BGF News

Blue Gate Farm News – Volume XVII, Number 4  –  May 2012

Weather notes:

Precipitation to date this month: Rain  1.53”

What’s up on the farm?

What’s up on the farm, indeed! Geez, you might have thought that last month was exciting around the farm, but evidently it was only a training run for May.  As of the April newsletter, Sean had been admitted back into Mercy Hospital in Des Moines with some wacky blood readings. We’d love to say that everything was back to normal but the reality is that while he is feeling much more like himself, he is still in Mercy and has been diagnosed with cancer, specifically, neuroendocrine carcinoma. Surgery is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, with non-chemo treatment and a possible 2^nd surgery to follow later. We have had lots of help and support from friends and family and are still trying to find our balance with all the new developments. Never fear though, the 2012 CSA season is still on track. Our industrious Farm Crew, family members and friends have been working very hard to help us keep the farm chores progressing as needed. Beds have been prepped, planted and weeded, seeds have been sown, eggs collected and hay baled. Thanks to these devoted folks, it’s possible our farm has never looked better!

We anticipate that you won’t notice much different about this CSA season over past years. We will continue to deliver our very best produce to you on a weekly basis. We will continue to email newsletters with each delivery to keep you informed as to the contents of your box, goings on at the farm and recipes using some of the box contents. We will be at the DM Farmers Market on Saturdays if you want to visit us there. The only changes you might notice is to see a new face or two manning the box delivery locations and at the market. We are also holding off on planning the annual CSA on-farm events (Ice Cream Social & Harvest Potluck) as we just need to see how things are progressing before we (and you) commit to a date.

So that’s our month so far, in a nutshell. Well, that and the following:

Planted: beans, edamame, beets, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, salad greens, herbs, fennel, garden berries, edible flowers, zucchini, summer squash, okra, hot peppers.

Composted and tilled: 51 beds

Mulched: Tomatoes (all 700 of them!) and peppers too

Irrigation set up: Plots I, II, III and South

Weeded: The whole farm!!

Spotted around the farm: Ruby-throated hummingbirds, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Cedar Waxwings, Bob-o-links, wild turkeys, Great Blue Herons, and lots of various sparrows and finches.

…and we’re only half-way through the month!

2012 CSA Season

The full balance for all CSA members was due May 1^st unless other arrangements are made with us.  If we have not received your payment, you should have received a reminder email from us earlier today. We anticipate the first delivery of the 2012 season to be the first week of June.  Normally we hold a couple of new-member orientations prior to the first delivery of the season, but due to current circumstances, this year we will forego the live orientation and simply send out a “Welcome and What-to-do” email the week before deliveries start. This will also be the last monthly newsletter for 2012. Weekly newsletters will start up with the first delivery in June.

That’s about it for now, if you have any questions or comments be sure to let us know.  We may be a little slow in responding these days, but we will get back to you as soon as possible. If you are calling about a time-sensitive matter, please call Jill’s phone 641-203-1709.

Best from the farm,

Jill & Sean (and Blue & Luci)