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The Ahavah Community Newsletter

November, 2024

The fall crops continue to look amazing!

Dear FARMILY!

It's mid-season and we couldn't be happier! As you know, the start of the season through October felt almost impossible and as if it would never end due to the season transition in addition to the Holydays, but we made it through! Since October the farm feels almost eeerily quiet. No markets, no events and a smooth harvest has made for a nice few weeks and will feel fantastic for the rest of the season. Fall is our favorite season on the farm because the air feels crisp, the temperatures aren't too extreme, the crops are all slowing down their growth and settling in for the winter weather and the activity on the farm retreats allowing us time to breath before we kick it into crazy-high gear again mid-January.

It always remains steady on the farm, however, as we continue to harvest, plant, weed and prepare your CSA shares, but the busy-ness that we experience at this time of the year is more routine, less extreme and less chaotic - a nice reprieve for any farmer! Soon we will be throwing snowballs at each other (this week even!), covering the crops nightly with row-cover and staying up late worrying about the beautiful lettuce we have planted. Until then our family will be enjoying the relative calmness and the beauty 🍁🍂 of this wonderful season, fitting in some late-fall fishing, hiking and kayaking and enjoying each other as much as possible.

Winter Preparations

As we head into the colder months, much of the winter planting has already been completed, as it's often an extension of our fall planning. The slower growth that occurs during the winter means that many of the crops currently in the ground—like carrots, turnips, radishes, and spinach—are growing at a much more gradual pace. In fact, some of these vegetables were planted nearly six months prior to harvest, carefully timed to be ready for harvest just as the heart of winter arrives. This long-term planning and forethought is crucial for ensuring that our CSA shares are abundant and varied, even during the coldest months of the year.

Preparing for winter farming requires us to think far ahead, often planning CSA shares half a year in advance. Despite the complexity of this process, we manage to make it work year after year, allowing us to continue delivering fresh, nutrient-dense produce all winter long. Looking ahead to this coming season, we’re confident that winter 2025 will be one of our best yet. With the variety of crops we’ve planted and the efficiency of our team, we’re excited for what lies ahead and we can’t wait for you to experience it with us!

CSA UPDATES

So far the fall CSA has been wonderful! As we head into week 6, the mid-point of the season, we are able to take stock of the up/downs and all-arounds of how things have been up to this point. Of course we want to review all the things that have gone right so that we can continue to thrive for the second half of the season and beyond, but more importantly we must also look at areas that need improvement as well.

So far the crop quality, the variety and the value of the CSA has all been some of the best we have ever produced, and I am extremely proud of our team for their success. To offer so many varieties at this point in the season is extraordinary and to do so at such a high level of quality is remarkable. As for the CSA customization process...it's a little clunky still. However, as more members use the system and get used to it's shortfalls, it's been a celebrated change for many. In general, the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive and we are very grateful for your support, your messages and your patience as we have worked through this major change.

IMPORTANT MID-SEASON SURVEY (less than 5 minutes and get a FREE ITEM!)

With that said, we want to hear from more of you so we can get a greater sense of how we can improve and so we can feel encouraged to continue serving you in the best way possible. To do so we have created a quick, 5 minute (or less), survey for all of our members. This survey is important to our family and our business, and it's important for you as well. It would mean the absolute world to us if you could take 5 minutes to complete it by clicking here: ahavahfarm.com/survey. To say thank you, we are offering all participants and extra item as a part of their CSA. Thank you!

THIS WEEK'S CSA

This week's CSA is a little on the lighter side as many of our crops needed a little extra time to re-coup. However, it's probably the smallest share you will receive all season. Our field inventory is suggesting an abundant CSA share should be coming your way for the foreseeable future. No one knows what December will bring, but for the next few weeks you can expect larger shares. The highlights for this week include turnips, carrots, celeriac, lettuce and the last of the jalepeno's amongst a few more items (see the rest down below in the "What's in Your Bag" section. For the rest of the Harvest expectations for November, see below as well.

THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER

This month's newsletter has three in-depth articles. The article of the Month is titled, "The Uniqueness of Four-Season Farming at 6,500 Feet: How Ahavah Farm Thrives in Harsh Conditions." The CSA Tip article of the Month is titled, "The Benefits of Customizing Your CSA Share: Why You Shouldn't Miss Out!" And finally, article for the monthly "Gardening Tip" is titled, "Preparing Your Garden for Winter: 9 Regenerative Practices to Help Your Spring Garden Thrive."

