Early February and So Much Happening

CSA season must be right around the corner because the greenhouse is packed with seedlings.  The tomatoes destined for the high tunnel are sprouting.  I am excited to be trying a bunch of varieties from Wild Boar Farm with thrilling names like Cosmos, Atomic Fusion, Solar Flare, and Dragon’s Eye.  Although the tomatoes are just getting started, there is kolhrabi ready to be planted in the high tunnel now.  The only problem is that the high tunnels are still full of winter crops!  You can find us at the Cooper Young Community Farmers Market on Saturday, February 15th, 22nd and 29th (happy leap year!).  Over the next few weeks we will have head lettuce, salad mix, spinach, beets, chard, mustard, turnips, radishes and arugula.

CSA shares are selling quickly; HONEY subscriptions available

CSA memberships are selling at a brisk pace.  In fact, as I write this, we only have a couple spots left for Saturday pick-up at the Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market.  Don’t worry, we have another opportunity to pick up your share in the neighborhood: Wednesdays at the Cooper Young Community Association.  Our other pick-up locations are the University Center at the University of Memphis and Zopitas on the Square in Collierville.  Egg Shares are going fast too, so hurry to our online store to register soon.

New for full season CSA members this year is the option to add HONEY to your share.  Choose to receive a 22 oz jar of honey every month or every other month with your CSA.  Why are we adding a honey option to the CSA this year?  We finally have enough honey coming in to guarantee a steady supply.  The bees at Tubby Creek Farm are tended by Gus Mitchell of Cranes Nest River Apiaries.

Wash/Pack Build

While we sit back with stars in our eyes imagining all the possibilities for our new Wash/Pack building – chutneys and sauces from the processing kitchen, meetings and trainings in our indoor space, farm dinners….. – there is still a lot of work to do before any of that becomes a reality.  The insulation and walls are up, but the ceiling and the walls still need to be covered in galvanized metal.  The walk-in cool rooms, all three of them, are framed.  But they still need insulation and fiberglass reinforced plastic panels on the walls.  One of three roll-up bay doors is installed.  There is electrical work and plumbing to do.  For every thing that gets done, it seems that two more things to do get added to the list.  Still, we are on track to be using out new building when the CSA begins in mid-April.

Patrick to Expand work with The Compost Fairy

Congratulations to Patrick Gridley for taking a position with The Compost Fairy in Memphis.  Don’t despair, Patrick will still be representing Tubby Creek Farm at the Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market on Saturdays.  But he will be spending a lot less time on the farm.  While we would love to keep Patrick to ourselves forever, we are grateful for the time he has spent here.  Patrick originally came out to the farm to help out for the year surrounding Cooper’s birth.  We managed to snag him for an additional two years.  He will be leaving big shoes to fill here at Tubby Creek Farm.  And not only because he is so tall.  So…..

We are Hiring!  Multiple Job Opportunities Available

We are currently seeking candidates for a full-time Production Manager position.  Come April, we will be looking for extra help in the field and in the wash/pack!   For more information email us at randy@tubbycreekfarm.com