Tonopah Rob's Vegetable Farm

The above picture is a special blend of 14 different types of lettuce Tonopah Rob mixes to create his All Salad Mix.  One of many salad mixes grown on the farm that is available on the CSA program.

If you have not been following my recent blogs regarding the purchase of land I want to add to my existing farm please scroll down and catch up on what I’ve been up to.  If you have been following my recent blogs, here’s the new news.

My super duper realtor, Debi McCreary has been diligently working by my side trying to help me seal the land deal.  Debi called me this morning and said, all the paperwork has been filed with the title company and hopefully this Wednesday we will hold a pow wow and smoke’m peace pipe.  Debi didn’t say pow wow and smoke’m peace pipe, that was me paraphrasing the conversation.  After Wednesday, I will know if the deal is sealed.  In the mean time, I’ve been asking for families and individuals to contribute to a program called the Super Duper CSA membership.  CSA is short for Community Supported Agriculture.

This nearly ancient program was invented by farmers for city folks that don’t have the time, space nor the green thumb to grow produce around their homes or backyards.  And, farmers need start up money to help offset some of their yearly expenses so they may begin another production year or do late additional projects such as myself and thus the CSA program was created.

My CSA membership program has been running now for four years.  The first season began with a weekly box program.  Members came to my farm to pick up their weekly wares that was harvested and boxed for them.  Some were not fond of  turnips, beets nor radishes but wanted more broccoli and cauliflower.  So my great mind came up with the idea to discontinue the weekly pre-filled box program and create a shop what you want when you want to come to the farm or market location program.  It’s the best and most convenient program of its kind.

Now, I’m offering my super duper CSA program along with my regular membership program. My farm is expanding and I need more financial contributions. Over the past few weeks I have campaigned for financial contributions and have collected 18,750.00 dollars but I still need more super duper members. Between the contributions and the 16,000.00 dollars I’m investing, I’m still about 12 thousand dollars short.

For now, my plan is to trench, lay pipe, electrical wiring, fire up the well and cultivate about half of the land. This will cost nearly ten thousand dollars.  I would like to cultivate all the land but this is where I’m falling a little short on cash.   Fencing supplies and irrigation hoses will cost around 7,000.00 dollars.  I went out on faith two months ago and bought my fourteen foot wide by 5000 foot long roll of bird netting because I just knew that land would soon be incorporated into my farm, but now I’m in need of a few more pricey items and to make payroll for the newly acquired farm hands requires more moo-la.  I hope to break ground the second week of February.  By the end of March to the first of April, if all goes as planned the first of my new crops should be ready to harvest from the North 40.

These firecracker marigolds are one of many companion planting flowers grown on the farm.

For your contribution, you will receive an extra 500.00 dollar full CSA share. Items available on the CSA program are; fresh raw honey, fresh eggs, fruits, vegetables and fresh cut flowers.  Your thousand dollar commitment begins with 1500.00 dollars.  Here’s how it works; you come to any Tonopah Rob market location and choose as much produce you or your family can eat for the week. I weigh it out, total it up, you sign a receipt and take a copy for your records. I keep an account in your name in my ledger book and every four to five weeks I send an email to you stating the remaining balance in your account.  Also, this account/contribution does not have an expiration date.  It will roll over and over and over year after year until you use up you investment.  It’s a fantastic deal.  I’m offering this deal until the end of February of 2012.  Please, tell others about my great endeavor.  If you know restaurant owners, families or school lunch program directors please pass this information onto them.

Please, I need a few more bucks to help me open up my new spread.  If you are interested, please send me an email to tonopahrob@gmail.com letting me know of your contribution.  You can click on to the above tab CSA contract, download the application and send it to me.  If you cannot afford the whole share, find a friend or another family member to help split the cost. Or, find four people to split the super duper, it’s a smoking deal.  Below is the veggie list:

•  Broccoli
• Carrots
• Cilantro
• Diakon Radish
• Watermelon Radish
• Assorted Turnips
• Tangelos
• Lemons
• Grapefruit
• Kale
• Chard
• Spinach
• All Salad Mix
• Tonopah Salad Mix
• Salad Sweeties
• Swiss Chard
• Green Onions
• A few beets
• Fresh Eggs
• maybe a few tomatoes-farm stand only
• maybe a surprise or two

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The above picture is of the Chipper Plot.  It’s full of baby transplanted Brussel’s Sprouts.

