Bottom Land News for July
This month's issue of Bottom Land News is full of information about our strawberry patches, staff member Brian Shevrin, and pictures of our work on the farm. See the complete issue here. Remember, you can sign up to receive email notices when news is posted to our web page. See the box for your email in the bottom right corner of our home page.
June is Busting Out All Over
June at the farm has been wonderful! We've had more sun than rain (although, to be sure, we've had plenty of rain), and the colorful produce is a pleasure to behold. The early Boston lettuce was a pleasure, the romaine a delight, early cucumbers and now mini-onions and peas are arriving. Need we mention the strawberry bounty?
To start off July we're having a workshop on July 6 during the pick-up hours. Diane Gayer is offering ICF members a unique opportunity to sew used grain sacks into useful hand bags or tote bags. She'll provide the know-how and the sewing machine, you provide the sack.
If you have extra grain bags (the poly-plastic kind), please bring some to share. They'll become the perfect totes for ICF veggies!
The Excitement is Building: Summer Shares to Begin
We know you are excited about the beginning of the summer shares because you have told us so! Yes, the summer pick-ups begin on June 8 and June 11, and we are anticipating beautiful and bountiful vegetables and fruits. You can see pictures of some of the early planting and production on the farm in two places. First, be sure to check out our Facebook page where photos (and news items) are uploaded on a regular basis. Second, be sure to read Bottom Land News which arrives in your email but is also available here.
A third way of getting news from us is to "follow our blog" and receive an email when we've posted a news item or message (such as this post you are reading now!) On our web site, enter your email address and click "Sign me up."
Finally, for those of you new to the farm and the CSA experience, look for a copy of our annual Membership Guide (at pick-up or on our web site) which will have all the information you need to become an experienced member in no time.
See you at the pole barn!
Winter/Spring Shares: Last Pick-ups and Survey
It's May and we're wrapping up the last of our winter/spring shares, the first year-round season for ICF. We think it's been a successful venture and would like to have your thoughts on having pick-ups in April and May. Please go here to complete our survey. Remember to mark your calendars: the last pick-ups before summer starts are May 14 and May 21 from 3:00-6:00.
And if you still haven't signed up for your summer share, you can do so by going here .
The nice weather means green things are growing!!
Season Update: April
Seasons are cycles and so as we anticipate the start of the summer share season, it's interesting to note other cycles in the life of the farm. Most of the winter is spent planning field rotations, crop placement, calculating yields, analyzing the previous year's production successes and failures. The possibility of spring brings equipment repairs and maintenance. Despite having semi-heated shop space, it's still pretty cold to be working on metal equipment and crawling around on the floor. Such tasks are better left for early spring. Concurrently, greenhouse equipment is prepared, supplies are ordered, seeds are cataloged. The planting schedule is established: each vegetable or other crop is planted according to a strict schedule with strict soil and water requirements. Shipments of fertilizers for the fields arrive in bulk. Compost and manure piles appear. The noise levels (birds, engines, voices) increase.
Weather plays a big role, as you'd expect. Plowing fields, heating greenhouses, transplanting seedlings all depend on the weather.
On April 27, the first seedlings were planted in the fields. Kale, chard and cabbage were moved from warm greenhouses to freshly plowed fields and covered for protection. Peas were scheduled to go in the ground. Hoop houses were being prepared for tomato transplants.
With the beginning of May looming, activity levels increase around the farm. The time will fly by quickly and colorful fruits of the labor will be appearing soon.
This is April at ICF.
Summer Share Start Dates?
The single most frequent question at this time of year is "When do the summer shares start?" We appreciate your enthusiasm and excitement: it's hard not to be excited with the good weather, watching the calendar, and seeing the pictures of farm activity. But as much as we want the fresh spring vegetables, everything depends on the weather.
While we have prepped the tractors, we are not able to plow fields just yet. The greenhouse plants are popping, but they are nowhere near ready to go in the ground. It's not quite warm enough for the plants to emerge from the greenhouses.
The best we can tell you is that we aim for early June as the start of our 22 week season. You'll get an email notice about 10 days before the scheduled pick-ups. In the meantime, you'll see more frequent communications as we take orders for supplemental products, clarify your pick-up day, and send you planting updates. We'll also post the news here and on our Facebook page.
Stay strong, it will be June before you know it!
2015 Annual Plant Sale
A sure sign of spring and the forthcoming summer share season is our annual plant sale, an opportunity to grow healthy and hearty organic plants and vegetables in your own yard. Who doesn't love a Sungold cherry tomato plant on the porch...and the joy of eating these candy gems at any hour of the day! We'll have flowers, herbs and vegetables available on three Saturdays in May: May 2, 9, 16 from 9-12 at our pole barns.
Come down and adopt a few plants. Rain or shine, see you then!
First Day of Spring!
Happy spring! We know it's spring because we can see something other than snow in certain fields, the greenhouses are warm and filling with pots, we had baby lettuce at pick-up yesterday, and the sun is shining! Another sign of spring: see the article about the Intervale Conservation Nursery in today's paper (http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2015/03/19/thousands-trees-get-start-city-nursery/25035815/) about the thousands of trees to be planted to conserve river banks and open areas. One more valuable project happening near our farm that adds to the enjoyment of coming to pick up vegetables.
The Colors of Winter Shares
We have had a very successful winter share this season, the first winter share that will extend into spring! Yes, as soon as the sun comes out, the clocks change, and the temperatures rise, we think of spring. We've started planting onions in the greenhouse and each week more trays will be filled. But we still have several weeks of winter share and loads of colorful root vegetables...and the occasional green in the form of lettuces and spinach. Greens are almost as good as chocolate! 
March Bottom Land News is available now
The March issue of Bottom Land News is now available! Exciting things are happening as we anticipate spring! While the discount period has ended for early share sign-up, we have plenty of room for you and your neighbors and friends. Don't wait too long though! Read the news here and then sign up for your summer share here.
February Bottom Land News is available now
The latest issue of Bottom Land News is ready! You'll find a reminder to sign up for your summer share, another staff profile, information from our board, and how we are able to grow greens in the winter. Enjoy!
Summer 2015 Sign-up, Soft Rollout
It's getting late in January and some of you are used to paying for your summer shares in full by now. Where's the form and pricing information? We've been doing some back end work on our web site and didn't want server addresses, domain issues, pointers and such (insert any technical geek term you know here) interfering with our electronic sign-up and your comfort level. We're making excellent progress in this work however!
We're anxious to get our member list populated for the summer also. You can email Kathie indicating your share size and pick-up day and you'll be invoiced. Or you can print the form and mail in with deposits or full payment. Naturally we'll have a discount period for full payment (until 2/28) and then we'll open up to new members.
There will be paper forms at the winter pick-up desk as well. If you are a co-op member who has opted for automatic renewals, consider yourselves confirmed!
Bottom Land News, January edition
We'll confess, the end of the year and the holidays caught up with us and we didn't get our usual December issue of Bottom Land News out to you. But we've issued it now as January and you'll read about:
- the early status of our winter share season
- an alert that we'll start summer 2015 sign-up soon
- staff member Silas Branson
- share value analysis for 2014
We aim to publish monthly so you are kept up-to-date on farm activities.
You can read the January issue here!
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!