Rose Mountain Farm - Newsletter

This could be your last Rose Mountain Farm newsletter!

2009-02-17T12:54:00.003-05:00

Hi folks!

One quick update before I get to the title business - in December, the Ashe County Farmers Market board decided unanimously to hold winter markets on the first Saturday of each month from 8-12. This coming market (March 6th), I'll have pork and sausage, and probably mustard greens and arugula. Only a month until spring, and we're already planting! Also, if you are interested in a CSA, the deadline has passed, but I still have a few available, so please support local farmers and the local economy - along with your health - and order a CSA from RMF!

And now to the main course of business: because our newsletter group is so large, we can no longer send out email messages when there is a newsletter or announcement. So, we're asking that you take a moment now to sign up on our Yahoo Group to continue receiving news! As you know, you'll only be receiving one about every two weeks or so through the winter, and no more than one per week in the summer. It's an easy process, so please take a moment to sign up and stay in the loop. We'll be updating the newsletter sign up page in the next few days to allow for this change. You can also subscribe via email by sending a blank message to the following email: rmfnewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. If you don't want to receive our updates any longer, just do nothing.

Speaking of changes, this year we're implementing a new website page that will allow you to see what products we'll have at each market before you leave your house! No guessing, no calling to check, no wondering if its worth your drive - any veggies, meat, or eggs we have will be listed under the appropriate market. You may remember from previous newsletters that my daughter Autumn will be running the Ashe market, freeing me up for the Watauga market! You won't know when those changes take effect unless you're on our new Yahoo Group, so please, don't make me beg!

Saturday Selling!

2008-12-30T19:23:00.004-05:00

Stacy Martin and I will be set up at the Ashe County Farmer's Market site this Saturday from 11-2. Stacy will have lamb and eggs for sale, and I will have pork and eggs. Come out and take advantage of us being in town! Look forward to seeing you there!

Photo (c) Frederica Georgia 2008

Processed pig for sell!

2008-12-10T18:45:00.002-05:00

We currently have 5 whole hogs butterflied @ 100 lbs each. $2.50 per lb. We are also offering pork chops, ground, ribs, side, stew, and boneless ham roast. Call to reserve your pig or meat. 336-977-2535.

Customers can always call for bulk meat orders Jan - Mar!

This Saturday is the last market, please be sure to come support your farmers and craftsmen!

Poultry and Family business

2008-12-01T11:22:00.003-05:00

Let me start by saying thank you so much for being my customers this year!!!! The farm is alive and kicking thanks to all of you.

RMF is going into the pastured poultry business full throttle! We'll be growing the legal limit of 1000 birds for the summer of 2009. The first batch will be available the week of May 11th, and our intention is to process every 2 weeks all summer. Egg production is also going to increase, and eggs will be available at the Ashe and Watauga market next spring.

On the family front, my daughter, Autumn will be managing the Ashe Market booth in the coming season, freeing me up for RMF's Watauga booth (except on App State home game days). This aligns with our committment to provide fresh, local food, while supporting the sustainability model and reducing our carbon footprint (and yours!).

The Ashe County Farmers Market will re-open on Dec 6 and 13th, with new winter hours of 10 am to 3 pm. I hope to see you there. I will have about 4 cases of butternut squash and plenty of pork, lamb and whole chicken.

For 2009, our production will gear towards meat. I will be offering pastured poultry April- Sept, Goat and Lamb 100% grass and forage fed Aug- Dec., and pastured pork year-round. For a pricing list that you can print, please click here.

I will be using my greenhouse for the early spring greens, and I am open to suggestions or pre-orders. I will continue to offer early braising greens, radishes, herbs, lettuce, and mustard and/or turnip greens.

CSA shares are now available for the 2009 growing season. Learn all about our CSA program and how you can get the local produce from RMF all season long. Give our best to your family for a Christmas present! Buying a share not only helps your local farmer and the local economy, but also assures you have quality, local, fresh vegetables to nourish your bodies. No one would turn down the gift of good health!

I would like to extend a special thank you to my agriculture extension agent Richard Boyland, and my friend and business partner Virginia Tate. The farm is growing and improving at a steady pace.

Happy Holidays, however you celebrate, and Merry Christmas to all!

Eat Healthy, Stay Well,

Ann

Community Supported Agriculture 2009

2008-12-01T10:28:00.004-05:00

Ok, first, what is a CSA?

