Farmer John Writes…

Greetings from Angelic Organics!

Primitive Weapons? No, Brussels Sprouts

Vegetable of the Week: Brussels Sprouts.  For half a century, processed Brussels sprouts have plagued children, many of whom are now adults. For you shareholders, eating our sweet, firm, nutty Brussels sprouts can actually be a treat instead of drudgery.Read more about Brussels sprouts on page 253 of our cookbook.

Most Brussels consumed in the  U.S. today come from the West Coast, grown in areas where they will most likely never encounter a frost. Here at Angelic Organics, our Brussels sprouts always experience one hard frost before you receive them, and often successively harder frosts. These frosts sweeten the sprouts. Many of our shareholders rave about our Brussels sprouts, in large part because they are experiencing this sweetening affect that the freezing temperatures bring to them.

From our cookbook, try the Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Maple-Mustard Vinaigrette on page 255. The maple syrup and balsamic vinegar make a perfect marriage with the slightly crisp sprouts. 

Or how about the Browned Brussels Sprouts in Parmesan Crust on page 256, a most delightful way to prepare Brussels sprouts: fried in oil, tucked inside a perfectl

Primo Update
Some of you know Primo. He’s been working here for 21 years, for the last 12 or so on facilities and equipment, both running the equipment and maintaining it. We have a great relationship. He knows what to do and does it, sometimes before I even know it needs to be done. He does things the way I want them done, sometimes better. I don’t feel like Primo works for me. I don’t feel like his boss. About 8 years ago, I said, “Primo, we’re now at the point where your ideas about what to do and how to do it are right about as often as my ideas are right. We’re equal.” Almost every building here has been extensively upgraded by Primo. He resurrects machines and makes them run like new. Primo helps hold this farm together.

Primo on our Beet Harvester a few years back

Biodynamics and Community in our Angelic Organics Community Supported Agriculture Farm
Our Mission (pg 30 of our cookbook): Angelic Organics is dedicated to creating and forwarding an economically viable, sustainable, Biodynamic farm which nurtures its soil, plants, animals, and community of workers and enlivens the connection between people and the source of their food. We are committed to providing the freshest, most vibrant food possible to our customers.

Two things I note today about our Mission Statement are that we are Biodynamic and that we seek to create a farm that enlivens the connection between people and the source of their food. We want Angelic Organics to fill your heart as well as your stomach.

You will also see on page 30 our farm’s Guiding Principles. Two of them that stand out for me as I write you today are:

• Building community amongst our members
• Building a sustainable farm system which includes the soil, plants, animals and humans

Building community amongst our members is an outer impulse; building a sustainable farm system is an inner impulse. The outer and the inner weave together. To have a sustainable farm, we need a community of people who support it; to have a community of people who support our farm, we need to be sustainable. Community Supported Agriculture is our path for serving our members, and Biodynamics is our path for creating a sustainable farm. And of course, in this tapestry, Community Supported Agriculture also serves our farm, and Biodynamics also serves our members. 

To reflect on Angelic Organics and CSA, read Food Then and Now, starting on page 19 of your cookbook.

To reflect on Angelic Organics and Biodynamics, read Angelic Organics in the Process of Becoming Biodynamic, on pg 32 and 33.

We continually wonder what we can do to make our farm special to you. Please fill out this questionnaire to help us build community amongst our members: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7ZBDSVZ

Upcoming Programs at the Angelic Organics Learning Center

Preschool Fun with Farm Animals, 10 am to noon, Dec 4
Preschoolers and their caregivers will help our farm crew care for the goats, chickens and horse, while learning about the important jobs of animals on the farm.

Soap Making–just a few spots left in two classes, 9 to noon or 1 to 4, Dec 5
Learn to make a wonderful and gentle soap using goat’s milk.

Please register on line at least 1 week in advance or call  (815) 389-8455.

The following takes you to the Learning Center calendar, which has links to all of their programs:  http://www.learngrowconnect.org/event

warmly,
Farmer John

Box Contents
Please Note: this summary is written before you receive your box—please be aware that some guesswork is involved. As always, be sure to thoroughly wash all of your vegetables.

Herbs -Thyme
Fruiting Crops – Red Kuri squash, Butternut squash
Brassicas – a stalk of Brussels sprouts cut in half
Alliums – Garlic
Cooking Greens – bagged baby Chard,
Salad Greens –2 heads of Lettuce, Arugula, Spinach
Root Crops – Daikon, Celeriac, Kennebec & Dark Red Norland Potatoes