Indian Creek Farm

Light Strawberry Picking Begins; Mornings Are Your Best Shot.

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Indian Creek Farm

“The sun will come out tomorrow,” sang the apple-cheeked orphan diva. Great old song. But Ithacans have about as much faith in that promise as they do in Reaganomics. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow… it’ll be gray.

It has been a soggy week on the farm — not much sun to bring out the strawberries. But there ARE berries. A few anyway.

We’re trying to decide what message to post on the sign. There ARE berries, but the crop is light. Bitter winter packed a wallop.

What does that mean for you? Well, a diligent young lady came out Wednesday morning and picked 3 boxes like this.

It is simply not like last year, when so many of you were finding your thrill on strawberry hill. This year, it’s hit and miss.

Mornings are your best shot. Pick before everyone else! Best of all is after a sunny day. See Facebook for daily status.

Get boxes and brochures at the stand, then wander up to the berry patch with modest expectations.

At the very least you’ll get a sweeping vista of the squishy countryside. See the farm before it’s all spruced for summer.

Meanwhile, we’re setting up shop and posting signs… and cheering USA in the World Cup! (Impossible odds.)

Clearly this sign is not ready yet. That is NOT the road to the tomatoes. Do not believe everything you read.

But this IS a real peach! Although the strawberry crop is small, raspberries, peaches, and apples look pretty good.

We’re pruning the peach rows, finishing vegetables, and fixing stuff.

We have 3 baseball hats on this project. Guaranteed fix.

Finally, in dog news, Balto is almost rested from a busy winter. He was quite the publicity hound – featured on the official Twitter page of Purina.

That’s it for this week. Come hunt for berries. You might find a few. Or just hike around to start off the year. Hope to see you at The ‘Creek.

Posted in Crop Alerts & Farm Buzz | Tagged country life, crops, Farm Life, Food Photography, Food Writing, Fruits and Vegetables, Small Farms, strawberries | Leave a comment

Are the Strawberries Chirping Yet? When Can You Pick Them?

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Indian Creek Farm

HELLO, FARM FANS. Happy June. Been busy this spring. Planted more vegetables than ever. You can pat us on the back. Thanks, that felt good. But we know you really want a report on the strawberries.

Picking is slated to open NEXT WEEK. It will be a SOFT LAUNCH and we will send a crop alert WHEN READY. (Get it by email.)

We are seeing lots of green ones. They look like this. Like strawberries without their summer makeup.

And today, June 5, we are starting to see red ones mixed in. Not tons and tons, but some.

But, the wicked cold winter put a hurting on the crop. The haul will be smaller than last year. So, stay tuned to the crop alerts… Don’t miss the berry train! Next week we’ll send out a crop alert email.

On the bright side, the apple crop seems to have wintered okay. Let’s get primed for a good season with this poem by a true sprout at Enfield Elementary, who submitted this to the I Heart NY Agriculture Contest.

“Indian Creek Farm”
by Reese Olivia Mount
Age 9

On a quiet countryside,
Where the sky is clear and blue,
The love of Mother Nature there,
Is very strong and true.

While the plants are swaying,
In the light summer breeze,
The apples are swaying on big apple trees.

The sun is shining so brightly,
And for so ever warm,
It seems like there never has been a single storm.

The place I am referring to,
The place I’ve talked about,
Is Indian Creek Farm,
Made of beauty, joy and sprouts.

Beauty, joy, and sprouts… Got tears yet? The poet reportedly enjoys digging for minerals, gems, and stones. She hopes to be a geologist someday. “Rock” on, Reese! Hope to see you all at The ‘Creek.

Posted in Crop Alerts & Farm Buzz | Tagged apples, country life, crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Local Food, Small Farms, strawberries | Leave a comment

Plant Your Own Backyard Orchard with Trees from Our Sister.

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Indian Creek Farm

DID YOU KNOW that Indian Creek Farm has a sister? A sister business. Her name is Cummins Nursery. She is… us!

Wearing our Cummins Nursery hats, we grow the fruit trees that get planted here on the farm—and all around the country.

