Today we have some great weather lined up- a bit windy but we will be ice fishing all day because we haven't had the warmth or the sunshine, in sooo long!!
A couple of updates. We finalized our purchase agreement on the house in Oak Park!! That means that as long as the sale of our current home and their home purchase goes as planned, we will be in the house by the end of April. We literally have it written in the agreement that 'we need to be in by the spring planting season' hahaha!
This is a picture of the barn and silo, the house is off to the right. You'll be able to see it better when you come visit!!
_______________________________________________________________
We have had a TON of people sign up for the "single" share. I am overwhelmed at the popularity of the smaller size! I do think it's great seeing that there are a lot of folks who would have otherwise not been able to participate being able to sign up this season. We did put a limit on the number of Single shares because we have our growing agenda planned out already. There are only 16 single shares left, so if you or your friends are interested in those please let them know that they won't be available much longer. Of course we still have plenty of Family Shares and Jumbo Shares too!
_______________________________________________________________
This weekend I attended a Food Regulation workshop through the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, the U of M, and our local Sustainable Farming Association chapter. Wow, that's a mouth-full!
The whole programming was based on food production on farms, whether that be milk, produce, meat, even foraging for wild edible flowers on your farm, EVERYTHING has a regulation or licensing requirement (even dog bones!). I understand some farmers get frustrated with all the rules and strict guidelines.. but I don't.
I think that the regulations are there to protect all of us. And most of all protect the integrity of local foods. If people were getting sick from eating locally, how often do you think you'd choose to purchase chicken at the farmer's market? Not very often if their risk was higher for the same product that they could get at a regular store. We have a lot of laws to follow, and we are happy to embrace them!
The whole point is- I went to this voluntary seminar to make sure we are completely within the realm of safe food practices, which we are. This is providing you a better value within our CSA Shares, because you know that we are thorough and we are totally up to date with what's happening in the farming world.
_______________________________________________________________
The final update to share with you, next week is National CSA Day!
On February 28th, farmers and consumers across the United States are celebrating CSA Day. It is meant to recognize local farmers and initiatives to connect with our neighbors. More CSA Members sign up on February 28th than any other day in the year, according to Small Farm Central (a collaborative). Consider signing up for your CSA Share this week to support the season's start up costs.
Looking forward to more updates for you soon!!
Thank you!!
~ The Farmer's Wife
