<![CDATA[Ananda Gardens]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/news-recipes-from-ananda-gradensRSS for NodeSun, 28 Apr 2024 00:08:48 GMT<![CDATA[Spring CSA Starts on April 10th]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/spring-csa-starts-on-april-10th65fd8620ed37e6c26887898bFri, 22 Mar 2024 14:11:38 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilySign up today to our 3 Season CSA, Spring, Summer, or/and Fall.

We are getting ready to our first season of the year and it is important for us to know in advanced how many of you would join us this 2024 farming year.


March is one of the busiest times of the year when it comes to planting, and preparing for the year. Our germination chambers are full, our seedling green houses are buzzing ant the big green houses are starting to wake up in vernation.


We are waking up too!!

Hiring new team members, preparing infrastructure, and building up a new creative temporary solution for our Farmstand.


We are excited and hoping for the best! Also preparing for what ever the climate crisis will bring our way.


We are doing this with all of you. Our community who support us in so many different ways.

From the ones who sign up for a CSA, to the ones that share or information, and those who pray or send us their best intentions to thrive and succeed. Thank you!

Your generosity is an investment in the organic farming movement!

And for us, your neighbor farm family, it mean a lot!





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<![CDATA[What is the most important phase of Farming?]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/what-is-the-most-important-phase-of-farming65c8f7c8a17348f976bac308Sun, 11 Feb 2024 18:42:01 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyDREAMING!


When you think about farming the images that comes to your mind are probably related to planting, weeding, harvesting, etc. Do you know that there is a well kept secret that only farmers know? Within the most quiet months of the year, February marks the starting of a new phase for us: We start dreaming!

Either seated patiently with a warm cup of tea or actively walking in the snow, all bundle up. The planning, envisioning, moving material, selecting seeds, establishing contacts with providers, etc. is starting to happen.


This is a fun and engaging season for us and it is only possible because there is a community who believes in local farming as a solution, and this community is partnering with us to make this solution.

We are powered by a community who trust us the critical mission of grow food for them, for their beloveds, and for their community.


Thank you for choosing us and for being part of this dream!


If you haven't done it jet. Today is a good day to sign up for one of our CSA and give to the tradition of local, organic farming an opportunity to grow and continue serving our people.


You are part of the change that we all want to see in the world.


Our Ananda Gardens Community is a growing tribe of caring people: we care about our health, we care about our common future, and we care about the wellbeing of our planet.


Thanks for all the amazing support and inspiration you give us.


Let's continue dreaming together!

What will be possible for you if your dreams come true?!



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<![CDATA[Get your 2024 CSA at 2023 prices!]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/get-your-2024-csa-at-2023-prices655ccd2acabdc09f7d269cd2Tue, 21 Nov 2023 15:36:53 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyEarly Bird registration is OPEN!

2024 CSA

Early Bird Registration

3 Seasons CSA

34 Weeks/8 months of Fresh Vegetables

April-November 2024

Spring CSA

8 weeks/April to June

Summer CSA

16 weeks/June to September

Fall CSA

10 weeks/ September to November

PAY for your 2024 CSA

by December 21st and

get the 2023 prices






*Note: Starting December 21st we will raise prices for 2024


2024 CSA Sign up Here!



Discount will only apply for full payments of check, cash, venmo, and credit card received on or before December 21st of 2023. Not valid for check payment plan.


Our price increase for next year follows the market tendency and will allow us to continue offering fresh and local food to our community. Thanks for your understanding!

By paying in advance for your 2024 CSA you help us plan ahead and purchase supplies for next year.

Knowing how much food we will grow for our community in advance is a great help for our family farm.

It gives us a sense of hope and security. Allows our farm to have income in the coldest months of the year, helping us endure the challenges of the winter.

With your early contribution we are able to buy the appropriate farm inputs now, so they are here when we need them in early Spring. We buy our greenhouse crop seeds, many items like tomatoes and peppers require many dollars per plant to seed and grow in the heated greenhouse. We also buy heating fuel, potting soil, and fertility inputs like straw, woodchips, etc.

