U-Pick Guidelines
There is an issue we need to bring to your attention and ask for your help. This problem has steadily increased over the past few years. Thank you for cooperating with us.
Over the past several years we have noticed more and more customers picking various crops that aren’t ready for U-Pick. Also some customers wander into our fields where we grow produce that is not for U-Pick, even though Norm sets up sawhorses to block the area. More than one sawhorse has been run over. Several times customers have also run over our irrigation pipes, ruining the pipes. From time to time we’ve even had customers bring fruit from the neighbor’s trees for us to weigh. Sometimes customers pick on trees in our orchard that are clearly marked “Do Not Pick” or “Personal Tree, Do Not Pick.” Norm doesn’t have enough “Do Not Pick” signs to put them on each plant or tree. The other day someone brought up some very unripe SunCrest peaches. When told the peaches weren’t ready yet this customer seemed to just shrug it off. She even admitted that she knew there were “Do Not Pick” signs all over the orchard. We wonder what she will think when these peaches finally turn soft, but taste terrible because they were picked so green.
How can you help? Please stop at the house each time you come to pick. We will happily direct you to the items we have for U-Pick. We list everything available for U-Pick on our big green price board. If it isn’t on that list please check with us before picking. And if you see someone in an area that says “Do Not Pick” please mention it to them or bring it to our attention up at the sales porch. Jokingly we’ve had a few other solutions suggested to us: charge double for anything not on the green price board, hire a roving band of paint ball commandos, use a bullhorn to shout out to offenders… However, we prefer to have our customers read our green price board, follow directions and ask for permission to pick anything that is not on the green price board.
Thank you for your help. Norm & Cinda
Farm News
News From Garden Girl Co.
The Garden Girl continues to stock the shelves in The Garden Shed with her culinary creations. Be sure to go inside and see what is available when you are at the farm. Besides the yummy treats, vintage garden potting benches, garden decor and bird feeders are available for sale.
For more information please call the farm 541-672-2745 or go to
www.GardenGirlCo.com
We also sell fresh local honey at our sales area.
Pets/Dogs at the Farm:
We would like to remind you about our pet/dog policy. We take food safety very seriously, and due to the fact that dogs ‘leave their calling card’ wherever they get the urge, we ask that you leave your pets/dogs at home when you come to the farm. This would be better than leaving them in your hot car when you are here. We don’t have a dog potty area here at the farm, as every available space is growing something for sale to the public. It’s awkward and embarrassing to ask someone to put their pet/dog back into the car, but we will take the initiative if necessary. Thank you for your cooperation.
Donated Used Plastic Bags:
We regret that we no longer take used plastic bags to use with our produce. We’ve purchased new bags instead. While most of the recycled bags were quite clean, many were very dirty. By only offering new bags it will help to assure our customers that we are trying to be as careful about food safety as we can. The best thing is to bring your own picking containers.
If you are interested we do sell reusable cotton tote bags for $4.50 each.
Upcoming Event: “Sauerkraut Time” – October 1, 2011
“Sauerkraut Time” a demonstration and hands-on class will be taught by Master Food Preserver, Ed Hoffman, on Saturday, October 1, 2011. There will be two sessions, the first from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and the second from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Ed will demonstrate how to make sauerkraut and tell us all we need to know about the process. Printed recipes and instructions will be provided. The demonstration is free of charge.
At the hands-on portion of the “Sauerkraut Time” classes, Ed will assist us as we make 1 gallon of sauerkraut. The cost for the hands-on class is $6.00 (per gallon). We will provide the cabbage and canning salt. You must bring a 1-gallon glass jar. Plastic containers are acceptable as long as they are food-grade and have a wide mouth opening. Space is limited to 20 people per session, so please register and pay for the class soon. We have a sign-up sheet at the farm. Call the farm, at 541-672-2745 or email us if you have questions.