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2019 CSA FARMSHARE ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

The vegetable CSA Farmshare returns! More than just salad mix.

Wait, there’s more. 

Chi’s Farm is teaming up with Bent Gate Farms to bring a meat option!

You can get your veggies, and your meat all in one place!

Vegetables are every week, June - October. Meat will be distribueted 3 times during the season.

Stay tuned for prices, dates, etc. in the beginning of February.

#csa

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2018 Salad CSA sign ups and farm news

2018 farm season is here, I’ve been on the tractor plowing and tilling, seeds are sprouting, and new crops are just around the corner. So lets cut to the chase... it is time to commit to some serious salad eating. The plan for this season is to expand upon the awesome salad mix we grew last year, as well as have some other vegetables for sale at the farm stand throughout the season. So, if you want to be sure you can get those amazing greens, you should sign up for the salad mix CSA. Soon. Everybody who ate them last season loved them, and I’m worried there will be a huge rush to get them this season and I might run out. Check out the webstand for online sign up and payment, or email csa@chisfarm.com for additional questions. A few things I’ll be doing different this year:

Baby spinach. You know, the small, tender, sweet leaves you love. Great as salad or cooked. But really, eat them in salad mostly. So good.

Baby arugula. There have been some interesting advances in plant breeding when it comes to arugula. I’ll be playing with some of the new varieties and trying out blending them in the mix, as well as straight arugula for sale. 

Veggies for sale a la carte at the farm stand!!! Yes, it is true! You will be able to stop in at the farm stand and see what we have for sale that we are harvesting fresh at that time of the year. We are improving and expanding our refrigerated space to allow for more veggie display space.

You can also find our salad greens at a few local establishments, I’ll write more about that soon as I confirm who is on the list for the season.

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Employee Benefit Program

Chi’s Farm brings local, organic produce to the workplace through their new Employee Benefit Program.

Chi’s Farm, a Sequim based organic farm, is hoping to bring increased health and productivity to employees of local businesses. By delivering weekly shares of produce to workplaces in the area, Chi’s Farm lowers the barriers to employees accessing healthy vegetables. “Many potential customers have told us they find it difficult to regularly buy fresh, local vegetables because they don’t have extra time in their schedules to come to the farm to shop,” said Scott Chichester, owner of Chi’s Farm.

How exactly does this benefit productivity? Many employers around the country, both large and small, are finding that good food equates to healthier, happier, and in turn, more productive employees. “We believe that personal health is the key to a productive work life, and that good vegetables help achieve that,” said Chichester.

Individual businesses, or groups of neighboring businesses, can have free delivery of weekly vegetables by purchasing CSA, or community supported agriculture, shares of vegetables grown on Chi’s Farm.

More information about Chi’s Farm, including CSA details and pricing can be found on the Chi’s Farm website, or by phone 360-477-2784.

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2017 CSA Shares: Sign Up Now!

Hello friends!

Chi’s Farm is proud to announce that 2017 SALAD CSA shares are now available!

Sign up now on our Webstand!

Interested in the Employee Benefit Program? Call Scott at 360-477-2784 or email csa@chisfarm.com

Key information:

Remember, Wednesday is your pick-up day!

*Spring season (8 weeks) - April 12-May 31

* Early summer season (8 weeks) - June 7- July 26

* Late summer season (8 weeks) - August 9 - September 27

* Full season (24 weeks) - April 12 - September 27

***First week in August there is no share. Farmers need summer vacation too!

Wait, what is a CSA again?

CSA stands for "Community-supported Agriculture", but it could equally mean "Agriculture-supported Community".

In a typical CSA, people (like you) join the farm community at the beginning of the season by making an investment in the farm. Over the course of the harvest season, each member gets a share of the farm's productions on a weekly basis.

At Chi's Farm we anticipate having around 100 members with whom to share our bounty. And because we want our members to get to know each other, and to know the incredible flavor and possibility of our vegetables, we'll be having monthly pizza parties, and other social gatherings as well.

