Well, the tunnels were recovered and then put to the test. Last Thursday and Friday had gusty winds to 50 mph and the cats offered barely a rustle. We will keep our eye on it but it seems finishing the job really does the trick!
Keep coming out to the market to support your local growers and if you begin feeling worried about the crowds, remember you can pre-order. If you need help figuring it out, check out our trouble shooting guide at the bottom of the email. Need more help? Just email!!
In this email:
- Generally important notes-
- We will close pre-ordering for Ann Arbor Wednesday at 10 pm Tuesday night.
- No Saturday markets this week (November 28th) We will be back December 5th with all the quality vegetable that you have come to love.
- CSA members- if you pre-ordered online last week, your balances were not updated to reflect that. We they have now been updated!
- Recipe: Apple Cabbage slaw!
- Notes from the farm
- Fresh From the Field- What are we bringing to market this week!
- Staying active and engaged with social change- (Updated Oct. 20th)
- Market Details-
- Find our vegetables and other local goods in Stockbridge at Plane Food Market!
- Ordering with Local Line: register and troubleshoot
- CSA members- what to do if your account is low
Recipe: Apple Cabbage cole slaw
From my brain. You can waffle around on the dressing ingredients if you care to. You can scale this up or down as needed but I always need more delicious apple cabbage so not sure why you would go up or down.
Ingredients
- 1 large cabbage- red or green!
- 2 or 3 apples
- Rice wine vinegar
- Tahini
- Garlic or garlic powder
- Ginger
- Optional- walnuts, dried cranberries
- Finely chop cabbage. I used to love to shred the cabbage for my coleslaw. I recently found that a fine chop leaves more substance to the cabbage, more of a crunch!
- Mince the garlic
- Shred the apples. I don't even peel them or cut them. Just shred them right to the core!
- Mix it all up!
- Dressing- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar, 1/4 cup tahini, ginger.
- Toss in those extras and salt to taste.
- It is delicious right away, and even more so after a day in the fridge. I love it.
Notes from the Farm:
The end of one season, the beginning of another. And just like every season is different, as is every season's crew. Every year we are lucky to work with a collection of steadfast and determined folks that are serious about getting vegetables to your plate. This year's crew is no exception and in many ways is exceptional. Today is the last day on the farm for the majority. They have all worked so so hard and have been so tenacious through one of our most challenging years yet. We are so grateful to have had the chance to get to know them better and the farm is better for them having been here.
While for many this time of year usually entails great gatherings and heaps of food, for Jim and I, it is usually a time of rest and reflection. A time to give ourselves some space to gather and refold the the pieces of ourselves into a something familiar. We look for the places to offer gratitude. We look for the windows to offer forgiveness (mostly to ourselves). We search for acceptance. And we sleep until we can read complex sentences. I feel that this break is going to be closer to what we need it to be than the last three year's end of season breaks have been. And we are grateful for that. We are both carrying a deep tired. This is our first big reflection. The second comes closer to the new year.
We invite you to join us in rest, reflection, and self care. Make some of your favorite dishes. Give yourself space to have your feelings. This year has been strange. It will continue to be strange. The strangeness has accreted on our backs as the year scraped by in a vacuum. Let's shake it off and give ourselves some room to remain flexible and fresh.
We also want to say thank you to you, our food loving friends. Thank you all so much for sticking with us through this strange strange year and getting ready to embark on a fresh on together. You believing in us and enjoying our vegetables gives us space to do better and better at what we do. And in a year like this, it helps us hold on tight to the streamers flying of the back of the train. We are almost back on board and will never stop giving our all.
So eat lots of food, care your yourselves and your loved ones, and we'll see you back in a week!
Onward and upward friends!
Helen & Jim and The Lake Dividers: Lizz, Malcolm, Kyla, Rachael, Amy, Alyssa, Kathryn, Shana, Annie and Eva!
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.
Fresh From the Field!
Quick note: You may notice that the crop list in the email does not always match the crop list in our online store. Items not found online may have sold out or we may not have posted them online. We sometimes do not post crops online that have not come into abundance yet because we don't always know how much (or how little) of a crop will be harvestable by the end of the week so we can't offer it for sale on Tuesday. These items go to market in small quantities. When they come fully into season, we will list them online. This is the best way we have come up with to manage these crops.
That said, you can always add to your order when you pick up at market.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we troubleshoot a whole new (to us) way of doing things.
Greens:
Arugula
Chard
Collards
Kale
Microgreens! Mustard Mix, Just Broccoli, Just Radish, Arugula
Mustard Greens (Ruby streaks)
Pea Shoots
Tatsoi
All manner of deliciousness:
Brussel Sprouts!
Cabbage- Round Green, savoy, green arrowhead, red, red arrowhead
Napa cabbage
Garlic
Radish- Watermelon, purple daikon, spicy black, and maybe some long white Daikon!
Rutabaga
Turnips- purple top
Onions- Red and yellow
Wintersquash: Dumpling, Futusu, Butternut, Pie Pumpkins
Herbs:
Parsley (?)
Sage
Coming Soon:
Purple carrots- not sure these made it... sorry folks :(
Staying Active: Something to keep the gears of progress engaged:
Our intention is to update this list monthly. It was last updated September 29th. Just because we are posting new links, the links from previous emails are still relevant. Additionally, you will find some links repeated. This month, I found a whole boatload of great resources from the Michigan Libraries Association. I am particularly excited about the "21 day racial equity challenge" because it specifically relates to Michigan Policy.
In the meantime, 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.
To read: This list is by no means whatsoever all inclusive.
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."
