Hi all , working up here on the farm getting ready for the 2010 season. Its was a hard winter. Much damage was done with the storms and personally it was tough. Greenhouses being repaired , damage cleaned up, we are planting for the season. The weather has been good, just a little dry. We have all out potatoes and peas planted. Greenhouse is stuffed with plants. Looking forward to serving all our CSA customers for another year. We have a few slots left if you have not signed up and still want too.
To all our new CSA members, we are also a dealer for Organic Fertilizer and other gardening supplies. If you are interested in supplies or plants for your own garden let me know. CSA customers get a 10% discount. This also applies to our rain barrels.
As an FYI Farm Inc. the movie will be on PBS on April 21.
All that have signed up for this years CSA will receive a post card in the mail in early May. This is to make sure that if you are not getting these emails (thus not reading this message) you will be notified to contact us. It is very important that in order for use to communicate through the season that our emails are working. That means I have your address correct and that they are not getting dumped in the junk box. Make sure that our email address is in your address book, this helps keeps us out of the junk!
May is coming, fresh greens, strawberries , Asparagus and other goodies will be in the CSA. I will be back in touch soon!
Thanks
Farmer Rick
farmer@summercreekfarm.com
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
News from Summer Creek Farm
Saturday, April 17, 2010
West Frederick Farmers Market Staying Put
The West Frederick Farmer's Market is going to be on Baughman's Lane once again this year! The contract is signed, and lots of people are relieved and happy. The market starts May 1 and is on Saturdays from 10-1. See you there!!!
Shannon
Friday, April 16, 2010
West Frederick Farmer's Market Location
The market members met last week and selected the site for this year's market. Danny Rohrer is hoping to be able finalize the contract today. The market will open in two weeks, on May 1. I'll let you know as soon as I can tell you where the market is going to be. It's not done until the ink is on the paper.
Also, I am really excited that my friend Will Morrow is going to start a new market at the old Carmak Jay's location next to Old Town Tavern on Market Street in downtown Frederick! Will runs a farm and has the most delicious lamb and eggs...maybe ever. My apologies to other sheep and chicken farmers. The market will be Wednesdays from 3-7. The Thursday market is not moving- we are just adding another one. So exciting!!!!!
Fresh this Week from Rohrer's Meats
I will be returning to Frederick on Saturday April 17. Location will be behind the Potomac Physicians Building on Baughmans Lane. Hours will be 10 AM until 12:30 PM. I will have my full line of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and cheese. I will also have several special deals this week. Pork spare ribs have been accumulating in my freezer this winter. With grilling weather returning, I am offering them this week buy 2 packages, get a third pack free. I have put in 400 new laying hens in preparation for the market season, and they are producing like crazy. When hens first start to lay, the eggs are of the highest quality, but just not real big. This week I will be offering these eggs at 3 dozen(2 medium and 1 small) for $5.00. These offers are good while the supply lasts so it may be a good idea to preorder.
The market members met last week and selected the site for this year's market. Hopefully I will be able finalize the contract today and be able to announce the location tomorrow when I see you. The market will open in two weeks, on May 1.
Have a good week and I will see you at the market.
Danny
Rohrer's Meats
301-432-8350
Dakarohfarm@aol.com.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Morel season is upon us
I was reminded today by a facebook post from a mushroom foraging friend that morel season is upon us. Check out the archives for mushroom eating enthusiasm and the occasional hunting tip.
It's awesome to have been doing this long enough to have seasonal archives.
Also, it's time to plant a bunch of things if you have not already and want to give your garden a go. Right now would be a great time to plant potatoes.
Shannon
Thursday, April 1, 2010
CSA memberships available at House in the Woods
Hey folks. I got this from my friend Ilene today. They still have a few memberships available for this year for their Community-Supported Agriculture:
House in the Woods CSA Farm has openings for new members for our 2010 season!