Last Saturday at my farm, I held an impromptu meeting for anyone interested  in becoming a contributor to a land expansion deal for my farm.  When I first decided to begin asking for contributions I thought it to be cheapening of me and my farm.  Asking people to help support my cause made me feel less of a person because I thought I should be rich enough by monetary standards to afford my own land and its improvements.   I was so embarrassed and then thoughts were coming into my head like what will people think….less of me, a weak and desperate soul, a beggar?  Deciding I couldn’t continue to care what people thought and out of desperation, I decided to down cast myself and ask for help and I’m glad I did.  The response has been fantastic. I never dreamed I would have so many wonderful souls chipping in for something I know is so important to the farm and its customers.

Much to my surprise, I was stunned by the number of people that showed up for the meeting and by the amount of people who emailed and called me letting me know they couldn’t come to the meeting on such short notice but was planning to support the farm.  Then, I was surprised by a few of the contributors that instead of giving a thousand dollar donation, they gave two.  Others found a partner and both contributed 500.00 dollars to equal a super duper share.  Other than the point being at the end of my nose, the meeting brought in 9,000.00 dollars and another 6,000.00 dollars by mail with a few more still contemplating the idea…and if all interested people contribute it’s possible the total contributions will reach 23.000.00 dollars.

We are moving forward again, I have submitted the paperwork to Mr. Ignacio and the projected closing date is January 25, 2012.  APS has been called and I have a meeting with Mike, Jan. 17, 2012.  Electricians have been called and appointments have been set.  Dave from Affordable Pumps has been called and will be here to assess the well condition and depth.  I plan to call the county to find out more information on the required permits and then file the necessary hoopla.

Then, I plan to visit one of my very good friends.  My friends name is The Home Depot.  I plan to purchase all the fencing supplies and begin pulling wire the first of February.  After the fencing is in place, Booger, my green tractor, will be ready to scrape and flatten the ground and shortly thereafter the North 40 will be planted with all kinds of veggies and maybe a few fruit trees as well.  So, as you can see, progress is moving forward.

The above picture shows beautiful heirloom artichoke plants.  Chokes should appear in another month and ready for harvest by the end of February.

I want everyone to know, everyone!!  This is your farm.  From every customer to every CSA member this is your farm. Your support by coming to the farm, supporting me at my market locations have given me the encouragement to continue growing the best medicine one can consume.  I knew many a year ago the way I farm is as important as breathing.  So, from every breath I take to every carrot I grow, the farm and I thank you for your support.

The estimated overall start up cost will be around 50,000.00 dollars. If you are interested in supporting my farm through a super duper CSA membership, I am still accepting contributions through the end of February.  This is a one time deal.  After February, the super duper CSA deal will still be available, although the large extra share will be down sized to a small share bonus amount…..still a great deal.   Below is this week’s veggie list:

• Tonopah Rob’s awesome broccoli
• Carrots
• Oranges-they are soooo sweet
• Lemons
• Grapefruit
• Tangelos
• All Salad Mix
• Spinach
• Collard Greens
• Sweet Kale
• Swiss Chard
• Fresh Eggs
• Gourmet Green Onions
• Watermelon Radishes
• Assorted Turnips and Turnip Greens
• and maybe a surprise or two

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PeggyJo the Turtle on Tonopah Rob’s farm.

Here is the latest update regarding the land deal.  I had a meeting with the land owner and his son. After all the wheeling and dealing, I now have my very first lifetime CSA membership. That’s right.  I’m proud to have Mr. Ignacio and his family eating fresh from the farm.  Ignacio has decided to give the land back to the brother team and the brothers have decided to accept 15,000.00 dollars to pay off the balance.  As far as the shared well goes, the brother team will sign an agreement that once the neighboring land is foreclosed on the well agreement will be dissolved and solely put into my name.

