4th Week of August

This Week at the Farm

Quite the glorious weather we are having this week! We sense the shift towards fall and the changing crops indicate this as well. We seeded the first winter cover crop seed this week, a mix of rye, crimson clover and hairy vetch. This blend will protect the soil from erosion during the winter, add organic matter to the soil and even add nitrogen from the atmosphere.

Did You Know?

There are 3 separate organizations at the Homefields Farm:

1. Homefields--the non-profit owner and landlord of the farm
2. Goodwill Industries-- operates the CSA farm program
3. Community Services Group-staffs the two groups homes on the property

Better Off

When I look around the county or the country, we have many blessings to count here at the farm this season. The southern end of the county received crop-destroying hail two weeks ago, and Angelic Organics CSA of the Real Dirt on Farmer John Fame in Illinois had so much rainfall
they had to excavate large pits in their fields to collect and pump water out so the crops didn't drown. Many other farms have had extreme weather challenges that put our long dry spell in perspective.

What's Ahead?

As summer crops peak and taper off, the fall crops beckon: pumpkins, winter squashes like butternuts, acorns and spaghtetti, leeks, hopefully baby beets and baby carrots, follow-up plantings of cucumbers and beans, and of course all the fall brassicas: turnip, radish, rutabaga, broccoli, kale, collards, cauliflower and cabbage, not to mention fall favorites cilantro and arugula.

Simply in Season

We have the excellent Simply in Season cookbook here that follows the seasons with timely and tasty recipes that are quick and easy to make. It is for sale here at the distribution area along with a fun Children's version.

Compostables

We welcome all untreated/unsprayed plant materials on our compost pile behind the greenhouse. If you are looking for somewhere to go with your autumn leaf collection or summer vegetable scraps, we are glad for them. No animal waste or meat products please.

Thank You

Hats off to Brian Martin, Farm Operations Specialist, this week for putting together an irrigation tape rewinder that will help us reuse a lot of tape next season!

Thank you appreciating the food and supporting our work here!
Scott

Recipe

Spicy Roasted Eggplant
(from the Simply in Season Cookbook)
1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro sprigs (chopped)
1/4 olive oil
2 T lemon juice
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
pinch of cinnamon
Stir together.
1 large eggplant (cut in 1/4inch slices)

Brush cilantro mixture on both sides of eggplant slices and transfer to greased baking pan. Broil eggplant 5-6 inches from heat until golden and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

Calendar

Saturday, August 23, 10 am
Water Conservation at Home
Water conservation inside the house and out, including cisterns (rainbarrels), presented by Matt Kofroth, Watershed Specialist with the Lancaster County Conservation District. Sign up if interested on the sheet.

Saturday August 23, 3pm to dusk
Backyard Fruit Growers Summer Tour and Meeting
This event is open to BYFG members and Goodwill at Homefields farm shareholders.
The agenda will be:
3:00 meet and greet
3:30 tour
5:00 Auction of donated items—plants, posters, jams, fruit and garden items.
6:00 potluck meal—bring a ready to serve dish
7:00 Fruit growers Q & A sharing session
7:30 Bud grafting of stonefruit demonstration
What to bring: folding chairs or blanket to sit on, a dish to share, items to donate for the BYFG auction. Water, plates, utensils and cups will be provided by BYFGers.

September 19
Homefields Golf Tournament
Homefields, our benevolent landlord and host will hold its 12th annual Golf Tournament Sept 19th at Crossgates Golf Course, Millersville. To participate, pick up a copy of the flyer here at the farm or see their website at: www.homefields.org. Proceeds benefit Homefields.

September 26
Shareholder Celebration of Fall Potluck
Watch for more details.

Mid-November
End of weekly harvest, beginning of self-harvesting for shareholders.