NEW FARM EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR KIDS!

Quiet Creek Farm is partnering with Budding Farmers to offer 6 weeks of enrichment materials that teach kids about healthy food produced by their farmers. Materials are fun and interactive- kids will learn, cook, grow, taste, smell, feel, and get creative with their food!

Budding Farmers is designed for Pre-K through Elementary aged children. It was founded on the premise that all kids should know where their food comes from and why they should be eating healthy food. The intention of Budding Farmers is to make fruits and vegetables fun thus creating a culture where children want to eat their veggies!

As a participating farm, Quiet Creek Farm members can sign up to receive their Budding Farmers kit with their weekly share pick-ups at the farm. Beginning in mid-July and continuing for 6 weeks, your child will receive a packet with nutrition information, fun facts, a growing guide with seeds, a science project, a creative activity, and 2 kid-friendly recipes.

For more information and to sign up, please visit the Budding Farmers website and select Quiet Creek Farm in Kutztown, PA as your participating farm. The cost is $30.

Materials include a 100% recycled binder with fun pages, an "I'm a Budding Farmer!" kid's tote bag, and 6 weekly packets.  (See below.)

Your farmers,

John and Aimee Good

Quiet Creek Farm

Three exciting share offerings for Quiet Creek Farm members! Read below for more information. If you would like to add any of these shares to your membership, you can visit our Update Membership page, and/or login to your member account from the main page.

WE-PICK SHARE: Based on member requests, we are offering a new share for those of you who have limits on your time or physical ability to utilize the U-pick garden (which is already included in your share price). The "We-pick" share includes a sampling of the weekly U-pick items, including berries, peas, green beans, paste tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, edamame, as well as some herbs and flowers, picked for you by the farm crew. Ready for pickup when you get your vegetable share. Please note: This share will be limited to 10 members per pickup day. Cost is $250 for the season.

MUSHROOM SHARE: Gourmet mushrooms, raised naturally and chemical-free by our friends at Primordia Farm in Lenhartsville, PA. Varieties include trumpet, shitaake, crimini, and oyster mushrooms. Available in 1/2 lb or 1 lb per week sizes.

Half Share (1/2 lb/wk) ($132.00)

Regular Share (1 lb/wk) ($242.00)

BREAD SHARE: Artisan breads from The Daily Loaf: hand-formed, whole-grain artisan loaves are baked fresh daily. Made from organic flour, water, salt and sourdough culture. Available in Regular or Specialty Loaves, sliced or whole: REGULAR: Plain breads with no frills with a focus on whole grains: Whole Wheat, Spelt Wheat, Whole Rye, Multi-grain. SPECIALTY: Varieties vary as to what is in season: Blueberry, Kale, Basil, Beet Wheat, Sweet Potato, Onion, Seeded, Garlic Scape, Roasted Tomato, Zucchini Fennel.

Regular share - $132.00

Specialty share - $154.00

SIGN-UP!  If you would like to add any of these shares to your membership, you can visit our Update Membership page, and/or login to your member account from the main page. If you have not yet signed up for your CSA membership, you can add these shares at the same time you sign up for your vegetable share.

Your farmers,

John and Aimee Good

Quiet Creek Farm

FRUIT SHARES from NORTH STAR ORCHARD

Members can sign up for the North Star Orchard CSA Fruit Share, available for pickup here at the farm when you come to get your vegetables! The Fruit Share provides a weekly assortment of fabulously flavored tree fruits including peaches, plums, nectarines, apples, pears, and Asian pears. You can find out all about the Fruit Share, and sign up for it, directly on North Star Orchard's website. Here's the link: http://www.northstarorchard.com/csa_fruit.php. Sign up now before they fill up for the year!  
If you have further questions about the Fruit Share, email North Star at Lisa@northstarorchard.com

CHEESE SHARES from HILL ACRES PRIDE

Located in Lancaster County, Hill Acres Pride has registered Jersey cows raised on pasture in the warmer months, and hay and silage grown on the farm in the winter months. The cows are not given growth hormone or antibiotics. Their cheeses range from cheddars and colbys to artisan cheeses such as Susquehanna and Cave Aged Arcadia, as well as fresh cheeses such as ricotta, mozzarella, cream cheese, and flavored fresh cheeses such as tomato-basil, or honey.

