Notes from Your Farm: Spread the Word

 

Hello from the Farm, 

 

 

Now is the time to get the word out about our Farm!  It would be great to let more people know in the local area what this Farm is doing and how it is helping the community.  Please share this Blog post to friends and family that might be interested in what we do here at the Farm.

 

 

Information about Goodwill at Homefields Farm: 

 

When you buy a share at our Farm you directly support the people with disabilities that we train and employ. They develop horticultural skills on the farm and enjoy the outcome of their own labor.  Learning these skills might help them find competitive work within their local community.

 

We are an Organic CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in Millersville, PA.  Growing various types of vegetables and fruits that you will pick up on a weekly basis starting in June and ending in November.  While you pick up your vegetables there is a Pick-Your-Own Field for shareholders to harvest at their choosing. Our Farm wants our shareholders to come pickup their vegetables at the farm because they will have a full understanding of where their food comes from, how it is grown, and who is growing their food.  The Farm is for shareholders to help the community, understand where their produce comes from, and having a better connection with the environment they live in.      

 

Our website Link:

http://www.yourgoodwill.org/grow/homefields-farm

 

Our Facebook Link:

www.facebook.com/GoodwillatHomefieldsFarm

 

Our Blogger Link:

goodwillathomefieldsfarm.blogspot.com

    

 

 

 

2016 Farm Shares

2016 Shares are now available!  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types  

 

  

 

 

 

 Thanks for your support,  

 

 

Your Farmers

Notes from Your Farm: 2016 Vegetable Shares

Hello from the Farm, 

 

 

Quick reminder that the Early Bird Discount ends on January 31!  Sign up now before the Early Bird Special is done.

 

2016 Farm Shares

2016 Shares are now available!  We are having our Early Bird Special for any shareholder that signs up before January 31.  All Early Birds get a $20 discount off their share.  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types  

 

Fruit Share

Would you like to pick up a CSA Fruit Share when you come to get your vegetables at the farm? It’s time to sign up NOW with North Star Orchard for their weekly CSA Fruit Share, which is available for pickup here at Homefileds for 15 weeks starting at the beginning of August.

CSA Members here have been enjoying the Fruit Share for years, and we encourage you to take a look at what the share has to offer here: http://www.northstarorchard.com/csa_fruit.php

This is not ordinary fruit, but unique and heritage varieties which are full of flavor: plums with pizazz, perfect peaches, amazing Asian pears, and astounding apples. Plus a sprinkling of heritage pear varieties and seedless grapes!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this one consists, in part, of these:  sweet, tart, juicy, crunchy, crisp, aromatic, sugary-tart, rich, velvety, smile, slurp.

To reach North Star directly with any questions, email Lisa@northstarorchard.com

 

 

What a Winter Wonderland here at the Farm! 

 

Don't forget to play in the snow,  

 

 

Your Farmers

Notes from Your Farm: Fruit Share Information

Hello from the Farm, 

 

Forgot to include North Star Orchard Fruit Share information in the newsletter last week!

Fruit Share

Would you like to pick up a CSA Fruit Share when you come to get your vegetables at the farm? It’s time to sign up NOW with North Star Orchard for their weekly CSA Fruit Share, which is available for pickup here at Homefileds for 15 weeks starting at the beginning of August.

CSA Members here have been enjoying the Fruit Share for years, and we encourage you to take a look at what the share has to offer here: http://www.northstarorchard.com/csa_fruit.php

This is not ordinary fruit, but unique and heritage varieties which are full of flavor: plums with pizazz, perfect peaches, amazing Asian pears, and astounding apples. Plus a sprinkling of heritage pear varieties and seedless grapes!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this one consists, in part, of these:  sweet, tart, juicy, crunchy, crisp, aromatic, sugary-tart, rich, velvety, smile, slurp.

To reach North Star directly with any questions, email Lisa@northstarorchard.com

 

Delicious!

 

2016 Farm Shares

2016 Shares are now available!  We are having our Early Bird Special for any shareholder that signs up before January 31.  All Early Birds get a $20 discount off their share.  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types  

 

 

 

Thinking of warm Summer days,  

 

 

Your Farmers

Notes from the Farm: 2016 Farm Shares, Soil Samples, & Planning

Hello from the Farm, 

Winter has finally came this week!  It is exciting to have this touch of Winter come with some snow.  This touch of Winter also came with low temperatures damaging the final crops in the fields.  Meaning the crops that were left for Gleaning are now on their downward spiral by breaking down in the fields.  

Even though it is sad to say goodbye to the last crops of 2015 you can now look forward to the 2016 Season!  Yes, the Early Bird Special is still available!  Hurry because it will be ending on January 31.  

2016 Farm Shares

2016 Shares are now available!  We are having our Early Bird Special for any shareholder that signs up before January 31.  All Early Birds get a $20 discount off their share.  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types  

What happened this week on the Farm?

Soil samples happened on the farm this week.  We beat the freezing temperatures and were able to take samples from every field on the farm. These samples will help us understand what nutrients are needed in the soil for next year.

