Farm News
Melons, Beers, Flowers and More.
THE HARVEST. Cucumbers; Watermelon (red, yellow, orange); Zucchini (green and yellow); Tomatoes (red “Jerseys” and orange heirlooms), Cherry Tomatoes (orange sungolds, pink sweet treats and black cherry types). Onions (red and yellow). Bell Peppers - LOTS of color! Hot Peppers (jalapeno, cherry bombs); Eggplant (classic and round Italian heirloom); Garlic. Potatoes. Beets. Carrots. Cabbage. Spaghetti squash. Flowers and Herbs (Basil, Parsley, Chives, Oregano, Thyme).
Pick-Your-Own. Fields are full of beautiful flowers and tomatoes!
Short on time? Grab and go flower bouquet’s and cherry tomatoes by the pint for purchase (as available).
Local brews on-farm Thursday’s 10-5, Saturday’s 10-2.
Sample 4 for $5, AND cans to go.
The Seed Brewery Menu on-farm:
Stay Awhile - english dark
At First Light - coffee stout
Seashells - pale ale
Can it be so simple - pale lager
As Simple as Youth - keller pils
MORE JERSEY FRESH Products … in our Farm Shop:
MEATS. NEW! Hot dogs, Bacon Cheddar Burgers and Beef Cubes, Ground Beef - ALL 100% Jersey Beef - Sicklers Farm; Ground Turkey, Chicken Sausage - Griggstown Farm.
CHEESES. Ricotta, Mozzarella, Cheddar - Fulper Farms; Feta, Chevre, Blue, Gouda and More - Misty Meadow.
PEACHES, BLACKBERRIES AND CORN - Pastore Orchards.
MUSHROOMS - Faith Flower Farm; EGGS - Cycle Farms and local sources; SHEEPSICLES - Misty Meadow; MICROGREENS - Walking Bird’s “Jersey Joe”; HONEY - Mill Creek Apiary; TEAS - Joe’s Tea
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! See you on the Farm.
Tomatoes, Peaches, Corn and More!
THE HARVEST:
Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Cucumbers, Eggplant (classic and round Italian heirloom), Garlic (and garlic scapes), Onions (red and yellow), Potatoes (red and gold), Peppers (colorful bells and hot peppers), Scallions, Spaghetti squash, Tomatoes (large red "Jersey's and orange heirlooms), Zucchini (gold and green).
U-PICK CROPS - bring your own scissors for flowers.
Cherry Tomatoes - SUPER SWEET! Our Sungolds will WOW you beyond anything you buy from the grocery store!
U-Pick Flowers
U-Pick Herbs
EXTRAS FOR SALE...
PEACHES, CORN, BLACKBERRIES - Pastore Orchards, Hammonton.
MEATS, CHEESE, EGGS and More - ALL Local and Jersey Fresh!
Sungold Cherry Tomatoes and Herbs - pre-picked on our farm, limited quantities.
Want more in your share? Lots of veggies for sale - grown on our farm! Bring and friend and show off your farm!
Thank you for your business and supporting a local family farm.
Peaches!
THE HARVEST, on the table in Farm Shop... online customization window closes at 6 PM Wed. Miss that window? No worries, you can customize your share in-person at pickup. Staff happy to assist you.
Tomatoes, Garlic, Eggplant, Peppers, Onions, Cabbage, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Spaghetti squash, Scallions, Beets, Carrots, U-Pick Cherry Tomatoes, Flowers and Herbs. Might have some holdover Broccoli, Kohlrabi and Garlic scapes for another week.
U-PICK, from our fields…
Cherry Tomatoes (orange sungolds, pink “sweet treats” and black cherry types). NOTE: please watch you step in the tomato field - pizza boxes, straw and drip irrigation lines are present.
Flowers. Mixed bouquets 12 stems (limit 3 sunflowers per mix bouquet). Extra Sunflowers $1 per stem.
Herbs. Choose u-pick (front of Farm Shop), OR purchase pre-made bunches. Basil, Parsley, Oregano, Chives.
