Quail Hill Farm Welcome Letter 2013

May 30, 2013

Dear Farm Members:

Seeds are often given wings, to assist their journey and to ensure another generation. From the birth of a single cell to the formation of seed cones to the formation of seeds required hundreds of millions of years, and yet we take for granted this magnificent dispersal-the language of transport of the plant kingdom-as if it was simply a mechanical inevitability rather than a mysterious gift of time. When the wings of a maple seed take off on the wind, or the cotton wings of a milkweed seed break from the pod to fly for another patch of soil, it is as if a word goes forth, an original phrase but also an echo of an ancient earthly melody.

The words that make up the first paragraph are inspired by the earthly melody that can be heard in the woodland and fields of Quail Hill Farm, especially each Spring. I have been spending mornings at home in my study putting the finishing touches on another book entitled "Seedtime." "Encapsulated in each seed is a story...," and as I labor to tell a few of those stories I am thankful that our amazing crew is laboring here in Amagansett each day to weave the story of our 24^th year of community farming. The tale begins with seeds of course, though many of those have germinated, grown into seedlings, and now have found a place in the fertile soil of our fields. After another cold (and dry) Spring the days have warmed, and with a few recent rains our peas and greens are greening up.

Our first HARVEST DAY will be TUESDAY, JUNE 4, and our first SATURDAY HARVEST will take place on JUNE 8. HARVEST DAYS will continue every TUESDAY and SATURDAY, through Halloween, from 8:00AM to 5:30PM. All new members are required to enjoy an ORIENTATION WALK that will be offered at least four different times: 9:00AM on JUNE 4 & 11 (TUESDAYS), and on JUNE 8 & 15 (SATURDAYS). We will meet at the farmstand for the walk.

When you arrive at the farm, please park along DEEP LANE, walk down into the VALLEY, and consult the FARMSTAND BOARD. Whatever is posted as ready to harvest is yours for the day; the board will change each HARVEST DAY. You may also consult our Farm Handbook, to be found on the Trust website, for guidelines or harvesting tips. If in doubt do not hesitate to ask questions of one of our crew (identifiable this year by Quail Hill Farm clothing), or of one of our "greeters" at the farmstand.

You will soon meet Layton Guenther, our new Farm Manager, with us since February, and Kate Rowe returns as our Market Manager (she will be sending out "Notes from the Field" on a weekly basis, to keep you abreast of events and crops ready for harvest). We have a most wonderful crew seeding, watering, transplanting, and cultivating daily in the fields-soon you will meet Honna, James, Matt, Irene, and Greg. Assuming I soon finish my book (I will!) you will also find me roaming from field to field on harvest days-I may carry some answers with me, and certainly innumerable questions.

In a few days, as you are about to begin harvesting in our community fields you will also receive the newest compilation of Quail Hill Farm recipes, those collected and patiently transcribed by Jane Weissman following after the publication of our cookbook. Thank you again to Jane for her soulful work in support of our farm...and good cooking to you all!

Encapsulated in each seed is a story...and in each season, many stories. We have opened the pages of the 24^th chapter...as our fields continue to fill with plants promising fruit, part of the earthly melody, please come join us!

Yours,

Scott Chaskey

Also, to keep up with news at the farm,

Quail Hill Farm is a stewardship project of the Peconic Land Trust.

For information concerning Quail Hill Farm, please contact Robin Harris at 631-283-3195

or by email, or visit us online at www.PeconicLandTrust.org/quail_hill_farm

The Peconic Land Trust conserves Long Island's working farms, natural lands,

and heritage for our communities, now and in the future.

For more information concerning the Trust, call us at 631.283.3195
or visit us online at www.PeconicLandTrust.org.

Financial Disclosure Statement: A copy of the last financial report filed with the New York State Attorney General may be obtained in writing to: New York State Attorney General's Charities Bureau, Attn: FOIL Officer, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271 or Peconic Land Trust, PO Box 1776, Southampton, NY 11969.