News!

Agriberry early Feb update!

Greetings Agriberry and fruit locavores,

1. Thank you to our returning and new CSA members for sending in your '10 applications. Your committment to support local farming creates wonderful synergy.

2. A very good option for a Wednesday, late day pickup site has been suggested by one of our members who assists with the WestEnd farmers market. This market is changing in 2010, to Wednesday afternoon 3-7, so it would be ideal for our Agriberry CSA pickups.

3. While our 09 farm planting is dormant and snug under the blanket of snow, we are busy preparing for what will support the farm's mission this season. First, we're seeking an active, experienced, self-starter to act as project assistant with owner, CSA members, and administrative details. Then we need an active farm site supervisor to hire and train the motivated interns/teen workers. Can you suggest a potential candidate for either role?

4. This week, my husband and I are attending the Tri State Horticulture Show in Hershey PA. The 2 parts most valuable for Agriberry have been researching optimal packaging choices for 2010 and learning/networking about GAP; Good Agriculture Practices, that support Agriberry's committment to sustainability.

Greetings CSA members,

We are going to harvest the final amazing raspberries at our Agriberry farm on Friday.
So come by on Saturday for the last South of the James Farmers Market off Forest Hill Ave.

Besides raspberries, I am bringing Honey Crisp and Pink Lady apples plus (purple raspberry) royalty berry jam!

Another good holiday gift idea is the one time Agriberry Gift Share; for friends/associates or to donate to winter fund raising events. Also this is a good opportunity to drop by with your 2010 CSA deposit as others did last week.

So bundle up the family (and your dog) come for the adventure of a local winter season market!
For first time visitors - South of the James is a dog friendly market!
Hope to see you Saturday, December 5 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Thank you for 30 weeks of great local market support,

Anne and Agriberry helpers!

Our young Agriberry team picked a few more flats from our healthy, hearty plantings this week.

We will be at St. Stephens Market 4:00-7:00 today (6000 Grove Ave.).  While there, I have the opportunity to talk with 18 Girl Scouts about my “outdoor occupation”!  A new chance to share our Agriberry motto “Cultivate a Taste for Life”.

Thursday, Agriberry will be part of the end of season market 11:00-2:00 at “The Great Big Greenhouse” located at the corner of Huguenot and Robious Rd.  FYI…this will be a new 2010 CSA pickup site – come check it out!

2010 deposit information will come out on Nov 20th.  Thanks for your support of Agriberry.

The Agriberry CSA share season has finished up with the extra extension last week! Although we were rained out from picking for the week 3 Saturday pickup, overall it was a bountiful success and there were nearly 700 half pints of wonderful Agriberry raspberries for all to enjoy.

I will be attending the last of the scheduled 2009 markets this week, Tuesday at Byrd Center from 3-7 and Saturday at St Stephens Church from 8-12. Bringing raspberries, apples and cider one last time so come on by while you can. Both sites ( St Stephens will be on Wednesday's in the winter from 4-7 NOT Saturday's after the 31st) offering "renegade markets" for the other months starting in November. As no frost is called for I may attend in early November, but email me to confirm if you have an interest in a particular item or are planning to stop by.

Also,if you have any trays to be returned this will also be a great opportunity to bring them back before the winter.

The end of season follow up survey will be coming to you within the week, so please be sure and complete it - feedback is always helpful!

For 2010, we will send out an announcement in November to all of our '08 and '09 members allowing you to put a deposit down before the end of year to hold your place and price before opening to the general interest group. For 2010 there will be limited space at each pickup location so we want our "regulars to have first choice".

Thank you all so much for a bountiful 2009 season,
Anne and team Agriberry!