THE LOCAL HARVEST The Newsletter of Honey Brook Organic Farm CSA, May, 2012
APRIL RAINS EASE DROUGHT – Sherry Dudas
What a relief it was to finally get rain in April and early May, thus easing the drought we’ve been in. Temperatures were slightly above normal last month, allowing spring tillage and planting to continue on schedule. The rains also freed up field staff, who normally transplant and cultivate this time of year, to help out Marley and other greenhouse staff in the greenhouses, so now were caught up with that work as well.
Thankfully, the rainy periods also forced Farmer Jim indoors, so we were able to get our organic certification in on time to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. This paperwork was due at the end of April and Farmer Jim never sets aside time to review it until the last possible minute. It is important for members to know that we are a certified organic Community Supported Agriculture farm, since many of the newer CSAs in New Jersey are opting to not go the certified organic route. In fact, increasingly we’re seeing conventional produce growers begin to offer CSA programs.
Crop Outlook
The bulk of our spring crops have been planted at our Chesterfield farms. Since the soils are a bit “earlier” at our more southern farms, (meaning they are better drained and therefore able to be tilled earlier than the Hopewell farms), most of the spring and early summer planting will be done in Chesterfield every year. Winter cover crops grew especially green and lush early this spring, no doubt due to the warm, dry weather. On the Wilson farm (where the strawberry pick-your-own field is located, off of Harker Road), we were happy to see the red-winged black birds return for their annual nesting in these fields, but were completely overjoyed to see bobolinks return to these same fields for the nesting season as well. They nested here in 2010, but seemed to forgo our site last year. And of course, the barn swallows have returned to their nests in one of the barns at the Wilson farm, as well as the big red barn in Pennington.
The Wilson farm has had the pick-your-own crop of snow and snap peas transplanted on it for Chesterfield members in an area of the farm we have not previously planted vegetables, so we are curious as to how they will perform. Spring spinach, baby boc choy, chard and arugula are sizing up nicely at this farm, and beets are looking healthy. We’ve also covered the sweet corn and green bean crop rows with low tunnels to protect them from frost. In Pennington, the pick-your-own pea crop is doing well, despite the hard frost of late April. The garlic planted in Pennington is also doing very well and has not been tainted by an allium disease that has infected the garlic of other growers in the area.
Blueberry plants were transplanted on our other Chesterfield farm (we refer to it as the Glock farm) last spring. We don’t expect to be able to harvest a crop from these plants for another two years and in the interim, we will still have to manage the crop by mowing weeds between the beds and mulching with wood chips. We installed several high tunnels at the Glock farm in order to enhance earliness in our tomato crops. We’ve also planted broccoli here as well as potatoes.
Opening Day Logistics
In May, members are typically anxious to know more about opening day and other logistics, so here are a few things to keep in mind:
The 2012 Members’ Handbooks will be posted on our website in early May. Please set aside time to read yours cover-to-cover, even if you are a returning member, as rules change and processes evolve. For example, at our Chesterfield Distribution Center, we anticipate making a few important changes.
We strongly encourage members to read their Handbooks prior to contacting the office with questions, as you can find many of your answers in the Handbook. Also, it is best to check the “This Week” page of the website, view our Facebook page or call the Veggie Hotline after May 10th to ascertain when your Opening Day will be. It fluctuates every year depending on weather conditions. The warmth of early April has not hastened the ripening of the strawberry crop, and the ripening of the berries determine when opening day will be. Since the variety planted in Pennington is an early variety, the Pennington farm usually opens first, with the Chesterfield farm opening some time afterwards, when their later-season strawberries ripen. The Delivered Boxed Shares typically are not available for pick-up until at least Memorial Day weekend, sometimes a bit later.
When we do open, please give yourself extra time to pick up on your first pick-up day. You may need to orient yourself and give yourself some time to ask questions of the attendant. Boxed Share members, there have been a number of changes in pick-up locations so please do not assume that your pick-up location from last year is the same this year. Shortly, you will be getting your letter enclosing directions to your site; please be sure to look it over before your first pick-up day.
Farm staff
Our full field staff has returned to work at the farm. We are still in the process of hiring one additional intern for the 2012 season, but our farm stand staff, for the most part, will be comprised of farm stand attendants from the past. We’re happy to say that Mike and Joey, students from American Samoa, will be returning to work at the Chesterfield farms and Kate will return as the Assistant Marketing Manager in Pennington.
