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LDF News: Green Garlic and more Saturday!

5/18/2022

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A window into your food's journey!

Picture
Jim's smiling because he knows what's coming! Vegetables galore. For now, we keep our shoulders leaning in.

What a day back! Anyone who saw me suffered the chattiness of person long alone. Thank you for listening and I promise I will redevelop an attention to social cues! Regardless of my bumbling babbling, I was so so glad to be back! And we'll be back again and again!
And here's to hoping no one suffered from the horrible storms on Saturday! There was hail, lightening, and downpours. 
And a reminder! It is turtle season! Watch the roads and shoulders for our friends and help them across in the direction they are going if you can do so safely. Here is some info: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/helping-turtles-roads.html
 
In this email:
  • Generally important notes
    • We will be at market tomorrow! 
    • Farm Members, if you haven't read and responded to the email we sent out last week, please do.
      • You can find your most up to date balance in that email. You can use the subject line to search for it in your inbox: "LDF News: Farm Membership Update PLEASE READ AND RESPOND!"
      • If you have questions or the arrangement proposed in that email doesn't work for you, please let us know that too. Let's work together!
      • If you can't find the email, let me know and I will forward a copy to you.
    • Ann Arbor Wednesday Farm Members- I'll include this for a few weeks until many members have seen it.
      • We aren't planning on attending the Ann Arbor Wednesday market with any regularity. Please send us an email to let us know if you will be able to use your balance at the Saturday market. We will take stock and figure out how to move forward. 
    • Stockbridge Members: Please see the email directly to you sent Tuesday afternoon.
    • I removed the staying active section of our email because I have not managed to update it in so long. Here is link to a newsletter with that section intact. I am going to make a page on our website dedicated to it.
  • Fresh from the Field
  • Recipe
  • Market Details
  • Tales from the Farm!
  • Member Info
    • Times attended:
    • Spent per visit:

Fresh From the Field- Not a lot yet but soon!
​

Greens:
Pea shoots!
Spinach (limited)
Tokyo Bekana (limited)

All Manner of Deliciousness

Green Garlic
Spring radishes (limited)
Purple Daikon
Purple top turnips!

Herbs

Transplants:
Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes
Squash
Possibly cucumbers, cabbage, peas, chard

Coming soon:
Brassica greens like arugula, mustard, and tatsoi
Lettuce
Kale
Turnips

Recipe: Jasmine Rice with Spring Garlic (read green garlic)
 
You could always make green garlic pesto. I recommend making at least one big batch and freezing some to enjoy all year. But after that, there are all kinds of delicious pilafs to make with green garlic. I suspect there is a delicious instant pot green garlic rice pilaf recipe. Until I find that, this sound DELICIOUS. I'll let you know how it was when I see you Saturday. (Although I may try this one -Lentils with rice, leeks and spinach- for something that could be full meal. I'll substitute the green garlic in for the leeks)

From Food and Wine (https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/jasmine-rice-with-spring-garlic)
 Spring garlic, also known as green garlic, is young garlic that hasn't yet formed a large bulb; it has a long green stem that resembles a scallion. Mateo Granados uses it to add a delicate garlic-onion flavor to fragrant toasted jasmine rice.

By Mateo Granados
 
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice (10 ounces), rinsed
  • 1 1/4 cups thinly sliced spring garlic or 1 medium white onion, finely chopped, plus 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 3 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth (could sub vegetable stock)
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

 Directions
  • Step 1Preheat the oven to 375°. In a medium cast-iron casserole, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the rice and spring garlic and cook over moderately high heat, stirring constantly, until the rice is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the stock and salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil uncovered for 5 minutes, until the liquid is nearly absorbed.
  • Step 2Cover the rice and bake for 10 minutes, until it is tender but firm and the liquid is completely absorbed. Let the rice stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, transfer to a bowl and serve.

Not in the original recipe but I imagine some lemon may make the flavor explode on this one. 
​
Market Details: We are at market this week
 
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim and Tyler: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Nicole 6 am to 2:30 pm
 Royal Oak, Saturday with Helen and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm
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We made time to get Wiley to his first lake experience! (Don't worry, he was SLATHERED in sunscreen.) He loved the water and the sand and all the leaves and sticks. I wasn't too keen on pacifiers but the fact that they keep all (most) of the debris out of the baby earned the some points.
​Tales from the Farm:
Another busy week is underway. I am getting in gear with the rush of summer. There is no way to tally up all that is on the docket except with boring lists. So why not a lively update?

This year we're back on the snap- sugar snap peas that is! Tyler and Jim put in the trellis for the peas yesterday and they are happily climbing up their new infrastructure. Next week, I hope to share some pea pictures. Even though you've all likely seen a pea plant, I think they are just the cutest, with their shamrock-esque leaves, curling tendrils, and delicate flowers. Hopefully this timely trellising bodes well for the spring pea crop. I think the last time we had peas at market was 2019. In 2020 we didn't grow them and in 2021 we accidentally seeded a variety that was not a good candidate for fresh market.

Tyler plowed the next ground that we will be planting and hopefully by Friday we will have it just about ready to plant vegetables. Even though vegetables are what you see at market, we also plant restorative cover crops to feed our soil biota and build up the structure and organic matter in the soil. This year we hope to put down a substantial bit of sudan grass, known for its ability to compete with weeds and how much organic matter it can add to the soil in a season. Hopefully we are ready to do that by the end of two weeks.

And one more hope? By the end of the week all of our tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers will be in the ground! I love these solanaceous crops. They tantalize me with dreams of roasted eggplant sandwiches, sweet pepper sauce, and fresh tomato caprese. When they come into season, I gorge myself, eating a tomato sandwich every day, peppers like apples, and eggplant in all its forms sauteed, roasted, and pureed. I do my best to get sick of each crop by first fall frost to stave off the cravings. If I do it well, I don't start pining after them until the daylight peaks over eight thirty in the evening again.  

That's all for now! Wish us luck on our to do list and see you at market where I promise not to talk your ear off!

Helen for Jim, Tyler, Wiley (honorary worker and dirt eater extraordinaire!), Boomer (bark layer), and Exie (morale officer)
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We used the good weather to get the next field plowed and on its way to prepped for plants. Hopefully with clear skies over the next two days we will finish the job. It is ideal to leave plowed ground for a couple weeks before moving on to ensure good breakdown of the material. Unfortunately, with the way this spring went (wet and cold) we had to choose between saving our soil aggregates from compaction and degradation and a long timing between plowing and disking. I am stand by the choice but wish it could have been different.
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LDF News: See you this Saturday, May 14th!

5/17/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

Lake Divide Farm:
A window into your food's journey!

Picture
The full sized tomatoes in one of our big hoop houses have their trellis lines installed! Now its a matter of pruning and twirling as they grow. In between each plant and each row of plants, crunchy lettuce is adding leaves in a flash. It won't be long now!
​We'll be back at market tomorrow after a LONG gap. It will be so great to see all your faces. In the meantime, we've been busy! Jim, Tyler, and I have been throwing heat! And the world responded with this wild heat wave! Now we're in business.  

Although it is a little hotter than I would have preferred, we are grateful for the break in the weather. It has taken a lot of pressure off. There is a less of a feeling that it is our last chance to get some ground prepared. Soon the final frost date will pass us by and it will be a free for all.
And all the plants that we have in the ground will continue thriving and begin producing in the next several weeks. I am hyped. 
 