Essays and articles (links to arcles):
Five truths about Black History from ACLU
A litany of Survival: Giving birth as a black woman in America. By Naomi Jackson
The Restlessness of Black Grief: We are in the middle of a black bereavement crises and we do not have the privilege or time to grieve. By Marissa Evans
Books (links to authors website): This list taken from the Michigan Library Association's website
- Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins
- Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Dr. Brittney Cooper
- Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
- How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Invisible No More: Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color by Andrea J. Ritchie
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
- Raising Our Hands by Jenna Arnold
- Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
- Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
- by Michelle Alexander
- The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century
- by Grace Lee Boggs
- The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
- This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color by Cherríe MoragaWhen Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America by Ira KatznelsonWhite Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
To Listen and Watch: This list taken from the Michigan Library Association's website
- 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
- American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix
- Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 — Available to rent
- Blindspotting (Carlos López Estrada) — Hulu with Cinemax or available to rent
- Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu) — Available to rent
- Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix
- Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) — Available to rent
- I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin doc) — Available to rent or on Kanopy
- If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu
- Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent for free in June in the U.S.
- King In The Wilderness — HBO
- See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix
- Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent for free in June in the U.S.
- The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution — Available to rent
- The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Available to rent for free
- When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
Something to do:
<>The 21 day Racial Equity Challenge From the Michigan League for Public Policy. You can do this either on your own or sign up to work through it with a group.
In their words: "Welcome to the Michigan League for Public Policy’s 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge! We would like to thank Food Solutions New England, whose Challenge we have used as a model and adapted to highlight racial inequity and our related policy priorities here in Michigan.
Several years ago, the League made a decision to apply a racial equity lens to the anti-poverty work at the heart of our mission. The disparities in health, wealth and well-being that we seek to eradicate are largely a result of racism enshrined in public policy over the course of U.S. history. Today, we cannot hope to achieve our mission of economic security for all Michiganders without understanding the origins of the concept of race, how it influences us as individuals and as an organization, and how it functions to preserve inequity in our laws, institutions and systems.
<>Organize a reading group.
<> Show up! Detroit Will Breathe has been marching for Justice daily since March. 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/
If you come across a good community organizing tool kit, please send it our way so we can share it.
To contribute monetarily:
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.
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:
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Wednesday with Kyla 7 am to 3 pm, Pre-ordering, curbside pick-up, On site vegetables sales! Pre-ordering from Tuesday afternoon until Tuesday at 10 pm.
All orders must be picked up by 1 pm. All curbside orders must be picked up by 12 pm.
The market runs until 3 pm but we may leave early so it is important that you pick up your order by 1 pm.
For curbside pick-up: Email us to let us know. On market day, pull up and park along Detroit street and tell a volunteer your name and that you are picking up an order from Lake Divide.
Check out the A2 website for information on what to expect.
ONE WEEK OFF FROM ANN ARBOR SATURDAY, EASTERN, AND ROYAL OAK!!
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Saturday with Alyssa and Jim "The Flame of the North" Neumann!: 7 am to 3 pm, pre-order walk-up or curbside pick-up, on site vegetables!. All orders must be picked up by 1 pm. All curbside orders must be picked up by 12 pm.
The market runs until 3 pm but we may leave early so it is important that you pick up your order by 1 pm.
For curbside pick-up: Email us to let us know. On market day, pull up and park along Detroit street and tell a volunteer your name and that you are picking up an order from Lake Divide.
Eastern, Saturday with Shana! 7 am to 2:30 pm, pre-order, walk-up or curbside, onsite purchases. *If you feel strongly or need to have a trunk pick-up because you are high risk, please email me and I can arrange to have your order dropped at your car.
Royal Oak, Saturday with Helen and Lisa! 7 am to 1 pm, pre-order, walk-up or curbside, onsite purchases.
Find us inside in our usual spot.
*If you feel strongly or need to have a trunk pick-up because you are high risk, please email me and I can arrange to have your order dropped at your car. I will email you the instructions Friday after all orders are in.
Stockbridge, Saturday on the farm with Amy!
Preorders only please! When you get to the farm, stay in your car and Amy will bring you your order. Please let us know if you would be comfortable with a self serve in the coming weeks.
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
- Putting a check or cash in your trunk/backseat Saturday for pick-up and emailing to let me know
- Mailing a check
- Using the online store
- 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.
Ordering: How to Register with Local Line
If you have already registered with Local Line, just log in and use your account to order. If you haven't already done it, please make sure your account name is in the format Lastname.First as in Chandler.Helen or Neumann.Jim. This isn't required but it helps us when we are entering data, packing, and handling pick ups.
Trouble shooting:
If you have filled your cart but your order isn't going through: If the answer to one of these questions is yes, that is the cause of your problem.
- Is your total less than $10? We have a $10 minimum to help us deal with the extra cost of packing orders.
- Is it between Friday morning and Tuesday afternoon? Ordering is open from sometime Tuesday afternoon until Thursday at midnight
- Don't worry about this. We had to set up a work around to get Local Line to fit the needs for our business.
- Did you verify your email address? After you create your username and password, Local Line sends a confirmation email. You can find it by searching your inbox for and email from localline.ca and the exact phrase "please verify your email address"
If you still need to register with Local Line, follow these instructions. To avoid difficulty, PLEASE READ THROUGH THESE INSTRUCTIONS:
How to create a Local Line Account:
- Head to the link at the bottom of these steps.
- Register using the green button to the right.
- You will be asked to enter a bunch of information and there are a two things that are very important
- Be sure to use the email address that this email went to. If you don't, you may be asked to pay using a credit card.
- Please use the Lastname.First for the Account name. (Your last name follow by a period followed by your first name, with no spaces. For example Chandler.Helen)
- You will then need to verify your email address by going to your email inbox and responding to the email that comes from Local Line.
- At last! You can order!
- Here is the link to use to create your Local Line account: https://www.localline.ca/lakedividefarm