Extras for Sale. ADD ON'S can be purchased in-person; see Farm Shop for availability and pricing.
Peaches and Corn - Pastore Orchard, Hammonton. And lots of our own farm-grown produce!
Meats. Ground Beef, Burgers, Chicken Sausages, Whole Chickens - Sicklers and Groggstown Farms
Cheeses, Yogurt, Sheepsicles - Misty Meadow and Fulper Farms.
Baked goods, limited supply - Hammerbacher.
Mushrooms, Microgreens, Eggs and More!
Thankful we made it through last week’s heat wave, and for the rain! Got to keep on farmin; onto CSA Week 8 my farm friends.
Tomatoes Eggplant Corn Peppers AND More - Feels like Summer!
THE HARVEST - Tomatoes - red AND orange “Jersey’s”, AND U-Pick cherry types - our famous “Sungold’s” - love at first bite! NEW - Spaghetti squash, Eggplant AND Potatoes (fingerling). Also on the table in Farm Shop… Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrots, Beets, Onions (red and yellow), Peppers - green bells, AND Hot Peppers - jalapenos and cherry bombs, Cucumbers, Zucchini (yellow and greens), Scallions, Radish, Kohlrabi and Garlic scapes. In the U-PICK Fields… Cherry Tomatoes, Flowers and Herbs. MORE from our friends, see below.
Extras for Sale - We are working hard in the heat to bring in the harvest - show your farmers some love and shop local! Sorry, no air conditioning on the farm, BUT we can have you in and out quick!
Corn AND Blackberries. Pastore Orchards.
Meats. Burgers, Ground Beef - Sicklers; Whole Chickens, Sausages, Ground Turkey.
Cheeses, Yogurt, Sheepsicles - Misty Meadow, Fulper Farms.
AND our home-grown veggies - harvested daily on our farm.
U-PICK CROPS… From our Fields.
Cherry Tomatoes
Flowers and Herbs
Stay cool and see you on the Farm.
Tomatoes, Corn AND More!
BIG week! New crops. Lots to choose from! Extras for sale in the Farm Shop. Bring a friend to shop and pick - show off your farm!
THE HARVEST. Tomatoes (red AND orange!), Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Carrots, Peppers (green bells), Hot Peppers (jalapenos and cherry bombs), Onions (yellow and red jumbos), Lettuce, Arugula (little spicy!), Beets, Zucchini (greens and yellow), Cucumbers (slicers and pickles), Garlic Scapes, Radish, Kohlrabi, Scallions.
U-PICK. Blueberries, still picking - maybe another week to go. Get yours before they are gone!, Lots of Flowers (AND Sunflowers!), Herbs, Green Beans.
EXTRAS FOR SALE - Jersey Fresh!
Corn and Blackberries - from our farmer friends at Pastore Orchards.
MEATS: NEW! whole chickens (frozen), chicken sausages (assorted varieties), ground turkey - Griggstown Farms; ground beef and burgers - Sicklers Circle View Farm.
CHEESES: Gouda, Blue, Camembert, Feta, Chevre, AND Yogurts AND Sheepsicles - Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy; EGGS - local sources.
Microgreens and Herbal Tea (red clover, calendula, dandelion - blend with your traditional tea) - grown on our farm; support our young farmer’s project’s!
THANK YOU for supporting our farm.
The Weekly Harvest and LIVE Music Friday night!
THE HARVEST. Farm Shop Open to the Public. CSA members have priority.
On the Table in Farm Shop… Carrots, Beets, Broccoli, Cauliflower (orange AND white varieties), Lettuce, Radish, Scallion, Cabbage, Cucumber, Zucchini, Garlic scapes, Kohlrabi.
In the U-PICK Fields… Green Beans, Flowers, Herbs (can be included as a CSA item). Also Blueberries (additional fee).
U-PICK: How Does It Work? Open to the Public.
Green Beans. We give you containers. See Farm Shop for pricing and availability.
Flowers. Bring your own scissors and containers (fill up at the water cooler). 12 stems, mixed bouquets $5. Limit on sunflowers. See Farm Shop for sample bunch.