Now that we have that answered, Rose Mountain Farm is proud to offer our customers a chance to get their produce secured for the coming season by offering Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares! We will offer a wide variety of vegetables - from greens to potatoes, shiitakes to eggs. All are raised humanely and free range, hormone and antibiotic free.

We are a Certified Naturally Grown Farm and a member of New River Organic Growers and Carolina Farm Stewarship Association, as well as Certified Appalachian Grown farms and members of Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.

There are only 10 shares available for this year for both Ashe and Watauga counties. Previous CSA shareholders will have a reservation for the 2009 season unless we're notified otherwise. CSA customers may make requests for specific vegetables by January 15th with payment on a share. That way, we can structure our garden plan to suit your requests as closely as possible. Shares are based on a 20-week season. A full share of vegetables can feed four people a week (along side your grocery purchases), and a half share will feed two.

A weekly pick-up at both the Ashe and Watauga County Farmers Market on Saturdays is local and convenient (NO delivery will be available). Your bags will be packed for you and ready when we arrive at Market. Any family wishing to have larger amounts due to larger family size can receive a 10% discount for two full shares purchased by the same family. Two absentee weeks during the season will result in the forfeiture of your credit for those weeks, so please let us know in advance if you are not planning to pick up on a Saturday.

** Substitutions are at the farmer's discretion, dependent upon crop production, failure, or weather damage.

VEGETABLES:

The prices below represent about $40 a week for a full share and $22.50 on a half share.

A full share of vegetables costs $800.00 paid in full, resulting in $850.00 credit over the 20-week growing season. (You pay $800, you get $850 of veggies.)

________$800 for a full share by April 1

A half share of vegetables costs $450.00 paid in full, resulting in $500.00 credit. (You pay $450, you get $500 of veggies.)

____$450 for a half share by April 1

Vegetable price lists and quantities are available on request, but please understand that we don't have our seed orders in yet and things can change slightly.

CSA members will receive a 10% discount on all other purchases from RMF at the Ashe and Watauga County Farmer's Markets.

Meat this year will be available on an 'as-processed' schedule, and not available as a share. See the price list and availability here.

You can send a check or money order with a copy of this contract to:

Ann Rose
PO Box 225
Lansing, NC 28643
336-977-2535

Or to pay by credit card, send payment via PayPal to ann@rosemountainfarm.com .

Clearing up the confusion

2008-10-13T00:29:00.004-04:00

Photo (c) Frederica Georgia

Howdy Folks!

Current Business:

Many of you got the email about the Farm sale last Thursday. I wasn't clear, and it's led to some confusion. This was the last ON-FARM sale of the season. For the rest of the market year, I will be set up at the Ashe Market and Lansing Market. The winter squash has been harvested! See you at the market until the 25th!

I haven't checked email in about a month, so if you've emailed me, I'll be getting back to you shortly. Thanks for your patience! The easiest way to contact me is still by phone. (see the site for the phone number)

Other news:

The new Ashe market website is up: http://www.ashefarmersmarket.com/. It's still in development, so bookmark it and keep up with us throughout the year! Some of you saw the article and photos of my farm and others in High Country Magazine. Freddie, the photog, has made those available for us online at the following link: http://gallery.me.com/freddiefoto#100101

Photo (c) Danielle Wood

And for those who've asked, the grandbaby is doing wonderfully - already over 10 lbs., and two months old today!

Eat well, stay healthy,

Ann (Nana)

Welcome Riley!

2008-08-17T22:37:00.002-04:00

Hey ya'll! I'm a grandma for the first time! My daughter, Autumn, gave birth to Riley May on Tuesday, August 12th at 8:14PM. She weighed 5lbs 11oz, and is as precious as can be! See my sister's photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/captivated/sets/72157606714250845/

In other news, Slow Food Boone will be having a potluck at my farm on September 28th. (date not set in stone yet). Please stop on by and have some farm fresh pork, as well as other locally grown dishes! I'll relay details closer to the time.

We're in full harvest swing, so do make sure to come by the Lansing and Ashe County Farmers' Markets to buy all the tomatoes you can can!

Market & Farm Tour

2008-08-01T13:55:00.002-04:00

Hey Ya'll!

This week at the West Jefferson Farmers' Market, I'll have fresh squash, cucumber, onions, pork, tomatoes, herbs, lettuce, and more! Fresh chicken from Eddie Herschner's farm, too!

The Lansing Market is running on Tuesdays 2-6PM until middle of September - come see us!

