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I just wanted to take a few minutes to welcome those of you who are considering taking part in the 2012 CSA program. Below you will find a list of the drop sites and times, general info on what you can expect in your baskets, and details on program pricing and how to get signed up. If there is anything else you need please don’t hesitate to email me or give me a call. I will be more than happy to walk you through it.
Drop sites:
Rochester - Kroger Parking lot at Silverbell/Adams on Saturday mornings from 10-12
Oxford - Big Boy parking lot on Rt 24 just N of Drahner from 4:30-5:30pm on Saturdays

Caro - Walmart Parking Lot Monday evenings from 5;30-6:30pm

Southfield - bldg 2000 at Evergreen and 10 mile on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30-4pm
Farmington - Orchard 12 Plaza at Orchard Lk Rd. and 12 mile from 4:30 - 6pm on Wednesday afternoons

To your door delivery is also available throughout our service area. It is $75 for all areas N of Rochester and $100 for the Farmington/ Southfield area.

Pricing for the Garden Goodies Summer Program is as follows:
A)Half Share Program - half bushel weekly or full bushel bi-weekly Garden Goodies Only - $350
B)Full Share Program - Full bushel weekly Garden Goodies Only - $550
C) Senior Share - half bushel weekly w/ delivery within the target area $300

Egg shares- Available to CSA customers only at this point
E1) one dozen farm fresh free range eggs delivered weekly $50
E2) two dozen farm fresh free range eggs delviered weekly $95
Last year we sold out on the eggs just for our CSA customers. I purchased more chickens this year, but I don’t expect to have Egg shares available to sell to the general public. The best way to get eggs from us is to sign up for the CSA program.

Please keep in mind if you are interested in grass fed meats that there is a discount for signing up for the annual shares that include pork bundles through the winter months. There is a seperate post that deals specifically with these programs and their pricing. Please let me know if you have any questions.

I will divide the plant list up into groups of the items that you will find in your baskets for early, mid, and late season. You won’t get all of the items in every basket, but it will give you and idea of the progression. Half a bushel is about the size of the black wire baskets you get at Krogers that go over your arm. A bushel is about the size of a square milk crate, or Family Dollar sells bushel sized laundry baskets in a variety of colors. Also, I am there when you pick up, so if there is something that you or your family won’t eat - just let me know. I will do my best to substitute it for something else that is available. I don’t want to waste anything, and there is always someone else who will take it By August, you are getting more than your half bushel because some things are just big like the cantaloupes, cabbages, watermelon and some of the squash. I had banana squash last year that I had to can, because they were too big to do much else with. It was like stacking logs in the back of the truck. They are an interesting variety: we had some that were 12 inches long and some that were 4 feet long growing right next to each other.

Early basket - cucumbers, radishes, carrots, zucchini, scallop squash, greens (we are aiming for a lettuce or green in every basket this season), tomatoes (maybe not in the first basket, but probably the second, definately the third), green beans - Dill

Mid season basket - cucumbers, radishes, carrots, zucchini, scallops, greens/lettuces, tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn (I delivered corn 7 times last year throughout the season), melons, broccoli, dragon tongue beans, onions, winter squash, egg plant - cilantro, basil, oregano

Late season - tomatoes, still more corn, winter squash, pumpkins, greens, melons, peppers, cabbage, turnips, rutabagas, beets, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, herbs, potatoes, sweet potatoes, egg plant, onions

To sign up for the 2012 CSA Program simply print out the CSA commitment agreement, which can be found linked on our Garden Goodies page, or typed out on the blog for your convenience, sign it and send it in with your check or MO for the amount of the program you wish to participate in. Some folks had trouble getting the page to open last year, so I just typed it up on the blog to make it easier.

We are really excited about the program this season. Winter can be so isolating it will be nice to see everyone again and to get to know our new members.
Have a blessed and wonderful day!
Steph

Please make checks payable to:

S. Antaya

789 Wilwood

Rochester Hills MI 48309

OK, so it is official.  Pigs go in to the butcher on the 25th of August and Pork CSA deliveries will begin on Saturday September 17th.  Normally the Sept deliveries would fall on the 10th, but I figured if I scheduled for the 17th we would have plenty of time to get everything back from the butcher, including the smoked meats so many of you are looking forward to.  I have included the pricing and delivery details for the Pork CSA below.  It can be ordered with or without egg share participation. 

