CSA 2014 - Week #26
Happy Thanksgiving! This is the final week of deliveries for all Tuesday and Wednesday sites. Thursday and Friday sites ended last week, but we thought you might want to receive our final newsletter of the season.
Season Wrap-up
By all accounts, this was a fantastic growing season. We had just the right mix of sun, rain and temperatures that farmers can only hope for. Our salad harvester proved to be an excellent investment, increasing the quantity (and value) of baby greens we could harvest for our members, and we had a bumper crop of some of our member-favorites like tomatoes, potatoes and greens this fall. Of course there were some disappointments, like losing our early fall planting of carrots and not being able to source sweet potato slips (hence, no sweet potatoes this fall), but the ups generally outweighed the downs. And as farmers love to say...there's always next year!
If you were new to our CSA this year, you were probably surprised by the ebb and flow of the harvest over the course of the season. Most people expect the high summer to be the time of bumper crop harvests, but it's quite the opposite! That's when our plants are in full growing gear, not necessarily ready to harvest. It's not until September, October and even November when the share boxes start to burst at the seams and the values of the shares soar. Kim did some number crunching for those of you who are interested, and the value of the shares over the course of the season came in at $688-$695. That means that you received about 18% bonus!
Winter on the farm
Everyone wants to know what we do at the farm in the winter. This year, we can happily say, "not much at all." We have decided not to offer winter shares this year so we can spend some much-needed time as a family. So, you'll probably find us sitting by the fire, catching up on reading, knitting projects, home/farm improvements, cooking up some delicious food in the kitchen and chasing after our kids around the farm. The best way to keep up with us is through our Instagram feed or our Facebook page. We'll be posting through the winter months.
Giving thanks
We spend much of our time at the farm running around. Literally running from barn to field, back to barn, back to field. It's always time for something, and we're always running out of it - time to harvest, time to irrigate, time to wash, time to cultivate, time to pack boxes, load up and head out on deliveries. Time to get the newsletter written, return the e-mails, write the recipes, cook the food. We are thankful for this time of year when we have time to sit here and think about this beautiful thing we have created. It's amazing what has evolved here over the past 18 years (could it be that long?) on this little piece of sandy soil sandwiched between the Bay and the Sound. Our little CSA has grown to provide food for thousands of members every week of the season. Clean, beautiful food that is planted, tended and harvested with incredible love and care. We are thankful for you, our members, for placing your trust in us to grow your food. And we are incredibly grateful to our outstanding employees who work long, hard days to make our farm function. Their hands are the ones weeding your carrots, harvesting your cauliflower, washing your potatoes and packing your boxes each week. They are talented, dedicated and committed to the "art" of farming.
We wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving and a joyous and peaceful holiday season!
With warm wishes and LOVE,
Maggie, Farmer Matt, Farmer James, Galen, Zinn & the farm crew
P.S. Don't forget to GIVE this holiday season!
Most of us have so much. Too much, really. I don't want to tell you what to do, folks, but I think I will just this once. Give away your money! Yes, give it away- even if you think you need it. I promise you don't need it as much as some other people do. (Do you have a roof over your head? Food in your fridge? Do your children have a warm bed to sleep in?) We will personally be giving to these two organizations in lieu of gifts and in the names of our family and friends this holiday season.
Oxfam America - http://www.oxfamamerica.org
Unicef USA - http://www.unicefusa.org
These are just two of many wonderful organizations doing good work all over the world. We encourage you to do your research and find an organization that you feel will put your money to the best use.
THIS WEEK IN THE SHARES
November 25, 26, 27 & 28
Rutabaga - several pieces
Beets - several pieces
Watermelon Radish - 1-2 pieces
Leeks - 1 bunch
Cauliflower - 1 small head
Carrots - 1 bunch
White Eva Potatoes - 5 lbs
Broccoli - 1 head
STORAGE TIPS
In a bag in the fridge...
Rutabaga, Beets, Watermelon Radish, Leeks, Cauliflower, Carrots, Broccoli
In a cool, dark place...
Potatoes
RECIPES
• Pureed Rutabaga with Pan-Fried Leeks
• Roasted Beet, Orange & Feta Salad wtih Walnuts
• Broccoli & Cauliflower Gratin
• Maple & Orange Glazed Carrots