In our vision, the farm is more than just the place where the vegetables are grown: it's the place where people get closer to each other, where children explore the natural world, and where amazing pizza and parties are enjoyed. In short, it's where the magic happens.

As there are limited shares available, it may behoove you to Sign-up Now 

calling Scott at 360 477 2784

or

emailing csa@chisfarm.com

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[chisfarm]

zucchini fritters and squash lasgna!

favorite family recipes from anna swanberg:

http://www.onceuponachef.com/2012/07/zucchini-fritters-with-feta-and-dill.html

http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/seasonal-recipes/butternut-squash-lasagna-recipe-zmaz10onzraw.aspx

thanks anna

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Some frequently asked questions, answered

Are you organic?

What is a CSA again?

How much does it cost to join the CSA?

Can I get some kind of discount?

Can I choose what's in the box each week?

Where are you located? Where do I pick up the vegetables? Do you deliver?

Are there really Pizza Parties Every Month?

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Chago’s Kale

Chago was the best farm dog ever. He went everywhere with me. He waited amongst the rows while I motored back and forth on the tractor. Every day he looked forward to more adventure in life. In the fields or hiking in the mountains, Chago was the ever ready dog. When he passed away in the summer of 2013, hearts were broken. 

Mysteriously, later that same summer, a kale plant grew from where he last laid down. Recognizing it as a sweet specimen of kale, I decided to save seed from that plant. By late 2014 the first seed crop of Chi’s Farm was harvested. Named after the sweet farm companion, I’m calling it Chago’s Kale. 

The first major production of seed will happen this spring of 2016. I’ll be sure to let you know when seed is available, likely in August of this year.

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Chi's Farm: the mystery revealed

Where is the farm?

Chi's Farm resides in the fertile and sunny Sequim-Dungeness valley, on Washington State's North Olympic Peninsula in the part of the world we like to call "North America".

142 Towne Road

Sequim, Wa 98382

(to be exact)

Who are you people?

Scott Chichester, aka "The Farmer" (on the left)

Scott has been farming organically in the Dungeness Valley for 15 years now, including many formative years at Nash's Organic Produce. After a brief detour North of the border to help get Fiore Farms off the ground, he recently returned to the area, starting his own greenhouse business and lending a hand to Red Dog Farm in Chimacum. As his primary experience is growing organic vegetables, he knows how to make them tasty and beautiful. How? It all starts with the soil. The rest, well that is magic.

Ankur Shah Delight, Vice-President of Gathering and Sharing

Ankur studied organic agriculture from hot-shot farmers on five continents. In addition to helping out with production and harvest, he conducts uncertainty analyses of the farm business and plays the flute to young seedlings. His 2015 forecast places the "risk of ridiculously good pizza" at "unfathomably high" and encourages local residents to make their Wednesday evening plans accordingly.

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The Whole "Organic" Thing

Are you organic?

Darn tootin!

We grow all our products organically. We test our soils regularly, amend them as needed, rotate our crops, and plant cover crops between seasons.

What does organic mean?

We do not use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. We rely on natural fertilizers, cover crops, and rotation for soil fertility. When it comes to pests, we encourage beneficial insects and find they do most of the work for us. Some crops are best grown under row cover fabric to deter pests. Occasionally, if needed to save an important crop from ruin, we will rely on an organically approved, plant derived, product, like neem oil, to combat insect pests. As for diseases, good soil fertility, good plant genetics, and planting during appropriate seasons keep them from being much trouble around here.

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Background

Okay, tell me the CSA concept again…

You pay upfront before the season begins, then receive a weekly share of the harvest. The concept originated in Japan in the 1960’s in response to the difficulty for small farms to survive in the face of increasing industrialization of agriculture. Facing the same issues, the idea caught on here in the U.S. and has become a common way to connect people with healthy food from neighboring farms.

