It has been a roller coaster spring, in many ways. I wanted to share a bit of how the spring has been on the farm so I don’t end up telling everyone the same stories tomorrow!
The cool cloudy weather has held some things I’ve planted for the spring shares back. What’s growing in the heated greenhouse (a very limited amount) has grown quickly, but everything else is going very slow. Hopefully as the temperatures rise the other crops will catch up. There was some flooding in the one greenhouse that delayed getting some of the crops planted, but again, things can shoot up once spring is fully here. Usually I would put row cover on those crops in the cooler greenhouses to keep them growing, but this year I couldn’t, which is another part of the story.
The winter was very kind to small critters. I’ve spoken with several other growers who have experienced the same thing. Some crops got nibbled as soon as they were transplanted into the soil, and kohlrabi appears to be a favourite… it got wiped out. With the row cover over the crops, the critters felt protected and would just eat away… so I had to leave the covers off to save the crop, but it meant slower growth.
We’ll have beautiful lettuce, bok choy, and braising and salad mustard greens this week, along with daikon radish and parsnips left from the winter. The kale, spinach, and spring radishes will be ready next week since I want to give them another week to catch up…

The tide is shifting and we should be able to start planting the crops outside this next week too… More on that later.

The cabin above our root cellar is available for short term rentals from early May to the end of July. If you know anyone needing a weekend here or a week there in need of a place to stay you can have them contact me at saugeenrivercsa@gmail.com or 519 369 3567.

The spring csa pick-up will be Friday’s from 3-6 pm starting April 26 going for 5 weeks until May 24.
I had originally thought we’d start on April 19, but the cold temperatures these past few weeks have slowed the growth down.
There was also some damage to the barn greenhouse in the windstorm this week, which cannot be permanently fixed until next week, so the crops in there are definitely slowing down!
Stay tuned for more posts soon!

The chickens are rejoicing in the increasing light! Let me know if you need any eggs, and I can arrange to have them ready for you in a cooler on the benches by the CSA store. Just give me have a day’s notice and a time you want to pick them up!

In case the weather has made you forget, it is spring, and the greenhouse is filling up with seedlings. I will not be attending any of the plant sales this year, but I will take orders for those who can pick up at the farm on Saturday June 1 in the morning, from 8-12.
I’ve attached a Word document with the plants I’m planning to grow for sale. If you can’t open it send me an email and I can get another version to you saugeenrivercsa@gmail.com
As growing things often doesn’t work out the way it’s planned, I always want you to wait until you pick up the order to pay. If there’s something you don’t see on the list, you can always ask, I might be able to grow it for you…
Happy spring snow shoveling 🙂

Cory

As the moon is rising low on the horizon, I’ve been taking the early opportunity to prune the berry bushes. This is the earliest I’ve ever done it. I’m not changing any other planting schedule at this point, since the snow and for sure frosts I expect through April and into May… Always have to be ready for anything!

A reminder for regular egg customers, and those who get them when there’s a surplus… the winter shares are done, but the chickens will keep laying… actually they will be increasing in the next months. If you need eggs, just send me an email or text at least half a day’s notice and I can have them for you to pick up from a cooler on the benches by the CSA store. saugeenrivercsa@gmail.com or 519 369 8116
I’m still uncertain when exactly the Spring Shares will start (mid-ish April), but the first plants are in the soil. Most will be going in today.

Keep posted. As April comes on and the greenhouse fills with seedlings, I’ll be putting out the first call for helping out.

Enjoy the sun!

Greetings! Before the last Winter CSA pick-up this Friday, we wanted to let you know of some ways we are trying to bring the community and farm together. You can participate in three ways: three planned work bees/potlucks, a Solstice celebration, and a short-notice help list.

Listed below are three workbees. If you can sign up for one or more, please send an email to Christine Forand: christinelovespesto@gmail.com We’re not expecting a large number each time, maybe 8 – 10, but enough so many hands can make for light work. Cory will guide the work, give instructions, and explain best practices. Each event will be 3 hours or so, when we’ll stop and enjoy a potluck together. These are weather-dependent, so they might have to be adjusted.

