Dear Friends of PTB Farm,
The short winter days can feel often unproductive on the farm. The days are punctuated by morning and evening chores, weather and daylight hours can conspire for a short workday between those bookends. But winter is the time we set aside for projects we don't have time for in the height of the season. We instill order, repair and perform maintenance on our machinery and infrastructure, and, especially since we are still in the beginning stages of our farm, we build.
This winter we have taken on a number of projects. Our biggest project at the moment is our second high tunnel, or unheated greenhouse. It is a very exciting addition to the farm and one which we very proud to have received funding for through the National Resources Conservation Services (NRCS, an agency of the USDA which works to assist farmers in soil conservation). We couldn't be more excited to be doubling our shoulder season growing capacity and can't wait to fill up the new high tunnel once we've finished.
The high tunnel is just one of our many winter projects -- I'll try not to bore you with you with the many details of replacing our farmcarts' battery bank; fixing the old trencher so we can bury more frost free water line on the farm; propagating perennials; replacing the old mailbox; building a sauna (well, that one was just for fun); building new portable hog huts; and building a living shade structure from scuppernong in the pastures; to name a few. The projects can easily fill up the days and weeks and in the blink of an eye, our winter project time will have evaporated, leaving way for the frenzied pace of spring.
If you're starting to dream about spring and all the wonderful eats ahead of you for the year, get ready for some shameless advertising!
We are now accepting members for our 2017 PTB Farm Coop!
We hope you'll consider this opportunity to support your local farmers and participate in a totally flexible, CSA opportunity. If you're not familiar with our Coop program, you can check all the pertinent details at our website, but here's the quick overview:
The PTB Farm Coop is a unique and flexible community supported agriculture (CSA) model. We understand that joining a CSA isn't for everyone, so we have created a more flexible CSA option that still supports us, your farmers, when we most need it most. The PTB Farm Coop is designed as a Cooperative -- so we call it the Coop, and it works like a farm credit with a declining balance. Our Coop membership is a great way to support your farmers by paying up front for your vegetables, meat, mushrooms, and flowers. This helps pay for seeds, feed, fuel, and marketing costs when income is at its yearly low
Essentially, you are purchasing a farm credit early in the year. Then, you can simply visit our stand at the Old Salem Cobblestone Farmers Market (April-November), or the Greensboro Curb Farmers Market (year-round) or here at the farm (monthly, April-October) and choose the farm products you want from what’s on offer. By becoming a member, you are taking an active role in Piedmont Triad agriculture and ensuring that safe, healthy, and ecologically-centered food remains viable in this region.
Members get a discount based on when they join and we offer 3 different membership levels. Members can choose what they want to spend their credit on (don't like radishes, no problem!), where to spend it (Winston, Greensboro or here at the farm), and when to spend it (have a summer vacation planned, your credit will still be waiting for you!).
We have designed the PTB Farm Coop to work for our members and we hope you'll consider signing up for the 2017 season! Deadline to sign up is March 31!
If you have any questions come find us at the Greensboro Curb Market to discuss the COOP in person, or check out our website for all the details and the sign up form.
with love from your farmers
Hillary and Worth
Bea, Cassius, Yuli, and Tazi the dogs
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