Herbs. U-PICK herbs can be included as a CSA item - See Farm Shop for sample bunches and stem count (varies by herb). Pre-picked herbs available for purchase at checkout.
Blueberries. Grab a blue can and head to the fields. OPEN ROWS WILL BE MARKED WITH ORANGE FLAGS. CSA members $4/lb., Public $4.25/lb. PLEASE PAY FOR WHAT YOU PICK AND EAT. Parents, please watch your children - THANK YOU!
FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT! Tickets must be purchased in advance $25/person - ON SALE NOW.
What instruments he requires, Lorenz builds from scratch and salvage. What parts five players would perform, he performs alone. The spectacle of his one-man set bears constant comparison to legends of showmanship, brilliance, madness, and invention.
Open air, barn concert with hay bale seating • Limited tickets available • BYOB/snacks • Rain or shine event
CSA Week 3
The Harvest. Cucumber (slicers and pickle type), Zucchini (green and yellow), Carrots, Lettuce (frilly red heads and spring mix), Kale (tuscan and curly types), Arugula, Rainbow Chard, Spinach, Radish, Garlic Scapes, Kohlrabi, U-Pick Flowers and Herbs.
Extras For Sale. Our home-grown produce AND more!
In the Freezer… Ground Beef, Hamburgers (Bacon/Cheddar) - Sicklers Circle View Farm; Chicken Sausages (assorted varieties) and Ground Turkey - Griggstown Farm; Sheepsicles (vanilla and raspberry) AND ice crème (blueberry, raspberry and lavender chocolate chip) - Misty Meadow.
In the Fridge… Cheeses/Dairy: Gouda, Blue, Camembert, Chevre, Feta and Yogurt - Misty Meadow; Eggs (chicken and duck) - Cycle Farms and local sources; Microgreens - Jersey Joe; Ice tea (assorted) - Joe’s Tea’s.
On the Shelf… Mushrooms - Faith Flower Farm; Crushed Tomatoes - First Field; Honey (pine barrens and ginger infusion) - Mill Creek Apiary.
Baked Goods and Provisions - Hammerbacher, as available . If you miss out (goes quick!), check out their weekly bake and order online.
U-Pick
Berries. Blueberries OPEN! Raspberries OPEN. But limited quantities due to an emerging disease. Grab what you can this week; we are keeping a close watch on this crop as it is a challenging one to manage.
Flowers and Herbs. Make it count as an item in your CSA share, or purchase extra. BRING YOUR OWN SCISSORS AND CONTAINERS.
Project Pizza Box!
Also known as sheet mulching, we are recycling used pizza boxes in our u-pick tomato field. We lay down the boxes in the walkways and cover with straw for weed control, disease management, moisture retention and an all around better u-pick experience. BRING US YOUR BOXES! No waxed or shiny boxes please. Pizza boxes preferred but will take anything uncoated. Thank you!
CSA Week 2
The Harvest. Zucchini, Spinach, Arugula, Lettuce mix, Kale, Rainbow Chard, Radish, Hakurei Turnip, Garlic Scapes, Kohlrabi. U-Pick Flowers.
Extras For Sale. Our home-grown produce AND more!
In the Freezer… Ground Beef, Hamburgers (Bacon/Cheddar) - Sicklers Circle View Farm; Chicken Sausages (assorted varieties) and Ground Turkey - Griggstown Farm; Sheepsicles (vanilla and raspberry) - Misty Meadow.
In the Fridge… Cheeses/Dairy: Gouda, Blue, Camembert, Chevre, Feta, Spreads and Yogurt - Misty Meadow; Eggs (chicken and duck) - Cycle Farms and local sources; Microgreens - Jersey Joe; Mushrooms - Faith Flower Farm; Ice tea (assorted) - Joe’s Tea’s.
U-Pick Berries. Raspberries OPEN. Blueberries? Next week. Strawberry season closed - thank you for making it a great one!
Baked Goods and Provisions - Hammerbacher, as available . If you miss out (goes quick!), check out their weekly bake and order online.
