Chickens in the House

Our forty three new chicks arrived today. After a very confusing trip to the east dock of the Omaha post office, where I wound my way through the nearly empty building led by the sound of peeping (and my new post office friend Marsha), I was able to bring home our newest members of the farm. We have 15 Arucauna/Americana mixes, and 9 each of Red Stars, Black Stars, and Pearl White Leghorns. For those of you mathematicians, yes, we received an extra. Thank you Murray McMurray. Now the challenge is going to be keeping these chicks warm. We have the hottest bulbs for our heat lamps and are monitoring the ground temperature with a thermometer. Baby chicks need an environment of 95 degrees. With the outside temperature reading a balmy 23 (it went down one degree as I wrote this), we have our work cut out for us. I pray that we do not have to convert the bathroom into a brooder--although it wouldn't be the first time. Now it looks like we have our chicks to keep us busy until our seed planting begins.

Winter Reigns

While we patiently await the return of spring so we can work the soil, the chickens are eagerly awaiting the return of bugs and the dirt that they know must be under the snow. Because they are literally cooped up, we have been making an effort to "redecorate," meaning new straw and a dust box filled with our fireplace ashes. While we do this, the chickens make feeble attempts at wandering in the snow but soon come back to the coop to roost and scratch in the warmth of their own home.

We are carrying straw to the chickens on a toboggan that has been used to shuttle groceries up the hill for the humans at Old Nelly Farms during the iciest of winter days. It seems spring can not come soon enough for any living creature here. Although we marvel every day at the beauty of the ice laden branches, we eagerly await the first sign of green buds on the trees or the crocus as a sure sign of spring.

Subscribe to our NEW CSA!

Buy a share of the 2010 harvest! - Sign up now!

 

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a direct connection between a nearby farmer and the people who eat the food a farmer produces.

 

Each shareholder pays a subscription fee to buy a share of the harvest.  The fee goes toward the operating cost of the farm.  In return, the farm supplies a weekly box of produce.  Participating supporters contribute to the farm’s yearly operating budget by purchasing in advance a share of the season’s harvest.  By making this commitment ahead of time, CSA shareholders join the farmer in assuming the costs, risks, and rewards of growing that season’s crops.  Shareholders help pay for the seeds, supplies, labor, equipment maintenance, and other costs.  In return, the farm provides a weekly box of fresh, nutritious vegetables throughout the harvest season.

 

How much each week?

The share will vary in weight and size each week.  The list of contents changes through the year, based on which ones are ready to be harvested.  The first couple of boxes of the season are lighter, providing mainly leafy vegetables and salad vegetables.  The quantity and weight increases as more crops mature.  One share is generally enough for a family of two adults and two children.  If you are concerned that the quantity of one share will be too much for you, we encourage you to purchase a half share.

 

Sharing the Risks and Rewards

We strive to provide an appealing and ample supply of vegetables each week, but since nature has no guarantees, we cannot supply one either.  You will be experiencing the ups and downs of vegetable farming, if a crop is plentiful this year, you’ll receive lots of it; conversely, if the “pickins” are slim, that will be reflected in your share.

 

How long is the harvest season?

Harvest typically runs from late May until October, a total of 20 weeks.

 

What is the cost?

A full share is $500 per season, which is $25 per week for 20 weeks.  A half share is $300 per season, or $15 per week for 20 weeks.  Payment may be made in full or split into two payments, one pre‐season and one mid‐season.  We also offer free‐range eggs and poultry at a discounted price to our CSA members.  Poultry must be picked up on the farm.

 

Where is the farm?

We primarily farm on our family homestead in Crescent, Iowa.  We also grow some crops in McClelland, Iowa on another family farm.  Our address is 20527 Monument Road.

 

Where do I pick up my vegetables?

CSA shareholders may pick up their shares at the Village Pointe Farmers Market on Saturday between 8 and 1, or on the farm Wednesdays from 4‐8.  To transport your veggies, please bring the Old Nelly Farms tote bags that are provided as part of the CSA subscription.  In keeping with our efforts for sustainability, we will not hand out plastic grocery bags.

 

About Old Nelly Farms

We are a mother‐daughter team that has much help from husbands, children, family, and friends.  We have much growing experience and a passion for working the land.  We feel that our love of farming and our respect of the land can be seen on our farm and tasted in our food.

 

Want to help on the farm?

Shareholders and others are invited to visit the farm and help with farm work such as planting, weeding, and harvesting.  We can let you know by e‐mail when there are volunteer work days scheduled or you can call and find out if there is a good day to help out.  It is a great opportunity to connect with nature or work in the dirt and help grow your food!

 

Sustainable Methods

We are strongly committed to using ecologically sustainable agricultural practices.  We do not use any chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.

 

How do I sign up for the CSA?

Fill out the signup form and mail it along with your payment to the farm:

 

Checks payable to:

 

Kumari Durick

20527 Monument Rd

Crescent, Iowa 51526