Thursday, August 25, 2016

Notes from Your Farm: Remembering Our Mission, Farmer Del, & Homefields Events




Hello from the Farm,   


Shareholder Pick-Up Times
Thursday 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Friday 11:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm
   

Remembering Our Mission
When you bought a share here at Goodwill at Homefields Farm you directly supported people with disabilities that we train and employ. They develop horticultural skills on the farm and enjoy the outcome of their own labor. Learning these skills might help them find competitive work within their local community.

Goodwill's Mission
Goodwill works to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.

Homefields Vocational Mission
To provide agricultural facilities for individuals who prosper with supported employment; to nurture integration through community interaction; and to cultivate a spirit of volunteerism within our community.




Meet your Farmer's  

Farmer Del

Farmer Del has a great personality to work with on the farm.  He has many sayings that motivates us to get to work or to just have a laugh.  Del is well known to like his treats during snack time.  He's always up for some ice cream, watermelon, or cantaloupe.  We also hear stories about his families farm he use to work on.  He gives us some suggestions on farming techniques that he practiced at his families farm.           

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the Farm?  A: Hoeing in the Springtime because that is my favorite season.  I like to pick Peppers and eat them.  Our Tomatoes taste good with mayonnaise in a sandwich.

Q: If you could be a vegetable what would you be and why? A: Neck Pumpkin because they are fun to harvest and cool looking.

Q: What is your favorite snack that you have eaten at the farm?  A: Grape fruit sections, vanilla pudding, and donuts that the mower guy brings.

Q:  Which on of your sayings you say here at the farm is your favorite?  A: "Rock and Roll!" Others that Del says - "Suuuh-weet!" "That-a way" and "It's party time at Homefields"  

Q: What would you like to tell us about your families farm?  A: Hard work but learned how to work as an adult.  Payed close attention to the weather.

Q: Anything else you want the shareholders to know about you? A: Enjoy working at Homefields - washing vegetables and seeing the shareholders. 

Abendesson Bread
Chocolate Chip & Cinnamon Sourdough - Makes awesome French Toast! - $5 a loaf 


Homefields Events - Coming Soon Near You!

Picnic in the Fields - Sunday, September 25 - Drop in between 11am & 2pm - Adults $25 - 13-17 $10 - Under 12 Free - At Homefields
Get tickets and see menu at www.homefields.org

Homefields 20th Annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament - Friday, September 23 - 7am till 2pm - At Crossgates Golf Club
Get tickets at www.homefields.org



Field Good Yoga - Gentle Yoga with Farmer Elizabeth
A Homefields Event - Offered free to the farming community - On sight at Goodwill at Homefields Farm - Every weekend through Labor Day - Classes will be on Friday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm & Saturday mornings from 8:30am to 9:30am
Dates for Classes:
          Aug. 26&27
          Sept. 2&3
Classes will be held rain or shine, and class may be modified in the event of rain.  Bring a yoga mat, block, strap, and water bottle.  If you don't have yoga gear, borrow some from the farm collection.
No advance sign up is needed, but to register in advance or for any questions, please contact Talks@Homefields.org  



Fruit Share - Order on a Weekly Basis
Missed out on signing up for a Fruit Share but still want to order fruit?  Now you can order fruit on a weekly basis from North Star Orchard.  Or if you currently have a fruit share but want to put in a special order this is how it is done.  All you have to do is follow the link below and then fill out the order sheet that it takes you to.  You pay online and pick up your fruit here at Goodwill at Homefields Farm!
Order Sheet Link: https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/oK8X0j1VeCH   


Farm Shares - Sign up Now at Prorated Price!
2016 Shares are still available!  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types



Harvest List 
Potatoes - cut them in small pieces, at to boiling water until soft, smash them, add some herbs, and now you have mashed potatoes! yumm!

Onions - great to add to cooked potatoes, salad, or any other meal

Melons - wash under running water, let dry, let sit for a couple of days, and keep in a refrigerator.   

Tomatoes - slice them, dice them, or just bite them.  I personally just eat them like an apple.

Peppers - eat raw, put in salads, sauteed, or stuff the peppers with hamburger and rice, delicious!

Eggplant - can be pan fried, grilled, or microwaved till tender

Garlic - bake, roast, boil, or eat it raw in salad.  Helps to prevent cancer, colds, and stabilizes cholesterol levels.

Scallions - add for an onion flavoring

Swiss Chard - used as a side dish by being sauteed, made into a soup, or a pasta 




It's almost the weekend!,


Your Farmers

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Notes from Your Farm: Farmer Patrick, PYO Field, & Caprese Salad




Hello from the Farm,   
     

Pick Your Own Field - Highlights
Okra - We have a maroon and green okra varieties located behind the grapes in the smaller section of the PYO field.  Okra should be harvested when it is about 2-3 inches long.  Eat it raw!

