April 2017 Newsletter

What’s happening …

 
We've been busy busy busy seeding this past month.  Our greenhouse is filling-up quickly and so as our 2017 CSA Membership spots.  If you haven't joined yet, NOW is the time!  Click here to sign-up
If you already joined, we would appreciate it if you can help us spread the word to your family, friends, co-workers and community.  Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, like our posts and keep sharing!
Also, don't forget to send in your membership dues. It helps us grow the food that you will be receiving in your shares this season.  If you need assistance with payment terms, please don't hesitate to contact us. 

Click here to view some photos of the garlic growing in the field and some of the transplants growing in the greenhouse: collard, kale, broccoli, chard, escarole, bokchoy, and lots of beets.

NEW WEBSITE

Check out our new website !  We have updated the look of our website for easy navigation to view photos, read information and sign-up form.  In the next couple of weeks the Produce Guide page will be available to view that will help you identify the crops we grow, some nutritional information and how to store your vegetables. We also have a Recipe page that we will keep updating.  If you have any recipes that you have made with our fresh organic produce, please do share by sending us an email at farmer@naturalearthfarmsny.com

EARTH DAY is April 22nd

Don't forget, Earth Day is April 22nd! Everyday is Earth Day for us, your local organic farmers. Organic Farmers are advocates to protect our environment.  We make sure that we have healthy soils and practice organic growing methods that helps to make a healthy ecosystem and provide healthy organic food to the community.  Celebrate Earth Day everyday with us by being a part of our organic farm just by joining our CSA Program and supporting us at our participating farmer's markets this upcoming summer season.  Know where your food comes from, how it is grown and know your farmer. You are not only investing in your own health but you are also investing in your environment.  

WE ARE HIRING!

Would you like to be part of our team this season?  Contact us immediately!  We are looking for additional Harvest Crew and Farmer's Market Assistants.  Experience is not necessary but a plus!  This is a part-time job opportunity from June to November.  Send us your resume with contact information at farmer@naturalearthfarmsny.com. 

March 2017 Newsletter

What’s happening …

Our work never stops during winter.  Once the last vegetable has been harvested and our fields have been seeded with winter cover crop for a healthy soil, we start planning for the next season.  This is the time when we apply the notes we’ve taken throughout the year on how to improve our farming operation for us to be able to provide our CSA members and supporters a great harvest for the next growing season.

Our organic certification renewal has been submitted, we have planned our crop rotation for the coming year.  Sourced and ordered our seeds, both favorites and also new exciting varieties. Servicing our tractors and equipment to be in top working order. Making all the necessary purchases to start the growing season. That is why our CSA members play a big role in supporting our farm at this time of the year. 

Most of our seed orders have arrived, the greenhouse is clean and organized.  We started preparing our seed growing mix and we are ready to start sowing the seeds for the new season.   

This is when the anticipations starts escalating, from seed germination, to transplanting, to growing, until we start picking the fruits of our labor for you to enjoy from our farm to your table.

“Put Your Best Fork Forward”
 

March is National Nutrition Month®  when it aims to remind us to focus on how important it is to make good choices in our eating and physical habits. This year’s theme is “Put Your Best Fork Forward”, a simple reminder that each bite counts.  Making small changes a forkful at a time is already a big step towards your good health.  Here are some tips:

1.     Make it a habit to prepare more home cook or homemade meals with healthier ingredients.  Pack that lunch or snack from home rather than eating out.  Include a variety of your favorite, healthful foods.  Try to go fresh and organic.

2.     Balance is key.  How much we eat is also important as what we eat.  Check out MyPlate to guide you.  Seek for advice and guidelines from a Registered dietitian nutritionist to manage your weight or lower your health risks.

3.     Be active.  Exercising is always hard to squeeze in our schedule but take a quick walk during your breaks, stretch while sitting by your desk.  Take the stairs if you can.  Always consult your medical provider before doing any strenuous physical activity.

Start that small change in your healthy lifestyle by joining our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).  Eat more fresh, local and organic vegetables!  You will receive 20 weeks of fresh produce straight from our farm, grown and harvested by us. 

You will learn what is in season based on the weekly bounty that you will receive.  You know that it really is locally and organically grown.  Preparing and cooking your meals with the produce you will receive from us is healthier because you know what ingredients you will be adding into your meals.  It’s also more nutritious as the produce are harvested at its peak the same day that you will receive your CSA shares.  You will definitely be changing your eating habits a forkful at a time if you’re getting our weekly bounty thru our CSA Program.

We have different pick-up locations across Long Island and we are constantly adding more.  Please visit our website for more details or click here to join our CSA

Spread the word!

If you already signed-up to our CSA Program this year, please spread the word.  Please like, follow and share our social media sites (links below).  Please contact us If you would like to host a CSA site in your neighborhood, office, church, or community.

CSA Day

On February 24th, we are joining to celebrate the National CSA Day.  This is an important time of year for us to get new members signed up because we are in the process of making the investments that will result in a successful harvest many months from now. 

According to Small Farm Central, this is the most popular day of the year to sign up for a CSA share and now is when we need your support!

The CSA model is an important model to support our farm. You will learn more about your produce, what is in season, what are the benefits, and how to use them.  It is a share that you purchase in the beginning of the year that helps us start up and plan the farming season.  In return, you will get a weekly bounty of produce straight from our farm.

So thank you for your support on this and throughout the year. It is so important for us and we are thankful to you!

If you are already signed up or just want to help us spread the word, please post about CSA Day on social media using hashtag #naturalearthfarms #csaday

To sign up for our CSA, visit: www.naturalearthfarmsny.com.