Our trees (and wreath materials) come from a tree farm in Dutchess county.  Because they are local they did not travel far (the majority of Christmas trees sold in this country are grown in North Carolina or Washington state) and are fresh cut (the batch we have now were cut this week).  Recently there has been some debate over the best choice for a Christmas tree.  Some might argue that artificial trees are environmentally friendly but many of those are manufactured using petrochemicals and travel many miles (85% of artificial trees are manufactured in China). Although an artificial tree will be used in your home for an average of 6 years, it will stay in the landfill for hundreds of years.   Live Christmas trees are grown for the purpose of eventual sale
(98% of live trees sold in this country are grown on tree farms).  Responsible tree farms manage their farms by replanting new trees each year (making them a renewable resource).  When live trees are disposed of they can be composted adding nutrients back to the soil.   

The wreaths and trees sold at Cascade farm are for raising funds to support the operation of the farm and the farm school.

Open Saturday, Sunday, and Columbus Day from 11am to 6pm from October 1st to October 30th  (call 878-3258 for more information)

This year we are adding a FALL SHARE to our CSA.  Anyone can sign up.  The share will begin on Thursday October 20^th and continue for 10 weeks until Thursday December 22^nd.  We will be offering cool weather crops like lettuces and greens, root crops, herbs, beans, and winter squash (see list below).  We will keep gardens as long as the weather allows and then continue growing in the greenhouse and hoop houses.   We expect the harvests to produce enough vegetables for the average family of four each week (about 10 to 15 lbs. of produce each week on average). 

Below is a list of the plantings for the fall share.  Like our summer shares, this list is subject to change due to weather and growing conditions:  Asian greens, arugula, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, collard greens, dry beans, herbs, kale,  kohlrabi, lettuce, pac choy, potatoes, radish, rutabaga, spinach, string beans, swiss chard, turnips,  winter squash (acorn, butternut, hubbard) 

FALL SHARES AT CASCADE FARM:

• 10 weeks Thursday pick-ups from October 20 thru December 22
• $300 for 10-week SeasonUp to 50 Shares being offered

• $50 deposit due by September 10th, balance due by October 1, 2011 (checks or cash)

Click on link for application FALL CSA SIGN UP

Once upon a time there were three little pigs…. no, no not that story, a different three little pigs.  These pigs came to live at Cascade Farm and within a few hours of arriving managed to escape from their pen and go for a walk.  Now these pigs weren’t content to explore the farm, no they wanted to see the world!  So they set out on Harmony Road.  Some passersby noticed these pigs and called around to see if they could alert their owners.  Meanwhile, the pigs turned up onto Rte 292 and explored several yards and gardens along the way.  They came upon a small stream and more neighbors and passersby noticed the three little (very bad) piggies and made more calls.  Someone called the sheriff and he tried to help find the owners as well.  Before long the farmers noticed the three little (very very bad) piggies were missing (especially after receiving some of the phone calls) and set out to get them.  Brave friends and volunteers helped the farmers in a muddy chase to round up the adventurous piggies.  The farmers were so very grateful to all their friends and neighbors who helped.  They brought the pigs back to the farm (and fixed the fence so they couldn’t get out again).  The three very tired little pigs were so glad to be back at their new home that they took a long nap.  The End.

April 27, 2011

Goat kids!  Born Monday, twins, a male (black and white) and a female (brown and white).  They are jumping around and joining in the fun and fracas with the lambs and the rest of the ewes and does.  Schedule a school or group visit for your kids to meet our kids and other baby animals at the farm this spring.

April 26, 2011

This winter we attended a NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) conference in New York.  It was great to meet with other farmers, sharing ideas, attending lectures, and meeting like-minded folks.  Like other farmers, we have not certified our produce as organic due to the additional costs and paperwork overhead in being certified.  We also objected to many of the changes allowed to be considered ‘organic’.  NOFA has established a ”Farmer’s Pledge” in response to many farmers who also feel that organic isn’t quite what it use to be.  So this season we enrolled in the Farmer’s Pledge.  It basically states many of the farming principles we have been practicing.  A farmer that enrolls, pledges to use responsible growing practices (read more here) or visit the NOFA website http://www.nofany.org.  Responsible growing methods aren’t always easy, especially in a greenhouse … sometimes we get aphids so instead of chemical sprays we order ladybug beetles (they love to eat the aphids), sometimes we get slugs so we lay out beer traps, squish them, or use other methods approved for organic use.  Sometimes we get a plague of flea beetles and wind up with bug holes in the arugula.  We still feel this is better than chemical or non-organic methods. 

April 25, 2011

Such a busy time here at the farm, so little time to write.  This past month has seen snow storms, ice, heavy rain, mud, light rain, more mud, some sunshine, and an incredible 80 degree day.  We have seeded the greenhouses full, made a lot of maple syrup, and held our first ‘Farm Breakfast’ of the season.  The greenhouses were bursting so we hurried to ready our brassica garden.  Tilling, fence posts, fencing (deer and goat-proof), plant prep, and finally some kale in the ground.  Plants are growing, the new lambs are growing, and our ‘to-do’ list is growing.  Lots of fence repair and garden setup yet to do, plenty of transplanting, and general clean-up projects.  Members can come to the farm to volunteer each Wednesday and designated Saturdays (Saturday date in May to be announced soon).  Enjoy being outdoors, getting your hands dirty, and maybe learning something new.   See you at the farm!

April 12, 2011