Summer 2024
Happy last CSA!
Wow. We made it. The LAST CSA. I am feeling all the feels. Mostly I am feeling a certain sense of relief. This has been one of the hardest farming seasons for me, and I am looking forward to the exhale that the end of the season brings. This season we served the most CSA members we’ve ever had and grew the most food we’ve ever raised. According to my harvest calculations to this date, we’ve harvested over 8,000lbs of food from one acre of land this season, and counting. We had two part-time employees, managed to attend farmers markets on the weekends, and sold food to a few wholesale accounts. This season was the biggest feat StrongHeart has ever seen.
I find it truly difficult to look at the scale and impact our farm has during the course of the season. My day-to-day mind is hyper-focused on all the stress that comes with running a farm. I need to keep things alive, fulfill orders, ensure we have enough food for the CSA each week, and try to get enough rest so I can do it again day after day. I will say, my ability to live in the present moment during the farm season is very good, as it takes so much energy to complete the tasks at hand that I don’t have as much time to give to dwelling on the past, or dreaming about the future. The end of the season for me marks a time when I can give my mind space to finally soak in all of what the season held. I can finally look back at each CSA box, each toiling harvest, and each little success and feel proud. I can finally say to myself “we did that”.
Even though our season was far from perfect, we can lean into the fall season with pride of what we did accomplish and move forward with gratitude of what our bodies and the earth were able to achieve.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for placing your trust in us to raise your food. We couldn’t have done this season without you and your dedication to our farm. We love our CSA members!
As we begin to dream about next season, I am anticipating a few changes to our farm business. After four long seasons, we are feeling tired and a little burnt out and need to decide the right path for StrongHeart to pave in this world. As we make decisions about how we’ll reach you next season, please watch your emails from us. I’ll have lots to share, even through the winter, and would absolutely love to continue to engage with you. Please reach out with any feedback you have from the season and stay connected!
In other news, those of you who are receiving a CSA this week will also receive a beautiful pumpkin! These pumpkins are completely edible and make amazing pumpkin desserts and soups. They are not a pie variety, but when roasted in the oven, their flesh is deliciously pumpkin-y, and perfect to puree for any pumpkin dish.
The pumpkins were too big to fit in your CSA box, so I will be dropping them off at the dropsites next to your boxes. They are all different sizes, so it will be first come first serve, just grab whatever one speaks to you!
Also, thank you so much to those of you who came out for the member party! It was so nice to connect with you in person and share the space where your food was raised this summer. We had a lovely potluck and lots of fun in the raspberry patch!
In your box….
Here are photos of what you’ll find in your box this week!
Large CSA
Small CSA
Some Inspiration…
Enjoy the last of the summer bounty in the box this week! Here is a tasty looking recipe for pumpkin chili that I feel will nourish your bowls this week.
Thank you again for an amazing season!
Soil and sunshine,
Eleanor