Your support allows us to buy supplies needed to grow the varieties of vegetables that we all love and spread out both the income and expenses of the farm.

We are so appreciative for your support during the time that we need it the most!






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<![CDATA[Let's be safe, Let's be together!]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/let-s-be-safe-let-s-be-together64adc80094f359e129279e37Tue, 11 Jul 2023 21:23:49 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyDear community,


We have taken some time to write this message waiting to have more clarity of the situation ahead of us.

As today July 11 at 5 pm we have been closed for the day. Yesterday we experienced a flash flood coming from some clogged culverts uphill of the farm that sent a raging stream into our driveway onto our field. It could have had devastating impacts for our crops and our home, but with the help of neighbors and the East Montpelier roads crew the situation was controlled as quickly as we could safely divert the water and everything is now under control.

Many of you have been calling or contacting us showing us your support in this difficult time. We have to say that we are blessed to have you, our community, and be a part of this resilient landscape. We are on high enough ground that the waters of the reservoir, while a huge threat to Montpelier, are not threatening the fields of our farm.


We are concerned and worried about our community members in downtown Montpelier and the areas that due to the storm are now inaccessible.

We are also concerned about the safety of our farmily crew and how feasible it is for them to come to work soon to tend the crops and harvest.


We have heard from Rise Up Bakery that they experience big damages in their facilities and they are assessing the size of their losses.


As the flood has made many areas impossible to access our CSA deliveries will have to be on hold until we have more information about the reopening of roads.

Our aim is to deliver this week even if it is later than Wednesday. As of today we are not certain what will happen and what will make the most sense for all of us.


Access to and from our farm is very limited. The road across the Wrightsville dam is washed out between the dam and the farm, and many of the roads uphill from us are also impassable. We will wait for the coming days to let our CSA community know when and how we will reopen our farm stand.


Our aim is to be here for our community as much as we can, in the best way we can, to support your needs and continue providing the fresh and delicious food that is resiliently growing in these blessed fields for you.


As soon as we know more we will be contacting you with more details on how we will proceed.


If you need personal assistance or access to a shelter, please remember the state emergency line is available to us all by calling 211. There are emergency shelters across the state. You can also visit www.vermont211.org for resources.


Map of road closures: https://newengland511.org/

Current river levels and forecast: https://water.weather.gov/ahps/region.php?state=vt

We pray for all of us to breathe deeply in this time of fear, loss, and uncertainty. May the songs of the birds remind us that cycles of nature are both beautiful and beyond our control. We also need to do everything we can as a community to prepare for future floods now as this is becoming a more frequent occurrence. May the sunshine allow us to see beyond sorrow and despair with hope in our hearts to count the blessings of life, community, and love.


With gratitude and hope in this difficult times,


Ananda, Melisa, Munay, and Patrick

The Ananda Gardens Family





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<![CDATA[Let's celebrate the summer!]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/let-s-celebrate-the-summer64a058179aed487121e12434Sat, 01 Jul 2023 16:52:22 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyLet' celebrate healthy local food and connection with nature!




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<![CDATA[Our Community is Supporting Agriculture this Summer]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/our-community-is-supporting-agriculture-this-summer647a1d2c6ae4925e122df8c2Mon, 05 Jun 2023 14:11:42 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyThe support of a engaged and committed community into our agricultural endeavor is what keep us alive and thriving.

This summer, against all the odds of financial and weather threatens, we are are pushing forward a farm that is continuing evolving and transforming to provide the best harvest to the members of our community and beyond.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all of you who have signed up to one (ore more) of our CSAs. It means so much to us to know that you are happy with our fresh, local and delicious produce.

And if you have not signed up YET, you still have time!


Our Summer CSA starts this upcoming Wednesday for Home Delivery and Thursday for Market Style Farm Stand.


