Wednesday, July 20, 2016

2016 CSA Week #6 Maybe Summer Now?

I just checked the weather forecast and it is looking like it is actually going to move into the mid-80's for a week. Woah...finally. Still waiting on a couple of things to start producing....like those fickle cucumbers. A little heat is all that they need so hopefully this week will be enough to give them a little nudge. Same goes for the eggplant.
There are lots of green tomatoes but no ripe ones yet. This is pretty typical. They usually don't really start ripening at our farm until sometime in August. Once they start, we should have them for quite a while.

Willy is pulling all of the garlic off the field. The rain has been slightly problematic for this since it can hurt the curing process. However, this year, with the new building we have a large outdoor covered area that we can let the garlic sit and dry out a bit before cleaning it.

Not too much to really report. Everyone is tired right now but that is pretty normal. The days are still long and Willy and Laura have been getting to the farm very early and staying until late in the afternoon/evening. It is still planting season so they are doing their best to get things re-sown for late summer and fall harvest. Only a couple more weeks until we run out of time for planting so this part of the year is particularly fast-paced and slightly frantic.

We are starting to price out the cost of an additional high tunnel. They are very useful tools especially when dealing with erratic weather. Hopefully next season we may be able to add a 3rd one to our operation which will help give us a jump-start in the spring and another safety net for the fall.

Also, a quick note...in August our farm will be hosting its first Farm To Table Dinner. This dinner is a fundraiser for the Leavenworth Community Farmers Market and will help to raise funds for implementing a SNAP/EBT program at the market. All wine is being donated by Budreaux  Cellars and all food is being prepared via donation by Watershed Cafe. We will be donating produce along with the space. It should be a great event. Fliers went into the boxes this week.

Hopefully you had a great week and enjoyed the rain that came our way. This summer is very reminiscent of the ones I experienced growing up in Northern Wisconsin so I can't help but love the weather even if it isn't entirely awesome for farming (or going to the beach).

In Your Share This Week:
Arugula, Cucumber, Zucchini, Fennel, Carrots, Beets, Garlic, Kale, Basil and maybe a surprise or two

Recipes:
Do you remember the fennel and arugula salad recipe from a couple of weeks ago? Well this is the time to try it out. Also, fennel is great in creamy soups.

Fennel Soup

Carrot Fennel Soup

Fennel Arugula Salad

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