May Update

It has been a much drier spring this year and with the recent trend of warm temperatures we have gotten an earlier start to our field plantings. This past Thursday we put in all of our potatoes, almost 3 weeks ahead of last year!  Tilling the fields this spring has also been more efficient, with fewer passes with the tractor thanks to our new Land Pride tiller.  It's wider than our previous tiller and covers both tire tracks, it's also a reverse rotation tiller which does a better job of working in previous year crop residue and produces a finer seed bed with only one pass.

The chickens have all feathered out and we moved them onto pasture last week, its amazing how quickly they transition from sitting inside the coop eating from feed trays, to scratching and digging and enjoying the outdoor buffet of insects and grasses.

Color is returning quickly to the orchard, as the gray bare trees now all have green leaves and the early varieties are adding in lots of pinks and whites as blossoms begin to open.  It looks like it should be a strong year for the Prima and McIntosh varieties as they are loaded up with blossoms, the Red Delicious look about average while it looks like an off year for the Golden Delicious following a bumper crop of them last fall.

The first week for CSA share pickups looks like it will be sometime in mid June, we should be able to firm up the date over the next couple of weeks.  Also - we are working on partnering with another small local organic farm with a large laying flock,  to begin offering an "egg add-on" to shares.  Hopefully more to come on this over the next week!

Fuzzy and yellow

Both chicken coops are now full of chicks!  Feel free to bring the kids by to hold and feed them anytime, the next two weeks are ideal as the cuteness factor does go down as they start to feather out....

Spring 2015

It’s been a while since our last update, and there has been lots of good stuff going on.  First, a big thank you to all of our CSA shareholders that have signed up for the 2015 season.  We are now completely sold out and looking forward to another great year!

Winter pruning in the orchard is completed, despite the crazy cold temperatures and a busy schedule we managed to get another 110 trees trimmed up and looking respectable.

Golden Delicious prior to pruning

Golden Delicious after pruning

Mobile chicken coop #2 still needs a paint job on the outside but the inside is well appointed and ready for move in! We are expecting the arrival of our first batch of chicks today (I’m waiting for a call from the post office as I type this).

I was slightly more disciplined this year in my seed starting, other than some intentionally early tomatoes that will go into the hoop house shortly, I and managed to wait until mid-March for everything else.  With the nicer weather they are able to start spending some time outside as well!

I’ll probably jinx myself by saying this, but the fields are drying out quite well, and hopefully we’ll be able to get some snap peas, and other early cool weather crops in soon!

Hope everyone has a chance to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather this week!

-Wade

2015 CSA Shares Now Available

Just 54 more days until spring!  While we still have plenty of winter left to get through, it’s never too early to start thinking about all of that delicious fresh produce that will be available again soon.

We will be offering both full and half share sizes again this year.  2015 prices are -

• Full Shares – $500
• Half Shares - $300

We have added a simple online signup form that makes registration quick and easy, and an online payment option as well.  A $100 deposit will hold your share, with the balance due by May 15th.

Check out our CSA page for pictures and week by week listing of share contents from 2014.

We are looking forward to a very productive year and can’t wait to see everyone out at the farm!

Grandpa's Grand Applesauce - a great Christmas gift!

Looking for a unique, locally made, great tasting gift this Christmas season?  Consider sharing the gift of delicious Grandpa's Grand Applesauce.  All four varieties are available in either our standard 24 ounce jar, or our sampler size 7.75 ounce jar.  Or check out our 4 jar sample wooden gift box!  Grandpa's Grand can be found in several retail stores across Southeast Michigan or ordered conveniently online from our website, and you can always stop by the farm and pick some up as well!

Congratulations to Estala Pong

Estala was the winner of the Fall Farm Tour drawing for a delicious organic broiler chicken from Decker Farm and Orchard

Week # 16 - Final shares for the season

Wow!  Where did the time go?  The old adage of "time flies when you're having fun" sure applied to me this past year, it was a very enjoyable and memorable first CSA season, and none of it would have been possible without my awesome shareholders.  Thank you so much for your support and encouragement! 

Production of Grandpa's Grand Applesauce is in full swing, this week's shares will include your choice of either Red Carpet (Red Delicious) or Gold Rush (Golden Delicious) varieties.  

Share contents:

• Chickens
• Parsnips
• Leeks
• Turnips
• Bell Pepper
• Onions - green, yellow, red, and white
• Rosemary
• Applesauce
• Gourds (not edible, but for decorations)

This weeks featured recipe is Roasted Leek and Potato Soup

Lots of projects planned for the "off season" to get ready for 2015, including planting garlic,  building a 2nd mobile chicken coop, expanding the planting fields and fences, prepping for blueberry and raspberry planting in the spring, and hopefully finding an inexpensive used manure spreader.  I'll try and keep everyone updated on the progress. 

