About New Leaf Farm
At New Leaf Farm, I grow a wide variety of vegetables, cut flowers, and fruit. I am committed to growing healthy produce while minimizing the natural resources used in their production and transportation. Towards this end, I avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Instead, I use compost and grow cover crops to provide the fertility that my crops need. I also sell my produce and flowers at local farmers markets and through a CSA to minimize food miles.
Many of the vegetables that I am growing are traditional open-pollinated heirloom varieties that have been selected for their excellent flavor and beauty. The flowers that I grow are my personal favorites- sunflowers, calendulas, cosmos, and zinnias.
I guarantee the quality and freshness of all of the vegetables and flowers that I sell. I have also signed the Northeast Organic Farmers’ Association’s “Farmers’ Pledge” which is a written promise to grow crops in a way that is both sustainable and socially responsible.
Pictures of the Farm
About the Farmer
My name is Mike
Libsch. I grew up in South Florida, graduated from Colby College in Maine, and completed a masters degree in Ecology at the University of Illinois. I have long been interested in natural history and conservation. I moved to New York in 2008 to work as a naturalist in the Adirondacks.
I began gardening seriously 7 years ago and have gained farming experience while working on farms in New York, Florida, and California during the last 5 years. I also took an intensive course in Sustainable Agriculture at the University of California Santa Cruz.
My favorite things to grow include heirloom tomatoes, garlic, carrots, pumpkins, sunflowers, and giant zucchinis. When I am not farming, I am fishing in the Catskills, hiking in the Berkshires, or paddling in the Everglades.
Seasonal Updates
Early Spring- Getting Growing! (3/25/2011)
We had some unseasonably warm weather last week. I was able to prepare many of my garden beds and plant most of my spring crops- peas, spinach, radishes, turnips, lettuce, kale, chard, and onions. Most of the seeds that I planted have germinated and I hope that they will survive the cold weather and wind that is forecast for tomorrow night. We will see- farming always keeps you on your toes.
New leaf Farm- SoMa Catering CSA
This season I will be collaborating with the folks at SoMA Catering in Richmond, MA to start a CSA. The CSA will run from June 6th- October 17th. CSA boxes will contain fresh produce from New Leaf Farm and prepared dishes made by SoMa Catering. For more information about the CSA, please see below.
Vegetables that I grow: Arugula, Basil, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Cutting broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Chard, Cilantro, Collards, Cucumbers, Eggplants, Fennel, Garlic, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions, Pok choi, Sugar snap peas, Peppers, Hot peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach, Straw berries, Summer squash, Swiss chard, Winter squash, Turnips, Tomatoes, TomatillosFlowers that I grow: Cosmos, Sunflowers, Zinnias
Markets and CSA: This summer I will be attending a Saturday farmers market in Delmar, NY and I will have a farm stand in front of the Roe Jan Plaza (just South of the Hillsdale Library on Rt 22) on Friday afternoons. I will also be collaborating with SoMa Catering in Richmond, Ma to start a CSA.
Contact information for Mike Libsch
Please feel free to call or write with questions or comments.My phone number is (518) 965-1499My e-mail address is nynewleaffarm@gmail.com
An Invitation to Join our CSA
This season, New Leaf Farm and SoMa Catering will be offering a limited number of CSA shares. These shares will contain a wide variety of fresh, local vegetables harvested at New Leaf Farm.
Shares will also contain a prepared food item from SoMa Catering using local ingredients from New Leaf Farm and other local farms.
How does it work? A CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture, is in essence a partnership between the farm and a community of supporting members. CSA members make a commitment up front to support the farm throughout the season. Their fees help pay for the costs of running the farm and growing the food. In return, the farm provides a direct supply of fresh produce throughout the growing season.
Information about New Leaf Farm: New Leaf Farm is located in Hillsdale, NY and is operated by Mike Libsch. At New Leaf Farm, Mike grows more than 40 varieties of vegetables (see list at end of brochure), all without pesticides or herbicides. New Leaf Farm has taken the NOFA Farmer’s Pledge which is a promise to use sustainable farming practices.
Information about SoMa Catering: Located at 2089 State Road in Richmond, MA. We provide full-service catering - from large, elegant weddings, to business functions, to intimate dinners and holiday gatherings. Our retail store provides seasonally inspired dishes, locally made products, craft beers and wine.
About the CSA share: The CSA share is designed to provide the majority of the vegetables that would be needed to feed a small family. Each CSA share will also contain one or two dishes prepared with local fruits and vegetables.
Farm visit: New Leaf Farm will host a farm visit and lunch provided by SoMa’s chef utilizing farm produce during the summer. Date TBA.
CSA Pickup: CSA boxes will be available for pick up on Wednesday afternoons from June 6th to October 17th at SoMa Catering. The pick up time will be 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
CSA Cost: The cost of a CSA share is $600 for twenty weeks.
Your participation in the CSA will allow you to prepare healthy and tasty meals for your family and to support local agriculture.
We hope that you will join us this summer!
Signing Up for the CSA:
For more information or to sign up for the CSA, please visit SoMa Catering in Richmond, MA or contact Farmer Mike at (518) 965-1499 nynewleaffarm@gmail.com. Also, check out our websites:
http://www.somacatering.com
http://newleaffarmny.blogspot.com
Vegetables grown at New Leaf Farm:
Arugula, Basil, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Hot Peppers, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Pok Choi, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Spinach, String beans, Summer Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips,Winter Squash
Some of the dishes that SoMa Catering hopes to prepare for the CSA:
Salsa, Pickles, Spaghetti sauce, Jam, Pesto, Zucchini bread, Pastries, and Quiche.
New Leaf Farm
