LDF News: It's TOMATO TIME!

Surprise! We've been spending a lot of time in the tomato jungle, on the endless harvest task. We have definitely been taking a moment here and there to be silly. ​

This young turkey! It has been hanging around washpack for over a week, flying up to perch in the trees when we come around. We have all had our fingers crossed that it will find a new crew with Clare's hens and maybe, just maybe, this is it! Go turkey, go! Up and over!  ​

---

AHOY!
​
This week at the farm, among other things:

• The folks from Smith Birds Lab came out and installed the posts for 19 nest boxes on our farm! Bluebirds, tufted titmouse, nuthatches, and tree swallows are all potential residents. I can't wait to see who moves in!
• We harvested 1474 pounds of cabbage and delivered it to the Greater Lansing Area Food Bank!
• We finished planting our fall broccoli, seeded winter carrots and all of the daikon and turnips that will carry us through the winter.
• We saw an immature green heron haranguing its parent (i think) and it may have been one of the most thrilling moments of my life. They flew in circles above us for many moments while I cackled and clasped my hands. 
• We hired someone! An enthusiastic neighbor that seems a great fit for the work and the team. The trend of the right people at the right time continues. 

We also have the right tomatoes at the right time! SO many! I am so glad that tomato season is upon us. I have commenced the annual tomato sandwich week. It is so easy to eat at least one per day. I encourage you to try it, if you never have. 
 
Onward folks, doing the things we can do. 

Cheers,
Helen
she/her/hers
 
In this email:

• Generally important notes
  • We are back at Stockbridge this Friday and hopefully for the rest of the season!
  • A link to our Stockbridge Community Outreach Project
  • Notes for members (or potential members!):
    • Find a copy of the 2025 membership agreement here.
    • It isn't too late to sign up for our Farm Membership! 
  • Here is link to a list of resources to aid in effecting positive social change. Keep your  chin up. 
• Fresh From the field
• Recipe: Tomato sandwich

Fresh From the Field- 
Greens:
Micros: Types to be seen!
Pea shoots

Herbs
Basil
Parsley

All Manner of Deliciousness
Cabbage: personal and LARGE for your kraut needs
Celery
Cucumbers
Eggs!! From Hen House Farm- Clare!!
Eggplant- limited
Garlic
Garlic Scapes! 
Ground Cherries
Kohlrabi
Onions
Peppers: Shishitos! Snackers, Bells!
Potatoes!
Scallions
Big tomatoes: slicers, paste, heirlooms. Buried
Cherry Tomatoes
Watermelon

Coming Soon
Canary melon?!

---

 Tomato Sandwich

From My heart <3

Ingredients

• A beautiful tomato
• A couple slices of nice bread
• Mayo (or you could use oil and vinegar, pesto, or another sauce you like)
• Salt

Instructions

1. Put the sauce on the bread.
2. Slice that tomato into thick slab and put it on the bread.
3. Sprinkle salt on the tomato.
4. Add any extras you are inspired to add.
5. Get ready to eat in one sitting because once you start mowing this thing down, it won't hold together outside of your mitts. It also has the potential to be very messy, so you may not want to set it down for that reason alone. 

Notes

1. Whatever sauce you use, choose something that mixes with the tomato juices rather than blocking them (not cream cheese or cheese spread although either could be a good dollop on top.)
2. Possible extras: microgreens, minced herb (cilantro/basil/dill), bits of mozzarella, salty fish (lox?)
3. Before adding extras, I strongly encourage you to embrace the most simple version and find out how delicious it can be. 
4. As you are eating, be sure to sop up extra tomato juice and condiment drippings that land on the plate. 
5. Enjoy!