Thursday, June 23, 2016

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
 
 

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