We’re deep in our winter lull with greenhouse work just a few weeks away. February is National CSA month, the time when a majority of our customers sign up for their weekly and market voucher shares. It feels like a really important time to find ways to manage the cost of food. Purchasing a weekly CSA share at a price that will not increase over the growing season is a smart move if you appreciate sticking to a budget. Choose from our small weekly share at $445 for 20 weeks or our large weekly share at $595 for 20 weeks. Shares start the first week of June and end in mid-October. Learn more on our CSA web page >>
ABOVE: We never drive past a botanical garden in the winter time if it is anywhere near open hours. This beautiful facility in Des Moines was just the ticket to break the winter blues. So refreshing and uplifting!
Winter Veggies Available: Last Call this Week
This week, Eric will be delivering orders to Lake 11 Brewery on Thursday from 4 to 8 pm. We still have some beautiful, delicious carrots in cold storage for sale along with a bounty of dark red and pink candystripe beets. There are some red onions hanging on along with about 15 lbs of dry black beans with a lovely, creamy texture. You’ll see a few meat options and other goodies as well in our online store.
We can also deliver in Rib Lake to your home on Thursday if you live within the village. Westboro folks, please reach out – we can figure something out to get you a local food order. Please place your orders by Wednesday morning so we can get them organized in advance.
2026 Farm Share Program
The deadline for the 10% bonus on market voucher CSA shares is March 1, 2026. You can purchase a voucher any time of year, but to get the 10% spending bonus we ask for your investment in the pre-season when we are buying seed, soil mix, fertilizer, livestock, etc. Large and small weekly shares are also available. Now is the best time to lock in your food prices for the rest of the year by purchasing a weekly share.
A pre-season vouchers is a great choice for our Rib Lake customers to not only save money, but also to not worry about having cash on hand when grabbing veggies from the self-serve at Forward Bank.
Our paper CSA form is available on our website CSA info page. You can also make your purchase online for an added fee. We appreciate these pre-purchases that give us the capital we need to start the season rolling in the black!
PHOTO ABOVE: Dene and cohort, Charlie Breitenmoser at the capitol in Madison lobbying with the Wisconsin Farmers Union back in January.
Winter Happenings
During these winter months, we definitely try to take it a little bit easy. Our high school aged boys are keeping us going with basketball and band. Our school district is opening the new gym tomorrow, we’re excited for our community to be getting upgrades to the school. It really is the heart of our little town.
I am again working part-time for Sound Forest Management in Rib Lake. At SFM, I am reaching way back to my college years and forestry training writing land management plans, administrating timber sales, and assisting Peter Anderson with his forestry business. A huge part of what I work on day-to-day is MFL and NRCS Land Stewardship plans. If you are considering entering your forested land into the MFL program I’d love to chat. Feel free to send an email to SFM. There is a small window before the June 1 deadline to assist a few more landowners in this process. The cost of the work we do for you will be earned back in the first year of tax savings.
We’ve spent a great deal of time setting up our traditional archery supply shop the past six weeks. My knowledge in website design is being tested, but we got it figured out. Bending Branch Bows has an official, secure online store with live shipping rates for customers to order bow building supplies. Just a little dream of Eric’s that we’re making a reality. You only live once! Why not jump in head first and do more of what you enjoy?
PHOTOS ABOVE: Eric and I enjoy seeking out local food whenever we travel. We found some amazing eateries and stores on a quick trip thru Des Moines, Kansas City and central Missouri two weeks ago.
Until Next Time
Thank you for taking time to read our latest farm update. The food you choose to put on your family’s table in an important one. Please trust that what we grow is free from chemicals and all synthetic inputs. We believe in preserving and enhancing our living soil for the next generation who will be working on this farm and eating the food grown on this land. We believe in transparency. You are welcome to come to our farm and visit with us any time. Working in the greenhouse can be incredibly good for your health during the month of March. Please don’t forget to call ahead.
Eat well, be well!
