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December 3, 2005
Highlights:
* Review (of 2005) in rhyme
* Reminder of Shareholder Agreement
* CSG Totes and T-Shirts Special Discount
The End of the Season (2005) . . .
T'was the end of the season, and all through the fields,
Not a shareholder was picking, nor bringing in yields,
The past one was good, our harvest was plenty,
There wasn't a week, when we didn't have any.
Thanks to dear Amy, our farmer at hand,
Thanks to her helpers, and the microbes and this land.
Through drought and dismay, the weeks kept on going,
At last came the rain and again tomatoes were growing.
Here at La Vista, we are diligent folk,
We work in committees and appreciably note:
There are many who work, let us call them by name,
Shareholders lending their talents, bringing our CSG to fame.
There's Outreach, and Website, and Membership too,
There's Finance, and Publicity & Marketing too,
There's Equipment and Building with deer fences to fix,
There's Education with classes to learn a new mix.
There's Core Group and needs for writing us Grants,
There's Search Group and those who just want to plant...
There are greeters and pickers on each harvest day,
And Work Days and Gatherings when we eat and we play!
Recently begun was a sustainable living class
To freshen our minds on better ways from the past,
And now we have printed T-shirts and totes
To show to the world CSGs win our vote.
We've come round full cycle, so what's new for next season:
A farmer named Larson
A share called Spring Greens
And perhaps some veggies we've not before seen!
From this Community Garden that we all support,
Comes giving and living of many diverse sorts.
We share in our friendships, we share in our shares,
And knowing our food source we give utmost care.
To all fellow shareholders with a prayer from the heart,
Support our garden at La Vista as the new season starts.
So let us exclaim as we send in for next year,
"God Bless CSAs and ALL their good cheer!"
Reminder of 2006 Shareholder Agreement
Many harvest shares for the 2006 Regular season have already been purchased. November 15 was the due date for the first payment in order
to fund upfront the cost of seeds, new equipment and our farmer's salary. February 15 is the date for the second (and final) payment for the 2006 season. Please send in your payment as soon as possible, if you have
not already done so. Shares are filling up, so please pass the word to family and friends who were unable to be with us last year. The Shareholder Agreement may be downloaded from our website, www.lavistacsa.org . The barn office is closed during the month of December, so please call Fr. Maurice at the Ecological Learning Center at 618-466-5004 with questions.
CSG T-Shirts and Tote Bags Special December Discount
Through December, our new CSG T-shirts and tote bags are available at a 25% discounted price for multiple item purchases.
They were a quick sell at the Harvest Party. If you were unable to be there or have another special someone you would like to give them to, they are still available. A purchase of either t-shirt (@ $16) or tote bag
(@ $12) benefits our CSG as well as makes a great gift! Here's how to order:
Shirts and totes can be purchased at:
Compunet
708 Milton Road, Alton
ask for Jim Sullivan or call him at Compunet at 463-9820
the store is open 9am - 6pm Monday thru Friday
and 9am - 1pm Saturday
Checks should be made out to:
Community Supported Garden at La Vista (or CSG at La Vista)
If you would like to receive your order by USPS Priority Mail, send your check to:
CSG at La Vista
4350 Levis Lane
Godfrey, IL 62035
To cover postage anywhere in the Godfrey - St. Louis area, add
$3.95 for 1 or 2 items
$4.75 for 3 to 5 items
$5.30 for 6 to 8 items
November 27, 2005
Garden News
· New Farmer Announcement
· Introduction
· Welcoming Party
New Farmer Announcement
The Search Committee for the farmer position spent ten weeks this fall, advertising, interviewing and discerning head farmer
candidates. Following their recommendation, the Core Group met in executive session and approved their first-choice candidate. We are now pleased to announce the hiring of our new head farmer: Kris Larson.
Kris comes to us with six years of CSA experience and will begin as our Head Farmer on January 1, 2006. He will be moving here from western Massachusetts in mid-December with his wife, Stacey, and their infant son,
Jacob.
Introduction
I was born in Watseka, Illinois, and raised in suburban Southeastern U.S. Following high school in
Spartanburg, SC, I spent three years working seasonally in the West and eventually made my way to California, where I attended Humboldt State University on the northern redwood coast, completing a degree in Natural
Resources Planning. I was preparing to work for a Federal natural resources agency when farming changed everything. By the mid-nineties, small-scale organic farming was thriving on the west coast. Farmer's Markets
and community-supported farms were making a big splash in the local food economy. Out of curiosity, I volunteered at a nearby CSA and was hooked by the first day.
In the six years since, I've worked on farms in Oregon and Massachusetts, helping grow vegetables and soft fruits for up to 600 families and running a stand at
farmer's markets. At the same time, I witnessed the resilient vitality of the mutually-beneficial farm-to-family bond, a relationship that is as innovative as it is traditional. Over the years, I've loved growing
excellent food and bringing farming one step closer to the dinner table. At its best, CSA is a year of excellent home-made meals and a part of a good and healthy life.
