Clagett Farm Notes

1st share postponed

We are postponing our first share a week due to the cool spring we have had this year.  Soil temperatures have stayed so low that although our crops are planted and healthy, they are growing very slowly.  We need an extra week for the strawberries to ripen, and the lettuce and spinach to size up.  Your first share will be May 17 (Dupont and Farm Tuesday), May 18 (Anacostia) and May 21 (Farm Saturday).  We'll call or email everyone to alert you sometime this week.  Thanks for your patience!

Dupont is Full!

We've reached our limit of 70 shares picking up at Dupont, so anyone who hasn't sent us their order yet will have to choose another site or start our waiting list. Please note, we're still in a position to make special exception for our long-time members or people whose orders were somehow mishandled on our end, so if you're one of those people, let us know.

FAQ from potential new members, and a dire request for okra recipes.

1) As of today, we have 175 shares filled of the 215 total.  So if you'd like to buy a share, we still have space for 40 more!

2) There is a new CSA cookbook that is soon to come out from an organization called One United Harvest (for a preview check out FarmCookbook.com).  I made a special request that she include recipes for the southern vegetables that are often left out of CSA cookbooks, such as sweet potatoes, okra and collard greens.  She has a few recipes for okra but she needs more!  Please, please, for the good of mankind and your fellow members, send the author a few of your favorites.  Her name is Julie Sochacki, so her email is JC plus her last name at sbcglobal.net.   

3)  People often ask how large one share is.  This is a tough question to answer since it varies so much each year and week-to-week.  Our customers tell us that one share feeds 2-4 adults.  The average size is about 7-10 pounds--it's smallest in the first month (mostly greens and a few strawberries) and gets quite heavy in late summer and fall when we have sweet corn, melons, sweet potatoes or pumpkins.  We hope to archive our shares on the weblog this year, so perhaps this question will be easier to anwer in the future.  Perhaps!

2005 Update and Order Form

Greetings again, dear members!

At last, we have the brand new 2005 order form. Please note, space for former members is guaranteed until April 1, 2005.

Click here:Download 2005 CSA Order Form

Here are some updates...

Same prices, sites, new flexibility

Again this year we are offering shares at $385 at the farm and Anacostia, and $425 at Dupont Circle. As ever, the premium for shares at Dupont covers the extra cost of delivering those shares. We will also be keeping the number of full-paying shares at 215. One change this year, is that you can pick up your share at any site without prior notice. For example, you can pick up your share on the farm on Saturday instead of at Dupont that previous Tuesday without telling us in advance. Just make sure that you sign up for the day and location where you will pick up your vegetables at least 80% of the time. And if you can tell us in advance that you won’t be at your regular pick-up, that is still helpful and appreciated.

Good news about our financial stability

Did you know that 2004 was the first year that the income from full-priced shares, which was 60% of our harvest, covered more than 60% of our expenses? That means that if this were a private farm selling all shares at full price, we could pay our farmers a decent wage, invest a little into new equipment, be good stewards of our land, and still make a profit. Not only that, but the work environment has been so rewarding, that for the first year, everyone in our paid farm crew will be people who are returning from years past. There’s plenty of room for improvement of course, but we’re glad to be moving in the right direction. Congratulations to our members, volunteers and work sharers for supporting such a great endeavor. Hooray for successful, local, sustainable farms!

More vegetables to low-income families

Last year, in effort to reduce (but not eliminate) our reliance on the Capital Area Food Bank and Chesapeake Bay Foundation for extra income, we lowered the percentage of reduced-price and donated vegetables from 50% of our total harvest to 40%. Fortunately, since our total pounds of production was so much higher, the actual pounds we distributed to low-income families was still greater than in years past. This year, if we can increase production again, we are hoping to return that percentage closer to the 50%. So who gets these veggies? Some of our recipients are in summer camps for at-risk kids who visit the farm and go home with a bag-full of vegetables. Some will be elderly folks who come to the Anacostia Farmers’ Market with their senior center. Some have been patients at an HIV/AIDS clinic that offers alternative therapy and nutritional classes in addition to free produce from our farm. Some are families on disability who come to us directly for help, or individuals with weakened immune systems who work for their vegetables when they can. One agency that regularly picks up vegetables from the farm serves homeless men who are too sick to survive on the street. Any time you donate money to us above the cost of a share, or lend an extra hand to harvest or twine tomatoes, it helps us increase this outreach. And if you ever forget to pick up your share, we can donate a few extra pounds in your honor. Thank you!