ABOUT OUR FARM
House in the Woods CSA is a certified organic Community Supported Agriculture farm just south of Frederick, Maryland near the base of Sugarloaf Mountain. We grow a wide variety of organic vegetables, mostly heirloom varieties, and also some herbs and flowers. We feature over 20 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Veggie Distribution is a unique Free Choice system, where members fill their own bags as they wish, selecting from the items available each week. There are two tables--the Free Choice table and the Counted Items table. There are also U-Pick crops--such as herbs, flowers, cherry tomatoes, and green beans. On our website there is a list of vegetables we have grown (not completely updated, but you will get the idea). Pickups are from mid-May through September, Fridays or Saturdays noon to 8pm (you choose your pickup day).
FEES
The fee is $700 per share. Shares are for one household only (no splitting shares, please). This includes 20 weekly on-farm pickups of farm fresh organic vegetables, flowers and herbs, you fill your own bag and decide what goes in it, enough to feed your household for the week. It also includes: invitations to family-friendly CSA events such as potato digging parties, canning day, and other farm events; participation on the farm; gardening advice and hands-on experience; and so much more as part of the community.
FARM PARTICIPATION
We are a very small CSA that prioritizes the whole farm experience. Our CSA prioritizes the "farm experience"--so getting your hands into the soil, feeling involved on the farm, helping you participate in the growth of your own food, benefiting from your connection to this place--its all important to us and our mission here. Members are invited to help out at group Farm Hands Days, or by appointment for solo worktime. Members, including children, are involved in almost all aspects of the farm.
SHARE QUANTITY and NO SPLIT SHARES, PLEASE
I am often asked how many people a share feeds. This varies greatly by each member's eating habits. A share is expected to feed 1-2 adults for the week. Some kids (and grown ups) eat lots of veggies, some don't. You might find your household will be inspired to eat more veggies when you are in a CSA. Since you fill your own bag, picking and choosing from our offerings, you will find it is just as much as you need for the week. For this same reason, we cannot allow split shares. Each share is for one household only. If you have a friend who also wants to join, please let us know. Please honor our system as you select a good CSA match for your family. Shop around if you are more interested in a split share, half share, mini share, etc--each CSA is different and there are others with these offerings.
HOW TO SIGN UP
If you choose to join the CSA, please contact us at 301-607-4048 first (9am to 9pm) or by email to receive confirmation that there is space for you. This is also an opportunity to have any questions answered and to make sure our program is a good match for you. I will send you a form to complete and mail in with a deposit check. I can hold a space for you for one week while I await your check in the mail.
CONTACT US
If you are interested in joining the CSA, please contact me at ilene@houseinthewoods.com or 301-607-4048. We look forward to hearing from you!
Ilene and Phil Freedman
House in the Woods CSA Farm
301-607-4048
www.houseinthewoods.com
Please contact us if you would like to be added or deleted from our email list for farm information.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Planting seeds
Hello friends! It's time to start your gardens, if you haven't already. I'm a little late getting started, but what's new? I need to prep the garden beds so that I can direct sow peas, beans, radishes, and carrots. My little sister Precious and I started a bunch of seeds yesterday at a friend's greenhouse. It beats the pants off of my little window box, which is on a part of the house that gets mediocre light.
Here's Precious putting seeds in one of our little trays. We planted a bunch of stuff. Off the top of my head I remember:
- Black Krim tomatoes
- German Pineapple tomatoes
- Red pear cherry tomatoes
- White bell peppers
- Orange Bell peppers
- Sweet long Italian peppers
- Pimentos
- Chesapeake Bay Fish Peppers (hot)
- Rainbow Swiss Chard
- Early Cauliflower
- Cheddar Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Broccoli Raab
- Okra
- Lettuce
I am beginning to be very excited about spring- the sky was beautiful yesterday, and I was glad it was cool, since we were working in a hothouse. I can't wait to see the first little shoots pushing over tiny clods of earth.