Also, don't forget the >> High Country Farm Tour this weekend!

The 2008 High Country Farm Tour will be on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday,
August 3, from 1 to 5pm each day. Buttons will be sold in advance for $20 and
for $25 on tour days. Single-farm visits are $10 per car, per farm. Participants
should wear comfortable shoes and bring coolers in case they want to purchase
produce, eggs, cheese, meat and other items. The tour is held rain or shine. For
more information, visit www.brwia.org. or call Angie at (828) 406-2533.

Hope to see ya'll this weekend!

Eat well, stay healthy,

Ann

Market list 6-28-08

2008-06-25T20:43:00.005-04:00

Howdy folks,

This week I would like to encourage and remind all of my customers that the summer produce is coming soon, and I think that all of us need to be preserving, drying, or freezing our extras. Food prices are going to go up, and I hope that your food from the farm will be preserved for your winter diet.

This week at the market there will be fresh pork and chicken from the Hershner farm. I'll have eggs, mustard greens, radishes, onions, turnip greens, lettuce, and a few shiitake mushrooms. Also, fresh basil, dill, oregano, and marjoram.

Please come early, bring a cooler and small bills. I will be processing lamb in August and September.

Baby pigs are here! I have 8 remaining, mostly males. Please email me to get these babies for your farm! ann [at] rosemountainfarm [dot] com

Thank you all for being my customers!

Ann

This week at the market

2008-06-12T18:36:00.003-04:00

Saturday, at the Ashe County Farmer's Market, I'll have the following yummy things for sale:

* Pork
* Cilantro
* Basil
* Other herbs
* Onions
* Lettuce
* Beets

I'll be there from 8-1, so come on out and say howdy!

Farmer's Market list 5-31-08

2008-05-27T14:22:00.008-04:00

This Saturday at the Ashe County Farmers Market, I will have fresh pork chops, grilling kabob cuts, sausage, ground pork for burgers, ribs, and unsliced bacon.

I'm cutting apple wood for grilling your favorite pork cuts!

The garden is now producing (in small amounts) leaf lettuce and onions. I have rhubarb in pots for planting at home.

In the near future, I'll have tomatoes, beans, corn, greens peppers, and turnips, which are coming on rather well. I have squash up in many varieties. Keep checking for these in the coming weeks.

Stay healthy and eat well,

Ann

April 19th

2008-04-18T21:03:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! I'll be at the Ashe County Farmer's Market tomorrow, Saturday, April 19th, (and most Saturdays for the rest of the summer). Tomorrow our offerings include whole hog sausage, ribs, and eggs. Look forward to seeing you there!

P.S. If you can't make it, drop me a line, or visit my online store at www.rosemountainfarm.com

Piglets for sale!

2007-12-15T09:08:00.000-05:00

Here Piggy Piggies!

Pigs are now available for sale at Rose Mountain Farm! (Meet Daddy ---^)

Get your new Hampshire, Yorkshire, and/or Tamsworth while 'squeals' last! The piglets are 50-100 pounds, and are well worth the 50-75 bucks you'll pay. 15 piglets available (sows and barrs). Just give Ann a call at 336-977-2535 to secure your pig(s), or stop by the Farmer's Market this morning until 1 to speak directly to her!

This is the last Farmer's Market of the season, so don't forget to stop by to finalize that Christmas shopping while supporting your local economy.

Living off-grid

2007-12-07T15:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally made the front page of the paper - www.mountaintimes.com

Dec 6 07 edition

Living on will power
By Charlotte Wilson Langley

Although Ashe County is nestled deep into the mountains and tucked away in the most north-western corner of North Carolina, the majority of the population live pretty modern lives.

Just about everyone has cell phones, computers with high-speed Internet connections, and sophisticated heating and cooling appliances that leave homes taking care of their owners rather than the other way around.

But what if people here could no longer have top-notch appliances in their homes, if they had to provide their own food, wood for heat, and went to bed when the sunset? Even in the winter. Could present-day citizens of Ashe County live old-fashioned, "simple" lives like those in years past? Well many do, and by choice.

One of those people is Ann Rose. Rose is a resident of Ashe County and lives "off-grid." Ann explains that living off-grid means being self-sustaining and free from outside power sources.

"It means being responsible for all of the energy you consume by producing all that you consume," she said. "Whichever form you use - micro hydro, wind, solar, etcetera."