Volunteers welcome

Speaking of lending a hand, help now and help often! We’ll be updating this weblog when we have particular needs, and we’re keeping an email list of people who would like to work for free or for food, so we can send those people special requests if we’re particularly desperate, or invite them to events in honor of our workers. We can use weekly help in the office (Tuesdays 1-5pm is ideal during the summer), endless help in the field Monday through Saturday until early evening, groups of volunteers can make arrangements any day or time, and we love it when people give us copies of good recipes to give our members. If anyone is willing and able to help us improve our website, this is a great time!

Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Capital Area Food Bank

Last, we would like to remind you of the special help that we get from the Capital Area Food Bank and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. In 2004 the Chesapeake Bay Foundation took 37,000 students on educational field trips, lobbied legislators to reach significant targets to reduce pollution in the Bay, planted thousands of trees as stream buffers and started oyster and underwater grass nurseries to improve the stability of the Bay’s ecosystem. Last year the Capital Area Food Bank distributed 20 million pounds of food to agencies serving the hungry in our area and picked up the slack when D.C.’s children lost their free school lunch for the summer. With all these tremendous efforts, both organizations still spend the extra time and money to support this little project that combines both missions—they remember that we must be stewards of our environment AND our community, all at once. They pay From the Ground Up’s expenses that are not covered by income from shares and donations. There are small ways you can help them, as well—by volunteering to sort food in the Capital Area Food Bank’s warehouse, or by joining the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s e-mail action network. And if the spirit moves you, perhaps you could send them a note telling them how important the farm is in your life—lest they forget about the farm amidst their other various needs. Thanks for making our jobs a meaningful, rewarding, joyful experience!

Don't send us money for 2005 shares yet!

We've been delighted that some enthusiastic, would-be members have already sent us money for a 2005 share.  Nonetheless, we're not quite ready for you.  We're still deciding on some small changes, and working out a few kinks in the way we process your shares.  Drop us a line to tell us you're waiting with bated breath, and we'll be sure to include your email among the first that receives our new 2005 order form.  I'm aiming to get them out around the end of February, (but that's not a promise). 

Also, we do not plan to have a pick-up site in or near Takoma Park.  As always, we'll encourage you to take turns picking up your share with another nearby member, instead.  We only want happy, satisfied customers, though, so if driving to the farm is too much, try shopping around for a more nearby source of locally-grown, environmentally-friendly produce.  These sites might help: csacenter.org, USDA.gov directory of farmers' markets, NewFarm.org "farm locator" and localharvest.org.  Or, if you'd like to donate a deisel van that we can convert to consume used vegetable oil, we would be so grateful you could have your share delivered wherever you want. 

Thanks everyone!

Summary of 2004 Survey Results

Remember those surveys? Here is our summary of the results. You know your particular likes and dislikes, but by reading this summary you will have a fairly good idea of the preferences of your "average" fellow shareholder.

Let’s start by combining the results of the first two questions: Of those who completed the survey, 68 percent were shareholders that picked up their shares at the farm. Among them, Saturday and Tuesday members were equally represented at 34 percent each. 27 percent of responders were Dupont Circle shareholders and 5 percent picked up at Anacostia. Responders ran the gamut from seasoned ten year veterans to first-time members.

Which three vegetables would you like us to grow more of next year?

If we are talking of favorite veggies, there is little doubt that tomatoes would top the list (or certainly be among the top two), but that is not what we asked. In any event, judging from your answers, we can state with confidence that you love variety. Forty-three different crops made the list! Here we will only list the eight most frequently mentioned. Broccoli was first--31 percent of responders wanted more of it. Second place goes to green/purple beans, requested by 21 percent of responding members. Corn took third place (18 percent). Beets and spinach were next (17 percent each), and after that carrots, lettuce and peas were tied, each getting 16 percent.

Considering our space limitations, if you were the sole decision maker which three vegetables you would not grow in our farm in order to have more space for your favorite ones?

