Notes from Your Farm: Basil, Sharing Recipes, & Poison Ivy Protection

Hello from the Farm,   

   

4th of July Schedule 
Since many people are traveling for the 4th of July weekend we will be changing our pick up times and dates.  You will be able to pick up on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  
  

Wednesday (6/29) - 3:00pm till 7:00pm

Thursday (6/30) - 3:00pm till 7:00pm

Friday (7/1) - 11:00am till 7:00pm

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/



Basil
The Basil in our Pick Your Own (PYO) field is ready to be cut!  Everything else in the PYO field is still in the growing process and is NOT ready to be picked.  If you want to harvest some basil this is how it's done.

In the picture above it explains to cut above a section of leaves on the Basil stem.  Do not cut below a section of leaves because that does not encourage new growth as shown in the picture below. 

Please do not cut the whole plant.  Leave about two or three sections of leaves on the basil plant so it encourages new growth.  We do not want to put the plant into shock, which will take the plant a long time to regrow.  We have pruners located in the distribution center underneath the roaster welcome sign.
  
Images from:
http://redfernfarms.com/beat-basilisk-three-tips-for-success-with-basil/
http://adventuruss.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-to-prune-basil-bush.html




Poison Ivy Protection
If you ever feel like you are exposed to poison ivy on the farm please use the Poison Ivy Protection.  An example where poison ivy would be is in our blueberry patch.  Protect yourself by using the Poison Ivy Protection that we will have on the sign in table.
It was given to us by a friend of the Farm.  It is an organic product that many people use.  All you have to do is take a little dab of the product and rub it on your exposed skin.  Once the product dries you are ready!


Abendesson Bread
Seven Grain Bread for $5 a loaf.

Farm Shares - Sign Up NOW for the 2016 Season!

2016 Shares are still available!  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types

Cheese Share 

Hillacres Pride is again offering their popular cheese share at Homefields. With the CSA you will get 11 deliveries (every other week) of 2 cheeses each.  You will get to sample and enjoy 22 different cheeses throughout the season.  These will include cheddars and colbys (some flavored), fresh mozzarella, artisan cheeses, ricotta, quark, fresh cheese spreads, and feta-just to name a few.   

The hard cheeses are all vacuum sealed and most of the soft cheeses freeze well.  The cheese is made from the milk of our Jersey cows, a milk that is high in protein and perfect for making cheese.  It naturally contains beta-carotene and in the summer the cows graze on our lush pastures and they naturally have a yellow tint to their milk.  

Hillacres Pride is a small family operation in Southern Lancaster County.  To sign-up go to http://hillacrespride.com/?q=content/csa-shares

Fruit Share - Must be signed up by July 1!

Would you like to pick up a CSA Fruit Share when you come to get your vegetables at the farm? It’s time to sign up NOW with North Star Orchard for their weekly CSA Fruit Share, which is available for pickup here at Homefileds for 15 weeks starting at the beginning of August.

CSA Members here have been enjoying the Fruit Share for years, and we encourage you to take a look at what the share has to offer here: http://www.northstarorchard.com/csa_fruit.php

To reach North Star directly with any questions, email Lisa@northstarorchard.com

Harvest List

Kohlrabi - Once you peel off the tough outer shell of the bulb (with a vegetable peeler) you can add it to a soup, steam it, roast it, or eat it raw.

Turnips - can be used the same way you use a potato.  Eat raw, cooked, put in sandwich, or a salad. 

Basil - use as a flavoring in soups, homemade pizzas, salads, or make up a pesto sauce.

Kale - Kale chips are delicious and easily done.  Just put some olive oil and salt on the raw kale.  Next they will stay in the oven on a cookie sheet until the edges are brown.  They can also be made into a smoothie.

Lettuce Heads - Made into a salad or put into a sandwich.

Collards - can be cooked down and used in many recipes.  Use it as a wrap instead of a tortilla.  

Rhubarb - make it into a sauce or a pie.