Rose said she has very low energy consumption, but for what she does use, she has a battery pack of 12 volts that she keeps charged with jumper cables and her truck.

Ann Rose is in a very small minority of people using alternative energies, but living off-grid is actually a growing movement. According to USA Today, 180,000 families live off-grid and that number has been climbing at 33% a year for ten years.

Rose's livelihood comes from farming, but she admits that she worries about the environment consciously, and because of this, she runs her farm without a tractor.

Making a living from farming and crafts, it may seem unfeasible to run a farm sans tractor, but Rose does just that. Using a mule, and spring water, Rose produces products like pasture-based pork and organic vegetables she cans herself. She sells what she produces at the local farmer's market. Although it may not seem like it, Rose's lifestyle is a relatively new one of only two years. Prior to living off-grid, Rose was working as a nurse, using electricity, and working 12-hour shifts. It was during that time that something happened that changed her forever.

"Two years ago, while on shift at the hospital, I looked out the window. It was snowing lightly, and I realized that I hadn't felt the seasons change in 12 years because I was always doing 12-hour shifts. I knew at that point, my life had to change," Rose said.

Since then, she has completely cut her ties with nursing and survives solely from her work, and completely provides for herself.

"My grandmother raised eight children with gravity water and no electricity. I felt that if she could do it with eight kids, I could do it for me," added Rose.

So how does she do it all? She lives in a small cabin that she and her father built of reclaimed lumber from a barn that was going to be torn down. For drinking water, she carries spring water. For laundry and dishes she uses rainwater. For food, Rose says she lives on the "50 mile diet."

"All of my food is raised or grown within 50 miles of where I live, with the exception of coffee, sugar, and flour," Rose says. She has no refrigerator, so she cans all of her meat and vegetables. Rose doesn't use much power in the winter, because she goes to bed at sunset and rises by 5 or 6 a.m.

For heat, she uses wood. Rose does own a generator, but admits she only uses it to power a light for raising baby chicks in early spring.

But why does she do it? Rose is very conscious of the environment and energy usage and says she lives primitively by choice.

"I chose to live off-grid to save money to install a solar system and to educate my daughters on will power. Where there's a will, there's a way." Rose added that the benefits of living off-grid, are a much better lifestyle, physical exertion, and being active outdoors instead of being sedentary.

"I left a career in nursing to pursue a primitive lifestyle. Since leaving public employment, I have gained my sense of humor, my health and my life," she said. "This life is hard work, but it feels good to be physically tired at the end of the day, as opposed to being mentally tired."

Ann Rose has been living off-grid for two years and works at the West Jefferson farmer's market selling goods from her very own, Rose Mountain Farm.

For more information on living off-grid, visit http://www.treehugger.com/ or http://www.off-grid.net/

Community Supported Agriculture 2008

2007-12-06T16:21:00.000-05:00

Ok, first, what is a CSA?

Now that we have that answered, Rose Mountain Farm is proud to offer our customers a chance to get their produce and meats secured for the coming season by offering Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares! We will offer a wide variety of vegetables - from greens to potatoes, shiitakes to eggs - and meats - pork, beef, lamb, rabbit, and poultry. All are raised humanely and free range, hormone and antibiotic free.

We are a Certified Naturally Grown Farm and a member of New River Organic Growers and Carolina Farm Stewarship Association, as well as Certified Appalachian Grown farms and members of Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. We will apply for USDA Certified Organic license this spring.

There are only 10 shares available for this year. Previous CSA shareholders will have first priority for the 2008 season. CSA customers may make requests for specific vegetables by January 20th with full payment of a whole or half vegetable share. In this way, we can structure our garden plan to suit your requests as closely as possible. Shares are based on a 24-week season. A full share will feed four people for the week, and a half share will feed two.

A weekly pick-up at the Ashe County Farmers Market on Saturdays is local and convenient (no delivery will be available). Any family wishing to have larger amounts due to larger family size can receive a 10 percent discount for two full shares purchased by the same family. A slight change this year will be in the pick-up of vegetables. A sign will be posted with the breakdown of available vegetables. You may then pick your variety out of the available choices (i.e., you may choose 2 brandywine tomatoes instead of 2 cherokee purple.) Two absentee weeks during the season will result in the forfeiture of your credit for those weeks, so please let us know in advance if you are not planning to pick up on a Saturday.

