Appleton CSA Week 19

The scheduled CSA season will end on OCTOBER 28th with the hiatus make up week immediately following.
The Share:

Bok Choi

Kale/Collards

Cabbage

Greens

Onions

Potatoes

Garlic

Carrots

Turnips

Beets

Peppers

Radishes

Updates

Usually at this time of the year we are in the middle of selling our Thanksgiving/fall shares but this year is a little different.  The Thanksgiving share has traditional been a way to supplement our late season revenue and to distribute any surplus we have left after the main season CSA has ended.  With such a challenging summer we began distributing many of our fall crops earlier than expected, leaving us with little expectation of a surplus.  It was a painful decision but we realized that there would not be a fair way to satisfy both our main season CSA customers and provide for the Thanksgiving share.  As such we have decided not to carry out our plans for an Appleton fall share this season.  For those of you who were really counting on and looking forward to the Thanksgiving share, I have been looking into alternative options which I hope to make available in the share room next week.  Be sure to speak with Ashley or one of the shopkeepers if you are interested in learning more.

In the fields our fall crops continue to mature at a snails pace.  We harvested the first of our fall broccoli today and got some absolutely gorgeous crowns but the vast majority of the field is still slowly sizing up.  With only two more weeks of the regularly scheduled season it is clear that not everything is going to reach the level of maturity that we might hope for.  Instead of giving up on these crops we are going to attempt harvesting many of them at “baby” size.  This way all our hard work planting and caring for these crops won’t be wasted and our members will get to enjoy exceptionally delicate and tender variations of their favorite veggies.  Look  for baby beets, baby carrots, baby fennel and many others in the share over the next couple weeks.

After narrowly avoiding two or three "killing" frosts we were finally hit with the big one in the early hours of Saturday morning.  We have been incredibly fortunate to have had such a long and productive season for tomatoes and peppers.  With each near miss killing frost we were given another chance to harvest absolutely everything we could from our tomatoes and peppers.  As a result we have a nice little stock pile of these crops for the CSA.  Even with out best efforts we were not able to get absolutely everything.  There are a few small green tomatoes still out on the vines with an even smaller numbers of red tomatoes mixed in.  As the farm crew slowly cleans up this field over the course of next week, CSA members are welcome to come and try to glean these remaining tomatoes.  I can't guarantee the conditions or quantity of the tomatoes out there but you are welcome to them.  Speak with Ashley in the share room for details if you are interested.

 Upcoming Farm Programs

Autumn is here, come enjoy the beauty of the season by joining us in some fun fall activities here at Appleton. Check out our programs, concerts, workshops and tours this October!

Fall Happenings at Appleton Farms

Rise & Shine: Little Farmers Saturday, October 22nd 9-10 am

Have you ever collected warm eggs from the chicken coop or seen how fast pigs will run for their morning helping of scraps? This Saturday morning program brings families behind the scenes of our working farm. You’ll meet our calves, goats, sheep, pigs & chickens when you help with the morning chores (don’t worry, we will go easy on you!) We learn as we go and take advantage of whatever lesson the day has to offer. We conclude our farm adventure with a seasonal farm story. Please note, you only need to register one ticket per family (six or more in a family should register for two families).
Weather: This program runs rain or shine so please dress appropriately as there is always an outdoor component. In the event of lighting, we will cancel. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch or stop by our Dairy Store to grab some goodies and spend your day on the farm. We have picnic tables, bathrooms, water, and plenty of stroller friendly walking paths for you to enjoy!

Down on the Farm: Fall Concert Series Sunday October 16th 4-7 pm

Join us for fall concerts in the Stone Paddock! This family-friendly concert will offer live music from Soul Rebel Project. Food will be available for purchase from Boston Burger Company and CopperDome Crust Pizza. Beer and Wine will be available for purchase from Ipswich Ale and Old Planters Brewing. Or bring your own picnic! Enjoy our lawn games, meet our animals, and enjoy a gorgeous fall evening on the farm. Gate opens at 4pm, concert begins at 5pm. Sorry no dogs or byob.
No pre-registration required. Cash accepted at the gate. Bring your own lawn chairs.

Pasture to Plate: Cheese Making Tour Saturday, October 22nd, 3:30-4:30 pm

This in-depth look at our dairy operation will take you from the pastures to the cheese kitchen viewing area – and everywhere in between – to learn about how we make our delicious farm fresh cheese. We’ll talk about our rotational grazing, see the milking in action, and get a glimpse of the cheese caves. Finish up with a sampling of some of our products.
This program meets at our Dairy Store and there is no need to pre-register.

From Cultures to Rinds: Cheese Making Funadamentals Saturday, October 22nd, 10am - 12pm

Our cheese making classes are back!  Join Appleton’s own cheese maker, Kristian Holbrook, for a hands-on cheese making class in our farm kitchen.  You’ll learn all the basics of cheese making, make your own mozzarella and ricotta to take home, and get a behind-the-scenes tour of our dairy operation and cheese cave.  Pre-registration required.
This event is part of the Appleton Cooks! program. For more information about Appleton Cooks! and similar events please click here.

Down on the Farm: Fall Concert Series with Pumpkin Contest and Children's Farmyard Trick or Treat Sunday, October 23rd, 4-7pm

The fall concert will take place among your creative pumpkin creations!  Bring your carved pumpkin and place it on the stone wall surrounding the concert. We will light all the pumpkins as the sun goes down for all to enjoy. Participants can vote for the "best of" in a number of categories and winners will be announced that evening.  Kids can wear their non-scary costumes and will receive candy during the farmyard costume parade.
This family-friendly concert will offer music by Rust Never Sleeps, a Neil Young Retrospetive.  Food will be available for purchase from Gabi's Smoke Shake and CopperDome Crust Pizza. Beer and Wine will be available for purchase from Ipswich Ale and Old Planters Brewing. Or bring your own picnic. Enjoy our lawn games, meet our animals, and enjoy a gorgeous fall evening on the farm. Gate opens at 4pm, concert begins at 5pm.Sorry no dogs or byob.
No pre-registration required. Cash accepted at the gate. Bring your own lawn chairs.