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Highlights:
Think Spring - Lessons learned
Applying the KISS
Earlier Spring Plantings
The Weeds must Die!
Just Say No to Bugs!
More long term crops like Apples and Nuts
Need to Increase our Membership
No Cost Increase this Season!
Cheaper than Walmart?! Check out the cost comparison!
Calendar

Read on for the details!

Think Spring! Our 2010 Season is approaching fast with Annie's Acres heading into it's fourth year. As with past years, we're getting the itch to get our hands in the dirt! We want to include you in the planning for this season so are doing some "thinking out loud" in this newsletter. Annie and I have learned much in the past three seasons. Some lessons have been the easy way through research in books, on the web, or just talking with seasoned gardeners. Other lessons have been learned the hard way as we simply learn by the doing of it. Each year, we are a little better armed to face the challenges of running a successful CSA. Here are some things we have learned along the way and improvements we are hoping to implement this season:

1.) After nearly burning ourselves out, we have an overwhelming desire to apply the KISS method (keep it simple saint) to our whole approach with Annie's Acres. We've been running in way too many directions and need to get "back to the basics" here on the farm. The last few years with the bees has been a brutal ride with disaster after disaster happening industry wide. We have thus made the decision to limit our exposure in that area and will be lessening our focus on the bees. We have also made the decision to discontinue our other business, Sound by TNT. That business focused on the installing of church sound systems. Wow, a full time job, Sound by TNT, the bees, several multi-day traveling show events, and Annie's Acres! What in the world were we thinking?! The bottom line is that we were trying to do just way too many things and we feel Annie's Acres suffered as a result. Annie will now be able to work full time this year on the gardens and on the shows that we do. My role will remain much the same as last season but hopefully I won't be stretched so thin! We hope the results of these changes will be; great food, abundant quantities, low prices, all delivered the way you like it. And perhaps a little more fun in the mix!

2.) There will be more of a focus on early planting of cool weather hardy items with the hope of getting an earlier start with salad type items. The last few years have been very strange weather wise and we've learned that you have to work with whatever weather you get. Part of our focus for early spring planting will include better use of the greenhouse and the use of hoop row covers. There will also be more focus on the timing of rotational planting to insure a more continuous supply of some items such as radishes and leaf crops.

3.) Not that we're cruel or anything but the weeds must die! We are committed to better use of mulch this year. We use no chemical weed treatments which makes it REAL easy for our gardens to get out of control. Last year was an out of control year as far as the weeds we concerned. That teamed with the coolest July on record really hurt our overall productivity.

4.) We also need to improve our efforts to "just say no to bugs." Again, we choose not to apply insecticides so we'll be saying no to the bugs by using barriers such as floating row covers and natural deterrents. We also need to encourage the good bugs such as the honey bees and the earth worms. Last year's use of the floating row covers on the broccoli was very effective and we were pleased with the results on that crop.

5.) A goal has been set to strive for more diversity in long term crops. We now have 20 apple trees planted in several varieties and will hopefully add 20 additional trees a year to the orchard. We've also planted some grapes and will be focusing more on things like horse radish, nut bearing trees, and asparagus. There is a very fertile 3.5 acre field that awaits a plan, kind of like a canvas awaiting the artist!

6.) In order to make Annie's Acres work efficiently, we will need to increase our membership. We have set a goal of 25 members for this season. That number will allow us to grow the business at a sensible rate. We are currently looking at advertising options and deciding what communities we will focus on.

Calendar

April 1, 2010 Membership Application due with first payment.

June 1, 2010 Full and Half Share "Week #1" Delivery

In closing, remember our CSA season is fast approaching and your help is needed to make Annie's Acres a success. Our next newsletter will be coming out in a couple weeks and will focus on membership applications and other updates for the season. One of our goals for this year is to keep costs down for you, especially considering the current economy. We anticipate no cost increases this year with the exception of asking for a minimal cooler deposit. That will help us purchase the new coolers we anticipate needing for our new members. The deposit will be returned at the end of the season when the coolers are returned. More on this in the next newsletter. Until then, you may want to visit the updated Annie's Acres web pages. There is a cost comparison there that might surprise you! Just visit http://www.1887brand.com/ and follow the Annie's Acres links. Also, we would love to hear from you! What are your thoughts on this years planning. Can you provide some feedback that might help us do a better job? Please call, write or drop us an email.

Again, thank you so much for your support!

Your Gardeners,

Mark and Annie Ranum

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April 1, 2010 Application forms with first payment due.

Week 1, about June 1, 2010 - "Normal delivery" week for all customers.

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