Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Last Week of the Season

Down on the Farm


This will be the last week that our market will be open. Sunday will be the last day for 2014. It's been a blast and thank you all for choosing us to be your farmer!

Apples and cider are here, so if you ordered, please pick up during business hours through Sunday.

A couple of things since we will be closing at the end of business Sunday.

1...We will go back to self serve for eggs and honey. Eggs and honey will be available everyday of the week. The eggs will be in the normal egg cooler and the honey will be in the small refrigerator next to the egg cooler. We will have honey bears and jars of honey in various sizes with the price marked on them. The cash box will be located on the front of the display table. If the egg sign is not up on our road sign we are out of eggs. You can always call.

2...To purchase chicken or to pick up your chicken CSA chicken, please call or email to set up a time.

3...I will still send you emails to let you know when the fresh chicken is in etc.

In the market this week:

Winterbor Kale (curly)
Red Russian Kale
Toscano Kale
Watermelon Radishes
White Turnips
Arugula
Red Beets
Golden Beets
Salad Mix
Green Peppers
Hot Wax Peppers
Jalapenos
Carrots
Broccoli (by the weekend)
Cauliflower (by the weekend)\
Boston Marrow Squash (great for punkin pies)
Eggs
Honey
8 dollar t-shirts

Thanks again for a wonderful 2014..down on the farm.











Locally Yours,
Vicky and Steve

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Farm Update

Down on the Farm

It's Apple time again! Last year we took orders for apples and cider from Oyler's Organic Farms in Biglersville, PA. and we're doing it again. We will make the run to Oyler's if we get enough orders. A couple things I need to say before we get started..these are 100% organic apples which means they haven't been sprayed with the poison insecticides, fungicides and pesticides normal apples are sprayed with. They are not dipped in wax like most conventional apples are to keep them pretty. Thus these will not be the best looking apples you have ever seen, but they will be some of the best tasting apples you have ever eaten. We also will be bringing back cider. This is not pasteurized, so it won't last forever in your fridge. We froze a bunch last year and that is the way to keep it. This was probably the best tasting cider I've ever had. Only two apple varieties to choose from this year, York and Enterprise. York has a tart yet sweet taste and keeps well. The York taste gets sweeter and mellower over time and can store up to six months. The York is good for baking, cooking, apple sauce, cider, preserves, jams, dried apple slices and juice, as well as eating fresh. The York or York Imperial is one of the few apples that has survived for 180 years. That's what we call an heirloom!

The Enterprise was developed in 1994. It's ancestors are the McIntosh, Rome Beauty and Golden Delicious. It's very disease resistant which makes it good for organic growing. It's quite tart but mellows with age. Will keep for up to 6 months and is good for eating fresh and cooking. The skin will be a little thicker than the York.

The apples are $2.75 per pound and the cider is $9.50 a gallon or $6.00 a half gallon. Worth every penny.

We need to have your order no later than Sunday 10/26. Remember 1 pound of apples is probably two, maybe three apples. We will have pick up at the farm next week Wednesday through Sunday. Just email your order and you can pay when you pick up. steve@rousedalefarm.com

Enough of the Apple Story. In the market this week:

Cabbage
Broccoli
Carrots
Green Beans
Winterbor Kale (curly)
Red Russian Kale (more like a salad Kale)
Toscano Kale (between the other two)
Tomatoes (very few left)
Red Beets
Golden Beets
Red Radishes
Watermelon Radishes
Green Peppers
Hot Wax Peppers
Jalapeno Peppers
I Giant Boston Marrow Squash left
Salad Mix
Arugula
White Turnips
A few Butternut Squashes left
Eggs
Honey
Chicken

Rousedale Farm T-shirts are at end of season clearance just $8 each. Wow, what a great gift idea!!!!

See you down on the farm!







Locally Yours,
Vicky and Steve

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Farm Update

Down on the Farm

Could the Tomatoes really be coming to an end? Could it be? I have to sadly say that I believe this will be the last week for those luscious round, red, orbs for another year. Please don't be to depressed, we still have plenty for this week and lots more stuff!

In the market this week:

Tomatoes
Boston Marrow Squash
Red Bell Peppers
Green Bell Peppers
Almost all Yellow Bell Peppers
Jalapenos
Hungarian Hot Wax Peppers
Arugula
Lettuce
Spinach
Red Beets
Golden Beets
Red Radishes
Watermelon Radishes
Red Russian Kale
Toscano (Dinosaur) Kale
Winterbor Curly Kale
Green Beans
Butternut Squash
White Turnips
Carrots
Honey
Eggs

We would love to see you this week!







Locally Yours,
Vicky and Steve

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Farm Update

Down on the Farm

Vicky and I were gone last week.  Our thanks to Ginny and Harvey for taking care of the farm and the market.  Where did Vicky and I go??  A very tropical, beautiful spot called Ocean City. Have you heard of it?  It's a great time of year to hit OC.  If you luck out with nice weather, which we did, you have the beach to yourself practically, which we did, no waiting at restaurants, which we had, and a very relaxing time was had by all. It was a great time.  Vicky had oysters with practically every meal...enough said.

From the "Everything's not always fun and games at the farm" department...We purchased 100 new layer hens to boost our egg numbers up a bit.  The new hens were sick on arrival.  We called in the Maryland Dept. of Ag and then a poultry vet to see what was happening.  The chickens had a virus that is extremely contagious to other chickens.  We had three choices:
1..Depopulate (kill) all the laying hens
2..Vaccinate all our layers and then feed them antibiotics
3..Let nature take it's course..

We decided on number three.  Obviously our whole point of having eggs is to have them natural without any antibiotics or medicated in any way.  The virus doesn't affect the eggs, although most of the sick chickens aren't laying anyway.  This is going to affect the amount of eggs we will be getting, but we felt this was the way to go for us.  Just wanted to let you know.

We have been in contact with our friends at Oyler's Organic Orchard in P.A. to find out about getting apples, like we did last year.  They will let us know what varieties will be available in another couple of weeks.  We will let you know when we are ready to take your orders for apples and cider.

In the market this week:

Tomatoes
Boston Marrow Squash
Green Bell Peppers
Red Bell Peppers
Yellow Bell Peppers
Jalapenos
Hot Wax Peppers
Arugula
Lettuce
Spinach
Red Beets
Golden Beets
Red Radishes
Watermelon Radishes
Red Russian Kale
Toscano Kale
Winterbor Curly Kale
Butternut Squash
Japanese Eggplant
Honey
Eggs
Chicken
White Turnips
Carrots

If you don't see what you're looking for, please ask.  As the market isn't as busy now we are not harvesting a lot all at one time, rather a little as we go.  We probably have what you want, but may have to run out quickly and cut, pull or pick while you wait.


 





 

Locally Yours,
Vicky and Steve