Greetings 2012 Hope’s Edge CSA member,
Here at Hope’s Edge Farm the vagaries of Mother Nature (perhaps abetted by human activity) have left us feeling a bit schizophrenic with regards to our farming activities. First, the unusually warm and dry months of March and April had us anticipating an early spring and an early start to our 2012 season. But, then May arrived wet and cool teasing us here and there with a few consecutive days of sun and warmth only to turn cool and damp once again. Now, early June finds us stymied by the recent record setting rainfall which has left the soil a bit oversaturated (a bit of an understatement). This bipolar weather pattern is perhaps not so unusual for late spring in Maine but the number and intensity of rainfall episodes does seem to be more extreme than we normally experience. One storm in early May dropped over 5.5 inches while the most recent storm left us with over 6 inches.
Despite the adverse weather conditions we have continued to “farmer “ on; managing to keep to our planting schedule and staying one half step ahead with regards to soil preparation and weed control. More importantly, the seed germination rates seem to have been unaffected by the cool damp soils and the transplanted seedlings are established and so far they are holding their own, awaiting the warmer days of mid-June.
May also was our lambing month.
Eleven ewes delivered a total of twenty lambs all of whom are growing rapidly and adding to the cacophony of voices heard during morning chores. In addition to all of the aforementioned tasks we are also trying to finish erecting the greenhouse structure that we had begun last fall. This new house will be home to our tomato crop and in addition will house some greens over the next winter.
This season, Tommy and I have been joined by a crew of part-time helpers. Dakota and Aube will be helping us 4 days a week each and Amanda is with us for 2 to 3 days a week. Together we will do our best to keep you nourished.
The first market day of this 2012 season is scheduled for Friday, June 22nd, followed by Monday the 25th and Tuesday the 26th. The season will run for 19 weeks ending on Tuesday, October 30th. At the top of this letter is printed the day you have selected or that has been assigned to you as a pick-up day. This will be your pick-up day for the entire season. I hope this day works for you. If not, let me know as soon as possible and we will try to work something out.
The following information is IMPORTANT so please take note.
TUESDAY AND FRIDAY SHAREHOLDERS: The pick-up time is from 11 AM (please DO NOT come earlier) until late evening. If for some reason you cannot come on your assigned day, your share will still be available for up to two days later. After that, your share will be recycled. PLEASE LET US KNOW IN ADVANCE if you are unable to pick-up your share on any given week. This way we avoid over-harvesting and wasting food.
MONDAY SHAREHOLDERS: The Monday shareholders have the option of picking up their share in Rockland on Tilsen street near the water treatment facility between 10 AM and 10:30 AM. Alternatively, you may pick up at Avena Botanicals in Rockport if that is more convenient or if you are unable to get to the Tilsen street location during the short window of time that we will be there. However, whatever location you choose, I am encouraging Monday shareholders to pick up your share as soon as possible, as neither site has refrigeration facilities. Any share not picked up by Monday evening will be donated to hungry farmers. You will be notified when cut flower, strawberry, cherry tomato, and pea-picking seasons are upon us. It will be up to you to come to the farm for these items.
At the end of this letter is a schedule of potluck get-togethers for the season. These events offer you an opportunity to meet other participants and a chance to enjoy the farm in a relaxed and convivial way. Please post this schedule and try to come to one or all of these events. We also invite you to visit this blog regularly since we will be posting recipes, stories, photos and videos to keep you up to date about what is happening on the farm throughout this growing season.
Directions to the farm for those of you who have never been here are given below. Follow Morse Road past a pair of corrugated metal buildings. On your right you will see yet another building with brightly painted murals on the doors. This is the pick-up shed. Come on in. Welcome to Hope’s Edge CSA. I am looking forward to seeing many of you again or to meeting you for the first time. We are looking forward to feeding you food and beauty during the coming months.
Sincerely,
Your Farmer Tom
POT-LUCK SCHEDULE
Friday June 29th 6 PM
Tuesday August 7th 6 PM
Friday September 14th 6 PM
Saturday October 27th 4:30 PM
DIRECTIONS
FROM CAMDEN VIA 105 Take 105 into Hope Center, continue two miles past Hope General Store. Turn left onto Ludwig Rd. Travel one quarter mile to Morse Rd on the left.
FROM APPLETON/SEARSMONT VIA 105 Travel approximately 3miles from 105/131 intersection. Turn right onto Ludwig Rd. Continue as above.