  

Here are a few bags ready to be sent off to the Penn State Soil Testing Labs. 

There is still a lot of planning happening for this coming season.  I've been choosing many varieties and looking at new products that might be an interesting add to the shares. It is exciting to see the 2016 Season coming together throughout these Winter months.  Hope everyone else is excited as I am!

    

Stay Warm,

Your Farmers

Notes from Your Farm: Holiday Greetings

Hello from the Farm, 

It is that time of year again where everyone is rushing around for last minute gifts, meeting up with family members, and eating loads of food!  Last weekend my family and I made various Christmas cookies that are loaded with deliciousness.  My favorite cookie is the Kolache cookie that my Great Grandmother use to make because of being from Czechoslovakia.

If you are wanting to eat healthier there are vegetables still available for Gleaning.  In the field are cabbages, greens, turnips, and little sprouts of Broccoli that you can add to your holiday festivities.

Plus!  Do NOT forget to sign up for your 2016 Farm Share now and receive our Early Bird Special! This could also be a unique gift for that person you have no idea what to buy for them.  

   

2016 Farm Shares

2016 Shares are now available!  We are having our Early Bird Special for any shareholder that signs up before January 31.  All Early Birds get a $20 discount off their share.  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types    

   

Gleaning - Noon till Dusk - Monday thru Saturday Only  

Many of these crops take several bouts of frost and just keep on ticking after our harvesting dates. Gleaning is when shareholders can harvest their own vegetables by taking a reasonable amount that leaves enough for other shareholders.  There are maps at the distribution center that show you where harvesting can take place.  Also, there are yellow flags placed throughout the farm to show you where to harvest.  Please Glean responsibly :)    
   

Gift Boxes

This year the Farm will not be making gift boxes as we did in the past.  We are hoping to change this for next year and will keep you up to date on what happens in the future. 

     

  

  

   

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year,

  

Your Farmers

Notes from Your Farm: 2016 Farm Shares

Hello from the Farm, 

Hoping everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  Also, thank you for taking the time to fill out a survey.  It was nice to read through them and have a better understanding in what everyone enjoys and other things that need to be reviewed.   

2016 Farm Shares

2016 Shares are now available!  We are having our Early Bird Special for any shareholder that signs up before January 31.  All Early Birds get a $20 discount off their share.  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types    

    

Gleaning -  Starts November 23 - Noon till Dusk -

Monday - Saturday Only  

Many of these crops take several bouts of frost and just keep on ticking after our harvesting dates. Gleaning is when shareholders can harvest their own vegetables by taking a reasonable amount that leaves enough for other shareholders.  There are maps at the distribution center that show you where harvesting can take place.  Also, there are yellow flags placed throughout the farm to show you where to harvest.  Please Glean responsibly :)       

Gift Boxes

This year the Farm will not be making gift boxes as we did in the past.  We are hoping to change this for next year and will keep you up to date on what happens in the future. 

     

  

 

These Calendulas are still bringing some colorful life to the farm!  

   

Have a Joyful Holiday Season, 

Your Farmers

Notes from your Farm: Gleaning, 2016 Shares, & Extra Give

 

Hello from the Farm, 

 

 

The Bonus Harvest went extremely well last week!  We were happy to see everyone an extra week and to give you some more vegetables for the Holidays.  Your vegetable supply does not have to stop with the Bonus Week because current shareholders are allowed to participate in Gleaning!

 

Gleaning -  Starts November 23 - Noon till Dusk -

Monday - Saturday Only  

Many of these crops take several bouts of frost and just keep on ticking after our harvesting dates. Gleaning is when shareholders can harvest their own vegetables by taking a reasonable amount that leaves enough for other shareholders.  There are maps at the distribution center that show you where harvesting can take place.  Also, there are yellow flags placed throughout the farm to show you where to harvest.  Please Glean responsibly :)        

 

Here is a photo of the Fall crop field where most of the Gleaning will be taking place at.  

 

 

 

Extra Give

A huge shout out to the 65 people that donated to Homefields during the Extra Give event! These 65 people donated $6,300 to the Homefields mission.  All of these donations will also benefit the CSA. Thank you for your donations! 

 

  

2016 Farm Shares

You probably cannot wait to sign up for next years shares.  Sign ups for 2016 Shares will be happening in the month of December.  We will be sending out a newsletter that will let you know when the signing up process begins.  Also, there will be an Early Bird Special that will give you a discount if you sign up before a certain date.  There will be more information in the next newsletter!

 

 

Gift Boxes

This year the Farm will not be making gift boxes as we did in the past.  We are hoping to change this for next year and will keep you up to date on what happens in the future. 

     

 

 

 

What happened on the Farm this week? 

 

 

It is finally starting to feel like Fall with the colder temperatures during the days and nights. Us Farmers are finding jobs indoors that will keep us from going outside.  Our main mission after the harvesting weeks is to prepare the farm for the next season to come.  During the winter months we organize our material, fix machinery, take inventory, and order supplies for next year.      

 

 

From all us Farmers we hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season!    

 

 

 

Have a belly full Thanksgiving,  

 

 

Your Farmers