Thanks again for a great season!

Chickens are in the Freezer!

Batch #2 of chickens is now in the freezer.  It was a heftier bunch of birds this time, with the average weight right where we were targeting, at around 4-1/2 lbs.  Feed to weight ratio also improved.  We picked up another old trailer frame, so included in the winter project list will be to build mobile coop #2 so that we can run two batches at a time starting next spring! 

Shareholder chickens will be included in this week's shares, for non shareholders - give me a call or shoot an email and we can coordinate pickup up times for your chickens.

Week #15 Update and Pepper Drying Guidance

Its really starting to look like fall this week, lots of color in the trees!  To help you decorate for autumn, this week's shares include indian corn and corn shocks.

Share contents for this week:

• Golden Delicious Apples
• Yellow Zucchini
• Bell Pepper
• Jalapeno Pepper
• Cayenne Pepper (see drying recommendations below)
• Acorn Squash
• Beets
• Radishes
• Onion
• Red Cabbage
• Indian Corn Bunches
• Corn Shocks

Pepper Drying Techniques:

1.  First, wash the peppers and lay them out on a towel to dry.  Once the peppers are nice and dry simply cut off the tops and cut them lengthwise into halves or quarters.  (note: You will want to wear gloves when you’re handling a lot of peppers, so I’d recommend putting on gloves before touching the peppers. )
2. Place your cut peppers on a cookie tray lined with parchment paper and cook at 200 degrees for 3-5 hours, depending on the size of the pepper pieces. After 2 hours or so you’ll want to check the peppers about every 30 minutes to see if they are dry. You know they’re ready when the pepper piece crumbles when pressed between your (glove wearing) fingers. If the pepper pieces are at all flexible then the peppers aren’t dry yet. Some pieces will finish before others, so just remove any pieces that are done each time you check and allow them to cool completely before storing.
3. Once all of the pieces are dried, cooled and done you can put them in a glass container to store, use your blender to grind them into crushed pepper pieces, or even continue to blend them until they form a powder. Store your finished pepper pieces or powder in an airtight, glass container away from light and moisture.

Don't forget the Lapeer County Fall Farm Tour is this Saturday from 10:00 - 4:00.  Tour map and farm information can be found at :

Fall Farm Tour Information and Map

Week #14 Shares and Fall Farm Tour Info

This week's shares include:

• Russet Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Bell Pepper
• Yellow Onion
• Acorn Squash
• Zucchini
• Oregano
• Chives
• Golden Delicious Apples

This week's featured recipe is my mother-in-law's Pork and Acorn Squash, it is delicious!

Pork and Acorn Squash

We are excited to be part of the Lapeer County Conservation District's Fall Farm Tour, which will be held on Saturday,  October 4th from 10:00am - 4:00pm.  We will be providing tours of the hoop houses, vegetable fields, and chicken pasture, along with providing samples of Grandpa's Grand Applesauce, our variety specific applesauce made from our own organic apples. The Fall Farm Tour is a great opportunity to check out some really cool farming operations in southern Lapeer county, if you have some free time, we would highly encourage you to come join us next Saturday!

Fall Farm Tour Information and Map

Chicken Update

Our chickens are now about 6-1/2 weeks old and starting to "fill out" nicely.  They are raised on a completely organic diet, and spend only their nights inside.  Barring any predator or illness issues we should have an extra 10-15 birds available for sale after share distributions the week of October 6th.  Pricing is $5.00 per pound.  Hoping that they will dress out in the 4 to 5 pound range.  If you are interested, please shoot me a text or email and let me know how many you would be interested in.

Week #13 shares

This weeks shares include:

• Green/yellow beans
• Beets
• Cabbage
• Tomatoes
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Yellow Onion
• Green Pepper
• Jalapeno Pepper
• Russet Potatoes
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Golden Delicious Apples

This  week's featured recipe is Cabbage Rolls, it utilizes 4 items found in this week's share (cabbage, onion, tomatoes and oregano).  We made the recipe last night along with roasted beets, it was delicious!  We used a couple of Orange Valencia tomatoes which gave the sauce a cool orange color.

Cabbage Rolls and Roasted Beets!

Week #12 Shares

Wow, what a wild weather ride over the past week, last Friday we were picking apples in 90 degree heat and this morning I was not overly warm in a sweatshirt and jeans while harvesting!  The bell peppers are finally getting some color, the red, orange, and yellow add a nice contrast to all the green.  We made the first batch of our McIntosh variety applesauce on Tuesday, lots more to get processed over the upcoming weeks! 

