A window into the production path of your food.
I realized after I sent the email out that I FAILED to update this top snippet. Here is what wrote last week: How was that breath of spring? I felt for a moment that I didn't get quite enough winter, but that feeling was washed away with the incoming winds. It was nice to enjoy fresh air on my arms and face without my skin being seared off by the cold. It will be nice to enjoy another dip and hopefully another big snow or two! I have some ice skating and snow meditation left yet!
To note:
Stockbridge Farm Members: No pick up this week!
Markets: We will be in Ann Arbor and Detroit this week! Find us in the sun in Kerrytown and in shed five at Eastern.
CSA members: We performed the annual update of our CSA spreadsheet. All of the balances should be updated as of now and incoming members are being added as they come in.
New Members! Thank you for signing up to be a farm member and welcome to the farm! In every email you receive henceforth, you can scroll to the bottom to find your balance.
CSA Y'all! Thank you for excusing my relentless marketing but in case you missed it: This is the time that signing up to be a member of our farm has the greatest positive effect on your farmers!CSA's help share the burden of cashflow variability and seasonal unpredictability with the farmer. For us, it makes a huge difference to know that people are committed to eating our vegetables and the early investments take some of the stress out of all the early season improvements that we are making. So what is the CSA? In short, members open an account with us, receive a bonus for their commitment, and then use their accounts at market just like cash. You can find more details here. And let me say, if this is something you are considering, now is the time! We won't let you down!
Recipe:
Radishes. So many winter radishes. Ready to try doing something new with them?
Daikon Patties: <-- follow the link ;)
I make a version of this recipe from my brain, but it is too variable to type out. Basically, grate the daikon, mix some flavor in, ball it and coat it with the crunchy and fry it in a pan.
I am going to try the linked recipe tonight. I love the addition of peanuts and powdered ginger. If I see you tomorrow, ask me how it was and I will give you a review.
Food for thought:
Wind and snow = Empire Strikes Back, The Battle of Hoth. I had to ask Jim what I was talking about, he knew with very little help. "You know, the one where he hides in the animal to survive and the big machines walk around?" Count me impressed.
But seriously, this past week the snow was phenomenal! Along our dirt road, there is a section with open field on either side where the wind picks up. The otherworldly snow drifts were upwards of three feet! And the visibility in that area? Nil. It was like driving into a hostile cloud. And yet, we made it out the other side!
And then, the following day, all the snow melted and turned into a slick ice shield for the earth. All in all, I thought it was a pretty grand weather adventure, although I really don't like the wind all the much. It gives my sleep indigestion and I lay awake wondering what has blown away. (This time, nothing!)
The day of the snow-wind was the day we sealed the deal on another Sprinter van. We needed it to enable us to attend all four of the markets in our Saturday plan. The van is in good shape and we are excited to add it to the fleet.
They day before that, our big supplies order came in after several weeks of weather related delays. We coordinated with a few local farmers to reduce shipping costs and everything was delivered to our farm. It was great to see everyone and it made me even more excited for the coming growing season. I swear I can hear the blistering snow wind whisper spring!
To add to the hype, next week I am going to a big farming conference in Wisconsin! We consider it ongoing education and try to get everyone headed to at least a one opportunity like this per year.
See you at market this week!
Onward and farmward!
Helen writing for the Lake Dividers
- Looking to join our CSA or renew your membership? Find more details here. The basics? Open an account with us, get a bonus, and use your account to purchase produce with us at any of our markets. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask.
- We are hiring! We have 3 full-time and 3 part-time positions opening up for the 2019 season. You can find details about the jobs on our website here. If you or anyone you know may be interested, please send us an email or pass along the information.
- We are accepting workshares both on the farm and at market. Please email for details.
Fresh From the Field!
Greens: (Limited):Head lettuce! Petite and sweet!
All manner of deliciousness:
Beets
Carrots- Last week for carrots until the spring!
Kohlrabi- kohlrabi and tender petite
Sweet potatoes! White and orange fleshed
Radishes: White Daikon, Green Daikon, and Watermelon radish
Turnips: Purple tops
Turnabaga- a cross between a crunchy sweet turnip and a rutabaga
Markets, always rain or shine!Saturday: Ann Arbor and Detroit's Eastern Market
The Ann Arbor Market is located in the Kerrytown District at 315 Detroit St, Ann Arbor, MI. The market runs from May thru December, 7 am to 3 pm and January thru April from 8 am to 3 pm.
The Eastern Market in Detroit is located about a mile northeast of downtown. It covers about 43 acres, bounded by I-75 on the West and Gratiot Avenue on the South. It runs year round from 6am – 4pm