In this email:
  • Generally important notes
    • We will be at market tomorrow! 
    • Farm Members, if you haven't read and responded to the email we sent out last week, please do.
      • You can find your most up to date balance in that email. You can use the subject line to search for it in your inbox: "LDF News: Farm Membership Update PLEASE READ AND RESPOND!"
      • If you have questions or the arrangement proposed in that email doesn't work for you, please let us know that too. Let's work together!
      • If you can't find the email, let me know and I will forward a copy to you.
    • Ann Arbor Wednesday Farm Members
      • We aren't planning on attending the Ann Arbor Wednesday market with any regularity. Please send us an email to let us know if you will be able to use your balance at the Saturday market. We will take stock and figure out how to move forward. 
    • Stockbridge Members: I am so sorry for the delay in reaching out to you separately. Please expect an email from us early next week. 
    • I removed the staying active section of our email because I have not managed to update it in so long. Here is link to a newsletter with that section intact. I am going to make a page on our website dedicated to it.
  • Fresh from the Field
  • Market Details
  • Tales from the Farm!
Fresh From the Field- Not a lot yet but soon!
Greens:

All Manner of Deliciousness

Green Garlic
Purple Daikon
Purple top turnips!

Herbs

Transplants:
Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes
Squash
Possibly cucumbers, cabbage, peas, chard

Coming soon:
Brassica greens like arugula, mustard, and tatsoi
Lettuce
Pea shoots
Radish
Spinach
Turnips
Market Details: We are at market this week
 
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim and Tyler: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Nicole 6 am to 2:30 pm
 Royal Oak, Saturday with Helen and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm
Picture
Here you see beds of spinach and beets! They are growing in and soon will be ready for your plate. Each of these beds is 175 feet long or about 9 pick-up trucks long. In the distance you see the twice built caterpillar tunnels (thanks for the extra practice, wind) and the once built ones.
​So. What have we been up to?
We have been laying the ground work for a delicious season. There are not a lot of finite tasks on the farm. There is always more to weed, more to water, more to plant and more to harvest! So it is enjoyable to find the big tasks and check them off. Fix the farmall? Check! Plant the potatoes? Check! Move the caterpillar tunnels? Check! Install the trellis lines for the tomatoes and cucumbers? Check! These are tasks that we can count as done. Perhaps there is maintenance (for example, hilling the potatoes and tying up the tomatoes as they grow) but we won't have to do "the hard part" again. 

All the while we have to keep the continuous tasks moving: starting new plants in the greenhouse, planting into the field, irrigating, weeding, prepping more ground, opening and closing the hoop houses to vent them. I would say that the most demanding and consistent set of these tasks are greenhouse chores. In the peak of summer, it can take an hour to water the greenhouse and it will need to happen two or three times per day. Additionally, we have to check for germination and move plants from the germination chamber into the main greenhouse and open and close the greenhouse when the temperatures merit it. These chores have to happen every single day. On market days, on "off" days. On all the days. Continuous. Never complete until the last plant is taken from the greenhouse and tucked in the earth in late September.

We are in the season now folks and can't wait to see what delicacies it brings. 

See you at market!
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The cherry tomato plants are thriving in here! We hope that all the plants in these tunnels grow well and offer us fruit for many weeks. Between the tunnels we have chard and peas planted. The other tunnels have squash, cucumbers and lettuce.
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Looking towards the east, we can see our first round of cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, radish, turnip, arugula and some other brassica greens, fennel, carrot, and dill. Sadly the cilantro did not have great germination. Luckily, another planting is hot on its tail.
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LDF News: We're here! We'll be back at market in May!

4/8/2022

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The sun set on the western wall of the greenhouse is always outstanding. Here you can see my favorite tractor silhouetted by the golden glow.
Hello hello!

I can't believe how long it has been since I last wrote to you. We gathered ourselves through the winter, collecting close around the fire- dogs and humans. We laid out our hopes and hearts and now we will try to realize them. Spring is here. The soil is awakening, the trees are breaking bud, the peepers are peeping so loud they can be heard while passing by a ditch at 55 mph. We are no exception. Spring as awakened us and we are on the move. 

We have lots of tales and pictures to share but first lets get the business out of the way. 
 
In this email:
  • Business
    • Back at markets (Ann Arbor, Eastern, and Royal Oak) in May!
    • We are planning on attending markets from May through November or December
    • We are redesigning our Farm Members
      • See details below
      • Farm members, expect an email early next week with your balance, membership status, and stats.
    • I removed the staying active section of our email because I have not managed to update it in so long. Here is link to a newsletter with that section intact.
  • Tales from the Farm!
  • A boat load of pictures!

Business:

We will be back at markets (Ann Arbor, Eastern, and Royal Oak) in the beginning weeks of May. Just yesterday we seeded the greens and roots we hope will be on our table by then. I can hardly wait. 

We are planning on attending market from May through November or December. We will use January through April to recover and prepare for the next season. We are considering doing an off season CSA box or something of the sort but as of now, those are just ideas, not plans.

We are redesigning our Farm Membership. Our members are the heart of our farm. I think of you while planting or harvesting your favorite crops. You enrich our lives through the ideas and joys we share together. I look forward to seeing you every week and love the mutual sharing of our lives. This is part of the connection that Community Supported Agriculture fosters. Community Supported Agriculture is also meant to increase transparency in growing practices so consumers know where their food is coming from and what its been through. It is also intended to share some of the risk that farmers experience season to season. The roll-over aspect of our CSA model defeats the second part of this intention because, in a sense, we start the season in debt. This isn't true for folks that add to their balance with the intention of using it the following season but for balances that were intended for one season but not used, through no ill will. These balances left on the books leave us with a lot of services owed, which is added liability in an already variable ridden enterprise. With that in mind, we have revamped our CSA to reduce this problem.

Our plans our Farm Membership 2022!
  • We are planning to come to markets from May through November or December of 2022. In future years we may go back to year round production, but for now we are going to try this.
  • We can help you pick your starting balance based on predicted spending per week and the number of weeks available per season.
  • People can sign up for 2023 starting in October of 2022
  • All balances added through September of 2022 expire at the last market of the Calendar year.
  • Members can add small amounts to their balance with the understanding that it will expire if not used by the last market of the calendar year.
What this means for our current members:
  • We will be sending an email to our current members next week that includes your balances as well as your stats (how many times you attended market, your average expenditure) 
  • If you used your account five or more times last season, your balance did not expire and you can use it according to our new rules for this coming season.
  • If you have questions, concerns or ideas for a better way to address this, please share them with us. You are our heart. You have supported and cared for us through all these years. This is the relationship that is meant to be forged through Community Supported Agriculture, and it has been.
Next week we will include a sign up sheet in the email!
Picture
Jim and Tyler posing with the Farmall 140 (possibly Helen's favorite) tractor. It had a hydraulic leak that needed to be addressed so was out of commission until we could get to it. This is the year it gets back in action! I can't wait to use this machine to cultivate tall crops and aisles and spread cover crop seed.
Now for the fun stuff! 