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

Cut Lettuce - salads, sandwiches, steamed dishes, or soups

Have a safe Independence Day weekend, 

Your Farmers

Notes from Your Farm: 4th of July Schedule, Blueberries, & Gumby

 

Hello from the Farm, 



It is finally summer!  Soon there will be tomatoes, peppers, and many other summer goodies.  As for this week we will still be harvesting in the cold crop field.  We are harvesting the last of the Asian Greens, while still having Lettuce Heads, and Swiss Chard.   

4th of July Schedule 
Since many people are traveling for the 4th of July weekend we will be changing our pick up times and dates.  You will be able to pick up on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.    

Wednesday (6/29) - 3:00pm till 7:00pm

Thursday (6/30) - 3:00pm till 7:00pm

Friday (7/1) - 11:00am till 7:00pm

Blueberry Season
Blueberries are ready to be picked!  The blueberry season is going to have a similar set up as the strawberry season.  We will be giving half shares and full shares a season limit. Meaning you may only pick that amount of blueberries throughout the season.  

Season Limit
Half Share - 2 pints
Full Share - 4 pints

The season will start this week (6/23) and go till the pick up week of 7/7.  We are hoping the Blueberry Season will stretch out for a three week season. Shareholders may only pick blueberries during pick up times and dates. 

Check out this guys moves!  Gumby sure does know how to scare away the birds.  While you are picking some blueberries you might hear some loud bird calls and see Gumby dancing in the blueberry patch.  This is Goodwill at Homefields way of scaring the birds.  Don't want any of the birds eating our blueberries!

Abendesson Bread
This week there will be Dark Honey Wheat for $5 a loaf.

Help Spread the Word about the Farm!
We want to reach a goal of 185 shareholders for the 2016 Season.  And we want you to help!  At the sign in table this week we will have a stack of brochures and fliers for you to grab.  This is so you can share them at work, with friends, neighbors, gym, church, etc.  It would be great for more of the public to understand our mission here at the farm and give them a chance to support it!

Farm Shares - Sign Up NOW for the 2016 Season!

2016 Shares are still available!  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types

Cheese Share 

Hillacres Pride is again offering their popular cheese share at Homefields. With the CSA you will get 11 deliveries (every other week) of 2 cheeses each.  You will get to sample and enjoy 22 different cheeses throughout the season.  These will include cheddars and colbys (some flavored), fresh mozzarella, artisan cheeses, ricotta, quark, fresh cheese spreads, and feta-just to name a few.   

The hard cheeses are all vacuum sealed and most of the soft cheeses freeze well.  The cheese is made from the milk of our Jersey cows, a milk that is high in protein and perfect for making cheese.  It naturally contains beta-carotene and in the summer the cows graze on our lush pastures and they naturally have a yellow tint to their milk.  

Hillacres Pride is a small family operation in Southern Lancaster County.  To sign-up go to http://hillacrespride.com/?q=content/csa-shares

Fruit Share - Must be signed up by July 1!

Would you like to pick up a CSA Fruit Share when you come to get your vegetables at the farm? It’s time to sign up NOW with North Star Orchard for their weekly CSA Fruit Share, which is available for pickup here at Homefileds for 15 weeks starting at the beginning of August.

CSA Members here have been enjoying the Fruit Share for years, and we encourage you to take a look at what the share has to offer here: http://www.northstarorchard.com/csa_fruit.php

To reach North Star directly with any questions, email Lisa@northstarorchard.com

Harvest List

Asian Greens - Can be used in a stir fry by adding chiles, garlic, peanut oil, and possibly adding some salt. Also, the greens could simply make a yummy salad.

Kale - Kale chips are delicious and easily done.  Just put some olive oil and salt on the raw kale.  Next they will stay in the oven on a cookie sheet until the edges are brown.  They can also be made into a smoothie.

Lettuce Heads - Made into a salad or put into a sandwich.

Kohlrabi - Once you peel off the tough outer shell of the bulb (with a vegetable peeler) you can add it to a soup, steam it, roast it, or eat it raw.

Bok Choy - this Asian green can be sauteed by adding ginger, red pepper, and garlic.  A healthy side dish! 