Each year, we ship thousands of baby fruit trees to enthusiasts nationwide. Big orchards and back yards, alike.

The 2014 shipping season has just about wrapped, but there are a few APPLE and PEAR trees left. Now is your chance!

Plant your own orchard with APPLE and PEAR trees grown here on the farm. Time to order and time to plant!

See our online inventory of APPLE and PEAR trees, then email us your wishlist at cumminsnursery@gmail.com.

But before you order, check out our SECRET STASH OF SMALL TREES in these 2 PDF files: APPLE PDF | PEAR PDF. These files list all the trees remaining as of May 7, 2014—including the smallest grade called 5/16. If all this tree mumbo-jumbo has you confused, call us at (607) 592-2801.

For about $20 per tree you can start a family tradition of caring for a fruit tree in your yard—and snacking year after year.

Trees can be shipped to you or picked up at Indian Creek by arrangement over the phone or email. You can also sign up for the Cummins Nursery newsletter. See the May 2014 newsletter here.

In other farm news, the stand will be closed for a few weeks as we prep the summer crops. Stay tuned and see you at The ‘Creek.

Posted in Crop Alerts & Farm Buzz | Tagged apples, country life, crops, Farm Life, Food Art, Food Photography, Food Writing, Fruits and Vegetables, Local Food, Photos, small farm | Leave a comment

Last Call for Spring Cider and Apples, and a New Page for News.

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Indian Creek Farm

FARM FANS, your loyal shopping over the winter allowed us to stretch the season longer than ever. The Cidermeister estimates that apples and cider will be sold out within 2 weeks. This is LAST CALLLLL!

You can tell things are wrapping up. We made our last delivery of Mutsus to our friends at Greenstar Coop this week.

And we pressed one last donation of cider for Loaves and Fishes. Being served with lunch for a few days.

You can still get fresh-pressed cider on sale here, just 5 bucks a gallon. When it’s gone… it’s gone til next apple harvest.

Same story with Rome Beauties. Load up on local apples at 50¢ a pound. Get 10 pounds and a gallon of cider for $10!

That will be all she wrote. The farm stand will be quiet for a month while we tend the berry patches. Strawberries in June!

Thanks for being locavores this winter and spring. We’ll send a quick note when everything is sold out. Meanwhile, visit our new web page, The News from The ‘Creek. It puts all the latest crop alerts in one place so you can check during the picking season. You can also stroll down memory lane to 2013, 2012, and 2011—every newsletter we ever sent! More web stuff coming soon. Hope to see you at The ‘Creek.

Posted in Crop Alerts & Farm Buzz | Tagged apples, country life, crops, Food Art, Food Photography, Food Writing, Fruits and Vegetables, small farm | Leave a comment

$3 Cider Jugs and Apples for 50¢ a Pound: More Spring Sale Stuff!

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Indian Creek Farm

THIS IS LIKE one of those circulars you get in the mail with crazy prices that go BAM! Usually you toss them right into your kindling pile, but please have a look at this one. It is our 1st Annual Spring Cider & Apple Clearance Sale.

The deep discounts will amaze you this week. Mustus are just 50¢ per pound… Boo frickin’ yah! Available in prepacked totes.

Rome Beauties, same deal. That means 10 pounds for 5 bucks, 4 pounds for 2 bucks, you get the idea. Share with friends.

The Cidermeister is pressing again this morning. Stop by and see. Half-gallons are only $3, gallons are $5. Doggone cheap.

The ‘Meister has gone insane with price-slashing. Get your carboy filled for only $4 per gallon! Call (607) 793-3560.

Help us clear out for a new season. Berry time is round the corner! But who can make promises with this year’s nutso weather?

Speaking of cider love and wild weather, one of our biggest Ambrosia fans is going to march 2,000 miles to raise awareness of global climate change. Ithaca College student Faith Meckley is joining the Great March for Climate Action. Here’s her blog and fundraising site. Good luck, Faith, and thanks for supporting local food.

Meanwhile, the great northern beast called Zorro will be raising awareness of climate change by lolling about as much as possible. He is conserving energy. We are giving him extra free time for this noble endeavor. Hope to see you at The ‘Creek.