Today, CSA members of CHI’S FARM can support the growth of organic vegetables right here in the fertile Dungeness Valley. Our farm provides a total of 24 weeks of produce, from mid April to late September. The season is split in to three 8 week sessions. Members receive a one pound bag of salad mix. The contents of our CSA bags will vary with the season, with a foundation of fabulous baby lettuces combined with lots color and texture added from other complimentary greens.

As a member of our CSA you will receive incredibly fresh, local, organic produce at really fair prices. Chances are, you will end up eating a lot more vegetables, learning to make new recipes, and maybe even being a little healthier. Imagine regular salads as a delicious part of a tasty and healthy meal! The CSA provides us with early season income to pay for supplies and labor used in growing your food. Additionally, your commitment gives us a guaranteed market for the crops and a direct connection to the people eating the food we grow. Together, the farmers and members will sustain local farms and eat delicious, healthy food. By joining the CSA at CHI’S FARM you will become part of a growing movement to keep local agriculture vibrant, maintain farmland as a working landscape, and protect our precious soil and clean water.

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How and Where to Find Us

Remember, pick-up and pizza parties are on Wednesdays starting April 12th.

Find us:

Chi's Farm is located at 142 Towne Road in Sequim.

Contact us:

Call Scott at 360 477 2784

Email csa@chisfarm.com

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Chi’S Farm CSA 2016: Seasonal Item List*

( * This list is approximate. We're talking about some complex interrelated phenomena here)

Below please find some indications of items that might fall in the category of "your share of the harvest". The list is not absolute. There may be other items. There may be more. Or fewer. And the timing and contents may change due to weather, acts of the Divine, or other unavoidable circumstances.

Naturally, at Chi's Farm, we strive to provide you with a diverse selection of delicious vegetables and vary the contents of your share from week to week. We want to keep your life, as well as ours, interesting.

Arugula: May—November

Artichokes, Globe: August—October

Basil: June—September

Beans, fresh: July—September

Beets: July—November

Bok Choi: June—October

Broccoli: July—November

Brussels Sprouts: October—November

Cabbage: July—November

Carrots: July—November

Cauliflower: July—November

Chard: June—November

Cilantro: July—October

Collard Greens: August-November

Cucumbers: July—Sept

Dill: July—October

Fava Beans, fresh: June—July

Kale: June—November

Leeks: September—November

Lettuce: May-October

Mixed Greens: May-October

Onions, green: July—November

Onions, bulb: August-November

Parsnips: October-November

Parsley: June—November

Peas: July—September

Potatoes: August—November

Radishes: June—November

Rutabagas: October-November

Spinach: June—November

Summer Squash: July—September

Tomatoes: July-September

Baby Turnips: June-July, October—November

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The (Pizza) Party is Always Right

Putting the 'C' back in CSA!

Nothing makes me smile as much as the first bite of steaming hot, thin crust pizza fresh from the wood fired oven! Once a month, we are going to have the oven going and some dough and toppings ready when you show up to collect your share. Grab a slice to munch while you enjoy the farm and talk with the other CSA members. Bring a beverage and stay a while, or grab your veggies and go.

The Pizza Party is our way of underlining the C (Community) in CSA: bringing people together to explore together and feed each other!

Come for the produce, stay for the party!

Our weekly pick-up is every Wednesday during the season, starting April 12th for the spring season, June 7th for the early summer season, and August 9th for the late summer season. Bring a friend and help cook and eat the wood-fired pizza coming out of our cob oven.

Please bring the family, hang out, socialize, walk the fields, get to know the plants, and pick our brains!

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Pricing and Payments

How do I sign up and pay?

You can sign up and pay several ways. You may give us cash or check directly, or you may pay online with a debit or credit card. The online sign up process will be through the Shopify software site, much like online shopping. In both cases, you will have the option to go online every week to add to your order .

When do I pay?

Anytime!  If you don’t wait, you won’t be left hungry when our limited number of shares sells out. If you sign up for the entire season you will save some money too!

