Week 2 Update

Congratulations! We all made it through the first week of pick ups. We were happy to see so many familiar faces again, and pleased to meet new members, many of whom were eager to try meats, eggs, and cheeses from other local producers. We have been so focused on growing veggies here (in addition we had a family member in the hospital last week), that we haven't made our usual late spring contacts with other local farmers. I intend to make as many contacts on Monday as I can, and will fill in with others as soon as possible. I will update you all each week about what is available.



This week during your pickups, we will have samples of lemonade, green tea, and black tea lemonade for you to try from Apple Valley Creamery. If you are interested in purchasing their products, you must contact me, Amy, by sundown Monday. Browse their website to see if there is anything you would like to try. They offer milk, cream, and butter from their pastured cows; grain-fed beef; raw milk cheeses from Whispering Brook Cheese Haus; lemonade and teas; plus things from producers near them. I usually mark their items up to the nearest dime or quarter to avoid the nuisance of pennies.



Bug Report: Shiela saw the first Japanese Beetle of the season yesterday. Last year we had very few Japenese Beetles, and hope that this year is a light one as well. They always eat our early corn silks and ruin our first few pickings. A couple of Squash bugs are in the greenhouse on the squash seedlings, but we have been able to squish them before they lay any eggs. The population of Colorado Potato Beetles are increasing, but we are still below the threshold to apply a pesticide to save the crop. Cabbage moths have been busy laying eggs on the cabbage, broccoli, and kale. Now those eggs are hatching and the tiny caterpillars are beginning to feed on the leaves. Once this pattern of rainy muggy weather passes, we will spray them with a bacteria called Bacillus Thuringiensis.



Disease Report: Late Blight has been reported in Maryland already, and after the devestation that it caused last year that we are watching closely for any signs. The wet weather patterns that we are having is ideal for culturing the spores and spreading the disease. We are keeping up to date on the status of it in Central Pennsylvania. If it gets closer to us, we may consider applying a fungicide. If it comes to this, we will ask what you all prefer before taking any actions.



Wildlife Report: The deer are still making tracks through our fields. They seem to stay away from electric fencing, so we are learning how to setup in electric system that we can run around the perimeter of our fields. We think that will help them to stay away from things like lettuce, fennel, and green beans. As far as the bird spottings go we have seen: Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows buzzed us while we were mowing the grass, a Barn Owl called as it flew away from our property, Indigo Buntings are calling from the tops of brush and weeds. Groundhog babies are out and about. This past week we saw a few butterflies: Black Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail, Cabbage White, and Silvery Blue were spotted in passing. I tried to identify a skipper of some sort and I suspect it was a Least Skipper. Red Admirals keep turning up in the greenhouse. We aren't sure yet why they seem to like it in there.

This coming Saturday we will host a working Saturday and our annual potluck will follow it around 10:30. Come join us around 8 to pull some weeds, and bring a dish to share during the potluck brunch. Our farm will supply the drinks, plates, cups, and cutlery. Let us know if you will come, so we can be sure to have enough seating for everyone.