There’s a big change coming for the Grand Street CSA in 2012 that you should be aware of: our farmers for the past four years, Julia and David (and Heather), are moving on from Woodbridge Farm and handing the farm over to another couple.
It was a difficult year for Julia and David — he took a job in Delaware to help with the family finances, and she gave birth to their second son in March. The result, in Julia’s own words, was that she was “not able to fulfill my obligations on any level.” So she’s moving to join her husband and bring the family back together. She wrote to us earlier this month, saying, “while this was probably the most difficult decision a farmer can be asked to make, our departure from Woodbridge Farm should be for the good of both the farm and ourselves.”
(And Heather, it should be noted, who was managing the farm this year and delivering our shares every Tuesday, is also moving on — getting married, in fact.)
Woodbridge Farm will be handed over to Max and Kerry Taylor, experienced farmers from CSA farms in Massachusetts. Their expectation is to continue working the farm for our CSA, but before we make that commitment there are a few steps we need to take. First, Just Food will be talking to Max and Kerry to make sure they fit into the CSA in NYC program. Second, the core group from our CSA will meet with Max and Kerry to make sure that they are aware of the issues we have had the past two seasons, and to make sure we all get along. Third, we will want to schedule a meet-the-farmer earlier than usual to make sure our members are fully involved before making the decision to join again in 2012.
So there will be lots more details about all of this as we move forward, hopefully with a clear path set before the end of the year. In the meantime, we hope you’re keeping your CSA herbs watered and sunned, and we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Oh, one more thing — if anyone is interested in joining the CORE GROUP, please write back and let us know. With these changes coming up, we would welcome some help keeping the CSA running.
Thanks!