First frost struck but unfortunately, we didn't document the beautiful oversized crystals. It covered the farm but Jim and I covered the delicates first. We saved the ginger, peppers, and green tomatoes for you with some frost blankets. This will be the first time we will have peppers from the field come November, that is, if they make it... eat them up!

Note! After updating the balances last week, I forgot to upload them. I will admit, doing tasks piecemeal while managing a proto human is challenging. So this week, expect to see your balances jump by your last two weeks expenditures and additions. If you have any questions, please email. 

As noted We are not going to attend winter markets this year.  Please read below if you missed that update. In the meantime, I just want to take a minute to reassure you that we are okay and will be back in the spring. We are resourceful, thoughtful, and dedicated. If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. 

Our last market of 2021 will be the Saturday/Wednesday market before Thanksgiving. We will return in the early spring- possibly as early as March, but no later than May. We will keep you updated but we want you to know we are fully dedicated to you and we will be back with vegetables a'blazin' come spring. 

Why?

First off, these past two years have been a blur-- between Covid, Jim's surgery, my Pop's stroke, the baby, and the labor shortage --and we need to get our bearings. We need some dedicated time and mental space to get a good look at our business and lay a sustainable course into the future.

Secondly, ever since Wiley was born, we have been chasing our tails to keep things moving. We want to take some time to turn inward and wrap ourselves in the warmth of home with our newly expanded family. 

And a lastly, a big part of why we won't be attending winter markets is that we have been so short staffed we haven't been able to plant for the winter and we knew we wouldn't be able to harvest for winter. At this point we are down to Jim and Tyler in the field, with Helen and Wiley helping for an hour or two a week (negligible haha). Typically, to cover the labor needed this time of year to harvest, go to markets, and plant/prep/harvest for winter, we would count on at at least 4 more people in the field- and they would have to be seasoned (know what they are doing). s

Labor shortage is not, in this moment in time, unique to us. Many businesses are struggling to find people to work. It is however something that we have encountered over the years and it merits consideration. If we need people to operate the way we do, but the people do not choose to be here, there is a call for assessment- whether it is increased mechanization, reduced extras, less variety (or same level but spread over the season), smaller plantings, more successions. In any event, with some room to pick through the data and a good base crew (Tyler is planning on coming back, wahoo), I expect we will come up with some excellent adjustments. 

All that said, we want you to know you can count on us, we will be back in the spring with a shiny plan after what is hopefully our truest rest since we started farming. Thanks for you your support and understanding, it really means a lot to us.

Preorder:
Stockbridge Farm Members and folks that are preapproved to preorder! You can preorder using this link: https://forms.gle/XRUTwLLKRzTiN7XA9

You can find the phone number to text/call in the order form and also in your order receipt

*Non Stockbridge members that need to pre-order for medical reasons can email for information.

Keep coming out to the market to support your local growers!

Your farmers: Helen, Jim, Shana, Tyler, and Nicole: The Lake Dividers!

Lake Divide Farm: Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People. The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is a important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in food equality and bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and keeping it accessible is important to us.
 
In this email:

• Generally important notes- 
  • Stockbridge Folks Order here: https://forms.gle/XRUTwLLKRzTiN7XA9
  • CSA balances updated with 2 weeks worth of data! Sorry for any confusion.
  • We are not going to attend winter markets this year, details above. (if we do at all, it will be sporadically). We will return in the early spring- possibly as early as March, but no later than May. 
  • I removed the staying active section of our email because I have not managed to update it in so long. Here is link to a newsletter with that section intact.
• Fresh From the Field
• Market Details
• CSA members- what to do if your account is low

Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Bok Choi (limited)
Pea Shoots
Tatsoi
Mustard
Baby kale
Micro Mix! 

All Manner of Deliciousness
Brussel Sprout septors!
Cabbage- Round green, sweet cone (less conical than usual) and savoy
Celery
Eggplant- asian and italian (limted)
Garlic- fresh and tasty
Baby Ginger (freezes for a year, no peeling, juicy like garlic)
Fresh bunched Kohlrabi
Bell and Fryer peppers
Hot Peppers
Snack peppers
Potatoes
Green Tomatoes
Watermelon Radish
Radish Daikon: Purple, green, white
Radish (limited)
Rutabaga!
Purple top Turnips
Sweet Salad Turnips (limited)


Herbs
Parsley
Sage
Dill (limited)
Cilantro (limited)

Coming Soon:
Gil feather turnips
Possibly baby napa cabbage and broccoli leaves! 
:  (Balance will be updated next week. Thanks for your patience)

Market Details: We are at market this week
 
-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Wednesday- We will be back soon.

