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First, I would like to thank all of the folks that were members last year for joining with us to experience one of Erie’s first CSA’s. It was a good experience on many levels for those of us at Post Apples. Good enough that we are going to give it another go.
Nothing beats fresh. This is one of the CSA’s best attributes. The produce you receive is harvested within the day of delivery; being picked either the night before or the morning of the delivery. Another positive is, the produce, being harvested while it is still in a young stage when the vitamin content is the highest. The other aspect of our CSA is the huge reduction of pesticide usage. That usage on our farm last year amounted to four sprays with most of the materials being cleared as ‘organic certified’. In fact, there were so many lady bugs eating aphids, it was amazing.
As it turned out there were several things that will need to be changed this year. You will note that pricing is higher this year. We will also be charging a delivery fee in addition to the regular membership fee, if the share cannot be picked-up at one of the designated drop-off sites. Delivery took a large percentage of the membership price. We do need to break even or better this year. We did not get recipies done as planned, nor did You Tube entries get made. The amount of time needed to care for the vegetable culturally was just to high. Most days last summer were over 14 hours long. We replanted raspberries and put in strawberries last seasosn. They did not grow as planned. Therefore, we cannot offer them as part of this year’s membership. However, if they start to produce well enough, members will be afforded an opportunity to come and pick these. Perhaps by next year they can be a full part of the CSA as originally intended. We are looking for several folks that would like to help this summer. For that help a membership could be free. Contact us if interested.
I will be trying to assemble a number of recipies this season, but beforehand. So if you have any favorites, please share them now. Then they can be included in the letter that comes with the share at the appropriate times. Also if they are sent soon enough, they can be included on the website.
Each of the mentioned items will be further discussed within, plus many other facts. If you have anyother questions please call.
What is a CSA?
CSA is the abbreviation for Community Supported Agriculture. A membership in a CSA entitles the member to a share of the production of a wide range of fruits and vegetables produced on a local farm. In this case, Post Apple, formerly A.G. Post & Sons.
And why do I want to do this?
The main reward from purchasing a membership is to share in the vegetable and fruit production tha comes from Post Apple. Under normal conditions I can expect to receive at least double the produce and fruit I could expect to obtain if purchased from a local retail grocery outlet. Obviously the return on this investment will vary depending upon where I shop and the growing season. Last year ,2010, there were weeks the 1/2 share had what would have cost $40.00 at the large chain grocer.
So it appears I can stretch my grocery dollars, but are there any other benefits to taking this potential risk?
Perhaps the most important reward for participating, is the benefit that comes from receiving the freshest possible product. It is always true that the produce on a grocery shelves has gone through a fairly involved process from the field to the store. That process, at times, involves several days and sometimes a whole week or more. Freshness is a key component of membership. One needs to keep in mind that the older a vegetable is the less nutritious it will be.
Anything else?
With a membership in the Post Apple CSA, comes the ability to visit, picnic, learn about cultural practices, and, at times, even pick-my-own items. I also will be eligible to purchase extra fruit and vegetables at or below wholesale price to cover my additional needs.
If I am to do this, I need to know Post has experience, being to perform adequately. What is the history of Post Apple?
Post Apple is a fourth generation farm located, South, 3.5 miles from the center of North East, PA on Route 426. The principles of the farm have over 100 years of agricultural experience in the production of fruit and vegetables. Last year more than 200 varieties of vegetables were grown. All of the pictures in this flier are from the farm, and many from last season.
The picture here is my Great Grandparents. When Charlie started farming, he raised beans and chickens mostly. When you join, I can tell you more history about my Great Grandfather that I am certain would entertain you.
This next picture is of My Grandparents wedding day. My Grandmother lived in Erie on German Street. She was first generation American in her family. In the summer she was pi
cked-up everyday to come and pick beans and berries. When she saw Archie, she decided she did not want to go home. Perhaps she was the first of the ‘modern’ women.
The picture below is of my Father and Grandpa with Jiggers and a truck load of potatoes. This was in the ’40′s. By then the farm produced, chickens, potatoes, beans, apples, cherries, plums, grain, and berries.