With gratitude and hope,


Ananda, Munay, Melisa, Patrick and the staff members of the Ananda Gardens farmily






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<![CDATA[We still have spots for our Summer CSA ]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/we-still-have-spots-for-our-summer-csa646cd6e09d03d7fb73219281Tue, 23 May 2023 15:14:17 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyWe are very close to start our Summer CSA and we still have a lot of spots to fill. Our family farm depends on the support of the community to thrive.

Today more than ever we need each other to develop strong and diverse communities. Your local neighborly farm needs you!


Sign up to our Summer CSA before the starting date on June 7th.



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<![CDATA[Have happy jolly Christmas and wonderful new year 2023!]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/have-happy-jolly-christmas-and-wonderful-new-year-202363a21a1705ca4198ca54d846Tue, 20 Dec 2022 20:26:35 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyDear Community,

This year we have many blessings to count. You are one of them and we are so grateful for you all.

With your support and trust we have been able to continue producing great quality food that has fed hundreds of people in our community.

Together we are making possible the dream of co creating food sovereignty and stewardship of our land that protects and builds our natural resources for us and the generations to come.

May the new year bring to all of you blessings and health. May we continue to collaborate in all we do to protect our common home, while living a life in which we feel proud and satisfied.

With gratitude,




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<![CDATA[Launching our 2023 CSA’s Sign up Opening]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/launching-our-2023-csa-s-sign-up-opening639c86b1e097fe85b8f8b379Fri, 16 Dec 2022 14:58:44 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyDear community,

We are excited to announce the launch of our 2023 CSA’s Sign up opening. From now on you can reserve your spot for us to grow your food next year.

Just like planning your vacations, reserve a spot on your favorite camping ground, schedule an important appointment, etc. Planning ahead will allow you to guarantee the peace of mind of getting your fresh veggies all set up for you and your family next year.

Throughout the years we have been growing delicious and local fresh vegetables thanks to your continued support and trust.

Our CSA Farm Share Program is a prepaid service that provides our community with seasonal local fresh produce.

This 2023 we will offer 8 weeks of Spring CSA (April to June), 16 weeks of Summer CSA (June to September) and 10 weeks of Fall CSA (September to November). Home Delivery and on our Market Style Farm Stand.

Sign up to one, two or all of our 3 seasons and be part of a community of people who are co creating food sovereignty while promoting health and wellness in their lives by eating delicious fresh and local produce.

You can sign up today and pay later before the season starts.

You can pay full or pay using payment installments.




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<![CDATA[2023 CSA Early Bird Registration]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/2023-csa-early-bird-registration636be2ddda248409ed584a8aWed, 09 Nov 2022 17:32:06 GMTAnanda Gardens Family

3 Seasons CSA

34 Weeks/8 months of Fresh Vegetables

April-November


PAY FOR your 3 seasons CSA’s in full

by December 15th and get better prices:


Small $1,156

Plus Delivery $1,258


Medium $1,428

Plus Delivery $1,530


Jumbo $1,870

Plus Delivery $1,972


**Starting December 16th we will raise prices to follow the rate of inflation (approx. 10%).


Discount will only apply for full payments of check, cash, VENMO, and credit card received on or before December 15th of this year. Not valid for check payment plan.


Our price increase for next year follows the market tendency and will allow us to continue offering to our community fresh and local food. Thanks for your understanding!




Our 2023 CSA offerings are only possible by the contributions of our CSA members.

When You trust and support us, we are able to pre purchase materials for next year, pay farm staff salaries, and ensure the farm can thrive.


By purchasing your CSA early you are helping our farm to grow local food and you are making an investment in our community. Growing a farm is a community effort, we work together very hard each year to make this happen!



Prices starting December 16th for 2023 CSA



Small Share $1,224

$36/ week (6 items)

Plus Delivery $1,326


Medium $1,564

$46/week (8 items)

Plus Delivery $1,758


Jumbo $2,057

$60.50/week (11 items)

Plus Delivery $2,158




If you have any questions, please

contact us directly to

wellness@anandagardens.com

802 279 0337 (Call or TMS)

Melisa Oliva

Wellness and Community Outreach Manager



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<![CDATA[2022 Fall CSA Starts on Wed September 21st]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/2022-fall-csa-starts-on-wed-september-21st6310d9e2850737bceab1b970Thu, 01 Sep 2022 17:33:20 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyWe are so proud to be about to conclude a very successful summer season. In almost two week we will be starting another fall season and with your great support we will be able to continue doing the best work we could do, which is to provide you and your loved ones with fresh, local, and delicious food.

