Late Winter 2005
Volume 4, Number 1

The good news is that shares still only cost $90 and provide $100 worth of goods. In addition, we have decided to return to our earlier policy regarding outstanding balances. They will be carried over to the following year.  This provides greater flexibility for shareholders and also enables members to buy additional share(s) if they use up their balance during the farm season.  Duplicate receipts will be made out for weekly purchases.  One will be given to the shareholder; the other will be used to enter data on our computer enabling us to be up to date on knowing shareholder balances.  In the past it was difficult to stay on top of this for many members shopped at the farm store as well as at various farmers markets.  We also will send out timely email reminders to keep members better informed regarding crop availability and upcoming farm events.  Finally, we hope to offer several new items for sale including certified organic maple syrup, honey, and apples.  We are also looking to find a new source for free range organic eggs.  We were able to offer them in the past, but couldn't last year because the grower went out of business after a heart wrenching encounter with an unknown varmint which killed most of her hens.

A Problem

We have applied to the Natural Resource Conservation Service and the U.S.. Farm Service Agency for financial help to underwrite the cost of a grassland water way estimated to cost $2,300.  A town culvert that runs under River Road into our neighbor's field is causing a major erosion problem on the far side of one of our fields.  We had hoped to resolve the problem this Fall, but found out that federal funds cannot be released until the Maine Historic Preservation Commission signs off on the project.  An NRCS archeologist who came out for a site visit concluded that a Phase I archaeological survey is warranted.  The grassed waterway site may have been a Native American camp ground hundreds of years ago since it is so close to the Limington Rips on the Saco River.  The estimates for this survey range from $3,000 to $10,000 and are not cost-sharable.  The farm would have to pay the total cost.  We hope to find some other way to solve the issue and welcome legal or other professional advice from readers who may have some expertise in this area.

Last year more than $21,000 worth of food grown on the farm was given away through Cultivating Community to help several food pantries in the greater Portland area.  While funds from a USDA grant are no longer available to underwrite the cost of this initiative, farm staff is still committed to providing food for the local emergency food system.  Rippling Waters will continue to serve as an educational and community resource in collaboration with several community organizations such as the Victory Garden Project, Cultivating Community and the Winter Cache Project.  The farm hopes to provide training and hands-on experiences for friends of the farm who volunteer to help farm staff grow fresh organic produce.  Through this endeavor, we plan to donate 10% of what is grown to low income families and seniors served by the local emergency food system.  For more information see the opportunity box on the back page of the newsletter.

Prozac in the Drinking Water

So many Brits are taking the antidepressant Prozac that it is showing up in the UK's water supply.  With 24 million prescriptions for the "happy pills”, the drug is finding its way into the water via treated sewage.  Experts are debating possible impacts to the environment and human health.

Source: Organic Bytes #38, 8/12/2004, www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.htm.