Members have enjoyed these wonderful cheeses in the shares for two years now, and we will be offering them again! Shares will be delivered every other week to Quiet Creek Farm on your pickup day. For more information and to sign up, see Hill Acres Pride CSA Shares.

Your farmers,

John and Aimee Good

Quiet Creek Farm

PASTURED CHICKEN SHARES FROM LEDAMETE GRASS FARM AVAILABLE NOW. READ BELOW FOR MORE INFO AND TO SIGN UP!

2015 Chicken Shares On Sale Now Ledamete Grass Farm Shares Available- Reserve Yours Today! What?  Chicken shares from Ledamete Grass Farm- raised on pasture and forest forages as well as locally & organically raised grain- delectable meat! A variety of share sizes and cuts available! Why?  Purchasing a chicken share is a great way to enjoy nutrient dense, delicious, organically raised meat at a reasonable price AND support a local family farm! When?  Shares will be delivered every 4 weeks to Quiet Creek Farm from June through October for pick-up during your regular veggie share pick up day.  How Do You Sign Up?  Visit our online registration: ledametegrassfarm.csasignup.com. Specific share details (including pricing, cuts available, average weights, etc.) available on the registration form!   Want More Info? Check out our website or Facebok page OR email us OR give us a call! Email Website Facebook Why Join? Here's what our members say... Amazing flavor and nutrition! Because of their constant access to pasture, their tender and flavorful meat is nutrient-dense and high in omega-3 fatty acids. Locally & Organically Grown!   The chicks are from a hatchery in Quakertown; the pigs are born on the farm; the grain is organically grown (non-certified) and milled in Oley; the chickens are raised and processed in Schnecksville; and the pigs are raised in Schnecksville and processed in Richlandtown. It doesn't get much more local than that! It's so convenient! You can pick up your shares at COS or at the farm in Schnecksville! Know your Farmer! You can connect with your food and the people who raise it. Rob and April live and work on the farm every day. They are happy to answer questions and to share the latest news from the farm. Access to Artisanal Products You can order other Ledamete Grass Farm products, including but not limited to handmade pork sausages, no-nitrate bacon cured w/only Celtic Sea Salt and organic Rapadura sugar, grass-fed ghee, and more! Availability and Consistency CSA members receive shares for 6 months of the year, with an option to stock up in the fall for the winter months. “Just Right” Share Sizes and Options You can choose from various share sizes as well as whole, halved or pieced chickens . If none of the share sizes are a perfect fit, custom shares are available too! Delicious Seasonal Recipes! You will receive monthly emails with lots of seasonal recipes and tips for getting the most out of your products. Don't buy food from strangers! Know your farmers! Your Farmers, April and Rob Fix Ledamete Grass Farm ledametegrass@gmail.com ledametegrassfarm.com   Want to Know More About What Members Say?  Read Ledamete Grass Farm Reviews... "Hands-down, best chicken ever!" "Your chickens are flavorful and juicy and even more importantly we know they were raised the right way, not in some factory farm." "While I always appreciated buying farm raised poultry whenever possible, I never would have imagined just how much better these pastured chickens could taste. I've met Rob and you can feel the integrity and passion he has for his work. It shows in the excellent flavor of the chickens." "Best chickens and pork our family has ever tasted!" "For a year I contemplated investing in the the chicken share and I am so glad we did. The chickens are better quality than the organic supermarket birds I had been purchasing. I always wondered how the supermarket birds were really treated, but I don't worry about the integrity of Ledemete Farm. Each month we also have the option to purchase pork products and we are LOVING the bacon and sausage, as well as the new experience of cooking and baking with lard (amazing texture and taste!). We could not be happier with the food and the service from Rob and April. If you are looking for local pork and poultry, look no further!"  "We are so fortunate to be able to obtain chicken and pork from Ledamete Grass Farm through our Pennypack Farm CSA. Last year we tried a small chicken share and were surprised how much different grass fed free range chicken tastes. So moist, flavorful, and fresh we increased our share for this year. Now we have the opportunity to get the turkey and pork products too. We are in hog heaven. I thought the chickens were great, the pork blew us away! Lean, light, flavorful, the most amazing pork we have ever had. The thought and care Rob and April give to raising their livestock is admirable and their hard work is reflected on the fork. We are proud to support local farms and organic practices. We tell everyone we know about being responsible and knowledgeable about where their food comes from. Support local, support your health, and if your lucky enough to have the opportunity to try Ledamete, do it! Yum, yum, yum!!!! "

Your farmers,

John and Aimee Good

Quiet Creek Farm

Hello farm folks,


Two great articles about CSAs recently came to our attention, and in light of National CSA Sign-Up Day, we wanted to share them with you.

