Hello, dear shareholders! I hope this New Year finds you happy, healthy, and warm!
Ember and I are in the middle of crop planning and making other plans for spring. We’ve got some exciting new things happening this year, and while we are still sorting out the final details, I want to give you all a sneak preview of what we have in store.
We are developing these new programs so that over time, we can diversify our revenue streams enough to take the pressure off our land–which is less than 2 acres!
Cut Flower Share
We’ll be launching our first Cut Flower Share at the beginning of February, just in time for Valentines Day gifts. Eight weeks of local, in season, organically-grown mixed bouquets, wrapped in a pretty sleeve, instead of one day of roses sprayed with who-knows-what and flown in from who-knows-where? Yes, please! Stay tuned for more info about this exciting addition to our offerings.
New, Improved Plant Sale
We will celebrate the start of our plant sale with a kick-off event at the farm in mid-May. It will be low-key, but you should definitely plan to purchase your herb, veggie, and flower starts for your garden from Stearns Farm come spring! If you have requests for varieties, please email me and let me know by the second week in February. If you would be interested in offering face painting, playing music at our event, or just helping to hang around and be friendly, please email me!
Stearns Farm Merch
We will be offering some Stearns Farm CSA apparel this spring. We’re researching vendors who can print items using non-toxic ink and ethically sourced fabric, and we’re brainstorming design ideas. I’m thinking we’ll do (kid and adult) t-shirts, hoodies, and of course canvas bags. This will not be a fundraiser–we will charge just enough for these that we can cover the costs of getting them made, so we can keep the prices down and give everyone the opportunity to show their Stearns Farm love. We are so excited about this!
Finally, I’m working to increase engagement in our social media streams, primarily by upping our Instagram game and posting more regularly. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to see these posts. You might even get to meet our pets, since we spend a lot of time around them while crop planning in the winter.
And since it’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t share an MLK quote with you all, as his work has been on my mind for most of the day.
“A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.”
—Martin Luther King Jr., Selma, AL, March 8, 1965
What have you been up to this winter, so far? Send me a message, I miss you all!
Be well,
Mel
