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October 2007
Thank you very much for your participation in Upper Meadows
Farm CSA this year! I have enjoyed growing your food. I appreciate
that you have weathered the ups and downs of our season and
sincerely look forward to a better year of growing next year.
As expected, some crops fared better than others like our
bumper crop of potatoes and beans along with excellent lettuce
and greens. Unfortunately the unexpected had a greater impact
on us than I anticipated. While the weather threw some curves,
the real impact came from the deer eating the tomatoes. That
is a new reality to add to experience since the deer have
never done that here; a real and deeply troubling ‘first’.
I am taking steps to see to it that we don’t have a
similar issue next year. I have studied our situation here
and have determined that if we can expand our membership from
it’s current level of 140 families to 200 families in
2008 I will only need to increase the share price by $5/share.
That would be $530 for Family shares and $350 for Individual
and Half shares. That represents a less than 1% increase in
a year when fuel prices alone have risen as much as 17% and
the minimum wage has gone to $7.15/hour in NJ. The federal
minimum wage is at $5.85/hour.
I am proposing to you, as active members in this food community,
that you participate with me in a membership campaign for
the 2008 season to grow our CSA to 200 families. I can easily
accommodate up to 250 members for the 2008 season but would
be secure to go forward if we reach 200. With
confidence that we will meet this goal together, I am setting
the 2008 Share Prices at $530 per Family Share, $350 per Individual
Share and $350 per Half Share.
Again this year I am offering an Early Bird Discount of $50
to members who renew or join and pay in full in November 2007,
and $25 off for members who renew or join and pay in full
by January 31, 2008 for all members paying by check or with
cash. The credit card transaction fee works out to a straight
10%. In other words, when you pay by credit card, I pay 10%
for that fee. If you are interested in renewing on line I
don’t have a page that is interactive to allow that,
but I’m hoping that one of our computer literate members
can help set that up.
A $100 deposit will reserve your share for the 2008 season
if final payment is received by April 30, 2008.
Anyone who wishes to contribute to the revolving loan fund
that we have established to help members with making payment
arrangements might join during the Early Bird period and note
that you wish to donate your discount to this fund. If you
would like more details about the fund, we’ll be taking
the post season and pre season newsletters to explain some
of the other-than-farming ways that Upper Meadows Farm CSA
is working to bring the best most healthful food to all those
who want it.
Thank you one and all again for another great season and don’t
forget that the last distribution is on November 1st and November
3rd.
Best,
len
JERSEY
SEAFOOD LINK
By
request I am tentatively scheduling another run to the shore
for Friday, November 2. Please contact me to confirm your
interest and reserve a share.
Freezer
Fund
We
once again have started our freezer fund. We are accepting
minimum donations of $8 to the freezer fund. We do have premiums
available to donors. Please contribute to our freezer fund
and help us move towards a completed on farm market.
Sausage- Cajun, Hot Italian, Sweet Italian, Hot Sticks, pepperoni
Pork chops, smoked hocks, hams, neck bone are available.
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