and Turkey in addition to the chicken.

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer!

Peace and light, Martha

Last but not least, here is this week's share forecast:

• 1 lb. Fava
• 1 lb. Greens
• 1 lb. Green Tomato
• 1 Napa
• 2 oz. Parsley
• 2 Peppers
• 1/3 lb. Baby Greens (actually .4 lb)

Fruit shares:

• 2 lb. Apple
• 2.5 lb. Peach
• 1.5 lb. Apricot