Our Fall CSA is starting this Wednesday 21st of September on International Peace Day and just one day before the official begging of Fall.

Home Delivery CSA will start on Wednesday 21st from 1 PM to 7 PM

and

Market Style Farm Stand will start on Thursday 22nd from 3 PM to 7 PM and Friday 23rd from 10 AM to 7 PM.

Thank you to all of you who have been supporting us!

Welcome to our new farm community members!


With gratitude,


The Ananda Gardens Farmily


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<![CDATA[Farm Tour and Feast]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/farm-tour-and-feast62c82ab02d592bef42f04fa3Fri, 08 Jul 2022 13:06:43 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyCome and celebrate with us the abundance of summer with this guided farm tour and a delicious plant based, farm meal, inspired by Latin flavors.




Fri, Jul 8, 2022 5:00 PM

Fri, Jul 15, 2022 5:00 PM

Fri, Aug 12, 2022 5:00 PM

Fri, Aug 19, 2022 5:00 PM



Come and celebrate with us the abundance of summer with this tour and farm feast.

Visit the Ananda Gardens with a guided tour from Patrick The Farmer. Learn about our farming practices and what makes our work in this land so unique and meaningful for all of us.

After the tour we will share a delicious plant based-farm meal full of colors and flavors from the farm, inspired by Latin cuisine, made by Chef and Health Coach Melisa.


Schedule

5- 5:30 Farm Tour

5:30 Farm Feast


This event requires RSVP and has a maximum of 12 participants

CSA Members have 2 tickets for free

Children under 8 are free

Tickets for sale

$22.85


Tickets include: Farm tour, beverage and meal.





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<![CDATA[Spring CSA Starts April 6th!]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/spring-csa-starts-april-6th6245c84c2fbf1cf2c0913384Thu, 31 Mar 2022 15:29:21 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyOur Spring CSA is starting next week!

Deliveries

Wednesday, April 6th 1-6 PM

Market Style Farmstand

Thursday, April 7th 3PM-7PM

Friday, April April 8th 10 AM to 6PM


For the next 8 weeks, Ananda Gardens family will bring to you the best ingredients for your spring meals.

Every Wednesday for CSA Delivery members and Thursday for Market Style Farmstand CSA Members, you will receive an email about what to expect in your share that week, so you can plan your menus and your shopping list accordingly. Some last minute changes do happen, but this will give you an idea of what to expect.

In this weekly email you also will find: tips and links to recipes to make the best out of your CSA experience.

For those members who chose the Market Style Farmstand, it will be open on Thursdays from 3PM-7PM and Fridays from 10AM to 6PM.

The Farmstand will be open just to CSA Members, and we will limit the number of people in the tent at one time to continue developing a safety culture around COVID.

For Delivery CSA, if you have any important information we need to know about your home address or delivery setting, please let us know at wellness@anandagardens.com or send us a text message to 802 279 0337.

We are committed to bring you the best quality, organic, fresh produce and the very best customer service.

Your opinion is very important to us. If you ever have a suggestion, a comment, or something you need to communicate please call us or write us an email.

Thank you for your preference. We look forward to doing deliveries and seeing you all on the farm this spring!

Ananda Gardens Family


COVID Protocols and standards

We want to reassure you that we are doing our best to protect your safety. We have ongoing protocols on the farm for harvesting, packing, and delivering.

If you are a delivery member or have farmstand pick up we have protocols for both and will share them with you. We will be sending you these protocols in your first weekly newsletter for the CSA.

We kindly ask you to follow these instructions to contribute to the safety and health of our community. Thank you in advance!



