We know all of Chesterfield and the metro Richmond area was with us this weekend in welcoming the first taste of spring. Record-breaking low temps have a way of amping up excitement for spring, eh? Well, we are ready. Our interns for 2015 started last week, enthusiastic to learn as much as they can about Certified Naturally Grown vegetable and herb production and get their hands dirty. As temperatures are leveling out, we can finally start seeds with gusto. Thus – a reminder that we are growing not just vegetables for you this season, but also transplants for your own garden. We will have cool-season plants available in April by order to CSA members and at the South of the James market. The greatest selection of summer crops will be available at our on-farm Plant Sale on May 9th.
This will also be your chance to walk our fields and greenhouses with us during the 2:30 tour. We aim to grow the best tasting, most nutritious produce available for you and your family, and this tour is the best way we can explain to you how we do it.

[Above: our new interns Rachel and Kyle! We are so glad they are here!]
We often tell people that we know our vegetables are the most delicious and nourishing produce option for our community members. Growing on a small scale allows us the ability to manage our crops for that result. The challenge is that growing on a small scale also means it is not as convenient for you – the consumer – to access our amazing veggies. We can’t open a store front on Hull Street or put our vegetables on the shelves at nearby grocery stores. Instead, we can show you how worthwhile it is to join our CSA, make the time to visit us at the farmers’ market, gather together your neighbors to cooperatively take turns collecting Farm Shares at a pick-up location. We believe to do so is to make a valuable investment in the health of you and your family.  Visit our CSA page to learn more about how to become a member of this farm. Talk to your neighbors about how to cooperatively arrange pick up to get the best produce possible into the kitchens, lunchboxes, smoothie glasses, and dinner plates of this community.

Our Farm Share portion of our CSA is the best way to get a hearty mix of vegetables into your hands each week. Pick up for this option is on Wednesdays, May – November, and current pick up options are at our farm or in Church Hill. We have heard rumors of households working to establish a new pick up location at Magnolia Green, and perhaps the Byrd Park area on Sundays. Send us an email if you are interested in either of those options. We need 20 shares to establish a new pick up location and we are delighted to meet new members!  
When we are asked how many people one Farm Share feeds, we answer that it depends on what kind of eater you are. Some single-person households consume an entire Farm Share of ours each week. If you eat most meals at home or have a larger family, that will be the case. If you have a larger family AND eat most meals at home, perhaps two Farm Shares will be right for you, or one Farm Share plus selecting additional vegetables through our Market Share. Photos of past Farm Shares on our our CSA page. Not sure what these terms mean? See our CSA page for a detailed explanation. We hope you will sign up to join us this season – enjoying the result of our dedication to raising the best vegetables possible for you, and also sharing in the risks inherent in farming. (What crops will be the star performers this season? We don’t yet know!) A strong relationship between the growers and eaters of food within a local community is a sign of a commitment to health and resiliency. Thank you for joining us in establishing this rich relationship here in Chesterfield!

Meanwhile, as we wait for our in-the-ground vegetables to grow after the recent hibernation-inducing temperatures, we have to offer our cherished Market Share CSA members:
Pepper Jelly, Fermented Jalapenos, and naturally leavened Hearth Baked Bread.

2015 Market Share CSA Members: Choose your selection through our Online Ordering to order for pick up on Wednesday, March 11 at our farm or at Good Health Herbs.

**Anyone may order select goods from us, when available, through Fall Line Farms, Richmond’s online farmers’ market. You can use discount code “broadfork” to earn a complimentary 6 month subscription.

Enjoy ~
Janet, Dan, and the rest of the NEW! Broadfork crew

**If you wish to invest in our farm, order from us in 2015, and have first access to our harvest, please Sign up for our 2015 CSA season! Though the main harvest season still awaits, your investment now allows us the funds to start the season.

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