How My CSA Changed My Life, by Bruce Bradley on his "Live a Healthier Life" blog. The author explains his life-changing conversion to eating real food, with helpful tips and advice on making the most of your CSA share. 

How the CSA Model Supports a Farm, by Liz Neumark on the Huff Post Green blog. The author explains the importance of supporting real CSA farms, and illustrates the problems with other aggegate models who are jumping on the CSA bandwagon, but are not true CSA farms. 

Your farmers,

John and Aimee Good

Quiet Creek Farm

Today, February 28th, we at Quiet Creek Farm CSA are joining with CSA farmers from across the country to celebrate National CSA Sign-up Day!

The day encourages food consumers to buy a share of their local farm’s harvest for the 2015 season. CSA has become an important model to support local agriculture since it was introduced to the United States in the 1980s and since grown to over 6,000 farms across the country.

“CSAs are the most authentic connection between a farmer and eater available. CSA members get the freshest, high quality, seasonal local produce, but they also get a direct connection to their farmer. This model is economically important to farmers, especially small and beginning farmers, because they can grow with confidence knowing that they have a market for their produce ahead of time.”, says Simon Huntley from Small Farm Central, a technology company that works with CSA farms across the country, and the creator of National CSA Sign-up Day.

February 28th was chosen as National CSA Sign-up Day because this day is the most popular day to sign up for CSA shares according to the 2014 CSA Farming Report. Buying a CSA share in late winter is important because farmers are making the capital investments for this year’s harvest now and the CSA model means they do not need to finance these expenses with costly credit.

The farmer from First Root Farm in Concord, Mass. put it eloquently: "The CSA model was what allowed me to start my own farm business at age 23. Without the sale of CSA shares, I would not have been able to buy seeds, potting soil, fertilizer, or anything else. Six years later, my business is still going strong. Access to capital in the off-season; the meaningful connections between farmers and CSA members; the sense of ownership and pride members feel about their CSA farms--all these things add up to healthy farms, businesses, and communities. The CSA model is good for everybody,"

So thank you for your support on this and throughout the year. It is so important for us and we are thankful to you!

If you are already signed up, or just want to help us spread the word, please post about National CSA Sign-up Day.

"Quiet Creek Farm is celebrating National CSA Sign-up Day on Feb 28th. Join me in supporting local farmers John and Aimee Good of Quiet Creek Farm: www.quietcreekfarmcsa.com. To sign up for their CSA, head to their online signup.

Thank you!

John and Aimee Good

Quiet Creek Farm

"SEEDING TIME IN THE GREENHOUSE"

Although it still feels very much like winter, the days are getting longer and spring will come before too long. It is again "seeding time" in the greenhouse. We sowed the scallions, sweet onions, and red and yellow onions in the greenhouse this week. Despite the cold temperatures outside, on sunny days it gets above 70 degrees in the greenhouse. We also provide heat directly to the soil in the starting trays with special heat mats. The onions require a soil temperature of 75 degrees for optimum germination. Next week we will sow the leeks, mini purplette onions, and the early tomatoes (which will be planted in the hoophouse). Yeah!

After about a week, we will begin to see the first sprouts. Although we have been sowing these seeds in February for about 14 years now, it is still a thrill every year to see the first green shoots emerge, to begin the season anew. We are looking forward to sharing this new season with our members!

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Currently, we have 210 members signed up for the 2015 season, with 71% of members returning from the 2014 season. We are truly pleased that so many members are joining us again. We still have room for 40 more members for this year, so feel free to tell your friends and neighbors about our farm. We are now accepting new members. Anyone can join via the Membership sign-up on our website.

COMING SOON: Results from the 2014 surveys and Update on exciting new varieties in store for 2015!

"Thank you for supporting your local, certified organic farm, and making the commitment to eat seasonally, and deliciously!"

