Snapping Turtle

2015 CSA Summer August 22nd

2015 CSA                Summer August 22nd  ­­              Planet Earth Diversified

  •  Baby Arugula Box
  •  Rainbow Chard
  •  Green Beans
  •  Eggplant Mix
  •  Pepper Medley
  •  Watercress Box
  •  Collards
  •  Tomatoes
  •  Gourmet Cucumber
  •  New Potatoes
  •  Lemongrass
  •  Rosemary
  •  Tarragon
  •  Zucchini/Squash
  •  Squash Blossoms

A little different format this week..answer to a question from you: “Do you do anything to prevent small animals from being hurt by your farm machinery? How do you prevent animals from eating your crops? (poison, etc?)” We trap and release animals like snapping turtles, skunks, etc; we do not poison animals (and most know us pretty well by now). We are compelled by our certifications and inspections to somehow prevent animal cross-contact with food, soil and water…we cannot afford nets, fencing or other fancy deterrents but do monitor and document all crop area activities, including signs of wildlife. The same for our water: clean to the plant, documented, inspected. And soil: tested, timed, documented, inspected. Each step we take, we are conscientious of our biodiverse habitat and do our best to move any insect or animal (fungi or crustacean, too) that may be in harm’s way. Most animals know our routine and often we find we are spending the morning with the rabbits or the evening with the skunks. The black snake helps with mice around feed areas and keeping away poisonous predators. Greenhouse bound butterflies get carried out by hand. Bears have come thru and hung out in the trees and taken meals. We document these and prohibit harvest within a radius. Mice are the smallest critters that come to mind and I cannot recall ever any time of Mike reporting signs of injury from tractor use. Just from a cat. Or maybe a peacock …Check in on the farm video feed at our weather stations by visiting wunderground.com and using the handles KVASTANA 1, 11, or 6 in the search to go right to each station’s feed and status.

http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KVASTANA1#history

http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KVASTANA11#history

http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KVASTANA6#history