It Was A Great Day

Things are starting to pick up a little around the farm.  The chickens are in the greenhouse making deposits to the soil and this is a good thing.  Andy is able to move one of the green house so he can naturally fertilize the soil with the help of the chickens.  I think he said they already have tomatoes growing.

I must tell you how much I love this family and how much I enjoy, look forward to and cherish the time I am able to spend with them.  I am always learning something new.  And I know that I make them laugh by the silliness that comes out of my mouth sometimes.  I told Lizzie that I feel like it is home.  I just feel some at peace and comfortable there.  And they make it so easy for me to feel that way.

While we were talking about everything under the sun (things like Andy becoming a deacon in the church...the different ways that we raise our kids...some of the Amish ways...home remedies...the farm and what is coming up for next season...what I like and didn't like (sorry) in the CSA boxes...) Lizzie fixed some little pizzas.  The amazing thing was (and I had tears in my eyes) she made them just like my Mom used us make them for us when we were little...except Lizzie used little round crackers...crackers, pizza sauce, peperoni and some cheese.  They were so good!  Michael had a question and I had actually been wondering about it too.  Where do they go to the bathroom?  I had looked for an outhouse on the property but never found one.  When I asked Lizzie kinda giggles and said (well silly girl) 'it is out back'.  Then she walked me to the back door and pointed to it.  It was very well hidden on the left side of the barn.  Right now it is for the adults to use.  The kids use a chamber pot while they are smaller.  The second question...I knew that they had just slaughtered some beef and hogs.  Where do you store the meat?  I wish I had had the camera.  Andy and Lizzie took me downstairs, in the basement that I know was 20 degrees cooler than their very toasty and warm upstairs.  In one room there was a wall with a shelf that Andy had built totally full of everything thing under the sun that you could can.  All nice and neat, categorized into vegetables, fruits and meats.  That's right I said meat.  I even have a jar of sausage and some kind of beef in our fridge just waiting to be used.  In another room there must have been 10 to 15 hams hanging from the floor joists.  I asked how long all of this would last and Andy assured me that it would last well into the spring.  It was truly amazing.  They hardly ever have to go to the store.  It boggles my mind!

I think I should explain something...didn't like might not have been the best choice for words...didn't much care for might have been a better choice.  You know that little bag of mixed spicy greens...not a fan until today when I ate them like they are supposed to be eaten.  Had I know that I was going to be invited to stay for lunch I just might have said I loved those spicy little green leaves.  Lizzie kinda laughed when she set them on the table and she looked at me out of the corner of her eye.

Let me just try to explain what we had for lunch...First Anna helped set the table.  Each of us had a cereal bowl, a knife, a fork, and a spoon.  Alongside the bowl was a little tin cup of the best well water I have ever had.  Seriously it was ice cold and the most crystal clear water I have ever seen.

Lizzie whipped up what I would call almost like a Sunday dinner...everything homemade, from scratch...field greens salad with a honey dressing that was to die for!  Funny how things taste better when you know how to properly prepare them.  Can't wait until our share comes with that little bags of greens.  I ready now! There was also huge jar of mouth watering sweet peaches, some applesauce, wheat bread and butter and some of the best lasagna that I have ever eaten.  It was all delicious.

Moses wasn't feeling well so I talked Lizzie into letting Anna and I do the dishes.  I think she though 'oh sure you are going to do dishes in my kitchen, the Amish way with no running water.'  I could see all of this going thru her mind and I tried to set her mind at ease by saying it would be just like doing dishes like when I was a kid and we would go camping.  We got everything washed and the table cleaned up just in time for Lizzie to take me to the school. (Read about that in the blog entry below)

I always learn something from Andy and Lizzie.  This time was no exception.  Lizzie shared with me her book on home remedies.  Now that is interesting and we will be trying some of the methods real soon...as soon as my book comes.  You will be amazed at some of the things that work.  I asked if they ever went to the doctor.  Andy said that usually they just use remedies but if something came up that was very serious they would go to the doctor.

What a great way to spend a Saturday...literally I had stayed the day but it only seemed like a few minutes.  I really felt bad that I had monopolized their time for so many hours.  Before I left we started talking about birds.  A came home with a bucket of lard and Lizzie's suet  recipe.  She said I could share.

PEANUT BUTTER SUET FOR THE BIRDS

1 cup of lard

1 cup peanut butter

2 cups of quick oats

2 cups of cornmeal

3/4 cup of flour

1/3 cup of sugar

1 cup of sunflowers

1/2 cup of cracked corn

Melt lard and peanut butter in a saucepan.  Remove from heat and add the rest to the mix.  Mix well.  Pour into a wax paper lined cake pan.  Let cool completely and cut into cakes.

I could tell that Andy was missing his afternoon nap and the kids needed one too

A Little Something Different Today

I want to show you something else besides Cedarmore Farm that Andy and Lizzie are working hard on (as well as the rest of the community) since right now not too much is going on at the farm....the lull before the storm I guess you could say.

