Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thanksgiving CSA

Many of you have asked about our infamous Thanksgiving CSA Share for this year. We are sorry to say we are not able to offer a share similar to years' past, as we don't have quite the fall harvest we'd hoped we would. That being said, we had already made arrangements to offer locally raised, pastured broad breast turkeys available through a cooperative relationship with another farmer. So get your turkeys here, folks! There will be a range of sizes available at the rate of $3.00 per pound. (From 12-22 lbs.)

If you are interested, please email farm@waywardseed.com and mention Thanksgiving turkeys in the subject line.

Turkeys will be available for pickup on Saturday, November 20th at the North Market, from 8AM to 12 noon.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

2011 CSA Announcement

Dear CSA Member,

With the blink of an eye October has arrived. There's a crispness to the air, the days are getting shorter and the end of the growing season is upon us. In a continued attempt to finish the season with a bang, we're happy to report a successful planting just last Sunday. Lettuce, spinach, radishes, turnips--with our fingers crossed, we've planted even more for fall. With just a little bit of rain, a few sunny days, and evenings not below 40 degrees, these items should be ready in the next 30 days. But while there are still many weeks left of the 2010 CSA, it's time to think about 2011.

We have enjoyed feeding you, your friends, and your family for the last 20 weeks. We appreciate your continued patience with the ebb and flow of the weather and your share. In the countless words of support and encouragement we've received, some of our long-time members commented that they learned more about the source of their food in this season than any other. We like to think we are better for it as well.

With that said, we've spent a lot of time working through our intentions for the CSA program, both next season and beyond. We are making two major changes to our CSA program: We are combining the vegetable and fruit share and we are offering one share size. The share will include our current two-person fruit share and a vegetable share that is slightly larger than our current two-person option, but smaller than the four-person share. We estimate that it will feed a family of four for four meals each week (depending on how often you cook), or it would provide two vegetarians with meals for 5-6 nights each week. As you know, we like to bulk up our shares--and this model will only further encourage that tendency.

Each week you will receive 9-11 items in your share, with roughly 7-8 vegetables and 2-3 fruits. The share will last 25 weeks, from mid-June until early December, costing $36 per week. (For reference, our current 2-person vegetable and 2-person fruit shares have a combined cost of $40 per week. The 2011 share will be larger and slightly less in cost.) Additionally, there will be a limited number of shares available, so we would encourage you to sign up sooner than later if you believe the share is a good fit for your needs. Lastly, we will continue to offer Snowville Creamery and Cafe Brioso coffee as supplements to your share.

Some of you are likely asking, "What about my fruit share?" or, "What about my bi-weekly share?" We encourage those of you affected by the changeover to consider splitting a share by alternating pick-up weeks with another member. We have many bi-weekly members who will be looking for partners as we transition to this new model. We are happy to help make those connections by encouraging you to post your request on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/waywardseed. And of course, we will do whatever we can to assist you as well.

Also in 2011, we will be pursuing organic certification. By all accounts we expect to be certified at some point during the season. We are also offering an online system for our customers that will not only allow you to manage your own share, but will also make our own record keeping and communications far more
timely and efficient. And despite all that is changing, you can trust that the quality you've come to expect from us will not simply continue, but will increase. This new model will allow us to become more focused, efficient and successful farmers--which creates stability for all of us in the years ahead.

We thank you in advance for your understanding. We have toiled for weeks deciding how to best move Wayward Seed forward in the next year and the many years to come. We've made these changes with our customers in mind, as well as the vitality and health of both the farm and our own quality of life. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be in touch as quickly as we can.

One last note: Payment will be due in full no later than March 1, 2011. Our online ordering system will be up and running the first week of November, and for those members who have committed to 2011, we will notify you by email when your order can be placed. We are giving current members first priority for the 2011 season and will open orders to the public on October 16.

Thanks again.

Jaime Moore & Adam Welly

Monday, June 21, 2010

S.O.S. Update

Things are finally starting to dry up. With your help, and some help from Mother Nature, we’ve weeded more than 20 beds, saved more than 10,000 plants, and will finally be able to plant seeds for future harvest. In addition to those who generously donated your time in the past weeks, we’ve received countless emails of kindness, support and understanding. Those of you who know us well know that this decision did not come easily, nor did we take it lightly. A million thanks would not be enough.

