Great Basin Basket CSA

Down on the Farm Notes Tina Smith's weekly newsletter

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December 15th, 2009

Hi everyone,

Can you believe all that has happened since last week’s basket? The weather
has been incredible. I know we have all suffered from the cold temperatures
and have all experienced some difficult situations this past week but we are so thankful for all of this snow. For us farmers this means water for next year’s crops. So as you are shoveling one more time or dealing with the mud this week, just think that it is water in the bank—water that will make our fields grow!

Here is what you’ll find in the Basket:

*A tiny "hodge-podge" of greens: (mizuna, arugula, chard, lettuce, spinach,
hong vit)
* Potatoes
* Onion
* A "hodge-podge" of winter squash
* Some of you mushrooms
* Some of you tomatoes
* Heart of Gold cantaloupe jam
* Pomegranates

It was a great test of the hoop houses to see how greens would do in sub zero temperatures this past week. We now know that some greens will survive 11 below in Fallon in a hoop house if they have some cover. Those that weren't covered or just a single layer of cover didn't make it—and that is why you all have a tiny bit of fresh greens! Add them to your other salad greens and enjoy!

We had carrots, but they are buried in snow. Not sure if we can get to them before Tuesday. There is a variety of squash therefore everyone will receive something different. The jam was made form Lattin Farms organic Heart of Gold melons. It is like orange marmalade. Very nice on toast and exceptionally good over a pork roast or chicken. The pomegranates are incredibly good. They are extra ripe, a beautiful deep wine color and so sweet. Enjoy them!

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CSA

FAQ

Great Basin Basket CSA

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I can't believe this is our last basket delivery. 2009 is coming to an end and we want to thank all of you for participating in the CSA basket this past year.

We recently conducted a survey and we want to thank all of you that took time to participate. You have given many good suggestions and we truly appreciated all of your great comments.

We will take the next few weeks to plan our 2010 year. Many of you suggested offering a half share. We are seriously considering this and figuring out how to do this. We are also meeting with all of our growers to talk over growing more variety and more volume. Each year we hope to do better and we will strive to improve with your thoughtful suggestions. We deeply and sincerely appreciate all of you that have been with us this year and especially those of you that have been with us from the beginning.

Because of your valuable input we will take a little more time to consider next year’s basket. Therefore, it will be another couple of weeks before we get the 2010 sign up out to everyone. Watch for it in your email or go to the website to get the information.

Don't forget to drop your boxes off. If you find you have extra boxes after this week please drop them off at the Great Basin Co-Op for us to pick up.

A few brave people ventured out to the farm this past weekend in Fallon to pick their corn. It is a shame the weather was so bad in Reno. Fallon had sunny skies that morning and the farm was absolutely gorgeous with all of the snow. I love the snow because it cleans everything up. But the dry corn stalks against the blue skies with a blanket of white surrounding it, was just breath taking.

Because of the weather, the Lattin family will extend one more weekend for people to come on out to the farm to pick corn for cornmeal or for chicken feed. After this weekend, they will then turn the cows in to begin cleaning up the field and spreading good stuff called manure!! Next year’s fertilizer!!

Everyone from the basket would like to thank our customers for their unending support and all of our volunteers for their time and help through the heat of the summer and the bitter cold of this past couple of weeks. We wish you a special Christmas holiday season. May your time spent with friends and family be enjoyable and peaceful.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tina

Tina Smith's weekly newsletters are archived in Old Notes

Seen in the back of
Cuisine magazine:

"Families are like fudge, mostly sweet,
with a few nuts."