We’re quickly approaching the start of the 15th P&C Summer CSA season! After wrapping up the Winter CSA at the end of April we were inundated with a week of big rains, putting a hitch in our plans to get the planting party started. Thankfully the past couple of weeks have been sunny and warm, meaning it’s been go-time here on the farm.

As many of you past farm members know, we take the month of May off from harvesting to focus on planting. Of course there’s also the pre-planting work that goes into prepping ground for planting, growing up the transplants, and then keeping everything watered and weeded after we plant them. We’re thankful for your support as we take the time to focus on getting things in the ground and growing to ensure another successful CSA season.

The last few weeks have been a planting blur for us. Beans, corn, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, lettuce, kohlrabi, beets, fennel, spinach, basil, dill, cilantro, zucchini, bok choy, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers and more were all transplanted into the field. Next up are melons, leeks, celeriac, dry beans, the second round of sweet corn and the third rounds of broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. We’ve also planted the potatoes and direct sown carrots, radishes, turnips, and various greens. That’s all to say that in May, we plant.

Soon enough we’ll make the first harvest lists of the season, get back into the swing of harvesting, and before we know it we’ll be ready to bring you the first share of the 2024 Summer CSA season!

Until then we hope you’ve been getting our recent member emails. If you’ve signed up to join us for the Summer CSA and haven’t heard from us in your email inbox recently, try checking your spam or promotions folders for emails from us. If you don’t see them there let us know by dropping us a line at farmers@pitchforkandcrow.com.

On a personal note, we wrote about losing our farm dog Leo to an accident on the highway toward the end of the Winter CSA. It was a tough loss and we appreciated the condolences from members at the time. A few weeks ago, after building a fence at the front of the farm, we adopted a dog from the Linn County Animal Control Shelter. She’s a German Shepherd mix, is around 5 years old we think, and we’re calling her Nugget. So far she’s taken well to the farm life. She’s been learning all about playing ball while we transplant, playing ball while I fill flats and sow seeds for transplants, loading up in the truck, and swimming in the river. She’s super sweet and we can’t wait for members who pick up here on the farm to meet her in a few weeks.

On that note, let’s wrap up this update. Summer CSA members, keep an eye out for more emails from us as we continue the countdown to the start of the Summer CSA season!

All our thanks!

Your farmers – Carri & Jeff