We love being a family of 3 (5 with dogs)! Wiley is a joy and hilarious and doing all the typical baby things that I won't bore you with. But I just want you to know, we love it and we love him and we have felt so encouraged by the love and support that individuals have offered to us.

This winter earned me enough mental space to read again! Thank goodness. I just finished Bloodchild, a book of short stories by Octavia Butler. It was AWESOME. Such interesting ideas. 

What about the farm? See the pictures below. Here is a short synopsis. Lots of clean-up, the greenhouse is filling up, a quarter acre planted, hoop house prepped, caterpillar tunnels deconstructed, built, and rebuilt (after the wind), the transmission on our main truck is being replaced, the farmall 140's hydraulics are repaired, and our equipment is ready. We are unified and have good spirits and ready to go. I'm so happy to feel the soft ground underfoot, the fresh air on my face, and the open sky above. 

In the field we have cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, and spinach planted. We have seeded arugula, tatsoi, tokyo bekana, bok choy, radishes and sweet salad turnips. And we still have some purple top turnips and purple daikon in storage (and they're still delicious.) Next week we will seed carrots, cilantro and dill, and hope to plant lettuce, chard, beets, squash, and cucumbers. We are well on our way to delicious.  

I haven't been able to get a picture but we have a beautiful harrier hawk that soars over our fields in search small prey. I'm glad I am not so small.
All of our turkey vultures are back! Tivoli and Ulf, the young two that we named in our human arrogance, are there too. I wonder what they call themselves. And what they may call me, if I am so lucky. 

That's all for now! I can't wait to see you all. Thank you so much for sticking with us through our long radio silence. 

Your Lake Divide Team: Helen, Jim, Tyler, Nicole and Lisa: The Lake Dividers!

Lake Divide Farm: Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People. The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is a important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in food equality and bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and keeping it accessible is important to us.
Picture
This kid loves the outside!
Picture
We got the tarps down to work on the weeds and six of our ten caterpillar tunnels set up before the last week of March.
Picture
These six tunnels will provide a lot of food for us this year. Squash, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and lettuce from within and snap peas, and chard from outside.
Picture
A windstorm came through the day after we finished building them and really let our tunnels have it. It was a combination of factors that made them vulnerable. Top that with 60 mph gust and it was a mess. Luckily no one got hurt and we are fast to regroup. They will be complete again tomorrow.
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This is Wiley's too cool. This is one of the only times that he wore his sunglasses rather than eating them. Yes, he was a little overdressed. It was rememdied.
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Wiley is inspecting our work as we repair the damage done by the windstorm. It's important to have a supervisor that knows what's important. More dancing and more silly sounds please.
Picture
One hoop house ready for tomatoes and Lettuce!
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Wiley found his big laugh.
Market Details: Back in May
 
Farm Members look for your balance in next weeks email
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LDF News: T-Day Markets Tuesday and Wednesday!

11/22/2021

0 Comments

 
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The magical full moon lights our way into a season of velvety nights and candle light. See you on the other side (on some moments in between.)
Come see us tomorrow at Eastern (9am to 3pm) or Royal Oak at (7am  to 1pm) or Ann Arbor on Wednesday!

And our thank you note again!

A loving thank you from the Lake Dividers to all of our market friends:
For the first time in 8 years, we are taking a break from winter growing. As every growing season does, this year brought many challenges and as many gifts. We will curl up in the winter’s den and focus on better caring for ourselves, the earth, and our market family (you)! Don’t worry, we will make sure to leave time to celebrate, connect, and simply enjoy each other’s company.
We want to thank you so much for your continuous support this year and every year. It has come in the form of kind words spoken and written, gifts for our growing family, feeding us delicious treats, the sharing of ideas, and of course choosing our vegetables from the smorgasbord of choices at markets. Thank you will never be enough to say what is in our hearts so please hear our deep gratitude and big love for you.

Details of our break:
  • You may see us turn up at market from time to time this winter. We have a lot of storage roots. Please look for our emails or facebook posts for notifications. www.lakedividefarm.com
  • We plan to return to the Eastern and Royal Oak Markets in early spring (possibly as early as March) and the Ann Arbor markets in later spring. We may resume Stockbridge pick-ups in the spring as well. Please check our website for details as they emerge.
  • If you want to connect with us during the winter months, please send us an email. I will try to check weekly. We may not respond quickly, but we will make every effort to respond eventually. lakedividefarm@gmail.com
Much love to you and your family. Please take good care of each other and see you in the future!

-Helen, Jim & Wiley (Plus Exie and Boomer)

No preorder for these markets!

Thank you for the wonderful season!

Your farmers: Helen, Jim, Shana, Tyler, Nicole and Lisa: The Lake Dividers!

Lake Divide Farm: Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People. The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is a important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in food equality and bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and keeping it accessible is important to us.
 
In this email:
  • Generally important notes- ​
    • We will be at the Tuesday Thanksgiving markets in Detroit and Royal Oak and the Wednesday AA market! Come out and see us and possible cameos by the one and only Wiley.
    • We are not going to attend winter markets this year, details above. (if we do at all, it will be sporadically). We will return in the early spring- possibly as early as March, but no later than May. 
    • I removed the staying active section of our email because I have not managed to update it in so long. Here is link to a newsletter with that section intact.
  • Fresh From the Field
  • Market Details
  • CSA members- what to do if your account is low
Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Bok Choi 
Pea Shoots
Tatsoi
Mustard (limited)
Baby kale

All Manner of Deliciousness
Brussel Sprout septors!
Cabbage- Round green, sweet cone (less conical than usual), savoy and small reds
Garlic- fresh and tasty
Kohlrabi

Hot Peppers (limited)
Watermelon Radish
Black Radish
Radish Daikon: Purple, green, white
Rutabaga!
Purple top Turnips


Herbs
Parsley (limited) (possibly hyper limited)
Sage

​

Market Details: We are at market this week
 
-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Wednesday- We will be back soon.

-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

-Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 am to 2:30 pm
 -Royal Oak, Saturday with Tyler, Nicole, and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm

-Stockbridge, Saturday on the farm with Helen and Wiley Bear!
Preorders only please! When you get to the farm, stay in your car and shoot us a text. We will bring you your order!


If you are a CSA member and your account balance is low:
  • If you want to continue on as one of our members and your balance does not cover your current order
    • Order what you want
    • Add money into your account either by
      • Bring a check/case to market
      • Mailing a check
      • Letting us know you want to add to your account and we will send you an online invoice to be paid with credit card.
  • If you just want to add more to your account, go for it! Use any of the methods listed above.
  • If you no longer want to be a farm member
    • We ask that you do not go over your balance.  
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LDF News: 3 Market days left Sat, Tues & Weds!

11/18/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
This was a highlight from the past few months, we took a walk down to the local pond with Foster and the dog-o's.
Picture
Foster Wiley Neumann showing off his newly developed smiling skills (about a month ago)
Before I get to our big season wrap up thank you, I want to say Please look for us on Tuesday at Royal Oak and Eastern, and on Wednesday in Ann Arbor. We want to be part of your gatherings via the table and we are bringing the vegetables to make it so! 