Farming has turned out to be more than growing food, though, as I met my wife, also a farmer, while washing carrots in November, 2002. We were married in the
autumn of 2003 and welcomed our son, Jacob, this past August. More than anything, we want to raise and support our family through farming.
I'm excited to be part of La Vista, to be your farmer and very much look forward to seeing you at the farm!
Kris Larson
Welcoming Party
Warm up on Sunday, January 8, 2006,
as we welcome Head Farmer Kris Larson and his family to our Community Supported Garden at La Vista. We will meet in the greenhouse from 2PM–4PM
to get acquainted and discuss some new ideas for the 2006 season. As always, please bring some delicious snacks/lunch, a chair, and your own eating service ware. SEE YOU THERE!
November 12, 2005
T-Shirts & Totes Now Available!
We hope you're as excited as we are about the
t-shirts and tote bags! The new graphic was donated by a shareholder's father, local artist James K. Schmidt. His artwork incorporates symbols of the regenerative cycle of nature that produces the growth and harvest
we love at La Vista Community Supported Garden. Printed on natural, organic, 100% cotton t-shirt and canvas tote bag, the spring green and autumn gold colors are happy reminders of the season.
The shirts and bags are from ECOBags Products, Inc. who we chose for their organic products and respect for the planet and one another. Their website (http://www.ecobags.com) states that they
"exist to provide products, information and inspiration that help people reduce, re-use and recycle. Starting with the simple step of bringing your own bag to shop may seem trivial, but it creates a 'mindset' that has a big impact on those who make that choice. Like anything, the more people who take this simple step, the more it seems like the natural and right thing to do."
The bags are certified natural organic cotton, made by a family owned company in India. Their fair wage and labor practices ensure that all workers are over 18 and receive 30 days
vacation and full medical.
We think you'll like carrying YOUR fresh produce in a LaVista Garden tote bag (no more eco-unfriendly plastic bags!). Or maybe you'll use it for a towel and swimsuit or to transport
books home from the library. However you use it, you'll be saying that you endorse Community Supported Agriculture - right here in Godfrey, Illinois!
Shirts and bags can be purchased at the Harvest Party on Sunday 11/13/05 or at
Compunet, 708 Milton Road, Alton, IL 618-462-9820
Monday - Friday 9am to 6pm
Saturday 9am to 1pm
T-shirts are $16, available in S, M, L, XL, XXL
Tote bags are $10
-- 25% discount is offered on multiple item purchases through 12/31/05
-- 10% discount on multiple item purchases after 12/31/05
-- full price for a single item
Checks should be made out to "CSG at LaVista"
November 10, 2005
Garden News
- Harvest Party & Farewell to Farmer Amy
- 2006 Shares - 1st Payment Due 11/15/5
- T-Shirt & Tote - 25% Discount for a Limited Time
The Harvest Party is THIS Sunday, November 13 at 4pm in the Greenhouse. Bring a potluck dish, plates, mug, silverware, chairs, family and friends. Come say goodbye and best wishes to
Farmer Amy. Let's end the season together!
The first payment for 2006 shares is due 11/15. Shareholder Agreement Forms will be available at the Harvest Party and we will be accepting payments at that time. By being prompt with
the first payment we are better able to cover pre-season costs such as seeds, potting soil and farmer salary. Additionally, after 11/15, we will be making shares available to the rest of the community on a first
come, first served basis.
The form is also available on the website at http://www.lavistacsa.org/Agreement2006.pdf
The new Garden t-shirt and tote will be available for sale at the Harvest Party at a 25% discount when more than one item is purchased. Support our Garden and Community Supported
Agriculture with these new products. We think you'll like the great new graphic!
Hope to see you all Sunday!
November 2, 2005
IN THE NEWS:
- Harvest party coming up!
- Garden T-shirts and Totes Available
- 2006 Season Registration Forms
Harvest Party – Sunday 11/13 @ 4:00
All shareholders and your family and friends are invited to celebrate the bounty and success of the 2005 growing season by attending the annual Harvest Party.
You won't want to miss this evening shared with fun friends, fine food and a fiercely flaming fire.
Bring a dish to share and your own plate, mug and silverware, as well as a chair, your kids, prospective shareholders, a guitar and plenty of organic spirit!
We'll be gathering in the greenhouse where it will be nice and warm, but you might still want to bundle up if it's cold outside.
Be prepared to have a great evening!
**NEW** Garden T-Shirts and Tote Bags
Just in time for the holiday season - - -
The new and fashionable LaVista Garden T-Shirt and Tote Bags will be available for purchase at the Harvest Party.
T-Shirts - $16
Tote Bags - $10
2006 Shareholder Agreement Available
We are actively interviewing several good candidates for the head farmer position and are getting excited about the upcoming 2006 growing season.
You can secure your share of next year's harvest by completing the Shareholder Agreement and sending in your payment.
The Shareholder Agreement form is available on the website at http://www.lavistacsa.org/Agreement2006.pdf
Share prices will remain the same.
A "full share" is $500 and an "alternate share" is $300.
The first payment is requested by November 15, 2005 to cover pre-season farmer salary, seeds and potting soil.
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