Farm Report

There are so many topics that come to mind for our blog.  In fact, there are currently sixty different posts sitting in our 'unpublished' posts that are in varying stages of construction.  Some of them just feel too heavy to lift at the moment.  Others may never find the right time to become an active part of our blog.  When in doubt, it makes sense to simply write about what is going on now at the farm.

The farmer gets another job

What would this world be if there wasn't change?  Well, the farm is undergoing change, just like it does every year at some level.  This year, part of the change is that Rob will derive some of his income from a job as the Communications Associate in Iowa for the Pesticide Action Network.  This is a part-time 'gig' that will, nonetheless, take a serious chunk of time away from the farm.  But, not to worry, our season plan for the farm is continuing.  We do still plan on growing most of the crops we listed and we will raise chickens and turkeys.  

 

Rob setting up a 'drift-catcher' to measure chemical drift on the farm

One of the important things here is that Rob is simply making his efforts to address pesticide/herbicide misapplication and overuse more formal (and more consistent) by taking this position with PAN.  There is a strong consistency with the Genuine Faux Farm's mission to educate and work with the environment and the efforts that are required to perform this new job.  

 

 2020 Pre-Paid Farm Credit Program

- Do you travel and you found the CSA to be a problem rather than a benefit because of that schedule?  This program provides flexibility to allow you to participate.

- Were you tired of receiving produce you really didn't want?  This program allows you to select what you want.

- Did you want more of one thing and less of another?  Farm credits allow you to order what you want from the things that we have available at any given week.

- Were there times you wanted to pick up in Cedar Falls rather than Waverly or vice versa?  Well, you can do that with the new program too.

- Are there times of the year when you are more interested in buying farm products and others when you are not?  Once again, you order as you go, using the credits to acquire what you want, when you want it.

- Did you like the old CSA program?  Well, good news, we can offer packages at each delivery for a certain number of farm credits.  If that is what you liked, then it will be similar - we'll just be counting credits.

- Just want eggs or chickens?  Well, guess what?  They're part of the program too!

- Would you like lower prices?  Members will receive items at last year's prices (which are remarkably similar to the past eight years).  Those who are not members can still purchase, but we will not guarantee the same price.

Carrotman encourages you to join us!

We will run the system in $50 increments.  In other words, you can purchase a minimum of $50 of farm credit at a time.  We will cap the maximum amount of credit at $200 and you can refill your farm credits at any point.

Like the CSA program, this gives you the advantage of not having to pull out money at each delivery.  Instead, we will have a ledger with tracking for your current credit balance.  This also provides us with some working capital to start the season.  Also, like the CSA program, we will give participants better pricing and opportunities than those who might prefer to 'pay as they go.'

A major difference this year is that farm credits can be used for ANY farm product the Genuine Faux Farm offers.  If you buy farm credits, you can apply them to purchasing meat chickens, vegetables, eggs or any other thing we offer this year.

Want to sign up by mail?  You can do that.  Or, you can use Paypal!  Please contact us at

gff at genuinefauxfarm dot com

and we'll send you information on how to do so.

We are accepting purchases of credits now and throughout the season.

 

Egg Cartons

In the interest of reducing a potential vector of viral spread, we will decline egg cartons for re-use for the time being.  Please save them and bring them to us after the current pandemic issues are in the past.  We will be using new egg cartons for all eggs we provide for the next couple or months for all of our eggs.

 

Balancing Things, Just Like Everyone Else

The two of us are making adjustments and trying to balance how to do things with new limitations to address the current pandemic.  We refuse to be part of the problem and we encourage everyone who reads this blog post to do their best to reduce the spread of this disease.  

 

As a college professor, Tammy has been working extra hours trying to adjust classes to new venues and handle the premature termination of placements/internships for the seniors in the Social Work program.  Students have needed the support of their professors and college staff more than ever as they enter a frustrating and frightening situation.  Teachers everywhere, at all levels, are working hard to protect, nurture and (yes) educate through a difficult time.  I am proud of Tammy's efforts and I appreciate all teachers everywhere.