Thank you and we love you all, our beautiful FaRmily, and I hope you enjoy the newsletter!!!

Farmer Yosef and Family!

WE L❤️VE OUR COMMUNITY!

ARTICLE OF THE MONTH

The Uniqueness of Four-Season Farming at 6,500 Feet: How Ahavah Farm Thrives in Harsh Conditions

By Yosef Camire

When you think of farming, most people imagine endless rows of crops basking in warm summer sunshine, growing steadily with long daylight hours and gentle breezes. But here at Ahavah Farm, the reality couldn’t be further from this idyllic vision—especially since we’re farming year-round at 6,500 feet above sea level in Peyton, Colorado. Four season farming in this extreme climate is nothing short of a feat of agricultural wonder, and it’s what sets us apart, both in terms of the challenges we face and the incredible quality of food we are able to produce. What’s even more remarkable is that we do all of this without the use of heat, chemicals, or tractors. The very idea of growing such a variety of vegetables at our altitude, throughout the cold months, defies the odds.

At 6,500 feet, our farm contends with conditions that would make many other farmers shudder. We experience an incredibly short growing season—30 days shorter than Anchorage, Alaska!—where temperatures can swing from sweltering highs to icy lows in a matter of hours. The constant wind is relentless, and the cold nights that settle in as early as late September often dip well below freezing, making it difficult to even get seedlings started, let alone maintain a diverse range of crops all year long. And yet, we persist. Through careful planning, laborious techniques, and an uncompromising commitment to quality, we continue to harvest vegetables like carrots, lettuce, radishes, beets, cilantro, parsley, kale, Swiss chard, mustard greens, and so much more—week in and week out.

What’s the secret to farming successfully in such a hostile environment? Hard work, ingenuity, and a deep respect for the land. While many larger operations might rely on heated greenhouses or other mechanical interventions to extend their growing seasons, we take a different approach. We use only row covers—simple fabric sheets that are placed over our crops to provide protection from the elements. Row covers help trap warmth from the soil and keep frost at bay, but they come with an enormous amount of additional labor. Every day, row covers must be lifted for harvesting, weeding, and watering, and then carefully replaced. It’s a far cry from the mechanized processes of conventional farming, but it allows us to grow food in a way that honors the land and avoids the use of artificial inputs.

This labor-intensive approach is part of what makes our produce so special. Not only are we growing food in extreme conditions, but we are doing so without making compromises—no chemicals, no synthetic fertilizers, no shortcuts. Just pure, heirloom-quality vegetables grown with care and attention to detail. The result is food that is packed with nutrients, flavor, and vitality. Freshness is another key factor. Studies show that vegetables can lose up to 70% of their nutrient value within a week after harvest. By the time produce from industrial farms reaches your grocery store, it has often traveled thousands of miles and spent days or even weeks in storage, losing valuable vitamins and minerals along the way. In contrast, the vegetables you receive from Ahavah Farm are harvested at their peak and delivered directly to your table, ensuring maximum freshness and nutrient density.

But why is it so important to get your food from a local source, especially in the dead of winter? For one, eating seasonally connects us to the natural rhythms of the land. In a time when grocery stores offer the same selection of produce year-round, regardless of seasonality, eating locally and seasonally helps us reconnect with the cycles of nature and appreciate the diversity of flavors and textures that come with each season. In the colder months, hearty greens like kale and Swiss chard thrive, offering a deep, robust flavor that is unmatched by their out-of-season counterparts. Root vegetables like carrots and beets take on a sweetness that is only achieved after being kissed by frost, when the cold temperatures cause them to convert their starches into sugars.

Additionally, supporting a local, four-season farm like ours means you are investing in a sustainable food system. The methods we use to grow food year-round not only provide you with fresh, nutrient-dense produce, but they also have a positive impact on the environment. By avoiding chemical inputs and relying on regenerative practices, we are actively working to improve the health of our soil and increase biodiversity. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has long emphasized the importance of biodiversity for food security, noting that diverse agricultural systems are more resilient to pests, disease, and changing climate conditions. By supporting farms that prioritize biodiversity, like Ahavah Farm, you are helping to create a more sustainable and resilient food system for the future.

