Spring/Summer Update
As the summer season is fully upon us, we wanted to give you some exciting updates on the progress we have made as an organization over the last several months. We are thrilled to report that we have been blessed with some much-needed rain over the past couple of weeks here on the farm. It's incredible how a little precipitation can bring renewed hope and vitality to our crops. We are excited to see how they respond and flourish in the coming weeks!
Allow us to share some of the highlights with you:
A volunteer from The Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park harvests fresh peas for donation to The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
Feeding the Community:
Even before the bulk of our harvest season, we have already made a significant impact on addressing food insecurity in our region. We have been able to donate over 1,000 pounds of fresh organic produce to local food pantries this past winter and spring.
Farm Prosperity:
Despite the challenges posed by a dry spring, our farm is in excellent shape. Nearly all of our fruiting plants are thriving, and they are showing promising signs of healthy growth. Contribution from supporters, CSA shareholders, volunteers, farm staff and four full-time/part-time farm inters have allowed us to provide the necessary care and resources to ensure the well-being of our crops, contributing to a bountiful harvest.
A mixture of lettuces grown on the farm are growing longer than normal due to the generous support of Taste of Earth “Fund-A-Project” contributors. Thank you for supporting “Cool our Crops” a project focused on providing increased shade and irrigation to heat intolerant crops.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA):
Our CSA program has successfully launched and is now in full swing. Each day, we harvest beautiful, fresh produce from the farm, making it available to our CSA shareholders. Through this program we are able to provide our community with a direct connection to locally grown, organic food while supporting sustainable farming practices and truly knowing their farmers!
The Beauty of Crown Point:
Crown Point is blossoming into a more beautiful place with each passing day. Vibrant flowers are in bloom, adding color and fragrance to our surroundings. With help from our community of supporters and volunteers, we have been able to make significant progress in maintaining and improving the various structures on our property. Our Orchard House, in particular, has become an ideal setting for business retreats, small family gatherings, and more.
Native silphium perfoliatum or Cup plant adorns the hill leading up to the circa 1910 Century Barn and is in bloom until frost.
The plant gets its name from leaves clasped around the stems forming water basins or "cups" which store rain water for the plant and create a bathing spot for small finches.
Exciting Programs:
In the coming weeks, we have some exciting program announcements in store for you. We are thrilled to bring back the globally themed farm-to-table dinners, a beloved genre of program at Crown Point. Stay tuned for further details and prepare your taste buds for a memorable culinary experience!
We cannot emphasize enough how much our community of supporters, volunteers and staff have made a tangible difference to so many. Crown Point is making significant strides in battling food insecurity in our region while demonstrating best practices in sustainable agriculture. The progress we are witnessing and the amazing work we are accomplishing simply wouldn't be possible without your support.
We are incredibly grateful, and we hope to continue our journey together in creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Wishing you a wonderful summer,
Kevin Gross, Executive Director
