Blueberry Bud Development
The upper three buds in this photo are flower buds in what is termed the "bud swell growth stage." Each of these buds has the potential to develop into a cluster of berries. It is at this point in the season we start to monitor the predicted low temperatures in relation to the development stage of the buds, and blooms. At this stage, the buds can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 to 15 degrees. Each stage of development is delineated, along with corresponding temperature tolerances, in scientific literature. In addition to cold tolerance we use this information to help predict crop growth stages, the appearance of specific insect pest life stages, and infection periods of the major diseases affecting blueberries. The small pointed bud at the lower left on the shoot is a leaf bud at the "early green tip stage." The overall bud development is about one week behind yearly averages at this point in April.
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 Laying LowThis female goose, and her mate, are the victorious pair from a long lasting, (several weeks) territorial struggle with many other pairs of hopeful nesters at our irrigation pond. The male stands guard from across the pond while the female remains nearly motionless on the nest. She keeps a low profile so as not to attract hungry predators. The geese are participants in a long parade of migratory waterfowl taking advantage of our pond. This spring we have hosted Bufflehead, Ring Necked, Wood, Mallard, and Hooded Merganser Ducks. They shared their northbound R & R stop with Pied Billed Grebes, and on Tuesday, a beautiful, white Great Egret stalked the pond's edge for a while in the afternoon.
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2015 CSA
Reminder
Full payment for the full season share is due on, or before May 1st.
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.
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 are using the same drop sites as last season. Competitive Gear Bicycle Shop in Millcreek, and the Whole Foods Co-Op in Erie.
We are continuing our home delivery option. We are very much looking forward to serving our 2015 CSA members. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Additional information is available on our website, www.hunterfarmsorganic.com
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| Available at the Farm Store |
Open 9:00 to 5:00 Saturdays
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
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
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We normally think that illegal agricultural products entering the US will be intercepted at an ocean port, or an international airport. As the article linked below shows though, the battle to protect farmers, and consumers is taking place closer to home than we may have thought.
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