Category: News

Hello Folks, So we still have not received any rain.  The 90% chance of precipitation we had on Friday did not happen.  The storms moved to the north of the farm, and we got only a brief dust storm.  The storms that we thought we might get Monday afternoon also passed around the farm.  We are working hard to keep everything growing and newly planted crops germinating.  I have purchased more sprinklers, and we are reusing old drip tape to trickle water onto seed beds and crops on bars ground.  We will be mulching certain crops with straw to retain the soil moisture.  (more…)

Hello Folks, Since my last writing we received .3 inches of rain.  While this was welcome, it was not even close to what we need.  We typically look for 1” per week of precipitation, so 3/10 of an inch over three weeks along with significant heat, has left us very dry.  We are moving sprinklers around constantly, laying drip tape over newly planted seeds and generally trying to keep everything possible alive and growing.  We just do not have enough water to irrigate everything. (more…)

Hi Folks, Happy Summer Solstice!  Summer has officially begun, and the heat is on.  The scattered thunderstorms, which are our best chance of rain currently, have so far been scattering to the south and scattering to the north.  In my travels I have driven through torrential downpours various times, only to return to the farm and find it dry as a bone.  Hopefully, one will cross our path soon!  (more…)

Hello everyone, pass the peas, please!  As you may already know from my recent request for volunteers, the pea season has begun.  Having been raised on canned vegetables, the first time I tasted fresh peas was a revelation.  Who knew how sweet and delicious they were; bearing no resemblance to the gray balls of mush to which I was accustomed.  Much like tomatoes, the season for these delicacies is far too short.  They do not tolerate hot weather, and since spring only seems to last a few weeks anymore, they will be with us for 3 or 4 weeks.  We have English or shell peas, snow and sugar snap, which both have edible pods.  This week we will have mostly shell peas and as availability permits, we will rotate through the various varieties so that everyone will receive some of each type. (more…)

Hi Folks, So we have arrived at the week for which you have been waiting – the first delivery of the season!  My crew and I have been working hard for you over the last 2 months. We have lots of great veggies in store for you in the weeks ahead. 

The first shares are typically on the small side and usually heavy on greens and this year is no exception.  There are loads of peas hanging on the vines, but we need to wait for them to fill out.   The summer squash crop looks great and should begin to produce abundantly with each passing week.  Napa cabbage and broccoli are on the horizon.  For this week, you have the makings for a BIG salad. (more…)

Registration for the 2020 season is now open!  Know your farmer, know your food.

Farmer John is once again offering two share sizes:

1. BASIC SHARE – A smaller share, approximately 75% of the size of a premium share. The basic share will contain on average 9 to 12 items and will include more common produce such as lettuce, tomatoes, beans, zucchini, potatoes cucumbers etc. There will be smaller quantities of some items, for example 2 or 3 instead of 4 of crops such as peppers, eggplant, squash and cucumbers, or lower weights of beans. COST: $580 / $600

2. PREMIUM SHARE – A premium share will on average contain 10-14 items. There will be more variety and in some cases larger quantities of products such as peas and beans in the premium share. There will be more greens in the premium, for example perhaps 2 bunches of spinach instead of one and a greens item during mid-summer when these are scarce. There may be a few items that are only provided in the premium share. While herbs will be included in the basic share they will be provided more consistently in the premium share. COST: $695 / $720

Our season for both shares runs for 24 weeks and is predicted to begin on June 11.

EXTRAS:  Once the season begins there will be opportunities to purchase shares of pasture raised eggs and ecologically grown fruit.

Early Bird Discount – Save by paying in full by March 1.

Cost breakdown:

If you can not pay your share in full, a $200 non-refundable deposit holds your spot.  Email westfieldcsa@gmail.com for more information.

To Register:

Click here to register online
Then mail your check to our registration coordinator at the address on the form.

or

Click here to download a membership form
Then print and mail the application and check together to our registration coordinator on the form.

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Hello Everyone! So, we have reached the end of another season. I know that for many of you the last share pickup is a sad event; knowing that it will six months before you can begin receiving fresh produce from the farm. For me and my workers it is a bit of a relief. My workers have been suffering with working outdoors through some very cold and damp days over the last few weeks. I know that they are looking forward to going home to their families and to a warmer climate. For me, it is relief from the worry about the crops and the weather and wondering if we will be able to finish out the season in good form. (more…)

Hi Everyone! It was a beautiful day today; after the frigid weekend it felt like summer was back! Too bad it won’t last. Another arctic blast will be blowing in tomorrow and is predicted to break lots of low temperature records. Here on the farm we are expecting lows in the mid-teens two nights in a row (brrrrr). (more…)

Hello Folks! So, that was quite a storm we had last week! We had nearly 3 inches of rain, which has set us back a bit with some of our fall chores such as sowing cover crop seed and planting the garlic. But the worst part of it was the wind, which blew through here like a freight train from hell. Fortunately and amazingly, we did not suffer much damage other than having the fences for our hens blow down and finding birds scattered all around the fields the next morning. They were safe in their coops overnight but there are automatic openers on the doors which let them out in the morning, and when they emerged they found that they were free to roam. (more…)

Hello Folks, I guess you probably noticed that it was a rainy Sunday! We received nearly 2 inches here on the farm and we are back to the muddy conditions to which we have grown accustomed. We are looking at some pretty cold nights as we head into the weekend, but then it will be November so it’s to be expected. The weather is the most critical factor in farming and of course it is completely beyond our control. After 25 years in this business I am still waiting for that perfect weather year! All we can do is make the best of what we are given. As the climate changes it’s certain we will face more challenges, but people need to eat, and so we will continue to adapt. (more…)