We will be offering pork deliveries monthly to the regular drop off sites in Rochester and Farmington.  Drops will take place the second Saturday of the month in months with 4 weeks or the middle Saturday in months with 5 weeks.  Pick up times will be in Rochester between 10am and 11am at the Kroger parking lot at Silverbell and Adams and in Farmington from 12:30-1:30pm Saturday afternoon at the parking lot at Orchard Lake and 12 mile at the Orchard 12 plaza.  On the way back up 24 I will be at the Big Boy parking lot from 3:30-4:30pm for my Oxford/Lake Orion customers. For my Frankenmuth, Birch Run, and Lapeer customers, we can set up a time to meet once monthly for you to pick up your meats.  You don’t have to drive all the way up here either :)   The pork will be divided into 20lb bundles.  You will choose which bundle you would like each month so you can adjust as you see fit as the season progresses.  I have written up the pork program to run from September 17th through February 11th, but we will take sign up for the veggie, meat and annual memberships year round.  If you want to sign up mid-season we will simply wrap your annual membership around from the date that you sign up. 

I can not stress enough that this is not supermarket pork.  It is certainly not the other white meat.  I raise three breeds of heritage hog, two of which are on the ALBCs critically endangered list.  My hogs are free ranged on 10 acres of pasture, and are lower in cholesterol and fat than most meats you could buy in the supermarket, including some poultry.  It is dark, rich, flavorful, and superbly healthy.  For more information on the advantages of pasture raised meats - please check out www.eatwild.com.  They have done some wonderful research into the health benefits of grassfed foods.

The bundles look like this:

A) Mixed pork bundle

      1.  4lbs breakfast sausage

      2.  2lbs italian sausage (hot or mild)

      3.  1 ham hock (approx 2lbs)

      4.  2lbs ground pork

      5.  1 (3-5lb) pork roast

      6.  2lbs bratwurst

      7.  2lbs. chops or cutlets

      8.  2lbs spare ribs

B) Sausage bundle

      1.  5lbs. breakfast sausage

      2.  5lbs. chorizo

      3.  5lbs. italian sausage (hot or mild)

      4.  5lbs. bratwurst

C) Tailgater bundle

      1.  5lbs. ribs

      2.  1 (3-5lb.) pork roast - perfect for barbeque or pulled pork sandwiches

      3.  6lbs. bratwurst

      4.  6lbs.  italian sausage (hot or mild)  (or in Dec. on you can substitute 8lbs. fresh natural casing hot dogs or we can do a combination of the two)

Pricing for the meat CSA is $600 and it runs for 6 months.  That is less than $25 per week, or $100 per month, which works out to approx. $5/lb including delivery to the drop points .

Pricing for the meat CSA plus a 4 dozen a month egg share is $685.  Pricing for the eggs is slightly higher during the winter months, because feed costs increase as there is less pasture for the girls to take advantage of, and egg production goes down a bit in the winter, as temps get colder and there is less light.  This puts winter egg prices at $3.50 per dozen for fresh free range large brown eggs delivered.

After speaking with my husband, we also decided that those of you who are going to be year round members should also receive an additional discount, so for those of you who would like to sign up through next year pricing is explained below.  In addition to the discount, this also holds the CSA prices at the previous years rate even if it increases next year. 

Annual CSA membership from now through next season:

A1) Winter pork CSA (from September 17th through February) plus half share vegetable CSA (July 1st - Oct. 31st) - discounted price for early sign up $900   (No eggs included in this option)

A2) Winter pork CSA (from September 17th through February) plus full share vegetable CSA (July 1st - Oct. 31st) - discounted annual price $1100

Annual CSA membership from now until Oct. 31st 2012 including egg share

B1) Winter pork CSA with 4 dozen eggs per month (from September through February) plus half share vegetable CSA plus one dozen eggs delivered weekly from (1 July - Oct 31, 2012) - price w/early sign up $1025

B2) Winter pork CSA with 4 dozen eggs per month (from September 17th - February) plus full share vegetable CSA plus one dozen eggs delivered weekly from (1 July - Oct 31, 2011) - price w/ early sign up $1225

C1) Winter Egg Only shares - 4 dozen eggs per month picked up at one of our two drop sites is $100.