A loving thank you from the Lake Dividers to all of our market friends:
For the first time in 8 years, we are taking a break from winter growing. As every growing season does, this year brought many challenges and as many gifts. We will curl up in the winter’s den and focus on better caring for ourselves, the earth, and our market family (you)! Don’t worry, we will make sure to leave time to celebrate, connect, and simply enjoy each other’s company.
We want to thank you so much for your continuous support this year and every year. It has come in the form of kind words spoken and written, gifts for our growing family, feeding us delicious treats, the sharing of ideas, and of course choosing our vegetables from the smorgasbord of choices at markets. Thank you will never be enough to say what is in our hearts so please hear our deep gratitude and big love for you.

Details of our break:
  • You may see us turn up at market from time to time this winter. We have a lot of storage roots. Please look for our emails or facebook posts for notifications. www.lakedividefarm.com
  • We plan to return to the Eastern and Royal Oak Markets in early spring (possibly as early as March) and the Ann Arbor markets in later spring. We may resume Stockbridge pick-ups in the spring as well. Please check our website for details as they emerge.
  • If you want to connect with us during the winter months, please send us an email. I will try to check weekly. We may not respond quickly, but we will make every effort to respond eventually. lakedividefarm@gmail.com
Much love to you and your family. Please take good care of each other and see you in the future!

-Helen, Jim & Wiley (Plus Exie and Boomer)

Preorder:
Stockbridge Farm Members and folks that are preapproved to preorder! You can preorder using this link: https://forms.gle/M736MEsN1EjGG3LfA

You can find the phone number to text/call in the order form and also in your order receipt

*Non Stockbridge members that need to pre-order for medical reasons can email for information.

Keep coming out to the market to support your local growers!

Your farmers: Helen, Jim, Shana, Tyler, Nicole and Lisa: The Lake Dividers!

Lake Divide Farm: Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People. The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is a important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in food equality and bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and keeping it accessible is important to us.
Picture
As we get close to the big resting season we have laid out for ourselves, we are still going full tilt. Jim and Tyler made moves of "Wash Pack Expansion". This space is designed to give us more protected space to process the crops coming in from the field. These steps are only the beginning to the improvements.
Picture
A view from the south! You can see our storage containers, the new expansion (roofless as of now) and our original wash station. SO much more room!
In this email:
  • Generally important notes- 
    • Stockbridge Folks Order here: https://forms.gle/M736MEsN1EjGG3LfA
    • We will be at the Tuesday Thanksgiving markets in Detroit and Royal Oak and the Wednesday AA market! Come out and see us and possible cameos by the one and only Wiley.
    • We are not going to attend winter markets this year, details above. (if we do at all, it will be sporadically). We will return in the early spring- possibly as early as March, but no later than May. 
    • I removed the staying active section of our email because I have not managed to update it in so long. Here is link to a newsletter with that section intact.
  • Fresh From the Field
  • Market Details
  • CSA members- what to do if your account is low
Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Bok Choi 
Pea Shoots
Tatsoi
Mustard (limited)
Baby kale

All Manner of Deliciousness
Brussel Sprout septors!
Cabbage- Round green, sweet cone (less conical than usual), savoy and small reds
Garlic- fresh and tasty
Kohlrabi

Hot Peppers (limited)
Watermelon Radish
Black Radish
Radish Daikon: Purple, green, white
Rutabaga!
Purple top Turnips


Herbs
Parsley (limited) (possibly hyper limited)
Sage

Market Details: We are at market this week
 
-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Wednesday- We will be back soon.

-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

-Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 am to 2:30 pm
 -Royal Oak, Saturday with Tyler, Nicole, and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm

-Stockbridge, Saturday on the farm with Helen and Wiley Bear!
Preorders only please! When you get to the farm, stay in your car and shoot us a text. We will bring you your order!


If you are a CSA member and your account balance is low:
  • If you want to continue on as one of our members and your balance does not cover your current order
    • Order what you want
    • Add money into your account either by
      • Bring a check/case to market
      • Mailing a check
      • Letting us know you want to add to your account and we will send you an online invoice to be paid with credit card.
  • If you just want to add more to your account, go for it! Use any of the methods listed above.
  • If you no longer want to be a farm member
    • We ask that you do not go over your balance.  
 :  (Balance will be updated next week. Thanks for your patience)
0 Comments

LDF News: Three markets until our Big Rest Winter

11/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Another Frosty Sunrise!
We want our vegetables in your feast so we will be attending the Tuesday T-day markets for Eastern and Royal Oak, plus the Ann Arbor Wednesday market. 

We are also interested in offering bulk vegetables to send you off into the winter. If this is something you are interested in, please send an email and we will add you to the list. At the very least we will have Radishes of all types and Purple top turnips. We may also have kohlrabi, garlic, cabbage, and brussel sprouts. 

As noted We are not going to attend winter markets this year.  Here is a link to the explanation from previous week's emails. In the meantime, I just want to take a minute to reassure you that we are okay and will be back in the spring. We are resourceful, thoughtful, and dedicated. If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. 

Preorder:
Stockbridge Farm Members and folks that are preapproved to preorder! You can preorder using this link: https://forms.gle/ekJ6hdu1TuRBT3i58
You can find the phone number to text/call in the order form and also in your order receipt

*Non Stockbridge members that need to pre-order for medical reasons can email for information.

Keep coming out to the market to support your local growers!

Your farmers: Helen, Jim, Shana, Tyler, Nicole and Lisa: The Lake Dividers!

Lake Divide Farm: Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People. The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is a important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in food equality and bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and keeping it accessible is important to us.
 
In this email:
  • Generally important notes- 
    • Stockbridge Folks Order here: https://forms.gle/ekJ6hdu1TuRBT3i58
    • We are not going to attend winter markets this year, details above. (if we do at all, it will be sporadically). We will return in the early spring- possibly as early as March, but no later than May. 
    • I removed the staying active section of our email because I have not managed to update it in so long. Here is link to a newsletter with that section intact.
  • Fresh From the Field
  • Market Details
  • CSA members- what to do if your account is low
Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Bok Choi (limited)
Pea Shoots
Tatsoi
Mustard
Baby kale
Microgreens: Broccoli, Radish and Spicy mixer

All Manner of Deliciousness
Brussel Sprout septors!
Cabbage- Round green, sweet cone (less conical than usual), savoy and small reds
Celery
Eggplant- asian and italian FINAL WEEK
Garlic- fresh and tasty
Fresh Kohlrabi

Hot Peppers
Potatoes (limited)
Watermelon Radish
Black Radish
Radish Daikon: Purple, green, white
Rutabaga!
Purple top Turnips


Herbs
Parsley
Sage

Market Details: We are at market this week
 
-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Wednesday- We will be back soon.

-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

-Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 am to 2:30 pm
 -Royal Oak, Saturday with Tyler, Nicole, and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm

-Stockbridge, Saturday on the farm with Helen and Wiley Bear!
Preorders only please! When you get to the farm, stay in your car and shoot us a text. We will bring you your order!


If you are a CSA member and your account balance is low:
  • If you want to continue on as one of our members and your balance does not cover your current order
    • Order what you want
    • Add money into your account either by
      • Bring a check/case to market
      • Mailing a check
      • Letting us know you want to add to your account and we will send you an online invoice to be paid with credit card.
  • If you just want to add more to your account, go for it! Use any of the methods listed above.
  • If you no longer want to be a farm member
    • We ask that you do not go over your balance.  
 :  (Balance will be updated next week. Thanks for your patience)
0 Comments

LDF News: Brussel Sprout Septors!