This year, poor turnips won the dubious honor of being the least popular veggie, 29 percent of shareholders expressed willingness to give turnips the ax. Okra, which usually wins this competition, was selected by 24 percent of the responders. Kohlrabi came in a distant third with 14 percent. In addition to these three, twenty-eight other crops were mentioned, but all of them lagged behind considerably. Nevertheless, even the unpopular veggies had fans that wanted more of them. If 29 percent of shareholders dislike turnips, this means that 71 percent like them or at least do not mind having them.

Of the vegetables and herbs we didn’t provide, which ones you would want us to grow?

Asparagus and rosemary were the most frequently requested (at 15 percent each), followed by onions (12 percent). Thirty-two other crops were mentioned, but those three were clearly ahead of the pack. As some of you know, asparagus is a perennial crop that takes a few years to establish. Once established, though, the same bed should produce for fifteen years or longer. We planted asparagus last spring and in the spring of 2005 we expect to harvest only a small amount. In 2006 we expect to harvest it fully. We will plant rosemary and hope to have onions in our shares next year.

Is there anything you would change about your pick-up site, or how the vegetables were displayed and distributed?

Over two thirds (68 percent) of members expressed satisfaction and did not suggest any changes. Although we are happy with that, we appreciate the feedback of those who thought that we should improve. The most common pet peeve (10 percent of responders had the same complaint) was that the farm pick up area has become too crowded. This is interesting because this was the first year we had this complaint. It means that we reached a critical mass and that in order to serve the same number of shareholders we should rearrange our set up at the wash station. We will. 8 percent of members wrote that they wanted us to add more scales. This, of course, is related to the perceived overcrowding--an additional scale or two would ease any bottlenecks. The next most common suggestion was to move the Saturday pick up from the afternoon to the morning. At this point we are not inclined to this because of two reasons. First, only a very small percentage of shareholders had this suggestion. Second, most of the produce is harvested in the morning and distributed in the afternoon (or evening) of the same day. If we switch to Saturday morning distributions, besides additional work for us (storing the produce for the next day), the veggies will not be as fresh.

Did you have adequate assistance from the farm staff?

We are grateful that most of you thought that we provided you with good assistance. 96 percent of the responses were unambiguously positive. There were no outright negative comments, but 4 percent of the replies were somewhat mixed.

Did you ever "you-pick" extra vegetables for your share? Is there anything you would change?

Plenty of "You Pickers"! 65 percent of members you-picked at the farm. And this also included several Dupont and Anacostia shareholders. Among your suggestions, the most common was to improve the signs and have more of them. It addition, it was suggested to have a have a large laminated map of the farm in the wash station, as well as smaller maps for shareholders to take during walks around the farm. We will work on all those suggestions.

Was your share worth the price this year?

Well, the vast majority (85 percent) thought that the share was worth the price. 11 percent was not quite sure, and 4 percent felt that it was not worth it.

If this is not your first year as member, is it worth the price most years?

78 percent of old-timers think that our share prices are worth it most years. 22 percent replied with some ambiguity, but no old timer stated that the price is not worth it most years.

Have you checked the weblog? Do you find it useful?

Although most of you (63 percent) had checked the weblog, it was surprising that a full 37 percent of shareholders had not. Of those who had read the weblog, 87 percent found it useful or very useful, 11 percent had a mixed opinion and 2 percent did not find it useful at all.

Is there anything you would change or add to the weblog?

There were several suggestions. By far the most common was to have more posts and to update the weblog more frequently. We heard you! Our weblog will be more active during the growing season. Other common suggestions: preview the veggies coming up in the next share, notify weblog updates by email, have more input from shareholders and worksharers, and add more recipes. All these are excellent suggestions. Let us just add, though, that members can increase the interactivity of this weblog by sending comments to it. Just click on the comment link at the bottom of the post you want to comment on, write, and send.

Did you have enough access to information about the farm?

Although the vast majority (78 percent) thought that you had enough access to farm information, we will try to improve on this and make it easier for everyone, including those who think we are not quite up to par on this score (18 percent gave us mixed reviews on this and 4 percent thought we did not provide enough access.)

What was the thing you liked the most about your CSA this year?