Basil - Our second planting of basil is looking great!  It is in the same row right behind the first planting.  The first planting is still holding on when normally it would succumb to Fusarium Wilt.  Luckily the variety we choose for this year is Fusarium-resistant and it worked! 

Lemongrass - It is around 3-4 feet tall right now in the PYO field.  This grass has a nice sweet lemon flavor and a great smell to it.  Can be added to drinks, when let to soak for awhile, for a sweet flavor or could be added in your cooking as in curry pastes, stir-fries, and salads. 

Thyme & Oregano - these herbs are nice smaller plants in the PYO field that would add great flavor to many dishes.  Don't be afraid to cook with fresh herbs!  They add great flavor to your meals and most can even be dried to be used in the winter.  All you have to do is hang them where there is not much humidity and wait.  

Herb Beds - There are five herb beds up against the barn which include sage, mint (will come back more in the fall), holy basil, rosemary, and oregano.



Meet your Farmer's  

Farmer Patrick

Farmer Patrick helps us manage the fields on Wednesdays by weeding, planting, and harvesting.  He does an awesome job while transplanting because of his concentration and synchronized pace, he barely misses even one plant while transplanting!  Patrick also enjoys taste testing the Watermelon we are now harvesting by eating even extra cuttings.  He travels to other states with his parents and has many hobbies while not working.      

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the Farm?  A: Picking watermelon, beans, and washing vegetables.  

Q: If you could be a vegetable what would you be and why? A: Pepper, because I like to eat them and pick them.

Q: What type of activities do you do outside of work?  A: Soccer, Art, and Music.  His favorite color to paint with is pink and he likes to paint pictures of the sky.  Patrick does his artwork at Friendship Heart Gallery in Lancaster City.  You can find his artwork that he has specifically created on the galleries website, click here to see Patrick's art pieces.  Patrick also plays the guitar during his music lessons.  

Q:  Where's your favorite place you traveled with your family?  A: Carolina, liked to look at museums and going to the beach.  



Caprese Salad Recipe 
All you need is Tomatoes, Basil, extra-virgin oil and Mozzarela cheese. You will be getting Tomatoes this week and will be able to harvest Basil in the PYO field.  Once you have all the ingredients you layer them together then add some extra-virgin oil with some pepper and salt.  It is ready to eat!  

Recipe Details here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/caprese-salad-recipe.html


Abendesson Bread
Sourdough Bread - Makes awesome BLT's! - $5 a loaf 



Field Good Yoga - Gentle Yoga with Farmer Elizabeth
A Homefields Event - Offered free to the farming community - On sight at Goodwill at Homefields Farm - Every weekend through Labor Day - Classes will be on Friday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm & Saturday mornings from 8:30am to 9:30am

Dates for Classes:
          Aug. 19&20, Aug. 26&27
          Sept. 2&3

Classes will be held rain or shine, and class may be modified in the event of rain.  Bring a yoga mat, block, strap, and water bottle.  If you don't have yoga gear, borrow some from the farm collection.

No advance sign up is needed, but to register in advance or for any questions, please contact Talks@Homefields.org  



Homefields Events - Coming Soon Near You!
Picnic in the Fields - Sunday, September 25 - Details Soon!
Homefields 20th Annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament -Friday, September 23



Fruit Share - Order on a Weekly Basis
Missed out on signing up for a Fruit Share but still want to order fruit?  Now you can order fruit on a weekly basis from North Star Orchard.  Or if you currently have a fruit share but want to put in a special order this is how it is done.  All you have to do is follow the link below and then fill out the order sheet that it takes you to.  You pay online and pick up your fruit here at Goodwill at Homefields Farm!

Order Sheet Link: https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/oK8X0j1VeCH   



Farm Shares - Sign up Now at Prorated Price!
2016 Shares are still available!  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types



Harvest List 
Tomatoes - slice them, dice them, or just bite them.  I personally just eat them like an apple.

Peppers - eat raw, put in salads, sauteed, or stuff the peppers with hamburger and rice, delicious!

Zucchini - bake with pastries, saute, or grill

Cucumbers - eat raw, put in salad, make cucumber and mint water

Eggplant - can be pan fried, grilled, or microwaved till tender

Garlic - bake, roast, boil, or eat it raw in salad.  Helps to prevent cancer, colds, and stabilizes cholesterol levels.

Green Garlic - have an onion flavor, good fresh or cooked, doesn't have to be peeled

Scallions - add for an onion flavoring

Swiss Chard - used as a side dish by being sauteed, made into a soup, or a pasta



Shareholder Pick-Up Times
Thursday 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Friday 11:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm 




Have fun in the PYO Field,
Your Farmers

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Notes from Your Farm: Farmer Christina, Rio!, and Fruit Share



Hello from the Farm,   
     

Rio!  The Olympic games have officially started this week.  We are hearing lots of news about the American swimmers winning Gold Medals.  If there were an Olympic games for vegetables I'm sure our melons would win a Gold!  These melons only last for a short amount of time, but are here to help cool us off during the dog days of summer.  We will also be having the last of the zucchini, many Tomatoes, Scallions, and Garlic. 

