CSA Shareout: July 13, 2013

Hello!

It’s veggie time again!  Come down Saturday for the regular time, between 12:30 and 2:00 to get your share!
NOTE!!  We will be donating food after midday on Sunday if you do not show up and we do not hear from you.  If something comes up, we are happy to hold your food in a cooler if arrangements are made.  We simply don’t want to waste any food that all of you work so hard to raise!

If you need to switch your pick-up week or cancel please let us know so we don’t harvest more than needed. Also, there is a clipboard in the hoophouse on which you can tell us about a future switch if need be.

Tomorrow we anticipate that you will receive:

  • lettuce
  • chard
  • herbs
  • baby bok choi
  • berries

AND POSSIBLY

  • squash
  • scallions
  • peas
  • garlic

Thank you so much to everyone who signed up for harvest/prep AND everyone who came down to help on the farm this week!  Harvest starts at 8:30 and prep at 10.
Check our website for recipesSee you on the farm!

-Laz

CSA Group B Share – June 29, 2013

Hello!

It’s veggie time again! Come down Saturday for the regular time, between 12:30 and 2:00 to get your share!

NOTE!! We will be donating food after midday on Sunday if you do not show up and we do not hear from you. If something comes up, we are happy to hold your food in a cooler if arrangements are made. We simply don’t want to waste any food that all of you work so hard to raise!

If you need to switch your pick-up week or cancel please let us know so we don’t harvest more than needed. You can contact me by text at 203-560-0614. Also, there is a clipboard in the hoophouse on which you can tell us about a future switch if need be.

Tomorrow we anticipate that you will receive:

  • garlic scapes
  • lettuce
  • Rainbow Swiss chard
  • Red Russian kale
  • peas – Sugar Snap – eat the whole thing! Raw or cooked.
  • turnips
  • herbs
  • AND POSSIBLY:
  • rhubarb
  • scallions
  • bok choy

Thank you so much to everyone who signed up for harvest/prep AND everyone who came down to help on the farm this week! Harvest starts at 8:30 and prep at 10.

See you on the farm!

CSA Group A pick-up this Saturday 1230 – 2:00 pm

Hi everyone in Group A,

You can come get your veggies this Saturday between 12:30 and 2. This will be the normal time from now on. If you must be late we’ll be happy to put your food in a cooler for you.

We typically donate food after midday on Sunday if you do not show up and we do not hear from you. We will hold food in the coolers for longer if you ask us to. Bottom line is that we don’t want food to go to waste, and if we don’t hear from you by midday Sunday we will give it away.

If you need to switch your pick-up week or cancel, please let us know the day before your normal pick-up so we don’t harvest more than we need. You may text Laszlo, our Harvest Manager, at 203-560-0614 to let him know you need to switch or cancel. There is a clipboard in the hoophouse on which you can tell us about a future switch.

We anticipate that tomorrow you will receive:

  • lettuce
  • scallions
  • white Hakurai salad turnips
  • kale and or Swiss chard (maybe both!)
  • maybe peas
  • garlic scapes
  • herbs (cilantro, parsley)

Thanks to the folks who signed up to harvest and prep! Harvest starts at 830, prep at 10.

Check our website for recipes.
See you at the farm!

Support us at our Upcoming Fundraisers

Join Us on The Farm

We are planning two incredible events on the farm this year, and we hope you can join us. Farmer Brenda will ring in the festivities, as you enjoy amazing farm-fresh food and community at a beautiful setting amidst the fields.

Your generosity directly supports our environmental education programs and our efforts to donate produce to neighbors in need.

Save the dates and buy tickets (link below) for August 11 and September 18!

Farm to Table Dinner
Boulder Knoll Community Farm
September 18 at 6pm
$85 early bird price/$100 after July 28 

Support Friends of Boulder Knoll and join us at Boulder Knoll Community Farm for an elegant farm-to-table dinner prepared by critically acclaimed chef Jason Sobocinski of Caseus Bistro. The evening will feature a dinner showcasing the freshest produce from the farm, great wines and craft beer, live music and a silent auction featuring items from local businesses.

Feastival on the Farm
Boulder Knoll Community Farm
August 11, 2013 at 4pm
$35 adults/$15 children
Join us for a fun, family-friendly and delicious celebration at the beautiful Boulder Knoll Farm! Families can enjoy hayrides through our wildflower garden, tours of the farm, a kid-friendly education station, a tea-cup raffle, and culinary delights created with farm-fresh ingredients by The Caseus Cheese Truck. 

