Spring 2010 CSA

Wood Duck Farm

July 12th, 2010

This week will be week nine of our Spring 2010 program. In retrospect, our optimism of a good season paid off as the late plantings turned out to be a pretty fruitful harvest in my opinion.  A lot of the plants are looking pretty rough about now as the persistent rain over the past few weeks resulted in being "too much of a good thing." This is "par for the course" though for this time of year, as many of these plants are getting mature anyway. Also the deer and raccoons have found our cantaloupe to be very tasty as last week we found twelve cantaloupe eaten by these "four legged neighbors" in just one night.  They have yet to find our watermelons yet, so we'll have to keep our fingers crossed. Fortunately, while possibly not producing a lot of new fruit, we still have lots of tomatoes on the vine; blemished as they may be. The remainder of this week's weather looks to be seasonally warm, with low chances of rain.  Although hot, this forecast is welcome, as it should insure us with enough production to keep your shares nice through next week; which coincidentally will complete the spring program.

Your "Add On" Survey Response Much Appreciated.

Last week many of you provided us very informative feedback by completing our recent survey. Some of the most noteworthy statistical results were the following:

1. 77% said that $16 would be a reasonable minimum "Add On" dollar amount.
2. 35% said that they would purchase eggs on a weekly basis, 23% once monthly.
3. 40% said that they would purchase cheese on a monthly basis, 23% once weekly.
4. Revising how we deliver and package your shares? 41% wished to just pick up an insulated bag and return it the following week.

We plan to incorporate the survey responses and related comments on our website within the next few days. Thanks again for participating.

Additional Pick Up Locations Sought?

Last week we mentioned that an earlier survey found some of you desiring additional Pick Up options. We have no intentions of eliminating any of our current Pick Up locations, but are interested in possibly giving you more options on where you can pick up your shares.  Please let us know if you, or someone you know, might be interested in becoming a Pick Up location host.  (Thanks to all of you for your suggestions last week.) A Pick Up location can be a home, church, office or store and should be able to provide some protection from the elements such as direct sun, rain, i.e. a covered porch, an open garage etc.  We will need a minimum number of sold shares to warrant the time going to a new location, but we will be open-minded and consider all suggestions. Some of the areas of interest to us may be adjacent to the following vicinities:

• Westcott & Memorial
• West University
• Downtown Houston
• Midtown Houston
• San Felipe & Chimney Rock area
• Bellaire, Myerland area
• Conroe
• Humble

Your neighborhood not on this list? Let us know.

Delivery To Your Office or Company?

We will need a minimum number of shares to economically justify a stop at your office, but we can help you "get the word out" by providing some of our CSA brochures to exhibit/hand-out at your place of work.  Please let us know if we can assist you in any way.

Fall Program

As mentioned a few weeks back, we are targeting our Fall CSA program to begin toward the end of September and wind up in early December. The share prices for the ten-week Fall program are the same as the current program, $220 for a partial share and $330 for a full share.  If you are interested, or know of someone that might be, please visit our website or contact me directly. Click here to go to the WDF Harvest Calendar. for a list of items that we plant. I have a provided a list of crops below that we anticipate planting for the Fall CSA program.

Bulk Tomatoes?

While we think you are probably getting "tomato overload"  with your shares each week, we thought you should know that we have extra tomatoes for sale. Consider them for canning etc.  25 lbs. for $35. Just let us know.

Best regards,

Below is a List of Crops to be planted for the 2010 Fall CSA program. The program will also include local citrus, but not grown here at the farm:

• Cucumbers
• Green beans
• Corn
• Kale
• Tomatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Arugula
• Basil
• Peppers
• Eggplant
• Okra
• Radishes
• Salad mix
• Green garlic
• Boc choy
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Mustard greens
• Spinach
• Butternut squash
• Carrots
• Fennel
• Dill
• Turnips
• Chard
• Scallions
• New potatoes
• Romaine head lettuce
• Beets
• Cabbage
• Micro Greens
• Cilantro