Happenings at Pebble Brook Farm CSA :: April, 2009 :: Volume 1, Issue 1 :: Chip Natvig/Farmer (802) 595-0656 (mobile)

Thanks and Welcome to new and returning members!!!

First off, let me start by thanking all of you for not only supporting your local economy and agriculture, but for supporting me, your small farmer. It’s people like all of you who will (and do) help the country make that leap to eating more locally and seasonally, small step by small step.

Also, without the support of all of the shareholders, I would have a very difficult time getting all the supplies, repairs and seeds needed to grow the farm each year. Pebble Brook Farm is a small farm with a vision of becoming 100% closed loop and self sufficient. This being the second growing season, we’ve got a long way to go and it could not be done without each of you, your trust and support.

So with that said, take that as my written pledge to you that I will strive to grow you the best tasting and diverse season of organic produce that I can. Mother Nature can be finicky, especially here in VT, but I promise you that whatever she throws at me, I will do everything in my power to make sure you have goodies to enjoy each week!!
Thanks again for your support! I look forward to a great season of feeding you and yours. —Farmer Chip

The Seeds… they are a’ sprouting!!!

This is where I’d like to keep you all in the know as to some of the happenings here on the farm. This year there quite a bit of things going on that you, as shareholders, should certainly know about.

First, is this newsletter. Last year I did not offer one, but as the farm grows, so does my creativity …haha. So you can all expect to get one each month and sometimes more, depending on what is going on around the farm.

Second, is the NOFA Organic Certification. PBF is and always has produced organic veggies and herbs, by the strictest standards to say the least, but, this year I applied to get the actual ORGANIC label on the farm. This will help me get my produce in certain stores and such.

Third… a nice new (well used) 28’Wx48’L Greenhouse!!! Jack Manix of Walker Farm in Putney heard me on VPR and decided to donate a greehouse to me for the farm. The old 22 footer is now being used for early starts this March and April here at my house until the new GH is put up (by mid-april).

Fourth is the new addition to the farm staff. Liva, who is from Santa Cruz originally, but has lived in Colorado for the past few years with her boyfriend and friend of mine from the high school years. She now lives in Roxbury and also works part time with Foodworks, one of PBF’s  supporters!! So welcome her to the farm when you see her working the fields.

Coming next issue

• For all of you “Coming to the Farm Picker-Uppers”, The day and time of the pick up will be dialed in and confirmed.
• For all of you “Capital City Picker-Uppers” the delivery/pick-up day and time will be confirmed as well.
• The first recipe for the up coming spring bounty.
• The full details of what to expect for your season of “farming”
• The list of the newly added Pick-Your-Own crops
• More detail on purchasing   grassfed, happy beef from Flint Brook Farm in Roxbury

And much more….

As always, since this whole newsletter thing is a new work in progress, please feel free to add your recipe ideas or any other tips or ideas for future newsletters. Let’s make this a farm forum…. Of sorts!

Think Sunny Days and good thoughts for our Honey Bee’s and Bats…. We need them!!