Providing farm fresh organic produce, flowers, and fruit through CSA and local markets since 1993. An Eco-Agriculture revolution for the masses...
About Us
Greetings...
We are small-scale diversified farmers, dedicated to growing food sustainably and building community. We market primarily on a community supported agriculture model, receiving payment in the spring from farm 'members', and providing weekly delivery of organic (though uncertified) vegetables, herbs, fruit, and flowers from mid-May through mid-October.
You're Invited, First Annual Currant Events Festival, July 14
RSVP: e.schneider.hilltopfarm(at)gmail.com for event details, directions by July 6, 2012
Special thanks to the Wisconsin Farmers Union for sponsoring the event.
Additional support from the Michael Fields Agriculture Institute, Family Farm Defenders, and the North Central Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education Program
April Flowers bring May Showers and Other Happenings in our May Newsletter
It will come as no surprise to anyone (except climatologists) that March was warmer than April this year, an occurrence hertofore unknown in the annals of Wisconsin weather. That was particularly impressive because April was already 1.3 degrees F warmer than normal, and March bested it by another 22 degrees. The five 80 plus degree days in march made it seem more like June, while the warm April was really more the equivalent of May.
Where does that leave the farm outlook for May you may ask? You can read more about what's in store for the coming month on the farm and in your CSA shares in our May Newsletter.
What to do with all those blue fruits...
Last fall, after catching up with farm friends, I had an ah-ha fruit moment. Three years ago, Elsewhere Farm in Herbster, WI, Mary Dirty Face Farm in Menomenee, WI and our farm discovered that we were growing the same fruits (saskatoon, currants, elderberry, and honeyberry), in the same phases of production (beginning), and facing the same challenges in finding local markets and figureing out price structure, we realized that our farms were well positioned to collaborate and we set out to find a way to work together.
Creative Ways with Herbs - Check out our updated 2012 Herb Primer
We grow 34 species of herbs, annual and perennial, tree or shrub and include in your CSA shares over the season. That's a lot of plants to consider for your palette! We hope our updated Herb Primer, can demystify some of the 'unidentified' fragrant leafy green things that show up in your shares, highlight some of the amazing attributes of herbs, and encourage you to experiment with herbs in your cuisine, to decorate and scent your precincts, and cure what ails you.
Fall in love with lovage, substitute bergamot for oregano, savor savory and build up a cabinet full of flavored vinegars along the way. This season we hope you enjoy a slough of creativity with our fresh organic herbs.
Listen in to Farmer Rob's podcast featuring insights on FRESH
Farmer Rob's Podcast sharing insights into our farming practices and more about FRESH, Farmers Raising Ecologically Sustainable, Healthy Food, a grower cooperative we are a part of.
Welcome to the 2012 Growing Season - Opportunities to Meet your Farm/your Farmers
Welcome to the CSA season at Hilltop Community Farm. We look forward to sharing the season's stories and harvest with you and extend a warm welcome to our returning members as well as to new members. Many people prefer the connection to a farmer and a specific farm found in CSA to the anonymity of conventionally grown produce bought at the store. This season brings many opportuniteis to connect with your farm beyond your vegetables. You learn how in our April 2012 Newsletetter.
2012 Flower CSA shares still available, Vegetable shares are Full
Vegetable shares are full for the year. Please contact us if you're interested in our flower share, bulk fruits and other farm products and services.
We still have monthly and seasonal flower share options for our local Reedsburg/La Valle area customers. We will continue to offer custom bouquets and bulk blooms for our special events wherever you reside.
For details on sign-up and information on our flower share options, link to our Flower/Herb page on our website.
Farmers Transforming the Landscape - A look at what's in store for the 2012 growing season in our Winter Newsletter
Learn more about ways to connect with our farm this season in our 2012 Winter Newsletter. From fruit, flowers, and CSA to workshops, design consult and collaborative flower art...we're getting set to transform the landscape, one saskatoon at a time. We hope you'll join us.
Taking Stock, Energy and Ecological Agriculture and more in our October Newsletter
It's October, and time to take stock. I wish that meant sitting in reverie on a sun-baked porch. But instead it involves hunkering down in front of my trusty old Monroe adding-machine. And the little green LEDs are telling me that you got an awful lot of squash this year. (Note: Erin will tell you more about where the sun and energy fits into our whole farm plan in our October Newsletter).
