CSA Week 8-2012

Friends,

It could be worse.  I was in Lexington for a few hours today and everything is brown.  No blue in the bluegrass.  When I got back to Shelby County our grass still has a lot of green but you starting to see the effects of our withering heat.  The most damaging part of this heat is the evening temperatures.  Plants can survive triple digits during the day as long as it drops by thirty-forty degrees at night.  We are only getting down to the upper 70's and lower 80's.  Our squash and zucchini yield is down by 80% this week.  Squash blossoms are just drying up and turning brown.  If we don't get relief soon many of our crops will be compromised.

The good news is that the beans were very bountiful this week so you will be getting a two lb. bag of green Provider beans.  Kale and Collards have been stunted this week but we still were able to harvest enough for you.  Won't have any to sell. Onions are still going strong and of course the Red Norlund Potatoes will still be in your bag.  Also, we will give you one more of the fresh garlic plants.  Next week we will start distributing the "cured" version.  In addition to the Boothby Blonde cucumbers we will add a couple of Marketmore (the "normal" green cucumbers) and one Lemon Cucumber.  

All in all I am very thankful for everything we have and must say that so far it has been a fantastic year given the challenges of the weather.  Lots of green tomatoes on the vines and if it will just cool off a bit they should be ready soon.

One of the joys of being in a minority of farmers (i.e., organic farmer) is that you get a lot of opportunities to share with others how to do it.  Since there aren't many of us doing this, everyone seems to want to know how and why we are doing this.  Last year we hosted a group of agriculture officials from several countries in Africa for a tour of our farm sponsored by the State Department of the U.S.A.  Next Monday, July 9th, we have been asked to host a group of six agricultural officials from Azerbaijan for a tour and discussion of organic farming.  We are the only real farm they will be visiting.  Most of their other experiences will be with government entities.  Of course, as with the other group from Africa, none of them speak English but they will have a couple of translators with them.  I look forward to sharing with them and also learn about farming in their country.

Looks like next week could bring cooler temperatures and maybe even some rain.  I sure hope so.  One of the main advantages of participating in a CSA is that you get to experience first hand the joys and challenges of farming.  We share with you in our triumphs and our failures.  Now when you watch the weather report on TV you know that what is happening is effecting your food.  You are no longer a detached observer.  You are living it along with us.

Nice to have you along for the ride.  We don't feel nearly as lonely.

Larry