Welcome to the 2013 Season

Dear Hope’s Edge CSA members                                                                                                                              February 15, 2013

Last weekend the heaviest snowfall of the winter dropped nearly three feet on what had been bare frozen ground. Two days later it was raining. Climate change or weather vagaries; I’ll let you decide. Almost two weeks ago was Candalmas the half-way point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The light is returning. Rudolph Steiner, the seer and spiritual scientist and the brain-child behind Biodynamic agriculture, tells us that this is the time of year when the Earth (at least in the northern hemisphere) is most awake- a thought that runs counter to our perception of nature and to our concept of “awake”. According to Steiner the period between mid-January and mid-February is the time when the Earth is “most internally alive” because it is the time when the solid mineral earth is the most receptive to those “forces” emanating from the distant cosmos.

I am able to relate to this incite of Steiner’s’ through the seasonality of my own working life. Unlike mid-summer when my focus is on the outward physical activities of farming like soil preparation, transplanting, weeding etc…, this time of year, despite the fact that I sleep more, is the time when my focus is more inwardly oriented. In winter I have more time to meditate, to read, to participate in study groups and to internalize the seasonal quiet of the natural world. I am indeed more” internally alive”.

This is also the season when I begin to imagine the coming growing year in its potential splendor – the plump juicy strawberry, the deep green of spring spinach, the crisp texture of lettuce, and the zing of early scallions and radish. Can you see it? Can you taste it? This image of the coming season is of course one of bounty. Why imagine anything but?  Does this image of a bountiful year bring about a bountiful year? Hard to say but it can’t hurt. And so I invite you to imagine with me the possibility of abundant, nutritious, vital and tasteful produce growing in the fields of Hope’s Edge Farm and finding its way to your dining table.

This is obviously an invitation to join us once again for another year. Enclosed is the 2013 version of the Hope’s Edge CSA flier (one for you and one for a friend). You will perhaps notice an increase in the cost of a share for 2013 – $15 for a half share, $30 for a full share. Over the entire season the increase amounts to $.85 and $1.66 per week, respectively. We feel the need for this increased share cost due to our increasing production costs for fuel, supplies, seeds, repairs etc. We hope that this does not discourage you from purchasing a share. If not then all you need do is fill out the form and return it to us with full or partial payment and then continue to think “abundance” from now until mid- June. Until then enjoy the rest of the winter weather whatever it may be and enjoy the remainder of this restful but internally lively season.

Sincerely,

Your farmer, Tom

INTRODUCING HOPE’S EDGE FARM GRASS-FED LAMB

Just in time for Easter/Passover, Hope’s Edge farm lamb is now available to our CSA customers for on-farm pick-up. Cuts and prices are as follows:

CUTS (frozen)                                   PRICE (per pound)

Loin or rib chops                                    $12

Shoulder chops                                        $9

Leg w/bone                                               $9

Leg Steaks                                                  $9

Shoulder roast (boned)                           $8

Shank                                                          $8

Kebab                                                           $7

Stew                                                              $7

Ground                                                         $6

Riblets (rack)                                             $4.50