Hunter Farms Newsletter 12.11.14

December 11th, 2014

Farm News

Although the winter solstice is still ten days away, winter work has begun in earnest at the farm. Trimming approximately five thousand blueberry bushes consumes more labor hours than any other single task at the farm. The plants are trimmed primarily to remove the oldest, woodiest canes. This encourages new growth that will produce larger berries and an increased yield. We also remove any damaged or diseased material, and remove any canes that are rubbing against each other in the wind. This constant abrasion causes breaks in the protective bark. Finally we look for balanced cane growth on all sides of the bush and remove any low or horizontal canes that would be damaged by the tractor or other field equipment. Heavy snow cover makes it impossible to trim the plants properly but we will take advantage of any snow free days from now until the plants break dormancy in late March to complete the task.

CSA News

2015 CSA

The 2015 USDA Certified Organic shares will be distributed in returnable, half bushel, food grade, sanitized bins. This volume is roughly equal to a full paper grocery bag. Distributions will be on Saturdays.

We offer two options: A full season membership will consist of twenty weekly distributions beginning on Saturday, June 13th. with the final distribution on Saturday, October 24th.

A core membership will consist of ten weekly distributions beginning on Saturday, July 11th, with the final distribution on Saturday, September 12th.

The cost of the full season membership is $600.00
The cost of the core season membership is $300.00

The number of memberships is limited. Beginning on January 1st. 2015 we will begin accepting a 10% deposit ensuring a space is reserved for your choice of membership options. Past members, and everyone on our waiting list, will be guaranteed a 2015 membership as long as a deposit or full payment is made through the month of January. After January we will open any remaining memberships to the public.

Any member wishing to pay in full during the month of January will receive a 10% discount. Full payment made in February will be discounted 5%. In keeping with the original concept of CSA's, this provides meaningful savings to members while aiding the farm with early expenses for organic seed, propagation. and planting.

Full payment for the full season share will be due on or before May 1st.
Full payment for the core season share will be due on or before June 1st.

We anticipate using the same drop sites as last season. Competitive Gear Bicycle Shop in Millcreek, and the Whole Foods Co-Op in Erie. We are looking into the possibility of adding others in the east and south county.

We are reviewing our home delivery option. Any members interested in home delivery please let us know as our decision whether or not to continue the program will be based on the number of participants.

Final details will be announced before January 1st. We are very much looking forward to serving our 2015 CSA members. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or any additional input.

Available at the Farm Store

New Product!

We are always on the lookout for local products that reflect our philosophy of being environmentally conscious, while using only high quality, natural and organic ingredients. We are certain we have found such a product in AIVILAS Pet Foods. Formulated by Master Herbalist, Clinical Nutritionist, and Homeopathic Practitioner Christine McCallum of Fairview, these dog and cat foods use only ingredients sourced in the United States. Christine's special formulas are produced just over the Ohio line, near Youngstown, in a USDA certified APHIS facility (Animal Plant Health Inspection Service.) These complete and balanced foods contain NO by-products, wheat, soy, dairy, artificial colors, dyes, or preservatives, and no fillers or glutens, A trial run with the farm's three dogs and three cats was a complete success. All our pets switched happily to to the new foods and gave a unanimous "Two Paws Up"

We will begin stocking AIVILAS products this week and free samples will be available at the farm store.

Open Saturdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Local Products:

AIVILAS Pet Food
Handcrafted Aprons by Ann Turko
"Buzz Run" Honey From Our Farm's Hives

Hand-thrown Pottery by Mel's Pot Shop

Happy Mug Organic Coffees

Old State Farms Maple Syrup

Clarion Rivers Organics Canned Goods and Breakfast Cereals
Frankferd Farms Pastry Mixes and Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
ReCap Regular and Wide Mouth Jar Lids
Hunter Farms Organic Strawberry Jam

Hunter Farms Organic Pickled Asparagus
Hunter Farms Frozen Blueberries

Fresh Little Farm Girl Handmade Soaps and Sundries

Simply Body Soap Nets

Local Honey and Beeswax Candles

Grabski Farm Eggs and Antibiotic & Hormone-Free Meats
NOW Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Garden of Eden Organic Canned Goods
Hunter Farms Gift Certificates

Hunter Farms Crew

Hunter Farms | | hunterfarms@yahoo.com |
7269 Sterrettania Rd, P.O. Box 478
Fairview, PA 16415