10/28/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Lake Divide setup up at the Ann Arbor Market, come down and see Jim's famous all natural "Radishes of destiny"! I don't know how they developed ingestional foresight, I just grow em and sell em folks.
Picture
First frost struck but unfortunately, we didn't document the beautiful oversized crystals. It covered the farm but Jim and I covered the delicates first. We saved the ginger, peppers, and green tomatoes for you with some frost blankets. This will be the first time we will have peppers from the field come November, that is, if they make it... eat them up!

Note! After updating the balances last week, I forgot to upload them. I will admit, doing tasks piecemeal while managing a proto human is challenging. So this week, expect to see your balances jump by your last two weeks expenditures and additions. If you have any questions, please email. 

As noted We are not going to attend winter markets this year.  Please read below if you missed that update. In the meantime, I just want to take a minute to reassure you that we are okay and will be back in the spring. We are resourceful, thoughtful, and dedicated. If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. 

Our last market of 2021 will be the Saturday/Wednesday market before Thanksgiving. We will return in the early spring- possibly as early as March, but no later than May. We will keep you updated but we want you to know we are fully dedicated to you and we will be back with vegetables a'blazin' come spring. 

Why?

First off, these past two years have been a blur-- between Covid, Jim's surgery, my Pop's stroke, the baby, and the labor shortage --and we need to get our bearings. We need some dedicated time and mental space to get a good look at our business and lay a sustainable course into the future.

Secondly, ever since Wiley was born, we have been chasing our tails to keep things moving. We want to take some time to turn inward and wrap ourselves in the warmth of home with our newly expanded family. 

And a lastly, a big part of why we won't be attending winter markets is that we have been so short staffed we haven't been able to plant for the winter and we knew we wouldn't be able to harvest for winter. At this point we are down to Jim and Tyler in the field, with Helen and Wiley helping for an hour or two a week (negligible haha). Typically, to cover the labor needed this time of year to harvest, go to markets, and plant/prep/harvest for winter, we would count on at at least 4 more people in the field- and they would have to be seasoned (know what they are doing). s

Labor shortage is not, in this moment in time, unique to us. Many businesses are struggling to find people to work. It is however something that we have encountered over the years and it merits consideration. If we need people to operate the way we do, but the people do not choose to be here, there is a call for assessment- whether it is increased mechanization, reduced extras, less variety (or same level but spread over the season), smaller plantings, more successions. In any event, with some room to pick through the data and a good base crew (Tyler is planning on coming back, wahoo), I expect we will come up with some excellent adjustments. 

All that said, we want you to know you can count on us, we will be back in the spring with a shiny plan after what is hopefully our truest rest since we started farming. Thanks for you your support and understanding, it really means a lot to us.

Preorder:
Stockbridge Farm Members and folks that are preapproved to preorder! You can preorder using this link: https://forms.gle/XRUTwLLKRzTiN7XA9

You can find the phone number to text/call in the order form and also in your order receipt

*Non Stockbridge members that need to pre-order for medical reasons can email for information.

Keep coming out to the market to support your local growers!

Your farmers: Helen, Jim, Shana, Tyler, and Nicole: The Lake Dividers!

Lake Divide Farm: Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People. The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is a important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in food equality and bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and keeping it accessible is important to us.
 
In this email:
  • Generally important notes- 
    • Stockbridge Folks Order here: https://forms.gle/XRUTwLLKRzTiN7XA9
    • CSA balances updated with 2 weeks worth of data! Sorry for any confusion.
    • We are not going to attend winter markets this year, details above. (if we do at all, it will be sporadically). We will return in the early spring- possibly as early as March, but no later than May. 
    • I removed the staying active section of our email because I have not managed to update it in so long. Here is link to a newsletter with that section intact.
  • Fresh From the Field
  • Market Details
  • CSA members- what to do if your account is low
Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Bok Choi (limited)
Pea Shoots
Tatsoi
Mustard
Baby kale
Micro Mix! 

All Manner of Deliciousness
Brussel Sprout septors!
Cabbage- Round green, sweet cone (less conical than usual) and savoy
Celery
Eggplant- asian and italian (limted)
Garlic- fresh and tasty
Baby Ginger (freezes for a year, no peeling, juicy like garlic)
Fresh bunched Kohlrabi

Bell and Fryer peppers
Hot Peppers
Snack peppers
Potatoes
Green Tomatoes

Watermelon Radish
Radish Daikon: Purple, green, white
Radish (limited)
Rutabaga!
Purple top Turnips

Sweet Salad Turnips (limited)


Herbs
Parsley
Sage
Dill (limited)
Cilantro (limited)

Coming Soon:
Gil feather turnips
Possibly baby napa cabbage and broccoli leaves! 
:  (Balance will be updated next week. Thanks for your patience)

Market Details: We are at market this week
 
-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Wednesday- We will be back soon.

-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

-Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 am to 2:30 pm
 -Royal Oak, Saturday with Tyler, Nicole, and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm

-Stockbridge, Saturday on the farm with Helen and Wiley Bear!
Preorders only please! When you get to the farm, stay in your car and shoot us a text. We will bring you your order!


If you are a CSA member and your account balance is low:
  • If you want to continue on as one of our members and your balance does not cover your current order
    • Order what you want
    • Add money into your account either by
      • Bring a check/case to market
      • Mailing a check
      • Letting us know you want to add to your account and we will send you an online invoice to be paid with credit card.
  • If you just want to add more to your account, go for it! Use any of the methods listed above.
  • If you no longer want to be a farm member
    • We ask that you do not go over your balance.  
 :  (Balance will be updated next week. Thanks for your patience)
0 Comments

LDF Newsletter:  A Break this Winter- read within.

10/14/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Field of fall greens and such!
Autumn abounds. Fall air and changing leaves make sure we know it, despite the warm temperatures. 

We are thinking to the future, as we often do this time of year, and we want you to know our fledgling plans. We are not going to attend winter markets this year.  Our last market of 2021 will be the Saturday/Wednesday market before Thanksgiving. We will return in the early spring- possibly as early as March, but no later than May. We will keep you updated but we want you to know we are fully dedicated to you and we will be back with vegetables a'blazin' come spring. 

Why?

First off, these past two years have been a blur-- between Covid, Jim's surgery, my Pop's stroke, the baby, and the labor shortage --and we need to get our bearings. We need some dedicated time and mental space to get a good look at our business and lay a sustainable course into the future.

Secondly, ever since Wiley was born, we have been chasing our tails to keep things moving. We want to take some time to turn inward and wrap ourselves in the warmth of home with our newly expanded family. 

And a lastly, a big part of why we won't be attending winter markets is that we have been so short staffed we haven't been able to plant for the winter and we knew we wouldn't be able to harvest for winter. At this point we are down to Jim and Tyler in the field, with Helen and Wiley helping for an hour or two a week (negligible haha). Typically, to cover the labor needed this time of year to harvest, go to markets, and plant/prep/harvest for winter, we would count on at at least 4 more people in the field- and they would have to be seasoned (know what they are doing). s

Labor shortage is not, in this moment in time, unique to us. Many businesses are struggling to find people to work. It is however something that we have encountered over the years and it merits consideration. If we need people to operate the way we do, but the people do not choose to be here, there is a call for assessment- whether it is increased mechanization, reduced extras, less variety (or same level but spread over the season), smaller plantings, more successions. In any event, with some room to pick through the data and a good base crew (Tyler is planning on coming back, wahoo), I expect we will come up with some excellent adjustments. 

