We have been super busy at the farm. This fabulous weather mounts up to some major inroads on farm infrastructure. We’re putting in 7 acres of fenced pig pasture, 2 acres of chicken pasture for both meat and egg birds, plus new houses, seeds are already being planted in the 4-season greenhouse (onions, peppers, kale, lettuce, oregano, etc…), plus carrots and beets in the plastic greenhouses. We have 28 new baby piglets that were born right here at the farm and three more batches due in may and june. We are incubating our own eggs for our chickens so we won’t have to receive our little peeps in the mail. We are picking up a team of working oxen the first week of April who we will be employing for cover crop planting, cutting, and plowing as well as potato planting, hilling, and harvest. We have a second diesel pick-up that now runs on vegetable oil so all of our toing-and-froing will be on re-cycled fuel. We have also finished our 57 acres of native pollinator habitat where we have removed 70% of our juniper trees and planted native grasses and flowers. We are giving our old potato cellar a face-lift so that it will be able to store potatoes and other roots through the winter with the use of circulated air. We are also building three walk-in coolers/freezer for our goods so that we can provide you with an ever better product all year long. Lastly, we continue our first ever year-round, full-diet CSA. We are harvesting today: spinach, mache, kale, swiss chard, onions, potatoes, garlic, parsnips, carrots, beets, oregano, wheat grass, fresh flour, wheat berries, and 10# of mixed meats.
There is so much available to you from the farm starting now… until forever. I’ve got it all listed below::: Please consider signing up again and please please spread the word so that Rainshadow can continue to grow. As always, I’m here to answer any questions!
TURKEYS
We will be harvesting the turkeys for Easter!!! They didn’t make Thanksgiving, but they are fabulous now. Please let us know if you would like a fresh heritage turkey for Easter. We will deliver on Thursday the 28th of March to: Melvin’s Market in Sisters from 3-4pm, AND Jackson’s Corner in Bend from 5-6pm. We will deliver frozen turkeys any time after that.
UPCOMING CSA OPTIONS:
This year we are offering some new CSA options that I have listed below. We are hoping to better meet everyone’s needs of flexibility, variety, and affordability. We intend to feed even more of Central Oregon this year, so please spread the word about the farm and contact us with any questions at all. We can’t wait to see you in June!!!!!
The Small Vegetable CSA for $450: This share will include 8-10 different things each week, including an herb to use fresh or dry for later. It will generally fit into a paper grocery bag, although I recommend bringing several bags so as not to smash the veggies. This share is meant for singles or couples who do not eat too many veggies. Many couples prefer the large share and do some preservation for winter so that you can eat the very best food year-round.
The Large Vegetable CSA for $600: This share will include 8-10 different things each week, including an herb to use fresh or dry for later. It will generally fit into two paper grocery bags, although I recommend bringing several bags so as not to smash the veggies. This share is meant for families or couples who eat a lot of veggies and put some food by for winter.
10 Pound Meat Share for $600: Delivered every other week. This would be for a family that eats regular meats, averaging 1 pound per day.
5 Pound Meat Share for $350: Delivered every other week. This would be for a family that eats small quantities of meat, 2-3 days per week.
The Small Market Share for $400 for 450 Market Bucks: This option is meant for members who would like to make the very important commitment to the farm, while maintaining flexibility. You can use your market bucks at any market we go to, any week throughout the summer. You have access to all the vegetables, meats, and grains on the market table.
The Large Market Share for $600 for 650 Market Bucks: This is a larger commitment than the small share, but means the same flexibility to you.
The Summer Full-Diet share for $1200: This is our dream option where our members get to eat like farmers!! This share includes a large vegetable share, 5 pounds of meat per week, fresh milled flour and wheat berries.
The Winter Full-Diet share for $700: This is our extra-special winter option that is delivered once a month and includes winter greens, stored potatoes, onions, garlic, and winter squash, 10 pounds of mixed meats including whole chickens, mixed cuts of pork and beef, fresh ground flour from our home grown organic wheat, and wheat berries.
The Summer Work-Share for $600: This share is for people who would like to commit to working at the farm on tuesdays or thursdays throughout the growing season. You will meet at the farm in the morning for harvest and will learn all about growing in Central Oregon through the course of the season. You will need to bring a lunch and will be done in the early afternoon. Your payment must be complete by June 1st, but you will receive installments of $30 back each week that you work plus your hand picked vegetables of course. If you can’t make your work day, you can still pick up your vegetables at market, but will not receive your installment that week. This is the Rainshadow savings plan!
The Rainshadow Subsidized Share: Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council offers limited income residents financial support to participate in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. Being a CSA member allows you to know that you are eating fresh, healthy food and that you are supporting local farms. The pre-paid CSA arrangements are a source of financial security for farmers and food businesses. The Farm Share program is a cost-sharing program that offers financial support to low-income Central Oregonians to purchase a CSA share. The program is available to residents who live at or below 185% of the federal poverty income limit. Participants receive a 50% subsidy on the total cost per share per week up to a $12 (up to a maximum of $500 per year per applicant). Please contact me for details!!
DELIVERY SCHEDULE
Bend: Starting the first week of June, your food will be available at the downtown farmers market on Wednesdays from 3-7pm
Sisters: Starting the first week of June, your food will be available outside Melvin’s Market on Fridays between 4:30-5:30pm. When the Sisters Market starts we will be in Brooks Park next to The Gallery Restaurant between 3-6pm.
Redmond: Starting the first week of June, your food will be available at Centennial Park on Tuesdays between 4-6pm.
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sarahlee
www.rainshadoworganics.com
www.sarahleelawrence.com