A Few Minor Setbacks

Like other places around the country, we are experiencing some really unpredictable weather.  I never really thought about it but since I have come to know Andy and Lizzy and the CSA, I find myself checking the weather almost daily.  Next I will probably be checking the Almanac.  I wonder if the farmers get a break after the crops are all harvested.  I'm thinking that winter might be a time for then to get a little well deserved rest.  But I have come to find out that is not how it goes.  I got a letter from Lizzy two days ago and they are certainly busy.

 While Lizzy was writing to me the strong winds, rain, and sleet tore the greenhouse plastic.  So now on top of everything else they have to do on a daily basis the greenhouse needs to be repaired.  While I am cozy and all set up in our nice warn, dry house where the fridge is full and the kids are well, I get an Amish reality check...last week the 'did' their pork, then Lizzy's brother will be down to help them with their beef...Lizzy and Moses are struggling with ear infections that are so very painful...the daily routine of getting wood in and all the farm chores...No quick trip to Kroger or jumping in the warmed van to go to the doctor's office or even turning up the thermostat to make it warmer.

Hopefully in a week or two I will be able to go out and visit.  Think I might make some playdough and watercolors for the kids to have to play with.  And maybe some of my chicken noodle soup and a candybar pie so Lizzie will have something on hand...ease her load a little.

If you might know someone that would be interested in the CSA please forward this site to them.  Check Cedarmore Farm out on Local Harvest to read reviews from customers.  Help Andy and Lizzy grow their farm so more of us can eat healthier and spread the word about organic farming.

Knowing Andy and Lizzy sure has made me think of the blessing we have.  And how 'spoiled' we are.

In The Off Season

I have often wondered what Andy and Lizzy do during the winter when they can't actually get out and farm the land.  Well, all my questions have been somewhat answered.  I got a letter from Lizzy with our CSA information in the mail today.

Farming is never far from their thoughts I am sure.  They spend a great deal of time going thru catalogs and looking at and ordering seeds.  I am sure that Andy reads as much as he can get his hands on about organic farming.  Along with all the other farm duties that need to be attended to each day, Lizzy is busy sewing winter coats and pants along with  making warm comforters for the beds.  They are taking some time to enjoy things...they have put out some new bird feeders to attract some new birds this winter.

The kids are growing up so quickly.  Anna is doing 'schoolwork'.  Dennis has been out hunting and chopping wood with Andy.  While Moses is learning to crawl and to sit up.  Sounds like I need to find time to make a visit before they are on their way to school across the field.  I love it when I get little notes and drawings tucked away in mailings.

Welcome To Cedarmore Farm CSA

All of the produce grown on or by Cedarmore Farm is grown using organic farming methods.  They strongly believe that everything begins with the soil.  'We need to focus on building healthy soils in order to build healthy plants.  Healthy plants are just like healthy bodies, they are able to fight off disease and insects much better than unhealthy ones.  By building healthy soils we are producing healthy plants, which produce healthy food, which is then consumed by healthy people.'

When we buy into the CSA program, we are buying a weekly share of the produce that is grown on Cedarmore Farm, located in Highland County, Hillsboro, OH.  This year more farmers have been added to the list of farms that will be growing our vegetable and perparing the other shares.  The produce is packed in half bushel boxes.  The goal of the farm is to fill the boxes completely full.  However, how full our boxes are depends of the weather and also on what is in or out of season.  Andy and Lizzie and their helpers try to grow what we the 'shareholders' are asking for.  It is sorta of like subscribing to a magazine.  You know that you like the magazine and each week when you open the pages there is always something new and exciting inside.  There are also baked good and canned good shares.  You can sign up for them for the entire season or you may order them as needed.  (see sign up sheet).  These items can be ordered by email. Then at the end of each month you  will receive a bill for the extra items.  Please remember that baked goods must be ordered three days in advance of your delivery date.

cedarmorefarm@TDISP.com

If you are going to be out of town or unable to pick up your on your particular pick up date, please notify the farm ahead of time.  They will skip your share that week and double up the next week.  We are asked to only do this if it really necessary.  We are able to do this only three times during the season.

