Royal Oak Farmers Market

Maple Creek Farm will not be at Royal Oak Farmers Market tomorrow Saturday 11/1 we hope to return 11/15 & or 11/22 we will update every week. Greens made it through some really cold temps this week-and next week looks good so we do think we will have a return-don't give up on us just yet! If all goes well we could come back strong just before Thanksgiving! tatsoi, red russian kale, mixed asian greens, mesclun, romaine, spinach, minuza-doesn't that sound great! Hopefully we'll get a couple weeks of decent weather and we'll be able to bring some of those greens down.

 

In the mean time-send me warm ,sun shinny thoughts to help the crop grow!

 

Your Organic Farming Friend,

 

Michelle

More info on saving a Michigan Family Farm

Everyone has been a huge help getting the word out about the mint farm in St. Johns, MI that is about to be foreclosed on this Saturday.

 

I realize the website has been slow and I'm getting reports of it not working at all. I hope it's due to a lot of ordering traffic-but be patient, keep trying to order-just one bottle of oil for $5 is all they are asking. They are making progress.

 

Now, a HUGE thank you to everyone that is helping get the word out-this morning an article in the Free Press-here's the link.

http://www.freep.com/article/20081030/NEWS05/810300474

 

Pass the word & know you did your part to save a Michigan Family Farm.

 

If we have any connections to someone in Lansing who may be able to help-please pass this posting on to them and ask that they get  some help for these people-make a call to Greenstone on their behalf.

Greenstone should understand. Most of their lending goes to farmers. I'm a customer of Greenstone! This news makes me a little nervous about my own future as a farmer in tough economic times and now banks that are eager to foreclose and would call that a victory. That's a shame.

 We can't afford to keep losing farms. Their entire debt isn't a fraction of the billion's of dollars the government is passing out-too bad that money isn't being sent to the right places. It' a shame someone can't get them more time if they need it. Greenstone should be willing to accept the funds they have and give them more time.

Thanks for helping get the word out and helping save a Michigan Family Farm.

 

Sincerely,

 

Michelle

 

 

 

 

Can we help save a farm?

Dear Friends of Maple Creek Farm,

 

I have received news that Greenstone Financial Services is going to foreclose a farm this Saturday if they do not make their loan payment.

 

The farm I am talking about-is the oldest mint farm in the U.S. Crosy Farms in St. John's Michigan. Apparently there are not that many mint farms around anymoer-too much product being imported from China.

 

www.getmint.com

 

 

I watched the 3 minute video - I would encourage everyone to watch, and then hopefully buy a dram (1/8 oz) bottle of peppermint or spearmint for $5. They have the product to sell and pay their debt-but the goal is huge they need to sell 70,000 bottles by 10/31. The feat is large, but if we all do our part- order a bottle and then pass this email along to someone else-then we tried and that's all I can ask.

 

Let's help save a Michigan Family Farm!

www.getmint.com

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Michelle Lutz
Maple Creek Farm
810 387 4365
www.maplecreekfarm.com

 

 

Mind, Body & Spirits

Danny & I had the pleasure of being at the soft opening for Mind, Body & Spirits in Downtown Rochester last evening. I have to say my mouth is still smiling from the experience.

 

If you haven't heard me talk about this place yet, I'll give you the brief intro. On the corner of third & main in downtown Rochester-Mike Plesz has opened a completely sustainable restaurant. Geo-thermal, solar power, recycled & natural products, a greenhouse for the chefs, it' one of it's kind that's for sure. Chefs are using in season organic foods. They are obtaining local organic foods.

 

It's a welcoming place. You instantly get the feeling this special place was created by people who really "get it". This is the kind of place you feel good about going to and I haven't even mentioned the food.

 

Ok, I have to admit here that I expected great things because so much of the food they are using is our food-Maple Creek Farm food, and they exceeded my expectations. The flavors were so pure, I enjoyed every bite.

 

The blonde organic beer is the best beer I've ever had. I am a big fan of pale ale's and this one by far is my favorite beer.

 

I was very happy and proud to see all the plants in the greenhouse,( they were grown here on the farm for MBS).They all looked very happy. It makes me feel good to have the support of the MBS staff. This is going to be a great relationship I can already tell.

 

When I looked at the menu my first thought was how it reflected the season. Everything they used is produce that is available now. I'm already looking forward to what they will do when a full season is available to them!

 

For more info check out their website:http://www.cplanet.com/destwindow.aspx?destid=pleszurefoodgroup110672743F93D64CAE47E9594E2DE973D

 

The plan is for the restaurant to open on Thursday.

 

I'm sure you'll need reservations, this place is going to be packed.

 

 It's a very special place with a great group of people who are clearly committed to sustainability. Maple Creek is proud to be working with the good people of Mind Body & Spirits!

 

Eat & Be Well-Your Organic Farmers,

 

Danny & Michelle Lutz

Maple Creek Farm

Royal Oak Farmers Market 10/25

Maple Creek Farm will not be attending Royal Oak Farmers Market this Saturday 10/25. We hope to return 11/1 or 11/8 we will post a message letting you know what Saturday we will be there.

 

Thank you!

Michelle

Change in last csa delivery

Dear Maple Creek Farm CSA Members,

 

Please forgive the double postings of this email. I just want to make sure everyone gets this notice.

 

Danny & I have made a decision to delay your last csa share delivery until the week of November 10th. As much as we would love to be done, the crop we need to finish isn't ready yet.

 

WEEK #20 delivery schedule is as follows:

 

TUESDAY 11/11

WEDNESDAY 11/12

FRIDAY 11/14

 

We are making deliveries this week as scheduled (week #19).

 

We had to make this decision because we've had some really hard frosts out here and there just isn't much crop for us to use this week or next. We do have greens that we expect to be ready in a few weeks and we want to share the harvest with you-we planted it for you :)

 

I can not make any guarantee's this is the right decision. The way I look at it my choices are to go ahead with next week as scheduled and then not have anything to put in the shares, OR take the chance that the weather will hold out over the next few weeks and we can get the greens harvested for you. If the temp's drop and the greens are ruined then I guess I will have made the wrong choice.....I guess only time will tell.

 

I hope this doesn't cause too many members trouble-there's not much I can do if it does, but it you have a conflict let me know.

 

I doubt I will be at farmers market this Saturday 10/25. We'll just have to make these decisions as we go along-finishing our csa season is our first priority.

 

Hope you understand our decision. There is no need to email me back unless you have questions/concerns.

 

Thank you for your support.

 

Sincerely Your Organic Farming Family,

 

Danny & Michelle Lutz (kids & crew too!)

Maple Creek Farm

Yale, MI

810 387 4365

mlutz@maplecreekfarm.com

www.maplecreekfarm.com