Project Pizza Box! Also known as sheet mulching, we are recycling used pizza boxes in our u-pick tomato field. We lay down the boxes in the walkways and cover with straw for weed control, disease management, moisture retention and an all around better u-pick experience. Bring us your boxes!
Pork Shares On Sale. Reserve a 1/2 or whole pig for either July or November/December (pick up at Walking Bird). All shares are custom butchered to your desired cuts. A 1/2 share will yield approximately 50-75lbs of meat depending on the cuts and weight of the pig. A whole share will be double the weight. The pigs are fed a diet of non-gmo grain from Steven’s Feed Mill in Lancaster, vegetable scraps from Walking Bird Farm, and dairy waste (whey, cheese, yogurt) from Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy. They are raised outside in the woods, get to root around, wallow and act like pigs. Questions? email Riley Blankenship rileybship222@gmail.com.
Happy Hours and CSA Week 1
Happy Hour’s on the farm kick off this week… along with our CSA Week 1!
Walking Bird Wednesday’s - THIS WEDNESDAY! 6/8, from 4-6 PM. (1 session per month, purchase tickets in advance only). Sit and relax, eat, drink, stroll the fields and enjoy the farm fresh air. In collaboration with Hammerbacher, featuring seasonal small plates, harvested direct from our fields - Jersey Fresh! And special guests The Seed Brewery and Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy.
CSA WEEK 1 PICKUP - THU, FRI 10 AM - 5 PM; SAT 10 AM - 2 PM.
THE HARVEST:
Arugula, Kale, Lettuce mix, Rainbow chard, Radish, Hakurei turnip, Kohlrabi, Garlic scapes, Calendula flowers, U-Pick). Also, Strawberries (U-Pick, as available). Likely last week for strawberries; it’s a short 3-4 week season!
BREAD SHARES, BY HAMMERBACHER - PICKUP THU ONLY 12 - 5 PM. Extra items for sale, as available.
EXTRA JERSEY FRESH FOR SALE…
Dairy: Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy - assorted cheeses, yogurts, cheese spreads and sheepsicles);
Meat: Griggstown Farms - chicken sausage and ground turkey; Sickler’s Circle View Farm - beef hamburger patties and ground beef.
First Field - canned crushed tomatoes and ketchup.
Eggs: Cycle Farms, and local sources.
Honey: Mill Creek Apiary.
Produce: Walking Bird Farm, direct from our fields! All crops are grown for CSA shares. When we have a bumper crop in excess of the CSA, we sell to the public; posted daily in our Farm Shop.
See you on the Farm!
CSA Pickup - How Does It Work?
Where do I pickup my CSA share?
Pickup your CSA share on the farm. New building! We have moved the CSA pickup from the tiny old barn to a larger, more open space. This building will host our CSA pickups, U-Pick crops and events. Pull in driveway (one way in and out); signs will guide you to parking. We look forward to sharing this new space with you and creating lots of good memories!
Pick up days and times?
Choose a day below - you can change your day from week to week:
6/9 Thursday 10AM - 5PM.
6/10 Friday from 10AM - 5PM.
6/11 Saturday from 10AM - 2 PM.
Pickup Procedure:
Bring your own bags (just like the grocery store). All greens served loose - for example, we weigh out your lettuce mix into a basket; you take the greens and leave us the basket. Re-usable mesh bags work nice for this.
Grab your share ticket (in alphabetically order at check in).
Pack your share from around the tables (we call this “market style”). Crops labeled with what it is and how much you can take. For example, a unit of Kale is 1 bunch, or a unit of lettuce mix is 1/4 lb.
Pick-Your-Own (if you choose, from the fields, when available). Bring your own scissors and containers for flowers. I recommend a container that fits in your cup holder, or something to hold water and keep your flowers fresh until you get home.
Purchase extras (in Farm shop, when available). Posted daily in Farm shop.
What is in my CSA share?
