The plans for next year are in motion. We will be doing our winter cover crop on the field as soon as this rain stops. Cover crops help build up nitrogen and organic matter in the soil and help suppress weeds from seeding. Good stuff!
Winter Shares~
We will be distributing winter storage shares this year on November 3rd and once in December too.
examples of the content are here.
The big news for next year is we are moving the distribution to
Thursdays 3-?(suggestions). No more missing out if you want to run off to the lake on a nice weekend (works for us too!).
In discussions with members so far it has been a unanimous GREAT!
We hope it works for you too.
Another is that we are planning on growing much more on site now that the soils are showing so much progress. Email us suggestions on what you would like to see and we will do what we can to bring member requests to fruition.
We will be growing string beans, snap peas, broccoli, many summer and winter squashes, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, raspberries, eggplant, kale, pumpkins and more. 
For the first time we will be increasing share prices. The two factors are increases in cost (10% since we started) that we have previously absorbed and the share donation we have pledged to the Spring Hill Farm Trust. Currently we donate 5% of your share cost to the trust. Read about Miss Church's wish for her farm here.
The good new though is we will be offsetting costs by growing more veggies here!
New share prices are $585 full and $335 half.
CURRENT MEMBER REWARDS~Current members that pay in full this fall will be rewarded by keeping this years rate for 2012. email here to get started
Also since we will be growing only a certain amount there will be a limited amount of room for new members. Of course current members get first choice with just a $50 deposit now and then the balance will be invoiced next year for your 2012 membership.
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On distribution day this Friday the 7th we will have frozen Chickens available from Tangled Tree in Chester. Laura does a great job with her free range flock. Patrick from Field to Fork Farm will be there with his certified organic eggs too.
We also have another local Chester Farm taking orders for Pork. It will be delivered processed for you. This is a sustainable alternative to feed lot farming and hope you can support them.
I've visited both farms and the animals are well cared for.
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by Fran Van Geyte, RD CSP IBCLC
With the growing season and CSA distribution coming to a close, our produce purchases will most likely shift to indoor markets where both organic and conventionally grown produce abound.
The environmental working group released their updated shopping guide this year that lists foods that tested highest in residue concentrations. They recommend buying organic when choosing fruits and vegetables that made the "dirty dozen" list to help substantially reduce your exposure to pesticides. Here is the list starting from the top.
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines(imported)
7. Grapes(imported)
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries(domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale
Here is the dozen cleanest produce, having least contamination when tested
1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe(domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
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