It’s always fun to read what people liked about their year as CSA members. Fresh, quality produce was the number one response. The wide variety of veggies was the second most popular response. Coming to the farm itself was also one of the things you liked the most about being CSA members. Other common replies were U-Picking vegetables and strawberries, trying new veggies, our commitment to low income people, and the fact that the farm follows sustainable practices.

What was the thing you liked the least about your CSA this year?

Even though so many of you loved to visit the farm, somewhat paradoxically the most common "least liked" aspect about the CSA was the commute to the farm (this was mentioned by 17 percent of those who completed the survey.) There were other items in the "things you liked the least" list, but those dislikes were not nearly as common as the commute issue.

Do you plan to continue membership next year?

We are happy that 71 percent of shareholders wrote that they will continue membership next year. 16 percent were unsure and 13 percent stated that they will not be renewing.

If not, what are the two main reasons for not continuing?

The primary two reasons for not renewing were (1) the long commute to the pick up site, and (2) member either moving to another place or changing jobs making the pick up impossible or much more difficult.

Anything else you would like us to know?

The most common response here was "Thanks!" And we thank you back for your feedback and support. If you are curious you may want to peruse the summary of the 2003 survey. Click here to do that. 

What's available to glean?

Gleaning begins tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, from 9am-noon and 3-5pm both days.  Remember, this is when YOU do the harvesting.  The crops listed below are scattered in fields all around the farm.  We'll be headquartered in the washing station, delighted to direct you.  With a few exceptions, these greens and roots are not plentiful--a gleaner's job is to find what little remains of the things you want before they're covered in snow or dissolved in ice.  This is not a task for the hurried or impatient (or those with impatient children in tow).

Available in varying quantities...

Sweet potatoes, popcorn (LOTS), hakurei turnips (very small), broccoli leaves (delicious), broccoli florets (few), mustard greens, cabbages, red kale, collards, mint, oregano, parsley, cilantro, dill (a wee bit), spinach (a little), lettuce (even less), tat soi, turnip greens (plenty--they volunteered like crazy this year), watermelon radishes, arugula (lots), dandelion greens, hon tsai tai (a young, purple-veined salad green), beets (many, but very small).

Also, we're experimenting with making Christmas wreaths with some garlic bulbs we didn't use for seed.  We may try to sell you some.  Or if you'd rather, you can help us try to make them.  Or help us mulch the garlic field before it rains on Friday.  Fun for all!  See you there.

Fall Festival at Clagett Farm

It was a glorious autumn day last Saturday--perfect for a farm fall festival. It was great to see so many shareholders, worksharers and friends enjoying themselves. It was very nice to see several shareholders (from Anacostia and Dupont) who had never been to the farm before. We all had a good time.

Steel drum band in action (Jeff Crespi's photo):

Michael Heller pulling out with hayriders:

Shareholder Lorig Charkoudian and daughter (thanks for the photo, Jeff):

Harvesting the potluck (once again, Jeff's photo):

Carrie and her grandma (the farmer on the right side of the picture is Rob Vaughn):

Last share dates: November 9, 10 and 13

Several people have been asking about our last share distribution. Including this week's share, we have four more weeks of shares. The last Tuesday share will be on November 9, the last Anacostia share will be on November 10, and the last Saturday share will be on November 13.

On November 19 and 20 (a Friday and Saturday) we will hold our gleaning days. That is, all shareholders and worksharers are welcome to the farm and glean from the tired fields whatever they want. We will let you know a few days in advance what you can expect to glean on those days.

Fall Festival!

With some encouragement from our members and co-workers, we've decided to schedule a fall festival. Mark your calendars for Saturday October 23, 2004. For those of you who cannot make it on Saturday, we will also offer a hayride the following Tuesday afternoon.

Saturday:
The first half of the day will follow our regular schedule. We'll harvest from 7:30am to 1:00pm, and we always welcome volunteers and work shares!
The pick-up for shareholders will run from 1:00-4:00pm, same as ever.
Bring lunch! We'll have a pot-luck meal at 1pm, and while you're eating, we'll entertain you with a pie auction. Not restricted to pies, we'll auction off just about anything you have to offer.
At 2:30pm we'll have a hayride.
We'll also have some games (a scavenger hunt? apple bobbing?).
Let us know if you have any other ideas for activities, or something you would like to share with our group.
Everyone is invited. Bring your friends!