All that said, we want you to know you can count on us, we will be back in the spring with a shiny plan after what is hopefully our truest rest since we started farming. Thanks for you your support and understanding, it really means a lot to us.

Preorder:
Stockbridge Farm Members and folks that are preapproved to preorder! You can preorder using this link: https://forms.gle/kcHHufMoXiJPkMB28

You can find the phone number to text/call in the order form and also in your order receipt

*Non Stockbridge members that need to pre-order for medical reasons can email for information.

Keep coming out to the market to support your local growers!

Your farmers: Helen, Jim, Shana, Tyler, and Nicole: The Lake Dividers!

Lake Divide Farm: Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People. The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is a important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in food equality and bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and keeping it accessible is important to us.
 
In this email:
  • Generally important notes- 
    • Stockbridge Folks Order here: https://forms.gle/kcHHufMoXiJPkMB28
    • CSA balances are not updated this week. If you were at market last week and need to know your current balance, feel free to email! Otherwise, if you need to know your balance, look back at the previous weeks email. Thanks for the leeway! 
    • We are not going to attend winter markets this year, details above. (if we do at all, it will be sporadically). We will return in the early spring- possibly as early as March, but no later than May. 
  • Fresh From the Field
  • Staying active and engaged with social change!
  • Market Details
  • CSA members- what to do if your account is low
Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Bok Choi
Pea Shoots
Tatsoi
Mustard
Baby kale
Micro Mix!

All Manner of Deliciousness
Cabbage- Round green, sweet cone (less conical than usual) and savoy
Eggplant- asian and italian
Garlic- fresh and tasty
Baby Ginger (freezes for a year, no peeling, juicy like garlic)
Kohlrabi- green and red

Bell and Fryer peppers
Hot Peppers
Shishito Peppers (limited)
Snack peppers
Tomatoes (limited)
Potatoes
Watermelon Radish
Radish Daikon: Purple, green, white
Radish
Purple top Turnips



Herbs
Parsley
Sage
Mint
Dill
Cilantro (limited)

Coming Soon:
Gil feather turnips
Rutabaga
Sweet Salad Turnips
:  (Balance will be updated next week. Thanks for your patience)
Staying Active: Something to keep the gears of progress engaged: Last update May 13th, 2021
While the movement keeps moving, I struggle to keep up with updating the list. This doesn't mean that this work is any less important.

There are a lot of good seeds here. We need to keep working to raise them up. I will continue to add resources as they come up. 

Keep learning, listening, speaking up, and showing up. We have to continue providing energy for change. There is much to be done. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. 

If you come across resources, readings, or movements that you feel are powerful, please send them our way so we can share them.

I have included below a couple links to readings and some ideas on how to work towards racial equity within your community as well as links to some places where dollars can make a difference.

Because the Michigan Library Association had so much great information, I have linked to their Racial Equity Resources page here. You will find a wide range of resources including books, films, action plans, and organizations. https://www.milibraries.org/racial-equity-resources

Another good resource: Racial Equity Tools

To read: Definitely use the MLPP list for this (linked above). They have some many valuable reads listed there.

Read books by people of color and indigenous people. There are many great booklists to be found.

Anti Racism books for children- from Book Beat in Royal Oak. 
This blog also included a few resources to help children cope with crises. Specifically the National Black Children Development Institute's "An Activity Book for African American Families: Helping Children Cope with Crises."

Soul Fire Farm's Food Sovereignty Action Steps: “If we are not acting to change the system, we are complicit, casting our silent vote to maintain the status quo.” The following food sovereignty action steps were compiled by the Soul Fire Farm community and Northeast Farmers of Color alliance It is divided into seven sections

To Listen and Watch:
There are so many TED talks on talking about race and racism, race, race relations, and the history of racism. Here is one to get you started.
What I am learning from my white grandchildren -- truths about race | Anthony Peterson | TEDxAntioch
T
ed Talks on Racism

Something to do:
<>The 21 day Racial Equity Challenge I still recommend it!
<>Organize a reading group. 

<> Show up! Detroit Will Breathe has been marching for Justice daily since March. While they are not marching daily now, they are very active. Check their website for their schedule https://detroitwillbreathe.info/

<> Join an organization: A few listed below, again more can be found on the Michigan Library Association's website
  • Be the Bridge, led by Latasha Morrison at Be the Bridge www.bethebridge.com
  • EmbraceRace www.embracerace.org
  • GARE – Government Alliance on Race and Equity https://www.racialequityalliance.org/
<> Speak up: If you are in a group and the opportunity presents itself to have a discussion do it! It can be scary but it is worth it. Have the difficult conversations is part of the work. Here is a helpful article from AARP (a surprising source) about how to have constructive conversations on the topic of racial justice.
How to Have a Respectful Conversation About Racial Justice


If you come across a good community organizing tool kit, please send it our way so we can share it. 

To contribute monetarily:

Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History. 100% of Zinn Education Project funding comes from individuals. 

The Zinn Education Project promotes and supports the teaching of people’s history in classrooms across the country. For more than ten years, the Zinn Education Project has introduced students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of history than is found in traditional textbooks and curricula. With more than 110,000 people registered, and growing by more than 10,000 new registrants every year, the Zinn Education Project has become a leading resource for teachers and teacher educators.

Donate generally to Zinn to help share the People's History.
Or Donate to Zinn's campaign to send people’s history books and lessons to Mississippi teachers and librarians

Detroit Will Breathe: 
While their general fundraising GoFundMe currently redirects donations to support their Federal Lawsuit fund, you can find lots of information about the work that they have been doing and what they have accomplished on that page (found here)
Here is a direct link to support their federal lawsuit. Below is a bit of what the lawsuit is about. You can read more about it on their gofundme page. 
Link to copy paste if needed: https://www.gofundme.com/f/detroit-will-breathe-federal-lawsuit-fund.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
The NAACP is at the forefront of the movement to build political power and ensure the wellbeing of communities of color. Underscoring the advocacy of our 2,200 local units across the country, we empower our communities to make democracy work for them. Your donation to the NAACP helps further our mission to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Donate today to become our newest monthly sustainer.  

Market Details: We are at market this week
 
-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Wednesday- We will be back soon.

-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

-Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 am to 2:30 pm
 -Royal Oak, Saturday with Tyler, Nicole, and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm

-Stockbridge, Saturday on the farm with Elisa and Carl!
Preorders only please! When you get to the farm, stay in your car and shoot us a text. We will bring you your order!


If you are a CSA member and your account balance is low:
  • If you want to continue on as one of our members and your balance does not cover your current order
    • Order what you want
    • Add money into your account either by
      • Bring a check/case to market
      • Mailing a check
      • Letting us know you want to add to your account and we will send you an online invoice to be paid with credit card.
  • If you just want to add more to your account, go for it! Use any of the methods listed above.
  • If you no longer want to be a farm member
    • We ask that you do not go over your balance.  
 :  (Balance will be updated next week. Thanks for your patience)
0 Comments

LDF Newsletter: Sweet peppers, roast em up!

