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