Green Thumb Farm Huntington CSA

Happy Spring,
This list includes...

1. Your CSA needs you! We could use ONE (1) person from 5:30 to 7:30pm this week
2. This week's list (subject to change...farming is like that)
3. Fun, Cool & Interesting Stuff (new stuff added weekly...really!)
4. Things new CSA members need to know (and past members may want reminders about)



1. Your CSA needs you! We could use ONE (1) person from 5:30 to 7:30pm this week

You can always just show up a little before 3:30 or 5:30pm at the CSA and offer to work if there's still an empty slot on the CSA Work Sign-up Sheet. ALWAYS FILL THE CSA WORK SHEET OUT IN PENCIL!!! Life is too unpredictable for being written in pen!



2. This week's list (subject to change without notice...farming is like that)

Week #1
April 23, 2009

1. Chives - 1 bunch
2. Jerusalem Artichokes - 1 bag
3. Collard Greens - 1 bunch
4. Beans, Black Turtle (dried) - 1 bag
5. Turnip Greens - 1 bunch

Total Items: 5



3. Fun, Cool & Interesting Stuff

Saturday, April 25th

11am to 6pm


Green Living Expo
Suffolk County Community College
Brentwood Campus Sports/Exhibition Complex
101 Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood, NY 11717 For more info:
http://www.greenlivingexpoli.com/
http://www.greenlivingexpoli.com/schedule.html
$10.00 (under 12 years old free)


The Green Living Expo is a 2-day event designed to provide Long Island residents and business owners with the information they need to support a greener way of life here on Long Island. “Green Living” is a new concept for many Long Islanders, for others it has been a way of life for years. Regardless of which category you fall into, being “green” is a notion that has firmly taken root in our society.
The Green Living Expo will be the catalyst between businesses, organizations, and consumers looking for information, inspiration, and innovation. It will provide information to help move us in the direction of a lifestyle that is both economically viable and ecologically sound.
The Green Living Expo will have two full days of programming to make the event both educational and fun. Speakers have been selected for their passion, commitment, innovation, and authority on their “green” topic. There is no additional fee required to attend the programs/lectures/classes.

Sunday, April 26th

11am to 5pm

Green Living Expo
(see Saturday, April 25th)



Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 9th

NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) Summer Conference
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA
http://www.nofasummerconference.org/

If you're interested in organic gardening, food, farming, holistic health, alternative energy, cleaning up the environment, food politics, good eating, partying, dancing, music, crafts, poetry, yoga, join between 1,500 and 2,000 like minded people in a weekend of fun and education with something for just about everyone from tots and teens to everyone else. There are many Long Islanders who go every year. If you try it once, I bet you'll try it again!



4. Things new CSA members need to know (and past members may want reminders about)

A. What time is the CSA again?

Pickup time starts and 3:30pm & ends at 7:30pm

B. Where am I going?

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington (UUFH)
109 Browns Rd
Huntington
between Coindre Hall & the Southdown Elementary School
use www.mapquest.com if you need further directions (or some other site like that)

Know how to get here & avoid Rt 110/NY Ave as much as possible! Also, find alternate ways to get to the CSA in case of roadwork, etc. You can be on either side of Browns Road to get to the CSA.

C. We bag our own

BRING BAGS TO PACK YOUR FOOD...paper/plastic/canvas/string/whatever

My advice?
1. Bring some plastic bags because some things you get WILL be wet and you'll want to keep them away from the food that should stay dry.
2. Put bags in the glove compartment or trunk of EVERY vehicle you own or could end up driving or riding in and refill when the stock is low. That way, you'll never be without.
3. If you do these things, you'll be glad you did

D. What if I can't make it at all or have trouble getting there on time?

Running late?
If you call the hall phone (631-385-1079*) of the UUFH and make arrangements on Thursday between 3:30 & 7:30pm, we can pre-pack a bag for you and either wait for you to show up (if it won't be too long) or arrange to put the bag on the bench of a member who lives in the neighborhood

*This number is to be used ONLY on Thursdays between 3:30 and 7:30pm and ONLY in case of emergencies and/or last resort. Cell phone reception at the UUFH is not very good so this may be the only way to contact someone during the CSA.

Can't make it at all?

Look over the Sign-In List and see if there's someone you know. You may be surprised. If so, get that person's contact info and have at least TWO CSA members that you can contact and have them pick up and/or store your food till you can get it from them. If you don't know anyone, look for someone who lives near you (this will be easier in the coming weeks...trust me on this one) and ask for their contact info.

E. KEEP THIS NUMBER WITH YOU ALWAYS...631-385-1079

It's the hall phone in the building where the CSA is. Cell phone reception is poor to nill unless you're outside in a magical spot that may change from day to day! So, this number is vital for letting folks at the CSA know if you need a late pickup, if you can't work your CSA work shift, etc. USE SPARINGLY and only on Thursdays from 3 to 7:30pm! It is for the use of the members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington (UUFH). It is not ours to freely use, even to receive calls.


F. What do I do when I get there?

1. When you walk into the building, walk straight ahead and you'll walk right into where the CSA is (the Social Hall)

2. Tell the person sitting at the Sign-In desk what your last name is, or what the last name is of the CSA member that you're sharing with, or who you're picking up for. IF you're picking up for more than yourself, tell the person at the desk who you're picking up for so they can note that as well (this info comes in more handy than you could imagine)

3. READ THE WALL CHART MENU (see the Wall Chart attached to this email) CAREFULLY...we do NOT automatically take one of everything on the tables!!! At least not most of the time though early in the year that may be the case...assume nothing!

4. Proceed from where the Wall Chart is around the tables and take your CSA food according to what the Wall Chart says. If you don't know what something is, there should be something on each pile of food that will tell you what it is and what to do with it. If you start at the Wall Chart end, our farmer tries to set things out so the heavier items are there and you end up with the lighter things on top of your bag so they don't get squished.

5. If you have any questions or are not sure about something...please ask! There's bound to be someone at the CSA who can answer most any question (at least about food, anyway).

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