Of course, the reality of four-season farming at 6,500 feet is that it’s not so easy. The harsh conditions demand constant vigilance and adaptation. We have to be ready for anything—from unexpected frost in June (or hail and freezing rain as we had on July 7th at our festival this year!) to high winds all year long that threaten to tear our row covers to shreds and send our greenhouses to the next state. And yet, despite all these challenges, we are able to produce a staggering variety of crops without the use of heat or tractors. It’s nothing short of a miracle that we can grow such an abundance of vegetables in a place where the growing season is so short and the weather is so unpredictable. But it’s not just any food we’re growing—it’s high-quality, heirloom, nutrient-dense food that is grown with love and care, without compromise.

For those who truly care about supporting local agriculture, eating fresh, seasonal food, and receiving all the microbial benefits that come from nutrient-rich soil, there’s no better option than joining a CSA from a farm like Ahavah. Especially in the winter months, when fresh, locally grown food is nearly impossible to come by, being part of a CSA gives you access to a variety of vegetables that are not only delicious but also packed with nutrition. And when you consider the fact that conventional vegetables lose so much of their nutritional value during transport and storage, the benefits of receiving fresh produce directly from the farm become even more apparent.

In short, four-season farming at Ahavah Farm is a labor of love. It’s about growing food in harmony with the land, respecting the natural rhythms of the seasons, and providing our community with the freshest, most nutrient-dense vegetables possible. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. And it’s all made possible by your support. Without our CSA members and market patrons, this type of farming wouldn’t be feasible. So thank you for standing with us, through the wind, the frost, and the freezing nights. Together, we’re building a food system that values quality, sustainability, and community.

CSA TIP OF THE MONTH!

The Benefits of Customizing Your CSA Share: Why You Shouldn't Miss Out!

-By Yosef Camire

If you haven’t taken advantage of customizing your CSA share yet, you’re missing out on a truly valuable opportunity that can enhance your entire CSA experience. While the process of implementing customization was initially a significant hurdle, we’ve now been running smoothly for over six weeks, and the improvements we’ve seen have been remarkable. We’ve refined the system, and it’s only getting better with time, allowing members to tailor their shares to their exact preferences with ease.

Out of the 225 CSA members currently in our program, we’re thrilled to see that each week, between 100 and 125 members are actively customizing their shares. That’s just over 50% of our membership base! What’s even more exciting is that many of these members have made customizing their shares a regular part of their weekly routine. They consistently log in, place their orders, and enjoy the benefits of having more control over what goes into their bags each week. For those members, the process has transformed their CSA experience into something even more enjoyable, as they now have the ability to choose what works best for their households.

The customization process isn’t just about choosing what you don’t want—it’s about discovering more of what you love. Members have the option to handpick their favorite items, ensuring that nothing goes to waste, while also avoiding items they may not need or prefer that week. Additionally, the customization platform offers an array of extra items that members can add to their orders. This includes fresh microgreens, a variety of vegetable options not featured in the standard CSA bags that week, potted plants, and even non-produce items like our local raw honey, Ahavah Farm hats, and even bumper stickers. For members looking for added convenience, the platform also allows them to place hold requests when they’re away and even sign up for door-to-door delivery service. This flexibility makes it easier than ever to engage with the farm and enjoy all the benefits of fresh, local produce.

One of the key advantages of customizing your share is how it enables you to plan your meals for the week with precision. By logging in to ahavahfarm.com/orders between Monday and Thursday to make your selections, you can align your CSA choices with your weekly menu, giving you peace of mind that the produce you’re receiving will be used and enjoyed to its fullest. This not only minimizes food waste but also helps make the CSA experience feel more personal and tailored to your lifestyle. Whether you’re planning a week full of hearty soups, fresh salads, or meals that feature specific vegetables, having the option to customize means you can create dishes around the produce you actually want and need.

For those who have already embraced the customization process, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Members report that it’s become an essential part of their week—an easy and enjoyable task that ensures they’re getting exactly what they want from their CSA share. With just a few clicks, they can curate a selection of produce that fits their tastes, dietary needs, and meal plans, all while supporting the farm and getting the freshest possible food.

If you’ve yet to try customizing your share, we encourage you to dive in and experience it for yourself. The ability to choose what you want, avoid what you don’t, and add extra items to your share is a fantastic way to get the most out of your CSA membership. Not only does it allow you to fully enjoy every piece of produce in your bag, but it also gives you access to exclusive extras that make your CSA experience even more special. From fresh microgreens to raw honey, from flexible hold requests to convenient home delivery, the customization option offers something for everyone.