And now for the best news we could possibly bring you: We will resume all deliveries this week, under the normal schedule. For bi-weekly members that may have missed their first week due to the farm conditions, we’ll make it up–we promise. We have beets, swiss chard and rat tail radish pods that are ready to be harvested, and summer squash and beans are close behind.

And finally, for those of you who are new to Wayward Seed and new to CSA in general, we especially appreciate your patience. Please know that nothing about the last few weeks is typical of any harvest season. We, too, are adjusting to the unexpected nature of it all. The majority of our members have been with us for several seasons, and as we’re sure they can confirm, the volume of food increases as the weeks go by. Just wait until fall arrives!

If you are still interested in volunteering, please watch the blog (Emmy Says), A Well Fed Seed, Twitter or Facebook for our current needs. For the time being, we’ll post our needs for volunteers in the morning hours, on a needed basis. For those who are unavailable at the present moment and want to volunteer, don’t worry, we plan to implement a regular volunteer schedule within a few weeks.

Again, we thank you! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email.

Friday, June 18, 2010

S.O.S. Update

We can not thank you enough for the outpouring of support and encouragement over the last few days. It's remarkable the difference just a day or two can make. Whether you've joined us on the farm, or simply called or emailed, it means a lot to know that you understand and support our decision to suspend your vegetable shares.

As of today, with the help of more than thirty volunteers, the sun, the wind, and finally the cooperation of Mother Nature, our fields are turning around. While we're not out of the woods yet, we've made a significant impact on the weeds, and therefore, your vegetables. There are portions of the field that remain under water and will therefore be tilled under and replanted. Once the portions of the field are tilled, we will replant for a full fall harvest.

Because of each of you, the tide has turned and our fields are recovering. Thank you again for making the difference.

For the weekend, we will welcome volunteers on Saturday from 9AM to 3PM. Please stay tuned for more updates and details of the situation. We will plan another update at the end of day on Sunday, or Monday morning.

We'll be working on the farm at Oakvale Farmstead. The address is:

1285 State Route 29
London, Ohio 43140

If you're coming from the city, the easiest route is Interstate 70 West, towards Dayton. Exit Route 29. Turn RIGHT off exit, onto Route 29, towards Mechanicsburg. Pass through the stop light at US 42 and travel about two miles. Just past Lafayette Plain City Road, the driveway will be on the LEFT, before the barns. Turn LEFT into driveway and drive around to park in front of the barn (you should see plenty of cars). If you see the Oakvale Farmstead Cheese sign turn around you've gone too far.

Wear boots, hats, gloves, sunscreen... Be prepared for the elements. To keep you hydrated, we'll have plenty of water on hand.

If you have any questions before arriving or need help with directions, please call Adam at (614) 226-8548. If you need anything else, not pertaining to volunteering, please call me at either number listed below.

With gratitude,

Jaime Moore
Wayward Seed Farm
14950 Fladt Road
Marysville, Ohio 43040

Office: 937.644.0786
Cell: 614.327.0102

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

If you're hoping to volunteer....

Dear Members,

Your support is overwhelming and encouraging. We could not possibly thank you enough.

Here’s the plan…

We’ll be working on the farm at Oakvale Farmstead. The address is:

1285 State Route 29
London, Ohio 43140

If you’re coming from the city, the easiest route is Interstate 70 West, towards Dayton. Exit Route 29. Turn RIGHT off exit, onto Route 29, towards Mechanicsburg. Pass through the stop light at US 42 and travel about two miles. Just past Lafayette Plain City Road, the driveway will be on the LEFT, before the barns. Turn LEFT into driveway and drive around to park in front of the barn (you should see plenty of cars). If you see the Oakvale Farmhouse Cheese sign, turn around you’ve gone too far.

Our staff will be in the fields from 9AM to 8PM on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Any help you can provide is appreciated and you’re welcome to join us at any time during the day, for as long, or as little, as you’d like.

