Ed Jr. With this seasons first onions.

Ed Jr. Picking carrots for the CSA.

Ed Jr. with the first beets for the 2012 season.

The 2011 Season - Coming to an End

Dear 2011 Season Garden of Eat’n CSA Members,

The Rothe Family would like to thank you for participating in our CSA for the 2011 year.  We are getting close to the end of this season. We hope you have enjoyed the veggies this year and will join us again next year.

Wednesday Pick Up members will have their last pick up on Wednesday, September 28^th

Friday Pick Up members will have their last pick up on Friday, September 30^th

Saturday Pick Up members will have their last pick up Saturday, October 1^st

Monday Pick Up members will have their last pick up Monday, October 3^rd

We know the turnips are growing and should be ready for Thanksgiving.  We will have them available for you for your pick-up the week or two before Thanksgiving.  You can call Chris to check 860-985-2812 or check our blog http://gardenofeatn-rhf.blogspot.com/ for the information.

If you purchased your own bins you may take them with you and keep them at your home or leave them with us to store over the winter.  If we purchased your bins and lent them to you please return them so we have them for next year’s members (hopefully you).

We have enjoyed the challenge of this year and appreciate that you have hung in there with us through some of the severe weather we faced this year.  We were luckier than some of our farming friends around the state and we hope for them and ourselves a better year weather wise all around.

Edward Jr.            Edward Sr.        Jane            Tyson (farm pup)

                                                                       Gene                Jean                 Chris            Diesel (farm pup)

Our CSA's fifth year

This is our fifth season as a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture on our farm (Rothe Homestead Farm and now Rothe Partnership) in Ellington, CT.  The season has brought forth the vegetables and new members too.   This season we have 54 members.   In the beginning we mostly had members from Emanuel Lutheran Church but now we have members from Ellington, South Windsor, West of the River and Emanuel.  To think this was all a result of the Immersion Trip to Mexico some years back still amazes me.  When we began we had much to learn about sharing with partners or shareholders that would come to the farm and take home varied vegetables, share recipes, stories and more.  All the visitors to the farm whether from CSA membership, church youth and just curious visitors has so lifted up the family and being able to share our dream of self-sustaining has been such a gift to the whole family.  We still have our pup Diesel who manages to amble out to meet anyone that visits the farm.  He is still a hefty 170 plus pounds and moves slower now that he has aged some but he still loves greeting  visitors.  Jean now spends his retirement years enjoying the work on the farm at his leisure and Ed Sr. will soon join his brother after retiring from Gerber Scientific after his 46 years.  This year the sons, Ed Jr. and Gene now are the owners of the farm.  It was time to turn the farm over to the next generation but that does not give Jean and I a break from being involved with the farm and farm work.  It just changes who makes the decisions on how we will keep our farm and animals thriving.  The farm began in 1902 and we are pleased to say we see it being in the family for many more years to come.  You are always welcome to visit us at the farm.


Chris

Notice of First Pick-up for the Garden of Eat’n 2011

First Monday pickup will be June 20th

After those dates you will continue to pick up each week for as long as the veggies last.  If you are on vacation you will need to have someone pick up your share.  If you do not have someone to pick up your share while on vacation please notify us so that the vegetables do not sit in the Veggie Shack and spoil.

Eggs will be available @ $2.25 for a dozen and $2.75 for the 18 egg cartons (please bring back the cartons for reuse!)  They can be found in the small refrigerator and you can put the money in the can on top.

You can reach Chris by phone for any questions 860-985-2812

You can check our Blog http://gardenofeatn-rhf.blogspot.com to receive the latest information and see what else is going on at the farm.  You can send us recipes to share with the CSA members by sending them to stitcher44@comcast.net  That is the email address for Chris Rothe.

We were not able to set up a “Visit the Farm Day” before the first pickup due to the rain and need to get the veggies in the ground and ready for you.  We will have a “Visit” day very soon.

                Ed Jr. is the farm manager

                Gene is the mechanic and owner of Diesel

                Jane is the “egg lady” and farm stand operator

                Ed Sr. and Jean are the farm hands

                Chris is the CSA coordinator

We all wish you Welcome for the 2011 Season at Garden of Eat’n

Let's Talk.....

Let’s talk about spices……..

Did you know that anise seed is considered really good for indigestion? That is why so many cough drops and tonics have the sweet licorice flavor in them. Most cooks keep their use to cookies, cakes and breads but used in cottage cheese and even in pasta dishes it adds a whole new flavor.

Let’s talk about the veggies…..

Things are really jumping at the farm and the land is getting prepared for all the veggies you are all looking forward to getting soon. When it comes to trying to list all the veggies we will be growing it is hard to keep a list in your mind when that question comes up. Just know that most veggies you would find in a vegetable soup you will be getting this year….green beans, tomatoes, onions, snap peas, etc.A notice will go out well ahead of time when the first pick up will be ready. You will also receive an email confirming the pickup day you are scheduled for.

Let’s talk about the chickens…..

We will have eggs available for you and still want you to return the empty egg cartons so they can be reused. You will find the eggs in the small refrigerator and there will be a can on top for the money. Jane will be making a sign to tell you the price. I believe the price may go up this year but we shall see.

Let’s talk about a Farm Visit……

We will try to give you a heads up for the Farm Visit and will try to make it close to the time the first pick up will take place. We do this so you can meet the farm family (including Diesel) and also know where you will pick up your veggies. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

If you want to know more about canning veggies and or jams, jellies Jane is the one to talk to.

We can’t wait to welcome you all back to the farm! Watch for the invite!

Chris