-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

-Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 am to 2:30 pm
 -Royal Oak, Saturday with Tyler, Nicole, and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm

-Stockbridge, Saturday on the farm with Helen and Wiley Bear!
Preorders only please! When you get to the farm, stay in your car and shoot us a text. We will bring you your order!


If you are a CSA member and your account balance is low:

• If you want to continue on as one of our members and your balance does not cover your current order
  • Order what you want
  • Add money into your account either by
    • Bring a check/case to market
    • Mailing a check
    • Letting us know you want to add to your account and we will send you an online invoice to be paid with credit card.
• If you just want to add more to your account, go for it! Use any of the methods listed above.
• If you no longer want to be a farm member
  • We ask that you do not go over your balance.  

 :  (Balance will be updated next week. Thanks for your patience)

Autumn abounds. Fall air and changing leaves make sure we know it, despite the warm temperatures. 

We are thinking to the future, as we often do this time of year, and we want you to know our fledgling plans. We are not going to attend winter markets this year.  Our last market of 2021 will be the Saturday/Wednesday market before Thanksgiving. We will return in the early spring- possibly as early as March, but no later than May. We will keep you updated but we want you to know we are fully dedicated to you and we will be back with vegetables a'blazin' come spring. 

Why?

First off, these past two years have been a blur-- between Covid, Jim's surgery, my Pop's stroke, the baby, and the labor shortage --and we need to get our bearings. We need some dedicated time and mental space to get a good look at our business and lay a sustainable course into the future.

Secondly, ever since Wiley was born, we have been chasing our tails to keep things moving. We want to take some time to turn inward and wrap ourselves in the warmth of home with our newly expanded family. 

And a lastly, a big part of why we won't be attending winter markets is that we have been so short staffed we haven't been able to plant for the winter and we knew we wouldn't be able to harvest for winter. At this point we are down to Jim and Tyler in the field, with Helen and Wiley helping for an hour or two a week (negligible haha). Typically, to cover the labor needed this time of year to harvest, go to markets, and plant/prep/harvest for winter, we would count on at at least 4 more people in the field- and they would have to be seasoned (know what they are doing). s

Labor shortage is not, in this moment in time, unique to us. Many businesses are struggling to find people to work. It is however something that we have encountered over the years and it merits consideration. If we need people to operate the way we do, but the people do not choose to be here, there is a call for assessment- whether it is increased mechanization, reduced extras, less variety (or same level but spread over the season), smaller plantings, more successions. In any event, with some room to pick through the data and a good base crew (Tyler is planning on coming back, wahoo), I expect we will come up with some excellent adjustments. 

All that said, we want you to know you can count on us, we will be back in the spring with a shiny plan after what is hopefully our truest rest since we started farming. Thanks for you your support and understanding, it really means a lot to us.

Preorder:
Stockbridge Farm Members and folks that are preapproved to preorder! You can preorder using this link: https://forms.gle/kcHHufMoXiJPkMB28

You can find the phone number to text/call in the order form and also in your order receipt

*Non Stockbridge members that need to pre-order for medical reasons can email for information.

Keep coming out to the market to support your local growers!

Your farmers: Helen, Jim, Shana, Tyler, and Nicole: The Lake Dividers!

Lake Divide Farm: Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People. The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is a important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in food equality and bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and keeping it accessible is important to us.
 
In this email:

• Generally important notes- 
  • Stockbridge Folks Order here: https://forms.gle/kcHHufMoXiJPkMB28
  • CSA balances are not updated this week. If you were at market last week and need to know your current balance, feel free to email! Otherwise, if you need to know your balance, look back at the previous weeks email. Thanks for the leeway! 
  • We are not going to attend winter markets this year, details above. (if we do at all, it will be sporadically). We will return in the early spring- possibly as early as March, but no later than May. 
• Fresh From the Field
• Staying active and engaged with social change!
• Market Details
• CSA members- what to do if your account is low

Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Bok Choi
Pea Shoots
Tatsoi
Mustard
Baby kale
Micro Mix!

