CSA Week 8-2011
Posted 7/15/2011 10:01pm by Larry Brandenburg.
Foodie Friends,
Squash, as I have shared with you before, is very hard to grow organically. It is also challenging to keep harvested as it seems to grow incredibly fast. This week we will be sharing some Patty Pan Squash with you that seemed to jump from small to large overnight. Most people prefer their squash to be like their car payment. As small as possible. But fear not, their are some culinary uses for the larger species. One way is to cut them into cubes and incorporate into a dish. Another way is to stuff them. I searched online for "cooking large patty pan squash" and found several enticing recipes. So, I encourage you to be adventurous and please be sure to let us know how your adventure turns out.
We are so happy to be able to share the first harvest of green beans with you. Last year's extreme temperatures burned most of the blossoms off which resulted in a pitiful yield. A 250 ft. row was giving us 5-10 pounds. Well, this year they are doing well. Each of you will get a bag of Provider Green Beans this week and we are hoping that the Royal Burgundy and Italian Wax Beans won't be far behind.
We were able to get a four pints of cherry tomatoes this week. Not enough for the CSA but it looks encouraging for yield to increase substantially over the next couple of weeks. We were later getting things planted this year than ever before. The wet weather in April and May prevented us from preparing the ground properly but now things are beginning to pick up. There used to be a TV ad that said you "can't fool Mother Nature," but you also can't rush Mother Nature. However, some of our growing techniques do seem to allow to push the envelope a little and so we are hopeful. Of course, we could really push the envelope if we used chemical fertilizers and poisonous pesticides and herbicides. But we don't and it just goes to show you that although it may take a little longer, organic is still the better way to go.
There continues to be a lot of discussion as to whether organic farming can feed the world. Not only do I think it can feed the world, but I also think it can save the world. Apparently there are others who think this also. Next week we will be hosting scholars and dignitaries from fourteen African countries who are here as guests of the U.S. State Department. They are people who are with Ministries of Agriculture and Offices of Sustainability in their respective countries. The World Affairs Council called and asked if they could come take a look at a small organic farm. I guess this is the advantage of being the only small organic vegetable farm in "these here parts." Of course Beth is worried that our place doesn't look like Martha Stewart's farm but I doubt that our guests are up on the latest Martha fad. They will see what reality is like for those of us who are real people trying to do the right thing while juggling life in all of its complexity. Last year we hosted a training session for international organic inspectors so I guess we are becoming the "go-to place."
I am always impressed with the fine people who have committed to being a part of our CSA. You are really neat folks. We enjoy visiting with you and sharing the bounty of our harvest with you. We have a long way yet to go in getting our message out, but, we have come a long way and every little step counts. Thank you for walking with us, even though the pace may seem slow and the footprints small.
Larry
Squash, as I have shared with you before, is very hard to grow organically. It is also challenging to keep harvested as it seems to grow incredibly fast. This week we will be sharing some Patty Pan Squash with you that seemed to jump from small to large overnight. Most people prefer their squash to be like their car payment. As small as possible. But fear not, their are some culinary uses for the larger species. One way is to cut them into cubes and incorporate into a dish. Another way is to stuff them. I searched online for "cooking large patty pan squash" and found several enticing recipes. So, I encourage you to be adventurous and please be sure to let us know how your adventure turns out.
We are so happy to be able to share the first harvest of green beans with you. Last year's extreme temperatures burned most of the blossoms off which resulted in a pitiful yield. A 250 ft. row was giving us 5-10 pounds. Well, this year they are doing well. Each of you will get a bag of Provider Green Beans this week and we are hoping that the Royal Burgundy and Italian Wax Beans won't be far behind.
We were able to get a four pints of cherry tomatoes this week. Not enough for the CSA but it looks encouraging for yield to increase substantially over the next couple of weeks. We were later getting things planted this year than ever before. The wet weather in April and May prevented us from preparing the ground properly but now things are beginning to pick up. There used to be a TV ad that said you "can't fool Mother Nature," but you also can't rush Mother Nature. However, some of our growing techniques do seem to allow to push the envelope a little and so we are hopeful. Of course, we could really push the envelope if we used chemical fertilizers and poisonous pesticides and herbicides. But we don't and it just goes to show you that although it may take a little longer, organic is still the better way to go.
There continues to be a lot of discussion as to whether organic farming can feed the world. Not only do I think it can feed the world, but I also think it can save the world. Apparently there are others who think this also. Next week we will be hosting scholars and dignitaries from fourteen African countries who are here as guests of the U.S. State Department. They are people who are with Ministries of Agriculture and Offices of Sustainability in their respective countries. The World Affairs Council called and asked if they could come take a look at a small organic farm. I guess this is the advantage of being the only small organic vegetable farm in "these here parts." Of course Beth is worried that our place doesn't look like Martha Stewart's farm but I doubt that our guests are up on the latest Martha fad. They will see what reality is like for those of us who are real people trying to do the right thing while juggling life in all of its complexity. Last year we hosted a training session for international organic inspectors so I guess we are becoming the "go-to place."
I am always impressed with the fine people who have committed to being a part of our CSA. You are really neat folks. We enjoy visiting with you and sharing the bounty of our harvest with you. We have a long way yet to go in getting our message out, but, we have come a long way and every little step counts. Thank you for walking with us, even though the pace may seem slow and the footprints small.
Larry
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