As many of you know, I have a genuine heart for our senior customers and we always offer programs to keep this affordable and convenient for our area seniors.  My grandparents raised me, and it is important to me that anyone who would like to take part is able to do so.  Because I have so many seniors and smaller families taking part in the program I have set up an annual ’senior’ package as well.  If you are not a senior, don’t fret, it is available to anyone who feels that 20lbs is more than they could use or afford.  It is a 12lb bundle and subscription for the 6 month winter CSA season will run $360.

S) “Senior” bundle

      1.  (3-5lb) pork roast

      2.  2lbs.  your choice sausage (italian, bratwurst, breakfast, chorizo) or ground pork

      3.  2lbs.  pork chops or cutlets

      4.  2lbs.  pork steak

      5.  2lbs.  spare ribs or an additional 2lbs. sausage (choice)

That makes annual membership for this program look like this:

S1) Senior or small family Annual membership without eggs including Senior winter CSA ($360) and half share senior vegetable membership ($300) - $660

S2) Senior or small family Annual membership with eggs Including Senior winter CSA w/4 dozen eggs delivered each month ($445) and half share senior vegetable CSA membership including 1 dozen eggs delivered weekly ($350) - $795

If you need to set up payments for the annual membership options, that is certainly doable.

Please feel free to call or email with any questions.

Steph 

810-656-2036

CSA Payments can be sent to :

Stephanie Antaya

8231 S. SIlverwood Rd.

Silverwood, MI 48760

As many of you know, this is our first year as a CSA.  I have been selling produce down in Rochester for the last couple of years out of a 3 acre garden we had always kept here on the 10 acres where we live.  CSA is just a little larger scale then what I was doing before.  I have had family members and friends ask why Community Supported Agriculture makes sense for their family.  So I thought I would take a little time and address that here this morning. 

The United States isn’t the same kind of country it was when our grandparents were growing up.  In the 1930’s when my grandparents were young, each family supplied much of what they consumed.  My Great-grandma Myer had 9 children of her own, and she raised 2 young indian girls as well.  They grew a large garden.  When berries were in season, everyone picked berries.  My grandmother used to take me out berry picking when I was a girl.  I was astounded how fast that woman could fill up a berry bucket.  When I asked her how she could pick that fast, she responded “When I was just a girl, my father used to take us 9 kids out to pick berries.  He would tell us when we got there how many we would be picking, and we would stay until we met his quota.  Everyone picked.  When the older children had what they needed - they helped the younger children.  When we were done, my father would pick my mother a bouquet of daisies, and we would all head home.”  They had a milk cow too.  And my grandmother tells me now, that her father raised the meanest pigs in all of God’s creation, which they butchered to help feed their bustling family.  Living off what you grow, taking what you work for, and nothing more -  that is who we used to be as a nation.  We have lost some of our collective identity.  We stopped working as hard for what we needed, because we no longer had to. 

We need to again - its that simple.  Michigan has one of the worst state economies in the country right now.  We have many more people moving out then moving in, and the welfare rolls are growing.   People feel lost.  We are hurting, and now more than ever, we should be supporting each other.  The people who worked for Ford and GM, who no longer have a job due to downsizing and relocations, would tell you that if you live in Michigan and you are driving a foreign made car, you are choosing to take money out of the pocket of your neighbor.  That is money your neighbor won’t spend at your local business.  Taxes he won’t contribute to the local school system that both of your children attend.  Taxes that could make a broken system better.  We are all a web of choices and consequences in our lives, our families, our state, and our country.  Our choices positively or negatively affect one another.  Taking from the teaching of Randy Carlson - we all need to live intentionally.  Evaluating each decision carefully and making the very best one.  

