The 2018 harvest season has come to a close. When we started our Vegetable Share Program back in 2009, I never envisioned how productive the farm would be 10 seasons later. With 325 members this year, it was by far our biggest, busiest and best (maybe not weather wise) season on record! Our total number of shares distributed for the 2018 Standard Season was 6,450! That is a LOT of veggies leaving the farm to feed our community. Kudos to you for being a part of the local food system and thank you for your support this season. We are proud of what we have accomplished and could not have done it without you.
Making the transition to a customizable share system was a huge decision when we made it last fall. We knew that we had to make a change to our share program in order to keep up with the very much fading traditional Community Supported Agriculture model. It was becoming difficult to retain and obtain members in a system that gave no choice of share contents to members. Then along came Harvie...the software platform that changed everything.
We are very happy with our decision to use Harvie and from what most members have said, so are you. We will continue to use Harvie in the coming seasons and will forever be proud to know that we were the 1st farm in Wisconsin to use it. There are many more farms in the state who will be on board for Harvie next season . We look forward to this changing model which accommodates the members more while still allowing the farm to maintain the core values of the CSA model.
Farming is one of the greatest jobs in the universe, but it is also one of the more stressful ones. Weather is our friend and our foe. This season proved to be a challenge. And although I hate to use the weather as an excuse, I am giving us a free pass this year. The hardest part for us was keeping everything alive during the summer heat and drought. Then came sloppy September with record rains and our planting schedule was put on hold until the fields dried out enough to plant fall crops like spinach, radishes and peas. Unfortunately those crops got planted too late and didn’t size up in time for the last shares of the standard season.
The good thing is….this is just one season. There will be another season to come. And no two seasons are ever alike. Despite the weather challenges we were still able to provide a wide variety of produce to members all season long. As we learn more about using the Harvie system and as the platform continues to improve behind the scenes, we know that our member experience can only get better.
Last week we provided a flyer in your share about how to sign up for the 2019 season. The CSA model is supported by an upfront commitment to the farm. We hope that you will join us again next season and take advantage of the Early Bird prices we are offering through December 16th. To sign up and for more information, including details about share prices and new pickup site options, visit our website, www.parkridgeorganics.com.
Again, thank you for your support and for choosing us to be your farm. It is truly an honor to grow for you.
Robyn Calvey
Owner
Park Ridge Organics