At Ahavah Farm, we’re committed to making the CSA experience as rewarding and seamless as possible. With the customization system now firmly in place and running smoothly, there’s never been a better time to give it a try. So, log in this week and see how much more enjoyable—and personalized—your CSA share can be!

Go to WWW.AHAVAHFARM.COM/ORDERS to place your CSA customization and to order additional items each week between Monday and Thursday.

AHAVAH COMMUNITY SCHEDULE

There are no current events scheduled for the month of November.

What's In Your Bag?

For those who choose to not customize their bags, here is the "Farmer's Choice" selection for you this week: Fall Week 6, November 8th.

Please note: The Weekly Bag List is a projection based on the expected harvest. Since we grow 100% of all items included in the CSA, we cannot guarantee the harvest will be exactly as anticipated. We do our best to provide you exactly what is in the baglist above, however, there are times that substitutions may take place due to the actual harvest. Please expect items to be subject to change.

Harvest Expectations for November

Celeriac, Turnips, Radishes, Spinach, Carrots, Beets, Beet Greens, Lettuce, Salad Mix, Arugula, Cilantro, Swiss Chard, Red Kale, Green Kale, Mustard, Parsley, Dried Herbs, Living Herbs and Plants, Scallions, Onions, Tatsoi, Sunflower Shoots, Radish Microgreens, Broccoli Microgreens, Kohlrabi Microgreens and more.

Updated and rolling on a 150 day basis:

June 16th, 2024 - The 10th Annual Summer Festival is going to be the best we have ever had! With thousands expected to participate and with dozens of vendors, activities, rides and more, it's going to be not only an awesome night to remember, but a fantastic way to raise money for families in need! We are hoping to raise about $10,000 - $15,000 for local families!

July 7th, 2024 - Thank you to everyone who came out for the Summer Fest! It was an absolute disaster with the hail and rain, but for those who came out - we solute you! Thank you for standing with ACI! Yes, it was a huge loss, but we are hoping that the Fall Festival will be better! We still had about 1,200 people come out though!

July 22nd, 2024 - Due to funding limitations, the current donated CSA shares were scheduled for cancellation, as funds ran out and were not able to be extended. Ahavah Farm stepped to the plate and donated the rest of the season to all members for no cost.

August 9th, 2024 - Our homeschool day was a huge success with about 50 kids in attendance! We had tons of outreach to the community and got to interact with and teach the kids all about regenerative agriculture. Kids got to do a petting zoo, play with the local Soccer-Shots organization, listen to story time, go down the zipline and, of course, we had lots of other activities too!

August 19th, 2024 - Unfortunately due to financial constraints and limited bandwidth, we have decided to cancel the Fall festival. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

August 28th, 2024 - Do not miss the deadline to apply for free CSA shares for the Fall season! The deadline to apply is September 15th. Please go to ahavahcommunity.org/apply

September 15th, 2024 - Application for fall season now closed.

September 17th - Board meeting. The board reviewed applications for the fall season and approved 18 memberships. Although we had a record number of applications, due to financial limitations and donation declines we were only able to extend memberships to a limited number of individuals. We are thankful we were able to provide food for these 18 struggling families and are incredibly thankful to all those who help support this initiative.

October 2024 - There were no events to record in October.

Preparing Your Garden for Winter: 9 Regenerative Practices to Help Your Spring Garden Thrive

By Yosef Camire

As winter approaches and the days grow shorter, it’s tempting to tuck your garden in for a long rest until the warmth of spring returns. However, if you want your garden to come back stronger and healthier in the spring, there are several important things you can do now—especially before the real harsh winter sets in. By preparing your soil and taking a few extra steps, you can ensure that your garden stays healthy through the winter months and is ready to thrive when the growing season returns. As always, we encourage you to use regenerative, non-compromising methods that work in harmony with nature.

1. Add Mulch for Insulation and Soil Protection

One of the best things you can do for your garden before winter is to add a thick layer of mulch. Mulch acts as a blanket for your soil, helping to protect it from the extreme temperature fluctuations that are common in Colorado. It insulates the soil, keeping it warmer during the coldest months, and it also helps retain moisture—an especially important consideration given how dry our winters can be. We recommend using organic materials like straw, leaves, or wood chips, which will break down over time and add valuable nutrients back into your soil. A good rule of thumb is to apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around your plants and over any bare soil. This will not only protect your garden over the winter but will also give it a nutrient-rich boost come spring.

