CSA Information.....

2014 CSA Shares In 2014,  Wallace Homestead/Cackleberry Hollow will offer a 21 week C.S.A. season, which will begin the week of May 19th, and will run through the end of October. We are also looking at a "post season" C.S.A. offering to run weekly in November and December, until Christmas.  With this being our initial CSA year, the number of shares will be VERY limited.  We will only be taking 4-5 family shares and 2 individual shares. Individual Share ($265)--The individual share is designed for an individual or a family of two and will include approximately $17-$20 worth of fresh, seasonal local produce each week.  Family Share ($425)--The standard share is designed for families of three or more, and will include approximately $28-$30 of fresh, seasonal local produce each week. Post Season C.S.A. ($110)--In the post season your share is likely to include such cool weather and storage crops as kale, chard, spinach, broccoli, brussels sprouts, potatoes, onions, garlic, winter squash, turnips, carrots, dry beans, and others. You are, of course, invited to sign up for both an in season share and the post season. However, there will be fewer post season shares available overall. The dollar value examples for the weekly shares are simply meant to give you a rough idea of how much produce you get. During times of bounty in the season the shares are considerably larger than these estimates. However, in farming there are risks, and inevitably there will be a very few slim weeks. I am confident that you will find at the end of the season that your share was money well spent. There are also planned events for the CSA/Herdshare members including an “on the farm” open house day, possible “U-Pick” opportunities, and a “really LOCAL” craft / produce market in the fall.  You are always encouraged to come be a part of the farm and spend some time working in the sun and the dirt! Picking Up Your Shares There are three ways to receive your weekly C.S.A. share. Part of the fun of a C.S.A. is getting to know the farm and the farmer that produces your food . For this reason, we encourage you to pick up your weekly share at our farm in Marengo on Wednesdays from 2:00pm - 6:00 PM. However, many people have busy schedules that might prohibit an on-farm pickup. To accommodate for this, you may choose to pick your share up at the meeting times for "Herdshare Pickups" in the parking lot of Grace Brethren-Polaris on either Tuesday Mornings or Friday afternoons How to Reserve a CSA Share Membership spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Starting March 19th, new members may sign up for any shares that may still be available. Please complete the CSA Registration form to reserve your share soon as you can. I will contact you to confirm your membership and the receipt of your payment. In the event all C.S.A. shares are booked by the time you sign up, I will let you know and return your check post haste with regrets and many thanks. Payments can be made as a $225.00 deposit and two $100.00 interest free monthly payments starting in May. CSA Produce List The following is a partial list of produce which might be included in your share, as well approximate seasonal dates.       Greens                                      May-Dec.        Peas (shell, snap and snow)                 May, June        Potatoes (two varieties)                   June-Dec.        Misc root crops (radish, beets, turnip)     June-Dec.        Spinach                           May, June, Oct-Dec.         Tomatoes(heirloom, hybrid, cherry)          July-Oct                  Peppers (hot and sweet)                  July-Oct                     Cucumbers                                   June-Sept          Zucchini and summer squash                  July-Oct         Beans                                July, Aug, Sept Herbs                              July-Nov.          Onions (green and storage)                  July-Dec.     Cabbage                               Sept-Nov.        Winter Squash                               Oct-Dec.       This is not meant to be a complete list of produce, for a complete list go to the blog.  Absolutely 100% of the items in your share are grown by me and my small crew on our farm. We are not certified organic but follow sustainable practices. A Note about Reusable Boxes And Bags . One way we seek to lessen our impact on the planet is to utilize reusable produce boxes and cotton produce bags to package the CSA shares. Reusing boxes and bags takes a bit of a commitment. You will need to return the bags and boxes regularly and care for them while they are in your possession.  At the pickup, you can choose to transfer your share from the box I provide into your own cloth type shopping bags so that you don't have to worry about returning it the following week. You are welcome to take the box with you, just make sure to bring it back the following week.   I am very thankful that so many people are willing to make this effort to reduce waste and conserve resources. We will always be on the lookout for ways in which we can preserve and protect the environment. A Note about a possible Hiatus We have found over the last few seasons that reliable production of a wide variety of food crops is very difficult in midsummer at this latitude. In an effort to keep your weekly shares interesting and bountiful I feel the need to begin to shift away from midsummer production. Thus we'll begin a few weeks earlier than usual, in May, which has become a very nice month for growing. And we may take a break for a few weeks in July/August.  This is tentative, so I will give more information as we get into the season. Weekly Contact We will be posting farm updates, pictures, and recipes on both the blog (www.wallacehomestead.blogspot.com and on our newly created Facebook page.  We encourage you to send in your recipes and thoughts to add to the fun! PLEASE PRAY FOR A GOOD SEASON!!

More Hershey Pictures

Happy March

Yesterday was a day full of prepping for this next storm. I am sooo ready for spring.  It was nice that the sun was out for the morning and it actually got into the mid 40s by the evening chores.

All the bunny cages got clean (which was a feat since everything was frozen) But almost everyone was moved. We have 6 potential mamas this week so they needed moved to bigger cages with nest boxes. The potentially pregnant Lops still need moved. 

Milking is getting a bit easier as I am starting to figure out a routine and how the machine works. Hershey has figured out that I am the "feed" lady so she will walk up to me. She is still very skittish about having her face or neck touched. So hooking her halter is still a bit of a challenge. 

Today she got her first look at the pasture. She walks around with a good stride and even trotted a few times. She followed me up and down the fence line. She even let Man approach her. I do think in time she'll settle down into a good family cow. While she wandered the pasture I got both of her stalls mucked out. Then let Weldon out to muck his. 

I am getting a good amount of milk, but it seems like she should be giving more.   I am trying to be patient with both of us, but know if she drops in production and stays there it's difficult to get it back up.

Enjoy this pretty day before the storms roll in again!