Everyone reading this can choose to go down to your local grocery and pick up your vegetables there, and yes you will be supporting your local store, but please don’t be mistaken into thinking that you are supporting your local farmers by making that choice.  Even the Whole Foods in Rochester, who claims to be a provider of local meats and produce, purchase and import their ‘free range’ chickens from Chicago, where they are grown in a dome.  I promise you, there are plenty of Michigan farmers raising genuinely free range birds here to meet their needs.  Choosing to support CSA is the best way to get the freshest produce at a price better then you will get at your local groceries.  And anything in your share is guaranteed grown in Michigan.  Next time you are in Krogers, pick up one of their black hand baskets - the wire ones, fill it with as much organic produce as it will hold and take it to the checkout.  One of those wire baskets holds less than half a bushel of produce, which is the amount we provide as a half share from our farm every week.  I promise you it will cost you more than $20, and the varieties available there are nowhere near as diverse as what we offer from the farm.  That basket of produce from Krogers will benefit farmers in Mexico, Chile, and Brazil.  There might be some Michigan produce in there, but probably not much, and definately less than half.  That isn’t good enough.  In supporting your CSAs, you are supporting your neighbors, and your state and local economies.  As Michiganders, we need to be very conscious of how much of what we make is staying here.  Please consider supporting your local farms through their CSA programs.  Your family and theirs will benefit greatly.

Steph

Prayer for the day: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for our friends, our family, and our farm.  Help us serve and represent You well in all that we do today.  Help our work be fruitful, and our faith be strong.  Keep us focused and diligent.  Help us to set goals and accomplish them, and to meet our obligations.  Please provide for our needs as only you can.  Help baby Livy feel better and help Lucas’ stuffy nose to clear up.  Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers.

Amen

I know that some folks have had a hard time opening the docfile for the CSA Commitment Agreement on the Garden Goodies page.  I had emailed the webtechs and asked them to fix it, but they haven’t gotten to it yet.  I decided this would be a quick fix in the meantime, so that everyone could access the agreement.  We would love to have you and your family take part in our CSA this year! Here is our CSA Commitment Agreement, all CSAs have them. Ours is pretty basic. If you have any questions, just let me know. I will be happy to explain anything.  To the door delivery for the season is $75 - if you live in Farmington or Birmingham there is a $100 delivery charge.  I hope that helps.  Have a blessed day!

Steph

CSA Commitment Agreement

By signing this agreement I (we) understand that I (we) am (are) making a commitment to the Antaya Acres Heritage Farm CSA program.

I understand that I am purchasing one season’s share in the harvest of produce by Antaya Acres and that my vegetable share does not include the livestock or the products produced by this farm (although discounts on such items will be offered to subscribers). I am not purchasing any ownership rights to Antaya Acres Heritage Farm its property or equipment.

I realize that although this farm is protected by signifigant garden experience as well as all natural farming practices, that there is no guarantee in farming. Amounts of vegetables and varieties of produce available will vary throughout the season, and according to the weather.

I agree to share in both the rewards and the risks of the growing season along with the other shareholders and growers.

I understand that the season for fresh produce will run from the beginning of July through Oct for at least 16 weeks, but its exact beginning and ending will depend primarily on the weather.

I agree to contact Antaya Acres Heritage Farm and let them know if I will be unable to pick up my weekly share, and to make other arrangments to pick up if the weekly distribution is missed. I will not hold Antaya Acres responsible for my not receiving my parcel if I do not make the pick up at the designated time and location.

I understand that once the season has begun, I may not be able to get any refund of money if I change my mind.

___________________________________________ _____________

Shareholder’s Signature  and Date

Also please be sure to include your address, phone number, and email address. Please note on your agreement if you are signing up for a full share / half share, or senior share, egg share, and if you need delivery.

