The 2012 Season for Howard's End CSA Farm

This will be fourth season for Howard's End Farm and it will be a challenge just as the first three have been.  According to some it takes five to ten years to establish a farm, and having survived three ( I think), I believe it if the establishment of a farm means to have the infrastructure completed and all operations up and running.  Everything remains in a state of perpetual flux just as nature does so though we are still challenged with the mending of poor rock strewn and eroded mountain soils, and remain in a state of construction we did manage to grow and provide produce for 85 families in 2011. Each year has seen the gross income double and if we are successful in our projections, we will do the same from 2011  (gross $46,000) to 2012 (projected gross $84,000- not quite double but close).  Whereas from 2010 to 2011 saw an increase of $20,000, this years jump over last of $38,000 will be formidable.  I hope I have one more good year in me, honestly and some good solid help to bring us to a good conclusion!  As I'm writing this it is nearly mid January and the whistling winds are bearing down a wind chill of nearly zero.  This month is full of tasks to be completed and without the completed list, the following month, already stocked full with work, becomes so much more difficult so the steadfast rule is get the months' workload done. ( Or else.... retire and go do something far more sensible but where would be the challenge in that??).  The key: My cohorts and I will have a choice when times get tough; either breath deep, meditate and pull our collective selves together or dance! and release the pent up frustrations... now all I have to do is remember this directive.

This is what we are adding this season to make growth possible and make life more interesting...

1. Get the drip irrigation system completely installed incuding the reservoir preferably in April.

2. Start the mushroom cultivation operation.  Sew shiitake plugs into oak logs and set up three different varieties of Oyster mushrooms using the log "sandwich" method (though we might straw as well). This to be done in February.

3. Get 12 hoop houses built. Have four planted by the beginning of February, the remainder completed by May. A big task, but much of the groundwork has already been done.

4.The Farm Tour.  We will be ready this year to be a host. It will be nice to get the publicity.  Maybe we can get the salamander hill figure closer to completion.

5. On line catalog. Talked about this last year but never got it out of the drawing room. This year, however, we will get it started.  We already have a good list of catalog items and the cold months are the perfect time to manufacture the products that will be for sale.

6. A gourmet dinner program.  What was originally a three dinner idea has been expanded into a 10 dinner idea spread out over ten months beginning in March.  Three will be held at Howard's End (June, August and October), the remainder being hosted by CSA members.  All of the menus will be themed. For example, the October dinner will be a "Venetian Masquerade" and will feature Italian Veneto dishes with a twist.  Other dinner themes might include "American Barbeque", French, Indian and other regional cooking.

Finally the edibles.

We will be raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Rabbits for our members and market. They will be pastured and allowed to grow naturally.  The Ducks, Geese and Rabbits will be grown organically with very little grain.  We will feed grain to the chickens but they will get 40-50% from foraging and other feeds that we will feed them (such as spent barley from a local brewery which still retains its protein).  They will all be processed at the farm, the day before delivery to ensure freshness.

  Organic olive oil in 500ml refillable bottles will be offered to members- natural and with herbal infusions.  We may also offer this at market (upon approval).  Globe artichokes, blue corn for flour, English peas, Brussels sprouts, Belgian endive, romanesco, sweet melons,shallots,  burdock and the mushrooms will be added.  In general there will be more of all crops grown.