For the CSA, We’ve come to that point where we are at mid season. For many it may seem it is later, but we still have a long productive season ahead of us. The farm was recertified this last week for USDA Organic, & what was interesting to me was how the certification has become more of a paper audit that an actual hands on Farm inspection. Our Certification has been enforce for longer than most farms out there these days and I have watched many changes happen in the process. Our biggest challenge now comes from the fact that we are one of the few “Fresh Harvest Farms” out there: meaning we use no refrigeration or cold storage. What we harvest goes straight to the consumer.
The current USDA guidelines in not modeled well for this system as far as record keeping & compliance auditing. The whole USDA program is geared for Corporate Agribusiness, instead of small family farms. Also, If the federal food staftey guidelines are enacted as currently stated, this will greatly add to the expense of operating any family farm, & will only suppress the current local sustainable movement. As a farmer I can sya that I am half way into my life cycle as well, and I am taking time to look back; as well, I look to the future. In the past those of us beginning in out profession were mentored by the experienced in our field. We we’re taught to be good farmers stressing good farming practices. In the future; it is uncertain, for those who feel they know what is best for farming are quick critique & write policy regulating farms, but have little hands on experience actually farming; getting their hands in the dirt & acctually embracing the land & the true profession.
The CSA : to me is still a great tool to help the community learn the true dynamics of really connecting with the farm & food that sustains us. We are quite aware of the mindset of those who subscribe to the program. Some of you; especially the volunteers really understand the issue of being apart of the real farm and the dynamic there of, while other feel they are experts, not by hands on experience, but more so by “text book” trainning & media mentoring.
Any living organism is not fully understood by second hand learning. The best way to learn, is to exist along with the organism. A farm too, is a living organism, each unique into its’ self. To know one, you must live with her, not just compare her, to a generic definition or regulatory mandate.
This weeks selections
- Sweet Corn
- Peaches
- Fingerling Potatoes
- Swiss Chard
- Napa Cabbage
- Beets
- Peppers
- Onions
Please send your recipe suggestions to psarverfarm@aol.com & we’ll add them to the newsletter email ! 🙂
As August comes to a close; for many of our CSA families, begins the fall schedules which focuses around school and subsequent activities. As a result many times our volunteer base at the farm is reduced, even though this time of the season the volunteers efforts are ever more needed.
