Turtle Times

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Vol. 12 No. 1, April 10, ‘07    7260 NW 58th  St., Johnston 50131  278-4522 (577-9208)

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The Twelfth Season of Turtle Farm . . .

 

Simply saying “I’m going to make a choice about the way I eat.”  This is a giant step. . . This decision can send you down a beautiful path—a delicious revolution.     (Alice Walker in Hope’s Edge, Frances Moore Lappe and Anna Lappe)

 

When I was first learning about Community Supported Agriculture, I viewed a film called “It’s Not Just About Vegetables”.  This thing we do—you and me—it is about more than the food. It’s about healthy people and communities, it’s about economics, it’s about responsibilities, it’s about connecting to the earth and changing perspectives.  We are a part of a “delicious revolution.”  Let’s see where this twelfth season leads us. . .

 

The basics of Turtle Farm:

Read your newsletter.

Pick up your box.

Return your box.

Eat your veggies.

 

Well, you and I are ready to begin, but the farm is lagging behind in this cold, wet spring.  The extra cold nights have set back some perennials that were leafing out. I think the spinach that was coming up is okay.  Sometimes the damage is hidden and results will not be known until later.  I still hope to begin the season mid-May, but you will be contacted by e-mail, phone or postcard when the time gets nearer.   In the meantime there may be some early asparagus deliveries, and if you are interested in nettles, they are free for the picking at the farm—somehow they survived the cold!

  

Trees Forever Grant and Planting Day

 

Turtle Farm was fortunate to receive a Trees Forever Grant given to organic farmers to plant trees and bushes in their buffer zones to help reduce chances of drift.  As you might guess, they will be planted on the south boundary of Turtle Farm where the housing development borders the farm.  On Saturday April 21st from 11 am to 3 pm, you have the opportunity to help plant some of these woody plants. You can mark them with your name so that you can visit them and document their progress.  We will have a light lunch available.  A new customer is a member of a drumming group Tubabu that has volunteered to play farming rhythms for us around 1 p.m.  Even if you don’t want to plant trees, you are welcome to come for a visit to see how your crops are doing, to enjoy the drumming, and to visit your farmer.  Bring a long shovel if you have one.  (Rain date is April 22, 1-4 pm.  Tubabu is not available for the rain date, and cannot drum if the weather is too cold.)

 

Orientation Meeting for New Members

 

 Because there are fewer new members this year, I am having the orientation meeting in my home.  You even have a choice of two dates—Thursday April 26 or Tuesday May 1, both at 7:15 pm.  We will cover the nuts and bolts of how Turtle Farm works, answer your questions, and show you how to keep your boxes and food in good shape.  There will be food samples to eat and tips for veggies that you may not have cooked with before. Pleases RSVP so that we can plan for numbers (email atedesco@worldnet.att.net or call 278-4522).

 

Cooking Class for CSA Eaters

 

Joyce Lock in collaboration with Sue Hoss has planned a cooking demonstration and tasting class specifically for CSA customers in response to some of your requests for that.  It will be a great place to get new ideas or questions answered about your veggies and how to use them. If you sometimes have trouble using all your veggies, this class would be a good investment to reduce waste.  I am thankful for the blossoming of this seed of an idea.  I plan to be there so you can ask questions of your farmer as well.  See the enclosed flyer for more information. 

 

Farm Stand Vegetable Transplants

 

Turtle Farm will have some transplants available again for purchase this season at $1 each.  The farm stand will be open informally Saturdays in May, 9-12 a.m. or earlier times by appointment for these sales.  Plants will include tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs (mints, basils, parsley, lovage, sage, thyme, oregano, chervil, lemon balm), and pansies.  Call or e-mail if you want to know varieties available ahead of time.

 

Fresh Air and Berries

 

            Anyone who might like to help pick strawberries and raspberries during peak berry season times at the farm should let me know.  Helpers may be 14-80 years old and should have access to transportation to the farm.  Pay is by the quart.