Matt and I are thrilled to announce the start of our 9th CSA season this week! The start date for Spring Share members picking up in Barrington, Glenview and Lake Forest is this Wednesday, May 2nd. The start date for Spring Share members picking up in Glen Ellyn, Clarendon Hills, Oak Park and Grayslake is this Thursday, May 3rd. All of our spring crops look very good. Here's what we expect to harvest for you this week:
- Radishes
- Asparagus
- Lettuce Mix
- Arugula
- Chives
- Yellow Potatoes
- Dandelion Greens
I'm happy to report that it's been a restful and restorative winter here on the farm. The highlight of the off-season was a trip to the mountains of Virginia where we visited with good friends, met some experienced vegetable growers, toured a farmstead sheep milk dairy and spent a day at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.
While we love to travel, the majority of our winter was actually spent right here in the Midwest, catching up with friends and family and spending time with our ever-growing assortment of farm animals.
In February we learned all about bottle feeding orphaned lambs. Laurel, pictured below, has proven herself a very adept shepherdess.
In early April we welcomed a new 300-hen laying flock. I've started calling six-year-old Ruby, pictured below, "the Chicken Whisperer". Within hours of their arrival, she had taught a number of the hens to lay quietly in her arms as she rocked them like baby dolls.
And last week, up at the Wisconsin farm, we held our breath and crossed our fingers as our long-time friend, John Gates, delivered the flock of 20 cross-bred sheep that will graze our pastures all summer long. This is the most significant animal adventure we've undertaken to date.
Meanwhile, Matt, Jeff and I have been diligently planning and working to make sure that this year's vegetable season is the best one yet. (below: Matt and Jeff)
We believe that the care that goes into getting all those tiny seedlings off to a great start is well worth the many hours we put in during the chilly days of February and March.
When you see how beautiful this week's vegetable assortment is, we think you might agree! Have a great week. --Peg