Your farmers,

John and Aimee Good

Quiet Creek Farm

We are now accepting new members from the wait list for the 2015 season! Members from the wait list are accepted on a "first come, first served" basis, so do not delay - join today!

You are receiving this message from Quiet Creek Farm because you have signed up for our waiting list, to have the first opportunity to purchase a membership for 23 weeks of certified organic vegetables, herbs, flowers, and berries beginning in June at our farm, located at The Rodale Institute in Kutztown PA.

JOIN NOW!     It is very simple. You can now sign up directly through our website on the Member Sign-Up Page. Payments can be made by credit card via Paypal, through Dwolla (an electronic bank transfer) or by sending a check. Each option will be explained on the checkout page. A $100 deposit is required to sign up, but full payments can also be made.

WHY JOIN?    Quiet Creek Farm produce varieties are specially selected for flavor, and harvested at the peak of 'ripeness', either 1 day before or the same day that our members take them home. We can grow varieties that are too tender and delicate to be shipped, and we can pick them when they are supposed to be picked - when they are ripe, for maximum flavor and nutritive value. Unlike the commercial varieties found in grocery stores, which are often picked unripe to survive shipping, vegetables from the farm capture the essence of the sun and soil, and are truly delicious! Eating directly from the farm is a win-win situation, because you get the best taste and the best nutrition in your vegetables! With our "members-only" Upick garden, everyone also has the opportunity to enjoy being on the farm, picking sun-warmed strawberries, cherry tomatoes, green beans and peas, fresh herbs, as well as beautiful bouquets of flowers each week. Read more about the Membership Benefits of Quiet Creek Farm here.

For more information about our CSA program, such as Membership Details, including sample shares from the spring, summer, and fall; Frequently Asked Questions; and more, please see our website. Still have questions? Contact us.

MEMBERSHIP CONFIRMATION:

You will receive a confirmation email once your signup has been completed.

Thank you!

John and Aimee Good

Quiet Creek Farm

PLEASE IGNORE THE RENEWAL REMINDER IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR THIS SEASON! (Or if you are a 3 year member partner.)

Thank you for your continued support!!!

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: Last chance to take advantage of your reserved spot for next season! We have extended the renewal deadline for one more week. We realize the holidays are a busy time, and we wanted to be sure all 2014 members who would like to renew have the opportunity to do so before we begin to accept new members.

We will hold off on contacting the wait list for one more week. After that point, all members, new and returning, will be accepted on a "first come, first served" basis. So please take a moment now to sign up for the 2015 season, on our Member Sign-up page.

*We can also complete the online signup for any member who is unable to do so. Please let us know if you need assistance with your member renewal!

Thank you for supporting your local small organic farmer, and making the commitment to eat seasonally, and well!

MEMBER SURVEY: We would love to have your feedback on this year's harvest; as well as your ideas, suggestions and/or desires for next year. Please click on the link to complete the 2014 Member Survey. It should take only about 5-10 minutes to complete. We thank you and appreciate your time to help us improve the Quiet Creek Farm CSA experience for you, our members!

Your farmers,

John and Aimee Good

Quiet Creek Farm

PLEASE IGNORE THE RENEWAL REMINDER IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR THIS SEASON! (Or if you are a 3 year member partner.)

Thank you for your continued support!!!

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: Last chance to take advantage of your reserved spot for next season! We will begin accepting new members from the wait list in 2015, and all members will be accepted on a "first come, first served" basis in the new year. So please take a moment now to sign up for the 2015 season, on our Member Sign-up page.

*We can also complete the online signup for any member who is unable to do so. Please let us know if you need assistance with your member renewal!

*Check payments for down payments and full payments are now accepted! In order to make the process available to those members who are not comfortable or familiar with online banking or credit card payments, we are now accepting check payments for both the down payment and full payment option. We made this change in response to member feedback. We want to make it possible for all members who wish to do so, to renew their share.

Thank you for supporting your local small organic farmer, and making the commitment to eat seasonally, and well!

MEMBER SURVEY: We would love to have your feedback on this year's harvest; as well as your ideas, suggestions and/or desires for next year. Please click on the link to complete the 2014 Member Survey. It should take only about 5-10 minutes to complete. We thank you and appreciate your time to help us improve the Quiet Creek Farm CSA experience for you, our members!

Your farmers,

John and Aimee Good

Quiet Creek Farm