Dear CSA Members,
Welcome to the Farm for another wonderful year of sharing with and caring for each other in the areas of health and nutrition and delicious food and nutrient dense soil and our planet and animal friends.
I believe that the most important thing in life is GREAT relationships/friendships. My BEST relationships have proven to be with people who take the time to know and care about the things I just mentioned. Sycamore Spring Farm has brought so many wonderful FARM FAMILY members into my life and I want to THANK each of you for being involved.
Our winter did NOT provide any hibernation time this year. We continued to work- pretty hard- to complete the “Barn Project” which will result in a REAL Farm Office and a large area to house our workshops. As many of you know my kitchen table only seats 8, comfortably, so work shops of 12-15 will be GREAT. We had hoped to have this finished by the beginning of the 2012 season however it will be Mid-May before that happens. BUT it will be AWESOME and we’re almost there.
The Hoop-House project, ALSO has taken longer than we had anticipated. All of the hardware components have now been moved here-to the farm and we have decided on our placements. When we complete the spring garden plantings we will be able to begin the Hoop-House assemblies-3 so far. We will then grow and provide produce through the end of each year and begin earlier each spring. The Hoop Houses will take a lot of the risk out of the early and late season weather fluctuations.
After 3 YEARS….can you even believe I would admit that…but it is true-3years. I could not get Google Calendar to work (on our website) no matter what I tried. BUT prayer has been answered. One of our GREAT and Awesome members, Cheryl has the calendar up and running. Check out all the Fun Farm Facts (FFF), Workshops, Volunteer Projects, Educational Movies (with non-GMO popcorn!!) and other neat Farm Stuff she has put on there.
There are a few important subjects I would like to bring to your attention for this year;
- Customer Parking continues to be a problem so we will be expanding our parking area again. In the meantime please try to park in the gravel area in front of the main garden-just off the road. Keep in mind our pick-up hours and notice if you are arriving at a particularly crowded time (Friday evenings from 5-6 and Saturdays 10-12 are the busiest times). Maybe you could adjust your time by 30 minutes from the heaviest traffic. I know not everyone can do this…it is only a request for anyone with a flexible schedule.
- Also..To speed up customer pick-up time (and eliminate congestion) we will have your CSA bags pre-packed for you in the large silver cooler. Instructions will continue to be posted on the cooler doors. Please return clean pick-up bags each week for reuse.
- Due to changes in our Farm insurance, the following new safety rules are in effect Immediately;
- No pets may be brought to the farm unless they are to remain in your vehicle. Nervous animals or animals that do not know each other are unpredictable. We want to be safe.. not sorry.
- Posted “Do Not Enter” signs must be observed. Some areas will require farm staff to accompany members and guests. This is for your safety
- No unaccompanied children can roam around the Farm. Adult supervision is required at all times. This not only protects the children-Animal safety is a concern. We have had animals released and hazardous conditions created without our knowledge. This is a very important RULE.
- Tours must be scheduled. Farm tours usually take folks into some of our “Do Not Enter” areas …which is OK when accompanied by farm staff. We want you to be able to bring friends and family to the farm but please let us know in advance so we can take the time to be available for you and ensure a safe tour.
- No Admittance beyond the Farm Store - Sunday thru Thursday. The store will be open for egg & meat sales BUT---The Farm is CLOSED to visitors Sunday-Thursday. (Appointments are the ONLY exception)
- PLEASE Do NOT open doors or Gates while on the farm unless asked to do so.
- Keep hands and fingers away from animal cages/pens.
- Please do NOT visit the Farm and Garden Areas if you have been to any other farm recently with the shoes you are wearing. BioSecurity is important for our plants and animals.
Hopefully, with the computer assistance from Cheryl - we can keep our information and communication lines flowing out to all our members. In 2010 many of you will recall my sudden onset of Bell’s Palsy, from Lyme’s Disease (in May) and last year my Dearest Aunt passed away in June and then the automobile accident in August. I am figuring that this year we are due for smoother sailing which should result in being more proActive and working SMARTER (not harder).
2012 plans include an assistant helping out each Saturday at the Farm Store. That way someone will be available to assist members when I have to be elsewhere keeping things moving along. I will still try to be around the pick-up area when members are here but you won’t be left wondering…. who can help me out here?? when I disappear.
There is a new chest freezer in the Farm store. It will contain our Frozen Ground Beef, Pork Sausage, Stew Beef and Frozen Chickens. Prices will be posted on the freezer door.
Speaking of chicken…… FRESH DRESSED Chickens will be offered again this year on the 3rd week-end of each month. The rest of the month they will be available frozen. Prices are $17.50/approx 4lb or $22.00/approx 5lb birds. I am picky about my chicken and I will tell you that Farmer Brian and I have figured out the secrets to the perfect all natural, soy free, healthy, nutrient dense, tender and delicious chicken. You will want to have these birds in your oven or on the grill. You can fry them too (I use our natural no hormone/preservative lard).
You will notice that we will have a few more items in stock in our store. Our Famous PICKLES have become pretty popular and we can’t seem to keep enough HONEY on the shelves. We also have a really wonderful, healthy mineral SALT...the only salt we use. As the season progresses we will put our freshly made preserves and canned goods, fresh baked items and Goats milk soaps for you to try. AND don't forget to check out our workshop schedule so you can learn to make or do most of the stuff you see around the FARM!
See you ALL real soon.
Farmer Carol
April 24, 2012
2012 plans include an assistant helping out each Saturday at the Farm Store. That way someone will be available to assist members when I have to be elsewhere keeping things moving along. I will still try to be around the pick-up area when members are here but you won’t be left wondering…. who can help me out here?? when I disappear.
There is a new chest freezer in the Farm store. It will contain our Frozen Ground Beef, Pork Sausage, Stew Beef and Frozen Chickens. Prices will be posted on the freezer door.
Speaking of chicken…… FRESH DRESSED Chickens will be offered again this year on the 3rd week-end of each month. The rest of the month they will be available frozen. Prices are $17.50/approx 4lb or $22.00/approx 5lb birds. I am picky about my chicken and I will tell you that Farmer Brian and I have figured out the secrets to the perfect all natural, soy free, healthy, nutrient dense, tender and delicious chicken. You will want to have these birds in your oven or on the grill. You can fry them too (I use our natural no hormone/preservative lard).
You will notice that we will have a few more items in stock in our store. Our Famous PICKLES have become pretty popular and we can’t seem to keep enough HONEY on the shelves. We also have a really wonderful, healthy mineral SALT...the only salt we use. As the season progresses we will put our freshly made preserves and canned goods, fresh baked items and Goats milk soaps for you to try. AND don't forget to check out our workshop schedule so you can learn to make or do most of the stuff you see around the FARM!
See you ALL real soon.
Farmer Carol
April 24, 2012