Collards - can be cooked down and used in many recipes.  Use it as a wrap instead of a tortilla.  

Rhubarb - make it into a sauce or a pie.

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

Cutting Lettuce - salads, sandwiches, steamed dishes, or soups

Cilantro - use in baking, curry, or soup

Happy Summer,  

Your Farmers

 

 

Notes from Your Farm: Harvest, Pests, & Distribution Opening

Hello from the Farm, 



An update about last weeks incident when Small Farm Central was hacked. No ones personal information or payment information was reached by the hackers.  All shareholder information is safe. 

Our Second Harvest week is here!  We are extremely excited to get in the routine of harvesting on Thursdays and Fridays.  As you will see the vegetables from this week are similar to last week.  There will be Asian Greens that will spice up any salad, with some freshly cut Lettuce heads, and some Kale that could make a nutritious smoothie!

What Happened on the Farm this Week?
Weeds have been getting a bit out of control.  Organically removing weeds at a low cost price means mechanically or physically removing the weeds.  The trainees and farm help has been hoeing cut lettuce, dill, and beets.  They are the newly planted vegetables that need the extra help until they become big enough.
  
The Colorado Potato Beetle has made their appearance on our potatoes and eggplant.  This beetle at the larvae stage can do great damage to the leaves of plants.  They will eat the leaf down to the midrib.  We have been physically removing these pests from the plants. Let us know what you have done in your own gardens. 
   
 

Adult Colorado Potato Beetle

Help Spread the Word about the Farm!
We want to reach a goal of 185 shareholders for the 2016 Season.  And we want you to help!  At the sign in table this week we will have a stack of brochures and fliers for you to grab.  This is so you can share them at work, with friends, neighbors, gym, church, etc.  It would be great for more of the public to understand our mission here at the farm and give them a chance to support it!



Distribution Host / Hostess Position Open
This is a part time position that works 12 hours a week during distribution hours.  Thursdays 4:00pm-7:30pm, Fridays 4:00pm-7:30pm, and Saturdays 8:30am-1:30pm.  This position will start in June and go till mid-November.  Host/Hostess will greet shareholders, restock vegetables on distribution shelves, wash vegetables, sanitize distribution area and take care of other products in distribution area.  If interested please apply by clicking here.

Farm Shares - Sign Up NOW for the 2016 Season!

2016 Shares are still available!  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types

Cheese Share 

Hillacres Pride is again offering their popular cheese share at Homefields. With the CSA you will get 11 deliveries (every other week) of 2 cheeses each.  You will get to sample and enjoy 22 different cheeses throughout the season.  These will include cheddars and colbys (some flavored), fresh mozzarella, artisan cheeses, ricotta, quark, fresh cheese spreads, and feta-just to name a few.   

The hard cheeses are all vacuum sealed and most of the soft cheeses freeze well.  The cheese is made from the milk of our Jersey cows, a milk that is high in protein and perfect for making cheese.  It naturally contains beta-carotene and in the summer the cows graze on our lush pastures and they naturally have a yellow tint to their milk.  

Hillacres Pride is a small family operation in Southern Lancaster County.  To sign-up go to http://hillacrespride.com/?q=content/csa-shares

Fruit Share

Would you like to pick up a CSA Fruit Share when you come to get your vegetables at the farm? It’s time to sign up NOW with North Star Orchard for their weekly CSA Fruit Share, which is available for pickup here at Homefileds for 15 weeks starting at the beginning of August.

CSA Members here have been enjoying the Fruit Share for years, and we encourage you to take a look at what the share has to offer here: http://www.northstarorchard.com/csa_fruit.php

To reach North Star directly with any questions, email Lisa@northstarorchard.com

Harvest List

Asian Greens - Can be used in a stir fry by adding chiles, garlic, peanut oil, and possibly adding some salt. Also, the greens could simply make a yummy salad.

Kale - Kale chips are delicious and easily done.  Just put some olive oil and salt on the raw kale.  Next they will stay in the oven on a cookie sheet until the edges are brown.  They can also be made into a smoothie.