Farming and living in times where we need hope the most

We are living and working in difficult times. We are also parenting, teaching and sharing with one another the greatest opportunity we have to give all we have to hope, courage, and wisdom.

Every harvest season is our living prayer for may all beings be happy and healthy. Acknowledging that we are privileged and blessed, we want to thank you for being part of this journey of resilience and peaceful resistance. Thank you for being part of a community who cares for one another, for our planet and that is waking up to rise up to the challenges of our time.


You are part of Ananda Gardens

As things evolve and social “nearing” starts to happen again, we hope to host and create spaces for all of us to connect with each other and with nature at Ananda Gardens.

In the meantime, we invite you to visit our farm on Thursdays 3PM to 7 PM and Fridays, from 10AM to 6PM. Walk around and enjoy the beauty of where your food is growing in peace, harmony, and love. Although we haven’t opened the playground area or greenhouse or gardens yet, adults, children, and dogs with leashes are welcome to walk around and play in the outdoors.

If you are a delivery or farmstand CSA member, we want you to feel welcome at Ananda Gardens. We invite you to get closer and witness the marvelous process of growing food from sprouts to harvest.


Let’s be in touch!

Please save the wellness@anandagardens.com email in your contact list. So we can make sure that our email will get to you and not get missed as spam email.


If you have something to communicate to us. Please send us a separate email,

DO NOT REPLY TO THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS.

The messages can get lost in the email chain and we can not guarantee we will get it.

The best way to be in touch

is through sending us a separate email with the subject of your request or comment. Thanks for the understanding! :)

You can also save Melisa Oliva’s contact information on your phone and send a text message if you have a burning question. 802 279 0337.


If you would like someone else to receive this weekly newsletter, like your spouse or a family member, please send us an email with the name and email address of the person and the type of your CSA (Delivery or Farmstand).


End of Spring 2021

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<![CDATA[Enjoy all the benefits of Spring!]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/enjoy-all-the-benefits-of-spring6238a1c8fac5bc6c59af669bMon, 21 Mar 2022 16:13:20 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyAt Ananda Gardens we are constantly evolving and growing. This year an important benefit that we are offering to our CSA Community is that we are weekly delivering our CSA shares. We are also opening the Market Style Farmstand where you would be able to choose and pick the vegetables you like. No more standard Spring bags!


We hope that all these benefits will make our CSA more convenient and accessible to all of our community. Please share this information with your net of support.


Our Spring delivery will start on Wednesday April 6th. Our delivery days will be Wednesday from 12 pm to 6 pm. Check out our delivery route here for availability.


Our free choice Market Style Farmstand will be open starting Thursday April 7th. Our Market Style Farmstand days are Thursdays from 3 pm to 7 PM. And Fridays from 10 am to 6 PM.


Thank you to all of you who have already signed up. Thanks for your continued trust and support,


We are your neighbors and we love to be your farmers!



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<![CDATA[Work with Ananda Gardens!]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/work-with-ananda-gardens62163d3e323cb72314043743Wed, 23 Feb 2022 13:58:52 GMTAnanda Gardens Family

Are you Ready to join a highly motivated and successful farm team that grows healthy food for our community?

Ananda Gardens is hiring full time farm team members for this growing season!


The position starts mid-April and goes until mid-November. Duties include harvest, transplanting, washing, and packing.



Our farm grows 2+ acres of vegetables for a 150 member CSA and restaurants/ caterers/ wholesale in the Montpelier area. We are passionate about growing amazing food in living soil using science and evidence based best practices.

The right candidate will be able to learn quickly, follow procedures, and be able to hear and incorporate feedback. Building grit, cooperating with a team, and maintaining motivation working alone are crucial to succeed in this job. See our website www.anandagardens.com to learn more about the farm.