** Substitutions are at the farmer's discretion, dependent upon crop production, failure, or weather damage.

VEGETABLES:

The prices below represent about $33.00 a week for a full share and $18.75 on a half share.

A full share of vegetables costs $800.00 paid in full, resulting in $850.00 credit over the 24-week growing season. It feeds four people a week. A payment plan for a full share will result in an $850 credit, and must be paid by the following schedule:

A deposit of
________ $300.00 by January 20th.
________ $250.00 due February 1.
________ $250.00 due March 1.

A half share of vegetables costs $455.00 paid in full, resulting in $500.00 credit. It feeds two people a week.

A payment plan for a half share of vegetables will result in an $455 credit, and must be paid by the following schedule:

A deposit of
_______$200.00 by January 20th.
_______$155.00 due February 1.
_______$100.00 due March 1.

MEATS:

Meats will include pork, lamb, poultry, beef, rabbit, turkey, and/or duck, dependent upon herd growth and processing availability.

Meat shares may be limited to $50 values per week, dependent upon increases in meat processing and packaging costs.

_____$400 full share of meat must be paid in full by February 1.
_____$200 half share of meat must be paid in full by February 1.

Meat and vegetable price lists and quantities are available on request, but please understand that we don't have our seed orders in yet and things can change slightly.

CSA members will receive a 10% discount on all extra purchases from RMF at the Ashe County Farmer's Market.

You can send a check or money order with a copy of this contract to:

Ann Rose
PO Box 225
Lansing, NC 28643
336-977-2535

Or to pay by credit card, send payment via PayPal to ann@rosemountainfarm.com . (buttons will be up soon for each payment option)

December Market

2007-12-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

This week from RMF at the Ashe County Farmer's Market, we'll have fresh pork sausage, tenderloin, ribs, stew, and backbone; lamb chops, lamb stew, ground lamb, leg of lamb (bone-in). I'm giving a 5% discount to shoppers who bring reusable shopping bags. The Farmer's Market hours are 10-4 this Saturday, December 8th, and next Saturday, December 15th. The market is full of holiday crafts and gifts, bread, jellies, and other items from our Ashe County vendors. My handmade turquoise, hematite, and silver earrings will be available for those who have a jewelry lover on their nice list. Stacy Martin from Yellow Wolf Farm will have fresh Goat meat. During the winter months (Jan-Mar), those who want meat in bulk quantity will be sent a notification of the one Saturday of the month that I will deliver to the Ashe County Farmer's Market parking lot.

Our greenhouse will be finished this winter, so several early lettuce and greens will be available in April. Be sure to check out our CSA post to find out more about prepaying for your farm-fresh meat and vegetables for the 2008 season. Community Supported Agricultural shares make great Christmas gifts that give all year long!

Updates abound!

2007-10-18T16:19:00.000-04:00

You'll notice some new things on the website today - and possibly a few glitches. So email me (the webmaster) if you notice anything here not working, but email Ann if you'd like to make an order, or have questions about the farm!

Check out the links to the right - if you're a local, and have a website, email me your link, and I'll add you! If you haven't already, subscribe to our RSS feed to get updates within seconds of being published (you'll need a software like Bloglines, Yahoo!, or FeedBurner, all free, or you can use Internet Explorer 7).

Late September

2007-09-28T20:57:00.001-04:00

Shiitakes in flush
Originally uploaded by -Mandie-

At the farmer's market this week, I have fresh sausage, pork chops, ribs, and a few vegetables left: peppers and tomatoes, mostly. Shiitakes will be dried this week and available next week. Things are winding down; I hope to see everyone next year.

Eat fresh, stay healthy, Ann

At the Market this week

2007-09-04T17:13:00.000-04:00

I will not be manning my booth, but my good friends Deborah and Holis will be ' holding my spot' and selling the sausage and shiitakes while I am away at this week's Ashe County Farmer's Market. Thanks ladies!

THIS WEEK ONLY: Whole hams and shoulders are on sale for $4.00 /lb! Stop by and pick one up before they get snatched up!

Eat well, stay healthy,
Ann

Produce Availablility and a new Market!

2007-06-28T14:42:00.000-04:00

Howdy folks,

A short note to let you know what will be at the Valle Crucis market on Wednesdays from 2-6pm, and the Ashe County market this Saturday from 8am-12pm. (We'll be taking next week off from the markets.) Look for the red gingham table!

