Here we are at the end of July already, about halfway through summer, and we've hardly had any summerlike weather. I'm no expert on these things, and I'm not originally from these parts... but it seems this has been an exceptionally cold summer around here. Being from the upper peninsula of Michigan, I don't mind the cool weather. Surprisingly, the veggies don't seem to mind it too much either. They just keep on coming. Even tomatoes and peppers are starting to ripen.
Everything moves so fast here that it can be hard to keep track of all the vegetables coming and going. As soon as one vegetable is done for the season (bye, ramps. see you next year, asparagus) it is replaced by a new vegetable just coming into season (hi, eggplant. good to see you again, tomatoes).
To date, this is a list of all the veggies I have gotten to know for the first time on the farm this year:
Ramps
Nettles
Sorrel
Burdock
Beauty heart radish
Black Spanish radish
Fresh horseradish (I know all about horseradish in a jar.)
Sunchokes
Komatsuna
Mizuna
Dandelion
Yukina savoy
Sweetheart cabbage
Green garlic
Amaranth

My brain has been very busy with all of this learning going on. It's kind of exciting to think about- when this season is over and I graduate from the Harmony Valley Vegetable Academy, I will be such a pro at seasonal cooking and eating. What a cool job.

Eat your Veggies!

Just a list of June & July CSA box contents, to match up with the pictures: Red leaf lettuce, Red Boston lettuce, Kohlrabi, Spinach, French Breakfast Radishes, Purple & White Scallions, Garlic Scapes, Yukina Savoy, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Arugula, Sauté Mix, Basil, Strawberries, Red Radish, Broccoli, Salad Mix, Napa Cabbage, Red Komatsuna, Yukina Savoy, Romaine Lettuce, Sugar Snap and Snow Peas, Summer Squash & Zucchini, Chard, Amaranth, Red Beets, Fennel, Fresh Garlic, Sweetheart Cabbage, White Cipollini Onions, Chioggia Beets, Carrots, Thai Basil, Cucumbers, Baby Bok Choi, Cauliflower, Sweet Spanish Onions, Green Savoy Cabbage, Gold Beets, Green Beans.

July update

Happy Summer! We are definitely in the midst of the peak season here at the farm and are keeping busy, busy, busy!

We had another hatching of chicks last night, so will have to do some rearranging in the chicken coop. The last bunch of chicks are ready to join the outside world and general poultry population, just in time to make room for these fluffballs.

Last week we started digging the garlic and sending it as fresh garlic to the CSA, as well as drying the bulk of it for later in the season. This week's CSA newsletter tells the whole Harmony Valley Farm garlic story. It's not easy, but it is so worth it!

The other animals are doing well and getting bigger every day! Adam & Darin rave about the beautiful pastures our cattle graze on and how well they are filling out. Dan keeps an eye on the goats and pigs - the pigs are fat & happy in their big pasture! Besides a whole bunch of veggie trimmings and compostables, they also get a couple buckets of organic grain each day.

Flame Weeder

I finally got to see the flame weeder in action! On Wednesday Richard trained José in on the art of burning up weeds in the carrot field. The carrots were planted about a week ago and some were just sprouting, but Richard said they were planted pretty densely so if some got burnt the field could afford that loss.

Basically the flame weeder is used when little weeds come up before your crop - you can burn the weeds off, leaving a clean field. A far more dramatic operation when done at night, but still pretty cool.

Barn dance!

I'm glad to see that so many people came out to enjoy some juicy tasty berries last week. For those of you who just can't get enough Harmony Valley, or for those of you who were unfortunately unable to make it to Strawberry Day on the 21st (I fall into this group), don't forget about our upcoming BARN DANCE next weekend, Saturday, July 11th! This is a big deal, because it is the only Saturday the whole season we aren't at the Dane County Farmers Market.
Join us at 2:00 for field tours, followed by a potluck dinner, and then dancing until the cows come home... or whenever.
We'd love to see you here! Don't forget to keep the "C" in your CSA. Take some time to relax, enjoy some good food and music, and meet the people who have been growing your tasty veggies! Check out our website and click on "events" if you'd like a little more info.

Thank you! Strawberry Day inspiration

I just wanted to take the time to thank all the members who attended the Strawberry Festival on Sunday. (special thanks to the first time CSA members!)

It’s wonderful to know where our food goes and how much it’s appreciated. What an inspiration you are! I’ll be sure to think of you all the next time I’m having one of those days when things aren’t going according to our plans (bad weather, equipment malfunctions).

You make it easy to keep on keepin’ on – farming that is.

Thank you!!
Sincerely yours,
Farmer Darin (picture soon come!)

First CSA box for June

We've had a wonderful and delightful, if cool, spring this year & here comes summer! What is that rhyme (nearly a limerick) my friend & co-worker Mike says? Something about the weather and fun things to do in the great out of doors. I'll have to try to remember it.

Here's some pictures of what we're getting out of the fields and into the CSA boxes these days.

Some may think I'm strange, but dang those baby white turnips are sexy!