The farm will email members the harvest by Wed afternoon, and you will have until 6pm Wed to make changes. We allow customization of your share where designated items can be changed out if you so choose. There is no requirement to make changes - if no alterations are made, you will receive the standard share for that week. If you miss the customization window, most times we allow you to make changes in the Farm Shop. Friendly staff will be happy to assist you:)
For more, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
CSA Opens on 6/9
Hi all! CSA opens NEXT WEEK… pickup on 6/9 - 6/11. Due to a cool spring with cloudy days/ less sun a few weeks ago to weird, random 95 degree days, we are waiting on a few crops to come in. Hence, postponing the CSA pickup a week.
Where do I pickup my CSA share?
Pickup your CSA share on the farm. New building! We have moved the CSA pickup from the tiny old barn to a larger, more open space. This building will host our CSA pickups, U-Pick crops and events. Pull in driveway (one way in and out); signs will guide you to parking. We look forward to sharing this new space with you and creating lots of good memories!
Pick up days and times?
Choose a day below - you can change your day from week to week:
6/9 Thursday 10AM - 5PM.
6/10 Friday from 10AM - 5PM.
6/11 Saturday from 10AM - 2 PM.
Pickup Procedure:
Bring your own bags (just like the grocery store). Grab your share ticket (in alphabetically order at check in). Pack your share from around the tables (we call this “market style”). Pick-Your-Own (if you choose, from the fields, when available). Purchase extras (in Farm shop, when available).
What is in my CSA share? The farm will email members the harvest by Wed afternoon, and you will have until 6pm Wed to make changes. We allow customization of your share where designated items can be changed out if you so choose. There is no requirement to make changes - if no alterations are made, you will receive the standard share for that week. If you miss the customization window, most times we allow you to make changes in the Farm Shop. Friendly staff will be happy to assist you:)
For more, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What are we harvesting? Week 1 CSA share looks like: Arugula, Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Kale, Radish, Hakurei Turnip, Garlic scapes and Kohlrabi. Also U-pick options from the fields: Calendula flowers and Strawberries. Lots of greens first few weeks. We will update you as we bring in the harvest. Looking ahead another few weeks… Spinach, Zucchini, Carrots, Broccoli and more.
PICK YOUR OWN. How does it work? CSA member exclusives to make a part of your share count for the week (when available) – flowers, herbs, cherry tomatoes and green beans. Bring your own scissors and containers for picking. Also, CSA member discounts for open to public/berry crops – strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
See you on the farm next week - OR stop in for U-Pick Strawberries! Follow our FB page for daily Strawberry updates.
Hammerbacher Bakery Shares 2022
Hammerbacher at Walking Bird Farm. Bakery Shares on sale, LIMITED QUANTITIES. Pickup ON-FARM, along with your weekly CSA Vegetable Shares.
BAKERY SHARES:
PICKUP Bakery Shares on 1 DAY ONLY, THURSDAY’S, 12– 5pm. (PICKUP CSA Vegetable Shares Thu, Fri or Sat). Can’t make it to the farm on Thursday? Send a friend! We cannot hold bakery shares for another day.
PICKUP ON-FARM, weekly, Jun – Sep. (Coincides with WBF Summer CSA Season).
NO swaps, NO special orders.
Payment due IN FULL at signup. No refunds for missed pickups.
Do I have to be a WBF CSA member? Bakery Shares open to ALL.
Can I still purchase additional Hammerbacher items on-farm? Pop up sales possible on Fri and Sat, as available. Guarantee your weekly Hammerbacher provisions with a Bakery Share!
Options and Pricing. Bread Share $336; Knish Share $384; Sweets Share $320.
ALSO…
Happiest Hour’s with Hammerbacher, ON-FARM.
2022 Events Schedule COMING SOON!
2022 CSA Signups OPEN
2022 CSA SIGNUPS ARE NOW OPEN!
100% of your CSA share grown on our farm (Crops We Grow.)
What’s New in 2022?
2 SEASONS! Summer share (16 weeks); Fall share (8 weeks). Choose 1 OR both, and extend the CSA season. 3 SIZES (We’ve tweaked the size of the shares too for a better fit and less food waste). Choose a season, size, pickup day and payment plan best for you.