Purchase tickets at www.friendsofboulderknoll.com/feastival.

June 2013 Education Events

Bird Watching Walk-N-Talk at the Farm With Special Guest Bob Giddings
Monday June 17th at 5:00 pm –
All Ages

Bring your binoculars for a bird watching hike with special guest Bob Giddings! Let’s see what species we can find and learn who lives here year-round and who is in for a quick visit. Be prepared for a moderate hike and be sure to bring some water.

Worm Composting
Wednesday June 26th at 5:00 pm –
All Ages – With a Special Project for Kids!

Want to cut down on what your family sends to the landfill, but aren’t sure how? Start a compost system! We’ll talk about banana peals, paper towels, chicken bones…you name it, so that you can answer the question: “Can I compost that?” We will go through all the do’s and don’ts of composting to help ensure you aren’t sending more to the dump then necessary. It’s a great lesson in sustainability for the whole family!

Goat’s Milk Soap Making Demo
Sunday June 30th at 3:00pm – Adults

Don’t you just love that fresh, clean feeling goat’s milk soap gives your skin? Well, come down to the farm to see how it’s made! We will go step-by-step through the entire process so that you can try it for yourself at home! Be sure to bring latex gloves and glasses or goggles, since we will be working with lye. Safety first!

Email us at educator@boulderknollfarm.com to RSVP to any of our upcoming free educational workshops.

First Education Events of the Year

Three Sisters Gardens

May 13, from 5:30-6:30pm
Recommended ages: 12 and under

What do you get when you cross Native American lore, mutualistic relationships and farming?  A Three Sister’s Garden!

Bring the kids down for an afternoon of storytelling, sowing seed and fun! You get to bring home your very own Three Sister’s Garden to watch and learn how these siblings get along.

Spring Hike

May 23, from 5:30-7:00pm
All are welcome!

What’s coming out of the ground?  Can you spot the intruders?

Join us at the farm for a spring Walk-N-Talk and see what native plants are emerging from the ground and, how they need to fight for their rightful place among the dreaded invasive plant species.

Freshwater Fishing

May 31, from 5:30pm-when we catch some fish!
Recommended ages: 7-12

Lets discover the common freshwater fish species in our area!

We’ll learn about anatomy, habits and life cycles of our water loving friends.  We will also make a minimalist’s fishing pole and learn some basic fishing techniques and see what we can catch at a local pond minutes away from the farm.  We will meet at the farm and drive over to the pond, caravan style, so be prompt!  Fish On!

 

Click here to RSVP!

 

We're Hiring: Environmental Educator/Harvest Manager

Environmental Educator/ Harvest Manager

Boulder Knoll Community Farm, Cheshire, CT

Boulder Knoll Community Farm(BKCF) is a small-scale, environmentally sustainable farm in Cheshire, CT that provides healthy, local vegetables and fruit to 65 shareholders, local soup kitchens, and a New Haven restaurant.  Education is a central component and an essential element in the vision of the Friends of Boulder Knoll (FOBK), the farm’s sponsoring organization. Our goal is to emphasize essential links between people, plants, and the earth, to develop interdisciplinary learning, and to promote environmental responsibility.

The Environmental Educator(EE)/Harvest Manager (HM) will be anenergetic, well-organized environmentalist with experience in farming and education who will provide a variety of educational opportunities, at the farm and off-site when appropriate. The EE/HM will assist the farmer in the overall operation of the farm including managing all aspects of the weekly CSA share distribution.

The EE/HM will work with the farmer to develop programs that provide hands-on experiences for children, youth and adults, including people with special needs. Programs will enable people to understand where their food comes from, what it takes to get it there and the importance of eating healthy, whole foods.

Job Description

The EE /HM will support the mission of the farm by providing assistance in the farm operation and by working with CSA members, and volunteers to enhance educational opportunities at all levels.

The EE/HM will design, publicize and implement a variety of educational programs for children, youth and adults. Lessons may cover topics ranging from sustainable agriculture, food preparation, to wildlife habitat. Programming may include, but is not limited to, fall and spring school programs, field trips, community groups (youth and adult), community events, adult classes, and summer programs on the farm. The EE/ HM will create an educational space, prepare / and purchase needed educational materials (budget provided). The farmer must approve the content and timing of educational programming.