By the time I was born in 1953, the farm had stopped raising beans. In 1975 when I graduated from Penn State, the farm had potatoes, oats, and apples.
A few years ago, I decided to diversify once again. It is very difficult to produce crops for processing and make a living. The margins are very slim. The equipment needed is extremely expensive.
The production of small vegetables and fruit is geared more to hand labor which can be supplied more readily. Also I can focus on a larger variety of exceptional vegetables.
What is grown on this farm? Is there enough variety to make it worthwhile?
Below is a listing of what was raised last year. Actually there was enough for about 200 shares (families).
Asparagus, Artichoke, Arugula, Bak Choi, Beets (4 varieties), Beans (4 varieties), Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, regular, savoy, Cantaloupe (5 varieties), Cauliflower (3 varieties), Cilantro, Collards, Corn, Cucumbers (standard 3 varieties), Cucumbers (burpless, 5 varieties), Cucumber, (pickles, 4 varieties), Dill, Eggplant (4 varieties), Endive, Gourds (10 varieties), Lettuce (8
varieties), Kale, Kohlrabi, Mustard & Turnip Greens, Onions (4 varieties), Peas (Regular & Snap), Peppers (Sweet 10 varieties & Hot 10 varieties), Potatoes (8 varieties), Pumpkins (7 varieties), Radishes, Spinach, Summer Squash (16 varieties), Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard (4 varieties), Watermelon (Seeded 1 variety & Seedless 3 varieties), Tomatoes (46 varieties, all types) This is last years list of vegetables.
Last years apple list is: Macintosh, Cortland, Viking, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Law Rome, Northern Spy, Idared. As years go, this last one was great after May. There was frost in May and rain 4 days out of 7. As I said before the apple crop was really bad. The black currant crop was also affected so none could be supplied.
What is going to be added or subtracted this year?
Day neutral strawberries and some ever-bearing raspberries were planted last summer along with black raspberries and gooseberries. That means there may be some fruit before this season is over.
For sure there will only be enought for folks to come pick their own if they desire. It is doubtful there will be as many varieties of tomatoes this summer. Last year was a continuing trial to see which ones will work best for this farm. As expected, not all were that great and will be dropped. Herbs will once again be planted to add some seasonings to the mix. I tried to get some Rutabaga, but planted it too late. I will plant earlier this year. Perhaps I can have some success with parsnips this year. Last year the weeds did them in.
Do I have to take all of this stuff, even if I do not like some of it?
The simple answer is no. If there is something you just do not like, the membership form allows you to indicate dislikes and loves. This will allow me to develop individual profiles that will dictate just how much to plant.
How many weeks can I expect to get a share of the production?
Last year was very good once May was through. Will this year be as good? I do not know, however, I am sure there will be at least 28 weeks of deliveries, ending Thanksgiving week.The very first weeks will not have the variety of items. The end will be filled with many different items. If there is a good crop of Apples this year, fruit and cider will be available until January, but not as part of the CSA.
How do you raise all of this stuff?
Both old and new technologies are utilized to bring forth an abundant yield. These technologies are discussed below under their particular headings.
PLASTICULTURE
The farm utilizes plastic as much as possible to produce its vegetables. Plastic encourages the soil to warm more rapidly in the spring, or in the case of white, the coolness of the soil is maintaned longer to aid crops like lettuce to be grown farther into the summer without bitterness developing. It thus encourages better ripening. The yields are generally increased. Vegetables are much cleaner when raised on plastic. Water is applied directly to the roots of the plants. This means there is less of a need for fungicide usage. Weeds are kept from growing as they would without plastic. Therfore, the amount of herbicides is greatly diminished. There is even some deterrent to certain insects with plastic. The amount of fertilizer is reduced because it is applied directly to the spot it is needed only. Even though plastic is expensive it helps to make a better quality crop in every way.
