Happy Anniversary Passiflora!

It's hard to believe it has been a Year already.

We have met so many wonderful new people and some of them have become Friends. We never expected the warm response that we have gotten!

Thank You for supporting us and making us feel a part of this Wonderful Community!

We hope we can be here to celebrate many more Anniversaries with you!

Love and Thanks,
Ken and Kevin

Check Out Sol Flower Farm!

This is something we definitely think you should check out!
We are participating and
are very excited about this Summer!

Sol Flower Farm is a diverse market garden and CSA that specializes in growing high quality and sustainable produce and cut flowers. Located 2 hours north of NYC in Ancramdale, NY, the farm serves the greater Hudson Valley and Berkshires. Sol Flower has found its loving home on land leased from Jerry and Iva Peele of Herondale Farm. The farm setting is one of pure beauty with the river and hills surrounding our fields. With the meats of Herondale and amazing produce from Sol Flower, they have created a healthy, beautiful and sustainable farm for our families and community.

Meet the Farmer!

Sol Flower Farm is managed by Andy Szymanowicz, who has been farming organically for 10 years. After spending time farming in Northern California Andy is happy to be back in his native state of NY. The farm land, culture and rain are a few of his favorite things about growing on the East Coast. Andy’s love of working with the land and celebrating beauty is a driving force in the creation of his sustainable farm.



Growing Practices

Sol Flower Farm is deeply dedicated to sustainable agriculture. It is most important for us grow safe, healthy, nutritious food and flowers for your families and ours. The health of our soil, plants and water are equally beneficial for building our systems.

Our soil is amended each year with Biodynamic compost made on the farm from Herondale's animals. With the compost we are building organic matter and adding fertility. We covercrop our fields with legumes and grains to protect against winter erosion, add nitrogen and organic matter. With crop rotation we are preventing unwanted pest, breaking up weed cycles and fostering nutrients.

It takes a team of strong, motivated and passionate people to grow our food and flowers. At Sol Flower we are tending to our crops and community in cooperation with nature.



Are we Organic?

Some history……

Organic farming is a holistic, ecologically-balanced approach to agriculture. The word Organic was coined by Lord Northbourne in 1940 when the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and mechanical advances where changing the way food was grown. Chemicals were introduced to farming as early as the late 1800s and their use escalated drastically in the post WWll era. Chemicals that had once been used for warfare were reissued for agricultural purposes. When people became aware of the harmful effects of industrialized agriculture they turned to indigenous cultures for their knowledge of natural farming. Emphasis was placed on the famer’s role to guide and balance the interaction of animals, plants and soil. The rise of Organic farming was driven by small, independent producers and supported by educated consumers. In the 1970s the organic movement encouraged consumption of locally grown food using the slogan “know your farmer, know your food” and gained momentum in the market place. In recent years the explosive growth of the organic market has seen the participation of large, wealthy agricultural businesses that have greatly lowered its standards. As the volume of “Organic” products increases, the viability of the small farm is at risk and the meaning of organic farming as an agricultural method is diluted.

Sol Flower Farm has decided not to participate in the organic certification program. We believe our methods of farming go beyond USDA standards. We are proud to call our products “beyond organic” or “sustainably grown”. We take the farmers pledge offered by NOFA www.nofany.org (Northeast Organic Farming Association) to ensure our customers of our commitment to growing safe, delicious, healthy food.

We believe a direct connection with our customers is the road to a long and bountiful relationship.

“Know the hand that feeds you.”, Michael Pollan

www.Truefoodnow.org

CSA Program

Download the 2010 CSA Agreement Form

What is CSA? Community supported agriculture.
Community Supported Agriculture is a partnership between a farmer and his community. The CSA concept was brought to the US in the mid 80’s and started on a farm right here in the Berkshires. From there the idea has spread and is now connecting communities to over 1,800 farms in the country. The idea of becoming a member and sharing in the realities and rewards that come with farming is a new vision for agriculture. The concept is easy – supporters of the farm buy a share of the harvest by becoming a member. Then each week of the growing season the members come to the farm or to a drop of site and pick up their share of the harvest. The money members pay up front gives us the needed cash to get the farm up and running. The farmer is then dedicated to growing the highest quality vegetables and flowers for the members. It is a great way to become connected to the farm and eat the freshest produce available.

Optional Flower Share: We offer shares of our gorgeous flower harvest. From the end of June to the beginning of October a bouquet will be ready for you to take home with your vegetables. We grow over 50 varieties of flowers and the bouquets are beautifully designed with a generous number of stems.

PYO pick your own vegetables We plant crops for you to pick too! Beans, Peas, Herbs and Cherry tomatoes are available in our fields close to the farm shop. A great way for the whole family to get involved!