1st batch of "Mighty Mac" variety applesauce, featuring our McIntosh apples

This weeks shares include:

• Bell Peppers
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Cayenne Pepper - be careful, these are hot!
• Swiss Chard
• Red Kale
• White Potatoes
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Tomatoes
• Beets
• Zucchini
• Broccoli
• Basil
• Chives
• McIntosh apples

Following is a link for a great Zucchini Lemon Muffin recipe, thanks to Evie Thomas for sharing the recipe and for the delicious samples!

Zucchini-Lemon Muffins

Week #11 Shares

Back to school week for a lot of people and also the beginning of apple harvest season!  Despite the late spring and cooler than normal summer, apples are actually ripening on time or even a little earlier than expected.  With the limited, all organic spray program we used, a lot of the apples fall into the "applesauce use only" category, however there are still a number with just minor blemishes that will be in shares starting this week.

This weeks shares will include:

• McIntosh Apples
• Cabbage
• White Russet Potatoes
• Green Beans
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Cucumber
• Sweet Corn
• Carrots
• Basil
• Oregano

Looking for a use for those large zucchini other than zucchini bread?  Check out this recipe for baked zucchini boats:

Baked Zucchini Boats

Week #10 Shares - Labor Day Weekend!

Seems like it was just Memorial Day, and here we are at Labor Day already.  What a great summer it has been!  The harvest continues to be strong, with overflowing totes again this week.  The chickens are now out in the orchard, gobbling up bugs and spreading fertilizer, and fall planting was largely completed this week with carrots, turnips, green onions, radishes, snap peas, swiss chard, lettuce and spinach all going in the fields and hoop house.

This weeks shares include:

• Green/Yellow and a couple random Purple Beans
• Beets
• Cucumbers
• Zucchini
• Sweet Corn
• Basil
• Parsley
• Chives
• Red Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Cherry Tomatoes (if you can return the pint containers each week that would be awesomely appreciated)
• Green Peppers
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Red Kale
• Leaf Lettuce
• Romaine Lettuce

Clare has updated the recipe site with a couple of new additions:

Grilled Green Beans

Chocolate Beet Cake

The following are also good ideas for this week's share:

Kale Chips

Roasted Beets

Cooked Beet Greens

Hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe holiday weekend!

Week #9 CSA Shares

As we were preparing shares on Thursday morning, Clare says:  "Dad, I think we may have a problem, I'm not sure everything will fit in the totes this week!"  What a great problem to have!

This week's shares include:

• Zucchini
• Green/yellow beans
• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Sweet Corn
• Cilantro
• Oregano
• Carrots
• Red Potatoes
• Bibb Lettuce Heads
• Red Romaine

Week #8 CSA Shares

Another fun week on the farm.  The chicks are starting to sport their white wing feathers, we dug our first row of red potatoes, and we're finally seeing a few red tomatoes in the hoop house!  Lots of cucumbers again this week, extras available for $2.00 per pound, a great opportunity to use the jalapenos and can up some nice spicy pickles to enjoy this winter!

This week's shares will contain:

• Red Potatoes
• Green Onions
• Green Peppers
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Zucchini
• Green/Yellow Beans
• Speckled Trout Back Romaine Lettuce
• Slobolt Leaf Lettuce
• Cucumbers
• a Tomato  - just getting started, a few more weeks and we'll have more than you know what to do with :)

Clare with our first potato harvest of the season

Week #7 CSA Shares

Its been a great week so far, a nice soaking 1/2" rain on Tuesday, 60 brand new chicks running around in the coop, and got the entire orchard mowed today (pics and update coming in separate post).  Lots of produce ripening each day, we are definitely staying busy harvesting!

This weeks shares will include:

• Green/yellow beans
• Zucchini
• Cucumbers
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Chives
• Kale
• Leaf / Bibb Lettuce

Check out this week's featured recipes of Middle Eastern Pitas with cucumber and Zucchini Bread:

Middle Eastern Pitas

Zucchini Bread

Zucchini & Cucumbers

The harvest volume is really starting to pickup, we will have excess zucchini and cucumbers available this week for $2.00 per pound.  Great opportunity to can some pickles or relish or for making a few extra loaves of zucchini bread!  Shoot me a text or email with how much you want and I can hold for you if you're not picking up until Friday or Saturday.

Week #6 CSA shares

The mild weather has benefited the lettuces and radishes, and selfishly it is much easier to work outside for long hours when its not 90+ and humid, but.... we could really use some heat for the tomatoes, peppers, corn, and other heat loving crops. 

The totes are a bit heftier this week, as items such as cucumbers and zucchinis add some bulk.  Shares include:

• Red Romaine
• Arugula
• Radishes
• Cucumbers
• Zuchinni
• Green and Wax Beans
• Jalapeno Pepper
• Broccoli

Feathers, peeps, and clucks return to the farm next week as the next batch of chicks are scheduled to arrive on Tuesday!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

-Wade