 | |
The crew prepares for a controlled burn.
|
As you may have seen in last week's newsletter, trimming approximately 5000 blueberry bushes results in quite a bit of discarded plant material. Fortunately for us, the need to dispose of this material dovetails very nicely with one of our many conservation initiatives. Our wildflower meadow, planted in seed from Ernst Conservation Seeds, is maintained as a habitat for native plant, animal, and insect species, including many native pollinators which provide an invaluable service to our blueberry and vegetable crops. An important part of the natural life-cycle of this ecosystem is periodic fire and by moving the discarded blueberry cane into the meadow and using it to initiate a controlled burn, we aim to mimic this critical natural occurrence. This serves many purposes: the removal of woody invasive species, encouraging the growth of native grasses and perennials, and inspiring seeds that require excessive heat to do so to break dormancy. Disturbing the natural order of our environment is an unavoidable consequence of cultivating food crops, but through mindful awareness and careful effort, we can reduce and perhaps, in some cases, even reverse this disturbance.
|
As a continued reminder, the sign-up period for the 2014 CSA Season has officially begun. Order forms can be found below and at the farm's website at hunterfarmsorganic.com/csa.html. Please don't hesitate to call us at 814 840 4370 or send us an email to hunterfarms@yahoo.com if you have questions or need assistance of any kind.
 | |
A fresh start.
|
It may not make for the most compelling image, but the scene above represents the promise of a new growing season. Earlier this week, the crew got into the fields and began preparing the vegetable rows for planting. As you can see, the earth is freshly tilled and the earliest wave of opportunistic weeds has been displaced. We've begun amending the soil and soon we'll be out and planting in full force. Let the anticipation begin!
 | | Freshly roasted coffee beans. |
Last week, Matt Shay of Happy Mug Coffee invited us to his headquarters in Edinboro to sample some spectacular, freshly-roasted organic coffees. Matt goes to great lengths to locate the best in organic, fair-trade beans, from around the globe, many provided directly by cooperatives of growers. He takes these raw beans and roasts them to perfection in his Edinboro facility. As a result, a mug of Happy Mug coffee is as fresh as it gets. This is coffee as it was intended: every nuance intact and accentuated by unparalleled freshness and Matt's careful roasting technique.
Needless to say, we're extremely pleased to announce that in the very near future we'll be carrying a variety of Happy Mug Coffees at the Hunter Farms Farm Store. As a bonus, we'd like to extend the option to CSA members to add a pound of coffee to their share, on a weekly or bi-weekly basis at a discounted rate. This not only represents a cost savings, but ensures you will receive a pound of the freshest, organic premium coffee, which we plan to stock in limited amounts. Cost to CSA members who commit to a weekly or bi-weekly coffee share will be $9.00/lb. Happy Mug Coffee will be available at the Farm Store at $10.00/lb and subject to limited availability.
In addition to the aforementioned coffee share option, CSA members will be given the opportunity to receive eggs and/or cheese on a weekly or bi-weekly basis at a discounted rate. Fresh, organic eggs from Grabski Farm will be $3.50/dozen to committed CSA members and $3.75 at the Farm Store. A variety of hormone and antibiotic free cheeses from Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op, available in 8oz blocks, will be available to CSA members at $4.75 and at the Farm Store at $5.29. Please contact us at hunterfarms@yahoo.com for more information or to sign up.
|
| Available at the Farm Store |
In addition to the potted blueberry plants mentioned in recent newsletters, we now have freshly-dug, multi-caned mature plants for sale at a cost of $30. Accordingly, we've reduced the price of potted blueberry bushes as follows: one year old plants are now priced at $5, two years at $10, and three years at $20. Stop on out and grab one or a dozen. We're happy to answer any and all questions you may have to help ensure your plants are healthy and productive for years to come.
Open Saturdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Certified Organic Produce:
Old State Farms Maple Syrup and Maple Products
Clarion Rivers Organics Canned Goods and Breakfast Cereals
Frankferd Farms Pastry Mixes and Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
ReCap Regular and Wide Mouth Jar Lids
Out of the Grey Organic Teas
Hunter Farms Organic Blueberry Plants
Hunter Farms Organic Blueberry and Strawberry Jam
Fresh Little Farm Girl Handmade Soaps and Sundries
Local Honey and Beeswax Candles
Grabski Farm Eggs and Antibiotic & Hormone-Free Meats
Simply Body Soap Nets
Beelzebub's Salsas and Spicy Pickles
NOW Aromatherapy Essential Oils
|
|
The Organic Consumers Association is a consumer advocacy group established in 1998 to protect the interests of organic food consumers and preserve the intent and integrity of organic standards. According to the OCA, they "are the only organization in the US focused exclusively on promoting the views and interests of the nation's estimated 50 million organic and socially responsible consumers." In the article linked below, the OCA details efforts by commercial farming interests to undermine and sidestep organic standards and practices as well as outlines ten critical reasons that buying organic is better for consumers, farmers, and the environment. You may be surprised by some of the benefits of conscientious consumption. Click through to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
