Hunter Farms Logo
March 26th, 2015
Farm News


Finally!

For the last several months we haven't been able to get anything done in the fields.  For the next several months we will never be able to get everything done in the fields.  At least this week finally allowed us to get a good, hard charging start.  Shown in the photo above, Richard plays catch up on blueberry bush trimming.




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 continuing our home delivery option.  Final details for the delivery program, and CSA sign up forms will be made available in next week's newsletter.  We are very much looking forward to serving our 2015 CSA members. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Available at the Farm Store


We just received this message from Matt Shay, owner of Happy Mug Coffee Company in Edinboro. 


Guatemala Finca Isabel 

I have 700 pounds of a 2015 crop Guatemalan coffee purchased directly from a farmer in Guatemala.  The importer, whom I met last February, went down and personally visited the farm early last month and met the farmer to complete the sale, and the beans just arrived this week.  So I've met the person who met the farmer.

The farmer, Mr. Keller, is coming to the US for a convention on April 9th, and my importer will again meet with him at this convention (it is all the way across the country in Seattle unfortunately, or I would go as well).  Farmers almost never hear from the customers.  A farmer never gets the credit for a good coffee.  He never gets to see all of the people it has touched.  So my idea is that any account that wants to brew this coffee could set out a card for customers to sign, thanking Mr. Keller for his work.   He actually processed these 700 pounds by hand instead of taking them to a mill.  Happy Mug Coffee will provide the cards, a spec sheet and photos of the farm and of him, and if you notify us what day you are brewing it, we will promote you and encourage customers to come try the coffee and participate in this experience.

This is a certified organic coffee, processed in the Ethiopian method (natural process), making the coffee taste delightfully sweet, floral (rose petals), chocolatey, and fruity (raspberries). 

We expect to have this coffee in stock for a few months at least, but if you want to participate in collecting feedback that can be handed to the farmer in April, you should order the coffee this week and brew it within in the next week so that we have time to pick up the cards and get them to the importer before the convention.

We will have free samples, one pound bags for sale, and the card to sign at the farm store this Saturday.     

Open 9:00 to 5:00 Saturdays 
Or By Appointment  



Local Products:

Happy Mug Organic Coffees 

Old State Farms Maple Syrup

Beelzebub's Salsas
Wool Dryer Balls By Kyra Miller
Divani Organic Chocolates 
Middlefield Original Cheese CO-OP Cheese 
Aivilas Dog And Cat Food 
"Buzz" Run Honey From Hunter Farm's Hives 
Hand-thrown Pottery by Mel's Pot Shop
  Frankferd Farms Pastry Mixes and Blue Corn Tortilla Chips 
ReCap Regular and Wide Mouth Jar Lids 
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 
 


Interesting Links

The right thing for the wrong reasons?

Whether you're pro or con on the issue of mandatory GMO labeling, it's clear the piecemeal approach of state by state ballot initiatives is clumsy, and mostly ineffective.  While the proponents of no labeling are clearly behind the initiative linked below, a national standard makes some sense, and in the long run may be the way to go.  What do you think?


   
Hunter Farms Crew

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