SUMMER SHARES. 16 Weeks (Jun – mid Sep)
Summer, Small (personal sized share - 4 items/wk)
$288 (Pay In Full Discount $270)
Summer, Medium (small family/veggie loving couple sized - 6 items/wk)
$432 (Pay In Full Discount $405)
Summer, Large (veggie loving family sized - 8 items/wk)
$576 (Pay In Full Discount $540)
FALL SHARES. 8 Weeks (Oct through Nov)
Fall, Small (personal sized share - 4 items/wk)
$128 (Pay In Full Discount $120)
Fall, Medium (small family/veggie loving couple sized - 6 items/wk)
$192 (Pay In Full Discount $180)
Fall, Large (veggie loving family sized - 8 items/wk)
$256 (Pay In Full Discount $240)
PAYMENT OPTIONS. These up front payments are incredibly important; allowing us to pay equipment loans, order seed, purchase fuel for greenhouses, hire staff and more in the spring.
Pay In Full (discounts available, expires Feb 28th).
Payment Plan. 4 equal payments, occurring every 30 days from signup.
U-PICK CROPS. In 2022, we will continue to offer u-pick green beans, cherry tomatoes, flowers and herbs, CSA members have priority, based on availability. AND CSA member discounts on u-pick berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries).
Creative partnerships (with Hammerbacher!) and More. Finally, our partnerships with Hammerbacher and others will continue in 2022. Stay tuned for details on how you can get your hands on their amazing breads and other provisions. CSA members will be first in line for limited tickets sales for special events like barn concerts, dinner and more. Shop for extras in our Farm Shop from our farm friends like meats, cheeses, fruit, corn and more.
Thank you for eating local and supporting small farms and businesses. See you in the spring.
2022 CSA Shares
Dear valued CSA members, customers and followers,
As we enter our 13th growing season at Walking Bird Farm, we continue to be driven by the support of our community. Now is the time for crop planning and laying the groundwork for the 2022 season; and on cold winter days, we are not only motivated by an intrinsic passion to farm, but also the interactions with our customers and partners. We look forward to your enthusiasm for supporting local agriculture, eating healthy and working with our fresh produce.
Reminiscing on 2021, our u-pick strawberry and blueberry season was really nice and hefty, and we made great progress with our u-pick raspberry field, opening to customers for the first time in 3 years of persistent cultivation. From vibrant carrots and tender, frilly lettuces and greens emerging in late spring, to a bounty of zucchini and tomatoes big enough to share with friends and family, topped with an epic watermelon harvest that’s got us dreaming the day away. Another big highlight for us was the return of on-farm events like our fall craft fair, barn concerts and the end of season dinner.
In farming (and life!), it goes without saying, you never know what will get thrown at you in the course of a year. 2021 offered up many challenges, from navigating another year of Covid, enduring rising fuel costs and supply chain strains to staffing shortages. Weather extremes and subsequent pest and diseases are kind of the norm and expected, but with improved technologies like growing under controlled conditions (using high tunnels), we are able to continue to produce high quality crops. As your farmers, we are beholden to our customers, and in the midst of adversities, our commitment is to farming sustainably and growing your food.
Your upfront investment in our CSA, and supporting our u-pick crops and farm events is essential to us. Whether it’s picking your own berries and flowers to being with friends and family in the open air, we know the act of being on the farm can be healing and peaceful. We take great pride in your connection to our farm! In 2022, we are introducing exciting updates that expand our season, offer new/more convenient opportunities for our customers and partners, while improving the quality of life for your farmers. CSA signups open later this week… look for a 16-week Summer AND a 8-week Fall season; choose 1 or both! CSA memberships open first to our renewing customers, then the waiting list. Pay In Full discounts (for a limited time). More info and links for signup on our website.
With grateful hearts, we thank you for your support.
Holiday Harvest Shares
Happy Holidays from Walking Bird Farm.
Holiday Harvest Shares… ON SALE NOW!
ORDER DEADLINE Tue, 12/21, 10 AM.