Posted in Crop Alerts & Farm Buzz | Tagged apples, country life, crops, Farm Life, Food Art, Food Photography, Food Writing, Fruits and Vegetables, small farm | Leave a comment

Big Spring Sale: 10 Pounds of Apples and a Gallon of Cider for $10!

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Indian Creek Farm

IN CASE YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN what civilized weather looks like, this Crayola masterpiece by a local kid will jog your memory.

Doesn’t matter whether you are a good or bad apple—everyone is welcome at our SPRING CIDER & APPLE SALE. Starting now!

You can get MUTSU AND ROME BEAUTY apples for just 50¢ PER POUND while supplies last! Which won’t be long!

That means 10 POUNDS AND A GALLON OF CIDER for only $10! Cider is on sale for $5/gallon and $3/half.

HONEYCRISP is on sale, too! Grab 5-pound totes of utilities for $5. That’s a BUCK A POUND for you math-o-phobes.

Spring sale prices are in effect UNTIL WE ARE SOLD OUT. Don’t be late, or you gotta wait… a loooong time.

These are our LAST LOCAL APPLES. Help us clear out the coolers for the new season! Call ahead for carboys, (607) 793-3560.

Heartfelt thanks to the LOCAL KIDS of the 4-H Urban Outreach (“SIFE”) program at Belle Sherman Elementary School. And to all you farm fans after a wicked winter, hope to see you at The ‘Creek!

Posted in Crop Alerts & Farm Buzz | Tagged apples, country life, crops, Farm Life, Food Art, Food Photography, Food Writing, Fruits and Vegetables, Local Food, Small Farms | Leave a comment

Guess What, Chicken Butt! The Apple Show Must Go On.

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Indian Creek Farm

WHILE YOU FARM FANS have been cozy in your winter hideouts, we farmers have been breaking showbiz records.

For the first time ever, we have kept the show going through February. And guess what—We’ll be open through March!

The show runs 7 days a week. Come inside and you will see the stars: Premium LOCAL APPLES and FRESH CIDER.

Let’s start with Honeycrisp, the current darling of the apple world. You can get 5# totes of utility-grade Honeycrisps for only $5.

Next we meet Spigold, the spritely cultivar that was released in 1962, the same year that Bob Dylan’s debut failed to make the charts.

The Holiday apple variety was introduced in 1964, just as The Beatles were invading America and wanting to hold your hand.

Mutsu is a perennial Indian Creek favorite. You can get 5 pounds for 5 bucks, then bake a pie, and deliver it warm to us.

Like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Sir Prize appeared in 1975. It is a cross between Golden Delicious and the suspiciously named PRI 14-152.

Rome Beauty is a pretty apple that goes all the way back to Ohio, 1816. Pretty much the high point of Ohio history.

The Orchard Social.

{ Face-bock-bock, etc. }

If even ONE of you visits the farm Facebook page and clicks “LIKE,” we will have 1000 likers. Ready… Go!

This is our most “liked” photo of the new year. It is called, Farm Dog: Profile View. Happy Winter and hope to woof you at The ‘Creek.

Posted in Crop Alerts & Farm Buzz | Tagged apples, country life, crops, Farm Life, Food Art, Food Photography, Food Writing, Fruits and Vegetables, small farm | 2 Comments

$50 Booty, 50 Years Fruity, and the Story of Two Appleseeds.

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Indian Creek Farm

SINCE THE 1890s, fruit breeders up in Geneva, New York, have been tirelessly studying apples. These days, Cornell scientists there operate the most extensive apple-breeding program in North America.

The science has exploded over the years, but the geniuses of Geneva have always maintained order: each seed and sapling has been carefully accounted for.

Except one. One special appleseed—let’s call him “Stephen”—came on the scene 50 years ago this week, promising to be the pride of Geneva’s orchards.

He was a good specimen, mechanically sound, but in the haze of the 80s, Stephen Appleseed was plucked up in a finch’s beak and carried off the compound.

He bounced hither and thither until taking root, as luck would have it, right here at Indian Creek Farm… where he has blossomed into a real apple of a farmer.

