A new multi-farm CSA in the Valley!

The Wily Carrot is excited to team up with Mountain Roots Produce and Stubborn Farm to create the new Mancos Valley CSA.  The Mancos Valley CSA will offer fresh, organically-grown veggies from The Wily Carrot and Mountain Roots Produce as well as fresh eggs and grass-fed beef from Stubborn Farm - a full-plate CSA!  Not only will this partnership allow you to directly support three local farms but it will provide you with a more diverse array of farm products throughout the growing season.

We promise, this won't be your standard fare CSA.  Every week, we will offer options for you to choose from.  Don't like turnips?  No problem, try beets instead!  Every CSA member will also receive a canvas tote for transporting those delicious veggies home; so you won't have to worry about returning bulky boxes every week.

And, as an extra bonus, all of our members will receive 10% off at Zuma's, our favorite natural foods grocery store in the Valley.

What kind of veggies should you expect throughout the season?  Here is a look at what a typical box will include as the season progresses:

Early-Season Box (June)

lettuce mix

arugula

radishes

kale

green onions

beets

spinach

microgreens

bok choy

Mid-Season Box (July - September)

lettuce mix

onions

garlic

tomatoes

peppers

beets

carrots

potatoes

green beans

zuchinni

cucumbers

cabbage

kale

Late-Season Box (October)

lettuce mix

spinach

potatoes

beets

carrots

garlic

onions

winter squash

cabbage

turnips

kale

leeks

apples

Stay tuned for more detailed information as the season approaches!  

Understanding the Monsanto Protection Act

It was heartwarming to see the coverage and outright anger that was stirred by Section 735 of the "Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, now known as the Monsanto Protection Act.  Anonymously snuck in as a rider to an appropriations bills that helped to prevent a government shut-down, the provision was never debated  nor did it undergo a formal committee hearing.  In a nutshell, the provision protects big biotech firms like Monsanto from being sued if their genetically-modified seeds cause illness or environmental problems.  

From sustainablepulse.com

Environmentalists, farmers, consumer advocates and even tea party activists have fought against this bill and the legal precedent it sets.  As written, the provision, effectively bars federal courts from being able to stop the sale or planting of genetically modified seeds, giving Monstanto carte blanche to continue to dominate the ag markets with their GMO seeds.  Their biggest profits come from their corn and soybean seeds which are tolerant of pesticides such as round-up.

It comes across as slightly hypocritical that Monsanto would push for a bill that effectively protects it from litagation since the corporation is notorious for attacking small farmers with huge lawsuits.  Since 1997, Monsanto has filed suit against 144 farmers, mostly for saving seed from one season and planting them the next, a time-honored practice in the farming community.  In almost all cases, Monsanto has won.  Monsanto in effect has put a patent on  the source of life, claiming that they not only have the patent right to the genes of plants, but that they can control when and how successive generations of that seed are used.  

The Ag-Tech giant recently went after a 75-year old Indiana farmer for saving seeds that weren't even known to be Monsanto's infamous roundup ready soybeans.  Vernon Bowman bought a mix of seeds from a grain elevator that weren't identified as being from Monsanto as a backup fall planting.  Monsanto sued anyway and the Supreme Court recently ruled in their favor stating that Bowman copied a patented invention.  

There are still a number of seed companies that like Territorial Seed Company and Fedco that refuse to sell GMO's and who are proud supports of small farms.   Like farmers, these companies understand that the natural replication of plants can't be owned and controlled by one corporation.  In fact, all farmers should be encouraged to save seed and replant as it encourages diversity and strength within the species.

from worldtruth.tv

Farm to School

The Wily Carrot is excited to a part of the local Farm to School program here in Montezuma and La Plata counties.  For the second year, the farm will be growing fresh, organic produce for the kids in Cortez, Mancos, Durango and Ignacio school districts.  So far, the farm is growing tomatoes, carrots, radishes, onions, basil, cilantro for the schools.

Thanks to LiveWell Montezuma, the school food directors and everyone else that helped to make this happen!

Durango Farmers Market

Last year the Wily Carrot made the switch from the Cortez Farmers Market to the Durango Farmers Market.  While we loved the customers and other vendors in Cortez, Durango offered a larger clientele and a chance to sell more veggies.  We were situated between the venerable Stone Free Farms and another first-timer, Dustin with Stubborn Farms.  Although the early mornings were sometimes a struggle, the markets were a lot of fun and gave us a chance to meet a lot of folks who love fresh, organic produce.  We'll see you all this May!

Hmmm, no potatoes yet so this looks like a market in early July.  

Nadia was a great farmhand and market buddy!

Moms are great marketers

Easter egg radishes are delicious and add much needed color to the market stand.

Early market in September with the folks visiting!

 Another busy market day in September

Beets!  The gold beets add flavor and color to beet recipes.

Farmin' in 2012

2012 was a busy, productive season at the Wily Carrot and we didn't get a chance to take a lot of photos.  But, here are a few highlights, including a new barn and hoophouse!

Weber Canyon Fire

The Weber Canyon Fire in June of 2012 burned through the foothills surrounding Mancos and got within  a few miles of the Road G farms.  With mandatory evacuations and road closures beginning on Friday evening, our market produce was trapped on the farm.  Luckily, a friendly neighbor stopped by the farm as he was being forced out and loaded up all of our produce in his station wagon.  Thanks Chad!

The logo!

The second season begins!

Even tho' there is still snow around, the Wily Carrot has had its first harvest! The farm is trying microgreens this year. Microgreens are tiny edible greens grown from the seeds of vegetable and herb plants, ranging in size from 1 to 2 inches long. Used as a garnish and flavor component, they are popular amongst chefs and foodies!

        The first round of microgreens started under lights in the house.  Since each variety requires different growing times, light requirements and harvesting techniques, a lot of experimentation is necessary to get everything sorted out!

                   The red plants in the back is amaranyth which is mainly used for its beautiful color.  PacChoi is in the front and adds a nice bite to a microgreen mix.

                      Radishes are the fastest growing microgreen that we grow and add a sharp, distinct flavor to the Asian microgreen mix we sell.  They also have beautiful pink stems which look great on a plate!

                                        This is one of the first ready-to-eat mixes which include amaranyth, radish, pac choi, and arugula..

The WC is CNG!

The farm has just been Certified Naturally Grown!  CNG is a grassroots alternative to the Certified Organic program for farmers who use organic principles.  It's a community-based program where, following an application process, local farmers inspect your farm to ensure that you are farming in a sustainable manner, without the use of synthetic fertilizer and pesticides. 

You can find the organization, and other farms who are Certified Naturally Grown, at Certified Naturally Grown.

It's over - for this season, anyway!

Winter Approaches

Frost and snow approaching fast! The Wily Carrot is about to end it's first season.

September update

Farm is going well with near peak harvests. Tomatoes and winter squash are at their finest, while lettuce-type crops are slowing down due to the cooling weather. Kellie says it's down in the 40's at night and 60's daytime. Colorado winter is fast approaching!

The farm in August - heart of the growing season!

Mom & Dad visiting. Produce: Several varieties of lettuce, spinach, arugala, basil, broccoli, zucchini, peas, beets, carrots (of course), peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, chard, kale, green beans, 5 varieties of winter squash, red, white, and spring onions, cabbage, pumpkins, gourds, and cut flowers!

\Mom & Dad hard at work!

The Cortez Farmer's Market