CEDAR HILL SCHOOL

I don't know why but I am so excited about this little school.  When you are sitting at the kitchen table at Andy and Lizzie's you can see the school on the hill on the other side of the pasture from the house.  I think the last time I was visiting Andy, Lizzie and the kids I remember seeing men putting on the roof.  I have been asking to see the school so today Lizzie surprised me with a visit.  She had to get the okay I guess from the Bishop and the school teacher, who just happens to be the Bishop's 21 year old daughter.  I have had the chance to meet her yet but I hope to really soon.

The front door of the school is actually in the back of the school, just like on Little House on The Prairie.  The back add on is what I would consider a mud room.  If you look really close there is a chair with a white bucket. That is where the children was their hands before lunch.

The wood for the wood stove.  Lizzie says that this should last them until the end of the year.  There is probably this much stacked under the schoolhouse.

There are two children that ride their horses to school.  This is the horse stall that they have for them.  She also told me that the children bring food and water everyday for their horses.  There are lots of buggy tracks in the mud as you enter the gate from the road.  As I was driving home I started to wonder who cleans out the stalls...all the boys do.

And of course the outhouse.  One for the boys and one for the girls...facing opposite directions.

When I walked into the backdoor I felt like I was walking back in time to a one room schoolhouse like the one that I hear my father-in-law describe.  And then the smell.  It smelled like a school...books and clay is what I could smell.  I stood there for the longest time just taking it all in.

The wood burning stove.  It has really two purposes...heating for warmth and heating the children's 'foils' that they bring from home (sandwiches wrapped in foil can be placed on a wire rack on top of the stove).  I must admit I has to ask what the pot was for.  I was thinking that it was for heating water for washing hands.  No...come to find out that it is filled with water and put on the stove to add moisture to the air because the wood stove is so drying.

From the teachers view point.  There are 14 children in the school...grades 2,3,4,5,7, and 8.  School begins at 8:30AM and is out around 2:30PM.  Monday thru Thursday everything is written and spoken in English.  On Friday everything is in German.

I found this chart very interesting...letter combinations written in Gothic style lettering but examples for the sounds were in English using English words and pronunciation.

The floor is 4X8 sheets of plywood finished in oil.  There are window coverings.  Student papers on the walls.  A huge blackboard.  Three different types of lettering...printed alphabet, cursive and Gothic alphabets.  See the small table to the left of the teachers desk.  This is where she calls the individual grades up to explain what their assignments are for the day.  The students are then expected to go back to their desks and get their work finished.

I had a desk just like this when I was in 6th grade.  I loved that desk.  I walked around the room and breathed it all in.  I could have been Laura Engalls.  As  walked by each desk I touched it and prayed for the one sitting in it.  I have a teacher friend and she does that every year before her students enter her room.  And if I know her, she does it throughout the year too.

So today I am going thru all of my 'teacher stuff' and games, puzzles, crayons and markers to see if I have anything that the school could use.  I will put it all in a box and the next time I am out to Cedarmore Farm I will let Andy and Lizzie got thru it to see if the school can use any of it.  Shoot, I might even take an apple to the teacher.

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

Looking Toward The CSA Season for 2012

I got word from Andy the other day and the first thing he said was 'Greetings to you all!'  Now that it is winter time on Cedarmore Farm he has a little bit of leisure time.  Andy and Lizzie and the children love to have the time to visit with family and friends.  They love that they can now go out and enjoy nature around them and not have to worry about what needs to be done...CSA wise.  This is the time of year that Andy likes to be able to sit a read a good book.  He enjoys that very much. (I would like to know what is on his reading list...I imagine it has something to do with organic farming)  They still have their daily routine of animals and need fed and cared for, firewood that needs to be cut, beef, pork and venison that needs to be processed. Not to mention taking care of three little ones. Then add in stuffing envelopes with information and sign-up sheets for the 2012 CSA year.  Doesn't sound to leisurely to me.

The CSA is growing..30 members the first year which was four years ago, to over 150 this past year.  Andy and Lizzy are so thankful and appreciative for all of the support.  Since the CSA is growing, the number of farmers must grow.  There will be a few more families that will be joining the CSA as growers.  They will also be using the same organic growing methods as does Cedarmore Farm.   With the added help and support from these new families, Cedarmore will have the ability to double the numbers of those committing to buy shares.  For this to continue working, we will all need to work together...Andy and his crew as the farmers and all of us as CSA members.  With more grower families involved and by all of us working together, this system of local, sustainable agriculture  will grow.  Andy has always said 'in unity there is strength.'

The share sizes, start and finish dates, and prices will all stay very much the same as last year.  The only exception will be the Egg Share which went up 50 cents per dozen.  Andy was disappointed that he had to raise the price per dozen but with the price of corn doubling from last year it was something that he just had to do.  We should count our blessing on this one.  Andy was able to find a farmer near Cedarmore that grows corn organically and he won't have to pay to have it transported into the farm...saving all of  us a few cents.

Something new this year...a Weekly Baked Goods Share.  The baking will be done by one of the women in the community.