Where and when do I pickup my share? Pick up is at the Herondale Farm shop at 90 Wiltsie Bridge Road in Ancramdale, NY on Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1p.m.

How much does it cost? The cost for a 22 week share is $550. (Delivered share is $590.) The 14 week flower share is $140. Payment in full is preferred, but we will accept payment in two installments; the first half at the time of sign up and the balance by May 1st. We offer a 5% discount to those who sign up for both produce and flower shares and who pay in full in advance.

How do I sign up? Click here to complete the CSA Agreement Form. Mail your completed form, and payment made to Sol Flower Farm, to 90 Wiltsie Bridge Road, Ancramdale, NY 12503.

How about Volunteering? Tuesday is volunteer day. We encourage all of our members to come to the farm and dig in with us! Jobs we might need help with are weeding, harvesting, washing and packing. Just give us a call to let us know you'll be coming.

What else is in the Farm shop? Herondale farm shop is stocked with fresh meats, eggs, cheese and other local products. It’s a one stop shop for your local needs.

Visit www.herondalefarm.com for more information.


What's in a Share?

Each week we harvest a mix of vegetables fresh from our fields. We think the share feeds 2-4 people depending upon diet. The share contains 5 to 18 pounds of food (14 lbs. on average).

Optional: Flower share We offer shares of our gorgeous flower harvest. From the end of June to the beginning of October a bouquet will be ready for you to take home with your vegetables. We grow over 50 varieties of flowers and the bouquets are beautifully designed with a generous number of stems.

PYO pick your own vegetables We plant crops for you to pick too! Beans, Peas, Herbs and Cherry tomatoes are available in our fields close to the farm shop. A great way for the whole family to get involved!

Crops you might find in your share:

Cut Flowers

Sol Flower Farm cultivates over 50 varieties of sustainably grown flowers. We offer everything from Alliums, Larkspur and Delphinium in the spring to Sunflowers, Salvias, Dahlias, Zinnias, Snapdragons, and Ornamental Grasses in the summer. To celebrate autumn we harvest the most amazing decorative squashes, pumpkins, and gourds. We are available for private events and weddings using our sustainably grown flowers. We offer exquisite designs featuring the seasons most beautiful cuts. Our attention to detail, from seed to bloom, allows us to create unforgettable arrangements.

Check out our wedding and events photos, which will be added soon.

Contact Us

Farmers markets You can find us at the Millbrook farmers markets on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Our booth is piled high with our bountiful harvest.

Farm Store Come on by the Herondale Farm store at 90 Wiltsie Bridge Road in Ancramdale, NY. The store is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10a.m. to 5p.m. You will find our products along with Herondale's meats and poultry. Local products such as cheese, honey, and fruit are also available.

eMail: Solflowerfarm@gmail.com
phone: Andy (518) 567-1951

90 Wiltsie Bridge Road
Ancramdale, NY 12503

Let's Grow!!!

We Have Music!

Music for the Soul!

After a very long week at the NYIGF, we are exhausted! We have found some wonderful new Vendors and our Current Vendors have great new pieces for 2010! We will be writing more about the Gift Show later, but for now let's talk about Music!

One of our most exciting finds this year was Music! We wanted something that we could play in the store that would make your experience even greater! We think we have picked some Great Music! Ken has been listening to about 30 CDs over and over trying to narrow down his favorites. Not an easy job! They are all so good, but as you may or may not know, we have to be selective. Our space is small and we have already packed some amazing things in here! So edit, edit, edit! That is our Mantra this year.

In no specific order, here are a few of the CDs that we are going to carry. They should be here in the next couple of weeks and in the meantime, we will be playing them at Passiflora!


Ameya by Brenda McMorrow

Ameya CD by Brenda McMorrow offers Sanskrit mantras, chanting and music for yoga.

Discover the realm of soul-expanding Kirtan through these captivating devotional songs, rich in modern melodies, luxuriant harmonies, world beats, acoustic guitar and ancient Sanskrit mantras.

East meets West on AMEYA, a lush, groove-filled voyage into the joyful ocean of Bhakti Yoga.


At Last - Jaimee Paul

A stunning tribute to the great ‘girl singers’ of our time featuring the Beegie Adair Trio and the Jeff Steinberg Orchestra


Blame It On My Youth - Matt Belsante

A blend of swinging big band numbers, classic pop and soul hits arranged in a modern sound similar to Michael Buble.

INSTRUMENTATION: piano, organ, guitars, bass, drums, percussion, saxes, flute, bass clarinet, trumpet, trombone, french horn, strings, and vocals


Blue Fire Soul CD by Suzanne Sterling

Blue Fire Soul CD by Suzanne Sterling offers power yoga music and Sanskrit mantras with electronic beats.