$40/SHARE
HOLIDAY HARVEST: Spinach, Lettuce mix, Brussel sprouts (baby), Garlic, Sweet potatoes, winter squash (mostly Buttercup, some Butternut), Radish, Hakurei Turnip, Kale, Cabbage (small/medium green). Get your veggies… grown on our farm.
PICK UP YOUR HOLIDAY SHARE: On the farm, Thu 12/23, 10 AM-5 PM. Bring your bags and fill up from around the tables in our Farm Shop.
POT PIES/ SAUSAGE/ GROUND TURKEY. Pre-order your favorites from Griggstown Farms. Chicken Pot pies, Chicken sausage (white wine/parsley), AND ground turkey. Limited quantities, first come first serve.
CSA GIFT CERTIFICATES: Have a veggie loving friend or family member? Consider a Walking Bird Farm CSA gift certificate; can be applied towards a 2022 CSA membership. Questions? Email Farmer Ryan, ryan@walkingbirdfarm.com
Thank you for supporting local farms… and have a Jersey Fresh Christmas!
Giving Thanks.
For the love of farming, forging collaborations and building community… AND the feelings of goodwill among everyone we work with! From chefs @hammerbacher to local brewers @theseedbeer who continue to thoughtfully source and showcase our farm products over the years, thank you for supporting us!
Thank you all for sitting down and sharing a meal with us at our annual Harvest dinner on the farm a few weeks ago. With a passion for high quality ingredients, Paul and Lauren Erbacher @hammerbacher go to great lengths to build connections with farmers and eaters and put amazing food on the table. They bring a level of skill, professionalism and heart to this event that is beyond compare. Love you both:)
The prep work that goes into working with a small scale, local grower like us is more than some care to deal with. Our farm friends know… the greens have dirt, not triple washed like they come from a big store, and calendula flowers are pick your own. Likewise for our customers who take home raw ingredients from the fields… we applaud ALL your transformations and are so glad to be your farmers!
And to our other value added partnerships, from the meats and cheeses to local artists, THANK YOU for being with us week after week, throughout the seasons motivating us, supporting us, and enhancing the quality of goods and services we provide on the farm. Be well farm friends! Hammerbacher, Fulper Farms, Misty Meadow Farm, Faith Flower Farm, Griggstown Farm, Cycle Farms, Mill Creek Apiary, Bee Cool,, Stockton Farm, Rancocas Creek Farm, The Seed Beer, Campe Studio, Pastore Orchards, and Nichols Orchards.
CSA Finale, Week 20
Another CSA season in the books! Week 20 is your final CSA pickup for the 2021 season. Pickup your shares Thu, Fri 10 AM-5 PM, or Sat 10 AM-2 PM. If you are not able to do so, please send a friend to pick up for you… serving up the best spinach, lettuce mix and kale in south Jersey!
THE HARVEST. Get your Greens! Spinach (smaller and more tender, not as big as last week), Lettuce mix, Kale (Tuscan and curly types), Sweet Potatoes, bell Peppers, Garlic, Radish, Fennel, Butternut and Buttercup winter squashes and U-Pick Herbs.
EXTRAS FOR SALE. APPLES, Nichols Orchard; BAKED GOODS, Hammerbacher, as available; MUSHROOMS, Faith Flower Farm; Sheep milk ice crème sale! Misty Meadow Farm. SAUSAGE, a few left, Griggstown. Sorry, no pot pies, due to their limited staff and supply issues. We will try again for a December veggie sale, likely around Christmas.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Thank you ALL for being a part of the farm experience with us this season. Mother Nature took us on a wild ride! From a bounty of tomatoes that filled our Farm shop for weeks, sweet sweet carrots and tender broccoli, to a few late summer crop losses that resulted in lesser fall diversity. Like, what happened to the piles of potatoes I used to get this time of year?! In farming, you celebrate the bumper crops and take advantage of the challenges. We are rethinking how to manage crops and harvest periods, pivot our CSA pickups and mitigate climate changes. Every year on the farm and working outdoors is a learning experience; it can make us or break us. It’s the driving force that goes into our next year’s crop plans. As we wind down a bit, I do look forward to winter months, analyzing harvest records and laying the groundwork for 2022. Growing your food is our privilege and we are so grateful for your love and support! Thank you for choosing us as your farmers and growing with us.
