June is finally here and you know what that means! We have been working hard on the farm to get ready to fill your box with our first veggies of the season.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the farm this weekend if you will be picking up here! Maybe we will be meeting you for the first time, maybe we will be seeing you again after a long winter break. Either way, we can't wait.
***SPECIAL MESSAGE: We want our Saturday members to know- Are you looking for amazing, grass-fed local dairy products for you and your family? Our friends at Flint Hill Farm can provide. Now is your chance....if enough of our members add Flint Hill Dairy products to their carts in the weeks to come, we can continue to offer these products to you. We will give it a try for the month of June and see. You will be so glad you took advantage of this opportunity. Flint Hill offers goat's milk, cow's milk, kefir, yogurt, buttermilk, chevre, and mozzarella cheese. Add some to your order ***
NOW FOR ALL THE DETAILS ABOUT YOUR SHARE- Farmer Reuben wants you to read the instructions below so you are ready:
DO I CUSTOMIZE OR NOT?
We would like Saturday Farm Pick up members to customize your list of veggies before coming to the farm (if there are any changes you'd like to make.)
- Much more organization has to happen on our end because of increased membership and varied share sizes.
- Please bring your list on paper or on your phone to the farm. (If you forget, we'll have a copy for you.)
- You may bring your own box, bag or basket if you'd like. Otherwise we will provide a farm share box to you.
- You will choose your veggies from our wagon based on your list. The veggies will be placed generally in your list order. (Yep, we can do that.)
- At the end of the wagon if you'd prefer to make a swap with something else, we will try to accommodate you. (It will be best to make swaps in your email/Harvie account to guarantee your selections.) SELECTION AND SWAPS will be LIMITED in the first few weeks until the harvests become more abundant.
- All our veggies are counted and we hold back veggies that are reserved for members that come later than you.
>>>Be sure that you've taken a few minutes to rate each vegetable that we grow according to how much you like them. You'll get the most out of Harvie's customization process that way and you won't have the pressure of having to use the swapping process when you get our customization email each week. Log in to your account www.harvie.farm/login. Read help doc How Swaps Work and How Preferences Work help doc.
CUSTOMIZATION WINDOW
You will receive your email that it is time to CUSTOMIZE your share on Wednesday morning (maybe Tuesday night if we have it done.) You'll be able to make swaps and changes until 12 pm Thursday. Then the lists will be finalized so we can go pick and pack the right amounts of each vegetable and other items for all our members.
WHAT WILL YOU GET?
This is your first email from Harvie, letting you know that you may customize your box. On the first weeks there may not be a lot of extra variety for swapping because mostly greens are ready. You can expect to see lettuce, kale, Bok choy, and scallions. Stir-fries are a great way of using these spring veggie boxes.
Also, your box will be light and may not look full, depending on what you've chosen. Be assured that variety will grow week by week but your preference choices will determine what you ultimately get.
ADD ON SHARES
Artisan cheese shares and other products you ordered like bread, smoothies and eggs are available to be picked up in the market store. Let the farm staff know so they can check you off their list. Flower shares do not start until the end of June.
Boxes and labels: If you are getting a delivery, before returning your box (and other packing materials) for pick up - please remove your box label. SAVE YOUR LABEL if you are missing an item or something is unsatisfactory. Sending us a picture of your label will help us diagnose our error in the pack line and make improvements. (You can discard your labels afterward.) See more information about the boxes at the bottom of this farm happening.
ADD MORE TO YOUR CART: Your share might be a little under budget. Check to see if you have "more value" left by going to customization and clicking on your cart. Add something more to get the most value from your share.
Thanks for supporting local food and local farmers!
We'll keep farming for you,
Farmer Reuben, Tessa, WHF crew, and the local farmer community
MORE REMINDERS & TIPS
**You'll want to join the MEMBER ONLY Telegram group to get updates on your farm share. Click on this link to join the Willow Haven Farm Share Members Group: https://t.me/joinchat/My-Lj3_4hrVkMWE5
** Please return any waxed boxes, green cartons, freezer bricks, and reflective box liners at the time of your next delivery or pick up.
** If you have any questions about customizing your box, billing or your account, contact Harvie support. Any other questions, contact me! Read help doc How Swaps Work and How Preferences Work help doc.
** Be sure to check out these FAQs to help you learn to navigate your Harvie profile and see how many options you have with your Subscription.
** Earn Farm Credit for signing up friends as members of our farm. Here's how to Refer A Friend! What are Farm Credits? Read How to Receive and Redeem Farm Credit.
**If you want ideas of how to prepare your veggies - join the Harvie Member Facebook Group. It's full of CSA Members who have lots of experience with uncommon CSA veggies. Just post a picture and ask "What do I do with these?" and you'll get a ton of comments and suggestions.
**If you want to see more behind the scenes stories and videos make sure you are reading my Friday Farm News emails. You should be getting them already because you are a member but if not... Subscribe!
TAKE CARE OF THE BOX (if you are getting a delivered box)
Be careful when opening your box. You shouldn't need to tear the flaps when you open. Just slide the top one back. WATCH THIS VIDEO to show you how.
RETURN THE BOX & PACKING MATERIALS - We intend to reuse every box we send out for the majority of the season. Keep the box safe until your next veggie delivery, then do this:
PLEASE LET YOUR HOUSEHOLD (spouse, partners, children) KNOW NOT TO THROW AWAY, DESTROY, DAMAGE OR RECYCLE THIS BOX, COOLER BAGS OR ICE BRICKS.
WHAT ELSE TO SAVE?
- ICE PACKS & ICE BRICKS - when thawed, keep dry until returned.
- GREEN CARTONS (square pints, quarts, etc.)
- EGG CARTONS (cardboard)
We will re-use or recycle these items. You may return them with your waxed produce box. Please discard or recycle any plastic or paper bags that your veggies come in. Each year we work to improve, reduce and recycle the necessary packing. Thanks for your attention and assistance.