The EE/ HM will assume responsibility for harvest and share distribution. Responsibilities will include communicating with share holders, outside suppliers, member work coordinators, and harvesters to assure that each CSA member is getting a share out that is of excellent product quality and quantity and has a positive pick- up experience.  The EE/HM will model good harvesting, prep, washing, display , clean- up techniques. He/she will respond to CSA sharers’ needs in terms of pick-up times and changes.

The EE/HM will work collaboratively with the farmer and will report to the FOBK Board. The EE/HM will communicate periodically with the board regarding activities and success of the programs and will submit a written annual report on the educational program.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate experience and basic theoretical knowledge in organic and sustainable farming, and ideally will have worked an entire season on a CSA farm or garden project. This is a position for someone seriously interested in sustainable farming, food, and community education. We offer the opportunity to be integrally involved in a small organic farming operation and in farm education. There is the potential for a successful individual to assume the farm manager position in 2014.

Specific skills include, but are not mandated:

  • Excellent work ethic and communication skills;
  • Background in Environmental Science, Agriculture, Education or related field;
  • Willingness to teach and learn sustainable growing techniques
  • Demonstrated experience in working in formal and/or informal education programs including working with people with special needs;
  • Experience educating in an outdoor setting; create an educational space, prepare / and purchase needed educational materials (budget provided);
  • Demonstrated ability to get along and communicate with all ages;
  • Familiarity with farming and farm-based education;
  • Ability to assist with physical and organizational farm tasks;
  • Ability to think strategically about the weekly harvest and balance the needs of the farm, CSA members and food donation recipients;
  • Ability to think strategically and creatively to enhance FOBK and BKCF while following the leadership of the farmer;
  • First aid /CPR certified or willingness to obtain the training;
  • Well organized, flexible, with an ability to take initiative and adapt to new situations.

Hours and Compensation:

The EE/HM position is seasonal, 34 weeks, April through November. In general the EE/HM is expected to work an average of 24 hours/week, to be allocated as follows:

12 hours/week – EE:  see description above

12 hours/week – HM: April/ May – assist farmer in a variety of tasks including planting, cultivation, bed preparation and weeding  (2 six hour days requested)

June – October – Assume responsibility for harvest and share distribution on Saturday.

Some work is required on evenings and weekends, depending on timing of educational programs and harvest/ share out. Attendance at occasional FOBK board meetings will be expected with prior notice.

The EE/HM will work for the Friends of Boulder Knoll as an independent contractor. Worker’s compensation will be provided. The position offers no benefits, and no taxes will be withheld.

Salary range: $12,000- $15,000 depending on experience, hours worked and documented. The position requires a full season commitment.

Send any questions and inquiries to info@friendsofboulderknoll.com.

 

Group A's share on Saturday Oct 13 – Pick up between 1230 and 2

Hi everyone!

Here’s what I think you’ll probably receive in your share on Saturday (if we get a few harvesters to help):

  • potatoes
  • sweet potatoes
  • apples
  • winter squash
  • onions or leeks choice
  • garlic
  • greens choice – kale, chard, bok choi, arugula, broccoli raab or tatsoi (maybe choose two of these)
  • Other choices may include beans, radishes, eggplant, carrots

We could use harvesters between 830 and 12, and a prep person at 930 – please sign up with Annmarie if you can help. As of now it’s just me for harvest 🙁

Enjoy the crisp fall weather!

See you Saturday,
Brenda

Harvest Celebration and Friends of Boulder Knoll Annual Meeting + News from the Farm

When: Friday, Oct 5th, 6 pm until 9 pm (or whenever)

What: Bring a dish to share (to feed about 8 people) and a good appetite. Main dishes, side dishes, salads, desserts are welcome. ( fyi: We don’t have any way to heat them up.) Beer and wine too!

We’re also hosting a stuff give-away. If you have a decent item (or 2 or 3!) that you’d like to re-home please bring it to the celebration. Anyone is welcome to bring items or adopt items. No money, no hassle, just a way of finding a good home for something that you don’t need anymore. You just need to take your item back if no one claims it. Put your name on the item somewhere so interested people can talk to you. If you have perennial plant divisions to give away, please bring those too.

