2022 CSA Season Week Four

June 28, 2022

Welcome to the last week of June! We’re already on Week Four, and the season is flying by! We hope you’re enjoying the beginning of summer and staying cool in this Oregon heat! It hit us fast this year, but the veggies are loving it.

Thank you so much for your patience this season!

Technology is one of those things that can make life so much easier…but it can also be infinitely more challenging. This year, we’ve changed a few things in how we run our system. With the new website that launched last season, we’ve been able to make some things go a lot smoother, like share orders or extras throughout the season. But switching to a new system is not without its difficulties. This is my first season without Linda by my side, as well as the first year using two new systems…that don’t always like to talk to each other.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your patience, understanding, and support while we sort out the glitches and find ways to make the systems work for us instead of the other way around. My goal is to learn from this season so I can make the future working with technology even better. I couldn’t do it without you!

We fed so many people last year!

One of the best parts about growing food is being able to feed as many people as possible. Thank you so much to all those who donated their shares to Food for Lane County. Between your donations and the food that went straight from the farm, we were able to create 4, 594 meals! You guys are amazing.

We know summer is a busy time and vacations pop up, which sometimes means you can’t get your shares on your scheduled time. We want to help! You can fill out a vacation request to hold your share and receive a credit toward the 2023 season, or you can give your share to Food for Lane County for a tax-deductible donation. Just make sure you let me know at least 7 days in advance!

July payments are coming up!

Just a heads up to those on the monthly payment plan. July payments are due this Friday, July 1. For those who have sent in post-dated checks, those will go to the bank on Friday, though due to the holiday, they may not clear your account until the following week. For those who prefer to pay by credit card, please remember the payments are not automatic like they were last year, so you’ll need to log in and make the July payment. If you have any issues, shoot me an email and let me know at [email protected].

Balance dues have been going out over the last couple weeks for those who haven’t made payments on their share yet, as well as reminders for those whose monthly payments are due on Friday. For those that have not made any payments on their share yet, please get in touch with me immediately and let me know if you need to set up a monthly payment plan. I know everybody gets busy and some things slip through the cracks, so I’ve extended the grace period. However, if we haven’t received payment or heard from you by next week, we’ll have to hold your share until we can work something out. Thank you so much for your understanding and cooperation on this!

Veggies are loving the sun and growing quick!

It’s no secret the weather has made things a little challenging for the veggies this year, but the sun is out, the air is warm, and the veggies are thriving! We’re so excited to be able to load your boxes down with as many veggies as we can this season, and I’m thrilled to tell you this week’s box will be bigger than last week’s! As the crops keep popping up, we’ll keep harvesting and giving you as much as we can. We hope you’re just as excited as we are!

Introducing your Winter Green farmers!

There is so much that goes into making a farm work, and I would love to introduce you to the many wonderful people who keep this place going! Each week, I’ll introduce you to the members of our farm. Some of us have been here for years, some of us are new, but all of us are excited to be apart of getting food on your table this season and to be a part of the Winter Green family!

We’ll start with an easy one, and I’ll introduce you to me! My name is Chelsea, and I run the CSA program here at Winter Green Farm. I also help pack the boxes on Tuesdays and Fridays, as well as help Lindsey out at the Eugene Farm Stand on Wednesdays! This is my second season here at the farm, and I absolutely love it here. My favorite crop from the farm is hands-down, the strawberries. They’re delicious! My favorite books are the Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop, and I’m super excited to go to Victoria, BC this October for my honeymoon. I’m so glad to join you this season!

What’s in your box this week:

  • Collards
  • Lettuce
  • Carrots
  • Strawberries
  • Spinach

Some sites only:

  • Peas
  • Fennel

We aren’t always able to harvest our veggies in equal share, but we do our best, and we’re keeping excellent notes! If we aren’t able to get you something this time, we’ll do our very best to make sure you get it the next time it’s available.

What We’re Making this Week:

  • I love getting creative with new ideas in the kitchen, and I find these Spinach Burritos really interesting! I’d love to hear what you think.
  • Fennel might be my least favorite veggie, but I am determined to find a recipe that I love. Fennel or not, this Rigatoni Con Pesce Spada looks wonderfully delicious!

What are you making?

One of our members sent us this delicious picture of Strawberry Waffles, and I don’t know about you, but my mouth is watering! What are you making? Send me a picture of your meal or a recipe, and you may see it in our blog on Tuesdays or on social media! You can find us on Instagram (@wintergreenfarm) or on Facebook (Winter Green Farm). I’d love to see what you’re up to in the kitchen!

Every season comes with its own complications, and this year seems to be the weather. But we’re so glad you’re sticking with us this season, especially now that the sun’s out! We can’t tell you how excited we are to tag along with you on this food journey, and we’re looking forward to many more seasons to come.

Many blessings,

Chelsea and your Winter Green farmers