Lettuce Heads - Made into a salad or put into a sandwich.

Bok Choy - this Asian green can be sauteed by adding ginger, red pepper, and garlic.  A healthy side dish! 

Collards - can be cooked down and used in many recipes.  Use it as a wrap instead of a tortilla.  

Rhubarb - make it into a sauce or a pie.

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

Cutting Lettuce - salads, sandwiches, steamed dishes, or soups

Cilantro - use in baking, curry, or soup

Happy Fathers Day Dads,  

Your Farmers

Notes from Your Farm: First Harvest!

 

Hello from the Farm, 

 

 

Our First Pick Up dates are here!  They are on June 9, 10, and 11.  Hours for each day are:

 

Thursdays 3:00pm - 7:00pm

Fridays 11:00am - 7:00pm

Saturdays 9:00am - 1:00pm

 

Every week throughout the whole season our pick up days will be on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.  The hours listed above will be the same for the whole season as well.  You may come any day that you wish each week.    

 

As in the past years, we will provide grocery bags for all pick ups during the season. However, it would be great if you brought a reusable bag to take your vegetables home in - if you are feeling Green!

Oh the cold crops are looking great out in the fields right now!  Hope you are all looking forward to some Red Russian Kale, Asian Greens, and Lettuce Heads this First Harvest! And Strawberry Season has started!  So many explanation points, because us Farmers cannot contain our excitement!!!!

 

A new look for our sign.  Done by a creative local Farmer!

Strawberry Season

During this strawberry season we will be giving half shares and full shares a season limit. Which means you can only harvest the given amount throughout the whole season. 

Season Limit

Half Shares - 2 quarts

Full Shares - 4 quarts

Strawberry season starts this week (June 9) and will be going until June 17 pick up week. The season does have a possibility of going until June 24 pick up week.  This all depends on the weather.  We are welcoming shareholders to come pick strawberries during the whole week, except Sundays.  Meaning you can come Monday - Saturday to pick strawberries at the farm till dusk.  

 

Abendessen Bread

This week there will be Chocolate Chip and Cinnamon Sourdough for $5 a loaf.

Welcome Weekend - June 11 - 9:00am

Welcoming shareholders back to the farm with tours, conversations, and light refreshments. This event is being hosted by Homefields to start the excitement for the new season!  There will also be a visit from some cute Piglets during the event.  Oink!

 

 

 

 

2016 Farm Shares

2016 Shares are still available!  For current shareholders and new shareholders please follow this link: http://goodwillathomefieldsfarm.csasignup.com/members/types

 

 

 

Cheese Share 

Hillacres Pride is again offering their popular cheese share at Homefields. With the CSA you will get 11 deliveries (every other week) of 2 cheeses each.  You will get to sample and enjoy 22 different cheeses throughout the season.  These will include cheddars and colbys (some flavored), fresh mozzarella, artisan cheeses, ricotta, quark, fresh cheese spreads, and feta-just to name a few.  

 

The hard cheeses are all vacuum sealed and most of the soft cheeses freeze well.  The cheese is made from the milk of our Jersey cows, a milk that is high in protein and perfect for making cheese.  It naturally contains beta-carotene and in the summer the cows graze on our lush pastures and they naturally have a yellow tint to their milk.  

 

Hillacres Pride is a small family operation in Southern Lancaster County.  To sign-up go to http://hillacrespride.com/?q=content/csa-shares

 

 

 

Fruit Share

Would you like to pick up a CSA Fruit Share when you come to get your vegetables at the farm? It’s time to sign up NOW with North Star Orchard for their weekly CSA Fruit Share, which is available for pickup here at Homefileds for 15 weeks starting at the beginning of August.

CSA Members here have been enjoying the Fruit Share for years, and we encourage you to take a look at what the share has to offer here: http://www.northstarorchard.com/csa_fruit.php

To reach North Star directly with any questions, email Lisa@northstarorchard.com

 

  

 

 

Happy First Harvest,  

 

 

Your Farmers