Welcome to Threshing Table Farm’s 2013 Season!

Happy May!!

We welcome the spring rains and warmer weather with open arms! We're often asked if the late spring will affect our season. We are definitely behind in getting into the fields. Luckily, things are growing well in the greenhouse. The lack of sunny days has slowed down the growth of plants in the greenhouse, but we hope that as the days get sunnier and warmer, they'll catch up pretty quickly. Over all, the soil temperature will probably have the biggest impact on our season's start date.  If the soil warms up nicely, the plants will quickly grow and catch up despite being put in the ground a bit late. Our goal is to start sending produce the 3rd week of June, but we'll keep members updated as we get closer to that date. Shares are still available. Contact us if you'd like more info. Or go to our website to sign up.

Another question we often get asked is if we plant heirloom seeds, hybrids or GMO. Here are a few explanation of each type of seed.

The term heirloom vegetable is used to describe any type of vegetable seed that has been saved and grown for a period of years and is passed down by the gardener that preserved it.  To be capable of being saved, all heirloom seed must be open pollinated.  Open pollinated plants can produce seeds that will produce seedlings just like the parent plant. Not all plants do this.

Hybrid plants happen when pollinators, cross breed compatible types of plants by accident (bees) or on purpose (gardener) in an effort to create a plant with the best features of both parents. These are called hybrids.

Hybrids should not be confused with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) - any plant, animal or microorganism which have been genetically altered using molecular genetics techniques such as gene cloning and protein engineering. GMO's have properties that could never have happened naturally.
So- the answer to the question is: We plant a variety of heirloom plants as well as hybrids. We NEVER use GMO plants or seeds.

We again plan on having Strawberries, Raspberries and Apples from our farm friends. We'll keep you posted as to when they will be available and the cost.
Beef and Chicken order info.  Was sent out earlier in April. If you missed the info, please let us know and we'll send it to you. Heather definitely has chickens left to sell, but the beef is getting spoken for quickly. She will do what she can to fill orders still coming in, but some cuts may be unavailable. She'll let you know in June which orders or parts of orders she was able to fill. (First come, first serve basis.)

The chickens are laying well again and our spring batch is doing well. They should be laying by mid-summer too. Yeah! Eggs will be available at our Farm and the Hudson Hospital. You may purchase eggs for $3.50 a dozen when you pick up your shares. First come, first serve. We've always sold out quickly in the past, so we're excited to have another flock of layers!

This new flock of layers will be in our new chicken tractor. It's a moveable coop that we can put on different green areas around the farm as needed, to make sure that they have plenty of fresh vegetation to scratch in and enjoy fresh bugs, worms and plants. This has been something we've wanted to do for several years, so we're thrilled to have it happen this year. Come on out and see it in action!
We're spending a lot of time doing spring cleaning around the farm and getting things ready to plant. (Cutting seed potatoes, cleaning sheds, organizing tools, etc.)

Mike made a lot of Maple Syrup this year and David, one of your employees has been making fabulous soaps over the winter. We'll let you know when and how you can purchase these this summer if you're interested.

Lastly, Davy (another employee) and I have been busy with bees! We lost all 4 of our hives this past winter, and had to start with 4 new packages of bees. They are hived and doing well. I took a class on Natural Beekeeping this winter and am really excited to use these new management techniques. We hope to have honey this fall- we'll let you know how it goes!

Let us know if you have any questions or concerns as we go forward. Farming is an adventure and despite our best efforts, Mother Nature has the last say. Thanks for being with us as we wait to see what season 2013 will have to offer!

Jody, Mike, Claudia, Malcolm and Jonas Lenz

The Threshing Table Farm, LLC in Star Prairie, WI