THE DROUGHT AND YOU.
We're hearing a lot in the news lately about the price of food: because of low soybean and corn yields this year, the price of food is going to rise. But it's not actually. Cheap, processed food is definitely going to start costing more––most of it being made with corn, corn syrup, and soybeans––which it should. But you, our dear CSA shareholders, other farmer's market supporters, and grass-fed meat buyers, will likely not have to spend an extra penny on your food. The drought hurt us and our garden, most definitely, but it did not devastate our supply. We have food and will continue to have food and your price will not change. In fact, with rising prices in the supermarket and fast food restaurants, the greatest effect supporters of small farms will see is probably more value in the food they already buy. Without changing anything, in comparison to prices in supermarkets, you will be getting an even better deal on better food than you already do! People often have a hard time justifying the price of local meat and produce, but if the local food is not much more expensive than the imported stuff you find in supermarkets––which I just heard a reporter on NPR say the price of corn-fed beef and lamb could rise as much as 5%––then perhaps more people will begin to transition over. Just a thought, but a pleasant, promising silver lining to this year's harsh (still ongoing for many) drought.- Jesse.
RABBIT SEASON.
Strangely enough, Jesse has a history with catching rabbits with his bare hands. After an incident at Bugtussle where he hopped off a tractor and snagged a bunny, he now chases after each and every rabbit we encounter with the hopes of repeating this miraculous feat. Well, yesterday, while I was down at the house writing a letter (hello Kristen!) I got a call from Jesse – “Hurry! Come up to the garden!” I rushed up the hill to find a little baby bunny in a bucket! Jesse had seen it while mowing, jumped off the tractor, and scooped it up! And as if this wasn’t weird enough…later, when back at the house, I heard a knock at the sidedoor and there stood Jesse – with ANOTHER bunny!It was pretty adorable getting to play with these little babies, especially since our rabbit Reba did NOT have her little ones. We don’t know if the breeder lied about her being pregnant, if they were simply mistaken, or if she has some complications…but her “kindling” date has come and gone. So, we will simply try again. And since rabbit gestation is only about 25 days – we shouldn’t have to wait very long!- Hannah.
MYSTERY FRUIT.
We've discovered this fascinating wild plum tree behind the garden only reachable from one of the more precarious spots on the farm––a giant pit of branches and mud. However, seeing some wine possibilities here, I decided to finagle a special harvesting tool (stick with quart container on the end), and see what I could glean. Not much so far, but we might couple this handful of fruit with some basil and make a little fruit mead soon. Or maybe I can talk Hannah into a pie once our oven is fully repaired!- Jesse.