Pay is competitive, and you will eat very well all season long with a weekly share of produce and discounts on bread, mushrooms, and other add-ons.To apply for this position you must be able to lift 50 lbs and be physically capable of working a full day moving and on your feet. We move fast and cover a lot of ground in a day:)

To apply please send a resume and 3 references to info@anandagardens.com


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<![CDATA[CSA Grants from NOFA-VT Farm Share Program and Ananda Gardens]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/csa-grants-from-nofa-vt-farm-share-program-and-ananda-gardens61f84881a3d01281622f220cMon, 31 Jan 2022 20:37:59 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyOnce again, Ananda Gardens and NOFA-VT’s Farm Share Program are partnering to reduce the cost of our CSA for community members in need of financial assistance.

Participants receive up to a 50% subsidy for a CSA share from a local farm.

To see if you can apply read the application instructions

The spring/summer Farm Share application period will open on February 1, 2022 and close on April 30, 2022, or when funds run out.

Apply here!

If you want to collaborate with us and help families and individuals in need to access high quality healthy food, please DONATE here!



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<![CDATA[Pre-Launching our 2022 CSA's for 2021 CSA Members. ]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/pre-launching-our-2022-csa-s-for-2021-csa-members61a4e8625744a90016b08b52Tue, 30 Nov 2021 22:14:51 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyWe are pleased to announce that sign ups for our 2022 CSA are now open!


Sign up early and reserve your place in next year's CSAs today!


For 2022 we have new offerings for our Spring CSA

  • We will offer Spring CSA Convenient Home Delivery and pick up at the Market Style Farmstand.

  • Spring CSA will also offer our 3 different sizes for you to chose: Small (6 items), Medium (9 items), and Jumbo (12 items).


Become a Sustaining Member and enjoy the benefits


Sign up for our 3 seasons CSA and pay up front. If we received your payment before December 15th, you will get a gift basket of produce worth approximately $35. We can deliver it to you or we can arrange a time and date for pick up.


As a Sustaining Member you will receive a free pass to our first class of the Food for Life program . We will be hosting The Healthy Basics Curse, a 4 sessions online class that will provide you with science-based information, tools and resources to understand the power of your plate and how the way you eat can improve your health and prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, diabetes, Alzheimer's, etc. This class will be lead by Melisa Oliva, our wellness and community outreach manager, and it is schedule to start on February 2nd.


Reason to sign up early

We rely on early sign ups in order to thrive. One major change for our farm in the past year and a half has been in the supply chain. Where we used to employ a lean model of business by ordering supplies when we needed them, we are now increasingly challenged to purchase many of our year's supplies up front and early! We will be ordering the bulk of our seeds for next year before 2021 is over in order to get the tomato, carrots and salad varieties we all love. We also purchase many of our bulk inputs such as compost and woodchips in the Fall prior to the growing season so they are here when we need them. We all know that everything is going up in price and so are all the inputs we use to produce your food. Our health depends on the quality and availability of vibrant food. We are doing our best to provide you with the best quality food with reasonable prices.


As many of you are aware there is a crisis in our region with the workforce. Finding qualified and hard workers that want to farm is a challenge in the best of times. We want you all to know that your farm is doing everything we can to create a fantastic work culture and pay the best wages we can afford, even if it cuts into our farms profitability. We are pushing to increase everyone's wages because as it gets even more challenging to work under extremes of the weather, our team shows up everyday and grows the food that feeds us.


As a farm we are constantly focused on improving our ability to offer consistently delicious, healthy, and fresh food to our community. We are also absolutely committed to creating a healthy and fairly paid workplace. We do this while always acting to improve the farm by creating biodiversity in the soil and developing our farming infrastructure. We are so grateful and excited you are on this journey with us.


Together we are:

Vermont Organic Farmers are Climate Farmers - YouTube

Protecting natural resources

Increasing our resiliency in the face of natural disasters

Storing carbon in the soil by increasing the long term fertility of the farm

Releasing fewer greenhouse gases

Creating a vibrant local economy by paying fair wages to our team


As our region continues to change through the climate crisis, COVID, and complexity of so many dynamics our farm needs to be able to adapt quickly and rely on the support of our community to keep us here and make us stronger together! You have the power right now to have an impact. Being part of our CSA shows your commitment of being part of the solution. We are certain that you all do your part in so many areas to help the world become a better place and we are so grateful to be your farmers. For us it is an honor to play a part in nurturing all the good you do in the world.