Wear boots, hats, sunscreen…be prepared for the elements. To keep you hydrated, we’ll have plenty of water on hand.

If you have any questions before arriving or need help with directions, please call Adam at (614) 327-0102. Otherwise just come on out!

With gratitude,

Jaime Moore
Wayward Seed Farm
14950 Fladt Road
Marysville, Ohio 43040

Office: 937.644.0786
Cell: 614.327.0102

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

S.O.S. (Save Our Shares)

We are so sorry to come to you with such unfortunate news. As members of a CSA program, you share in both the risk and the reward of a local farm. Fortunately for both our farm and our members, we've been blessed with abundance and reward, and experienced very little risk. This season, however, has not been as kind as seasons' past. For the first time in the history of our CSA program, we need to suspend the delivery of vegetable shares.

As you all know, we have been dealing with wet fields and small floods for the past several weeks. The rain we've received over the last few days--especially last night--has taken the fields from muck to flood. Over the last two weeks, in total, the farm has received more than 20 inches of rain. We are now in a standing water situation that is, at the very least, delaying the crops and at the worst, threatening their existence.

Not only is the water a source of concern, but also the sudden invasion of vast amounts of weeds. Because we are a farm that refuses to use pesticides, we often harvest the vegetables through the weeds. While the pervasiveness of weeds is often a joke among those of us in the fields, the continuous rain has given the weeds the upper hand and they are now a second major threat to the crops. We are furiously hand weeding the fields in every hour of light we have--and we need your help. If you are able to offer any amount of your time, at any time this week, to help us clear the fields we would be so grateful. Please call Jaime at (937) 644-0786 or (614) 327-0102 if you are ready and willing to help.

So what does this mean to our shareholders? These fields are yours as much as they are ours, and it's our promise to you that we will do everything possible to get vegetable shares up and running as quickly as we can. Quality and service are of the utmost importance to us, and we will work tirelessly until we are able to once again resume delivery of vegetables to our members. We would rather suspend shares in the short term than give you anything that does not meet our standards of cleanliness and quality. We will still be delivering fruit, milk and coffee shares this week, so please continue to pick up those shares as usual. We are taking this situation day by day, but for the week of June 15th (today) through Monday, June 21st, we will not be able to deliver vegetable shares. If you are a vegetable-only member, there is no need to pick up this week at your location, unless you'd like to speak with us personally. If so, we'll be there.

This current situation in no way means that the entire season's harvest is at risk. At worst, we are hoping this is simply a very short term scenario that will turn around with the sun and dryness we so desperately need. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this difficult situation, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this might cause. We will be sharing this information and updates online as well as via email. We will always email you, and we will also offer updates via our blog A Well Fed Seed, Twitter and Facebook. Stay tuned--we will share some pictures of the farm as well as a volunteer schedule very soon.

With gratitude,

Jaime Moore & Adam Welly

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

2010 Delivery Schedule

Excitement is in the air. With the first of many markets getting their start last weekend, we're renewed with optimism for the new growing season.

And with that, it's time to announce our 2010 CSA delivery schedule.

Bexley:
Parkview Avenue, Wednesdays, 1:00-2:30pm

Campus:
Market at 15th & High, Thursdays, 4:00-7:00pm

Clintonville:
Clintonville Farmers' Market, Saturdays, 9:00am-12:00pm
Glen Echo, Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30pm

Columbus:
Diamond Innovations, Tuesdays, 1:30-2:30pm

Delaware:
St. Mary Church, Thursdays, 4:00-6:00pm

Downtown:
Nationwide Children's Hospital, Wednesdays, 3:00-5:30pm
North Market Farmers' Market, Saturdays, 8:00am-12:00pm
Ohio Department of Health, Wednesdays, 11:00am-12:30pm
Resource Interactive, Tuesdays, 4:30-6:30pm

Dublin:
Dublin Farmers' Market, Wednesdays, 4:00-7:00pm
Dublin Recreation Center, Thursdays, 4:00-6:00pm

Grove City:
City Hall, Thursdays, 4:30-6:30pm

Hilliard:
Hilliard Farm Market, Tuesdays, 4:00-7:00pm
Scioto Run, Thursdays, 6:30-8:00pm

Lewis Center:
The Rite Bite, Thursdays, 6:30-8:00pm

Marysville:
Mill Valley, Thursdays, 2:00-3:30pm

Westerville:
Little Turtle, Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30pm

Worthington:
Colonial Hills, Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00pm
Olde Worthington Farmers Market, Saturdays, 9:00am-12:00pm
Riley Avenue, Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30pm
The Hills Market, Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30pm

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us via phone at (937) 644-0786 or email at farm@waywardseed.com.