How much does it cost?

Spring season - 8 weeks - $96

Early Summer season - 8 weeks - $96

Late Summer season - 8 weeks - $96

FULL SEASON - $269

Do I have to pay up front?

The short answer is yes. As long as shares are still available, you may sign up and pay at anytime. At sign up, you will pay for one or two whole sessions of 8 weeks, or the whole season of 24 weeks. Again, the best discounts apply to  full season subscription. In the event that you sign up after the season has begun, we will pro-rate your share for the remainder of the session.

Sign me up now!

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Plant Starts this spring!

ORGANIC!

HEIRLOOM!

FLAVOR!

LOCAL!

Hey gardeners! We’ve got something great for you this spring! CHI’S FARM is going to be producing ORGANIC plant starts for sale! We will have a wide variety of crops, using great varieties for our climate. We will also have lots of open pollinated and heirloom varieties available! GIVE YOUR GARDEN A JUMP START THIS SPRING!

HOW WILL YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON THESE STARTS?

We are going to start with plant sales several different Saturdays. Check our blog for dates!  Additionally, once the first starts are ready, you can swing by our farm stand at 142 Towne Rd. any day of the week and grab some starts for the garden!

WHAT MAKES THESE STARTS DIFFERENT?

Lots of greenhouses producing starts use very standard varieties that are bred for commercial farms to produce shippable, flavorless vegetables. CHI’S FARM plant starts are varieties that are known to be delicious and perform well in our climate*. Additionally, we grow our starts using organically approved soils and fertility to give your garden season a great start.

DID I MENTION THEY ARE ORGANIC?

* Every garden is different, every season has unique weather, every gardener works differently. We are not responsible for plant replacement in the event of your starts not surviving or performing poorly.

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Vegetables and Choice

For 2017, it is salad only.

In 2016 this was the program. Maybe this will be the future again in 2018...

What vegetables can I expect to get?

Arugula. Zucchini. Lots in between. Like tomatoes, beets, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, salad mix, fennel, radish, onions….Hey, did I mention we are the newly crowned “Salad Kings?” Really. Get some. Take a look at our seasonal guide to get an idea of when certain vegetables MAY be included. We do our best to vary the vegetables week to week and through the season.

Do I get to choose which vegetables I receive?

The farm decides which items are available each week based on our harvest of seasonal vegetables. Members enjoy some flexibility as well.

See “What if I don’t like certain vegetables?” for more on the item exchange.

What if I don’t like certain vegetables?

Didn’t your mother teach you anything? Eat your kale and LOVE IT! OK,ok, we still have you covered with our item exchange. Depending on availability, we will offer a couple of items as a swap when you pick up. 

Can I get more some weeks than others?

Each week there will be a pre-determined harvest list of vegetables for your share. We have to plan months in advance to have this all ready for you, so there will be a set amount of vegetables included in your share size. However, we plan to have some extra items available for the exchange and for additional purchase. This can be done at either the farms stand, or through the weekly online offering.

How many vegetables do I get each week?

Which type of vegetables will I receive each week?

Do you have a map or a guide or a chart or something?

The sweetheart share will have 5-7 items and should feed 2 modest vegetable eaters, while the family share will have 8-12 items and should feed a family of 4, or 2 crazy vegetable fiends.

Is there fruit? Do you have anything but vegetables? What about eggs? I love eggs!

As CHI’S FARM is just beginning, we do not yet have much fruit production. There will be pears in the fall from the farm. However, we are working on partnering with some fruit producers in order to have some organic fruit available for purchase in addition to your CSA share. Stay tuned! 

Great news on the egg front! Chi’s farm has eggs! We have a flock of pasture raised hens, eating organic feed, and more ladies about to come in to production. There is nothing as good as our fresh eggs! When we sell out, check with our friends and neighbors at Rainbow Farm. They too will have eggs for sale as available at the farmstand.