From CSA Pasture, our meat and dairy providers. News about new products, rising fuel costs, the farm co-op and more.

The next order deadline is next Monday, May 5th at midnight, and delivery is on Saturday, May 10th. Pick up at ARROW begins in June. May location will be sent with your final order summary a few days before pick up.

May News at the Farm

The days are whipping by faster and faster. With one delivery completed on Tuesday, another is looming large on the calendar. In between we are receiving a new batch of processed pork and beef, completing the move from the old barn and milk house at the Waites farm to the new north barn facility at the Lewis farm, and preparing for an AG Summit Luncheon meeting with a wide variety of farmers, producers, and agricultural-related business folks in Washington to see how the community can work better together, strategize on ideas for new projects or cooperative efforts to improve the viability and sustainability of the farms in our region. This year Alan is the chairman of the Agriculture, Planning, Tourism & Community Development committee of the county government. As the supervisor of our town of Jackson, he also participates in the county affairs as a legislator. Alan wants to make sure that some agricultural promotion or new project or new idea comes to fruition. A number of people will be meeting next Monday to see what we can dream-up. So between trips to move freezers, packing materials, tables and boxes, we are planning the luncheon to stimulate conversation from local foods for about 30 people.
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Rain or Shine! Join us for this fabulous event and see your food as it grows (that’s James at left working the fields)!

Sunday, May 4th is our first Farm Visit of the season to the Golden Earthworm Farm (of course, you are welcome at the farm any time of the year). There is no need to RSVP for the visit, just show up. Please dress appropriately, the farm grounds are muddy and temperatures in the fields at this time of year are a bit chilly. It is okay to show up a little early and enjoy lunch on the grounds. There isn’t too much in terms of food options in the area (other than fast food) so we suggest you pack a lunch or snacks! Details:

WHAT Spring Farm Walking Tour
WHEN Sunday, May 4th 2008 from 2pm to 3:30pm
WHERE The Golden Earthworm Organic Farm Map & Directions
WHO This event is open to all current and prospective CSA members.

MEET the farmers, SEE our farm fields and busy greenhouse in action, LEARN how we grow your food, ASK your questions, TALK with other CSA members, WALK the fields, VISIT with our beautiful rare breed animals.

MUNCHIES We will provide organic coffee, tea, juice and cookies. You are welcome to bring your own picnic.

Need wheels?
The LIRR (to Riverhead) is an option, but the train gets in early and leaves late. Have a day (maybe at some vineyards) planned. This would be a lovely option if you bring your bike with you (otherwise be prepared to taxi)!

Want to organize transport?
If you are a member interested in organizing a van for the group, please email info@astoriacsa.com (you must be willing to drive or find someone who is). We usually ask adults to contribute $10-$15 towards van rental and the CSA will cover the remainder, plus gas.

Have your own wheels?
If you have extra room in your car and would be willing to drive others, please leave a comment in this post (or if you’re looking for transport).
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO GOLDEN EARTHWORM: (also see here)
From New York City and points west:
Take the LIE (495) east to the last exit (Exit 73). Continue to head east on Route 58. At the traffic circle in Riverhead, stay on Route 58 (go straight). Cross over Route 105, and continue east (go straight) on Route 25 for about 2 miles into Jamesport. Make a right on Washington Avenue. (Just past Jamesport True Value Hardware on your right.) Go over railroad tracks and make a right at the first stop sign onto Peconic Bay Blvd. We are just about a mile down the road on the right. There is a long tree-lined driveway.

From Orient, Greenport and points east:
Take Route 25 (also known as Main Road) approximately 20 miles west of Greenport Village. Make a left on Washington Avenue and follow directions above.

To Astoria CSA Members,

Full cost membership is now closed. We are currently accepting applications for our need-based shares and will send word out to qualified applicants by early May.

*** 2008 Season Payments due May 1
Full payments are due May 1– just 3 weeks away! Please remember to finish making your payments. Return to the membership page to keep up your payment cycle. Thank you to those who have made payments. All money we’ve received is already at the farm!

***Reminder: CSA Pastures Meat/ Dairy Orders
If you placed an order for this month’s delivery pick up is at Aaron and Sandy’s house this coming Saturday, April 12. The address will go out in an email with your final bill (sometime today/ tomorrow) from webmaster@csapasture.com.

***Save the Date: May 4
Mark your calendars! Our farmers are hosting their annual Spring Walking Tour! Spend a day on the Golden Earthworm Farm! GEF is located on the north fork of Long Island (along with all the Long Island vineyards!). Astoria CSA organized transportation and a vineyard tour before heading over to the farm last year. Please email us if you are interested in organizing/ driving group transport for the trip: info@astoriacsa.com. If you have your own transportation there is no need to RSVP for the visit, but if you have open space in your car please leave a comment in this post for folks looking for transport.

***Save the Date: June 5
First delivery of our 2008 season!

***Other Happenings?
We are applying for discretionary funds from Astoria Councilman Vallone. We are seeking money to support our low-income shares for our 2009 season, Food and Nutrition Workshops taking place this season at ARROW, as well as transportation for Farm Visits. Keep your fingers crossed, we’re notified in July.

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For queries about our newsletter, email newsletter@astoriacsa.com.
General questions regarding Astoria CSA should be emailed to info@astoriacsa.com
If you have any other questions regarding this list, send them to: news-owner@astoriacsa.com.

Dear Members, CSA order reminder for April 12th,

We are writing this reminder for our delivery coming up on Saturday, April 12th. The order deadline is on Monday, April 7th at midnight. We thank you for indulging us these days for preparation of the orders as the number of farms we coordinate with has increased and the number of orders has increased. Thank you for your support, we love our farm life, as busy as it can be at times!

News from the farms… Read the rest of this entry »

Join Just Food for their 8th annual CSA in the City Conference at Columbia University’s Teachers College (located at 525 West 120th St. in Manhattan).

Everyone is welcome, not just CSA members. Though Astoria CSA highly encourages our members to attend, learn more and report back to the community!

It’s a fantastic way to get more involved with CSAs, find out how to start one, or just learn more about food and policy issues. (If you happen by the Raw Milk Workshop: The Real Deal on Raw Milk, say hello to me, Stacey! I’ll be speaking and leading the Q&A.)

Many of our own farmers will be present for the farmer panel, including Nancy and Alan Brown of Lewis Waite (our meat and dairy providers) and Matt Kurek, one of our vegetable farmers. (Matt is unsure of his attendance just yet– it is either the conference or find someone to attend a tractor auction in his place.)

Make your voice heard to make CSAs better for everyone! Join us! (More after the jump) Read the rest of this entry »