Here's what will be available on Saturday:

Pounds of fresh shiitakes thanks to the thunderstorms last Tuesday and this Sunday.
Lots of Squash ( Zucchini and Patty Pan)
Just a few tomatoes possibly?
A few Flagoelet green beans
More onions
Some asian lettuce mix
Cilantro soon to be gone for the year.
The eggs of many colors go fast so come early.
A few pounds of rainbow chard.
Fresh mild and hot sausage,
thick cut porkchops and ribs.

Remember that I can do speciality pork cuts with a 10-day prior notice. Please call orders in by Thursdays because I don't check my email frequently.

Thank you all who have supported Rose Mountain Farm this year. We all should know where our food comes from and how it got here. Eat well, stay healthy, and have a fabulous July 4th!

Ann

June 07

2007-06-17T10:55:00.000-04:00

Howdy folks!

June is super busy on the farm. I will have onions, squash, rainbow chard and cilantro this Saturday (June 16) at the market. I will also have fresh cut grill thick pork chops, pork hamsteaks, and sausage. We will have flageolet beans and peanut beans in a couple of weeks. Eggs are going fast so come early to get eggs. There will be a few shiitakes this week with more to come.

Keep up-to-date with the raw milk bill in the NC General Assembly by following this link: http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2007&BillID=S948

Eat well and stay healthy.

It's MAY, folks!

2007-05-12T15:17:00.000-04:00

The farm is awake and growing - baby chicks abound and there are lots of eggs to gather. The pork sales are wonderful, and I have more on pasture and 5 bred sows to farrow in August. The sausage and tenderloin are a must try for the meat lovers out there. I do have a limited amount of whole ham and shoulder roast available.

The billy goat sale will be in September on a first-come, first-serve basis. I have 10 alpine/nubian cross billys, ready for breeding this fall.

The farmers market is open and I will be there every saturday except July 4th weekend.

The garden has onions and peas to harvest in June with squash to follow. Chard is looking good and flagollet beans are busting through the ground. Cilantro is up and 4 weeks from picking. I am just starting tomatoes, so hopefully we'll have a crop ready in about 70 days. I have Muscovy duck eggs if anyone is interested in hatching or eating them.

I have hopes of finding a milk cow of the Guernsey breed if anyone knows of the location of one please email me or call (336-977-2535). I also have a Tamsworth and a Hampshire boar hog for lease to breed your sows.

This weekend at the market I will have shiitake mushrooms and eggs, along with the pork selections. Hope to see you there!

March/April news

2007-05-07T22:57:00.000-04:00

Howdy folks!

I hope every one is gearing up for spring. The farm is coming alive! I have lettuce coming up that will be ready to harvest in late May, and the onions are growing. I will be at the Ashe County Farmer's Market opening day (April 21st) with fresh sausage, free-range eggs, whole ham shoulders for family get-togethers, pork chops, tenderloin, and whole loins.

I have new pullets that are 3 months old - Delawares, Light Brahmas, Rhode Island Reds, and Buff Orpingtons, all of which were hatched and vaccinated at Murray McMurray Hatchery. Chickens are for sale from the farm. I also have Muscovy Ducks, so expect duck eggs at the market as they are available.

All the fruit trees on the farm bloomed, but the freeze hit 2 days later, and all was lost here, just as it was over much of the southeast. However, the Ashley orchard that I lease had not yet bloomed, and I expect a bountiful crop of apples from there.

I'm sorry about the intermittent phone service - the problem has been fixed, and I hope to hear from you soon. Remember, the new number is 336-977-2535 (please call after 7 PM if possible on weekdays). Emailing still works, too, at ann@rosemountainfarm.com

Eat Well, Stay Healthy!
--Ann

February Newsletter

2007-02-20T18:11:00.000-05:00

The shiiitake mushroom workshop is rescheduled once again to accomodate the expected attendance. Mark March 17, 2007 on your calendars. The workshop is co-sponsored by NC A&T, Nancy Hoffman of Spin a Yarn, Ann Rose of Rose Mountain Farm, and the Ashe County Agricultural Extension.

Hope all is well, where ever you are. I hope that you all have had a wonderful winter and are planning a busy spring. The seed orders are in and I am awaiting arrival. I am still working on the greenhouse with hope of completion soon.

I am planning a workshop on root cellar construction. Watch your email for a final date and rain date. It will cover different plans and types, with and without gravity water troughs. We'll cover the pros and cons of the different types of cellars. It's your non-electric refrigerator! The workshop will be $20, and bring your own gloves. Lunch will be provided for participants of the construction project. It will start early and end late.

