I beg you all to think about this more seriously. Regardless of the predictable outcomes, this is still the ‘future of farming’ as we are currently voting around the world for low cost, cheap food on a massive scale. And in the process of this push to ‘go big or go home,’ we lose so many important contributions traditional farmers bring to the table.
When many folks support their local CSAs, regional food production is possible and grows, along with higher employment opportunities, local processing, local consumption, and local circulation of money in the community which only enhances it. As a result of supporting your local CSAs, a local distinction develops and a culture of support for regional farming can be built.
Read MoreNOTE: If you read my previous blog on “Why Messy Gardens are the Best Gardens,” you already know I promised to follow up “On the Benefits of Weeds.” Please note the title of this particular blog is “Why We Need Weeds” to keep my promise to my readers.
Farmers and gardeners alike have been told and over-told that weeds are evil and must be eradicated, and that one must make every effort possible to get rid of them. “No matter what it takes.”
Read MoreThis lovely place we call home, Cold Spring Farm, is the place “Where Food and Nature Grow Together.” And the entire design and layout of our farm is exactly that. Put simply, I take great pride in my messy gardens. I know, I know. It is the exact opposite of what you might expect to hear or to read. Then again, I’ve always been the unconventional type, and if you know me personally, or have heard me talk on my farming philosophy, perhaps you are not at all surprised. Either way, if you choose to read on, I will provide you with your very own justifications for your own messy gardens so you can teach others if they dare comment or judge.
Read MoreSquash is a delight both in Summer with its waxy bite, and in Winter months when all else is put to rest. You can eat all of it, too. The flesh, the blossoms, the seeds, in myriad ways. Raw, roasted, sauteed, baked, grilled, fried, mashed, and stuffed. You can achieve whatever your palette desires and be rewarded by your efforts as quickly as you like.
Read MoreWell into the throes of our main growing season, I find myself in a more reflective state of mind between planting and harvesting, farmers’ markets and farm stand maintenance, canning and cooking, managing our folks on the farm, and all the other farmer-ly things I occupy myself with these days.
Read MoreAs we approach the final holidays of 2021, I remember to be grateful for so many simple things. Life is full with work and family, fun, and many challenges. Many, many challenges. I regularly hear myself giving reminders that we can do tough things. The quote “Life is tough, but you are tougher,” or some version of that, resonates with me.
Read MoreThe best-tasting just-harvested vegetables and fruits with nutritional value that can’t be beat. We call our CSA Share a “Food Share.” You are getting your share of the harvest no matter when you sign up. We offer sign-up options all year round because we are growing, harvesting, canning, and storing food all 365 days of the year.
Read MoreNow in the throes of Winter, we are finding ourselves blessed with snow covering the ground and temperatures worthy of keeping it frozen for months at a time. It is the best Winter we could hope for. If you love the white fluffy stuff, you’re in for a treat. We’ll have it around a bit longer this year.
Read MoreIn short, CSF Meats cannot be beat. They are rich, delicious, flavorful, and free from hormones, chemicals, by-products, additives, and preservatives. CSF’s animals are here on the farm year-round to offer high quality meats from a pasture-raised diet.
Read MoreWe’ve all been hearing for a long time now how “local” is better. Slogans such as “Buy Local,” “Eat Local,” “Shop Local,” “Spend Local,” “Stay Local.” There’s a slow growth of more localized habits developing in our culture, in our communities. And there’s plenty of good reasons for doing so. I will elaborate here on eight key points.
Read More*This blog post is a submission to the New York Times asking for our response on how we were affected by this pandemic. There will be follow-up by the NYT in the near-future.
Read MoreOur Farm Stand continues to be OPEN every day of the week, every day of the year! We’ve been sneaky! We’ve made a few quick changes while you were shopping, or in-between shoppers, requiring a bit of patience from you as we steal a few minutes to restock here and there. If you haven’t been by the Farm Stand recently, it’s worth the trip! We promise!
Read MoreYou asked and we delivered! You wanted access to farm fresh foods with the convenience of delivery, along with some level of predictability as to what goods are coming your way, and we decided subscriptions are the way to serve you best!
We also know times are a’changing and our good old-fashioned farm values can still be honored as we adapt to modern day to bring you more of what you want.
Read MoreIt has been a busy Spring thus far with COVID-19 striking out against us. It can sometimes feel like defeat with the changes we’ve made to adapt to the unknown circumstances surrounding our work and our lives right now. We have lost folks we know and also those who have survived, and we know firsthand that we are dealing with a monster in our midst. And the very harsh reality is that it isn’t going away any time soon, so we must adjust to that fact. Denial is too dangerous at this point. However, there is good news: we can control our own outcome. There is enough information now to know what we all must do to stay well.
Read MoreIf you’re anything like me, you find that recipes are supportive guidelines to read and to relish, but often to inspire creativity in the kitchen. I am constantly changing, rearranging and sometimes improving recipes for my own purposes. My recipes are very often based on the ingredients I have on hand, which means it’s unusual to make the same exact thing twice!
Read MorePeople keep asking me what I think about what's happening around the world right now. It's been tricky to respond in just the way that's needed. The truth is, we are entering un-chartered territory. We don't know how this pandemic will play out, and neither do the experts.
Read MoreYou can browse the news headlines and social media postings claiming we are in the last few days of the current decade, but it just isn’t true. This is not the end of a decade. 2020 is the final year of the decade we are currently enjoying (or not enjoying), and it’s about to begin!
Read MoreFinally, there's enough data to settle the long standing debate on whether organic growing practices are better than conventional practices. Over 1,000 studies have been done in recent years proving that organic foods are best for your health and for the environment.
Read MoreLearn more about the CSA Movement and it’s history!
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