Several very personal accounts of dealing with the devastating effects of Late Blight here in New England have appeared online recently. These stories remind me of why Community Supported Agriculture, by sharing in the risks as well as the rewards, is a crucial component to the survival of local farms. It also makes me more aware as a home gardener of the importance of buying my seeds and seedlings locally or from sources I know. I’m grateful for the locally-grown tomatoes and potatoes that are making it to market this season.
• Tomato Disappointment: A Farmer’s Perspective on Late Blight in the Northeast and the agonizing decision at Caretaker Farm, MA, of whether or not to use copper fungicide to fight it: “On my farm, we won’t spray anything, ever. For the first time, I can truly understand the desire to spray.”
• From Picadilly Farm in Winchester, NH, to their CSA shareholders: ”Why couldn’t it be the turnip blight?!”