[CSA Update] Welcome to week 18

Get excited about your first basket! I am encouraged by the growth in the fields. We are going to have a great basket and be on schedule. I hope you are thrilled with the options in the basket this week - with nationwide seed shortages, many folks haven't been able to have their own potted plants like lavender, rosemary, French tarragon, and arugula - and I have included those to help you create great meals with flavor during the program.  

Some introductions as we welcome you this week to help you get to know us. I do like the phrase, "Know your farmer, know your food!" I am Farmer Joe, and together with my wife, Homestead Ida, we are gearing up for CSA pick-ups and deliveries this coming week. I am the fourth generation farmer on my family land. I started farming because I would find my entire family in the fields, so I joined in. Today, I am genuinely delighted to head out before the sun comes up to work with the soil and hop into a tractor every day - and I don't have to wear a mask as I self-isolate every day! My wife manages the farm stand and the chickens. My sons are making the best of distance learning and wondering how to balance play and farm work this summer. They help us clean produce, mind the chickens, and even help out on CSA days. We have several folks on the farm team that you will meet along the way - but if you encounter Heather, Holly, Nat, Danielle, Ted, Sarah, Nichole, or Shannon, you make sure to introduce yourself and share your favorite stories about how much you have been looking forward to fresh veggies.

Each week we will include our newsletter with updates around the farm, recipes for the main box, and storage tips. With customizations in your box, the emails will be critical to save you time and help you get the most out of your share. 

Lastly, build the farm share you get excited about - update your crop preferences. Log into your profile and select "My Preferences." Rate any items that you have a strong feeling about. If you put something as "not for me," you won't see it in your shares. You can update preferences throughout the season as well. If you are up for trying things, leave them as no preference - you will still be able to swap and order extras. In the first three weeks (weeks 18, 17, & 16), there is less variety as later in the season - keep that in mind.