Thanks for supporting us!

Please:

Learn more about our CSA's


I you are ready to step up for your local farmers

Sign up today for 1 or the whole 3 seasons CSA


Consider subscribing soon since we already have people sign up

(and we even have launch the CSA's)


Thank you and know that we already miss you in the farm!!!


With gratitude,


The Ananda Gardens Farmily



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<![CDATA[What we are grateful for in this 2021]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/what-we-are-grateful-for-in-this-202161a4e421004d260016f09dedMon, 29 Nov 2021 14:47:03 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyHIGHLIGHTS OF OUR 2021 FARMING SEASON


We powered 100-150 members and families for 8 months of the year with nutritious and nutritious food. On top of that we were able to harvest and sell over 4,000 lbs of greens, 1,000 plus lbs of tomatoes, and hundreds of lbs of herbs and roots to our community. Everything that we don’t sell gets donated to Community Harvest of Central Vermont and gets cooked in meals that go to community lunches and Meals on Wheels.


We have paid over $60,000 of wages this year. We employ up to 6 people in the summer and between 3 & 5 in the Spring and Fall. About half our team is BIPOC, and we highly value the language, background, and mindset that our diverse team contributes in creating an amazing diverse workplace and extremely productive small diverse farm. We are all proud that our hard work contributes to feeding our community and creating a beautiful and biologically diverse place to spend our days working in the gardens. We were acknowledged by various experts in the field for being in the top tier of Vermont Farms in our farming practices, organization, and success.


As many have seen, the infrastructure in building a farm is a major contributor to the success and longevity of a working land business.


  1. This year you helped us build a fourth greenhouse. These structures are not cheap and are built to withstand storms, snow, and the test of time. This infrastructure is crucial as we aim to provide more food to our community in the Spring and Fall, and be more resilient to weather extremes.

  2. We completed a second walk-in cooler in our barn that is super insulated and energy efficient. Different crops have ideal storage conditions and we are ever closer to being able to store a diversity of produce year round with this new space.

  3. We improved ventilation in two of our high tunnels by installing large exhaust fans to help avoid mildew and overheating. We installed a heater and airflow fans in our tomato greenhouse, which is part of the reason we had such a great tomato harvest this year!

  4. We purchased another double fridge to display our produce in the farmstand tent and improve your shopping experience.

  5. We purchased a few small tools to increase our efficiency and safety on the farm, such as a 5-row seeder, commercial washing machine we converted to use to spin our greens, and a back-up salad greens harvester.


For 2022 we plan to:


  • Plant over 250 blueberry bushes for a pick-your-own that we will offer to CSAers.

  • Expand our pick-your-own flower offerings to CSA members:)

  • Continue to make improvements to our work area in the barn by expanding, insulating, and heating our work area where we wash and pack, and the crew eats lunch on rainy and cold days.

  • And most importantly grow absolutely delicious, mouth watering produce harvested and distributed the same day to our members.

  • Oh and this year beat the woodchucks and produce scrumptious broccoli and kale!

  • Start developing Plant-based nutrition and cooking classes to contribute to the health and wellness of our community promoting tools and resources for our CSAers and expanded community, so they can take control to their health through the power of the food choices they make.

  • Navigating the Pandemic world scenario, making sure that we keep building a sense of community while we take all the precautions and follow all the public healthy recommendations, to contribute to our greater wellness and continuing being part of the healing and solution.

Thank you for being part of this dream that has become true to all of us! Thank you for your continues support. If you are reading this lines we are sure you care for and value our work.

In order to thrive we need you more than ever!

So, please consider to sign up to our CSAs for 2022. With your early payments we will be able to be prepare and plan for a successful and bountiful 2022 harvest.

To learn how to become a sustaining member and help us develop our goals for 2022, please visit our 3 Seasons CSA page.

