Hellgate CSA

News from Lewis Waite Farm

Farm Update
The haying is finally done! The last bale put in the barn. It is ironic that the season began quite late when the early summer rains would not quit, and now we wind up the last of the haying in a drought. The ground is very dry. The grass on the hills where the soil is rocky and thin is burnt and brown. Certain patches of the pastures seem green but re-growth after the last trimming by the cows is very slow to come back. All the seasonal streams are dry and the streams that generally run all year seem a trickle of their former selves. Luckily we have 2 ponds to use for emergency watering. Today’s forecast included rain but we have yet to see a rain cloud looming. Garden seeds planted for fall crops of carrots, beets, lettuce, kale and kohlrabi are barely germinating. Let’s hope for a couple of days of steady light rains to jump-start our transition to fall. The leaves of some of the trees in dry locations are starting to turn their fall colors and falling. This is the end of the dog days of summer. The good thing is that the tomatoes love it, our swimming in our pond and tubing on the Battenkill are extended, and there is plenty of war weather to come before the chilly winds begin.

News from Lewis Waite Farm

3 Corner Field Farm

3 Corner Field Farm supplies grass-fed lamb and mutton as well as sheep's' milk cheese and yogurt to the CSAs. They are one of the few farms in the country that milk sheep for use in the production of gourmet cheeses and yogurt. Their sheep are raised with care and respect on beautiful, organically managed pastures, and never given hormones or unnecessary antibiotics. They are raised the old-fashioned way: outdoors, on pasture, eating natural grass, clover, and alfalfa. The result is tastier and more wholesome food for you, a better life for the sheep, and a healthier environment for all of us.

The following websites are from the local newspaper, The Post-Star. The first is a marvelous video of Karen and the workings of the farm and the second is an interesting write-up of 3 Corner Field Farm. Enjoy!

Video: Down on the Sheep Farm

Article: A Rarer Breed of Cheese

Karen will be having a new batch of lamb for this order. We've got it listed on the website.

West River Creamery

West River Creamery, the home of the raw cow's milk cheeses is running short of the Middletown Tomme this month and they are waiting for their next batch to complete its aging process so this will not be available this month. They do have 3 new cheeses to try:

• A raw cow's milk Feta cheese to offer in approximately 1/2 lb blocks at $10 each.
• An ~ 8oz container of Marinated Feta with grape seed oil, garlic, sun dried tomato, fresh ground black pepper, oregano, thyme, and rosemary for $8.00
• A smooth, soft washed rind cheese with a bold and rich flavor called Three Mountain Cheese in an approximately 1/3lb wedge for $6.50 each. Try some!

News from Lewis Waite Farm

Catching Up and New Meat

In this, the busiest time of year for us, we at Lewis Waite Farm have gotten a bit behind. With all we have to do and with the holiday which was the Lake Placid Farmers Market day, we’ve had no chance to play catch up! We’re on the brink of the next order deadline and I apologize for this.

News from Lewis Waite Farm

Nancy and Runty

Well, the inevitable happened today (Tuesday June 5). I finally did a full back flop in the muddiest part of the pig pen! I have skidded down muddy slopes. I have tripped and fallen to my knees. I have gone sliding and arms flailing down a slippery clay slope. As a skier for many years, I am pretty good at keeping my balance. But never until today did I have to undress from my muddy slimy jeans and jacket in the porch before I came inside. Luckily we live on a dead end road. Luckily it was raining and cold all day so I had long pants and a waterproof jacket. And luckily I was all done with my chores and I just had to put away the wheelbarrow and come inside.