Greetings Agriberry and fruit locavores,

FAQ of the month: question-a few of our 2010 members have emailed queries about having sent in the application/check how do they know they have been accepted for the Agriberry season? Answer-the following is on the application just after the address to mail: "If we receive your application after the membership is full, payments will be returned and you will be contacted about joining the waiting list. Therefore as the old adage goes: "no news is good news" for your membership. If your check has cleared at the bank then your application has been accepted along with your first choice pickup location. As we become more proficient with list management and maybe time management too, we can improve this procedure for next year.

1. It is official WestEnd Farmers Market *will be the Agriberry west end in Richmond Wednesday CSA pickup location! Interest for this location is strong so those of you that have been waiting I hope this will help you decide to apply and mail in soon. 

*The location is in front of Ollies Bargain Outlet at the Corner of Gayton Rd. and Ridgefield Pkwy. We share the same parking lot with Ollies.  As far as a street address, you can use 12450 Gayton Rd. Richmond, VA 23238.

2. A few are wondering why we did not make the Saturday morning at St Stephens Market a CSA pickup location. The reason being, that we were able to attend it in the fall when we had a good supply of both Agriberry Farm's Raspberries and Westmoreland Farm's apples and cider. In May the volume of Strawberries and Asparagus may be too variable for certain Saturday supply. By June it is quite likely that at least the Agriberry Blackberry and assorted Raspberry harvest will be plentiful to attend more Saturday markets.

Again a really big "Thank You" to our returning and new CSA members for sending in your '10 applications. Your committment to support local farming creates a wonderful local community synergy.

*These are PDFs and require Adobe Reader.

Update: On Jan 28th Whole Foods notified us it is no longer holding a Wednesday Farmers Markt; we are seeking a west end alternative, keeping the same day and times for pickup. Thank you for your patience, you may still indicate the slot as your first choice but also list a second choice in the meantime.

Thank you for your interest in a season of bountiful tasty fresh berries with Agriberry!

Together we can ~ Cultivate a Taste For Life!  Sincerely,
Anne Geyer

 

AGRIBERRY: 2008 End of Year Progress Report

Several business startup aspects were successful in the first year. The LLC was formed, a business plan in conjunction with New Visions New Venture was made, and the awarding of a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant were the key initial accomplishments for Agriberry. Then by attendance at the VA statewide Future Farmers of America convention in Blacksburg, helpful contacts were made with local and area youth/educators. An Agriberry introduction to the Hanover VA community was made at the Hanover Tomato Festival, with the logo, slogan, graphics, and mission, along with marketing the CSA concept for an initial startup July - September.

With great membership management support from SproutRichmond; Agriberry CSA opened at the new Henrico County Farmers Market site inLakeside area of Richmond with 60 shareholders owning  3, 6, and 9 week memberships. As resources became available, membership expanded to providing local fresh berries/fruit for 108 weekly shares. At the conclusion in September, a marketing was completed by 80% of the charter members giving great feedback and follow up information for the business. In November, 2008 Agriberry Gift Shares were produced to sell promoting one week trial shares for those new to the CSA.

Ongoing in 2008, the project leader was making land owner contacts and following up on site research, and evaluation to obtain the first crop site in Hanover County. Two sites have land owner willingness, but each has a potential limitation (location or size). The search continues in 2009 for obtaining a signed Agriberry lease on the most optimum crop site land. 

~ Thanks for all the great newsletters....and your continued dedication, hard work and inspiration in support of local sustainable farming.  Count me in as a lifetime fan and supporter.  All the fruit in the share is beautiful and delicious and yummmmm more peaches!

~ I made raspberry jam out of the three types of raspberries that I received on Wednesday.  Thought I would be making it for my husband because I don't normally like raspberries, but it tastes great.  I guess he won't be eating it by himself after all (teehee!)  Also made Alton Brown's Blueberry Buckle (I saw it on the food network).  My son and husband are already asking if we are getting blueberries again next week.  I am so enjoying these berries - just wanted you to know!

~ I think the black raspberries are fab.  I will be happy to stock up on those in my share as long as they are available.  Thanks.

~ Our deepest, most heartfelt thanks to YOU and your team of hardworking berry elves.  Without you all, we would really miss our Christmas in July (and May, June, August...)  Every single week has been a tasty pleasure!!!

~ I met you yesterday at the Byrd House Farmers Market when I was trying to find the farm my friends have a share with and you were kind enough to help me out.  Thank you so much for your help!  I had never been to a farmers market before and really appreciated your help and time.  I would love to find out more about becoming a "share holder" with your farm.  Those strawberries and asparagus looked amazing!  If you are still accepting applications, please send me one along with any additional information you have.

~ I really enjoyed Agriberry. Thank you for sharing your bounty with us!!

~ Thank you so much! I have absolutely loved being a part of this CSA and have had a lot of fun trying different ways to enjoy and preserve your wonderful produce. 

~ I loved this CSA and will happily participate in the future. I had so much fun cooking with, preserving, and eating the fruits fresh, and look forward to continuing to enjoy the bounty well into the winter. 

~ This has been a wonderful experience for me, I am from California & although "fresh" fruit was always available to me never have I enjoyed it as I did this summer! I was so excited every week to see what would be in the box & I was absolutely astonished & tickled pink when the apples came!! I have frozon, canned, jammed, crumbled, cobbled & eaten straight more fruit this summer than in most entire years! Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful CSA to Richmond. My only suggestion would be more of a wish for my 2 favorite things - cherries & figs. And maybe posting to the Agriberry site the varieties of fruit we can expect each week (a tall order, I know  I just really liked learning all the different varieties of peaches we were getting & would love to be able to learn more about them!). 

Peaches

Peach Salsa Fresca
Peach Melba
Joyful Peach and Blueberry Pie
Black Bean and Peach Salad
Curried Peach Chicken Salad
Summer Peach and Blueberry Bread

Raspberries

Blueberry Raspberry Smoothie
Custard and Raspberry Parfait
Spinach with Warm Raspberry and Goat Cheese Dressing
Red Cabbage with Raspberries

Apples

Frosted Cider Cupcakes
Apple Pie with Cheddar Crumb Topping
Curried Quinoa with Apples
Gala Hors d'Oeuvres

Blackberries

Best Ever Blackberry Ribs
Spiced Yogurt with Blackberries

Squash Blossoms

Baked Squash Blossoms

Greetings, fans of local farming and fresh harvest season fruit/berry delights!

I am back from last week's Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association meeting, and yes I enjoyed the beautiful Port City of Savannah.

This week has been busy with preparing the information for the 2010 CSA season. I apologize for not having it up yet as I had hoped, but there are a few more details I need to confirm before it goes "live". I will assure you that for the most part there are very few changes, hopefully only improvements for the best possible berry/fruit products and service to you!

I appreciate all the members that completed the 2009 survey last month. It was wonderfully supportive overall, and great feedback for taking Agriberry "up a notch" for 2010 :-)

Also, big thanks to the members that sent in their early deposit. I have been able to purchase the new RCA prototype trellis to trial on a variety in our Blackberry rows. Pruning and training will begin soon on our now "floricane" stage plants. Now they are no longer primocanes since they went into the winter dormancy. Regarding the snow; no damage done, regarding the low night time temperatures; again all should remain healthy. Having consistent temperatures rather than spikes/dips is what is crucial for us in the Mid Atlantic region! 

Berry best regards to all,

Anne Geyer and the Agriberry Team

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.