Also, by order only I am processing 3 lean hogs that are just right for holiday hams and roast. I will have available 6 whole hams, shoulders, and whole loins. These are lean, pasture-raised hogs and are ready for your freezer. The hams and loins will be $4 per pound and the shoulders will be $3 per pound. Also the whole sides (bacon) are available at $2 per pound. These will be sold on first-come, first-serve basis. Feel free to call at 336-977-2535 or email.

Thank you to every one who has purchased a CSA share. There are 5 remaining vegetable CSA shares for this year. The pork will continue to be available at the Spin A Yarn store in Warrensville.

Windmills

2007-02-07T22:08:00.000-05:00

Many of you know I am getting involved in the windmill debate here in Ashe County. Here is a reprint of the article that was posted in the Local section of the Winston-Salem Journal on Tuesday, February 6, 2007:

Guides for wind farm get initial OK
Ashe commissioners approve an ordinance for wind energy
By Monte Mitchell
JOURNAL REPORTER

JEFFERSON
Ashe County commissioners approved an ordinance yesterday to govern wind-energy systems, a response to a proposed commercial wind farm of 25 to 28 windmills.

There was no discussion by commissioners before the 4-0 vote, which followed a 90-minute public hearing. During the public hearing, 13 people spoke in opposition to the wind farm, 11 spoke in favor of it, and three people didn't take a position but offered suggestions for the proposed ordinance.

Before the hearing began, Ashe Board of Commissioners Chairman Richard Blackburn explained to the audience that the county's lack of a comprehensive land-use plan meant that commissioners could not ban windmills.

"The only thing that can happen is we can regulate," he said. "We cannot prohibit. That's a very significant thing to remember."

There's controversy about whether the state's Ridge Law prohibits wind turbines of an industrial scale.

The wind turbines would be more than 300 feet tall on or near Big Springs Mountain. The developer hasn't specified a model wind turbine, but said he would probably use a helicopter for much of the construction, according to testimony filed with the N.C. Utilities Commission.

Interpretation of the Ridge Law is key to whether the proposed wind farm would be allowed, both sides in the debate have said.

Ashe's ordinance includes a setback that says a large wind-energy system shall not be allowed within 1,700 feet of any home or commercial building.

Lou Zeller, of the Glendale Springs-based Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, told commissioners during the public hearing that a 1,700-foot setback would prohibit the proposed wind farm. He spoke in favor of wind energy and the wind farm.
Richard Calhoun, the former Ashe County commissioner who is proposing to build the wind farm, said during the hearing that Ashe and the other mountain counties are suited for wind energy.

"I'm convinced we can do this project without destruction of our beloved mountains," he said.

"Big Springs is a sacred place to me."

He said he believes the Ridge Law excludes windmills.

"These are windmills," he said. "I don't see the debate."

Calhoun, who sometimes was at odds with his fellow commissioners during his last term, reminded them that he loved a "good debate."

"Anything controversial I love," he said, in his opening remarks. In his closing remarks, he jokingly suggested a visual tax.

"Anyone who wants to look at our mountains could pay $1 per minute," he said. "Fair is fair."

Jay Vincent, a Blowing Rock-based Realtor and developer, said he uses the term "specialness" to describe what most people enjoy about Ashe.

"I know nobody likes to be told what to do with their land, but at times like this, comprehensive plans or regulations sure look good," he said. "The windmill farm will be very detrimental to the specialness of this county."

Vincent reminded the board that when he was telling commissioners last spring about plans to build a ski resort on Phoenix Mountain, that Calhoun was the only county commissioner to speak against it.

"He said he wanted Ashe County to stay the way it was," Vincent said.

Later in the hearing, Ann Rose, of Lansing, said she supports the windmills and is much more concerned about Phoenix Mountain. She said that the ski towers and lifts look similar to transmission poles and wires, but "we don't hear anybody complaining about their views."

The five-member board must approve the wind-energy ordinance on a second reading for it to become effective. Blackburn said they plan to consider it for second reading at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 19. Commissioner Marty Gambill was absent yesterday.

The N.C. Utilities Commission, which will decide whether to issue the certificate of public convenience and necessity that would allow the project, will hold a public hearing on the matter at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 13 in Raleigh.

• Monte Mitchell can be reached in Wilkesboro at 336-667-5691 or at mmitchell@wsjournal.com.