Greetings from Against the Grain and welcome to the Fourth and FINAL week of the 2020 CSA Fall Extension! Just like during the regular season, the customization period begins once this notification lands in your inbox (which should be around noon on Friday) and will end at 11:59pm on Sunday, November 8th. Just as a reminder, if you'd like to change pick up locations for the share that is currently open for customization, please email Harvie support to request that change. Always feel free to double check with Holly to make sure the change was made. It is so important to the farm that CSA members have flexibility in their pick up location.
We will continue to list weekly through the Farm Stand platform within the Harvie system, even once the CSA season is finished. If you utilized the farm stand to order weekly boxes before the CSA season started back in May, you'll find it's totally different now! Farm Stand has been re-created and set up as an a-la-carte program. There is still a $15 minimum, but shoppers can add any combination of items without the system building them a base box, as was the case in the old farm stand. Two pick up locations are still available on Saturdays for Farm Stand orders, with availability at either ATG or at the Farmer's Market (regular location through November and winter location from December through April).
Follow this link to receive notifications through the NEW Farm Stand: https://www.harvie.farm/farm/against-the-grain/shop
As for news from the farm this week, the crew has been busy preparing the farm for the winter by sowing cover crops and removing crop debris from field beds. Many of our team members who have been on the farm all growing season will be moving onto other ventures once the Thanksgiving Turkeys are processed and delivered. As folks depart from the farm, there is a deep sense of gratitude and humility for all the hard work and ideas that individuals have contributed over the course of the season. It's truly a symphony of efforts put forth by the crew each week that brings food to the CSA boxes and farmer's market booth.
As 2020 is winding down, we are also looking forward to new developments in 2021 season. A new member of the farm family is expected to arrive in the early days of the new year, bringing excitement and a whole new human dynamic to the farm.
We hope to see a third high tunnel by the fall of 2021, which will enable the farm to grow more greens in the winter and early spring! Additionally, we plan to continue to explore ways that the farm can better serve the community and our CSA members. In 2020, we tried the Harvie software, which allowed our CSA members to customize their weekly shares, and we plan to continue working with Harvie in 2021. The "Covid 19 situation" saw an up-swelling of interest in local, Organic food and the Harvie software enabled the farm to provide more community members with healthy food.
One thing that remains constant from season to season is that we recognize farming as a practice to be perfected over a lifetime. As farmers, we have been gifted the opportunity to be in relationship with the farm and each other in order to learn and grow, both inwardly and outwardly. There is ample opportunity for trying new things and improving on current methods, while at the same time recognizing that we are doing best, given our circumstances and current cultural norms. The 2020 season did not fall short in providing plenty of chances for growth and development, while simultaneously welcoming gratitude for exactly where we are right now! Thanks to all of you, our CSA members, for joining us on this journey.
Much love and happy eating,
Holly, Andy and the ATG Crew
