2024-12-16 newsletter

Greetings from 12 Seasons Farm,

Each week the farm is moving closer to its productive potential and
the setbacks from the storm are becoming less obvious. For this we are
thankful. We are adding carrots to the regular lineup of available
produce now and each week you should see more produce available.

This Tuesday we will begin at the Captiva Farmer’s Market. The market
runs from 9 am to 1 pm. We will be providing the option for a preorder
pick-up at the market.

There will no longer be a drop site at MacIntosh on Sanibel on
Thursday. Rebecca, the owner, has been very accommodating and gracious
to provide this service. She would like to take a break from it for now
with trying to keep up with the business, especially while the Captiva
market is running.

We have heard from people in Sanibel that they would like a drop site
to continue. For some the drive to the end of Captiva is prohibitive. So
if any of you or someone you know is willing to host a convenient drop
site in Sanibel, we would like to hear from you. Please email at [email protected] or call or text
Danny at 239.229.3579. It would involve a 6:00-6:30am drop on Tuesdays
before we head to the Captiva market and then having an option for
people to come and pick up produce in a cool, protected area . Right
now, it is about 5-10 orders. We usually provide about $40 in
produce/credit to the host in gratitude for being the drop site.

For those preordering for the Captiva market, please do so before 8
pm, each Sunday, as we will prepare your orders on Monday.

For those picking up orders at the farm or choosing home deliveries
on Thursday, please place orders before 8 pm Tuesday. For pickup, please
use the old farm entrance, 14840 Old Olga. Rd. Drive in slowly. Kids are
around the farm!

For those wanting to pre-order for pick-up at the Saturday market in
Bonita Springs, please order before 8 pm Thursday. If something is out
of stock, you can request those items in the customer notes.

If you have questions, please feel free to text or call Danny at
239-229-3579.

Here is our schedule for this week:

TUESDAY CAPTIVA FARMER’S MARKET: Market runs from
9am-1pm. For those wanting to preorder for the market, please do so by 8
pm on Sunday for pick-up at the Tuesday market.

THURSDAY FARM PICK-UP & HOME DELIVERY: Place an
order online before 8 pm Tuesday for Thursday all day pick-up at the
farm or to receive a home delivery. For farm pick-up, use original farm
entrance, 14840 Old Olga Rd. Order is usually split between cold produce
in walk-in cooler and the air conditioned structure just left of walk-in
cooler.

 SATURDAY BONITA SPRINGS FARMER’S
MARKET: Market runs from 8am- noon. For those interested in
preordering for the market, please do so before 8 pm on Thursday for
pick-up at the Saturday market.

 Place orders at
12seasonsfarm.com

This is what we are harvesting:

• Swiss Chard
• Arugula
• Lettuce
• Heirloom and specialty tomatoes (still extremely limited)
• Cherry tomato (very limited)
• Round radish
• Watermelon radish
• Daikon radish
• Carrots
• Broccolini
• Cucumbers
• Zucchini
• Eggplant (very limited)
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Dill
• Papaya (very limited)
• Passionfruit
• Navel oranges
• Lemons
• Pummelo
• Bananas (very limited)
• Starfruit
• Avocado
• Sunflowers
• Saw palmetto honey
• Wildflower honey
• Sea of Cortez salt
• Mango, Monkey, and Strawberry Butter

Last week one of our dear friends and long time customers, Anna and
her partner Gary hosted a party for the entire 12 Seasons Team and
children. It was marvelous–complete with an arts and crafts table,
pancake and breakfast burrito bar, bounce houses, Lego building contest,
and generous sharing of gifts.

Chef Ruth Fehr preparing gourmet healthy breakfast burritos with 12
Seasons Farm produce.

Here were some of the children at the arts and craft table.

Here is Anna helping the kids choose their own gifts. This is the 3rd
year in a row they have done this and it is truly a special time for the
team and children of 12 Seasons Farm. Thank you Anna and Gary and the
other volunteers who came to help out!

Beautiful daikon radishes!

We have a healthy crop of lemons this year!

Justin Snyder is back as my seasonal assistant this year. I think he
is in his 9th season here. He farms in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
during the summer months. Here he is on tractor spreading compost on a
raised vegetable bed.

Compost is being spread on a new field we haven’t farmed vegetables
in before. Florida soils tend to be very infertile due to their high
sand content, like 98-99 %. We plan to improve the
soils through a suite of organic practices that involve carbon-based
fertilizers, annual application of compost, intensive cultivation of
diverse rotated crops, cover cropping, and permanent raised bed/ no-till
farming. Together this should increase the carbon content of the soil
making them far more healthy and productive.

The tomatoes have been woefully absent from the market tables but we
are finally starting to see a modest uptick in production.

We have a solid large team. We are grateful for the many talented
individuals who have gathered at 12 Seasons Farm this season. They are
eager to provide fresh, healthy, and delicious produce to you. Thanks
for an opportunity to serve you!

Have a great week!

Danny, Vicki, the kids, and the 12 Seasons Team