LDF News: Still July!

​This is the cutest cucumber picture I've ever seen. My mental recall is so deteriorated, it's possible you could look through my posts of the past and find an indistinguishable cucumber picture with the same claim. Who am I to judge myself? And who's to say that the expectation that I'd remember isn't unreasonable and put upon me by the modern ability to over document our lives? 

Truly, it is my claim that this is the cutest cucumber that demands rigor. So maybe let me just say that this is a very cute cucumber picture.

We have been doing so much direct seeding, with more to come. Clare has been diligently marching up and down our beds guiding the seeder in impressively straight lines. Let an appropriate number of the seeds germinate and reach for the sun! Remarkably, many of the beets seeded last week are up and looking alive, which is just what we want. 

Farm Views:

• New beds prepped! Here I am doing "mark out". I drive the tractor over the bed, making the rows we will plant in obvious. This field is now loaded with cabbage and broccoli, plus some rutabaga. 
• Our pea and oat cover crop is flowering!
• Sunset over dogs, children and the home fall kale and collards.

​

---

​Here are my some of my Crow-workers, haha. Forgive me. These crows follow the tractor around eating grubs and such. The one in the middle is "baby crow."  

---

Ahoy!

Peak July, to carry on here. I will finally, personally be back at market this week and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.

Onward folks, doing the things we can do. 

Cheers,
Helen
she/her/hers

• Generally important notes
  • A link to our Stockbridge Community Outreach Project
  • Notes for members (or potential members!):
    • Link to 2025 membership agreement here.
    • Not too late to sign up!
  • Here is link to a list of resources to aid in effecting positive social change. Keep your  chin up. 
• Fresh From the field
• Recipe: Cucumber Basil Yogurt Salad

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

Herbs
Basil
Parsley

All Manner of Deliciousness
Cabbage: personal and LARGE for your kraut needs
Cucumbers
Eggs!! From Hen House Farm- Clare!!
Eggplant
Fennel
Garlic
Garlic Scapes! 
Kohlrabi
Peppers: Shishitos! Bells!
Scallions
Summer Squash!
Cherry Tomatoes in ernest!
Zucchini

Coming Soon
Celery
Ground Cherries
Big tomatoes!
New Potatoes (maybe this week?)
Onions
​        ___________________________________

Recipe: Cucumber Basil Yogurt Salad 

From Letty's KItchen

This awesomely easy salad can be made with mint or cilantro instead of basil, whichever you have on hand. Be sure to stir in the basil and yogurt just before serving so the salad doesn’t get watery.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice or apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
• 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large or 3 smaller cucumbers, peeled and cut in half
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil (see note)
• ⅓ cup whole milk or Greek plain yogurt (see note)

Instructions

1. Mix the lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
2. Using a spoon, scrape out and discard the cucumber seeds. Slice about ¼-inch thick. Place in a bowl and toss with the lime and olive oil mixture.
3. Just before serving, stir in the chopped basil and yogurt.

Notes

• For 2 tablespoons of chopped basil start with about 12 leaves.
• The easiest way to chop the basil is stack the leaves, roll and cut 1/8-inch chiffonade ribbons, then chop the ribbons into pieces.
• Choose plain whole milk yogurt without added gums and thickeners. Nancy’s organic is an excellent choice, as is whole milk Greek yogurt.