CULTIVATION
Cultivation is one of the oldest cultural practices used by farmers since the begining of time. The one difference today is that agronomic and horticultural engineers are continuing to work to produce better cultivation equipment that can be pulled through the fields with tractors easily removing weeds that stunt growth, in a cost effective manner. Of course, the usage of a cultivator reduces the need for herbicides.
TRICKLE IRRIGATION
Trickle irrigation is probably the best conservator of water on the planet. When trickle irrigation is used on a dry year there is almost no need for any fungicide what-so-ever. It also ensures a crop even when there is no rain.
HIGH TUNNELS
High tunnels, perhaps better known as green houses, work well to bring summer more quickly. Without the use of tunnels, it would be very difficult to have tomatoes, cucumbers, or peppers early in July. They also produce an environment that is very controlled. Most of the insects and diseases that have to be dealt with in regular fields are almost nonexistant in tunnels. The generally warmer environment also creates conditions for consistantly larger crops that tend to be fuller flavored. In many cases that also means more nutritious. I will be utilizing at least three tunnels this season for berries, tomatoes, and other crops.
SCOUTING
In bygone years, farmers would receive letters from the County Agent telling them when and what to spray. Then they would go out and spray whether or not it was needed. It does not take a rocket scientist to understand that this is, at the very least wasteful, and sometimes harmful..
Today it is much different. Yes, I still have a book published by the University, but it does not tell me when to spray or what to use. I go out into the fields carefully looking to see if there are, in fact, insects or fungal disease starting. Only then do I do anything chemically about it. Scouting reduces the need for pesticides greatly during the course of a normal year. 2010 only required four sprays all season. Those were mainly for fungus after it started raining later in the season.
NATURAL PREDATORS
During the season every effort is made to preserve the friends of crop production. This little fellow was in danger of being run over as we were planting. He was moved over to a row that was completed so lunchtime necessities could be accomplished on his part.
Every effort is made culturally to encourage beneficial fauna, reducing the need for spraying. The picture at the end of the proceding column shows a ladybug that has just hatched. In October when this was taken there were millions in the field hatching. That meant billions of harmful insects had been eaten over the summer, because this was the overwintering hatch.
SPRAYING IN GENERAL
I wish I could say spraying is a waste of time and not necessary. Unfortunately this is not true. In fact, Organic growers sometimes have to spray everyday.
Two years ago when the weather was bad all summer, spraying everyday did not save the Organic growers crops. My spraying once a week saved everything. What was the difference? The difference is that I use effective safe materials, not ineffective more dangerous compounds like Copper.
The truth is that the diseases I spray for are far more dangerous than the materials used to keep them from growing on the vegetables and fruit I sell. It takes powerful substances to attach and attack a healthy fruit of vegetable. These compounds can be devastating to humans. So it is very important to maintain a clean crop for human consumption. I always use the best information available to provide a quality product that is very Fresh, Clean from disease, and Nutritious.
EDUCATION
Today less than one percent of the population owns and operates a farm. As time has progressed, it is increasingly difficult to profitably operate an agricultural enterprise. This is because there are so many pressures that have to be dealt with unerringly. Foreign pests, resistant insects, and fungi, complicated marketing, fewer customers at the wholesale level, food tracking issues, and food safety problems are just some of them. Then labor and equipment cost factors have to be considered.
Today success involves the ability to integrate many technologies effectively to produce a product the public wants. The days of just sticking some seed into the ground and getting a crop are long gone.
To be successful many classes are taken on a regular basis. Also every farmer that runs a sprayer over his crops has to pass an intitial battery of tests to be licensed. After that license is obtained, it has to be renewed every three years. This involves taking classes on a continuing basis so that enough points are accumulated for the license to be renewed. In my case the renewing agency is the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The number of credits for renewal is 12. During most three year periods I receive more than that because it only makes sense to be as current as possible on the new materials and technologies that are being introduced into the market.
