Week 8

Hi folks,
It's hard to believe we're into week 8 of the pick up season. I hope everyone's been enjoying the food. I understand from talking to Delaney that the super hot weather two weeks ago did affect some of the crops. Several crops are maturing quicker than expected. This means that some things, like beans, are shorter than normal as they've progressed too quickly past their growing stage and have moved into their seed stage. Also, some crops were sunburn or the flowers fell off. Consequently, some fruits have black spots that lead to easy rotting and other plants, like the eggplant, didn't develop new fruit. So, the farm has to wait for the cycle of nature to proceed in its course. Don't worry, there is still food to share.

This week there were lovely sungold tomatoes.

It was very wet on the farm Thursday when I was there. If you came on Thursday you know what I mean -- puddles were everywhere. It looked quiet and wet that day.

But even in the rain, there were lots of things growing:

Celery, I think.

Lettuces

Beets or maybe Chard. I confess I'm not sure.

Such beautiful string beans. Let's hope they keep growing.

Flowers

The flowers are really starting to come in. Be sure you pick some. If you're a member -- regular or farm card member -- you can pick some for free. Otherwise there's a small fee per u-pick bunch.

Vendors

There are a few new items you might notice at the Farm Stand this week. First, some incredibly lovely looking maple syrup from Bluefield Farm. I don't know how big the supply is, so it get while you can. I got some for myself, so once I taste it I'll publish the rundown in the blog.

For you meat eaters out there, Dancing Ewe farm has produced some interesting sausages. If you get one of these, give us a comment in the blog about how you liked it.

You may know Evan's Farmhouse for their milk and cream, but now they have also produced some organic salted butter. Try some!

A new product from Evan's Farmhouse.

 

You may have already tried their milk.

 Don't forget about the Full Moon Farm Meat.

 
Thanks for reading the blog. Delaney and Ana thank you for keeping them hard at work. See you next week!

A Nice Break in the Weather

Wow, I was not in New York last week. I think that turned out to be a good thing. I watched the news and it looked super hot. I asked Pete about it this week and he said that it was really tough on the crops last week in the heat. Even the chickens don't like that kind of heat. And Ana said she was drooping in the Farm Stand.

This week, thankfully seems to be much more comfortable.

Ana is glad it's cooler!

There was still plenty of good produce to go around even after last week's heat. I saw carrots, romano beans, beets, potatoes, squash, onions (still drying, so leave the stem on them until you use them), bell peppers, and I think I even saw eggplant. Here's some peppers in the field.

Peppers in the field.

I noticed these newly planted seedlings. I can't tell what they are. Any guesses?

New Plants...What are they going to be?

The tomatoes in the back fields are starting to have little baby tomatoes. Finally! I can't wait until they're ready. I love a fresh, real slicing tomato...not those boring hard things you are so often faced with.

If you look hard you can see the baby tomatoes.

David on the Tractor

You may recall David from the videos at the bottom of the July 4th post when it was his 17th birthday. Today, he was driving the classic Farmall tractor!

David on the classic Farmall tractor.

Local Vendors

As you know, there are lots and lots of local vendors who provide products for members to purchase and enjoy. I've personally sampled 2 different goat cheeses, quark, hard cheese, quiche, cream, granola, cookies, and much Mor bread. I've also sampled wine from Adair Wines. He's usually here on every other Thursday (perhaps even more often) to sell wine to go with your awesome vegetables and other farm items.

Ready to serve, tastings that is.

Several types to choose from.

Delaney is off to Virginia to visit her cousin and so is not at the Farm Stand this week. We miss her, but know that she's having fun without us. Lastly, I finish with a photo of Ana checking out the wine offerings.

More blog pictures next week!

Chicken Bonanza

I'm not able to pick up my share this week, so I don't have any pictures of this week's produce. I also don't have any pictures of Delaney and Ana, which might make you stop reading right now. I know it's no consolation, but I have been collecting chicken pictures since the day of the picnic and I thought I'd share some of them today. So, for all you chicken fans, here they are.

This series was taken during the Picnic. It was raining and the chickens were pretty wet.

The next 4 photos were from Opening Day pickup.

This last set was taken during the third pickup week.

I actually have even more chicken pictures, but I think 18 photos of chickens is enough for one blog post. If you're a chicken fan, I hope you'll enjoy these! See you next week.

Lots o'Cucumbers

At the Farm Stand

When I went to the farm stand today, there were so many cucumbers! They looked so cool...I couldn't wait to eat one.

Dare I say...cool as a cucumber.

There were also fresh potatoes. It's amazing how good a potato tastes when it's young and fresh. I hope you get to try some.

Don't forget to eat the skin.

Little red ones -- so fast and easy to cook.

And the garlic is ready!

Really beautiful!

Kale and cabbage are new this week. There are still lots of squash, spring onions, spinach, chard, and other insanely fresh items. So get what you like and plan your recipes.

In the Herb Garden and Fields

I saw lots of bees at work, but my pictures were blurry so I won't post them. I'll try to get better ones in the future. But, I was able to get pictures of these lovely butterflies.

Is this sage that the butterfly is enjoying?

And, look at this awesome little ladybug doing her thing:

Healthy Plants with Healthy Bugs!

The tomatoes are coming right along! I bet we'll have tomatoes before we know it.

Blooming Tomato Plants

People at the Farm Stand

Pete was interviewed in this week's New Paltz Times. (I think that's the correct paper...) I am looking forward to reading it. Buy a local paper and check it out!!

Pete and Ana

I can't let any blog go by without a picture of Ana and Delaney. You get to decide which is which...feel free to put your guess in the comments!

See you next week! I think there might be chicken pictures...