Both Mr. Ignacio and myself will be going to the title company to sign on the dotted lines.  At that time, I will pay for the land.  Here’s what I need from you.  For those of you that are signing on for the super duper CSA membership or if you already have a membership and want to come see the new land, I will be holding an impromptu meeting this weekend at the farm stand on January 14, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.  I plan to do a walk around the new property and explain my plans regarding how I will begin incorporating the new farm land into development. I would appreciate everyone coming to the farm for this tour. If you cannot attend the meeting here’s what I need from you. For all new families joining the CSA and contributing members already involved, please sign and mail a new CSA contract along with your payment. Write on the form super duper CSA and if you are in partnership with another family please list the family sharing that membership.  I would appreciate all contracts and monies by January 21, 2012.  Note:  You can click on the above tab CSA Contract and print/download a copy.

This picture is of the dwarf peach and nectarine orchard nestled into my farm.  This plot sits south of the new land I want to purchase.

I will continue to accept super duper CSA memberships for another month.  I don’t want to turn anyone away.  If someone wants to pitch in 500.00 dollars and split a share, I have another family wanting to do the same, they are looking for a partner.  Please call or email me. Like some of my members have said, “this is a no brain-er, 1000.00 dollars for 1500.00 dollars worth of veggies is a screaming deal.  Even 500.00 dollars on a shared membership still receives 750.00 dollars of fresh all natural fruit and vegetables from Tonopah Rob’s farm is a fantastic deal……..and to think this can roll over to the following season is a huge win for all members.”

Even if a family cannot squeeze out all the money but wants to sign up for a half share, every dollar is important to the farm. The new land will cost thousands to prepare so every dollar will help….so please help, if you can contribute.  If you can’t join the CSA program just come to the farm or to one of my market locations on a regular basis and support the farm that way.

The last few years I’ve watched the farm expand two fold.  It’s growing pains have made the fence line bulge so much it’s now beginning to crack. Now, the time is right to knock down the borders and expand into the future.  The triangle dinner bell will truly be heard from the north 40 and the chef on hand must learn to call us ten minutes sooner, giving us all a little more time to reach the back porch.

I have been truly overwhelmed by the support.  There are so many good people in the world and just think I know a bunch of em’.  A big thank you goes out to all of the new CSA customers who signed up this past weekend.  The farm thanks Bob and his family, Sue and her husband, Tom and his peeps, Tim and Jim, Carol, and Mr. Ignacio and his family, welcome to veggie land!

Here’s the veggie list:

• Heirloom Spinach
• All Lettuce Mix
• Swiss Chard
• Tonopah Salad Mix
• Mustard Greens
• Sweet Red Russian Kale
• Red Radishes
• Sweet Colorful Carrot Mix
• Watermelon Radishes
• Old Fashioned Purple Top Turnips
• Scarlet Queen Red Stems
• Salad Sweeties
• Gourmet Green Onions
• Sweet Oranges
• Lemons
• White Grapefruit
• Fresh Eggs
• Diakon Radishes
• maybe potatoes and beets—maybe!

Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower are just a week to two away from donning the tables.  

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The above picture is of the land I would like to purchase that sits directly north of my farm.

I’m sitting here sipping on my Amber Bock, thinking about how I can obtain this piece of land to farm. Every day for the past 15 years, I’ve watched that land do nothing. When I first moved into my parcel, that land was one entire piece.  Just over 2 1/2 acres.  Then, a brother team bought that land from an elderly man and they split it up into two parcels.  Both pieces have sold several times and each time both parcels have gone into foreclosure.  I’ve seen it sold over and over again to people who just couldn’t continue to make the payments.  Now, it’s up for negotiation again.  The current owner has become ill and his sons really cannot continue to make payments, so I’ve been talking with them about taking over the land.

