March 2013

Here we are the middle of March already and the greenhouse is getting crowded with little seedlings.  We are looking forward to our eighth season this year and have spent the winter months reading about farming, more reading about farming, and taking workshops about farming. 

 Gregory went to the Guelph Organic Conference and listened to a young Quebec farmer share how he grows and sells enough produce on an acre and a half for 200 families.  We ask ourselves ‘what can we do to improve?’ Anyway, it’s always energizing to see what other farmers are doing, how they are doing it, and what we can learn from their story. 

 I attended a Holistic Orchard workshop in Picton on a snowy day in February.  Michael Philips, a brilliant orchardist who wrote a book on the subject, was inspiring, engaging and funny to listen to.  I will be planning our orchard care in accordance with his practices and look forward to pesticide free fruit.

 Our ponds are overflowing with water which is a much more typical start to spring.  Unlike last year when winter brought such little moisture that the ground was dry by June.  Our hens are starting to lay more with the increase in daylight hours and both our ducks and hens are roaming freely pecking the earth for seeds and grubs. 

Community Supported Agriculture

CSA is a food box program where the customer pays for the season up front.  This gives the farmer, us, the funds to order seeds, repair equipment, and purchase row covers, mulch, and other items that we need to start the season. 

 In return the farmer gives the customer, you, a weekly box of, in our case, certified organic produce for the season.  Our produce is picked at the peak of ripeness.  As well, it is grown without herbicides and pesticides, in healthy soil for the optimum in flavour and nutrition. 

 Again this year - your home or business can become a depot for our box program.  Sell 10 boxes in your neighbourhood and you get your CSA box for free.  Please see our website for how this can work in your local area.

 The 2013 CSA program starts June 19^th/22^nd and is the same price as last year at  $550 per share.  If you pay in full by March 31^st your cost is only $525.  The CSA box program runs until Thanksgiving weekend.  We can accept Interac email payments to make it easier.

 Check out our website for more information, drop locations and to sign up for your 2013 CSA share.  www.WicklowWay.ca

New for 2013…

 This year Wicklow Way will be in Toronto on Wednesdays at the new Regent Park farmers market.  The hours are from 2 to 7 pm each week starting on June 5^th.  Stay tuned for their farmers market website and further information.

 We have recently given up our sympatico email addresses.  If you wish to contact Gregory or me you can email us at the following:

gshill@WicklowWay.ca

Elaina.Asselin@WicklowWay.ca

What’s Available at Wicklow Way …

Though The Mall is closed for the season we still have some items available for pre-arranged pickup.  Give us a call at 905-355-5260 if you need any:  

Eggs

Pork

Smoked Sea Salt

Dried Tomatoes

Smoked Tomatoes

 Our eggs are from the heritage breeds Rhode Island Red, Barred Plymouth Rock, Columbia Cross and Black Sex Link and they eat ‘certified organic’ grain.  They are free to roam by day (come by and visit), eat weeds and bugs, and are happy chickens.

 Please note:  Due to a 30% increase in certified organic feed prices thanks to the summer drought of 2012 we will have to increase the price of our eggs. 

 Effective April 1^st, 2013 our eggs will be $6.50 per dozen

New Kids at the Farm…

 We loved raising our two Berkshire pigs last season so much that we decided to raise four this year.  They arrived March 10^th and are quite comfy in their new home.  We let them out a little longer each day to train them to respect the boundaries of the electric fencing.  Today they had a lot to learn…hopefully they’ll get better with the fence real soon.  

And in the goat manor we have added Cookie and Annie to our small herd of LaMancha dairy goats.  We think (hope) they are all pregnant and we will see all five does kidding out starting in April to July. 

Optimism…

Yes, again we dream of having our best year yet.  Always optimistic and eager to move full speed ahead we are gearing up with the longer daylight hours.  Spring is such a beautiful season, a time of rebirth and awakening of the land. 

 This year we welcome back Sue and Joey to our team.  We’ve added some new interns for the season as well, Michael and Natalie…and in the kitchen Vera will be helping with bread and baked goods, preserves and goat cheese production…a full and very exciting household.

 I am in the final stages of completing our application for organic certification, as we have to reapply each year.  The fields and planting schedules are complete and we’re waiting patiently for the ground to defrost and dry out. 

 We look forward to seeing you all at the farmers markets and The Mall, our farm gate stand.  Happy spring.

Elaina & Gregory

March 2013

www.WicklowWay.ca

“The kiss of the sun for pardon,
the song of the birds for mirth,
one is nearer God's heart in a garden
than anywhere else on earth.”

Dorothy Frances Gurney,

"Garden Thoughts"

In loving memory of our dear friend and neighbour Sheila Marie Cornwall

August 3, 1940 – March 10, 2013