Boxed Share Program additions
In our Boxed Share program, we are looking forward to serving the Hillsborough community for the first time. For nearly 100 years, Duke Farms, a 2,700-acre property in Hillsborough, has been a destination for the residents of New Jersey and beyond. As one of the largest privately-owned parcels of undeveloped land in the state, it is rich in agricultural, horticultural and ecological resources. The mission of Duke Farms is to be a model of environmental stewardship in the 21st Century and inspire visitors to become informed stewards of the land. As such, Duke Farms offers many programs that aim to educate diverse audiences through opportunities in horticulture, agro-ecology, wildlife ecology and sustainable resources. Visit www.dukefarms.org for more details.
Some long time readers of this newsletter may recall that a few years ago Duke Farms staff reached out to us to see if we would have an interest in farming and establishing a CSA program at Duke Farms after we had provided them with free consulting services. We declined, citing our need to purchase farmland as the next step in our farming careers. It’s nice to circle back to Duke Farms and provide their community with a healthy option for certified organic produce.
We also recently added Nature’s Corner Natural Market in Spring Lake Heights as a stop on our Wednesday Boxed Share program route. Established in 1995 by certified clinical nutritionist and owner Ed Levy, it is designed with the intelligent, attentive, health-conscious customer in mind. Nature’s Corner offers an incredible selection of the finest organic, local and natural products available and is committed to the health and well-being of its community and has a strong commitment to local. Everything they label as local comes from no more than 200 miles away. Nature’s Corner also features a vast Nutritional Supplement selection. Check out their website at www.naturescornernaturalmarket.com/
With the additions of these new Boxed Share options, any members who find that these sites are more convenient for them than the one they originally signed up for are encouraged to call the office to change their Boxed Share pick-up location.
We still are seeking hosts for our Moorestown and Belmar Delivered Boxed Share sites. If you have an interest in hosting (there is a discount on your membership!), please email susan@honeybrookorganicfarm.com.
Right to Farm Issues with the Township of Chesterfield
The Burlington County Agriculture Development Board has rescheduled their hearing with respect to the Township of Chesterfield’s Right to Farm complaints against us to its June meeting. Please read next month’s newsletter for further details.
Farm “FUN”draiser in June
In order to help offset our legal costs with respect to the Right to Farm matters Chesterfield Township is pursuing against us, we are coordinating a family friendly fundraising event at the Pennington farm for Saturday, June 16th from 11am – 3pm. We will be having a silent auction in addition to a yard sale. Do you have time, talent or tangibles you would like to donate? We are looking for items such as:
- artwork, computer games and books;
- gift certificates for gift shops, book stores, restaurants, liquor stores and grocers; and
- services such as lawn/garden care, compost consulting, pet sitting and grooming, hair care, yoga lessons, cooking lessons and personal chef/catering services.
We’re also seeking talented musicians, storytellers, face painters and clowns to contribute their talent on the day of the fundraiser to help entertain. Please email sarah@honeybrookorganicfarm.com to donate or volunteer.
We have received many donations including food related services and artwork, but need more in order for this event to be a success.
Come Visit Us at the Wellness Expo and Bring a Friend!
Georgian Court University
900 Lakewood Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701
Casino Building
Saturday, May 12, 2012
11AM to 5:30PM
Free Admission to all events for the day
Honey Brook Organic Farm will be an exhibitor at this event. Come out and meet Marley Skinner, our Assistant Farm Manager at the Pennington farm! For those who are contemplating purchasing a Delivered Boxed Share at our Belmar, Spring Lake Heights, Shrewsbury or Ocean locations, Marley can answer any questions you may have.
Adult Yoga Class at 12pm
Kid’s Storybook yoga class at 2pm
Twelve presentations from all areas of health throughout the day and lots of give-away prizes to win, including free massages, distance healing session, gift baskets, and gift certificates. Tri-beta Biological Honor Society is hosting a toy drive to benefit the Children’s Specialized Hospital of Toms River, NJ – Donations of new toys would be greatly appreciated.
Exhibitors include: yoga, ayurveda practitioner, massage therapist, chiropractor, Young essential oil rep, organic cloth diapers, master herbalist, hypnotist, financial consultant, law firm, ionic detox footbath rep, healing jewelry, energy healer, whole food supplement, natural weight loss, chakra bowl meditation, angel reader, NJ online health/wellness network, shamanic healer, crystals, fitness gym, acupuncturist, organic farms, organic honey, and many more!
