The chickens really like your scraps

I wanted to share this picture of John from two weeks ago. He's working hard!

Yet again I'm not around to make my normal blog posting this week. To keep you amused, I am posting my favorite photos of the chickens.

I should be back next week, so watch for a more informative blog post then. Thanks for your patience. Enjoy the chickens.

Just some chickens hanging out

They really love to eat your scraps

Beautiful feathers

Nice profile on this one

Looking at me?

This one is staring me right in the eye!

Everything goes to flower

I'm actually not able to make it to the farm stand today, but I wanted to share the photos I took on Aug 12th when I walked around the farm with Robin. It rained for most of our walk, so I had a small taste of what it feels like to be working in the elements.

Leigh and Robin

Pete and Robin proudly showed me these strawberry plants. They will be ready for next season. You can see how robust they are. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a big crop.

 

The lettuces that we eat are mostly grown in these greenhouses.

Another shelter contained this large batch of onions that will be spread out and dried. This picture is about a third of the stack.

In the fields, we came across an entire section of cilantro. I have never seen cilantro in bloom. It was beautiful. Robin reminded me that "everything goes to flower" eventually.

Smart Weed

Now, the farm is organic but there are still protections that need to be taken to keep the crops as healthy as possible. One thing that Pete is able to use is an extract of the smartweed plant. This picture is not the best, but perhaps you recognize this plant from your own yard. It's basically considered a weed, but Pete says it's high in antioxidants and is effective in battling some diseases that threaten crops.

The other thing Pete can do to help keep the crops safe is to discourage deer.

Deer Deterrent Fence

We went to the part of the farm that is surrounded by this tall fence. It really has helped keep the deer from damaging the crops. There are plenty of other things for them to eat nearby.

Chicks

Here is a new batch of chicks that are being carefully cared for.

People

While we were finishing our rounds, two members came by to pick some herbs. They were enjoying themselves as you can see from this photo.

We also came across Pete and Mira sorting watermelons.

Mira is half of the couple (Mira & Dakota) that is apprenticing at the farm this year.

 And last but not least, I came across Delaney sorting tomatoes.

Well, that was my walk through with Robin. It was really great to see all the activity that happens when we're not there.

Hard to Choose!

I walked around the farm and outlying fields with Robin earlier this week. I took so many pictures that I cannot include them all on one post. I'll include some here and some next week.

Today I went to the Farm Stand and saw another bumper selection.

Japanese Eggplant

• Japanese Eggplant
• Sorrel
• Carrots, Celery, Onions
• Carola Potatoes
• Green Peppers, Jalapenos
• Red Russian Kale
• Beets
• Leeks, Scallions, Garlic
• Green Beans, Haricot Beans, Romano Beans
• Cabbage
• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini and Squash
• Sugar Baby Watermelons
• Cantaloupe

Watermelon everywhere! I saw these in the field when I was walking with Robin. A different kind of watermelon is currently at the farm stand. This week it's 4 melons for 1 unit. Everyone in the family can have their own melon!

Another variety of squash new this week

I love beets. I must confess they are one of my favorite foods. When I was young, my mother fed us pickled beets a few times a year. She also had canned beets that she would warm on the stove. Funny thing that I never had them fresh until I got them fresh from the farm. Flavorful and filling with a hint of natural sweetness -- I stock up and save them for later in the year. I love the beet greens as well. I add them to my kale and sometime just saute them alone to add to an omelette. I guess I should warn you that I'm a terrible chef! You should get a nice recipe from Robin's newsletter.

Golden Beets already germinating

Pete told me that Golden Beets have a low germination rate, but that this particular batch seems to be jumping right up. Perhaps we'll have another variety of beets later this year.

Heirloom tomatoes aren't yet plentiful enough for a share. However, seconds are available in the crate next to the melons. If you like to can or make sauce, these seconds will work great. Last year I made the most amazing tomato soup from seconds so that's another good use for them.

Flowers

Here's a bouquet you can make from the flowers that Robin planted at the entrance of the farm. Pick your own! There are clippers in the bucket there. Free for members and $7 a bouquet for everyone.

Chickens

I took some great photos of the chickens today. In case you're wondering where they've wandered off to, they are on the other side of the herb garden. Just walk around the greenhouse that is along side the herb garden and you'll see their pen behind the farm house.

John

I know I distract John when I pick up my share, but at least I got this photo. He really enjoys talking to everyone and making sure that you have what you need. John has experience in farming and knows a lot about the items being offered. Feel free to ask him about anything you see (or don't see). Here he is explaining something about one of the vegetables to me.

Have a good week!

Week 10 brings more options

(Hrs: Th 8-7, F 9-6, S 9-3)

Well, it's Week 10 and I am astounded by the variety of items that Pete and the entire Farm Crew is producing. I counted at least 20 items today. Here is what I saw:

• Lettuce mix
• Sorrel
• Carrots
• Celery
• Onions, dried
• Carola Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Green Bell Peppers
• Kale
• Beets
• Leeks
• Green, Romano, and Haricot beans
• Cucumbers
• Garlic, dried
• Zucchini
• Squash
• Cabbage
• Scallions
• Japanese Eggplant
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Cantaloupe (limited supply) 

1 free Cantaloupe for each member

To celebrate all this produce, the allotment is 6 units for half-shares and 12 units for whole share members this week.

Tomatoes: For now we have slicing tomatoes. The heirloom tomatoes are still in progress, but Pete hopes for next week. I took this photo of some cherry tomato plants. The plants were taller than me. You can see a worker in the photo compared to the plants.

Very tall tomato plants

Pete must still have some planting and growing still planned. I sneaked a peek into a greenhouse and saw many things in preparation:

Remember the sweet potatoes I mentioned on Week 8? They're starting to flower now. I think these are very beautiful plants.

Flowers

As you drive into the farm you'll see that the flowers are plentiful and ready for you to cut and carry. Clippers are in the bucket on the edge of the row. Bouquets are free for members and $7 for non-members. The more you cut the more they flower!

Vendor Items

John House told me that although they were out of milk when I was there, he expects a dairy delivery later today that should replenish the stocks.

I guess someone got through to the goats because this week there is plenty of goats milk cheese, feta, and fudge.

Fresh mushrooms are also available. Here's John taking a look at the latest batch.

Garlic Drying Rack

Do you remember the garlic drying rack I talked about on July 18th? Since we are now enjoying some of this dried garlic, the rack is empty. Here is what it looks like when it's not covered in garlic.

Empty garlic drying rack

Chickens, yes, chickens

I just couldn't resist this one. Notice how they're enjoying the scraps from the Farm Stand.

Have a great week!