Please join the Cameron Place CSA crew in taking an in-depth look into our most valuable, and perhaps underappreciated, resource that is literally right under our noses. Dirt! The Movie explores the interrelations of our beloved soil and those that walk upon. Discussing causes and affects of soil life disruption, as well as the inherent impacts on human life, I hope this flick leaves me walking on tip-toes through the garden.

The show will start on the evening of Tuesday, March 9th, at 6:00 PM in the Central Library of Grand Junction.

After the show there will be a panel discussion, including community members that regularly have direct interaction with the soil. Thomas Cameron will be apart of this panel, holding ground for the organic movement. 

Help us cheer him on!

Ben

This Saturday morning I was not awakened by the birds but rather, by a low moon on the horizon and an alarm to remind me of plans to pick up Ben and head down to Montrose for an all-day symposium on small-acreage farming.  Believe me, after having been out of grad school for a few years and a more regimented educational system of teaching and taking classes for even more years beyond, the task seemed more daunting than ever.  Sitting still is not my strength.  However, the benefits of being sequestered in a vehicle with a colleague dedicated to farming was well worth the trip, even if some of the sessions were less than invigorating upon arrival. Certainly, many sessions inspired me to ask more questions--particularly regarding soil chemistry and alternative energy systems and resources.  Firing-up the brain is what organic farming is all about.

I tend to forego the lunches in such educational marathons in order to take a vigorous walk around whatever environments they offer, and I was reminded that so many towns on the western slope have a similar core imprint of late 19th century architecture with a mix of innovation and/or basic survival tactics applied; some more aesthetically appealing than others...

As I found a seat for the afternoon sessions, I wondered how the outside and the inside find compatability;  the theory and the applicability;  the mind and the hands;  the brain and the body...the same old dialectic.  Farming is both in all of its complexities.

Putting this debate aside,  it was nice to know Ben was in the same room sharing the experience--information we may or may not find applicable for The Cameron Place. This was an opportunity to meet others whose friendly faces participate in a common desire to work the land and understand the responsibilities this committment engenders.

Thanks for participating in our farm in whatever way you see fit.

Melanie

     You have probably noticed that the CSA is making some noteworthy changes this season. The two most prominent being required hours and the "Bag Share" being offered exclusively at the farm. Each of these changes have been pondered by us farmers whether this will improve the quality of our produce and our service to the community. We all agreed that it would, indeed, and we hope that you will share this same vision.

    Now you may be asking yourself, how is my measly 2 hours of work this season going to improve produce quality? Well, we did some figuring and found that if all 300 adults (from last years season) contributed that amount of help, it would amount to 600 hours. That's almost another intern! With this help, and the success of our group sessions, we can make those longer jobs much more vibrant, uplifting the souls of all who attend. God knows we need some community encouragement when staring down a 500' row of weeds that can only be tended to by hand or hoe. Please put on your farmer hat for a couple hours this season and give someone for our interns to talk to.

    To sign up, just check the Group Session Schedule or the Individual Opportunities Schedule and contact us with the date and task you would like to sign up for. Please be as specific as possible in your choice so we can organize the group days more efficiently. More information can be found on the Volunteering page or by contacting us.  

Thanks!

Ben

P.S. To clear up some of the gardening jargon in these schedules:

-"MSCG" stands for the Main Street Community Garden at 10th and Main St. in Grand Junction.  We plant a portion of this garden as a pick your own section for our members. 

-Succession seeding refers to seeding out crops directly into the field that we plant multiple times during the year, i.e. greens, carrots, beets, turnips, etc. 

Hello everyone...there is a dense fog outside my window and a light dusting of snow this February 16th morning.  I just discovered that the 2010 Spring edition of Edible Aspen is available on-line and The Cameron Place and I are featured in the article on organic flowers--check it out! 

I am looking forward to an interview at KAFM radio station at 12:00 today in which we will talk about the farm...and the anticipation of the 2010 season.  I can't tell you how much I long to see seeds sprouting in the greenhouse!

Meg at Inari's Bistro in Palisade is working with us to start up some community-oriented gatherings this season including "Friends and Flowers" as well as community dinners featuring our produce as it comes into season. More information will be available soon--we hope to see Palisade become the cultural hub of the western slope, so please plan on joining us!

Melanie

Good Morning from the Farm!

I'm sitting cozy next to the computer with NPR blasting in my right ear and glaring into the 18 degree morning. Last night, I finished my first article in the Gardener Great series. I did not expect it to be released so late into the month, but editing and rewriting pushed it back. I anticipate the following articles to be released regularly on the first of every month. Please let me know if they are a nuisance or you are actually enjoying them.

You can find my amateur journalism attempts under "More..." and labeled "Gardener Greats". Or click here to be teleported to the first entry.  

Thanks,

Ben Wilke

Assistant Garden Manager

Hello everyone--we have had a very productive week, finishing-up our seed orders and finalizing our form for membership information on shares this season which will be posted after Jan 31. We look forward to re-connecting with returning members after a seemingly long, cold winter and encourage you all to  join us as we spread the enthusiasm that early Spring brings...

We look forward to welcoming newcomers as they commit to a very special farm where we experience the vast array of amazing vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers grown for your health and well-being!

Yes--we have created our new form for the 2010 season..look for it in the next week or so! 

We are excited about this year,  and look forward to having you here on the farm--our committment is to provide you with wonderful produce and to fascilitate the opportunity for you to share in the experience...please feel free to call if you have any questions!

Melanie

The Cameron Place CSA

985-5585

Whew--it felt like a heat wave today as we almost hit 30 degrees...and yet, this evening I see another build-up of clouds and there is a familiar dampness on the breeze hinting at additional flurries...snow has been on the ground since early December, and I can't remember a day above 40. I had to move my six chickens over to Billi's flock--(Billi is our brilliant farm manager and also our source for organic eggs)--in order to alleviate constant worry about my pet-chickens freezing even if everyone told me they would survive. Every day for the last several weeks I have trudged out to break the frozen water from their dishes and give them treats to encourage them in the dismal cold.  I figured having more body heat from additional chicken friends would help them pull-through this.

When the sun does come-out, however, I do feel a change in the light and length of shadows; in the sweet spark of hope that perusing seed catalogues inspires, and in seeing good friends around the table down at the farm as we discuss the ways in which we can learn from last season and how we can prepare for the best possible experiences and produce from our farm in 2010.

We hope to see you here in 2010 where we are always growing even if it is freezing outside!

Cheers!

Melanie

Amidst the preoccupations with the holidays, bereft of local produce, we hope you anticipate the spring at the Cameron Place as much as we do!  We are busy even now, reviewing intern applications and looking at seed catalogues, planning for a broader scope of outreach from the farm as well.  Please keep in touch and have a blessed holiday!

CSA share reservation final.doc