Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Friends & Supporters of Maple Creek Farm,

 

This is a special time of year for us. A time of reflection and gratitude. I know that I have a lot to be thankful for.

 

To be honest every year that we are able to farm and operate our csa is a success for us. With so many farms going out of business each day I am grateful for all the people that support us and make sure our farm stays in production.

 

We know times are tough for many and with that in mind it makes me feel a greater sense of appreciation for the effort we all put in to make sure we can be a part of each others lives.

 

I will be counting my blessings tomorrow. There are many to reflect on. I will thank the soil for all that it provided. My loving family and our hard working crew all deserve my gratitude and sincere appreciation for all they do to help us accomplish the good work we are doing here.

 

I didn't want to let an opportunity pass to be thankful for YOU! You are a big part of our farm and supporting us while we try to educate & inspire our communities into seeking local organic farms & farmers.Your support is so valuable-so please know when I am thinking about all the reason I have to be thankful I will be thinking about you too.

 

May you have a peaceful Thanksgiving & I sure hope a little Maple Creek is on the table to celebrate a special meal!

 

All our best to you & your loved ones

 

Sincerely,

 

Danny & Michelle Lutz

Maple Creek Farm

www.maplecreekfarm.com

 

CSA Box Return & Market offer for members on 11/22

Hello!

 

Just a quick couple of notes to pass along:

 

as you know we had to cancel the last week of csa share delivery. The weather just didn't hold out. I needed the greens that are in the field to have enough crop to make reasonable shares. The greens are covered with snow and the low temps have not been kind to them. I keep remembering back 2 weeks ago when it was 70! Now where's my luck?

 

Your host has been kind enough to arrange to return boxes to me. They want you to  know that if you would like to return any boxes you still have bring them by this week and then you won't have to hold onto them all winter long.

 

There are some greens planted in the hoophouses that I am desperately trying to push along so that I can harvest them on Friday and bring them to Royal Oak Farmers Market this Saturday 11/22. Please stop by if you would like and we will help csa members out with what we have.

 

The only reason I am not offering to do shares is because there is simply not enough or I would. I am willing to offer what I have to you. So stop by and let the market helper know your a csa member and we'll send you home with something good for your Thanksgiving feast. I know it's not much, but it's what I have to offer so I am. I do fear that I will run out of stuff early (again, just because I don't have a lot) but come early and I should be able to help you out.

 

You also have my word that if we are able to attend market again before the end of the year (sometime in December?) then I will let you know and make this offer to our csa members again.

 

I know there are some members that are quite upset about the cancellation. I want everyone to know it was not an easy decision to make. I just can't fight the weather anymore. I am trying to come up with some plan to "make it up" to everyone-so please understand I did try. I think some people think I have been selling produce at market instead of doing shares and that just isn't the case. I haven't been to market in over a month. CSA is always our first priority. I realize you may not feel that way right now, but it is the truth.

 

I've receive many supporting emails as well and to those members I just want to express and enormous amount of gratitude for your support and understanding. Your support becomes my strength and it makes it easier to go on during these tough times.

 

Your Organic Farmer,

 

Michelle

 

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

 

 

Royal Oak Farmers Market Saturday 11/22

I just found out my spot for market has been changed.

 

For this Saturday 11/22 you can find Maple Creek Farm's booth at Royal Oak Farmers Market near the west entrance-across from Cinzori Farms-they hang a sign up that says "organic" I'll be across from them if you are looking for me from 7am-1pm.

 

Hope to see there as you shop for your Thanksgiving feast!

 

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

Cancel CSA Share Delivery-Please Read

Hello CSA Members,

 

There seems to be no reason to delay this decision any more.

 

We're going to have to cancel the last week of csa shares we had schedule for this week.

 

Unfortunately the weather just isn't going to cooperate to get that last week of shares in.

 

I hope you understand-we tried out best, this time it just wasn't good enough.

 

I'll bring what I can harvest from the hoophouses to Royal Oak Farmers Market Saturday 11/22. I'll be there from 7-1. If you have any boxes you would like to return this would be a good time to do that.

 

Again, thank you for your support, patience, & understanding.

 

I apologize for the double posting I am just trying to get the word out.

 

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.

 

Sincerely - your disappointed organic farmer!

 

Michelle

the weather forecast has me worried

Hi Everyone,

 

After reviewing the weather forecast I have to say I am very concerned if we are going to be able to pull off a harvest for our last week of csa shares.

