Jim, Elisa and Asia fought through the storm this past Saturday to prep and plant the outdoor pepper planting. The rain wasn't enough to stop this team!
The downtown 2 field is fully planted/seeded! Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Fennel just to name a few
Lake Divide sunset
Helen and the team got to work this week trellising the tomatoes in the caterpillar tunnels. This involves wrapping a sturdy metal wire around each hoop along the full length of the tunnel, then pruning the plants and connecting each one up to the main wire using an adjustable length line called a tomahook.
one tunnel down, 2 more to go!
These little turkey vulture babies live in our barn across the road. Helen has been peaking in periodically to see how they are doing. This most recent visit will likely be the last, as one of them learned how to chase Helen out of their bird santuary barn hahaha
The cooler weather has been easier on our bodies and I think everyone is grateful for it, dogs and all. And we finally got some rain! We haven't been on irrigation duty for almost a week! The storm on Friday brought a gentle soak, and Sunday's storm threatened severe consequences (think tennis ball sized hail and gale force winds). Luckily, in the end, all it did was dump a bunch of water on us. We were parched, so happy.
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:
Notes from the Farm:
We continue to rage against time! All that water brought life all around. This means weeds! All those grasses, annuals and perennials (ragweed, jimson weed, curly dock, velvet leaf to name a few), are rising! And we have to rise to meet them. Pulling them by the fistful and cultivating with the tractor- please let them be no match for us!
We are also continuing to plant! This means more ground to prep. Onto the tractor to mow, till, and amend the soil so it is ready for our fall broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and such. It is also just about time to hill our potatoes and ginger. For both of these crops, we pull soil up around their stems so that the plants are encouraged to make more of the delicious roots (tubers and rhizomes) that we love.
As seen in the pictures, we are also finally getting some trellis on the tomatoes! That's right! This year all the tomatoes in our tunnels and hightunnel are getting trellised to a single line. The line is wound on a spool, creatively called a "Tomahook". As the tomatoes grow, we prune off all the side shoots (suckers), let out more twine, and wrap it around the stem. Allegedly (on good evidence) this produces a bountiful, blemish free harvest. We admit to snacking on the first of some of the cherry tomatoes. They will not disappoint! We hope to finish all this trellising by end of day Saturday- wish us luck!!!
Thanks for all the love and support! See you at market this weekend!
Onward and upward! See you at market friends!
Helen, Jim, Amy, Shana, Elisa, Rose, Asia, Tyler and Brandon (Plus special guest start Eva back for a Lake Divide Hurrah): 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.
Fresh From the Field
Greens:
Chard
Head Lettuce!
Kale- Green Curly, Red Curly, and Tender Red Russian
Microgreens (Arugula, Radish, Brassica Mix and Broccoli)
Pea Shoots (limited)
Spinach (limited)
All Manner of Deliciousness
Beets!
Garlic Scapes
Scallions?
Summer Squash
Cucumbers!
Kohlrabi!
Radishes!
Herbs
Basil- pesto
Oregano- sauces and salad
Sage- roasts
Coming Soon:
Fennel
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
Ted 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
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 Amy: 8 am to 3 pm (or till sold out), 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 Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 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 Jim "The Flame of The North" Neumann 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 a robot named Helen, Asia and Elisa!
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:
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.
How to create a Local Line Account:
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 are at market this week and the online store is open
- We may still be looking for good crew candidates. If you would like to keep your name in the hat, please send us an email!
- We may be looking for market volunteers for the months of August and September due to the impending baby. It is a fast-paced and boisterous Saturday morning activity. If that sounds like something you would be good at and enjoy, please email or talk to one of us at market.
- Recipe: Sautéed Garlic Scapes
- Farm News
- Fresh From the Field
- Staying active and engaged with social change: Celebrate Juneteenth!
- Market Details
- Ordering with Local Line: register and troubleshoot
- CSA members- what to do if your account is low
- 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped garlic scapes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Notes from the Farm:
We continue to rage against time! All that water brought life all around. This means weeds! All those grasses, annuals and perennials (ragweed, jimson weed, curly dock, velvet leaf to name a few), are rising! And we have to rise to meet them. Pulling them by the fistful and cultivating with the tractor- please let them be no match for us!
We are also continuing to plant! This means more ground to prep. Onto the tractor to mow, till, and amend the soil so it is ready for our fall broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and such. It is also just about time to hill our potatoes and ginger. For both of these crops, we pull soil up around their stems so that the plants are encouraged to make more of the delicious roots (tubers and rhizomes) that we love.
As seen in the pictures, we are also finally getting some trellis on the tomatoes! That's right! This year all the tomatoes in our tunnels and hightunnel are getting trellised to a single line. The line is wound on a spool, creatively called a "Tomahook". As the tomatoes grow, we prune off all the side shoots (suckers), let out more twine, and wrap it around the stem. Allegedly (on good evidence) this produces a bountiful, blemish free harvest. We admit to snacking on the first of some of the cherry tomatoes. They will not disappoint! We hope to finish all this trellising by end of day Saturday- wish us luck!!!
Thanks for all the love and support! See you at market this weekend!
Onward and upward! See you at market friends!
Helen, Jim, Amy, Shana, Elisa, Rose, Asia, Tyler and Brandon (Plus special guest start Eva back for a Lake Divide Hurrah): 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.
Fresh From the Field
Greens:
Chard
Head Lettuce!
Kale- Green Curly, Red Curly, and Tender Red Russian
Microgreens (Arugula, Radish, Brassica Mix and Broccoli)
Pea Shoots (limited)
Spinach (limited)
All Manner of Deliciousness
Beets!
Garlic Scapes
Scallions?
Summer Squash
Cucumbers!
Kohlrabi!
Radishes!
Herbs
Basil- pesto
Oregano- sauces and salad
Sage- roasts
Coming Soon:
Fennel
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
Ted 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/
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 Amy: 8 am to 3 pm (or till sold out), 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 Market, shed 2, Saturday with Shana 6 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 Jim "The Flame of The North" Neumann 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 a robot named Helen, Asia and Elisa!
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
- 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"
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
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