Farm News and Fall CSA Season Updates

Hello friends and locavores,

I'm writing to give you some long-overdue updates about the Fall CSA season and share some important changes for the program moving forward.

The fields are planted, and I'm expecting a beautiful, bountiful crop of cool-weather veggies!

The Fall CSA season will begin November 2nd & 3rd and run for eight weeks through December 21st & 22nd.

Important Changes to the CSA Program

This summer, I took a good chunk of time during my break to really evaluate many aspects of the business. I’ve made some hard choices about how I will operate moving forward, all aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the farm.

1. Seasonal-Only CSA

Moving forward, the CSA will operate only during peak harvest seasons, not year-round. This fall it will be for two months (November-December), and in the spring, it will run from April through the end of July.

While I am sad to offer a more limited season, I’ve realized that attempting to push the growing season too early and too late actually exacerbates my risk of crop failures. My decision is to focus on growing what thrives in the season it does best. This new structure also allows me time to rest and get prepared between seasons and do a better job of cover cropping and managing the soil. The last few years, I pushed myself and the land to maximum capacity, and I'm realizing that in the long term, I need to manage things differently.

2. No More Flexible Pickup Option

Unfortunately, I've had a high rate of confusion around expiration dates and mix-ups at pickup locations with the flexible membership option. To reduce administrative and logistical overhead, I will no longer offer this membership option. 

3. Saturday Pickup Changes

I will no longer be delivering CSA shares on Saturdays. Some Saturday partners will be switching to Mondays. I am still finalizing logistics with a few pickup locations, and I will send more specific updates next week once all details are confirmed.

Beyond the CSA: Farm Events & Workshops

As I evaluate the long-term future of the farm, I'm looking at ways to diversify what VRDNT offers, moving beyond solely selling vegetables. The land itself is central to my work, and I want to share this special place with you, not just the food grown here.

This fall, I plan to invite the community to spend more time on the farm. I am currently developing a variety of on-farm experiences, including:

• Fermenting Workshop: Pick your own cabbage and prepare your very own kimchi or sauerkraut to take home.

• Seasonal Farm Tour: Learn about how I grow vegetables and get to know some of the beautiful wildlife that shares this land.

• Farm Cooking Class: Pick your veggies directly from the field and learn how to cook a delicious seasonal dish.

Your Input is Welcome

I would appreciate your input. What specific workshops or experiences are you most interested in seeing me offer this fall? Please reply to this email and let me know your thoughts.

Join Me This Fall!

Thank you again for your continued support as I make these necessary refinements to ensure the farm's viability. I look forward to sharing my bountiful fall harvest and the beauty of the farm with you!

sincerely your farmer,

Becky