2015 CSA Fresh Box Program draws to a close

“A man with a machine and inadequate culture is a pestilence.”
― Wendell Berry

So I ended up buying some organic jalapenos, cantaloupe, and corn from this farmer who used to farm 400 acres near Manassa and now farms mixed vegetables near Rocky Ford.  He comes into the hub looking pretty classic with a leather vest, cowboy boots, cowboy hat, and was no more than 4 ft 10 inches tall.  His beard was extremely thick and full and I couldn't tell if it was sun bleached white or white from years of life.  It also covered his face more than I have ever seen-it was encircling and approaching his eye sockets!  This guy made me feel like I was in a novel, in another time and place.  Somewhere between being on the Star Wars desert planet of Tatouine and being on a frontier hacienda near San Luis circa 1868.  Anyhow, the passion this man had for farming was remarkable.  The toils and tribulations, and joys and successes, he had them all.  And his wife confirmed he will never stop.  He is going to keep on working hard and putting out good organic food until he can no more.  So we discussed more collaboration for next year, as he said the market for organic produce near Rocky Ford is not what people want or eat.  Well, I said that IS what my people hear in the valley want.  Not only because they don't want residual pesticides/herbicides on their food, but because they also care about the soil and the future of regenerative agriculture.  Too bad he left Manassa.

Pictures above from the kitchen and hand of Megumi Sugihara, also above center is Chris Lehman.  Chris is a Mennonite intern with the SLV Local Foods Coalition and has been helping with the food hub for the last two months or so.  We greatly appreciate his dedication and contribution to building a regional local food system.  Thanks Chris!

9/18/15

• 1 Butternut Squash, Milleberger Farms via of partner food hub AVOG
• 1 lb Mixed Greens, Ring a Ding Farms, Howard
• 1 Bunch Beets, White Mountain Farm, Mosca
• 1 Bunch Carrots, WMF
• 1 Bunch Turnips, WMF
• 3 lbs Russet Potatoes, WMF
• 2 lbs Garlic Purple Glazer, Absmeier High Altitude Garlic
• 1 bunch Kale, Brightwater Farms, Monte Vista
• Taos Mountain Energy Bar, 1 of each flavor
• 1 Bunch Onions, WMF

9/25/15: Storage Crops

• 3 lbs Fingerling Potatoes, Rockey Farms, Center
• 3 lbs Russet Potatoes, WMF
• 6 lbs Red Potatoes, WMF
• 6 lbs ORG Honeycrisp Apples!  Osito Orchards, Hotchkiss via AVOG
• 2.35 lbs Patty Pan Squash, Tom Navarro, San Luis
• 1.64 lbs Calabacita Squash, Tom Navarro
• 1 Bunch Orange Carrots, WMF
• 2 Butternut Squash, Miliberger Farms