Hunter Farms Logo
February 26th, 2015
Farm News

Harsh Reality 

These recent record low temperatures have been chilling both literally and figuratively for local fruit farmers. Blueberry, apple, and grape growers are still assessing losses in terms of percentages, but cherry and peach crops are already known to be a total loss for the upcoming season. Based on our experience from last year's severe weather losses, and from what we are seeing in the fields now, we are planning a drastic modification in our blueberry bush trimming priorities when the weather breaks. Normally we remove the older year class canes in order to encourage new growth. Now, we can only assume that nature has already done considerable indiscriminate trimming and proceed accordingly. Only dead and damaged material will be removed. Any viable looking canes and shoots will be left for production, regardless of age or growth pattern on the bushes. 


Wildlife
Lean Times

The record cold and deep snow isn't only challenging for farmers. Shown in the photo above, the woods edge along our fields has been scraped and scoured by hungry deer looking for the few remaining acorns hidden beneath the snow. Normally in tough winters we find deer munching on our blueberry bushes for the nutrition found in the fruit buds. This year, the berry fields are trackless. The deer are unwilling to make the long trek through the deep snow and are foraging close to their bedding areas and staying away from open, windswept fields in the bitter cold.   

CSA News
  
2015 CSA
This Saturday, February 28th. is the final day to take advantage of the 5% early sign up discount.
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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

 
New Item!

The perfect complement to our Fresh Little Farm Girl Laundry Detergent, these handmade,100% wool dryer balls soften your laundry naturally without the use of chemicals conventional fabric softeners contain. Crafted by local artisan Kyra Miller, these densely woven wool dryer balls help save time and energy by cutting down on drying time. The balls circulate and separate the clothing to get the warm dry air down to the middle of the load of laundry more quickly. The more balls you add, the shorter the drying time will be, with an average reduction of 25%. The friction of the wool balls against your clothing also helps to reduce static and wrinkles, and softens your clothes.
 
Open Saturdays 9:00 to 5:00 
Or By Appointment



Local Products:   


 

Wool Dryer Balls By Kyra Miller
Divani Organic Chocolates 
Middlefield Original Cheese CO-OP Cheese 
Aivilas Dog And Cat Food 
"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 
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
Beelzebub's Salsas and Spicy Pickles
NOW Aromatherapy Essential Oils 
Garden of Eden Organic Canned Goods 
 
Interesting Links

Factory farming practices, and the use of synthetic chemical inputs, poison and pollute our air and water on a massive scale. The toxic results of this model of agriculture hit close to home just last summer in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. Submitted by Katie Chriest, the article linked below deals with the question, "How do we ultimately pay the real price for the (cheap) food we buy in the grocery store?"
 
We were originally drawn to the article linked below by the title "The Shepard's Realm" and its connection to farm dogs. After viewing this photo essay, including many different kinds of working dogs, we wanted to share this enjoyable photographic project showcasing man's best friend.

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




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