In order for me to purchase that land, the titled owner of the note has decided to drop the price to 15 thousand dollars.  Keep in mind there is a shared well on the property.  In order for me to farm that land, I don’t want to share a well with another owner. There is a well agreement that entitles the west property owner to an easement, a twenty foot right of way to the well on the interested property I want to farm.  If you look at the above picture you can see a tiny brown rusty colored can, that’s the well.  Picture 20 feet of road from the well back to the west side property.  If I plant crops north and south, which is the way I want to farm that ground, more than half of the property will be split up by a road thus will lower the amount of production I could harvest per crop.  And there are several other obstacles I would inherit by having that land split up.

This picture is of the property on the west side of the land that I want to farm.  I would like to purchase this piece of property to buffer the land I intend to farm.

In order for me to obtain sole ownership of that well, I must pay another 3,000.00 dollars to the note holder of the land to dissolve the easement.  By the way, the brother team owns both pieces of land and the west side parcel is being foreclosed on as I write this blog.  The west side will be up for sale in about 90 days.  I wouldn’t say the land is worthless,  it is split up nearly right down the middle by a small wash that over the years has increased in size by the monsoon flood waters.

I’m trying to do something good for the environment, something good for so many people by farming the land all naturally.  Thousands of people have shopped my farm stand and some have found what I do very important to their lives.  I’m not the Jerry Lewis tel-a-thon nor the Salvation Army.  They ask for free donations. I’m asking for a contribution. In return, you get a gracious amount of veggies. I don’t know where a person can go to receive such great returns on their investment like the farm will give to you.  I’m not asking for free money, I’m working the land, harvesting healthy veggies in return for your charitable share.   I desperately need more families to step up and help the farm grow.  Just think, your help will do so many things.  Create a few more jobs that will put money back into our community. Allow a few young people to respectfully pay their bills, put food on their tables for their children.  I will be able to grow more melons, plant more fruit trees, harvest more carrots.  The list is endless, but I need more support.  Right now, I have commitments from five maybe six families, I’m a third of the way there.  I need more financial backing from business owners like restaurant owners, hotel chefs, families, couples, individuals whom can step up and help the farm. I need more people to support this great endeavor.

A close up view of the west side property that sits directly north of my greenhouse.  I want to buy it and plant fruit trees to create a wind break for the low growing crops I intend to plant on the east side of this property.

I’m asking for you to invest in my farm through a super duper CSA membership program. I can no longer be proud.  I wish I had the money to buy it all myself without asking, but I can’t.  This is a great opportunity to expand the goodness and the riches that this land can provide for many a person. This is the right thing to do, but I can’t do it alone.  I need help, a lot of help.  I’m asking for contributions in one thousand dollar increments.  The farm needs 20 families or individuals to make this transaction a reality.  Please, from the bottom of your heart, help the farm grow, help the farm become more sustainable, grow more food to help you and your family stay away from the large corporate box stores.

For each person or family that donates 1000.00 dollars, I will give them a year of veggies.  It’s considered a double CSA share, a revolving account until your donation is returned in full with produce. If your account has money left over, I will roll it over to the following season.  After that money is used up, I will offer each donating party a free half or full share….meaning your 1000.00 dollar contribution will turn into either 1250.00 or 1500.00 dollars.  It’s a great investment.  The only stipulation is, this share cannot be used to acquire produce for resale at another venue or organization.

About the property.  It’s about one and a third acres. There is a capped well.  The well is shared by the connecting property to the west of the interested property I want to farm.  I don’t want to share the well, so in order for me to be the sole owner of that well, the owner wants me to pay extra money to dissolve the well agreement and easement to that well.

I will have to hire a trencher to dig water lines and install two irrigation holding tanks, booster pump and electrical.  Then there are other items needed to operate the land like hoses, sprinklers, and planting equipment.  The property must have a fence. A new walk in cooler, storage sheds and miscellaneous items will be required to purchase.  Later on I would like to purchase the west side of the split property so I can have a buffer zone to protect the land from any neighbor that could contaminate the well water.

I’m asking for your support.  It’s so important to grow healthy food. It’s important to defend our food sources.  It’s important to know where our food comes from and how it’s grown.  For those of you that know me, you know I grow with integrity.  Again, I really need support as does the farm. I’ll do a cartwheel, maybe with one hand for your support!