To sign up for all or any of our 3 Seasons CSA please go to this form and reserve your spot for this 2022.


Thank you!


May we all have a healthy and happy 2022!


The Ananda Gardens Farmily



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<![CDATA[Bye, Bye Summer! welcome Fall!]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/bye-bye-summer-welcome-fall614202b104778a0016438317Wed, 15 Sep 2021 14:33:52 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyThis season has been the best growing season for us overall. All the compost we have spread and no till processes we have implemented are now shining through in our veggies. More soil biology = more flavor and storage life.

We have had some losses but overall they have been overshadowed by the tremendous harvests of staple crops like tomatoes, salad mixes and lettuce, carrots, and onions.

What has gone well is the way we plant our tomatoes early in late April and nailed our carrots seedings and germination.


What has not gone as planned is the gopher damage we delt with in the gardens that abut the woods. We are happy to report nature is balancing as a family of foxes has moved in and eaten the gophers up. You may notice our broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage offering were much more limited than in previous years. We only achieved one good round of early broccoli, then every other round was eaten to a stub by the resident gophers. We tried to eradicate them but nothing worked quite like the foxes:) On the bright side we do have a round of fall storage cabbages and brussel sprouts that evaded the gophers radar and survived until our furry friends arrived.

We also had trouble with the extreme hot weather. Normally we transplant some crops under row cover to block out the pesky flea beetles that eat holes in some leaves right through the summer. This year those crops got scorched in the sun even as our irrigation systems have improved! That has never happened before and we will be redesigning this practice for next year. This is how we lost our summer and fall rounds of kale and our beloved watermelons:(


On the flip side the tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, salad, carrots, and just about everything else. We are really convinced that all the fungal networks that get let in tact and encouraged on the farm allow crops to establish symbiotic relationships with the soil biology and access micro and macro nutrients making the food taste soooo good because they are packed with healthy phytonutrients. Some of you may have read about the precipitous decline in the nutrient content of supermarket food in the last 50 years, well this style of farming allows plants to act as part of a whole soil ecology and reverse that trend one farm at a time.


Thanks again to all of our community for trusting in us and allow us to provide you with the best, fresh, delicious and local produce. We will continue through the next season with the same aim and positive attitude. With hope and gratitude,


Yours


The Ananda Gardens Farmily


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<![CDATA[Ananda Gardens CSA @The Skinny Pancake, Stowe, VT]]>https://www.anandagardens.com/post/ananda-gardens-csa-the-skinny-pancake-stowe-vt60ada0d1d3af570016f46442Wed, 26 May 2021 01:59:07 GMTAnanda Gardens FamilyWe are delighted to Partner with The Skinny Pancake to bring our delicious, fresh, and local produce to Stowe.


We need at least 20 Sign ups to offer this service, so we need YOU to help create this collaboration together!

We plan to offer our farm shares every Tuesday from 1 to 3 PM at The Skinny Pancake in Stowe. Our farm shares are carefully packed with seasonal fresh veggies and herbs and runs for 16 weeks from June 8 until the Fall solstice on September 21.

Ananda Gardens Summer CSA is a celebration of the bounty of our gardens in the summer season. You can expect beautiful greens for your salads each week. Greenhouse specialty crops like ripe tomatoes, colorful bell peppers, and english cucumbers when in season. And also favorites like Broccoli, Kale, Zucchini, and of course lots of carrots. By mid to late summer we are also harvesting sweet corn and watermelons.

​We take many extra steps to nourish our garden soil so that the produce tastes great, is packed full of nutrients, and keeps a long time once harvested. Support your health while making a good choice for the planet and sign up today!


All our CSA options include an insulated bag to keep your order fresh and cool.

You can Add-on a Mushroom Share from Mansfield Mushroom Co. We have ½ lb or 1 lb shares available. Adding mushrooms to your CSA will transform your meals into a summer celebration!

CSA Members also receive a weekly email with a list of what to expect, and recipes and tips from the farm kitchen.





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