Created for the yoga journey, Blue Fire Soul explores the universe of the body.

Urban priestess Suzanne Sterling’s ecstatic chants on Blue Fire Soul conjure a soundscape of guitars, tablas, loops and beats stretching from intimate to epic, inviting us to open the doors of perception and step into our true nature: fully alive, totally awake.


Call of the Forest CD by Baka Beyond

Call of the Forest CD by Baka Beyond is traditional African music for dancing and drumming.

For the Baka people of Cameroon, listening acutely to the forest from birth is a matter of survival -- and fosters an exceptional musicality, with exuberantly joyful song and rhythm permeating every aspect of life. But, not only are the Baka among the world’s most uniquely musical people – they are also among the poorest and most socially marginalized.

Partial proceeds from sales of Call of the Forest—an uplifiting collection of tracks by the Baka and Baka Beyond—will be donated to Global Music Exchange. Founded by Baka Beyond -- and dubbed “One Heart” by the Baka women—Global Music Exchange helps sustain the Baka’s fragile rainforest culture. Royalties collected from Baka Beyond’s recordings support protection of human rights, distribution of necessities, development of medical facilities practicing both Western and forest medicine -- and above all the cultivation of new life skills, enabling informed choices to sustain and preserve the Baka way of life, a harmonious stewardship of their threatened natural environment.


Distant Shore - Orla Fallon

A beautiful collection of music from Celtic Woman's own award-winning singer and harpist,
Orla Fallon


Elephant Power CD by MC Yogi

Elephant Power CD by MC Yogi is highly recommended for trance dance, yoga dance, kundalini yoga and anyone who likes to groove to hip-hop spiritual music .
What, you say?

Experience the inspired Sanskrit hip-hop party Elephant Power by MC Yogi, produced by Sean Dinsmore of the Dum Dum Project, featuring Bhagavan Das, Jai Uttal, Krishna Das, Manose and more.

Step into a world where mythological gods and goddesses join with turntables and tablas. Pouring the ancient wisdom of yoga into infectious hip hop beats and breaks, MC Yogi channels a message of peace and spiritual transformation for a new generation of modern mystics and urban yogis on Elephant Power.
Concept and singing by MC Yogi.


Embrace by Deva Premal

Embrace finds this best-selling singer at the height of her art, expressing the ancient wisdom of mantra through a contemporary musical vision.

Her gorgeous voice, richer and more assured than ever before, floats above a cool, sensual groove provided by some of today's finest world fusion artists.

Deva Premal enthralled audiences worldwide with The Essence and Love Is Space. That phenomenal success continues with Embrace. Its relaxed, uplifting feel and elegant sense of space can only heighten the spell already cast by this mantra enchantress.

Produced by Miten and Kit Walker (Walela, Kitaro, Pagan Love Orchestra), Embrace features a more fully developed musical dynamic, due in large part to virtuoso performances by such top flight musicians as Jai Uttal (dotar and distinctive vocals), Kit Walker (keyboards, grand piano, Hammond B3), Nepali native Manose (bansuri), Miten (vocals, guitar), Ty Burhoe (a star protégé of Zakir Hussain) and Marquinho Brasil (assorted exotic hand percussion).


Hotel Tara

Welcome back to the exclusive resort where your soul can unwind.

Take up residence and chill-out to a sensuous new set of global grooves with the perfect blend of entrancing rhythms and mystical vocals from the world’s best sonic mixologists.

Create a hip atmosphere with this luscious non-stop mix by our DJs extraordinaire the Gordon Brothers (Buddha-Lounge, Café de Luna).


La Voce - Mark Masri

This romantic collection of Italian and English love songs, featuring Mark's amazing vocals and tender interpretations, is sure to be an instant classic.


Parisian Cafe - Beegie Adair & David Davidson

Jazz pianist, Beegie Adair teams with violinist David Davidson to pay tribute to the songs of France.


The Lover and the Beloved CD by Donna DeLory

The Lover and the Beloved CD by Donna DeLory is perfect Sanskrit mantras and chants for yoga and blissful entertainment.

These Sanskrit mantras bubble with a groove and atmosphere that takes tradition to heaven and back. Donna's voice resonates with ether and earth, beauty that asks you to join in, become one with the sound of deep celebration.

Songs on The Lover and the Beloved are written by Donna De Lory in collaboration with Cameron Stone, Dave Stringer, Dave Dale, David Newman, and Jeremy Toback.

Enjoy! Would LOVE to hear your feedback!