Winter Hanging On
The photo above, taken Tuesday in our west blueberry field tells several stories. Our blueberry rows are oriented north and south in order to gain maximum exposure to the sun for each plant. Because of the predominant westerly wind direction through the winter, the rows act like natural snow fences building up large drifts in the fields. Even though the plants are on raised beds, they are just now becoming fully visible. What we can see reminds us of just how much weeding and trimming are needed, and how late a start we are getting on the tasks.
Mushroom Workshop
Taken by Richard last Saturday, the photo above shows fellow attendees at a Shiitake Mushroom propagation workshop preparing logs for inoculation. The hands on workshop, conducted by several Penn State experts, was held at the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research & Extension Center In North East, PA. The topics covered included the fundamentals of mushroom production, tree selection, log inoculation, stacking, fruiting, and harvest techniques.
 Ready For Stacking
Shiitake Mushrooms are propagated on Hard Maple, Beech, or most commonly Oak logs cut three to four feet in length. Carefully sized holes are drilled every six inches in a diamond pattern completely around each log. A specialized plunger with a capacity matching each drilled hole is used to insert the mushroom inoculate. Each hole is covered in wax to retain the inoculate, and keep it from drying out. The logs are stacked off the ground, in a well shaded area. While we are excited to add mushroom production to our farm's diversity, we have to temper that excitement with the knowledge that it will be at least a year until the first harvest. Like a new planting of fruit trees, or asparagus, Shiitake Mushrooms are a study in delayed gratification.
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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. After January 1st, 2015, we will accept a 10% deposit to ensure a space is reserved for your choice of membership options.
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.
We are very much looking forward to serving our 2015 CSA members. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
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| Available at the Farm Store |
 
Seasonal Favorites Now In Stock
Open 9:00 to 5:00 Saturdays
Local Products:
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
Happy Mug Organic Coffees
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
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Is this the future of farming?
It will undoubtedly play an ever increasing role in our food production. Urban farming takes many shapes and forms , but now as shown in the link below, at least one aspect of it is becoming "agribusiness."
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