10/7/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exie The Dog, seeing her face doesn't get old! Sorry for the lack of fresh photo fodder. We are under the gun this week!
So. Many. Peppers. Roasted peppers are one of my favorite. Do a big batch and store them in vinegar in the fridge. Eat them all at once. Freeze them. Make a delicious sweet pepper sauce. But whatever you are going to do, do it soon! The sand of good weather days is siphoning through the eye of the day. 

I tried to seed microgreens with Wiley in tow. Let me tell you- he had other plans. Looks like I am on the Wiley clock for a while. 
I miss all of you market folk. Maybe once this tiny, terrific, terror hits a stable week number, we can come to market. Dumb covid sure makes it hard to show off a baby...


Stockbridge Farm Members and folks that are preapproved to preorder! You can preorder using this link: https://forms.gle/rCN5twkmYDBCYb7P8
You can find the phone number to text/call in the order form and also in your order receipt

*Non Stockbridge members that need to pre-order for medical reasons can email for information.

Keep coming out to the market to support your local growers!

Your farmers: Helen, Jim, Shana, Tyler, and Nicole: The Lake Dividers!

Lake Divide Farm: Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People. The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is a important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in food equality and bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and keeping it accessible is important to us.
 
In this email:
  • Generally important notes- 
    • Stockbridge Folks Order here: https://forms.gle/rCN5twkmYDBCYb7P8
  • Fresh From the Field
  • Staying active and engaged with social change!
  • Market Details
  • CSA members- what to do if your account is low
Fresh From the Field-
Greens:
Pea Shoots
Tatsoi
Arugula (limited)

All Manner of Deliciousness
Baby Ginger (freezes for a year, no peeling, juicy like garlic)
Bok Choi
Cabbage- Round green, sweet cone (less conical than usual) and savoy
Classic Red Radish (round reds and french breakfast)
Eggplant- asian and italian
Garlic- fresh and tasty
Kohlrabi- green and red

Bell Peppers
Hot Peppers
Shishito Peppers (limited)
Snack peppers
Cherry tomatoes (limited?)
Tomatoes (limited)
Potatoes

Watermelon Radish
Purple top Turnips
Purple Daikon


Herbs
Parsley
Sage
Mint
Dill
Cilantro (limited)

Coming Soon:
Gil feather turnips
Rutabaga
Sweet Salad Turnips
: 
Staying Active: Something to keep the gears of progress engaged: Last update May 13th, 2021
While the movement keeps moving, I struggle to keep up with updating the list. This doesn't mean that this work is any less important.

There are a lot of good seeds here. We need to keep working to raise them up. I will continue to add resources as they come up. 

Keep learning, listening, speaking up, and showing up. We have to continue providing energy for change. There is much to be done. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. 

If you come across resources, readings, or movements that you feel are powerful, please send them our way so we can share them.

I have included below a couple links to readings and some ideas on how to work towards racial equity within your community as well as links to some places where dollars can make a difference.

Because the Michigan Library Association had so much great information, I have linked to their Racial Equity Resources page here. You will find a wide range of resources including books, films, action plans, and organizations. https://www.milibraries.org/racial-equity-resources

Another good resource: Racial Equity Tools

To read: Definitely use the MLPP list for this (linked above). They have some many valuable reads listed there.

Read books by people of color and indigenous people. There are many great booklists to be found.

Anti Racism books for children- from Book Beat in Royal Oak. 
This blog also included a few resources to help children cope with crises. Specifically the National Black Children Development Institute's "An Activity Book for African American Families: Helping Children Cope with Crises."

Soul Fire Farm's Food Sovereignty Action Steps: “If we are not acting to change the system, we are complicit, casting our silent vote to maintain the status quo.” The following food sovereignty action steps were compiled by the Soul Fire Farm community and Northeast Farmers of Color alliance It is divided into seven sections

To Listen and Watch:
There are so many TED talks on talking about race and racism, race, race relations, and the history of racism. Here is one to get you started.
What I am learning from my white grandchildren -- truths about race | Anthony Peterson | TEDxAntioch
T
ed Talks on Racism

Something to do:
<>The 21 day Racial Equity Challenge I still recommend it!
<>Organize a reading group. 

<> Show up! Detroit Will Breathe has been marching for Justice daily since March. While they are not marching daily now, they are very active. Check their website for their schedule https://detroitwillbreathe.info/

<> Join an organization: A few listed below, again more can be found on the Michigan Library Association's website
  • Be the Bridge, led by Latasha Morrison at Be the Bridge www.bethebridge.com
  • EmbraceRace www.embracerace.org
  • GARE – Government Alliance on Race and Equity https://www.racialequityalliance.org/
<> Speak up: If you are in a group and the opportunity presents itself to have a discussion do it! It can be scary but it is worth it. Have the difficult conversations is part of the work. Here is a helpful article from AARP (a surprising source) about how to have constructive conversations on the topic of racial justice.
How to Have a Respectful Conversation About Racial Justice


If you come across a good community organizing tool kit, please send it our way so we can share it. 

To contribute monetarily:

Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History. 100% of Zinn Education Project funding comes from individuals. 

The Zinn Education Project promotes and supports the teaching of people’s history in classrooms across the country. For more than ten years, the Zinn Education Project has introduced students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of history than is found in traditional textbooks and curricula. With more than 110,000 people registered, and growing by more than 10,000 new registrants every year, the Zinn Education Project has become a leading resource for teachers and teacher educators.

Donate generally to Zinn to help share the People's History.
Or Donate to Zinn's campaign to send people’s history books and lessons to Mississippi teachers and librarians

Detroit Will Breathe: 
While their general fundraising GoFundMe currently redirects donations to support their Federal Lawsuit fund, you can find lots of information about the work that they have been doing and what they have accomplished on that page (found here)
Here is a direct link to support their federal lawsuit. Below is a bit of what the lawsuit is about. You can read more about it on their gofundme page. 
Link to copy paste if needed: https://www.gofundme.com/f/detroit-will-breathe-federal-lawsuit-fund.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
The NAACP is at the forefront of the movement to build political power and ensure the wellbeing of communities of color. Underscoring the advocacy of our 2,200 local units across the country, we empower our communities to make democracy work for them. Your donation to the NAACP helps further our mission to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Donate today to become our newest monthly sustainer.  

Market Details: We are at market this week
 
-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Wednesday- We will be back soon.

-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

-Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 am to 2:30 pm
 -Royal Oak, Saturday with Tyler, Nicole, and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm

-Stockbridge, Saturday on the farm with Elisa and Carl!
Preorders only please! When you get to the farm, stay in your car and shoot us a text. We will bring you your order!


If you are a CSA member and your account balance is low:
  • If you want to continue on as one of our members and your balance does not cover your current order
    • Order what you want
    • Add money into your account either by
      • Bring a check/case to market
      • Mailing a check
      • Letting us know you want to add to your account and we will send you an online invoice to be paid with credit card.
  • If you just want to add more to your account, go for it! Use any of the methods listed above.
  • If you no longer want to be a farm member
    • We ask that you do not go over your balance.  ​
0 Comments

LDF Newsletter: BABY GINGER IS HERE! Daikon Radishes! Pink, Green and White! Stir fry time!