All Manner of Deliciousness
Cabbage- Round green, sweet cone (less conical than usual) and savoy
Eggplant- asian and italian
Garlic- fresh and tasty
Baby Ginger (freezes for a year, no peeling, juicy like garlic)
Kohlrabi- green and red
Bell and Fryer peppers
Hot Peppers
Shishito Peppers (limited)
Snack peppers
Tomatoes (limited)
Potatoes
Watermelon Radish
Radish Daikon: Purple, green, white
Radish
Purple top Turnips


Herbs
Parsley
Sage
Mint
Dill
Cilantro (limited)

Coming Soon:
Gil feather turnips
Rutabaga
Sweet Salad Turnips
:  (Balance will be updated next week. Thanks for your patience)
Staying Active: Something to keep the gears of progress engaged: Last update May 13th, 2021
While the movement keeps moving, I struggle to keep up with updating the list. This doesn't mean that this work is any less important.

There are a lot of good seeds here. We need to keep working to raise them up. I will continue to add resources as they come up. 

Keep learning, listening, speaking up, and showing up. We have to continue providing energy for change. There is much to be done. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. 

If you come across resources, readings, or movements that you feel are powerful, please send them our way so we can share them.

I have included below a couple links to readings and some ideas on how to work towards racial equity within your community as well as links to some places where dollars can make a difference.

Because the Michigan Library Association had so much great information, I have linked to their Racial Equity Resources page here. You will find a wide range of resources including books, films, action plans, and organizations. https://www.milibraries.org/racial-equity-resources

Another good resource: Racial Equity Tools

To read: Definitely use the MLPP list for this (linked above). They have some many valuable reads listed there.

Read books by people of color and indigenous people. There are many great booklists to be found.

Anti Racism books for children- from Book Beat in Royal Oak. 
This blog also included a few resources to help children cope with crises. Specifically the National Black Children Development Institute's "An Activity Book for African American Families: Helping Children Cope with Crises."

Soul Fire Farm's Food Sovereignty Action Steps: “If we are not acting to change the system, we are complicit, casting our silent vote to maintain the status quo.” The following food sovereignty action steps were compiled by the Soul Fire Farm community and Northeast Farmers of Color alliance It is divided into seven sections

To Listen and Watch:
There are so many TED talks on talking about race and racism, race, race relations, and the history of racism. Here is one to get you started.
What I am learning from my white grandchildren -- truths about race | Anthony Peterson | TEDxAntioch
Ted Talks on Racism

Something to do:
<>The 21 day Racial Equity Challenge I still recommend it!
<>Organize a reading group. 

<> Show up! Detroit Will Breathe has been marching for Justice daily since March. While they are not marching daily now, they are very active. Check their website for their schedule https://detroitwillbreathe.info/

<> Join an organization: A few listed below, again more can be found on the Michigan Library Association's website

• Be the Bridge, led by Latasha Morrison at Be the Bridge www.bethebridge.com
• EmbraceRace www.embracerace.org
• GARE – Government Alliance on Race and Equity https://www.racialequityalliance.org/

<> Speak up: If you are in a group and the opportunity presents itself to have a discussion do it! It can be scary but it is worth it. Have the difficult conversations is part of the work. Here is a helpful article from AARP (a surprising source) about how to have constructive conversations on the topic of racial justice.
How to Have a Respectful Conversation About Racial Justice


If you come across a good community organizing tool kit, please send it our way so we can share it. 

To contribute monetarily:

Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History. 100% of Zinn Education Project funding comes from individuals. 

The Zinn Education Project promotes and supports the teaching of people’s history in classrooms across the country. For more than ten years, the Zinn Education Project has introduced students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of history than is found in traditional textbooks and curricula. With more than 110,000 people registered, and growing by more than 10,000 new registrants every year, the Zinn Education Project has become a leading resource for teachers and teacher educators.

