It Was a Great Season!
Well, with the light snow cover in some of our yards, it's time to say good-bye to summer and fall. We had a great summer with all of you: a 22 week pick-up, a 25th birthday party, new members, returning members, and every color and texture of vegetable imaginable. Our extended winter share begins next week! Another goal we met this year is to offer a 12 month CSA for the first time. The hoop houses are prepped, seeds are in the ground. We've harvested (8,000 lbs of sweet potatoes, 20,000 lbs potatoes, 10,000 lbs of carrots, tons of cabbage) and the winter cooler is full to the ceiling, waiting for hardy members to gather delicious root veggies for creative stews, soups, roasts and more.
- continue to read Bottom Land News for winter news and early summer signups
- watch for news on Wintervale from the Intervale Center (pending snow, of course)
- submit a recipe to be posted in the collection on our web site. What are your creations using butternut squash? Parsnips? Cabbage?
- spread the word about the farm and the wonderful experience you've had: we welcome new members
- "Like" us on Facebook to get periodic news flashes
- better yet, sign up for a winter share! We have room, and we have chickens, bread, eggs and cheese for order. You wouldn't have to miss us at all!
Finally, we're already preparing for next summer: seed catalogs are arriving daily!
2014 Summer Share: Last Dates and Survey
Fall has arrived, it's time to pack summer away. Reminder: the last dates for the 2014 Summer Share Pick-ups will be November 3 and November 6, 3:00-6:30 p.m.
We'd like to get your thoughts on the season! Please take a couple of minutes to complete the survey on your experiences by going here. (You can complete a paper copy of this survey at the 2014 Annual Meeting on October 25 or at your pick-up beginning next week.)
Also, don't forget to sign up for a 2014-15 Winter Share here. There's no reason to feel panicky about the change in seasons; we have plenty of veggies for your soups, stews, and breads. And we'll be growing green things in the new hoop houses!
Thanks for a successful summer season!
2014-2015 Winter Shares: Sign-up Now
We are pleased to tell you that winter shares will extend through spring...approximately 7 months of excellent stored vegetables supplemented with green crops from our new hoop houses (the results of our successful Fourth Season Project.) You will be able to eat ICF vegetables year round now! The price for the winter share is $450 ($225 for a supported share) and all shares are the same size. The increase in price reflects the additional 2.5 months of share duration. Remember to select a group when you sign up; members pick up every other week in the winter, starting November 20.
Sign up here or download a paper form here.
Contact Kathie with questions or call 658-2919, ext 1.
Labor Day Change of Pick up Day from 9/1-9/2
Please note that in honor of the labor day holiday our Monday 9/1 pick up is rescheduled to Tuesday 9/2. Thank you and enjoy the holiday!
It's Almost Party Time: ICF is 25 and There is a Celebration
You've seen the invitations: Saturday, August 23, starting 3:00. We'll have games, snacks, stories, music with Donna Thunder and the Storm, and wood-fired pizza.
Will you be joining us? We'd love to have a head count for planning purposes. Please RSVP to Kathie or leave a message on the office phone (802-658-2919, ext 1)
Feel free to bring blankets, but please leave your dogs at home. We'll have plates, cups, and flatware, but you may bring your own and save a resource.
We hope to see you on Saturday!
ICF's 25th Birthday Party: It's in 9 Days
We're having a party in just 9 days! We've planned the menu, we have the music. Now we need people! Please RSVP if you have not done so already. Knowing the number of attendees will help us with food planning.
Bring a picnic blanket, if you like. We have plates, cups and flatware, but if you like to bring your own, please do!
Due to the number of people expected, please leave your pets at home. Thanks!
We hope to see you for the festivities!
Our 25th Anniversary Party: Volunteers Needed
We are celebrating 25 years of growing organic food in the heart of Burlington's Intervale and there's going to be a party!
August 23, 2014 at 3:00 we'll start with games, snacks, and music. At 5:00 we'll have wood-fired pizza made with ICF veggies, supplemented with salads, corn, and melons from the farm.
We'd love some help with organizing games, food prep, set-up and other logistics. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Kathie or leave a message at 658-2919, ext. 1.
Also, we're asking for an RSVP so we can estimate food needs. If you can attend, please contact us and give us the number attending.
Please come to help us celebrate and dance in the field to Donna Thunder and the Storm!
2014 Summer Farm Staff
An annual event at the farm is taking the new staff photo! This year we posed in front of a new greenhouse for added atmosphere. Be sure to look for us at pick-ups starting Monday, June 9 and Thursday, June 12. We're excited about the new season!
Dates for First Summer 2014 Pick-ups
We will start the Summer 2014 share pick-ups next week on Monday, June 9 and Thursday, June 12, from 3:00-6:30 each day. We're looking forward to seeing both old and new faces and talking about the farm and our plans. We'll be at the pole barn as usual, but you'll be able to see the new greenhouses across the road. Bring your plastic (or other) bags and baskets, sunscreen, and your smiles. If you wish to order bread, eggs, or cheese and haven't done so, contact Kathie. Or you can sign up next week on site.
We're excited to start our 25th season with you!