Back several years ago there was a great concern that we would loose all of the materials enabling any farmer to produce a clean worm free crop. At the time the companies that produced these items did not seem to have any new compounds in the works. What was not widely known is that these companies had taken a new tact to discovery. They sent investigators out into the fields looking for natural organisms that produced agents that would kill competeing organisms. The emphasis was upon the erradication of harmful insects, bacteria, molds, and fungus, leaving the vegetable or fruit plant untouched and healthy.
Those efforts have paid great dividends. Agriculture did lose almost all of the materials it thought it would. However, those have been replaced with a plethera of new ones that in many cases are far more effective and have basically no impact upon surroundings and individuals who will consume the fruit or vegetable. The only difficulty with using these new offerings is that they generally are more specific. It means that the farmer has to work smarter than ever before.
I have redoubled my efforts to keep abreast of changes enabling the farm to continue to produce the cleanest healthiest fruits and vegetables possible.
TESTIMONIALS
When starting something new it is good to get the views from others who have had experience with the service. Below are two notes I have received from members last year.
Jody Calvert, Findley Lake, NY
My friend Donna Beth Luce and I, Jody Calvert, split a membership this year. this was our first experience with a CSA. We were amazed with the amount and variety of vegetables. We were like little kids at Christmas, in anticipation of our weekly surprise. Out came cookbooks, canning supplies and internet to help with recipes. We learned how to cook with collard greens, kohlrabi, and artichokes etc. Here it is February and we are still enjoying soups, sauces, salsas, frozen vegetables and fruits all courtesy of our CSA. You can’t beat it for variety, quality, and cost savings. We are definatley looking forward to the start of the new season. Bring on those veggies and fruits…we are ready.
Laiv and Rivkah Levy
Ari and Avivah Miller
My wife and I, along with another family, joined the CSA this past summer and were thoroughly pleased with our experience. The quality of the vegetables was excellent, the selection and variety abundant, and the value
superb. We would highly recommend anyone to join. The helpful hints on what to do with some of the vegetables we were less familiar with was especially nice.
PARTNERSHIPS
Post Apples also is partnering with Parable Farms. Parable raises, grass fed only, beef, antibiotic and hormone free turkey, chickens, sheep, pigs, and eggs. The items they raise and provide are available year around in most instances. More information will be available about these folks in the future.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership Forms are provided with the print version of this publication. If you are viewing this on the internet there is a link to the Forms. Membership registration can be accomplished online or by paper filing.
Costs are outlined on the membership form. This year there are three options. you can sign-up for 1/4, 1/2, or a full share membership. A full share is one bushel. A 1/2 share is based on a half bushel, and 1/4 share is one quarter bushel.
Payment may be made by cash, check, credit card, or Paypal. Checks are to be made payable to Post Apple Scientific, inc.
MUSHROOMS
Last year numerous folks asked if we were going to have any mushrooms. Mushrooms take a whole other set of cultural practices to have a successful outcome. I am willing to give it a go if there are others willing to support the outlay to get the system in place.
I have contacted a couple of different mushroom growers that specialize in the preparation and sale of inoculated mushroom plugs. I do have the space to set-up for several different types of mushroom. I believe the cost for a membership will be $125.00 for the season. You would receive 4 to 6 types of mushrooms over the season. They would come sporadically over the season. I expect the outcome would be well worth the investment, but it still will be an experiment. If you are interested, definitely let me know.
OTHER OPTIONS
THIS IS IMPORTANT
A Membership may also be secured by donating time. If you would like to be a member, but you have more time than money, we are looking for several folks to help this season. Please speak to Gordon, if this is something you would like to investigate
DELIVERY
Last year many folks had their share dropped-off at either their residence or at their place of employment. What we have learned is that this is very expensive, especially when it happens 28 times in one season. This year there will be two options for delivery that are available. Central location pick-up at no charge or home delivery in North East, Findley Lake, and Erie for a fee. There is an attached payed delivery membership sheet attached, for those interested in home delivery.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Post Apples div.
Post Apple Scientific, inc.
8893 Gulf Rd.
North East, PA 16428
Phone: 814-725-3330
Fax: 814-725-8103
Emails:
Web Address: www.postapples.com
Thank You for Your Membership-