Donate generally to Zinn to help share the People's History.
Or Donate to Zinn's campaign to send people’s history books and lessons to Mississippi teachers and librarians

Detroit Will Breathe: 
While their general fundraising GoFundMe currently redirects donations to support their Federal Lawsuit fund, you can find lots of information about the work that they have been doing and what they have accomplished on that page (found here)
Here is a direct link to support their federal lawsuit. Below is a bit of what the lawsuit is about. You can read more about it on their gofundme page. 
Link to copy paste if needed: https://www.gofundme.com/f/detroit-will-breathe-federal-lawsuit-fund.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
The NAACP is at the forefront of the movement to build political power and ensure the wellbeing of communities of color. Underscoring the advocacy of our 2,200 local units across the country, we empower our communities to make democracy work for them. Your donation to the NAACP helps further our mission to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Donate today to become our newest monthly sustainer.  

Market Details: We are at market this week
 
-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Wednesday- We will be back soon.

-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

-Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 am to 2:30 pm
 -Royal Oak, Saturday with Tyler, Nicole, and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm

-Stockbridge, Saturday on the farm with Elisa and Carl!
Preorders only please! When you get to the farm, stay in your car and shoot us a text. We will bring you your order!


If you are a CSA member and your account balance is low:

• If you want to continue on as one of our members and your balance does not cover your current order
  • Order what you want
  • Add money into your account either by
    • Bring a check/case to market
    • Mailing a check
    • Letting us know you want to add to your account and we will send you an online invoice to be paid with credit card.
• If you just want to add more to your account, go for it! Use any of the methods listed above.
• If you no longer want to be a farm member
  • We ask that you do not go over your balance.  

 :  (Balance will be updated next week. Thanks for your patience)

So. Many. Peppers. Roasted peppers are one of my favorite. Do a big batch and store them in vinegar in the fridge. Eat them all at once. Freeze them. Make a delicious sweet pepper sauce. But whatever you are going to do, do it soon! The sand of good weather days is siphoning through the eye of the day. 

I tried to seed microgreens with Wiley in tow. Let me tell you- he had other plans. Looks like I am on the Wiley clock for a while. 
I miss all of you market folk. Maybe once this tiny, terrific, terror hits a stable week number, we can come to market. Dumb covid sure makes it hard to show off a baby...


Stockbridge Farm Members and folks that are preapproved to preorder! You can preorder using this link: https://forms.gle/rCN5twkmYDBCYb7P8
You can find the phone number to text/call in the order form and also in your order receipt

*Non Stockbridge members that need to pre-order for medical reasons can email for information.

Keep coming out to the market to support your local growers!

Your farmers: Helen, Jim, Shana, Tyler, and Nicole: The Lake Dividers!

Lake Divide Farm: Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People. The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is a important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in food equality and bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and keeping it accessible is important to us.
 
In this email:

• Generally important notes- 
  • Stockbridge Folks Order here: https://forms.gle/rCN5twkmYDBCYb7P8
• Fresh From the Field
• Staying active and engaged with social change!
• Market Details
• CSA members- what to do if your account is low

Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Pea Shoots
Tatsoi
Arugula (limited)

All Manner of Deliciousness
Baby Ginger (freezes for a year, no peeling, juicy like garlic)
Bok Choi
Cabbage- Round green, sweet cone (less conical than usual) and savoy
Classic Red Radish (round reds and french breakfast)
Eggplant- asian and italian
Garlic- fresh and tasty
Kohlrabi- green and red
Bell Peppers
Hot Peppers
Shishito Peppers (limited)
Snack peppers
Cherry tomatoes (limited?)
Tomatoes (limited)
Potatoes
Watermelon Radish
Purple top Turnips
Purple Daikon

Herbs
Parsley
Sage
Mint
Dill
Cilantro (limited)

Coming Soon:
Gil feather turnips
Rutabaga
Sweet Salad Turnips
: 
Staying Active: Something to keep the gears of progress engaged: Last update May 13th, 2021
While the movement keeps moving, I struggle to keep up with updating the list. This doesn't mean that this work is any less important.

There are a lot of good seeds here. We need to keep working to raise them up. I will continue to add resources as they come up. 

Keep learning, listening, speaking up, and showing up. We have to continue providing energy for change. There is much to be done. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. 

If you come across resources, readings, or movements that you feel are powerful, please send them our way so we can share them.

I have included below a couple links to readings and some ideas on how to work towards racial equity within your community as well as links to some places where dollars can make a difference.