He has even achieved some modest fame along the way. You can find his name on page 63 of Frank Browning’s fascinating book, Apples.

And very soon, in celebration of Farmer Stephen’s 50th birthday, we will award $50 in gift certificates for the best poems about Indian Creek Farm. Write about the fruit, the dogs, the chickens, whatever you want. Rhyme or don’t rhyme! Send your pieces to indiancreekit@gmail.com by Friday, February 14.

All ages welcome. The top three contestants will win gift certificates worth $25, $15, and $10, respectively, which can be redeemed for fresh food at the farm this coming season. And your work will be read by thousands of people who get our crop alerts!

The Buzz Don’t Stop There.

{ Owen Appleseed. }

And now for the story of another appleseed. Let’s call him “Owen.” You’ve probably seen him around The ‘Creek. Or at least you’ve seen his beard.

There comes a time in every appleseed’s life when he must decide, “Do I want to toil out here in the country, or do I want to SERVE my country?”

“Do I play the Navy SEAL game on X-Box, or do I just go FRICKIN’ TRY OUT FOR THE UNITED STATES NAVY SEALs?”

That’s right, our Owen Appleseed is leaving the farm. The young feller who brought us the wonderful phrase “crap-ton”—the only bad word we ever heard him say—is going for extreme training in sailor talk.

We will miss Owen Appleseed and we thank him for his hardworking and easygoing manner. We sing “Anchors Aweigh” and bid him fair winds and following seas.

What’s Fresh?

{ Orchard Ambrosia. }

We are still open daily with fresh-pressed cider and 10+ varieties of premium apples. The cider is unpasteurized and contains no junk—just apples and pears. Cold-filtered on a cold-ass day. Hope to see you at The ‘Creek.

(Pictured in the very top photo: Dr. James Cummins, dad of Stephen Appleseed and grandfather of Owen Appleseed, at the Cornell University Geneva Experiment Station back in the day. You can read more Indian Creek family kind of stuff by scrolling down on our About page.)

Posted in Crop Alerts & Farm Buzz | Tagged apples, country life, crops, Farm Life, Food Art, Food Photography, Food Writing, Fruits and Vegetables, Photos | 1 Comment

Breaking New Ground this Winter, and Apple Cider in the Polar Vortex.

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Indian Creek Farm

WITH A NAME like Polar Vortex, it’s gotta be cold. But with a name like Tundra, you just know she loves it. Yes, the old girl knows how to handle winter: she lounges around on the cold hard ground.

tundra

As you can see, Tundra is not quite as pure and white as the driven snow, but who is? Farmers talk like sailors which rules us out.

P1040284

Certainly not Zorro or Balto. Those world-class loafers have hearts of coal—unless you’re holding a hunk of food, then it’s all kissy kissy.

P1040448

Even Katrina, despite her heart of Gold(en Delicious), can’t match the gleam of Indian Creek snow or Rembrandt-brand teeth.

ski

But our humble herd of mutts has inspired us all the same. “Don’t cower in winter,” they seem to say. “STAY OPEN!”

FoooooOoooood.

{ Farm stand = open. }

So, we’re breaking new ground: We’ll be open self-serve every day through February and maybe longer! As long as the cider flows.

This Saturday, the stand will be staffed 11 AM to 4 PM. Come then to get 4 gallons of cider for just $5 each, and 5# totes of Honeycrisps for only $5!

Also cash in on Saturday’s Mutsu special: Only $20/bushel! If you can’t make it Saturday, call the Cidermeister at (607) 793-3560.

Farm Buzz.

{ Community. }

Round the nation, folks are tuning into the charms of cider. See this nifty infographic about how hard cider is becoming the new beer.

Right downtown, kids at New Roots Charter School are tuning into local food. See how Indian Creek Mutsus beat grocery apples in a taste test!

Soon after, the enterprising young locavores made apple butter from our Mutsus. Bravo, lads and lasses, and bon appétit!

This week’s final entry in the “Community” section pertains to YOU: Please send us your ideas for how to improve the farm. Thanks and hope to see you at The ‘Creek.

