Farm Happenings at Oak Spring Farm
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Farm Happenings for September 29, 2020

Posted on September 25th, 2020 by Lisa Duff

We recently were asked to participate in the Real Organic Project. We've joined nearly 500 certified organic farms across the country in standing up for integrity in the certified organic system. The major focus of the Real Organic Project is to ensure the certified organic food system is reserved for farmers who truly care for the soil, their animals, and the spirit of the organic food movement. One of the standards is that crops must be grown in healthy living soil connected to subsoil (no hydroponics). We are honored to uphold the integrity of this movement. 

Last Tuesday was the Fall Equinox. During equinoxes, everyone from pole to pole gets to enjoy a (mostly) 12 / 12 split of day and night.

The term equinox comes from the Latin word equinoxium, meaning "equality between day and night."  So now our days become incrementally shorter as we approach December 21 and our nights get longer.
Our growing season is waning so we begin to fill the high tunnels with quick growing greens crops for Fall CSA and crops we will over winter such as spinach and carrots. We finish the harvest of our storage crops, like potatoes, sweet potatoes and winter squash over the next week or so. 
As the growing season slows I turn my attention towards 2021 crop planning, taking notes on what went well and what needs improvement. We would love to hear from you!
 1. What are your favorites of the season so far?
2.What crop haven't you seen that you would like us to grow?
 
We are also looking to CSA 2021 and have decided to offer an extended Main Season of 28 weeks starting the beginning of May through November. This is how we did pre-Harvie. The 4 different seasons we had in 2020 were confusing, members were not always sure what they ultimately signed up for and this will simplify for you. Part of the confusion was Covid 19 PIVOT but I feel like we sailed through it and now have an opportunity to streamline and make more sense of our seasonal sign ups!
The plan is to auto renew those of you from the Main(22 week season) 2020 into the Main(extended) 28 week season 2021. You have complete control of being auto renewed. Auto renew is meant to make your life easier. I by no means am trying to sneakily sign you up for 2021 season! I want you, Main season 2020 members, many of you who have been with us for years, to have the first opportunity to sign up for the new Main 28 week season of which there will be 100 spots. As you know we have sold out our CSA for the past 3 years. I don't want loyal, long term members to miss out. We will continue with the 21 week Summer share in 2021 as well but there will not be a separate Spring/Fall share. (There will be a separate very limited April early spring share).  IF you want to by pass Auto Renew and sign up for yourself you simple toggle the auto renew button to 'OFF'. We won't auto renew until November so you have plenty of time to consider this. Thanks for reading this entire email and thank you for your incredible support. WE LOVE TO GROW and want you to keep GROWING with us!  
More on 2021 season to come. We are making a few changes for the BETTER and we want your opinions.
 
Yours in farming and a balanced, healthy life,