By incorporating this land into my farm, it will enable me to grow more all natural veggies at one time, host more bee hives and harvest more raw honey and raise more poultry.  There is a need in my area for more farmers like me.  Put your support where it is really needed.

Here are some ideas about donating.  Partner up and split the cost of the donation. Businessmen and women, restaurant owners, schools, supervisors, your boss, your sister-in-law or brother come together and unite. Instead of donating to your favorite charity, give a contribution to your favorite farm.  It’s not a tax write off. It’s an investment towards your health care plan and to the conservation of land management.

I just can’t financially swing all the money needed for ownership and start up operating costs.  I’ve called the bank and they want more than 50% down.  I couldn’t believe it!  They wouldn’t take my veggies as collateral.  Put your money back into America….me!  Please call me at 623 386 3033 or email me at tonopahrob@gmail.com for more information.  From my beet bottom to your turnip top thank you in advance.  Below is the veggie list.  It’s root crop and greens season.

Over 15,000 seedlings are waiting for an open plot to transplanted.

• Watermelon Radishes
• Kaleidoscope Carrots
• Baby Beets
• Diakon Japanese Radishes
• Potatoes-red creamers and Yukon golds
• Red Sweet Salad  Radishes
• Salad Sweeties
• Red Stem Pink Turnips
• French Flat Turnips
• Gourmet Green Onions
• All Lettuce Mix
• Swiss Chard
• Collard Greens
• Russian Red Sweet Kale
• Mustard Greens
• Lemons
• Assorted Peppers
• Jalapenos
• Fresh Eggs
• at the farm stand, Chef Blockey will be cooking up breakfast so come hungry.  All ingredients are fresh from the farm. 
• Remember Tonopah Rob needs more families to contribute to the farm for the super duper CSA program.

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These firecracker cosmos were taken a few days before the first hard freeze of the fall season.  These beauties bordered the watermelon radish plot.

Over the past month I have had several phone calls and emails asking questions about Tonopah Rob’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.  You can go to archives and click on to the June 2011 or type in June 27, 2011 new CSA information to give you a run down on the program.  Another way is to click on to the above tabs CSA information and CSA contract.

Here are the FAQ’s

Is it too late to join the CSA program?  Absolutely not. There are 6 months to go before the end of the seasonal contract.  Plus, Tonopah Rob always throw in a few extra weeks into the month of July to help make up for any famine times the farm may experience.

What is the advantage of a Farm Stand Only Membership Share?  There are several advantages for shopping  ONLY at the Farm Stand. There is one hundred dollar bonus added onto your account. If you purchase a five hundred dollar share, your account begins with six hundred dollars.  The Farm Stand is fed first, meaning there will always be varieties of veggies that are only sold at the farm.  Asparagus, first of the season fruit and a few other unique veggies remain at the farm.  And prices are cheaper at the Farm Stand than at any market location. Once the trucks leave the property, there are added expenses like gas, market fees and a few other things that require a price increase.  Green beans at the Farm Stand will be between 3/4 dollars a pound and at market locations beans are 4/5 dollars a pound.

How long does the CSA program last?  Some families that have purchased a full share in November have nearly used up their money in December.  They eat only from the farm and purchase a large quantity of veggies for juicing.  Some families stretch it out and wait for different veggies and fruit to ripen and then indulge in the feast. The available season runs November through July. It’s up to each individual member how they spend their account dollars.

What is the weight limit per share?  If a member wants to purchase 10 lbs. or more of a certain vegetable or fruit then it’s recommended to call ahead of time and place your special order with Tonopah Rob.  This way it better helps TR to plan for each weekly harvest.  Last season there were 30 special orders for 10 lbs. or more of strawberries and 29 were filled.  The last order was placed way too late in the season, so place your orders prior to the fruiting season to guarantee your order.

How does a member pay for the vegetables?  Each member comes to the market, shops off the tables taking the wanted amount, then it’s weighed and added up.  Each member signs a receipt and keeps one copy and TR takes the other copy.  Every four to five weeks TR sends out an email stating the remaining balance per account.  It’s like having a bar tab, so to speak.

