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“Just wanted to let you know that the zucchini recipe from the last newsletter was a winner. To date, the kids have turned up noses to zucs. But when I brought those in from the grill and had them smell the delicious aroma, I had some converts! Thanks for your work and dedication.” |
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—Alex, Pete, Bergen & Lowell, farm members |
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It began simply: we wanted to improve basic life skills—grow our own food, cook from scratch and be observant of the seasons. We wanted to challenge ourselves to learn sustainable farming practices that would be respectful of our land and our community. And we felt a strong urge to "share" with others. This year—our third as a Community Farm—we are excited to grow to 50+ shares.
We have learned that being a part of a Community Farm becomes a lifestyle. We've been surprised by how much we enjoy eating our vegetables when they are fresh and organic, straight from our field, high in nutrients without packaging, storage, refrigeration and a long distance trip to our plate. We also have been thrilled to have our farm be a place of education and connection for others, that our members feel pride in our strawberries and feel connected to where their food comes from.
We are very thankful for our community of members to push us to improve, to keep us true to our values, to teach us new skills, and to engage in conversations with us. Last year, we had a Farm Book Group (we read Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan; Plenty by Alisa Smith & JB Mackinnon; and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver), this year we hope to have another summer book group. We also hope to have guest speakers teach classes in sauce-making and canning (members please let us know if you'd like to lead a class). As in past years, your visits to the farm are encouraged and we plan on having monthly potlucks.
Taste. Freshness. Health. Community. Sustainability. All are good reasons to join a community farm. It's also hard not to smile watching your children snack on cherry tomatoes directly off the vine.
Happy 2008! Kristin & Nicholas Walrod
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During the growing season, Dancing Moon Farm will provide members with freshly-harvested healthy vegetables and fruit weekly. Members sign up for a "SHARE" in the spring, and beginning in mid-June members will receive a weekly "BOX" of produce for the length of the season, approximately 16 weeks. Originally designed to allow farmers to plan for production and to provide farmers with seed money (literally) to plant their crop, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and Community Farms have continually evolved to meet the needs of their communities.
Traditionally, members buy into the fresh harvest, but also into the risk when and/if a crop fails. At Dancing Moon Farm we are very interested in the quality and taste of our product. We will work to ensure a healthy crop by extensive planning, various growing techniques and by planting a wide diversity of vegetables. We take a holistic approach to care for the soil and to create the proper environment for plants to thrive. However, it is important for members to realize that they are invested in a real farm, and there will be successes and failures. There will also be natural fluctuations in the amount and type of food every week.
We are accepting up to 55 family shares. The cost for a share is $420, the first payment of $210 is due when you sign up and the remaining $210 will be collected during the first week of deliveries in June. The season will begin the week of June 16th, and will run for 16 weeks until the week of September 29th. We will also provide a Fall Harvest Bonus Box in October which will include a pumpkin.
We survey members about convenient pick up locations and days. We then establish two pick up days and four possible pick-up locations, including a pick-up directly at our farm. Your pick up day and location remains constant throughout the season. Last year's harvests were Mondays and Thursdays.
We are open to other payment plans, work shares, or trades.
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Variety is the spice of life! We grow a wide array of vegetables and we choose varieties for their outstanding taste. Many of our vegetables are not those grown commercially (which are often chosen for their high yield and ability to ship well). Our salad mix contains unique varieties like; Valamaine, Red Sails, Speckles and Buttercrunch. Green Zebra and Arkansas Traveler tomatoes and Scarlet Nantse carrots are heirloom and non-hybrid varieties selected for their distinct and true taste.
This year we are planting the following vegetables, fruits and herbs: artichoke, asparagus, pole beans, soy-edamame beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumber, eggplant, fennel, garlic, greens, bok choi, kale, leeks, lettuce, melons, radish, onions, snap peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, spinach, summer and winter squash, swiss chard, shallots, heirloom slicing and cherry tomatoes, watermelon, and strawberries, as well as a variety of herbs, including basil, cilantro, parsley, dill and rosemary.
A share is planned to provide the produce for a small family, (vegetarians will need to supplement), although each week reflects the reality of that weeks' harvest. In the early weeks, boxes will tend to be lighter than in the middle of the season. We will try to vary the kinds of vegetables and herbs in your box so that you get a variety of produce, although you should expect a lot of some things when they are in high season and be ready to can. We will provide weekly newsletters with suggestions on recipes that feature that week's produce.
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A typical beginning season week box (late June, early July) will be lighter and could include:
1 bag of salad mix, 1 head of bok choi, 1 bunch of green onions,1 bunch of cilantro, 1 bunch of beets, swiss chard, 1 bag of snap peas, 1 bunch of garlic scapes, 1 pint of strawberries
A midseason box (August) could include:
1 head broccoli, 1 head cauliflower, 4 ears sweet corn, 3 cucumbers, 1/2lb green beans, 2 summer squash, 3 lbs tomatoes, 1 bag of salad mix, 1 bunch carrots, 1 bunch basil, 2 sweet onions, garlic
A late season box (late September/ early October) could include:
5 lbs potatoes, 2 lbs tomatoes, 1 eggplant, 1 pie pumpkin, 1 summer squash, 1 sweet pepper, 1 winter squash, 1 bag of salad mix, 1 bunch kale, 1 bunch parsley, 1 bunch carrots, 2 bulbs of fennel, 1 melon
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We do not provide half shares, but we encourage you to find another interested person and split your share with them. This can be a fun way to participate with a neighbor.
Also, we will be selling produce at the Hood River Saturday Market and the Gorge Grown Farmers' Market; you can buy directly from us there.
We can't put a "hold" on your share when you are out of town. It's best if you can find a friend or neighbor who would appreciate your share that week. Otherwise, you can let us know and we will donate it to the local food bank.
Members enjoy these benefits and reflect these values:
- weekly delivery of freshly-harvested food
- healthy diet of a wide range of vegetables and herbs, along with new recipes
- reducing environmental impacts of shipping and packaging costs of traditional stores
- supporting their local economy
- supporting sustainable local farming
- being connected with their food, the farm, the seasons, and other community members
- participating in the growing of their food by visiting the farm on open house or work days
- learning more about farming, children are encouraged to visit as well
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Yes, we are certified organic by Oregon Tilth. Our farm also practices biodynamic methods, an agricultural philosophy which seeks to actively work with the health-giving forces of nature. It is the oldest non-chemical agricultural movement, predating the organic agriculture movement by some 20 years and has now spread throughout the world. We are happy to answer any questions you might have regarding certification. Also for more information: www.tilth.org and www.biodynamics.com.
We may offer weekly add-ons of our farm-fresh eggs and flower bouquets as well as additional fruits from our neighboring farms. Once you are a member you will be able to order them as they are available.
The 2008 Shares are sold out. Visit us at the Gorge Grown Thursday Market or at the Hood River Saturday Market over the summer season. Email us with your contact information to be notified early of the 2009 season. Information about next year's shares will be sent out in February 2009.
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