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May 16, 2013
Greetings from the farm.  Each year we look forward to Charlie Vorisek providing the farm with strong colonies of bees to pollinate our crops.  We bring them in at this time of the year specifically for the blueberry field bloom, but they will be left to forage on our organic acreage for locust, wildflowers, and pollination of the vegetables.  Our Summer Farm Stand, beginning June 15th, will feature honey and other bee products from Charlie as well as from our friend and neighbor Al Machinski.  Al and his wife Peggy own and operate Porter "Buzz" Run outside of McKean, PA, and they specialize in raw, unprocessed honey.         
Charlie and the Bees
Charlie Vorisek, President of the PA State Beekeepers' Association placing hives near our east blueberry field

Blueberries

Pink Blossoms and Dew
Blueberry Blossoms
Because of the extended cold spell in early spring, our blueberry bloom is a week behind seasonal averages.  This provides us with an advantage as it puts us past the risk of major frost damage.
The cluster in the photo at right shows blueberry blossoms from the early pink bud stage to full bloom.  The blueberry varieties that we have chosen allow for an extended harvest season.  These varieties, as opposed to those used for mechanical harvesting, are sweeter and more flavorful because we are able to hand select them at the peak of ripeness.

Wildlife
Gray Tree Frog    
Tree Frog
Gray Tree Frog
We found this frog resting in the crook of a maple tree.  We love the tree frog chorus on warm, damp nights throughout the spring and summer.  
Pesticide use, specifically herbicides like Roundup (registered trademark version of Glyphosate) are devastating to amphibians and fish.  In addition to our philosophy of striving to live in balance with our ecosystem, our location along the bank of Elk Creek and in the Lake Erie Watershed makes us hyperaware of our responsibility to local and regional wildlife.   
CSA News

We're looking forward to June 15th.  Here's an update: 

 

Seed potato
German Butterball seed potato
"Green Sprouting" Potatoes
The process of green sprouting potatoes (also referred to as "pre-sprouting" or "chitting") allows the seed to produce stubby sprouts that help the plant emerge quickly.  This helps with earlier maturity, disease control, and higher yields.  This season, we purchased over 150 pounds of Certified Organic seed potatoes, which should yield an average of 800 pounds.  The variety pictured at right is "German Butterball", a potato similar to Yukon Gold with golden flesh and skin.  This variety makes great new potatoes, as well as being a reliable main season crop.  We will also plant a coveted gourmet French Fingerling variety called "La Ratte", as well as other varieties with different textures, colors, and starchiness.  As the potatoes are harvested and distributed to CSA Shareholders, we will provide the ideal preparations for each variety's unique characteristics.      
Link of the Week

For your consideration: this recent Supreme Court decision has ramifications that affect small family farms and the nature of small scale farming in America.   

 

"Monsanto Wins Seed Case as High Court Backs Patent Rights"

 
 
Sincerely,
Jessica
Hunter Farms

Hunter Farms | | [email protected] |
P.O. Box 478
Fairview, PA 16415




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