Monday, May 10, 2010

2010 CSA Shares

It's a sign that the 2010 CSA season is near... All fruit and one person vegetable shares are sold out for the season. We have a few two and four person shares left, but don't delay, they'll go quickly.

For more information, please email us at farm@waywardseed.com or call us at (937) 644-0786.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

CSA Open House

It's a new season and we're partnering with our favorite local grocery! Join the Wayward Seed Farm on The Veranda at The Hills Market for a CSA Open House. Whether you're a current member of the Wayward family, a CSA newcomer or just simply curious about local farming, please join us on Monday, May 3rd from 6-8pm.

As a part of our partnership, the Wayward Seed Farm will deliver CSA shares to The Hills Market every Wednesday evening throughout the season. Who has the time for running around town? Pick up your share and your groceries in one stop! For more information, please email us at farm@waywardseed.com.

No need to RSVP; the more the merrier. Please feel free to bring your friends!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Farmers' Market on Campus

For immediate release: April 29, 2010
Media contacts: Jaime Moore at Wayward Seed, Jaime@waywardseed.com or (937) 644-0786; Karen Simonian at the Wexner Center, ksimonian@wexarts.org or (614) 292-9923

The Market at 15th and High kicks off May 27th

The Wayward Seed Farm and the Wexner Center for the Arts have joined forces to present the Market at 15th and High, an outdoor farmers' market on the Wexner Center Plaza Thursdays from 4 to 7pm, May 27 through October 28. The largest of its kind in the campus area, the market will feature fresh, locally grown produce from area farmers, as well as dairy products and bread. About 12 local farms are expected to participate.

Notes Jaime Moore, co-owner of the Marysville-based Wayward Seed, which is serving as the market manager and will be a vendor as well, "The farmers are excited about this new venue, which has the potential to draw students, faculty, staff, and residents in the university area throughout the summer and early fall. This initiative is going to give more people in the area access to fresh food from local farms on a weekly basis, and we're delighted to be a part of this from the ground up."

Wexner Center Director Sherri Geldin says, "We are so pleased to partner with Wayward Seed in creating this fantastic new opportunity for the university community. The Market at 15th and High represents a center-wide commitment to encouraging environmental awareness-whether through ongoing collaborations with The Ohio State's Living Culture Initiative or such programs as our recent Field & Screen film series. Wex Education Director Shelly Casto, who also conceived the center's pioneering Art & Environment program for teens, has spearheaded this project on our behalf, along with a host of staff members across the center who share her enthusiasm."

The market will be held rain or shine, and 100% of the profits will go directly to local farmers. Food stamps and WIC will be accepted by some vendors, and the market organizers will deliver produce and other donations to the food pantry at Neighborhood Services following each market. A few vendors will also be participating in CSAs-Community Supported Agriculture, in which farmers deliver shares of produce on a weekly basis to subscribers. Acoustic music and student and university neighborhood nonprofit outreach tables will also be part of the experience.

While visitors are at the Wexner Center, they can enjoy free gallery admission at the center while exhibitions are on view (free from 4 to 8pm every Thursday). In addition, free outdoor Wex Drive-In films will be held on the plaza June 17, July 15, and August 19; although those films don't start 'til dusk (9pm or so), the market will likely stay open a bit later those nights to overlap with the pre-film festivities (free Jeni's ice cream and more), all of which starts up around 8pm. In addition, Michael Mercil's Virtual Pasture, an "agri/cultural" project-featuring a small meadow, apple trees, and a video uplink to an actual farm with sheep-will continue through the summer outdoors on the College Road side of the Wexner Center.

