Get your share!

Spring seems just around the corner with the advent of rain these past few days to wash the snow and remnants of winter away. At Philadelphia Community Farm, since all water runs past us down hill to the river, we look forward eagerly to getting past this moment of “mud everywhere”….and eagerly await the additional warmth and light of spring!

Changes in season are accompanied by changes for our community and the CSA. Tybel Miller and Roland Ulrich, garden managers for the past two years, are still in residence here and while they are stepping back from day to day leadership in the garden, and looking for another situation that will be suitable for them on into retirement, they are providing biodynamic and other hand’s on training to help ensure a smooth transition to those who will guide the farm this season. We are very excited to welcome back Carter Beck, a former co-worker, who will assume leadership of the CSA and farm for this coming year. He will be assisted by second year intern, Loyal Hunter and several first year interns.

Debbie Dornemann (formerly Debbie Boyle-Carlson) will be coordinating the CSA registration for this year and coordinating the education activities during May-August. Debbie has been involved with PCF for many years—as garden member, visiting teacher, and also teacher on the farm. If you have any questions about CSA membership, you may reach her by calling ……..

And many of you already know that Dawn Spanton returned to PCF last summer to assist with life-sharing, administration and to Coordinate the Bio-dynamic and Therapeutic Education Training Programs.

With this capable team of former co-workers in place to carry the day to day work, I am able to continue to focus my own efforts on overall administration and fundraising to support the non-profit and to continue to pilot new models for farmland preservation and investment. More details about will be featured in a newsletter coming out soon.

During the three years Carter was away from PCF, he established a business called Simple Provisions, LLC. In our new partnership, Carter will be offering home delivery for any of our CSA members for an additional $4.00 per week. In addition to bringing you your box, you would also be able to purchase organic milk bottled at neighboring Crystal Ball Dairy, and other local, sustainable or organically grown products. We are contracting with Carter to grow certain crops for his business in addition to providing our members with the opportunity of expanding their selection of quality products brought right to their doorstep.

We will continue to offer drop sites, as listed on the enclosed pledge form. We continue to welcome you and your family to join us for a day at the farm, helping with gardening, harvesting, weeding, or enjoying the river and natural areas. If you are unable to drive for your site, we will contract with Carter to provide that service for your site for an additional fee of $25.00.

We are limiting our spring and fall shares to 15 this year and our summer shares to 50, so if you are interested in returning as a garden member for this season, please sign up quickly as we offer shares on a first come-first served basis.

Thank you for your support in previous years. We look forward to serving you again this season!

Sincerely,
Verna Kragnes