IF YOU WISH TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST FOR ASPARAGUS PICKING YOU MUST CONTACT THE FARM DIRECTLY BY EMAIL OR PHONE. NO ONE FROM THE FARM MONITORS THE BLOG FOR COMMENTS.
Dear Farm Friends,
We are all concerned about the Covid-19 virus and its impact on our lives and the economy. It’s at this time we all need to encourage each other to talk about our concerns, exercise and eat right! You may be asking yourself how the CSA is going to function this summer and we would like to address that in this newsletter. Please note; we are concerned about food safety and it’s our number one priority to keep both you and the food you eat safe.
March Madness: This is a perfect time to join a CSA. It is one way you can insure that your family has food security for summer and/or winter. Our crops are handled by very few people. They aren’t traveling across the US or the world from who knows where and being exposed to tons of people! You are supporting your local economy where your food dollar stays in your state, being used by people who live here. You are also supporting your local farmer! You will probably meet up with no more than 4 or 5 people; unlike the grocery store where you may pass by dozens! Find our online sign-up form on our website.
Farmers markets will be closed for the month of April and probably for the month of May as well. There is a chance they will be open during the warmest months of the summer and then possibly close again if the Covid-19 virus comes back to life in the fall and winter!
Addressing Covid-19: If anyone working on the farm exhibits any symptoms of Covid-19, they will be quarantined. Employees have watched demonstrations as well as a training video about food safety and personal hygiene. Handouts in their language from the CDC have been given to them to read. Whenever we work with produce, we will be wearing gloves and washing our hands often. If any member or their family members are exhibiting symptoms; please do not visit the farm! We will be giving guidance to our distribution centers on how to best keep all our members safe. Please have patience, follow directions from your distribution centers and read your newsletters and email. Google has decided I am spam. Please add me to your address book to insure you are getting email from me (I do not do this often, but will when looking for new DC’s or need to speak to someone personally!)
Memberships: We have 50% of our memberships filled. Please send in your forms as soon as you can. If you cannot make a payment at this moment, but want to be a member; we will work with you! Send in those forms with a note saying how you intend to pay. This is also a very good time to let your friends and neighbors know we have openings! If everyone could tell one person about the farm, we will fill up in no time!! We sent extra sign-up forms last month. Please post them in your breakrooms or send a copy to friends and colleagues!
Distribution Centers: We are still looking for a DC in the Golden area. Please contact me if you want more information about being a working member as a DC! Areas we have replaced are as follows: The 470 & Quebec location will now be located at Arapahoe and Quebec. The Greeley location is now located at 16th Street and 23rd Avenue and the 1st & Logan DC has moved to Ellsworth & Bannock (but will be called Ellsworth & Broadway).
Asparagus: We are taking names for those of you who want to pick asparagus. This can start anytime in April (depending on freezing) but usually by the end of the month. Picking will continue through May and possibly go into June. Take home is around five pounds. Our price at market is $7 a pound, so you can do the math! This is a FREE product we offer to members only, but you have to come to the farm to pick it! To get your name on the picking list, please email or call. We will need your name, phone number and whether or not you can come during the week and/or weekend. Please understand, we will not call you back to verify we received your phone message regarding asparagus picking. We will contact you just as soon as we see those beautiful heads pop up through the soil and your name rises to the top of the list! You will need your own container to take your portion of the asparagus home but will be harvesting into our containers. Please be flexible…we do not have any control over the weather and sometimes we can’t give you much more than a 2 day notice. Again, if you or your family members are exhibiting any symptoms of the virus, please do not come to the farm.
Weather: This is the time of year everyone looks forward to because you would think that the weather would be evening out and slowly getting warmer. But in reality, this is the time of year when weather can change on a dime. We can have magnificent 70 degree days, then drop like a hat the very next day and get three feet of snow! The drought situation is non-existent except for maybe the southern part of the state. Here at the farm, we have not seen much moisture, but all the snow in the mountains will eventually melt. Our resevoirs are 75% full and the spring melt will top them off. As far as our water is concerned, we are sitting pretty for the year!
Cold and Cough Elixir: As we all know there is not a cure for the common cold. But did you know that honey sooths sore, scratchy throats, onions and garlic are known germ killers and thyme reduces swelling in the bronchial passages? During cold & flu season, I cut garlic into pill size cubes and swallow them all week long (1 or 2 a day depending on how I feel). Here is an elixir that may help you get through the worst of your cold. 1 lg onion quartered and sliced, 1 tsp dried thyme (or 3 tsp fresh) and 2 cups raw honey. Place in a pan and simmer for 1 hour. Pour into a jar and cool. Cover with lid and refrigerate for up to one month. Take 1 tsp of honey a day or one in the morning and one at night for severe symptoms either directly or in a hot drink. (I like to eat the onions too.)
Sore Throat Tea: Ease the pain with ginger which is known as an anti-inflammatory. Bring 2 cups water to boiling, add1/2 tsp fresh, cubed ginger or ¼ tsp ground ginger, 1 whole clove and 1/8 tsp cinnamon. Steep until cool then strain and add 4 tsp raw honey. Drink warm or cold. This can also be frozen into popsicles. Sometimes something cold is just as soothing to the throat as something hot!
I give these recipes out every spring because it seems we all catch colds this time of year! I hope they help you get through the rest of spring feeling healthy and revitalized. Take care of each other!
Jacquie, Jerry, Kyle and Sam
ATTENTION: We cannot find a Kimberly Thorpe in our records and you have sent us a check for what I am presuming you are ordering a Summer Share and Fruit. Please contact us immediately! All your mail is coming back to us and we have no order from you!!! Thank you, Jacquie
Monroe Organic Farms 