The market is in line with the university's and the center's focus on sustainability, "green" efforts, food quality and access issues, the local and slow food movements, and climate change issues, all of which befits a land-grant institution. Within that broader context, the Wexner Center has been offering up a thread of food-centered programming, including the popular Field & Screen series in February, which featured films about the food industry and food consumption; panel discussions and other talks; and a mini-CSA fair attended by several area farmers.

About Wayward Seed Farm
Founded in the spring of 2006, Wayward Seed Farm began as a farm-to-restaurant project on one acre in Sandusky County producing more than 100 different varietals of heirloom and heritage vegetables. In addition to serving restaurants, the farm established a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program with the intent to foster a direct connection between consumers searching for honestly grown produce and the farms that provide it. The Wayward Seed CSA program is now the anchor of the farming operation and one of the largest CSA offerings in Central Ohio. Wayward Seed Farm's commitment to sustainability and education extends beyond the farm to include community outreach and donation, as well as the formation of new farmers' markets throughout Central Ohio. For more information, visit www.waywardseed.com.

About the Wexner Center for the Arts
The Wexner Center for the Arts is The Ohio State University's multidisciplinary, international laboratory for the exploration and advancement of contemporary art. Through exhibitions, screenings, performances, artist residencies, and educational programs, the Wexner Center acts as a forum where established and emerging artists can test ideas and where diverse audiences can participate in cultural experiences that enhance understanding of the art of our time. In its programs, the Wexner Center balances a commitment to experimentation with a commitment to traditions of innovation and affirms the university's mission of education, research, and community service. For more information, visit www.wexarts.org.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Edible Columbus

Edible Columbus Arrival and Spring Celebration
Friday, April 2nd from 6-7:30pm

It's here! Join us on Friday, April 2nd, as we celebrate the arrival of Edible Columbus, a magazine that celebrates our local food culture season by season. As a member of the Wayward Seed Family, you'll be one of the first to receive a copy of the debut issue. Meet the editor, savor seasonal bites and mingle with Wayward Seed. For more details, or to RSVP, view the invite here.

We hope to see you there!

Friday, March 26, 2010

CSA Open House

CSA Open House
Wild Goose Creative
Monday, March 29th from 5-8pm

We're bringing back on of last year's popular events-the CSA Open House. On Monday, March 29th, the Wayward Seed Farm will host a meet and greet with an array of local farms offering Community Supported Agriculture shares in 2010 at Wild Goose Creative. Don't miss the chance to learn what farm to table is really all about! Take this opportunity to talk with your local farmers and learn how you and your family can eat healthier, support your community and even save money while enjoying the season's best foods.

Sassafras Bakery and House Wine will be there as well, offering complimentary handmade goods and organic wines. Join us for an evening meet and greet with local producers from 5-8pm. The event is open to everyone, so please bring your friends.

For more information, including directions, please email us at farm@waywardseed.com or visit http://www.wildgoosecreative.com/.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Meet Your Farmers: A Community Supported Agriculture Fair

As a lead-in to Thursday’s films and perfectly aligned with the Wexner Center Field & Screen series, representatives from several local farms, including Wayward Seed Farm, will be in the cafĂ© to speak with guests individually about the virtues and possibilities of community supported agriculture (CSA). Learn more about the simplicity of finding food raised close to home in a relaxed and conversational atmosphere.

Join us Thursday, February 25th at the Wexner Center. The farms will be available before the start of the evening’s film from 5-7PM. The event is open to everyone. Whether you’re a current member of the Wayward family, a CSA newcomer or just simply curious about local farming, please join us! (And bring your friends!)

Presented in collaboration with the Wexner Center for the Arts and Local Matters.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Six Degrees of Dublin

Friday, February 12, 2010
6:45-8:30pm

Dublin, Ohio celebrates 200 years in 2010. A successful place like Dublin doesn't reach that age without a whole lot of people, most of them unsung, doing the things that make a city, a community. In creating the web series 'Six Degrees of Community' we spent a lot of time pondering what kind of people make a place like Dublin tick. More to the point we thought about how those kinds of people are connected in ways they don't even realize.