Posted in Crop Alerts & Farm Buzz | Tagged apples, country life, crops, Farm Life, Food Art, Food Photography, Food Writing, Fruits and Vegetables, Photos, small farm | Leave a comment

Winter Things to Do… Ideas from You… and the Year in Review.

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Indian Creek Farm

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ‘CREEKERS. It has been cold and quiet here in Appleville. We are still open, believe it or not. If you want to help us make good use of the slow times, there are a few easy things you can do. But first, thank you for making 2013 our best year ever. They say, “No Farms, No Food.” But to our minds it is, “No Locavores, No Farmstand.” So, thanks.

Winter Things to Do.

{ Drink, Eat, Share. }

DRINK ORCHARD AMBROSIA. The Cidermeister is churning out FRESH presses of Indian Creek fruit. Nothing but apples and pears. We squeeze ’em, you drink ’em. If you buy a jug each week during this slow season, you will be a real old-fashioned country-style hero. Winter Special: Get 4 gallons for only $5/gallon by calling the Cidermeister at (607) 793-3560.

EAT APPLES. The stand is open EVERY DAY in self-serve mode, and some days you’ll find a real human poking around. We have Honeycrisp, Mutsu, Golden Russets, Newtown Pippins—the favorite of Thomas Jefferson—and other varieties from right here on the farm. Every few bucks that slides into the self-serve slot is a help in the winter, plus it’s kind of fun using the honor system.

SHARE YOUR IDEAS. Winter affords us a few rare moments to act like civilized human beings—to LISTEN and THINK about how to make The ‘Creek even Creekier. Come spring we’re full tilt, so now is your chance to weigh in. Please use our special web form to share your thoughts. And now let’s indulge in a little revery: A buzz through the highlights of 2013. Lights at the end of the tunnel.

The Year in Review.

{ Twenty Thirteen. }

It all began with blossoms. We invited everyone to bring their sneezes to The ‘Creek: Please Come Smell the Farm at Your Earliest Convenience.

There was a pregnant lull while everyone waited for the first crop of the year. See Farm Kid Frolic, and Four Words About Strawberries.

Soon enough, strawberries dominated the headlines with Find Your Thrill on Strawberry Hill… and 9 Rows of Strawberries… 1 Italian Wedding.

By July we were singing Happy Berrythday, America, and Au Revoir, Les Strawbs. We were swimming in raspberries, and raspberries were swimming.

Only a few weeks later, we were blessed with A Big Eggplant Sale, a Rare Plum Batch, and a Morning Hasselhoff.

Then pickers tuned into our tutorial, How to Pick a Peach, and How to Avert Another Cold War, at the outset of a bountiful peach season.

Weeks had passed with a mysterious lack of news about tomatoes. Then Eggder Furrow reported on How to Pick an Apple, and Something Kind of Amazing.

By early September, having gorged ourselves in the peach orchards, we were Crossing Bartlett Bridge: Last Call for Peaches and Pears!

High apple season kicked into gear, and we announced the event of the year: A Profusion of Pickable Apples, and Particulars on the Pigs Party.

In October, fall arrived with apple cider donuts and a treat for students: Apple Picking, Pumpkin Patching, and a Special Deal for College Students.

Next we shared photos of the Pigs-n-Apples Party, and some farmy new products, in Cider Sale, Honeycrisp Sale, Mini-Pies, and Apple Butter.

By the turn of November, the sprouts were sprouting and we had late-season sales for the diehards: Pear Sale, Extended Apple Sale, and November Farm Hours

We found last-minute inspiration with New Local Apple Gift Boxes… And a Warm Farm Weekend. Could this turn into an apple-of-the-month club?

All too soon we were sliding into winter mode with our New Indoor Farm Stand… And that brings us full circle. Thanks for watching! Let’s hope 2014 brings good times like these. Please send us your ideas for next year. Meanwhile, be well.

Hope to see you at The ‘Creek.

Posted in Crop Alerts & Farm Buzz | Tagged apples, country life, crops, Farm Life, Food Art, Food Photography, Food Writing, Fruits and Vegetables, Local Food, Photos, u-pick | 4 Comments