Our short and sweet annual meeting includes a short report about the CSA and the education work at the farm, and then the members confirm the selection of new Board members and officers.

Where: Bob Giddings’ barn at the top of the hill overlooking the farm. Park at the farm or in Bob’s yard. Look for the signs.

Who: Anyone in any way associated with the farm – volunteers, friends, family, kids!

Help needed at the Farm

We need folks to come tomorrow (Friday) between 11 am and 2 pm to dig potatoes and sweet potatoes and harvest some winter squash. Please let Annmarie Golioto amgolioto@cox.net know if you’d like to come.

If you can’t bend and dig, there are other things to do! We need help setting up and decorating (light strings, tables, etc) for the potluck. This will be done in the afternoon. Please let Annmarie know if you can help with that.

We also need 4 adult harvesters and 2 preppers on Saturday mornings Oct 13th and 20th. I will be staffing the share-out to talk to members on those dates.

We’ll be planting garlic in early November – stay tuned. Clearing weeds out of beds would be very welcome in the next few weeks – mowing too!

I anticipate that Group B might get the following produce on Saturday 10/6/12:

  • Tatsoi/lettuce/arugula
  • braising greens (kale, Asian greens, chard)
  • bok choi
  • potatoes
  • cider?
  • eggplant/peppers/tomatillos
  • dill (maybe choice with a bunch of other stuff)
  • radishes or daikon (the best – big, mild, crunchy!)
  • leeks
  • winter squash
  • beans (Don’t be fooled – these are big tender pole beans – very tasty.)

Please let me know asap if you can’t pick up your share this weekend or need to be late. Text to my cell or email is great.

Hope to see you at the potluck on Friday evening!
Brenda

News from the Farm Oct 1, 2012 – harvest celebration, potato diggers needed, educational events

Harvest Celebration and Friends of Boulder Knoll Annual Meeting
When: Friday, Oct 5th, 6 pm until 9 pm (or whenever)

What: Bring a dish to share (to feed about 8 people) and a good appetite. Main dishes, side dishes, salads, desserts are welcome. ( fyi: We don’t have any way to heat them up.) Beer and wine too!
We’re also hosting a stuff give-away. If you have a decent item (or 2 or 3!) that you’d like to re-home please bring it to the celebration. Anyone is welcome to bring items or adopt items. No money, no hassle, just a way of finding a good home for something that you don’t need anymore. You just need to take your item back if no one claims it. Put your name on the item somewhere so interested people can talk to you. If you have perennial plant divisions to give away, please bring those too.
Our short and sweet annual meeting includes a short report about the CSA and the education work at the farm, and then the members confirm the selection of new Board members and officers.

WhereBob Giddings’ barn at the top of the hill overlooking the farm. Park at the farm or in Bob’s yard. Look for the signs.

Who: Anyone in any way associated with the farm – volunteers, friends, family, kids!

Help needed at the Farm
We need folks to come on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of this week between 10 am and 2 pm to dig potatoes and sweet potatoes. If you can’t bend and dig, there are other things to do! Please let Annmarie Golioto amgolioto@cox.netknow you’d like to come.

We also need 3 more adult harvesters and 2 preppers on Saturday morning Oct 6th (and the next 2 weeks for that matter). Someone to staff the share-out would be nice too.

Educational events coming up – check the Boulder Knoll website to RSVP.
Sunday, Oct 14th, 12 noon – 2 pm – Starting an organic garden – How to establish a garden patch now so that it’s ready for planting in the spring. We will all visit a local yard and get our hands dirty preparing that person’s small garden. Brenda’s focus is on soil building and techniques that require the least amount of work. You’ll be equipped to do a similar thing in your yard when you leave.

Friday, Oct 19th, 7 to 9 pm – Star gazing with Bobcat Carruthers. Bobcat, a longtime amateur astronomer, will bring high quality commercial and his own home-made telescopes to show us the moon, star constellations and other celestial bodies. Bring a blanket or sleeping bag to sit on and dress warmly. Hot chocolate, anyone?

(These events are free, but if you say you’re coming, let us know if you can’t make it.)

Thank you to Fellis Jordan for a GREAT hypertufa planter workshop. We all went home with 2 free planters. I can’t wait to unwrap mine after it’s cured!