9/28/2021

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Picture
Elisa, Tyler and Carl are seeding up a fresh batch of microgreens in the greenhouse. There are about 80 flats per round of microgreens. At certain times in the season, the greenhouse could have 3 full rounds of microgreens at once in offset states of growth.
Picture
Exie The Dog hasn't been getting featured nearly enough the past couple months. She suffers from seasonal allergies pretty badly, so she has to retreat back to the farm house during high season, but she is back on the prowl! While she may be a combination of various creatures (Brontosaurus, Fire Drake, Human) she is still 100% Dog!
Baby ginger is in! Assorted daikon radishes will be available at market.

Stockbridge Farm Members and folks that are preapproved to preorder! You can preorder using this link: https://forms.gle/c5WkM3Aust8RgRDh6
You can find the phone number to text/call in the order form and also in your order receipt

*Non Stockbridge members that need to pre-order for medical reasons can email for information.

Keep coming out to the market to support your local growers!

Your farmers: Helen, Jim, Shana, Elisa, Carl, Tyler, and Nicole: The Lake Dividers!

Lake Divide Farm: Good for the Earth, Good for the Farmers, Good for the People. The Trifecta of sustainability. Good for the earth: Taking care of the natural world is a important, after all, it takes care of us; Good for the farmer: We believe farmers should have livable hours and livable wages; Good for the people: We believe in food equality and bringing our produce to market at an affordable price and keeping it accessible is important to us.
 
In this email:
  • Generally important notes- 
    • Stockbridge Folks Order here: https://forms.gle/c5WkM3Aust8RgRDh6
  • Fresh From the Field
  • Staying active and engaged with social change!
  • Market Details
  • CSA members- what to do if your account is low

Fresh From the Field-
​

Greens:
Kale- Green Curly and Red Curly (limited)
Pea Shoots
Tatsoi
Arugula (limited)

All Manner of Deliciousness
Baby Ginger (freezes for a year, no peeling, juicy like garlic)
Bok Choi
Cabbage- Round green, sweet cone (less conical than usual) and savoy
Eggplant- asian and italian
Garlic- fresh and tasty
Kohlrabi- green and red

Bell Peppers
Hot Peppers
Shishito Peppers
Snack peppers
Cherry tomatoes (limited?)
Tomatoes (limited)
Potatoes

Radishes
Sweet Salad Turnips (limited)
Watermelon Radish
Purple top Turnips
Purple Daikon


Herbs
Parsley
Sage
Mint
Dill
Cilantro (limited)

Coming Soon:
Gil feather turnips
Rutabaga
Radish
: 
Staying Active: Something to keep the gears of progress engaged: Last update May 13th, 2021
While the movement keeps moving, I struggle to keep up with updating the list. This doesn't mean that this work is any less important.

There are a lot of good seeds here. We need to keep working to raise them up. I will continue to add resources as they come up. 

Keep learning, listening, speaking up, and showing up. We have to continue providing energy for change. There is much to be done. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. 

If you come across resources, readings, or movements that you feel are powerful, please send them our way so we can share them.

I have included below a couple links to readings and some ideas on how to work towards racial equity within your community as well as links to some places where dollars can make a difference.

Because the Michigan Library Association had so much great information, I have linked to their Racial Equity Resources page here. You will find a wide range of resources including books, films, action plans, and organizations. https://www.milibraries.org/racial-equity-resources

Another good resource: Racial Equity Tools

To read: Definitely use the MLPP list for this (linked above). They have some many valuable reads listed there.

Read books by people of color and indigenous people. There are many great booklists to be found.

Anti Racism books for children- from Book Beat in Royal Oak. 
This blog also included a few resources to help children cope with crises. Specifically the National Black Children Development Institute's "An Activity Book for African American Families: Helping Children Cope with Crises."

Soul Fire Farm's Food Sovereignty Action Steps: “If we are not acting to change the system, we are complicit, casting our silent vote to maintain the status quo.” The following food sovereignty action steps were compiled by the Soul Fire Farm community and Northeast Farmers of Color alliance It is divided into seven sections

To Listen and Watch:
There are so many TED talks on talking about race and racism, race, race relations, and the history of racism. Here is one to get you started.
What I am learning from my white grandchildren -- truths about race | Anthony Peterson | TEDxAntioch
T
ed Talks on Racism

Something to do:
<>The 21 day Racial Equity Challenge I still recommend it!
<>Organize a reading group. 

<> Show up! Detroit Will Breathe has been marching for Justice daily since March. While they are not marching daily now, they are very active. Check their website for their schedule https://detroitwillbreathe.info/

<> Join an organization: A few listed below, again more can be found on the Michigan Library Association's website
  • Be the Bridge, led by Latasha Morrison at Be the Bridge www.bethebridge.com
  • EmbraceRace www.embracerace.org
  • GARE – Government Alliance on Race and Equity https://www.racialequityalliance.org/
<> Speak up: If you are in a group and the opportunity presents itself to have a discussion do it! It can be scary but it is worth it. Have the difficult conversations is part of the work. Here is a helpful article from AARP (a surprising source) about how to have constructive conversations on the topic of racial justice.
How to Have a Respectful Conversation About Racial Justice


If you come across a good community organizing tool kit, please send it our way so we can share it. 

To contribute monetarily:

Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History. 100% of Zinn Education Project funding comes from individuals. 

The Zinn Education Project promotes and supports the teaching of people’s history in classrooms across the country. For more than ten years, the Zinn Education Project has introduced students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of history than is found in traditional textbooks and curricula. With more than 110,000 people registered, and growing by more than 10,000 new registrants every year, the Zinn Education Project has become a leading resource for teachers and teacher educators.

Donate generally to Zinn to help share the People's History.
Or Donate to Zinn's campaign to send people’s history books and lessons to Mississippi teachers and librarians

Detroit Will Breathe: 
While their general fundraising GoFundMe currently redirects donations to support their Federal Lawsuit fund, you can find lots of information about the work that they have been doing and what they have accomplished on that page (found here)
Here is a direct link to support their federal lawsuit. Below is a bit of what the lawsuit is about. You can read more about it on their gofundme page. 
Link to copy paste if needed: https://www.gofundme.com/f/detroit-will-breathe-federal-lawsuit-fund.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
The NAACP is at the forefront of the movement to build political power and ensure the wellbeing of communities of color. Underscoring the advocacy of our 2,200 local units across the country, we empower our communities to make democracy work for them. Your donation to the NAACP helps further our mission to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Donate today to become our newest monthly sustainer.  

Market Details: We are at market this week
 
-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Wednesday- We will be back soon.

-The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Jim: 7 am to 3 pm (or till sold out)

-Eastern Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 am to 2:30 pm
 -Royal Oak, Saturday with Tyler, Nicole, and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm

-Stockbridge, Saturday on the farm with Elisa and Carl!
Preorders only please! When you get to the farm, stay in your car and shoot us a text. We will bring you your order!


If you are a CSA member and your account balance is low:
  • If you want to continue on as one of our members and your balance does not cover your current order
    • Order what you want
    • Add money into your account either by
      • Bring a check/case to market
      • Mailing a check
      • Letting us know you want to add to your account and we will send you an online invoice to be paid with credit card.
  • If you just want to add more to your account, go for it! Use any of the methods listed above.
  • If you no longer want to be a farm member
    • We ask that you do not go over your balance.
0 Comments
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