Planting Workbee ~ Saturday June 1, 2-5pm: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, and tomatillos all go into the ground at the same time.  This will involve bending and crawling on your knees.  You may need gloves since soil can be dry and scratchy.  Bring a trowel if you have one (we have lots, but maybe not enough for everyone).

Weeding Workbee ~ Saturday July 20, 9-12pm:  We’ll likely be harvesting fall carrots since they are time-consuming and can use many hands. It is slow and meticulous crawling on your knees or stooping. It needs careful concentration but is conducive to conversation.

Harvest Workbee ~ Saturday October 19, 2-5pm:  These will be root crops for storage and will involve digging, pulling, hauling, topping, sorting, and bagging. Anyone can fit in wherever it seems right.

Saturday June 22 ~ Solstice Celebration: We are developing plans, but if anyone wants to join the planning committee, please contact Simon Mellor at sairising@yahoo.com  It is a rain-or-shine event, but it will be more indoor if it is raining. 

Short Notice Email List: Many tasks on the farm are decided week to week based on the weather and scheduling and are impossible to predict too far in advance.  If you are willing to be “on-call” to be sent an email a couple of days before, send your name to Cory saugeenrivercsa@gmail.com This is not a commitment to anything, just a willingness to come if you can.  Things that might come up include: April greenhouse seeding and potting; Planting in the field May through July; weeding/mulching anytime in the summer; sitting in the CSA store on Tuesday or Friday (this might be especially important in July and August hay season); fall harvesting (onions and squash in September, and roots in October).  Cory will send an email describing what the task calls for, and you can decide if you think you are up for it.

Sincerely, your CSA Core Group,
Beth, Christine, Marc, Mark, Simon

There has been a flurry (not just snow) of interest in the CSA over the past couple weeks, and shares are filling up. If any previous member wants to reserve your space, contact me ASAP so you don’t lose your spot.

Enjoy the sun!

Cory

Just a reminder that tomorrow, Feb. 16 is the next winter pick-up. At the beginning of the season I had a question if this would be the last or March 1. We are running out of many items, but can go ahead with one March 1. It just might be a bit slim. 

And wanted to remind everyone who got potatoes: some of you have quite a few left, and you are welcome to keep them stored in the root cellar here and arrange to pick them up when you need them after the winter shares are done… just let me know. Now that the greenhouse has little seedlings, I can’t go far 🙂

We are excited to announce the forming of a core group for the Saugeen River CSA. Some members felt the impulse to create a more formal structure to support some areas of the farm. We are in conversation with Cory to see how best this group can serve.

The core group is entirely voluntary and interested in the health of the farm and its connection with the community as a symbiotic relationship. Some areas we will support are communications and outreach, organizing community involvement, planning events, brainstorming possible new ventures (short and long-term), sharing responsibility and dreaming of the future. Here are the members of the Saugeen River CSA core group: Simon Mellor, Beth Hamilton, Mark Mariash, Christine Forand and Marc Fortin.

Managing a farm is a daily commitment, and it needs at least one person to be conscious of the whole process; it is no surprise that there are times when a group of willing hands is needed. A healthy farm is highly social at the level of the ground, and cooperation around the roots fosters a good crop.

Cory is a farmer and more; he is an earth-artist, for he truly loves creating with the ground, and Cory is a gifted teacher; he is happy sharing his knowledge and experience with anyone who inquires. Wisdom cultures would honour these gifts and roles with a title like “Elder.” Our CSA community is open to the possibilities of fostering up-and-coming keepers of wisdom who are quietly working amongst us. How this can be outwardly recognized is still in the initial dream phase, and it is happening as more of us begin to listen to our hearts and their connection with the earth.

The Saugeen River CSA has the potential to grow more than nutritious food to sustain our bodies. The fertile ground has been built up these past 26 years creating a strong foundation for cultivating art, stories, relationships, festivals, learning, and a love of nature. This culture has been happening on the farm, and now, a new growth ring has formed around the center.

We want to thank Cory, Tanya, Stefano and Georgia for opening the farmland in their care to nourish and foster community so graciously. The land is richer with Cory and the community is richer with Saugeen River CSA in its life. Thank you for your interest and continued support in whatever form it comes.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please watch for future communications as we carefully work to bring these various offerings into practice.

With gratitude,

Saugeen River CSA core group