       
Which way should I go Rio or the PYO Field?  The PYO Field for sure!




Meet your Farmer's
Once a week we will be posting a short description and interview about one of the Farmer's here at Goodwill at Homefields Farm.  Everyone should have an understanding of who their Farmer's are, so they know who is handling their food.  This is one of the advantages of belonging to a local CSA.  

Farmer Christina


Farmer Christina is one of our first female clients here at the Farm.  She is a hard worker when it comes to harvesting vegetables for shareholders on Thursdays.  Our crops in the greenhouse receive careful attention when it is Christina's day to water. She makes sure every cell in each tray has the right amount of water they need for the day.  Christina has grownup around farms because of living in Lancaster county and enjoys having outdoor cats out in the country.  She told us that there are around 12 cats that she is taking care of right now!  

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the Farm?  A: Harvesting any kind of vegetable.  I like to harvest fruit and vegetables because I like fruit salads.  I also like harvesting walnuts from my walnut tree at home.    

Q: If you could be a vegetable what would you be and why? A: A Halo Orange because I love to eat them and bring them in my lunch everyday.  Q: How about a vegetable from the farm?  A: Peppers, because their highlights (Peppers changing color have highlights of their next color) match my highlights in my hair.

Q: What's your favorite thing you found in the fields?  A: Deer tracks, walnuts, and flowers of any kind.  (Christina gives flowers to fellow Farmers while out in the fields.  Her and Farmer Brian both like to find the next vegetable to harvest in the fields together.)

Q:  Do you watch any sports or have a favorite sports team?  A: Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Jaguars.  My favorite sport to watch is football but I like to watch any sport.

Q: What else do you want the shareholders to know about you?  A: That I am Irish, German, and Indian (her heritage).  I feed birds, turkeys, deer, and groundhogs in my backyard at home.   


Field Good Yoga - Gentle Yoga with Farmer Elizabeth
A Homefields Event - Offered free to the farming community - On sight at Goodwill at Homefields Farm - Every weekend through Labor Day - Classes will be on Friday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm & Saturday mornings from 8:30am to 9:30am

Dates for Classes:
          Aug. 12&13, Aug. 19&20, Aug. 26&27
          Sept. 2&3

Classes will be held rain or shine, and class may be modified in the event of rain.  Bring a yoga mat, block, strap, and water bottle.  If you don't have yoga gear, borrow some from the farm collection.

No advance sign up is needed, but to register in advance or for any questions, please contact Talks@Homefields.org  


Talk in the Fields - Preserving and Canning
A Homefields Event - Saturday, August 13 10:30am till 12:30pm - Speaker Marissa McClellan - $15 per person - On sight at Goodwill at Homfeilds Farm

Come for a canning and preserving workshop with author, food blogger, and speaker Marissa McClellan.  There will be a workshop, Q&A, and book signing.  Go home with a jar!

Seating is limited / registration is required.  Please mail $15 check to: Homefields, Inc., 150 Letort Road, Millersville, PA 17551 or visit www.homefields.org to pay via Paypal.  Call 872-2012 for more info or Email: talks@homefields.org 


Picnic in the Fields - Sunday, September 25 - Details Soon!


Fruit Share - Order on a Weekly Basis
Missed out on signing up for a Fruit Share but still want to order fruit?  Now you can order fruit on a weekly basis from North Star Orchard.  Or if you currently have a fruit share but want to put in a special order this is how it is done.  All you have to do is follow the link below and then fill out the order sheet that it takes you to.  You pay online and pick up your fruit here at Goodwill at Homefields Farm!

Order Sheet Link: https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/oK8X0j1VeCH


Abendesson Bread
"The Everything Bread"  -  $5 a loaf    


Farm Shares - Sign up Now at Prorated Price!
2016 Shares are still available!  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types


Harvest List 
Tomatoes - slice them, dice them, or just bite them.  I personally just eat them like an apple.

Peppers - eat raw, put in salads, sauteed, or stuff the peppers with hamburger and rice, delicious!

Zucchini - bake with pastries, saute, or grill

Cucumbers - eat raw, put in salad, make cucumber and mint water

Eggplant - can be pan fried, grilled, or microwaved till tender

Garlic - bake, roast, boil, or eat it raw in salad.  Helps to prevent cancer, colds, and stabilizes cholesterol levels.

