Dear Friends,

We hope this snowless (so far!) winter finds you doing well. Perhaps it allows you to get outdoors and spend some extra time soaking up the winter sun. We are busy getting ready for greenhouse season, and we hope you will send us a seedling order this winter.

This year there has been an explosion of interest in winter CSAs and farmers' markets. It is amazing to watch the growth of the local foods movement in the world. For many of us it started with organic gardening. Then organic produce became available through local food coops, health food stores and CSAs. Then it was “slow foods” and the last couple of years "local food." Now it is winter local food. I don’t know what is coming next. But, we are happy that our relationship with you is part of this larger movement of local food production.

Gardening is the epicenter of local food production – whether it is a rooftop urban garden, raised beds outside your door or a backyard garden that has been in production for decades. When we garden, so many good things happen. Our lives are strengthened with vigor – from the work, the art of the garden and the health of the food. There may be long-lasting benefits too. Our children and grandchildren take note and will remember our family garden into the 22nd century.

From philosophy, back to seedlings: a quick recap of the year and changes:

• We have added over 40 new varieties this year. Many are brand new items (such as Polar Bear, a white pumpkin, and Blueberry Lime Jam Petunia mix), while others are new selections replacing varieties that were dropped by the seed trade.
• We have kept about 85% of our seedling varieties, so we hope your tried and true favorites remain on the list. There are 217 varieties of flowers, herbs and vegetables.
• We are entering our 26th year as certified organic growers.
• We continue our commitment to supporting many great local businesses. We continue to use potting soil made by Mike Lombard, Anna Aasgard, and Isaac Lombard from Ideal Compost in Peterborough. Our website is designed and maintained by our Seacoast friends Steve and Jeanne Wishengrad from The Data Collaborative.
• Reluctantly, for the first time in three years we are raising our prices. We are keeping the increase modest - 25 cents per 6-pack or 4" pot. The costs of production (seeds, fuel, supplies) are rising. In the past year and a half we have had to replace two greenhouse heaters and put new plastic on three greenhouses.
• Our website www.goodearthfarmnh.com has been updated this year. We hope you will take advantage of the interactive features that allow you to see pictures and descriptions of all of the varieties on our list.

Plant pickup will be the weekend of Memorial Day - Friday, May 25th through Monday, May 28th. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm. If you cannot make it, please let us know and we will hold your plants for you.

Please try to send us your order form by February 29th. We look forward to seeing you in May.

Dave and Linda