There have been new pick up locations added also this year.  There are quite a few so be sure to find the on nearest you.

One things that is very important in planning for a successful CSA season is knowing just how many families are planning to participate.  Please be prompt in buying you shares.  This will also insure a spot in the program.  Please take notice of the sign-up deadlines that are located beside the share dates and prices.

If you are on the mailing list you will be receiving all the information after the first of the year.  Please see the extra card that will be in the envelope with instructions on how to get a free one year subscription to 'Farming Magazine'.  It is a very nice all around farming magazine that can be enjoyed by the entire family....it has an emphasis on small family farming done the right way.  It is edited by friends of Andy and Lizzie, David and Elise Kline.

Cedarmore Farm Fresh Produce Club

Eat Better:  Join the CSA Produce Club

• Get fresh picked, locally grown vegetables each week, all season long
• Feed you family healthy, seasonal vegetables
• All of our produce is grown locally in Highland County
• Produce is grown using organic methods.  No chemical pesticides or fertilizers!

Options for 2012

• A 'Fresh Egg Share' is available for you to receive pasture range eggs each week with your produce share.
• A 'Weekly Canned Good Share' adds a surprise jar to your produce box.
• A 'Weekly Baked Good Share' adds a fresh baked surprise to each box!
• Delivery options have been expanded to serve more of the Greater Cincinnati area..  A modest delivery charge has been added to offset the expense of hiring a driver.
• We continue to offer the option to pay your full amount due when you sign up, or to pay 50% up front and the balance by July 1.
• We will take orders for fresh bakes pies, cinnamon rolls. breads, cookies and bars as well as home canned goods throughout the season.  Also grass-fed chicken will be available on specific dates.  All extra items can be picked up with your produce share.

Crops Planned for 2021

Spring:  Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Onions, Radishes, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Zucchini

Summer:  Broccoli, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cauliflower, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Beans, Onions, Peppers, Potatoes, Red Beets, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Watermelon

Fall:  Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Lettuce, Onions, Radishes, Carrots, Squash (Sweet Dumpling, Acorn, Butternut) Garlic, Potatoes, Red Beets, Kale, Chinese Cabbage, Sweet Potatoes

Our Last Box of 2011

It saddens me to think this the the last delivery of the season.  I am so glad that we were able to participate in the CSA this year.  And I know if Andy and Lizzie could, they would thank each one of you individually for your participation in the program. They really appreciate the support of those involved in purchasing the share/shares and those individuals that open their homes as drop off and pick up sites.

I would think that the year was a good one for them.  There were some weeks that the vegetables seemed to be down because of the weather but you can't control the weather.  And then there were other weeks that the boxes were close to overflowing.  But all in all and all things considered...it was a good year.

Plans are being made for next year already.  New farmers (at least six new families) will be added to the group...those farmers will use the same organic growing methods as Andy.  The core part of the CSA will still be grown by Cedarmore Farm.  The growth of families joining the CSA have caused Andy to seek other farmers to add to the CSA.  This is not a bad thing!  All around it is a win win.  More farmers will be able to provide for their families and we will be receiving a wider variety of crops.

The sign-up forms for 1212 will be out around New Year's Eve.  For the CSA to keep working it takes dedication from all of us.  We all make a pretty good team.  And I know that Andy and Lizzie would want to tell you to stay warm and have a blessed winter.

greens, carrots, onions, turnips, radishes, potatoes, and a squash

I am already counting down until the first delivery of next year!  I am going to miss all the fresh veggies, the baked goods, the canned share, the soaps and especially the brown eggs.  I know that we have been eating better since joining and I am looking forward to finding vegetables that are new to us and finding out that I like them.

Recipe Of The Week: Creamy Potato Soup

Creamy Potato Soup

2 cups of water

2 cups of dice potatoes

1/2 cup of diced carrots

1/2 cup of celery 

1/4 cup of chopped onion

1 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon of pepper

1/4 cup of butter

1/4 cup of flour

2 cups of milk

2 cups of grated cheddar cheese

Combine water, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt and pepper in a large kettle.  Boil for 10-12 minutes.  Meanwhile, melt the butter.  Add flour and stir until smooth.  Slowly add milk; cool until thickened.  Add cheese and stir until melted.  Add cheese sauce to the undrained vegetables.  Heat through.

Variation:  Add a cup of cooked and diced chicken, turkey, or ham to the cheese sauce.

Next To Last Delivery

For some reason I never thought we would be getting a huge head of cauliflower in our CSA boxes today.  It looks really nice.  I'm trying to decide what to do with it?  Anyone have any good and or maybe different ideas for its use?

I can not believe that this time next week I will be opening the last CSA box of the season.  It is really hard to believe!  So I am savoring everything we got tonight.  There are sweet potatoes and regular potatoes, garlic, radishes, a small squash and an extra canned share.

Andy and Lizzie have maple syrup and other canned items for sale.  You will need to order them this week for them to be delivered to you next week.  It will be the last time the items will be available this year.

Please remember to be sure to return your boxes, egg cartons,and empty jars next week for the last pick up of the season.