To all CSA members:
We are down but not out!
We are sending out this email to inform you about the extent of damage to our farm and what that will mean for the remaining season. All of our Fall crops have been wiped out. This includes all winter squash, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, beets, carrots, summer squash and various greens. What is left on the farm now are leeks, onions (that were harvested prior to the hurricane) as well as a few odds and ends that escaped the floodwater. As I compose this letter, the fields are still wet. Our tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers were submerged as recently as 48 hours ago. At one time we were hopeful we could salvage these crops but the additional inches of rain we got last week allowed the river to overflow a second time one week after the hurricane. After this mornings inspection we are hopeful of salvaging enough peppers and possibly some tomatoes for next weeks’ deliveries.
All sites will be receiving deliveries this week and next week. To augment the weekly share we will be delivering produce that we purchase from farms who were on higher ground as well as some produce from farms outside the sphere of the hurricane. This will be paid for with funds intended for salaries of the farm employees as well as additional funds from Mike, Jan and Upstate Farms. We have also documented our losses with the federal and state agencies if any money becomes available. We have filled out forms, gone to meetings, and taken photographs that will meet any requirements necessary for grants or funds to help get the farm back in shape. It is unlikely but not impossible that there will be funds to cover any of our product losses. However if we are eligible for funds it involves a lengthy process that will not help us in the immediate future.
We are also replanting. It is still too wet to direct seed into the fields. The day after Irene we planted 5,000 heads of lettuce and 5,000 other types of various greens (swiss chard, kale) in the greenhouse. These will be transplants that we hope to set out in the field in the next two weeks. Hopefully these greens will be ready to harvest in 4 - 6 weeks.
In addition to all this we will be erecting a 35 X 100 foot outdoor grow-house or high-tunnel to help us extend the season. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help raise this greenhouse is welcome to come help. The date will be announced. We will continue to update you on the situation as we learn more.
For the next two weeks we will have a respectable amount of produce from our resources described above. There may be gaps or even a shortened season depending on how far resources take us. In the meantime we are grateful for the calls and emails of support from our members. Your continued support can assure you that we will be here next year. Please feel free to email us, we would love to hear all suggestions, ideas or complaints, our door is always open. Thank you for being so understanding.
We welcome your help as well! We have received a large response from those wanting to come help us erect the growhouse. What wonderful members we have, with full hearts. We are trying to plan a day that this can take place. Thank you for your continued support and moving forward all needed information about shares and what is happening on the farm… flooded or not…will be on the blog!
Also, Just Food has been putting out a great deal about what farms are dealing with and how CSAs work to share this burden when natural disasters hit. Here is a piece that is worth reading. Thanks again,
love,
Paisley Farm