Monthly, leading up to Historic Dublin's September Bicentennial Celebration, we'll chronicle those special people that make Dublin what it is today, and what it will be in the future. A place that thriving small businesses and large corporations both call home. A city that builds beautiful and forward thinking schools, and takes care of those who find themselves struggling with life's sometimes difficult circumstances. A community that nurtures the arts and throws open it's doors for thousands every summer at The Memorial and Dublin Irish Festival.

In 'Six Degrees of Dublin' we'll highlight some of those people who do the "heavy lifting" required to make Dublin more than just common zip codes and freeway exits... much more.

The evening will start off with a panel discussion on sustainability and the importance of local foods and farming. The guest moderator is Timothy Wolf Starr of The SBB and the panelist include Jaime Moore from Wayward Seed Farm, Jamie Adkins, City of Dublin Sustainability Programs Administrator, and Michael Jones, Executive Director of Local Matters.

After a brief panel discussion we will premiere the initial video episode of 'Six Degrees of Dublin'. Upon conclusion of the video we'll have musical performances from Fade To Blue and Jared Mahone.

We will conclude the evening with light snacks and networking in the lobby of Abbey Theater.

The 'Six Degrees of Dublin' video and event project is a collaboration between OnScene, Palestra Creative, JAM Sessions and the Historic Dublin Business Association (HDBA) that takes a multi-touch approach to showcasing the current status of Dublin, Ohio's local community. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Makin' Bacon

In just a few weeks we're hosting a cooking class at the North Market as part of the Dispatch School of Cooking series. There are quite a few of you who will be thrilled at the subject matter: Adam is makin' bacon. Below you'll see a brief write up on the class. Be sure to sign up soon to save your seat. Space is very limited, just 20 seats!


Makin' Bacon with Wayward Seed Farm
Thursday, February 18, 2010
6:30-8:30PM

In this Dispatch School of Cooking class, we’ll have the rare opportunity to learn from one of Central Ohio’s most talented farmers: Adam Welly of The Wayward Seed Farm. The farm is renowned for its rare heirloom and heritage vegetables, but it has also garnered a bit of a cult following among its CSA members with Adam’s bacon and other charcuterie. Don’t miss the rare opportunity to learn from Adam first-hand in this intimate setting—not to mention the treat of tasting an array of preserved and cured meats, served in surprising ways.

We’ll be serving jowl bacon wrapped dates, pork rillette with homemade sauerkraut and golden raisins, microgreens salad with Canadian Bacon and Fuji Apples, and a very special ice cream collaboration with Jeni Britton Bauer.

While you're enjoying the good eats, Adam will demonstrate how to create your own pancetta and Canadian bacon at home.

The class is $50 (or any 3 classes for $125).

Call 614-463-9664 to register or buy tickets online here.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

GenWex Presents AgriCulture

Wexner Center for the Arts
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 7:00pm

Tonight's discussion introduces topics related to the production, distribution, and use of locally grown, sustainably produced food in conjunction with the Field and Screen film series.

Central Ohio is home to an extraordinary network of farms, producers, and restaurants that make local, sustainable food a top priority. Tonight, Jaime Moore from Wayward Seed Farm in Marysville and Jeni Britton Bauer from Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams talk about their working relationships and the future of local food in Ohio, in a discussion moderated by Amy Bodiker from Chefs Collaborative, a national network that advocates for sustainable food in the culinary community.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Organic Wines with Wayward Seed Farm

While some may consider January a slow time of year, we're still feeling festive-and we're gearing up for a great 2010 growing season. Early last year we hosted an event at House Wine in Worthington and it was such a rousing success that we're back to do it again. The event is open to everyone. Whether you're a current member of the Wayward family, a CSA newcomer or just simply curious about local farming, please join us! (And bring your friends!)

The event will be held Thursday, January 28th from 6-9pm at House Wine in Worthington. The wine tasting is $15, but not required to attend and customers can taste at their own pace. Reservations are not required. Also, there will be plenty of free parking. For more information, including directions, please email us at farm@waywardseed.com or visit www.housewine.biz.

One final note: Guests joining us to learn about CSA and to participate in the wine tasting will be eligible to win a wonderful gift prepared by House Wine.

We hope to see you there!