February 2015

Greetings Hope’s Edge CSA members                                                                                               February 15, 2015

 

It’s already mid-February! How did that happen? The Sun has now moved more than half way back to its equinox position from its southern most journey to the Tropic of Capricorn. Which raises the question: is the Sun a “snow bird”? Mid-February, means that I have to begin seriously considering the up-coming growing year. In just two short weeks I will be in the greenhouse planting onions, shallots, leeks and scallions. It also means that I need to nail down my help for the coming growing year. Mid-February means that it is time to write this letter and update our flier and send it off to you in hopes of cajoling you to join us for yet another year in Natures’ seasonal cycle of germination and growth, death and decay –while in between these two bookends she provides us with nourishing roots, leaves, flowers fruits and seeds. But of course I’m getting way ahead of these seasons of green and brown. Currently, the fields which will produce all of the afore mentioned nourishment are under several feet of white. Beneath this white blanket sleeps the garlic and strawberries waiting patiently for the Sun to continue its Northern trek and send “old man winter” packing. I have to admit though, that I have a soft spot for the “old man” and am not yet ready to see him go. I still have some books to read and some sleep of my own to catch up on and besides it is so beautiful and I haven’t gotten all my skiing in yet.

Nevertheless, it is mid-February –believe it or not- and so here is the cajoling letter and the updated flier inviting you to join us once again for another season of sweet peas, juicy melons, ripe tomatoes, cool cucumbers, crisp lettuce, and tangy arugula… more cajoling?; how about orange carrots, red peppers, golden beets, yellow beans, purple eggplant, pink radish, rainbow chard, and green greens…more?; new potatoes, baby turnips, spring onions, summer squash, winter squash and fall cabbage. How about all the flowers you can pick? Enough cajoling!! You get the message. A plethora of produce is waiting to emerge from these snow blanketed fields. Do you want a share of this abundance?

As in the past, in addition to our vegetable share, you may also wish to purchase a weekly cheese share from Appleton Creamery and a Tofu share from Heiwa Tofu. And NEW this year, Amanda LaBelle is offering a processing share. Information regarding each of these add-ons is included in this mailing.

I say; “it’s already mid-February!”, while you might say; “it’s only mid-February! There’s still a lot of time between now and June.” But, in the coming weeks the sap will start to flow and it will be sugaring season. Then.as the temperatures begin to moderate all this snow will begin to melt and it will be mud season. Next the crocuses and daffodils will peak out from beside those walls with southern exposures and it will be spring. Hope springs eternal here at Hope’s Edge Farm and spring is a hopeful season. It is a season of renewal, of expectations and visualized abundance. Come celebrate this vision with us.

Sincerely

Your Farmer Tom