Please send CSA Agreement and check to:

S. Antaya

789 Wilwood

Rochester Hills, MI 48309

Please make all checks payable to S. Antaya

2011 Plant list
Tomatoes:

Hybrids: Sunstar, SVR 1400

Beefsteaks and X-LG tomatoes: Henderson’s Crimson Cushion, Rose, Kentucky Beefsteak, Giant White, Huge Lemon Oxheart, Purple Calabash, Gypsy, Big White Pink Stripes (stuffer)

Cherries and grapes: Black Pepper, Snow Fairy, Sungold Select, Italian Ice, Snowberry, Pearly Pink, Thai Pink Egg, Gajo de Melon, Black Cherry, Hssiao His Hung Shih

Pears: Yellow Pear, Red Fig, and Black Pear

Paste/ Roma varieties: San Marzano, Cream Sausage, Orange Icicle, Roman Candle, Striped Roman Candle, Purple Plum, Japanese Plum

Heirloom Misc: Furry Yellow Hog, Pink Accordian, Ananas Noir, Striped Cavern, Tsar’s Royal Gift, German Red Strawberry, Bison

Large Cherry (2-3 ounces): Violet Jasper, Orange and Green Zebra, Turkish Monastery, Tigerella, White Zebra,

Peppers:

Sweet: Red, Orange, Purple, Yellow, and Green Bell Peppers

Italian Grilling: Red Marconi, Yellow Marconi, and Green

Hot: Scotch Bonnet, Gigante Jalapeno, Fish peppers, Chinese 5 color, Pablano, Romanian Hot

Greens:
Collards, Spinach, Red and green mustard, and Swiss Chard

Lettuces:
Parris Island Cos, Red Romaine, Lollo Rosso, May Queen, Rossa Di Treviso Precoce Radicchio, Castelfranco Radicchio, Rubin, Tango, Grumolo Rossa di Verona, Grumolo Biondo Golden Chicory, Batavian Escarole, De Louviers, Mascara Lettuce, Big Boston Lettuce, and Brun D’Hiver lettuce. The goal for this season is to have a different green or lettuce in the baskets for all 16 weeks, thanks to the new Lettuce box garden my husband made for us this season.

Beans:
Dragon Tongue Bean, Green and Red Noodle Beans, Grenoble Green Beans

Radishes:
Pink Beauty, Purple Plum, Sicily Giant, German Giant, and White Hailstone,
Round Black Spanish Radish (giant), and China Rose (giant)

Carrots:
assorted Colors of heirloom carrots including: purple, red, white, orange, yellow, and light green

Rutabagas: Wilhelmsburg and Laurentian

Turnip: Golden Globe and White purple Tops

Beets: Bull’s Blood, Chioggia (striped), Golden beets, and salad leaf beet for salad greens

Summer Squash: Table Dainty (green and yellow striped 6oz.) similar to a tiny zucchini, Romanesco Zucchini (deeply ribbed -star shaped slices), Camoflage Zucchini, Butterstick Zucchini (yellow), Odessa, Ronde de Nice (lg round stuffer), Scallops (white, yellow, and green)

Winter Squash: Stripetti, Buttercup, Butternut, Australian Queensland Blue, Australian Butter, Banana, Red Kuri, Table Queen Acorn, Marina Di Chiogga, L’Estrella, and Melonette Jaspee Vendee

Brussel Sprouts, 3 colors of Cauliflower, Broccoli, and green and purple cabbage

Pumpkins: Winter Luxury Pie Pumpkins and Jumping Jack (large carving pumpkin)

Cucumbers: Delikatasse (8″green and white), Juane Dickfleischige (8″ long yellow), Sikkim (up to 4lb. Asian Cucumber), Lemon Cucumber, Parisian Pickling Cucumbers

Watermelons: Orangeglo, Sugar Baby, White Sugar Lump, Black Diamond Yellow Flesh, and Ali Babba

Cantaloupes: Banana Melon, Honey Rock

Honey Dew types: Golden Honeymoon, and Lazzatti (banana shaped honeydew)

Small melons: Tigger, Hero of Lockinge, Early Silver Line, Missouri Gold, Green Machine, and Sakata’s Sweet

European Melons: Petit Gris de Rennes and Chartenais

Potatoes: red, yellow, blue and purple

Sweet Potatoes: Evangeline (the sweetest variety)

Onions: Candy and Red Defender

Leeks

Herbs: Sage, Thyme, Marjoram, Rosemary, Chives, Dill, Oregano, Cilantro, and 4 different Basil

6 types of eggplant: Ukrainian, Turkish Orang, Chinese Long Purple, Japanese White Egg, Rosa di Bianco, and Applegreen Eggplants