Hey all!

This is my first post in the Creek Shore Farms blog. I’m a recent addition to the Creek Shore Farms team. I began my internship here in November and have felt immediately welcomed and at home with Ryan, Amanda, and Sydney.  Niagara is a new region to me and the landscape of orchards and vineyards is completely different from the hilly pasture and flat land of cash crops along the never ending country roads that became my regular view in the Grey/Bruce County.  I spent six months in the early spring and summer learning to farm, but I had never imagined that I would continue my internship into the winter months. Winter farming is a completely new concept to me. It makes sense for farmers who grow throughout the summer to extend the season for as long as possible so that they can continue to produce food for themselves and for the community. Extending the season means that in the winter it’s possible to keep eating seasonally and locally. There will be no tomatoes in December without a fully heated green house, but there are so many tasty vegetables to enjoy after the brief, but plentiful tomato season. Frost loving crops like brassicas (brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, etc) can tolerate the chilly nights, and with the protection of a cold frame, spinach and choy are ready for picking as well. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and squash, and beets can be stored and last throughout the winter, and I recently learned that covering rows of turnips and carrots with mounds of straw not only keeps the ground from freezing so that they can be dug up fresh, but allows for the frost to make the carrots sweeter tasting than ever.  Farming this winter has reminded me about what is truly available to us on a local scale and how to be conscientious and creative with what I buy and eat.  I feel extremely grateful to have the opportunity to participate in the rhythm of food production during all the growing seasons. This has helped shaped my thoughts on food security, and encouraged me to think about where my food comes from, how far, and if there is are alternatives, such as local, seasonal food sources that I can support.

Until next time!

Meegan (the intern) 

 Here we are in the hoop house, where the swiss chard, choi, onions and spinach are still slowly growing, and protected from the worst of the frosty nights.

Freshly harvested, snowy Brussels Sprouts

 Carrots pulled out from under the soil and straw

Cutting heads of cabbage :) 

It's time to register for Summer 2016 CSA Registration is now open for the summer 2016 CSA season. The summer program will run for 16 weeks. Sign up before March 14 to get the early bird discount. For full details please visit our website: http://creekshorefarms.ca/summercsa.html Please note forms can be printed and mailed to us with a cheque or contact us if you would like to drop by the farm amanda@creekshorefarms.ca 289-228-0697

Disaster

We have not really had any terrible farm disasters this year which is great. However this morning I was carrying a box full of mason jars ( which I acquired from kijiji) and the tape from the box let go. See photo below for the results.

Yes that is what 20 broken jars looked liked. After a thorough clean up the barn floor is clear of glass. 

On a happier note we did get a row of onion weeded this morning they are small but they are going to be inside a hoop house which will provide with much more warmth and an opportunity to grow. 

       A weedy mess of onions

      A fresh ready to grow row of onions 

The rest of the day will be busy as we get ready to hand out the majority if ours winter veggie shares. 

Visit our new Facebook page to see more about the farm.

https://www.facebook.com/creekshorefarms/?pnref=lhc

First Winter CSA

It seems so fast but we are already back at CSA. We have started a week earlier than we were planning, there were just so many great things ready that we needed to pass them out. This weeks basket includes a pie pumpkin( and a squash for full shares), potatoes ( also sweet potatoes for full shares), shallots,  arugula ( plus spicy greens for fulls), radishes, cabbage, Swiss chard and a watermelon for full shares. It's looking to be a great season! 

Pigs enjoying some of the squash and peppers that don't make it!

Final CSA

Well we are completing our CSA today and people seem eager. It's been busy and we have only been open for pick up for 17 min. 

The two above pictures show how it looked at 4:00 when we started and already I've consolidated everything onto two tables. 

We have a lots to give out this week. Basic shares are getting: squash, tomatoes , potatoes, broccoli or cabbage, 4 turnips, 2 kohlrabi, kale or chard and 3 sweet peppers. 

Full shares are also getting tomatillos lettuce more tomatoes kale and chard as well as an extra turnip. 

Thanks everyone for a great season!!

Good food

Well it seems my phone likes to eat blog posts. Last week I wrote up a nice post buys its just gone into cyber space. 

This is now our second last week of csa and things look good still. This week we are giving out squash, tomatillos, green peppers, tomatoes, kohlrabi, turnips, kale and lettuce. 

Not bad for coming to the end of the summer season! 

     This weeks veggie spread!

Market day!!

Despite the rainy start to the day things are shapping up beautifully today. Come and visit us to grab all your weekky veggie needs. We have awsome tomatoes, spaghetti squash, lettuce and so much more.