We are headed into our third week of deliveries and we're already seeing a shift away from inundations of greenery into meatier crops. We've got our first wave of early summer crops with our first cauliflower (lots more to come if you don't get any this week) and summer squash and cukes. This week is shaping up to be HOT on the farm, which, honestly, we all hate. It is more than just unpleasant to work 8-10 hours in 80-90 degree heat, it can be dangerous. And even with lots of water and shade breaks, it's pretty taxing on us and the crew to be moving and shaking through the heat of the day. Hope for some thunderstorms to cool it all down...
Now that we're a few week's in, we've been fielding lots of questions about shares and scheduling so we thought we would to a FAQ in this email, please read on below:
Can I get my share delivered to a different location this week?
While members can swap locations, ideally this must be done before you receive the "customization email" on the Friday before share delivery. So if you have a vacation coming up, or some planned days off, please take a look at your calendar and switch your days ASAP so you don't forget and request last minute. In the case of an emergency or something that urgently comes up last minute, we will do our best to accommodate, as we have some manual work-around (lots of spreadsheets!) but it is much harder for us.
One of the veggies I requested is missing, and another is in it's place, why?
We do our best to always fill your boxes with what is listed, but to give you an idea of schedule, I walk the fields on Friday to prep for your emails, and we begin harvesting on Monday and Tuesday for delivery Wednesday and Thursday. In these windows of time, there is definitely room for error, so on occasion we sub in, either something similar (a few of you may have noticed broccoli instead of broccolini this past week), or something else already in your box that we know you like. We do this as rarely as we can, but it does happen.
On occasion, we do make packing errors and items are just missing from boxes, if this is the case we always want you to let us know, so we can make it up to you next week or credit you.
Where was my basil this week, it was missing?
When about to pack shares this week, our eagle eyed staff noticed what looked like basil downy mildew on the plants. This basil disease spreads quickly (affecting neighbors gardens) and takes down basil plants lickety-split, it stinks. So we opted to not include them in boxes. You will be credited for the missing basil. It may take a week or two to see the credit, but we'll get it onto your account so you can order something else at your convenience.
Can I return my box/plastic bag/jar/egg carton?
Yes! Boxes should always be returned to the delivery location if you take them home (we encourage you not to so they don't get forgotten). The large bags we use as liners can also be returned, we cannot reuse them for lining boxes, but they do get used for other things on the farm. Yogurt jars can be returned, which our creamery friends at Winter Hill would much appreciate and can be left (uber clean please) with boxes or in box return tote. Egg cartons may also be left.
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In shares this week we have the most coveted of crops - strawberries! We don't grow strawberries - we decided to take a break a few years ago after too many drought and deer heartbreaks. We're contemplating growing them again, but it will take a few years to get them going. In the meantime, we have wonderful neighbors that do it for us! These berries are not certified organic, they are conventionally grown, meaning that Fairwinds has access to a host of pest management options that organic growers do not. They are also able then to grow them as perennials, meaning they don't replant every year and don't use the plastic mulch that most organic growers use. I've worked for Fairwinds, so I am familiar with their growing practices and I feel happy, comfortable, and lucky to eat their berries, but if you prefer organic, then please swap in an organic item from our farm. If you want to see their farm for yourself, you are in luck! They are open for U-pick starting Saturday 6/20 - check out their facebook page for more information.
**For future weeks, we'll have strawberries, and other berries available for order as an extra**
