For our every-other-week members that didn't get this message last week:
Our brains and hearts are working hard to focus in on farming this week. We're grieving the loss of our friend's daughter, our weekly Saturday farmers' market companion: Lucia Bremer of Liberty Tree Farm was shot and killed by a 14 year old school mate on March 26. We're angry and full of sorrow about how guns are used and how often they are in the hands of children. Our children, like so many others, are confused and nervous. Actually, so are we parents but it's easier to say that's how the children feel. And Lucia is gone.
We hope you had the opportunity to experience how well she helped Jon, her dad, work their market booth on Saturdays at the St. Stephen's Farmers' Market. Now there's nothing anyone can do to bring her back. We'll celebrate her and wait with heavy hearts and a gaping hole in our spirits for the family to advise on any preferred actions. In the meantime, perhaps seek out Moms Demand Action.
For everyone: A lot of our crops were damaged by the record-setting cold temperature last weekend. Even though we covered everything with agricultural cloth (which took a lot of people-hours), many plants were badly damaged. See photo below. If you choose Arugula this week, some leaves will certainly have the white discoloration as shown, which is caused by that deep cold after the plants had been accustomed to warmer temps. The leaves with just a small amount of white are still edible. They're just not as good as usual. :/
Enjoy your vegetables this week. Spring Onions are fantastic right now. Unfortunately we don't have any Carrots for you at this time. The section we planned to harvest for you is turning out to be home to immature, pale, and not tasty carrots instead of the orange delights to which we are accustomed.
In peace, and hoping for a more cheery report next week -
Janet, Dan, and the whole Broadfork crew