Because the Michigan Library Association had so much great information, I have linked to their Racial Equity Resources page here. You will find a wide range of resources including books, films, action plans, and organizations. https://www.milibraries.org/racial-equity-resources

Another good resource: Racial Equity Tools

To read: Definitely use the MLPP list for this (linked above). They have some many valuable reads listed there.

Read books by people of color and indigenous people. There are many great booklists to be found.

Anti Racism books for children- from Book Beat in Royal Oak. 
This blog also included a few resources to help children cope with crises. Specifically the National Black Children Development Institute's "An Activity Book for African American Families: Helping Children Cope with Crises."

Soul Fire Farm's Food Sovereignty Action Steps: “If we are not acting to change the system, we are complicit, casting our silent vote to maintain the status quo.” The following food sovereignty action steps were compiled by the Soul Fire Farm community and Northeast Farmers of Color alliance It is divided into seven sections

To Listen and Watch:
There are so many TED talks on talking about race and racism, race, race relations, and the history of racism. Here is one to get you started.
What I am learning from my white grandchildren -- truths about race | Anthony Peterson | TEDxAntioch
Ted Talks on Racism

Something to do:
<>The 21 day Racial Equity Challenge I still recommend it!
<>Organize a reading group. 

<> Show up! Detroit Will Breathe has been marching for Justice daily since March. While they are not marching daily now, they are very active. Check their website for their schedule https://detroitwillbreathe.info/

<> Join an organization: A few listed below, again more can be found on the Michigan Library Association's website

• Be the Bridge, led by Latasha Morrison at Be the Bridge www.bethebridge.com
• EmbraceRace www.embracerace.org
• GARE – Government Alliance on Race and Equity https://www.racialequityalliance.org/

<> Speak up: If you are in a group and the opportunity presents itself to have a discussion do it! It can be scary but it is worth it. Have the difficult conversations is part of the work. Here is a helpful article from AARP (a surprising source) about how to have constructive conversations on the topic of racial justice.
How to Have a Respectful Conversation About Racial Justice


If you come across a good community organizing tool kit, please send it our way so we can share it. 

To contribute monetarily:

Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History. 100% of Zinn Education Project funding comes from individuals. 

The Zinn Education Project promotes and supports the teaching of people’s history in classrooms across the country. For more than ten years, the Zinn Education Project has introduced students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of history than is found in traditional textbooks and curricula. With more than 110,000 people registered, and growing by more than 10,000 new registrants every year, the Zinn Education Project has become a leading resource for teachers and teacher educators.

Donate generally to Zinn to help share the People's History.
Or Donate to Zinn's campaign to send people’s history books and lessons to Mississippi teachers and librarians

Detroit Will Breathe: 
While their general fundraising GoFundMe currently redirects donations to support their Federal Lawsuit fund, you can find lots of information about the work that they have been doing and what they have accomplished on that page (found here)
Here is a direct link to support their federal lawsuit. Below is a bit of what the lawsuit is about. You can read more about it on their gofundme page. 
Link to copy paste if needed: https://www.gofundme.com/f/detroit-will-breathe-federal-lawsuit-fund.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
The NAACP is at the forefront of the movement to build political power and ensure the wellbeing of communities of color. Underscoring the advocacy of our 2,200 local units across the country, we empower our communities to make democracy work for them. Your donation to the NAACP helps further our mission to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Donate today to become our newest monthly sustainer.  

Market Details: We are at market this week
 
-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Wednesday- We will be back soon.

-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

-Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 am to 2:30 pm
 -Royal Oak, Saturday with Tyler, Nicole, and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm

-Stockbridge, Saturday on the farm with Elisa and Carl!
Preorders only please! When you get to the farm, stay in your car and shoot us a text. We will bring you your order!


If you are a CSA member and your account balance is low:

• If you want to continue on as one of our members and your balance does not cover your current order
  • Order what you want
  • Add money into your account either by
    • Bring a check/case to market
    • Mailing a check
    • Letting us know you want to add to your account and we will send you an online invoice to be paid with credit card.
• If you just want to add more to your account, go for it! Use any of the methods listed above.
• If you no longer want to be a farm member
  • We ask that you do not go over your balance.  ​