New Hoop House is Covered
The first of our four new hoop houses was covered today! The winds were calm (nonexistent) and there was no precipitation. Led by Andy, staff members Silas, Erik, Abbie and Sarah were assisted by volunteers Bonnie Acker (Board member), Dylan Zeitlyn (Diggers Mirth), Ron Hernandez (Stray Cat Flower), Rob Hunt (Intervale Center) and Tim Schonholtz (Sugar Snap) and got two layers of plastic in place without incident. Sheeting was pulled into place using ropes weighted with large potatoes. Adjustments were made and the process was repeated. Tugging and pulling from each end cleared the wrinkles and bubbles. Retaining wires were tucked into the grooves of the frame (technical name "wiggle wires"). Soon fans and blowers will be installed to keep the house inflated.
The remaining three houses will be covered as weather permits. Perfectly calm days with no wind are necessary or there might be a UFO sighted over the farm!
With this step in the progress of our Fourth Season Project, we are closer to being able to provide a 12-month CSA!
20th Annual Meeting Notice
The 20th Annual Meeting, board elections, and annual potluck will be held on November 2, 2013 at the H.O. Wheeler Elementary School/ Integrated Arts Academy on 6 Archibald St. Beginning at 5:00, join us for an annual tradition and one of the best potlucks anywhere.
Last names beginning with: A-M Please bring a main dish N-S Please bring a salad-like dish T-Z Please bring a dessert
Above all, bring something you love to do with ICF food! Please label your potluck dishes and bring a serving utensil if able. We will provide drinks, bread, and dishes/cups/flatware.
In addition to a great potluck, there will be an encore appearance of the NOFA-VT mobile pizza oven for our 20th Annual Meeting for members to enjoy at no charge!
Annual Meeting Agenda (begins at 6:00 pm)
1. 2013 Annual Review, slideshow, update on Fourth Season Project.
2. Presentation & discussion: ICF & climate change. What do we see and what are we doing?
3. Election of ICF Board of Directors.
4. Member Open Forum.
5. Adjourn, 7:00pm
All ICF CSA members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Only those who are member-owners in good standing of an ICF Co-op share are permitted to run or vote for the board of directors. For ICF Co-op membership info, please call 658 2919x1 or visit our website, www.intervalecommunityfarm.com.
Childrenʼs activities will be available during the Annual Meeting portion of the evening.
Winter Share Registration is Open
We are looking forward to our 2013-2014 Winter Share. Our fall roots look great, the 
cabbage family is rolling along and our winter squash harvests are coming in. Farmer Becky is madly seeding our winter greens in our hoop houses. Join ICF for great food in our new Winter Share facility across Intervale Road from our summer location. Winter Shares begin in mid-November. For more details on the winter share, see our Winter Share Guide; or go directly to our electronic registration.
Water, water, water
OK, we all know it's been wet. Maybe the wettest recorded May & June in Burlington. And July hasn't exactly been arid, either. That said, up until now we've been feeling pretty fortunate about our crops: salad mix has been great, zucchini and cucumbers have begun to pump out fruit, and the tomatoes are coming in. Even the strawberries weren't as bad as we'd feared.
This morning, though, the Winooski river sloshed into our back fields and ruined some of our crops. Onions are the chief loss; we are as yet uncertain as to what replanting we may be able to do. Pick-your-own herbs are closed for now. Most of our other losses are things that we'll likely be able to replace with acceptable substitutes. You can still look forward to some nice pickups next week, since most of our crops are unflooded, though eagerly anticipating drier weather like most of us!
Pick-Your-Own Crops and Electric Fences
We have many pick-your-own (PYO) crops and many wild critters who like the selections just as much as we do. To deter the munching, we've installed electric fences around the fields. You can still visit the farm at any time to harvest the PYO crops: instructions for turning the fence off are in the 2013 Member Guide. We have a few printed copies available at the sign-in desk and a copy posted on the bulletin board. You'll find much useful information about the pick-up process and the farm routines. Enjoy!
Bread, Eggs and Cheese: Orders Accepted Now
You know it's nearly time for vegetables to be harvested when the ordering process for bread, eggs, and cheese is open. This year we are offering a 22 week share of the products for Co-op and CSA members and you can place your order online!
Click here to place your order and simply mail your payments with no additional paperwork.
Stay tuned for the announcement of the first pick-up dates!
Summer Shares are Sold Out -- Join the Waiting List!
As of today we are completely subscribed and have a waiting list. Please feel free to send in your name for our waiting/mailing list, but do not send in any deposits. We appreciate all the interest in the farm!
10th Annual Plant Sale
Our 10th annual plant sale will be 3 Saturdays in May: 4th, 11, 18th from 9-12 at the pole barn.
Pick up pots of flowers, vegetables and herbs for your home gardens and take the opportunity to see the sprouts and shoots in the fields.
Come down to see the results of the greenhouse efforts thus far!
April Bottom Land News Available
Check out the latest from the Intervale Community Farm! In this April Bottom Land News, you'll find:
- Summer shares still available - spread the word!
- Plant Sales coming soon!
- Spring farm updates
- A delicious recipe idea
- Read on!
Recipe Demos This Week
Check out Andrea Todd's veggie inspired inspirations under the tent at pick up. And if you miss out on the tasty samples, here are the easy and wonderful recipes! Tomatillos and Husk Cherries