Newsletter 10/14/20
Greetings Friends and Neighbors,
Hemlock, Pine, and bare-limbed Ash bend and bow in submission as South Wind lays her powerful, moist breath upon the Farm this morning. South Wind, or Greening Wind, is the most feared and revered force in this corner of the Valley. Whether melting the springtime snowpack, bringing desperately needed mid-summer Rain to parched ground, or holding back Winter’s arrival to allow the Sheep and Cows to graze the last acres of stockpiled grass, her steadfast work ensures that Life here at the Farm continues. And yet, the way she howls and whistles through the tree-tops and pushes relentlessly on the greenhouses and barns can drive you to the cliff-edge of sanity or beyond. In her full-throated presence a respect can be born – a willingness to consider that the wild-flowering diversity we call Life is mostly an unlikely and a marvelous thing that relies upon so many who continue to uphold the World by being themselves. This marvel is close to the heart of how we aspire, on our better days, to conduct ourselves here at the Farm.
Weather – the word we use to encompass thousands of unique combinations of Wind, Rain, Snow, Sleet, Sun, Warmth, Cold – is commonly subjected to our spoken approval or disapproval. The forecast for cold Rain this Saturday – a day we had set aside for outdoor Work and Celebration – offers us an opportunity to articulate our gratefulness for the recharge of the ground after a summer of Drought and severe Heat. Here is the modified schedule for the coming weekend.
Soup and Bread Gift Distribution: Saturday 10/17, Noon – 3pm
We will set up the Winter Stand for the first time in the large greenhouse adjacent to the pavilion that was home to the Summer Stand. Please bring a mask with you and wear warm clothes. We will have Soup and Bread to take home as well as Hot Soup and Sliced Bread for toasting over the fire. You will need to bring your own Bowl and Spoon with you from home if you would like to eat lunch outside around the fire. We will offer olive oil for toast drizzling and paper napkins. If you would like to make an open-faced grilled cheese, bring toppings with you from home! And don’t forget your Bowl and Spoon. All food is offered as a gift to anyone who is hungry for any reason.
First Barn Building Day: Sunday 10/18, 9am – 5pm with lunch at 12:30
Sun promises to return on Sunday, which will greatly facilitate our work of digging and setting the barn footings. Would you be willing to join us for a few hours to dig holes, mix concrete or set footing posts? Or drop off a warm dish for the Lunch that will sustain the work crews? Or join the Soup Team that will prepare next week’s Soup at the outdoor kitchen between 2 and 5pm? Sign Up here: bit.ly\brushbrookworkdays
Barn Raising Day: Saturday 10/24, 9am – 5pm, lunch at 12:30.
Keep your fingers and toes crossed for clear weather and join us for this Celebratory Day. Sign up for Work Shifts or to donate a warm dish for Lunch here: bit.ly\brushbrookworkdays
Here is what you will find in this letter:
- SOUP and BREAD GIFT DISTRIBUTION 10/17 – Details and Menu
- Vegetable Preservation Request for Assistance
- Hay Bale Update
- FINANCIAL GIFT REQUESTS – detailed October Budget
With Great Care,
Ava, Erik, Collin, Evan and Adam – The Brush Brook Community Farm Team
SOUP and BREAD GIFT DISTRIBUTION: Saturday 10/17, Noon - 3 pm
SOUPS:
- Brush Brook Soup – Roasted Squash, Tomato, Greens, Beef, Garlic, Herbs, Bone Broth.
- Vegetarian Soup – Pureed Sweet Potato, Cucumber, Tomato, Garlic.
Please bring a pint or quart container with you from home and we will fill it for you. If you would like to stay for lunch outside around the fire, bring a bowl and a spoon from home, as well as any toppings to make your own open-faced grilled cheese.
BREADS: Mountain Wheat, Polenta, 3 Seed, Rye, Sprouted Grain, Backcountry Loaf (gf)
Would you consider coming by for bread and soup for your household, and/or some to drop off to a neighbor on your way home?
Vegetable Preservation Request for Assistance
In preparation for making Soup every week from Local ingredients, we are filling the freezers with greens and other vegetables. Would you be willing to help us by processing a batch at home? We will have Preservation Kits (greens, instructions and containers) for pickup each week at the Gift Stand.
Hay Bale Update
Nine personal gifts and a final large gift from Neighbor Helping Neighbor pushed us over the $1200 needed to buy the 20 bales by $360, which is now folded inyo the October Budget balance. See below. Thank you to all for this resounding generosity.
BUDGET UPDATE: Thank you for Considering the October Budget
Many heartfelt thanks to all who have responded to these invitations by sending in Financial Gifts. If you would like to support our work, you can mail checks made out to Brush Brook Community Farm to PO Box 202, Huntington, VT, 05462, bring gifts to the Friday Gift Stand, or donate through the website. We are 100% financially supported by these personal financial gifts.
Brush Brook Community Farm and Bakery – Oct. Budget |
|
| As of 10/14 | |
| Gifts Received – Thank You! | $ 2720.00 |
| Estimated Expenses for October | |
| Production Expenses | |
| Bread Ingredients & Packaging | $ 1,115.50 |
| Bakery Overhead (Insur., Electric, etc.) | $ 555.86 |
| Bakery Rent | $ 300.00 |
| Farm Expenses | $ 1,550.00 |
| Farm/Bakery Team Requested Gifts | |
| Adam Wilson Personal Living (full time) | $ 648.08 |
| Adam Wilson Rent | $ 200.00 |
| Erik Weil (part time) Rent/Housing | $ 500.00 |
| Collin McCarthy (part time) Utilities | $ 100.00 |
| Investments | |
| Cow Barn Purchased Materials | $ 500.00 |
| Fees | |
| Estimated Federal/State Taxes | $ 351.22 |
| Paypal Fees | $ 150.00 |
| Total | $ 5,970.66 |
| Balance | $ (3250.66) |
Support the Farm & Bakery
The operations of Brush Brook Community Farm & Bakery are maintained by neighborly working hands and financial gifts. Your generous monetary support propels the gift of food forward to those open to receiving it.
Thank you!