Newsletter: Finely Tuning the Farm Machine

The many shades of foliage at Foxtail Farm. — So many shades of fresh and flavorful foliage at Foxtail Farm!

Just like that, we're at the end of Emmalyn and my third CSA as owners of Foxtail. At this time two years ago, we were just beginning to realize that our dream of becoming the stewards of Foxtail Farm might actually be possible. Last year, we felt like we might have bitten off a little more than we could chew. This year, we're tired, sunburned, and sore, sure; but with a year and change of experience under our belts, we're feeling very positive about where we're headed.

I touched on this in the last newsletter, but it really feels like we're starting to peel back the onion a bit. Instead of worrying about IF we'll be able to grow enough to fill all of the CSA boxes, Emmalyn and I are able to focus on figuring out better systems and finding better tools to grow. From our brand new tractor compost spreader (replacing our human-powered five-gallon bucket system) to our greenhouse irrigation timers, from implementing minimal tilling to utilizing silage tarps for weed control, we're finding more efficient ways to get the job done. That in turn frees us and the crew up to weed, anticipate pest problems before they happen, and the myriad other things that we just didn't have time to stay on top of last year.

Now, I certainly don't mean to imply that we've got it all figured out. Not by a long shot. I'm sure we'll look back in ten years and chuckle at some of the systems that we're trying now. It just feels good that we're at a place to start seeing the forest from the trees is all.

Of course, now that we've started to feel on top of how to navigate our CSA, it's time to put a bow on that part of our season. If you're still hankering for Foxtail produce (we have more Mokums planted...), you can of course find us at Fulton and Midtown Farmers Markets in Minneapolis Saturday mornings, and the Osceola Farmers Market Friday afternoons starting June 11.

Additionally, we're happy to announce that our summer Farmers' Choice Mini-CSA Bags are now up on our online store! We're keeping it small to start, but will expand numbers if demand, er, demands it. We're trying to focus on flexibility for these bags, both in terms of when/how many bags you receive as well as delivery options. Essentially, folks can buy these $20 bags every week, just one time, or buy an ongoing subscription now and skip any weeks that don't work for them. As for delivery, we're offering limited home delivery on Tuesdays for an extra fee, or Saturday pick-up on farm or at our Minneapolis markets for no extra charge. Take a look at our online store for more info.

We'll also be rolling out our Fall CSA sign-up online by next week. We'll be sending out an end of CSA survey along with sign-up info for that in a week's time.

Thank you all again for choosing us to grow your Spring veggies this year. I've quoted this before, and I'm sure I'll do it again, so here goes:

"It takes people like you to make people like me."
-Buck Owens

Newsletter: Finely Tuning the Farm Machine

What’s in the Box?!