 

The weather is expected to be quite cold & a lot of precip as well. I am worried there will be snow on the ground and sloppy fields that will affect our ability to harvest.

 

This would be the first time Danny & I have failed to make our share quota and that's disturbing to both of us.

 

As we contemplate our options we have a conversation about "making it up" to our members. As a business person I want to come up with the plan to make things fair, but as your csa farmer I am supposed to ask for your understanding that the season didn't give us what we needed. The weather just didn't cooperate when we needed it.

 

I do want you to know that if we do end up having to end the season before we get that last week out to you it will be with a heavy heart and twisted gut because I just hate to disappoint people and fail from getting a crop to harvest.

 

Danny & I have managed to keep this crop alive, but just didn't get the growth we needed-now that we're so close it looks like the weather is going to give out on us. I will stay positive and hope for the best, but I do want to give everyone heads up that there is a good possibility the csa season is over.

 

I am posting some photos I took of the greens last week. The are rows out there, and I'm hoping for the best!

 

As always thank you for your understanding & support!

 

Your Organic Farmers,

 

Danny & Michelle Lutz

Maple Creek Farm

 

Giving Thanks & Fresh Turkeys

It's that time of year-Thanksgiving is just around the corner. My personal favorite time of the year. I enjoy making a special meal for our family and I think it's important to take some time and reflect gratitude for all that we have.

 

For us it's about being thankful in a large part what the season has provided. Although we didn't have a perfect season in general things were good and as farmers that's about all we can ask for. Perfection isn't part of farming, perseverance and acceptance is.

 

While you are preparing for your Thanksgiving meal you may be wondering where you can find a fresh turkey.

 

Day Farms in Imlay City has fresh turkeys for sale. Although the are not certified organic they are raised with no hormone no antibiotic, they have access to pasture and they raise their own feed. I've had turkeys from Day farms and have been very happy with them.

 

They offer fresh at $1.99 per pound

smoked at $3.09per pound

 

You need to call and place an order. 810 724 6886. Leave a message and Deb will call you back to confirm your order.

 

You'll need to be prepared to pick up your order. Turkeys are available Tuesday 11/25 & Wednesday 11/26.

 

Last year some people picked up turkeys from Edna Slabaugh. I am not sure if the Slabaugh's are offering turkey this season. If you want to find out you'll have a drop a note in the mail immediately to Edna Slabaugh 2955 Stiles Road Brown City, MI 48416.

 

There is no phone for Edna, she is Amish. If you give her a phone number and a good time to reach you I know she can get access to a phone. You'll need to ask her cost and pick up options. I'm just passing along the contact info :)

 

Yours in good eating!

 

a very cold organic farmer

 

Michelle

2009 CSA Memberships Now Available

2009 Maple Creek Farm CSA Memberships are now available.

 

Join us in celebrating 15 years of local organic farming.

 

Our 2009 season is 20 weeks long. Starting in early-mid June and ending in mid-late October.

 

Enjoy fresh local organic produce grown on our farm in Yale, MI.

 

For more info visit our website www.maplecreekfarm.com

 

You can check out some share photos of the 2008 season to give you a visual idea of what shares can bring.

 

www.maplecreekfarm.com/photos08.html

 

 

To sign up on line using paypal

www.maplecreekfarm.com/membership.html

 

Thank you for supporting our farm & csa!

 

Danny & Michelle Lutz

Maple Creek Farm

 

email trouble fixed

Our email is working properly now. Thank you for your patience!

email trouble

The farm is currently experiencing trouble receiving emails. If you are trying to contact us please give us a ring @ 810 387 4365. Hopefully the trouble will be fixed soon.

CSA Schedule Change-Please Read

Dear 2008 CSA Members,

 

Danny & I have decided that if we delay your last csa share delivery one more week the chances of making a nicer share is better.

 

Here are you final pick up dates-I do not expect to make any more changes to the schedule

 

TUESDAY 11/18

WEDNESDAY 11/19

FRIDAY 11/21

 

Thank you very much for your patience and understanding as we try to get crop together to complete your csa season.

 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact me 810 387 4365

mlutz@maplecreekfarm.com

 

Your Organic Farmers,

 

Danny & Michelle Lutz

Maple Creek Farm

www.maplecreekfarm.com