CSA Week 19 – back in the fields!
So happy to see you all again on the farm for another few CSA pickups.
THE HARVEST. Spinach (big and beautiful!), Lettuce (buttercrunch heads and loose-leaf mix), Arugula OR rainbow Chard (choose 1), Kale (Tuscan and curly types), Leeks, Sweet Potatoes, Peppers (full of color AND sweet!), Fennel, Winter squashes (Butternut and Buttercup), Garlic, U-Pick Herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage, chives, mint, parsley).
APPLES! Fresh picked, super crisp! Available for purchase.
One week to go after this… Week 20 will be our final distribution for the season. We will add a few new crops to our last pickup from other local farms for your Thanksgiving.
See you on the farm:
Thu, Fri 10 AM-5 PM, and Sat 10 AM-2 PM
Farm Dinner 2021
Hey Y’all!
Farm Dinner. Saturday Nov 6, 4:30-7:30. (SOLD OUT!)
We are excited to share with you on our Farm an evening of gorgeous local food, fresh air, libations, music, conversation, and laughs! A chilly night for sure, dress warm. Blankets provided.
THE SEATING:
Inside (open air) and out on the porch. Get warm next to a fire, and we have a few heaters for inside and out. Primary seating on hay bales/ with blankets at pallet “coffee tables.” Need a chair/normal height table? As per request, in advance.
THE FOOD AND DRINK:
By Hammerbacher. Paul and Lauren Erbacher have crafted and will execute an incredible menu. Starting with small bites, then onto a grilled item (meat and vegetarian options) and three sides, artfully assembled and harvested from our farm. All accompanied by fresh baked, artisan breads. Evening will wrap up with hot cider and amazing desserts.
*** BYOB (see below for local brews beer sales, if interested). ***
THE BEER:
As for beverage plans, The Seed Brewery will have 4 cans available for purchase, by the single can, through the link below so you can mix and match as you see fit! Due to some obstacles presented by the State of New Jersey ABC (Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control), there is a slight adjustment in how we handle beverage sales. Your purchased ticket includes your first beer, available in a can; additional beer will need to be pre-purchased ahead of Saturday’s event. Pre-purchased beer will be picked up via a proxy and WILL BE ON SITE, COLD AND READY FOR YOU, AT WALKING BIRD THIS SATURDAY. To reiterate, you will not need to pick up this pre-purchased beer from The Seed; it will be proxied to the farm for you.
The four cans available are (all cans are $4.50/16oz can including tax):
- First Root Galaxy/Waimea – 5.4% American Pale Ale
- As Simple As The Tide? – 4.8% Pale Spelt Lager w/ German Mittelfruh hops
- Stay Awhile – 4.8% English Dark Mild
- Moments – 4.2% Ordinary Bitter
*** Please place your beer orders online by Friday (11/5) evening at 9:00pm to ensure your beer makes its way to Walking Bird ahead of Saturday’s festivities! ***
We look forward to celebrating the fall harvest with you all.
Finishing CSA season strong.
Reminder… there are no CSA pickups this weekend. We will resume the season with our final CSA pickups of 2021 Thu-Sat, Nov. 11-13.
We’ve been hustling to get the last of our frost-susceptible crops out of the fields this week. The bonus is, everything tends to sweeten up as the nighttime temperatures drop. The 3 week break has allowed some really wonderful crops to mature, including Tuscan flat leaf kale, beautiful spinach, butterhead lettuce, plus more fennel and cabbage. The peppers we just pulled ahead of the freeze are some of the nicest of the season. We still have garlic, leeks, butternut and buttercup squashes for your Thanksgiving dinners, plus we brought in a load of freshly dug sweet potatoes from our local farm friends. Also, we plan to bring in some more Griggstown Farm pot pies to stock your freezers with for the winter, AND local apples.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate a challenging, yet educational, growing season. We look forward to feeding you fresh, local produce as we head into Thanksgiving. See you soon!