Dear Paisley Farm CSA members,

I would like thank every one for their support this season. The summer of 2009 will be remembered for a long time. The challenges we faced were like no other. Mother Nature reminded us who’s really in charge. From Kentucky to Maine, the rain and cool temperatures have humbled many a farmer.

Our farm lies in two counties, Colombia and Dutchess. Both counties have been declared “agricultural disaster areas” by the Governor.  It’s hard to keep an optimistic view on things with so many days of rain and so few nice days to get the work done—and then on top of that be officially declared a disaster.

Our CSA has kept us going from day to day. The produce that you have received is the result of hard work and the plants’ ability to withstand the season’s harsh conditions.

Failures this season are too numerous to describe but are all related to the bad weather and scheduling needs of the short growing season here in the Hudson Valley. Every season I have dreams of what we will grow and harvest. Never have I been so disappointed. And yet . . . I have been talking to other farmers and I have to feel lucky when I learn of the even worse losses they have seen.

Diversity has always been the key to survival; the vegetables you have received represent about half of what we attempted to grow. I hope our members understand what we have gone through this year and can appreciate what we have achieved despite the circumstances.

We will survive thanks to your support and understanding. The good news is that the rain has stopped and we have plenty planted. Soon we will have radishes, turnips, cabbage and winter squash. We will be harvesting more potatoes and leeks throughout. We’re planning a harvest party soon, and we’ll combine this with a garlic planting event.

We’ll hope to see you.

Yours truly,
Michael Kokas

David’s Note: New York State declared 14 counties Agricultural Disasters qualifying farmers for low interest loans.Story and SBA Loan Information