2. Add Compost and Calcium for Soil Enrichment

Now is also a great time to add compost to your garden. While the compost won’t fully break down during the winter months, starting the process now will give it a head start so that by spring, your soil is rich, healthy, and ready for planting. Compost improves soil structure, adds essential nutrients, and increases the microbial activity that is so important for healthy plants. Adding a layer of compost now ensures that it has several months to integrate into the soil, making it more fertile by the time you’re ready to plant. Additionally, if your soil is deficient in calcium, adding calcium-rich amendments like gypsum now will allow the nutrients to begin breaking down and integrating into the soil before spring. Calcium is crucial for cell development in plants, and applying it during the fall and winter helps prevent deficiencies that can limit growth in the growing season.

3. Keep Watering When Weather Permits

While it might seem unnecessary to water your garden during the winter, it’s actually critical in our dry Colorado climate. Winter winds and low humidity can dry out your soil, leaving your plants, particularly perennials, vulnerable to stress. On warmer days, when the ground isn’t frozen, make sure to give your garden a good soak. This will help keep the soil from becoming too dry and will ensure that the roots of your plants stay hydrated. Remember, even though plants are dormant, their root systems still need moisture to survive the winter. Watering during these dry spells can make a huge difference in your garden’s ability to bounce back in the spring.

4. Consider a Winter Cover Crop

If you have bare soil in your garden, consider planting a winter cover crop such as clover, rye, or winter wheat. Cover crops help protect the soil from erosion and compaction during the winter, and they also add nutrients back into the soil when they are tilled under in the spring. They are an excellent way to prevent nutrient loss and improve soil health without the need for synthetic fertilizers. By planting a cover crop now, you’re not only protecting your soil but also preparing it to be more fertile and productive when the growing season returns.

5. Plan for Soil Regeneration with Biodynamic Preps

For those of you looking to give your soil an extra regenerative boost, consider using biodynamic preparations. Just as we use biodynamic preps on our farm, you can incorporate them into your garden to enhance microbial activity and improve soil fertility. For instance, the Pfeiffer Field Spray or compost preparations can help inoculate your garden with beneficial bacteria and fungi that will continue to work throughout the winter. These living organisms play a vital role in breaking down organic material and releasing nutrients into the soil, making them an essential part of regenerative farming.

6. Clean Up Plant Debris, But Leave Some for Wildlife

While it’s important to remove diseased or pest-infested plant material from your garden to prevent problems from carrying over into the spring, we also recommend leaving some plant debris—such as stems, seed heads, and leaves—intact for wildlife. This debris provides shelter and food for beneficial insects like ladybugs and ground beetles, as well as birds that help keep pest populations in check. Leaving some debris in your garden is not only good for the ecosystem but also contributes to the overall health of your garden. It’s all about balance—clean up what’s necessary, but leave enough to support the beneficial creatures that call your garden home.

7. Test Your Soil for Nutrient Deficiencies

Late fall is an ideal time to test your soil for nutrient deficiencies. A simple soil test can tell you whether your garden needs additional nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. By identifying and addressing any deficiencies now, you can amend your soil over the winter and give it time to integrate those nutrients, setting the stage for a productive spring. Many garden centers and extension offices offer soil testing services, or you can purchase an at-home soil test kit. Either way, knowing what your soil needs is the first step to ensuring a bountiful harvest next year.

8. Protect Perennials and Young Trees

If you have perennials or young trees in your garden, it’s important to protect them from the harsh winter conditions. Wrapping the trunks of young trees can prevent sunscald, a condition that occurs when the bark is exposed to freezing temperatures, and then quickly warmed by the sun. Additionally, applying a thick layer of mulch around the base of your perennials can help insulate their root systems and keep them healthy through the winter months.

9. Reflect and Plan for Next Year

Finally, take this time to reflect on your garden’s successes and challenges from the past season. What worked well? What would you do differently? Use this time to plan for next year’s garden—whether it’s trying new varieties of vegetables, experimenting with different regenerative practices, or expanding your growing space. Winter may seem like a quiet time in the garden, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to plan for an even better growing season ahead.

By following these simple, regenerative tips, you can give your garden a head start before the real cold sets in. The steps you take now will pay dividends in the spring, ensuring that your soil is healthy, your plants are strong, and your garden is ready to thrive.