Groundswell Farm May 29+

Hello, everyone-

I was sitting here earlier, thinking about what news I had to write in
this week's note, and what I came up with was "It's been raining" and
"I saw two groundhogs eating the peas".  It really didn't seem like
enough to go on but luckily before I wrote a word my older son ran in
the house yelling about the snapping turtle being caught in the pond.
I put my shoes on and went outside to see what he was talking about
and sure enough, there was the turtle that has been living in our pond
for the past year or so, caught head first in the overflow pipe.  His
body was dangling above the water line, helpless and hopeless.

We tried several implements to prod him out- a shovel, a T-post, a
hoe....but the suction was too great.  Greg finally decided to go
barefoot into the water and grab his tail.  This is a good time to
mention that we all thought he was dead.  When he moved as Greg had a
hold of his tail, I yelled "He's alive!", which prompted Greg to drop
him in the grass immediately.  He gaped his maw at us for a few
minutes, opened one eye (the kids were sure his eyes had been sucked
out and were far past rescue downstream), and seemed to be alright.
There's no telling how long he had been hanging there, but we moved
him to a suction-free area of the pond and as of nightfall, he was
still there and breathing.  Slowly, but, hey- he's a turtle.

This week- order deadline for delivery Friday is Thursday May 28 at
9pm.  Orders are first-come, first-served.  Delivery to the general
Galax area is noon-2pm on Friday, so let me know where you'll be
during that time.  If you live far out and want to meet me, let me
know that, too, and we'll work it out.  I will not be in Independence
this Saturday.  Orders can be picked up here at the farm- you are
welcome, the place is a mess and that's your warning!  Next week I
will begin the more general Galax Farmers Market newsletters and
discontinue this one until the fall, when hopefully I'll have other
food ready as the market season is waning.

Lettuce- mixed varieties, very colorful and pretty $3/box

Spinach- really producing now, mid-sized leaves $3/box

Arugula- first cutting of third sowing, smallish leaves $3/box

Beet Greens- thinnings of our beet beds, very delicate, tiny root
attached  $3/box

Eggs- free range, most likely fertilized $3/dozen

Cilantro- fernleaf type $1/bunch

Parsley- italian flat leaf variety $1/bunch

Lovage- strong celery substitute $1/bunch

This is the first week I'm offering the 'mixed bag'- something I aim
to have each week during the market season (June-October, y'all).
It's like a CSA arrangement, but instead of the customer paying for
everything at the beginning of the season, you can take it week by
week.  There will be 4 or 5 items in the bag, it costs $10, and you
get a surprise selection of what I have available that week.  For
example, if you ordered a mixed bag this week, you would get 3 boxes
of greens and one bunch of an herb.  I will not give you $10 worth of
lettuce or any single item- the idea is you get a mixed variety of
what's in season.  If you'd like to order a la carte, that's still ok,
too!

As always, please let me know if you have any comments, questions, or
suggestions.  Thanks, all, and see you soon!
Sara
276-236-4572
704-999-9344