This Week’s Harvest: Root bundle (carrots, beets turnips), Zucchini, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Yellow Onions, Kale, Salad Greens, Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Eggplant, Pears

Everyone who has ever visited the farm recognizes immediately that we have a killer view! I’m convinced it’s the main reason we get so much volunteer help – what incredible surroundings to work among! The thunderstorms are always fun to watch build (usually over Animas mountain as you can see above). Tonight I was watching the lightning in the clouds as I was power-washing the root veggies and it got me thinking about the future of our CSA. Last year we had the privilege of meeting the farmers of Huguenot Farm in New York, one of the most successful CSA’s in the country. They shared with me their CSA model, which includes a large u-pick section of the farm, more choice of what to bring home and an extended pick up time at the farm (they had large walk-in cooler space). They also have massive harvests averaging 13 pounds of produce per week, but there was a catch. None of it was washed. This is the price that the CSA members were willing to pay in order to free up the farmers time for growing more food. The majority of the most successful CSA’s in the country do not wash their produce. But, people sign up year after year because the of the amount of food they receive for the price.

Those of you that have been with us from the beginning know how much we are committed to farming and have improved from season to season. We are constantly striving to be better farmers – it’s practically all we think about. We depend on information from our CSA members to get us there too. So, what do you think? Would you rather have more produce and sacrifice having it washed? There’s a lot to consider. One is how much more food? Increasing the amount of food you get each week has been a main goal of ours and will always continue to be so. Our season is so short and ideally we would provide you with enough produce that you could preserve a lot for winter if you choose. Also, believe it or not, produce that isn’t washed actually lasts longer as well. But, let us know what you think next time we see you, or feel free to send us an email.  We’d really appreciate the feedback as we continue to expand our growing operation.

On another note, we have PEARS this week! We have farming friends that have 11 acres of fruit trees, including pears and apples. Their orchard is spray-free and their fruit is the tastiest around. The pears are tree ripe and ready to eat when they soften over time on your counter (or in a brown bag if you are impatient). We’ll be making another visit later in the year for apples so we have that to look forward to as well!