Andy wants to just remind us again that it will be important to be sure to pick up our boxes on the date and time scheduled.  Please be respectful of others and others property.  Double check to make sure you are picking up your box and other things with your name on them.  Also remember to return you boxes and jars each week.  If for some reason you are unable to pick up during 5-:00-8:00PM, try to get in touch with the homeowner where you pick-up location is and let them know so they can bring your share in for you to pick up at a later date or time.

It would be a good idea to make a copy of your sign-up form before you send it in so that everyone has a record.  And please hang on to the Baked and Canned Goods Sheet.  Sign up is as easy as 1-2-3.

Cedarmore Farm 2012 Sign-Up Sheet

Name________________________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________________________

City_______________________________  State_______________________  Zip__________

Phone____________________________  Email________________________________

1.  Choose Your Share

Spring Share (1st week of May thru 1st full week of July)  Sign-Up by March 1, 2012

     (1 box/week for 10 weeks):  $160.00 per share x ___ shares = $_____

Summer Share (2nd full week of July thru 1st full week of September)  Sign-Up by April 1st, 2012
     (1box/week for 12 weeks):  $144.00 per share x ___ shares = $_____

Fall Share (1st week of October thru 1st full week in December)  Sign-Up by May 1, 2012
     (1 box/week for 10 weeks):  $140.00 per share x ___ shares $_____

Full Seasons Share (1st week of May thru 1st full week of December)  Sign Up by March 1, 2012
     (1 box/week for 32 weeks):  $430.00 per share x ___ shares = $____

Pasture Range Egg Share  Available each week with your share from above!
     Number of weeks___________ x $3.50 per dozen x ___ shares = $_____

Weekly Canned Goods Share  One Surprise Jar each week with your share from above!  Possibilities include:  ketchup, tomato juice, tomato chunks, pizza sauce, pickled beets, pickled sweet peppers, sweet or hot pepper butter, dill or mustard pickles, strawberry, blackberry, or red raspberry jam, peach or pear butter and more!
     Number of weeks____________ x $4.00 per jar x ___ shares = $____

Weekly Baked Goods Share  One Surprise each week with your share from above!  Possibilities include:  Pies (cherry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, pecan nut and apple)
Cookies (monster, chocolate chip, pumpkin, chocolate no-bake, buttermilk and raisin oatmeal)
Bars (3 layer snack bars, peanut butter, pumpkin with frosting and nuts, pumpkin with chocolate chip or granola bars), cinnamon rolls, zucchini bread, banana bread and wheat bread
     Number of weeks___________ x $5.00 per week ___shares = $_____

Delivery Fee $3.00 per week x ___ = $______
   (No delivery fee if you pick up at the farm)

                                                                                                 TOTAL   $_______________


2.  Choose you Pick-Up Location

• Cedarmore Farm: 12612 Turley Lane, Hillsboro   on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Anderson #1:  7225 Cobblestone Court,  on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Anderson #2:  1980 Gainsborough Lane,  on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Batavia:  3553 St Rt 222,  on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Clarksville:  3668 Nicholson Road,  on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Mt Orab:  16844 Bodman Road,  on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Wyoming:  508 Wirtz Way,  on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Milford:  1224 Eagle Ridge Road,  on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Eastgate:  4873 Beechwood Road, Cincinnati,  on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Hamilton:  914 Richwood Avenue,  on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Hillsboro:
• Lebanon:  2308 Wood Road,  on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Loveland:  865 Miami Ridge Drive,  on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
• Clifton:  2150 Elysion Park,  on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
• Covington:  836 Alhambra Court, Park Hills, KY,  on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
• Burlington:  6989 Lucia Drive, Burlington, KY,  on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
• Oakley:  2733 Arbor Avenue, Cincinnati, OH,  on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
• Westwood:  3110 Coral Park Drive,  on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
• Downtown Cincinnati: 1222 Race Street,  on Fridays 5:00-8:00P

3.  Choose Your Payment Option

• Pay TOTAL now
• Pay 50% of TOTAL now and 50% by July 1, 2012

Make checks payable to Cedarmore Farm and mail along with the sign-up sheet to:

Cedarmore Farm

12612 Turley Lane

Hillsboro, OH 45133

Email questions, comments, or to add canned and baked goods to you pick-up:

cedarmorefarm@ TDISP.com