What happens if the money is used up before the end of the season?  If you spend all of your account dollars before the season is up, you may purchase another share and receive all the bonus money; for example:  You receive a 10.00 bonus for renewing, a five or ten percent kick back depending on the share size you purchase or if buying a Farm Stand Only Membership then another 100.00 dollar bonus is awarded.

May more than one share be purchased at a time?  Yes.  Some members have purchased two shares at once, some have purchased one in a half shares.

The above picture is of the land I would like to purchase that sits directly north of my farm. 

I’m trying to purchase another piece of property to farm. I’m asking for you to invest in my farm through a super duper CSA membership program. I can no longer be proud.  I wish I had the money to buy it all myself without asking, but I can’t.  This is a great opportunity to expand the goodness and the riches that this land can provide for many a person. This is the right thing to do, but I can’t do it alone.  I need help, a lot of help.  I’m asking for contributions in one thousand dollar increments.  The farm needs 20 families or individuals to make this transaction a reality.  Please, from the bottom of your heart, help the farm grow. Help the farm become more sustainable by growing more food for you and your family. The farm needs more land to produce more volume at the same time.  Right now, I can only designate a certain amount of space for broccoli and cauliflower.  If I go over the allotted space then other vegetables cannot be grown until the broccoli crop is done.  So, to have a little more land would solve that predicament.

Here’s what I can do for your contribution. For each person or family that donates 1000.00 dollars, I will give them a year of veggies.  It’s considered a double CSA share, a revolving account until your donation is returned in full with produce, seasonal raw honey and flowers and fresh eggs. If your account has money left over, I will roll it over to the following season.  After that money is used up, I will offer each donating party a free half or full share….meaning your 1000.00 dollar contribution will turn into either 1250.00 or 1500.00 dollars.  It’s a great investment.

About the property.  It’s about one and a third acres. There is a capped well.  The well is shared by the connecting property to the west of the interested property I want to farm.  I don’t want to share the well, so in order for me to be the sole owner of that well, the owner wants me to pay extra money to dissolve the well agreement and easement to that well.

I will have to hire a trencher to dig water lines and install two irrigation holding tanks, booster pump and electrical.  Then there are other items needed to operate the land like hoses, sprinklers, and planting equipment.  The property must have a fence. A new walk in cooler, storage sheds and miscellaneous items will be required to purchase.  Later on I would like to purchase the west side of the split property so I can have a buffer zone to protect the land from any neighbor that could contaminate the well water.

I’m asking for your support.  It’s so important to grow healthy food. It’s important to defend our food sources.  It’s important to know where our food comes from and how it’s grown.  For those of you that know me, you know I grow with integrity.  Again, I really need support as does the farm. I’ll do a cartwheel, maybe with one hand for your support!

By incorporating this land into my farm, it will enable me to grow more all natural veggies at one time, host more bee hives and harvest more raw honey and raise more poultry.  Put your support where it is really needed.  In January when the farm opens for business, come to the farm and take a farm tour.  Let me show you the land the farm so desperately needs.

Here are some ideas about donating.  Partner up and split the cost of the donation. Businessmen and women, restaurant owners, schools, supervisors, your boss, your sister-in-law or brother come together and unite. Instead of donating to your favorite charity, give a contribution to your favorite farm.  It’s not a tax write off. It’s an investment towards your health care plan and to the conservation of land management.  This is an opportunity for our surrounding community to come together and support one GREAT cause for the betterment of all to enjoy.  Around the middle to the end of January, I hope to have enough support to move forward with this endeavor.

I just can’t financially swing all the money needed for ownership and start up operating costs.  I’ve called the bank and they want more than 50% down.  I couldn’t believe it!  They wouldn’t take my veggies as collateral.  Put your money back into America….me!  Please call me at 623 386 3033 or email me at tonopahrob@gmail.com for more information.  From my beet bottom to your turnip top thank you in advance, Tonopah Rob.

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