Farmer John Writes: Come to our Field Day on Saturday, July 21
Harvest Week 3, July 3rd – July 7th, 2018
Your Box This Week – Saturday Deliveries:
Please note: this summary is written before we pack your box—be aware that some guesswork is involved. Share contents often vary over the course of the week. And, as always, be sure to thoroughly wash all of your vegetables.
Cooking Greens — Kale
Brassicas — Broccoli, Cabbage
Stem Crops — Kohlrabi
Root Crops — Beets with Greens
Fruiting Crops — Summer Squash
Alliums — Scallions
Herbs — Flat Leaf Parsley, Basil
Sign up for the Free Recipe Service
Make sure you sign up for the Local Thyme CSA meal planning service we offer with your share. Local Thyme offers storage and handling tips and recipes customized to each week’s share. It has received many great reviews from our shareholders. Check out this sample recipe: Kohlrabi fries.
Coming in the Next 2 or 3 Weeks
Sweet Corn
Carrots
Fennel
Cucumbers
Farm Field Days, Saturday, July 21, and Saturday, September 15 (Open to Shareholders and Close Friends of Shareholders)
If you are a shareholder, we hope you will attend one or both of our Farm Field Days, Saturday, July 21, and Saturday, September 15. (Your close friends are also welcome to attend.) It’s a great day for all. Plan to arrive late morning for hayrides, a potluck feast, and a visit to the animals at the Angelic Organics Learning Center.
Please arrive by 11 a.m. We like to complete the hayrides by lunchtime at 12:30 p.m. It doesn’t work for us to provide hayrides during the lunch period. For those who show up at lunchtime with kids wanting a hayride — the hayride will probably take place later in the afternoon. Check out Angelic Organics Field Days for more information on our Field Days.
I am guessing that by the time of the open house, the green beans will be ready in the U-Pick garden.
Read more about the U-Pick garden here: www.angelicorganics.com/shareholder-u-pick/
There are currently no flowers in the U-Pick garden. I planted over two beds of gladiolas in the U-Pick beds, and they will probably not be ready until late August. (Perhaps they will be in full bloom for the fall field day.) However, feel free to pick a small bouquet from the flower gardens around the farmstead. We’re hoping the farmstead flower gardens will provide enough flowers for our shareholders to brighten up their homes this summer.
Claudia Haas sent me her son Jo’s own version of Farm News. I have highlighted Jo in several previous issues of Farm News, as he has created a sort of satellite Angelic Organics farm at his family’s home in Glen Ellyn, complete with a garage that he labeled a barn.
From Jo’s mom Claudia:
Hi farmer John,Best first box ever this year! …below is a picture of the kids eating yummy pesto made from AO basil and garlic scapes. Jo also wanted me to send you his version of his first newsletter to his fictional share holders ; ) can’t wait for the next Field Day!Claudia
From Jo, the Young Fellow Farmer:
Dear Friends,
This is the 5th year that my family is a shareholder at Angelic Organics, and the 4th year we are operating Haas Organics. This is a special year, because we have many new developments.We have completed one rotation of our fields. What I mean by this is that we switch fields each year to keep the soil strong. We have created an Advanced Flood Control System(AFCS) to keep our field from flooding. We have been blessed with yummy mint plants, and beautiful peppers. We also have a new Lilac bush and we have visits from many butterflies because of our 2nd year of milkweed plants.
I am learning more on how to appreciate and manage this beautiful land we have, as I am growing older and more mature (maybe) : )
We will harvest every day that plants are bountiful until mid-August. Then we will harvest every weekend plants are bountiful until the first frost.
Happy summer,
Farmer Jo
Note from Farmer John: I am quite moved that Jo has taken Angelic Organics to heart and is now creating his own pilot version of a farm at his home. I am curious about his Advanced Flood Control System (AFCS). Maybe it could help us ward off flooding here at Angelic Organics.
Speaking of Flooding
We have been hammered by rain and heat here. Some of the cover crop fields were turned into swamps for a while last week after inches of rain. We are blessed to be able to fill your boxes to the brim in spite of the challenging weather. We are blessed with a crew that will bring in the harvests, regardless of the weather. We have been advised by well-wishers not to let the crew work in the sweltering heat. That would create quite the hole in your box, so we keep working, regardless of the temperatures or the mud.
And Wind
We had tremendous winds yesterday afternoon. They caused the zucchini leaves to whip wildly back and forth, and some of these leaves actually nicked and sliced the zucchini. I’ve never seen this happen before. You might get a windswept zucchini in your box.
Bounty
Please tell your friends that we are continuing to sell shares as we enter the harvest season. Send them to www.angelicorganics.com/receive-our-vegetables/
Please Fold Your Boxes Properly and Return Them
The farm re-uses the vegetable boxes. Flaps are easily torn when the boxes are dismantled improperly, and then the box bottom might later burst open with fresh, organic local produce heading towards the floor. Please carefully flatten your box and return it to your delivery site. If you receive home delivery, place it in the location where your box is delivered.
Have the Best Shareholder Experience
For the best shareholder experience, visit www.angelicorganics.com/best-shareholder-experience/
Let us Know
Let the office know anything you’d like to share about this week’s box at email hidden; JavaScript is required. Please note the week and day of delivery, your site, when you picked up your box, and any comments about your box.
More from Shareholders
Visit us often at www.facebook.com/angelicorganics, where we post exciting farm developments regularly, and shareholders post recipes, tips, and photos.
Warmly,
Farmer John
Angelic Organics Learning Center
Angelic Organics Learning Center is an exciting and engaging place to learn about food, farming, and caring for the earth. They even offer overnight programs. Sign up for a workshop at www.learngrowconnect.org/events