Green Garlic - have an onion flavor, good fresh or cooked, doesn't have to be peeled

Scallions - add for an onion flavoring

Swiss Chard - used as a side dish by being sauteed, made into a soup, or a pasta





Have a Spectacular weekend, 
Your Farmers

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Notes from Your Farm: Meet your Farmer's




Hello from the Farm,   
     

Ahhh, this weather could not be any better to work in!  We had less humid days that even had a nice breeze to cool us off.  We are still making sure we take many water breaks but at least harvesting is a lot more delightful.  The harvest this week is going to include the last of the Zucchini and Cucumbers. They've lasted for four long weeks but are now coming to an end.  Scallions, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, and Garlic are still going strong for this Harvest. Take advantage of the PYO Field before the season comes to an end.  It is filled with beautiful flowers, herbs, and veggies.    




Sunflowers are out of control in the PYO Field.  Get them before their time is up!  The PYO Field is extended past the row of grapes which also includes Okra, Celosia, and Zinnias.


Meet your Farmer's
Once a week we will be posting a short description about one of the Farmer's here at Goodwill at Homefields Farm.  Everyone should have an understanding of who their Farmer's are, so they know who is handling their food.  This is one of the advantages of belonging to a local CSA.  

Farmer Brian


Farmer Brian is a huge help for us on our Thursday harvests.  He works hard to make sure we get the food harvested in enough time for the shareholders. Brian is known for finding artifacts in the fields as in pottery pieces, machinery parts, and animal tracks.  He is definitely an outdoors men because of his interests in birds, hunting, and mushrooms.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the Farm?  A: Harvesting Tomatoes, Cabbage, and beets.  I also like being outside with everyone that works here.

Q: If you could be a vegetable what would you be and why?  A: I would be a tomato because they are good to eat and healthy.

Q: What's your favorite thing you found in the fields?  A: Quartz rocks because they have different colors, shapes, and sizes.  I have a collection of quartz rocks and Coca-Cola glass bottles from McDonald's.

Q: What else do you want the shareholders to know about you?  A: That I am friendly and nice. 



Field Good Yoga - Gentle Yoga with Farmer Elizabeth
A Homefields Event - Offered free to the farming community - On sight at Goodwill at Homefields Farm - Classes will be on Friday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm & Saturday mornings from 8:30am to 9:30am

Dates for Classes:
          Aug. 5&6, Aug. 12&13, Aug. 19&20, Aug. 26&27
          Sept. 2&3

Attend every weekend or just try out one class!  Classes will be held rain or shine, and class may be modified in the event of rain.  Bring a yoga mat, block, strap, and water bottle.  If you do not have yoga gear improvise with a beach towel or blanket, and a belt, necktie or bathrobe tie.

To reserve your spot or for any questions, please contact Talks@Homefields.org 


Talk in the Fields - Preserving and Canning
A Homefields Event - Saturday, August 13 10:30am till 12:30pm - Speaker Marissa McClellan - $15 per person - On sight at Goodwill at Homfeilds Farm

Come for a canning and preserving workshop with author, food blogger, and speaker Marissa McClellan.  There will be a workshop, Q&A, and book signing.  Go home with a jar!

Seating is limited / registration is required.  Please mail $15 check to: Homefields, Inc., 150 Letort Road, Millersville, PA 17551 or visit www.homefields.org to pay via Paypal.  Call 872-2012 for more info or Email: talks@homefields.org  



Want to share your Recipes?
Ever excited about how your vegetables turned out with a recipe you tried? From vegetable shakes, to salads, or creative combinations.  We want to see how you are preparing our vegetables!  Post a picture of your creation on our Facebook page and a short description on how it was prepared.  This will be a great way to share recipes with other shareholders.  If you have not liked our Facebook Page please click on the link below.

Facebook Page Link: https://www.facebook.com/GoodwillatHomefieldsFarm/

Abendesson Bread
Sun-Dried Tomato Bagels  -  $4 a bag    

Farm Shares - Sign up Now at Prorated Price!
2016 Shares are still available!  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types


Harvest List 
Tomatoes - slice them, dice them, or just bite them.  I personally just eat them like an apple.

Peppers - eat raw, put in salads, sauteed, or stuff the peppers with hamburger and rice, delicious!

Zucchini - bake with pastries, saute, or grill

Cucumbers - eat raw, put in salad, make cucumber and mint water

Eggplant - can be pan fried, grilled, or microwaved till tender

Garlic - bake, roast, boil, or eat it raw in salad.  Helps to prevent cancer, colds, and stabilizes cholesterol levels.

Green Garlic - have an onion flavor, good fresh or cooked, doesn't have to be peeled

Scallions - add for an onion flavoring

Swiss Chard - used as a side dish by being sauteed, made into a soup, or a pasta



How do you fix a broken Tomato?
        With Tomato Paste!  




Catch you later Tomaters, 


Your Farmers