– Wendell Berry
Summer Share Box 5 Crop List
- Zucchini – all shares
- Summer Squash – all shares
- Cucumbers – all shares
- Mint – all shares
- Radishes – all shares
- Eggplant – all shares
- Peppers – all shares
- Greens mix – all shares
- Kale – all shares
- Beets – full shares
- Collard greens – full shares
- Napa cabbage – full shares
- Raspberries – some shares
Farmer Notes
- Farm work/visit opportunity on Friday July 27th – check out our Farm Connections web page.
- The deer love chard and beets. We used a deer fence and row cover to deter them and still struggled to get a decent crop. We have our fall beets planted as close to our house as possible so hopefully the dogs can help us out.
- Many of you will receive raspberries – they do not ship well and some may be broken down or watery. Please accept our apologies in advance.
- Zucchini, summer squash, and eggplant are excellent sliced thinly, oiled and seasoned, and grilled.
- Lots of cucumbers coming down the pipe: put them in your pitcher of water, slice and drizzle with balsamic, or make refrigerator pickles (take 3-4 cucumbers and slice thinly. Mix in a bowl with 3 teaspoons of salt. Put in a quart jar with garlic and dill and shake. After 2 hours top off the liquid with white vinegar and cap. Enjoy in an hour or in a year).
- Make some zucchini bread this weekend.
- We are starting to eat mini orange tomatoes – you should see some soon.
- No irrigation to speak of needed here on the farm with more rain today.
- Make sure to wash your produce before you eat it.
A visit to the farm
One of the opportunities/advantages of belonging to a CSA farm as a member is that you are a member and that you belong to that farm for the season. You pay for your membership and supply the financial backing to keep the business afloat. Among many benefits to CSA subscription (earthdancefarm.net/csa-movement) is the open invitation to visit the farm at any time. You can see the fields that produce the vegetables in your weekly box, chase the chickens that lay your eggs, and meet the folks who work these fields to bring food to your table.
On Friday, July 27th, we will host one of several on-farm events that are open to all of our members. It is a day or half day to tour the farm, do a stint of fieldwork with the crew, and enjoy a light lunch of farm fresh produce. We will offer this again in September. We also will have a camping weekend in August that requires a 2-week reservation, and a large ‘harvest gathering’ on Oct. 27th. Of course, with a phone call or email, you can stop down at any time that fits into your schedule for a farm tour and a short visit. Unfortunately we are about a 2-hour drive from the Cities and I know summer is busy, but just know that a warm welcome is extended to each of you.
We hope that your summer is off to a wonderful start and that you are enjoying your produce boxes so far. Enjoy and be well!!
~Norm
Crop of the week: Cucumber
Did you know? The cucumber originates from southern Asia! While we love our pickles and cucumber here in America, the Chinese are the world’s largest producer of the crop. They produce more than 25 times as as many as the next closest producer, Turkey! They are a delicious snack and a great addition to water for summer refreshment.
Some cucumber recipes to enjoy:
