farming

And So It Begins
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And So It Begins

Welcome to all of our shareholders. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and for you through out the growing season. We work hard to earn your trust and respect in the food that we grow for your families and ours! All of you should have received an email with more details of dates and specifics with the CSA. We are excited to see the daily changes and growth in the garden. Look for weekly blog posts for guidance throughout the season which will provide you with updates, ideas for your box of produce and recipes.

Did you know - that the young cucumber plants when they are cotyledons smell like a cucumber? We found that out as we were thinning the row. So we had a better plant population (plants properly spaced for optimal growth and production).

Did you know – that the young cucumber plants when they are cotyledons smell like a cucumber? We found that out as we were thinning the row. We thin the row so we have a plants properly spaced for optimal growth and production.

The potatoes have enjoyed the weather and were already in need of being hilled. Hilling helps the potato growth to occur under ground vs. above ground. We feel we have a more plentiful harvest when this is done. You will see the boys busy fertilizing the peas in the foreground.

The potatoes have enjoyed the weather and were already in need of being hilled. Hilling helps the potato growth to occur under ground vs. above ground (thus the greening of the potato). We feel we have a more plentiful harvest when this is done. You will see the boys busy fertilizing the peas in the foreground.

Pick-up and Delivery

Remember that pick-up and deliveries will be on the schedule you have arranged with Harner Brothers CSA with harvest on Wednesday evenings – please note the exceptions to this which were in the email.

It is your responsibility to know that the pick-up or drop-off time will occur at the agreed upon time, and it is your responsibility as a shareholder to know this and be responsible for the produce at that time. If you are unable to utilize your share that week, it is still your responsibility: find someone else to pick it up or donate it to the food shelf.

Each box is labeled for each family. The same boxes will be used for your family throughout the season. Boxes and containers should be returned the following week. Bags will only be used once.  

Garden Science

Potato bugs have reappeared. So we are again spending family bonding time picking the bugs and the eggs off of the potatoes and tomato plants.

Potato bugs have reappeared. So we are again spending family bonding time picking the bugs and the eggs off of the potatoes and tomato plants.

A lot has been done in the garden this past week including weeding, insect control and planting another crop of snap peas, green beans, beets, lettuces and spinach. Our biggest challenge this week are potato bugs!

We have done a lot of research over the last few years and will keep you posted as we work through this. This year we have again planted dill and marigolds around the potatoes with the hope that these plants would draw in beneficial insects to eat the potato bugs and the potato bug larvae. In addition, we have planted some 4’oclocks and wildflowers to also help bring in beneficial insects.

To say we were disappointed that the potato bugs found their way to the new field and have started eating tomato plants in addition to the potato plants is a gross understatement. Every night, we are out there picking potato bugs and their eggs off of the potato plants. What is even more frustrating is how they eat the potato plants as they emerge from the ground, and before the potato plants emerged, the potato bugs were eating the tomato plants.

 Boxes of Produce

This list is prepared before we harvest your share. Some guesswork is involved! We do our best to predict which crops will be ready to harvest, but sometimes crops are on the list that are not in the share, and sometimes crops will be in the share even though they’re not on the list. Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your hands before working with your produce and always wash your produce before eating.

The Harner Bros are the 5th generation to raise this rhubarb originally planted on our family farm and transplanted to this location.

The Harner Bros are the 5th generation to raise this rhubarb originally planted on our family farm and transplanted to this location.

Rhubarb – One pound equals about 3 cups. Wash, cut the ends off, cut off any bad parts damaged by wind, chop into 1/4 – 1/2 inch pieces. No need to peel You can freeze it in a Ziploc bag (no blanching) and use for months to come. Our family loves it in muffins, breads, jam, pie, crisp, sauce and torte. Check out earlier posts on rhubarb for recipe ideas.

Asparagus – Fresh cut asparagus from the Chute’s Farm Fresh Gardens in Aitkin, Minnesota. These farmers are friends of ours who we know from Farm Bureau and also the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program. They had some extra they wanted to share with us, and the delivery time worked out well. Enjoy! See how asparagus is harvested in California.

Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce – One of my favorite garden crops.  Some of the crops are ran under cold well water to take the field heat off of them so they last longer in your refrigerators. They are not washed – just cooled. So remember to wash your vegetables before eating. See how lettuce is grown throughout the year so it is available in our grocery stores even on our cold Minnesota days.

Red Oak Leaf Lettuce – I love this beautiful red lettuce leaf. It adds such a wonderful color to your salads.

Spinach – remember to wash before eating. A combination of these vegetables will make such a wonderful meal! Check out some of Martha Stewart’s spinach recipes.

Beet/Beet Leaves – Many times I have seen in high-end restaurants beet leaves in my salads. Well here is your opportunity. These are young plants that we are thinning out of the rows – eat the whole plant. It will add color and nutrition to your salads. Learn more here.

Now that's a radish. Our French Radish and Cherry Belle radishes are plentiful. This one was as big as Sam's hand.

Now that’s a radish. Our French Radish and Cherry Belle radishes are plentiful. This one was as big as Sam’s hand.

Radishes – wash, cut off the tops and also the bottoms, slice and enjoy in salads. Some enjoy dipping in salt.

Herb – chives – wash then chop up chives into small pieces. I enjoy using them in

Fresh cut arrangement – herbs pots – includes three of one of the following: silver thyme, rosemary, sweet basil, parsley and/or purple basil.

Recipe of the Week

Rhubarb Juice

Rhubarb Juice

Rhubarb Juice

Thank you to my friends at Feltis Farms CSA for sharing this delicious recipe.

8 lbs. diced rhubarb
2 gallons water
2 12 oz. cans frozen orange juice concentrate…
2 46 oz. cans pineapple juice
2 3 oz. boxes strawberry gelatin
4 cups sugar

In LARGE pot combine water and rhubarb. Cook down until rhubarb is soft. Drain. Discard rhubarb. Add sugar. Stir until dissolved. Add remaining ingredients.

Enjoy immediately.

Or cook in for 10 minutes at 5 lbs. pressure in canner to enjoy this winter.

What’s Clucking
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What’s Clucking

While our egg laying enterprise is separate from our CSA, we know that many of you enjoy hearing and seeing the activities.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza affecting poultry farmers across Minnesota and the United States. We thought it would be appropriate to keep all of you informed.

This virus knows no limits affecting both small 4-H flocks to larger farms… affecting farms of all sizes. On the Banks of Squaw Creek does a great job of explaining precautions to take with Backyard Flocks, and how it affects them as poultry farmers. In fact, scientists and veterinarians are working feverishly to understand this virus, and how they can protect our poultry flocks. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced in May that all bird exhibitions at county fairs, the State Fair, and other gatherings of birds were canceled for the remainder of 2015.

It’s important to know that this is NOT a food safety risk – read more from the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association. Also this is not a human health issue. It is an avian (bird) virus. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has information on the virus.

In addition, on our way home from South Dakota where we were staying by a primary migratory bird area (believed to be a mode of distribution of the virus) and drove past an infected HPAI farm…we stopped at the car wash and washed our truck thoroughly, and I sprayed Lysol and bleach on everything upon our return home. This as a precautionary measure to disinfect and kill any HPAI virus we may have come in contact with.

These are safety precautions that we know are important to the health of our flock. While our flock is small in comparison, our investment of time, effort and the care we have for them is still important to us. We lost a flock a few years ago to a fire, and we will do what we can to protect the health and safety of this flock from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Here is an interview of a farmer I have had the privilege to work with. I believe this will give you a perspective of the challenges they face. Please say a prayer for all of the families that have been affected.

Chick(en) Update

On February 28, we received an email from McMurray Hatchery that our chicks that were to be both our 4-H chickens (Lakenvelders) and our replacement layer hens (Black Stars) had been shipped. At 6:30 a.m. we received a call from the local Post Office saying they were in. The excitement was like Christmas at our house

On February 28, we received an email from McMurray Hatchery that our chicks that were to be both our 4-H chickens (Lakenvelders) and our replacement layer hens (Black Stars) had been shipped. At 6:30 a.m. we received a call from the local post office saying they had arrived. The excitement was like Christmas at our house.

The Black Stars are now 11 weeks old.

The Black Stars are now 11 weeks old.

Lakenvelders are as well. Very pretty colors on both birds.

The Lakenvelders are as well. Both breeds of chickens have very pretty patterned colors in their feathers.

Next the boys selected which hens and which roosters should mate in order to get fertilized eggs to hatch in their classrooms.

Next the boys selected which hens and which roosters should mate in order to get fertilized eggs to hatch in their classrooms.

This is one of our roosters a Barred Rock.

This is one of our roosters a Barred Rock.

The fertilized eggs were placed into incubators in the boys classrooms for 21 days where they monitored the temperature and humidity. After that period of time, each had 7 hatch in their classrooms. The lessons learned by the students are always fun and amazing to see.

The fertilized eggs were placed into incubators in the boys classrooms for 21 days where they monitored the temperature and humidity. This is a much more encompassing process.  After that period of time, each had 7 chicks hatch in their classrooms. The lessons learned by the students are always fun and amazing to see.

The chicks are now3 weeks old and are growing like crazy.

The chicks are now 3 weeks old and are growing like crazy.

Another part of managing a healthy flock is examining the birds the birds for their productivity (egg laying). The hens that were getting to old and not laying were processed and then donated to the local food shelves. The boys feel good that the hens are helping families in need. As parents we feel it is important to help them to understand the circle of life and the importance of giving back.

Another part of managing a healthy flock is examining the birds for their productivity (egg laying ability). The hens that were getting to old and not laying were processed and then donated to the local food shelves. The boys feel good that the hens are helping families in need. As parents we feel it is important to help them to understand the circle of life and the importance of giving back.

On the Move
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On the Move

We have been on the move at Harner Brothers CSA. Moving our garden from its original space to our field. We have divided the field into our own “mini-fields.” We hope this will allow us to more efficiently manage the soil health, insects and plant health. In the meantime, the old garden area is being planted with a cover crop. Using moveable pens, we will be putting some of our younger hens that are not laying yet and our roosters on that land area with the hope that they will eat some of the bad insects such as potato bugs and squash bugs.

As usual, there will be a lot of science projects going on this summer. Stay tuned. As usual, agriculture is always interesting! Enjoy a quick glimpse into what we have been working on.

This past fall, the boys used profits from the extra rhubarb sales to send in a donation to Gillette's Children's Hospital and the American Red Cross. Let us know if you are in need of any before the CSA starts or if you would like extra during the season. We use this as an opportunity to teach the kids the importance of giving back.

This past fall, the boys used profits from the extra rhubarb sales to send in a donation to Gillette’s Children’s Hospital and the American Red Cross. Let us know if you are in need of any rhubarb ($3 per pound) before the CSA starts, or if you would like extra during the season. We use this as an opportunity to teach the kids the importance of giving back.

In early April we started the herbs. Seeds come in all sizes. The herb seeds are particularly tiny.

In early April, we started the herbs. Seeds come in all sizes. The herb seeds are particularly tiny.

The boys helped to prepare the herb pots by using the cordless drill to ensure their is a drain hole in the bottom of the pot. Much like tile drainage systems in a field, the drain hole in this pot helps to keep the roots of the plants healthy by draining any extra water that seeps through the soil to the bottom of the pot. If the hole was not there for the access water to drain out the plant would not be healthy.

The boys helped to prepare the herb pots by using the cordless drill to ensure there is a drain hole in the bottom of the pot. Much like tile drainage systems in a field, the drain hole in this pot helps to keep the roots of the plants healthy by draining any extra water that seeps through the soil to the bottom of the pot. If the hole was not there for the access water to drain out, the plant would not be healthy.

Don't let my photo bomber fool you...they worked mighty hard this day in April. Thank you to FarGaze Farms for the use of the tillage equipment to work up the ground to prepare it for planting. We worked up our old garden to plant a cover crop to add fertility to the soil and provide additional area for our chickens (non-laying hens such as roosters and pullets) so they can eat bad insects such as potato bugs (insect control). We are utilizing our field which will allow for more room for growing vines. Look for us to sell pink pumpkins this fall with proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research.

Don’t let my photo bomber fool you…they worked mighty hard this day in April. Thank you to FarGaze Farms for the use of the tillage equipment to work up the ground to prepare it for planting. We worked up our old garden to plant a cover crop to add fertility to the soil and provide additional area for our chickens (non-laying hens such as roosters and pullets) so they can eat bad insects such as potato bugs (insect control). We are utilizing our field which will allow for more room for growing vines. Look for us to sell pink pumpkins this fall with proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research.

At the end of our first work day in the field, we had accomplished a lot working up the old garden and the field and building and painting a new moveable chicken pen. It was a great day for teaching work ethic and the need to work hard when Mother Nature allows you the opportunity.

At the end of our first work day in the field, we had accomplished a lot: working up the old garden and the field and building and painting a new moveable chicken pen. It was a great day for teaching work ethic and the need to work hard when Mother Nature allows you the opportunity.

PIcking rock is part of preparing the field so we don't ruin our tiller or other equipment.

Picking rock is part of preparing the field so we don’t ruin our tiller or other equipment.

We have planted five varieties of potatoes. They weren't in by Good Friday but they were in on April 18. The spring has been cooperative as far as temperatures, but we sure could use a good rain.

We have planted five varieties of potatoes. They weren’t in by Good Friday, but they were in on April 18. The spring has been cooperative as far as temperatures, but we sure could use a good rain.

We also planted several cold season crops on April 18 including a few different varieties of lettuces, spinach, radishes, sugar snap peas and beets.

We also planted several cold season crops on April 18 including a few different varieties of lettuces, spinach, radishes, sugar snap peas and beets.

We preplanted our large pumpkins. We are excited to have a larger area for vines as part of our experiments including three varieties of giant pumpkins. We thought these "natural" pots looked interesting. They are made of sterilized cattle manure and should break down nicely in the soil as the pumpkins grow.

We pre-planted three varieties of large pumpkins. We are excited to have a larger area for vines as part of our experiments. We thought these “natural” pots looked interesting. They are made of sterilized cattle manure and should break down nicely in the soil as the pumpkins grow.

The giant pumpkins have begun to emerge with the first set of leaves - the cotyledons. I always think it is fun to see the seed pod still attached to these emerging leaves. The pumpkins are planted in the field waiting for a good drink of rain.

The giant pumpkins have begun to emerge with the first set of leaves – the cotyledons. I always think it is fun to see the seed pod still attached to these emerging leaves. The pumpkins are planted in the field waiting for a good drink of rain.

At the end of this past weekend, we had over 50 varieties of vegetables and flowers planted. The boys commented that they way we have laid the field out into its own mini-fields that it will look cool when everything is growing. This weekend was beautiful with it warming up to about 80 degrees F. We did not receive much rain on Sunday but were thankful we missed the large hail that came with that storm.

At the end of this past weekend, we had over 50 varieties of vegetables and flowers planted. The boys commented are excited to see how it all looks when the mini-fields begin to grow. This weekend was beautiful with it warming up to about 80 degrees F. We did not receive much rain on Sunday but were thankful we missed the large hail that came with that storm.

 

 

Popping into the Holidays
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Popping into the Holidays

From fall to winter, where have the last few months gone? In October, we were busy with garden clean-up and November with organizing  year-end and making sure the popcorn was drying down. Great news – the popcorn is dried and packaged for delivery. Look for the popcorn soon. Just in time to enjoy for the holidays.

If you are interested in being a shareholder next year, please let us know. An updated contract can be found here.

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

What’s Growing On?

Thankfully, we had a nice day to harvest popcorn. It is interesting to see how different the varities of popcorn are from the stalk size and strength to the ear size to the size of the kernels.

Thankfully, we had a nice day to harvest popcorn. It is interesting to see how different the varieties of popcorn are from the stalk size and strength to the ear size to the size of the kernels.

The popcorn ears were beautiful. The strawberry popcorn had the smallest ears and the blue popcorn had the largest ears. We saw cross pollination of the white and blue varities.

The popcorn ears were beautiful. The strawberry popcorn had the smallest ears, and the blue popcorn had the largest ears. We saw cross-pollination of the white and blue varieties. The boys thought these ears looked like U of M Gopher colors.

Using Steve's Grandparents corn sheller we shelled the corn after they had dried for about two months.

Using Steve’s Grandparents corn sheller, we shelled the corn after it had dried for about two months. If it had too much moisture in the kernels, it would not store well, but instead would become moldy during storage and have no shelf life.

After the boys had shelled the popcorn, the jars were carefully filled by our helpers.

After the boys had shelled the popcorn, the jars were carefully filled by our helpers. It was interesting to see how much each variety yielded (produced) and lead to good math application of how much more of each variety should be planted next year to make the yield we would like. We plan on growing a lot more strawberry popcorn as it is a shareholder favorite and since the ears are smaller twice as much needs to be planted in order to yield the same as the blue and white varieties.

Here is the Red, White, and Blue Popcorn that you will receive. We have found that an air popper works great to pop these kernels. Enjoy!

Here is the Red, White, and Blue Popcorn that you will receive. We have found that an air popper works great to pop these kernels. Enjoy!

Garden Science

The weekends were busy cleaning up the garden. We shredded many of the plants so that the plants would break down during the winter months. This provides us with a great opportunity to discuss safety with our kids to wear eye and ear protection.

The weekends were busy cleaning up the garden. We shredded many of the plants so that the plants would break down during the winter months. This provides us with a great opportunity to discuss safety with our kids to wear eye and ear protection.

The boys cut down the sunflowers. This sunflower was a nemesis to Sam because the stalk was so big. He had to get a spade to get the stalk out.

The boys cut down the sunflowers. This sunflower was a nemesis to Sam because the stalk was so big. He had to get a spade to get the stalk out.

As we cleaned up the sunflowers, it was fun to see the different stages that the sunflower was in, from blossom to seed to and almost empty head due to the birds enjoying the sunflower seeds.

As we cleaned up the sunflowers, it was fun to see the different stages that the sunflower was in, from blossom to seed to and almost empty heads due to the birds enjoying the sunflower seeds.

By the end of September the majority of the garden was cleaned out. We told the boys if we worked hard that weekend, that the following weekend we could do something fun as a family.

By the end of September, the majority of the garden was cleaned out. We told the boys if we worked hard that weekend, that the following weekend we could do something fun as a family. So we did, we went camping.

We also are attempting to grow garlic. You asked for it. We are trying it and planted some this fall.

We also built and planted a garlic garden. You asked for it. We are trying it and planted some this fall.

In the Kitchen

We juiced some of our tomatoes using the juicer from Steve's grandparents. We use this juice to make spaghetti and pizza sauce throughout the year and my parents enjoy the tomato juice.

We juiced some of our tomatoes using the juicer from Steve’s grandparents. We use this juice to make spaghetti and pizza sauce throughout the year and my parents enjoy the tomato juice.

We also made the tomatoes, peppers and onions into homemade salsa.

We also made the tomatoes, peppers and onions into homemade salsa.

Sam enjoyed using one of my favorite garden tools to chop peppers.

Sam enjoyed using one of my favorite garden tools to chop peppers for the salsa.

Our chickens are still producing eggs during the cold winter. Let us know if you are interested in purchasing any for $3 per dozen. On another note, the boys are interested to know if you like brown, white or the blueish/green colored eggs the best - what do you prefer?

Our chickens are still producing eggs during the cold winter. Let us know if you are interested in purchasing any for $3 per dozen. On another note, the boys are interested to know if you like brown, white or the blueish/green colored eggs the best – what do you prefer? We are preparing to get more chickens next spring and are considering the different breeds that would work best with our goals and consumer preferences.

Opportunities and Challenges
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Opportunities and Challenges

We were happy to finishing digging potatoes this week. It was a beautiful fall evening to do this!

We were happy to finishing digging potatoes this week. It was a beautiful fall evening to do this!

It is hard to believe that this growing season is almost behind us. Like every growing season, there have been so many opportunities and challenges during the season.

Opportunities

1. Getting to know all of you better. We truly enjoy this opportunity to have great conversations and laughs with all of you while providing some garden joys for you and your families.

2. Working together as a family. While this can be challenging at times, it truly provides great opportunities of spending time together, learning together and accomplishing many things together.

3. Bringing science to life. When you see science in action it provides awesome hands on learning experiences difficult to replicate.

Challenges

Every challenge presents an opportunity for learning, and we have learned a lot and have plans for improvement next growing season. It is always interesting to discuss these challenges as a family. I am always amazed by our kids’ ingenuity and insightful thinking to provide a workable solution.

1. Peppers – Interesting year of growing peppers. Our bell peppers did not produce as much as they have in the past. We feel the weather simply wasn’t conducive for this vegetable. The new varieties of peppers that we planted are just coming into production now – interesting how the seeds were planted in March and production has just begun on those.

2. Pumpkin/Gourds – A variety of molds set in on the leaves – which killed the leaves and stopped the plant from growing. We also had squash bugs that loved to eat the pumpkins and gourds.

We learned a valuable lesson on seed saving and what is frustrating to both of us is we should have both thought of this! We saved pumpkin seeds from last year’s white pumpkins which were a hybrid pumpkins  A hybrid is created when plant breeders intentionally cross-pollinate two different varieties or species (ex. two different types of pumpkins), aiming to produce an offspring (hybrid) containing the best traits of the two parents. While we knew saving the seeds and planting them would be an experiment and one we could all learn from – the valuable lesson was as follows. Not every plant’s seeds are worth keeping. Hybrids are wonderful plants, but the seed is often sterile or does not reproduce true to the parent plant. Therefore, never save the seed from hybrids.

3. Replanting – lettuce, flowers, cabbage and garlic. Throughout the growing season, we continue to plant new crops of the vegetables to keep you supplied, and fresh veggies growing throughout the year. That is if Mother Nature cooperates. We went from a cool, wet June (in fact the wettest June in Minnesota history) to a very dry few weeks in July. I planted a few different crops of lettuces and flowers in July and had no luck of them growing due to the lack of rain. It didn’t matter if I irrigated. Nothing grew. As soon as we had some rain (about four weeks after I had planted), the lettuce seeds I had planted grew. The flowers on the other hand were delayed immensely and never produced. I planted garlic this spring – no luck – no growth. I am going to attempt to plant some this fall with the hope that we will have garlic this spring.

4. Insects – I mentioned the squash bugs earlier, and we have discussed the potato bugs on previous blogs. To control these insects, we are discussing additional flowers to plant in order to generate more beneficial insects, as well as other options for crop rotation that may help to get rid of these nemesis.

Fall Clean-up has began. Check it out. It doesn’t look the same out there. The boys have been fantastic help. Putting in long days to accomplish the tasks. They are good workers!

Clean-up has begun preparing for the cold weather to set in. Some of the plants have been mulched, the green mulch has been pulled. Above, Keith and Steve are rolling up the irrigation tubing for winter storage.

Clean-up has begun preparing for the cold weather to set in. Some of the plants have been shredded, and the green mulch has been pulled. Above, Keith and Steve are rolling up the irrigation tubing for winter storage.

Garden Science

So what has been eating the potatoes. We think it may be a vole. Don't worry these were recycled and fed to the chickens!

So what has been eating the potatoes. We think it may be voles. Don’t worry these potatoes were recycled as chicken feed!

 

Boxes of Produce

Reminder – This is the last week of the CSA boxes. This is a bonus box due to the interesting growing season. Thank you all for being shareholders this growing season.

Boxes and supplies can be returned at any time or in a few weeks when we connect about the red, white and blue popcorn.

This is how the boys feel when we are done harvesting one of the crops: excited, proud and relieved. Thank you all for a great season! We appreciate your trust and the opportunity to work with all of you!

This is how the boys feel when we are done harvesting one of the crops: excited, proud and relieved. Thank you all for a great season! We appreciate your trust and the opportunity to work with all of you!

Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your hands before working with your produce and always wash your produce before eating.

Carrots – Enjoy these fresh carrots!

Broccoli – I enjoy broccoli on my salads or I cook them on the grill and melt some sharp cheddar cheese over it.

Beets – One of my favorite garden vegetables. On the other hand my husband says they taste like dirt:)

Peppers – Jalapeno peppers and Bell Peppers – remember to cut these up and freeze them so you can use throughout the winter.

Tomatoes – Baby Boomer cherry tomatoes, Big Mamma, Sunny Boy (yellow), Honey Delight (small yellow) and Fourth of July  (medium red) and cherry tomatoes. Do you have to many?  Try freezing them by simply cutting out the core, slicing them into quarters and place in a Ziploc bag for soups and chilli this winter.

Onions – No onions in the box this week, but I wanted to remind you that you can also preserve the onions by cutting them up and freezing them. It makes cooking a breeze when you don’t have that mess to clean up when a Tablespoon of onion is called for. It’s a lot easier to reach in the freezer and grab some frozen onions for the recipe.

Sam is holding the potato plant. Potatoes grow under the ground and are a tuber. Sometimes when you pull up the dead plant the potatoes come out attached to the plant like you see here.

Sam is holding the potato plant. Potatoes grow under the ground and are a tuber. Sometimes when you pull up the dead plant the potatoes come out attached to the plant like you see here.

Potatoes – Red Pontiac  – the link is to more potato basics and recipe ideas. Masquarde Potatoes –  A tasty potato that everyone in our house is excited to eat. These potatoes can be cooked or baked. I have had luck using this potato in many ways. It is very versatile. Kennebec potatoes – great for baked potatoes.

Butternut Squash – Freeze your leftovers in a cupcake tin and store in a ziplock bag or container. Use throughout the year as your “pumpkin” in your recipes.

Spaghetti Squash – I have frozen this squash as well. Cook it up, take it out of the “shell” by using your fork to make it like spaghetti and freeze in portions that your family will use or that a recipe will call for. When thawing, I simply placed the frozen spaghetti squash in boiling water for a few minutes (just enough to thaw), and I was all set to go. 

Carnival Squash –  This squash has a nutty mild flavor and reminds me of an acorn squash.

We have a variety of different colored egg shells because we have different breads of chickens. The brown shelled eggs are from Red Stars, green shells from Araucana and white shelled eggs from Leghorns.

We have a variety of different colored egg shells because we have different breads of chickens. The brown shelled eggs are from Red Stars, green shells from Araucana and white shelled eggs from Leghorns. There is no nutritional difference, and the egg tastes is the same.

Eggs – Enjoy – let us know if you would like any eggs in the future. The boys sell them for $3 per dozen.

Sweet Corn – Thank you to FarGaze Farms for this partnership in growing the sweet corn. Enjoy! To freeze my corn, I simply cook it as if I were going to eat it, cut it off the cob, place it in a container and freeze. To me, it is about keeping it simple and easy.

Fresh Arrangement – Hydrangea and Sedum – these can both be kept as fresh arrangements or dry arrangements. To dry – simply put in a vase with no water – enjoy for the remainder of the fall.

 

Recipe of the Week

Tater Tot Hotdish

A Minnesota favorite…I once had a Minnesotan who was born in California tell me, “I don’t know why you Minnesotans waste perfectly good tater tots on a hotdish.” This is a family favorite and an easy way to use many of your fresh or frozen vegetables.

Brown:

1 pound of hamburger

1 Tablespoon onion

Mix in:

1 can of Cream of Mushroom/Cream of Chicken Soup

Frozen corn, peas and/or green beans

Top with tater tots (I was curious to see how some potatoes cut into French fries would work, but I have not tried that yet.)

Cook in 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 1/2 hour or until edges are bubbling. Enjoy!

Brown 1 pound of hamburger and about 1 Tablespoon onion.

Brown 1 pound of hamburger and about 1 Tablespoon onion.

I have also used venison. I am fortunate to have beef from my parents farm that we use. This can be browned over the stove or in the microwave.

I have also used venison. I am fortunate to have beef from my parents farm that we use. This can be browned over the stove or in the microwave.

Add a can of Cream of Mushroom/Cream of Chicken soup - I like using a blend. Add about 1 1/2 cups of vegetables. I used corn, green beans and peas. Mix all of this together with the hamburger.

Add a can of Cream of Mushroom/Cream of Chicken soup – I like using a blend. Add about 1 1/2 cups of vegetables. I used corn, green beans and peas. Mix all of this together with the hamburger.

Top with frozen tator tots. Place in the oven and cook at 350 degrees F for 1/2 hour or until edges are bubbling.

Top with frozen tater tots. Place in the oven and cook at 350 degrees F for 1/2 hour or until edges are bubbling.

Enjoy! Sometimes the boys like to eat it with ketchup on it.

Enjoy! Sometimes the boys like to eat it with ketchup on it.

 

Potato Bread

Check out this link for the recipe and photos to make this delicious bread.

A family favorite is potato bread. It really is quite simple and unbelievable moist. I served these buns with the hotdish along with some fresh melon from last week.

A family favorite is potato bread. It really is quite simple and unbelievable moist. I served these buns with the hotdish along with some fresh melon from last week.

 

 

 

Unveiling Surprises
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Unveiling Surprises

The boys still had smiles after the many hours of harvesting.

The boys still had smiles after many hours of harvesting.

It was a busy weekend of harvesting and a few long days out in the garden. At one point as we were peeling back the husks on the ornamental corn Sam said, “Boy this is actually fun!” Every ear of corn unveiled a different surprise and fun colors.

The boys were out with us the entire day. You may wonder how we kept everyone motivated. Three keys were: music, machines and food! Cranking the music was a motivator in the field when I was young, and it continues to make the field work more enjoyable and entertaining today!

Machines always motivate boys because my boys are always interested in cool machines. Machines also help to ease the work load. This work is hard enough so anything that can improve efficiencies is a great thing!

I try hard to make some of their favorite foods for snack breaks and meals to help make the experience more enjoyable and to serve as a good motivator! I remember that my mom worked hard to do that for us, and it was very helpful. It also makes you feel loved and appreciated. I also remember working for some of our neighbors. You would have thought snack/lunch breaks were another meal time, and the food was always amazing!

It is hard for us to believe that the growing season is coming to an end. Mother Nature reminded us of that with its cooler temperatures last week. While we didn’t see a frost at our place, all you needed to do was look at the low-lying areas immediately around us to see that those areas did receive a frost putting an end to the growing season on those areas of the plant.

Look forward to a full box next week as we continue to harvest the crops!

We used a mulcher for the vines and stems so that they would break down and incorporate into the soil for organic matter.

We used a mulcher for the vines and stems so that they would break down and incorporate into the soil for organic matter.

The cats have been quite the entertainment. I caught them playing in the corn stalks.

The cats have been quite entertaining. I caught them playing in the corn stalks.

Boxes of Produce

Reminder – Next we is the last week of the CSA boxes. This is longer than your contract stated due to the interesting growing season!

This list is prepared before we harvest your share. Some guesswork is involved! We do our best to predict which crops will be ready to harvest, but sometimes crops are on the list that are not in the share. Sometimes crops will be in the share even though they’re not on the list.

Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your hands before working with your produce and always wash your produce before eating.

Carrots – A few to try – more should be ready next week!

Broccoli – Some interesting facts from Americas Heartland.

Peppers – Jalapeno peppers and Bell Peppers

Sunny Boys

Sunny Boys

Tomatoes – Baby Boomer cherry tomatoes, Big Mamma, Sunny Boy (yellow), Honey Delight (small yellow) and Fourth of July  (medium red) and cherry tomatoes – Let us know if you need some tomatoes for canning. We ask for canning amounts that you give a free will donation.

Onions – Walla Walla, Snow White, yellow Candy and Giant Red Hamburger (purple) – We pulled this crop this weekend and are drying the remaining onions.

Norland

Norland

Potatoes – Red Pontiac  – the link is to more potato basics and recipe ideas. Masquarde Potatoes –  A tasty potato that everyone in our house is excited to eat. Purple Majesty – I used these as French fries this weekend. I cut them into French fries and place in a bowl of ice water for about 20-30 minutes. Then pat dry and place in the deep fat fryer.

Spaghetti Squash – Choice of squash. Either Spaghetti or Carnival. Here is a recipe for Spaghetti squash from the Pioneer Woman and Taste of Home.

The Carnival squash has a thick exterior and has spotted and striped colors of white, orange, yellow and green, depending on its level of maturity. The presence of post-harvest green coloring indicates that the squash is still at its peak maturity. As the squashes ages, it will eventually only maintain orange and cream colors. It is semi-dry and firm in texture, fragrant and its flavoring, mild. The squash's true flavors only emerge once cooked. Then its flesh becomes richer, buttery, nutty and sweet.

The Carnival squash has a thick exterior and has spotted and striped colors of white, orange, yellow and green, depending on its level of maturity. The presence of post-harvest green coloring indicates that the squash is still at its peak maturity. As the squashes ages, it will eventually only maintain orange and cream colors. It is semi-dry and firm in texture, fragrant and its flavoring, mild. The squash’s true flavors only emerge once cooked. Then its flesh becomes richer, buttery, nutty and sweet.

Carnival Squash – Choice of squash – see above picture. This squash has a nutty mild flavor and reminds me of an acorn squash.

Sweet Corn – Thank you to FarGaze Farms for this partnership in growing the sweet corn. Enjoy! Here’s an interesting link about sweet corn research from America’s Heartland.

Melons – A variety to choose from. Let us know what you think! Unfortunately we had some interesting Mother Nature challenges here as well which prevented us from having more for each of you. We hope you enjoy this sample, and we hope that next year will provide better opportunities for all of us.

Some of the broom corn was 12 feet long. We cut it down to 8 feet so it was more manageable for you.

Some of the broom corn was 12 feet long. We cut it down to 8 feet so it was more manageable for you.

Fresh Arrangement –ornamental corn, corn bunches and pumpkins

A variety of pumpkins to choose from.

A variety of pumpkins to choose from. We tried some pink pumpkins this year and were pleasantly surprised with their color and weight of this pumpkin.

Garden Science

This ear of corn had a number of kernels sprout and start to grow new corn. Why? Well if the ears of corn didn't "drop" when fully mature moisture gets into the ear of corn and causes this. Drop, in this case, means that it is still attached to the stalk but instead of the plant holding the ear in the upright position, the ear of corn now faces the ground instead of the sun.

This ear of corn had a number of kernels sprout and start to grow new corn. Why? Well if the ears of corn didn’t “drop” when fully mature moisture gets into the ear of corn and causes this to occur. “Drop,” in this case, means that the ear of corn is still attached to the stalk but instead of the plant holding the ear in the upright position, the ear of corn now faces the ground instead of the sun.

 

If you look really closely, you will see small dots on these kernels of corn. The dots are where the silk or the female part of the plant attached to the baby kernel of corn. In other words you could think of it like a belly button.

If you look really closely, you will see small dots on these kernels of corn. The dots are where the silk or the female part of the plant attached to the baby kernel of corn. In other words you could think of it like a belly button. The connection of the female part of the corn, silk, to the baby kernel.

These kernels had a unique curve pattern going around the cob of the plant. Beautiful color as well!

These kernels had a unique curve pattern going around the cob of the plant. Beautiful color as well!

 

Recipe of the Week

Lefse is a family favorite and is part of my family heritage, a cultural food from Scandinavia. I remember making lefse throughout my life and love sharing this with our boys. I am thankful that I have a husband that also loves this food.

After all of our hard work, there were a few potatoes that were stabbed by the potato fork. I used those potatoes to mix up some lefse. On Sunday, afternoon we brought out the lefse grills. The boys couldn't wait!

After all of our hard work, there were a few potatoes that were stabbed by the potato fork. I used those potatoes to mix up some lefse. On Sunday, afternoon we brought out the lefse grills. The boys couldn’t wait! This is a family tradition on my side that we are excited to pass down to the next generation!

Lefse

Dash of salt

4 cups of cooked potatoes

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup cream

1 Tablespoon sugar

Mash together the above ingredients. Place in refrigerator to cool for at least 4 hours to 24 hours. When cool add 3/4 cup flour to every 1 cup potatoes. As potatoes get colder use less flour. Mix together and form into logs. Cut each potato log into 4-5 pieces. Roll out like a pie crust to about 1/4 inch or thinner. Fry on grill heated for 425-500 degrees. Lefse will look similar to a quesadilla. Spread with butter and sugar and roll up. Enjoy!

Potato lefse begins with mashed potatoes mixed with butter, cream and sugar. We use our "misfit" potatoes. Potatoes that were odd shapes, really small or that we stabbed with the potato fork while digging.

Potato lefse begins with mashed potatoes mixed with butter, cream and sugar. We use our “misfit” potatoes. Potatoes that were odd shapes, really small or that we stabbed with the potato fork while digging.

After mixing together the cold potato mix and the flour, the mixture is shaped into logs and cut into about 5 pieces.

After mixing together the cold potato mix and the flour, the mixture is shaped into logs and cut into about 5 pieces.

The balls of potatoes are shapped into circles and rolled out until they are about 1/4 inch thick.

The balls of potatoes are flattened out, shaped into circles and rolled out until they are about 1/4 inch thick.

Using a lefse stick, they are then gently rolled out onto a lefse grill. We have two grills. One of our grills is my Grandma Rialson's.

Using a lefse stick, they are then gently lifted from the pastry cloth and rolled out onto a lefse grill. We have two grills. One of our grills is my Grandma’s.

Our lefse sticks also hold meaning. Some are from my Grandma Railson. Keith noticed Grandma's signature on his. Some Steve has made and another is from a family friend. The sticks are used to gently pat bubbles out of the lefse as it is cooked and then used to flip the lefse over to grill each side until light brown spots form. Once cooked on both sides the lefse is placed between a couple kitchen towels and wrapped up to prevent the edges from drying. When all the lefse is cooked, the stack of lefse is quite high!

Our lefse sticks also hold meaning. Some are from my Grandma. Keith noticed Grandma’s signature on his. Steve has also made a few and another is from a family friend. The sticks are used to gently pat bubbles out of the lefse as it is cooked and then used to flip the lefse over to grill each side until light brown spots form. Once cooked on both sides the lefse is placed between a couple of kitchen towels and wrapped up to prevent the edges from drying. When all the lefse is cooked, the stack of lefse is quite high!

Making lefse does take some skill. This is how proud Sam was after flipping his lefse on the grill. The biggest reward ... the awesome taste of fresh lefse with butter and sugar on it and rolled up. We love it!

Making lefse does take some skill. This is how proud Sam was after flipping his lefse on the grill. The biggest reward … the awesome taste of fresh lefse with butter and sugar on it and rolled up. We love it! We then package it up into Ziplock bags and freeze. Thaw out as needed and enjoy!

Nearing the End
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Nearing the End

We started the great potato dig this weekend. It is always fun to find the large treasurers hidden under the ground.

We started the great potato dig this weekend. It is always fun to find the large treasurers hidden under the ground.

The season is nearing the end, and Mother Nature reminded us of that today. The boys said that the only way they would warm up is if I put them in the clothes dryer! Now the thought of that made me chuckle! Yes indeed it went from the 70s yesterday to feeling like 40 degrees tonight. We received 4/10 of an inch of rain today. Thankful it wasn’t snow!

Look for fall decorative items next week. It will be a busy weekend of harvesting them, but it is always fun to see what is unveiled!

Boxes of Produce

Reminder – there will be two more weeks of the CSA boxes. This is longer than your contract stated due to the interesting growing season!

This list is prepared before we harvest your share. Some guesswork is involved! We do our best to predict which crops will be ready to harvest, but sometimes crops are on the list that are not in the share. Sometimes crops will be in the share even though they’re not on the list.

Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your hands before working with your produce and always wash your produce before eating.

Salad Mix – A break this week due to the dry weather we had in early August, this crop did not grow when I planted it. But good news, the next round of lettuce and spinach did grow, and we should have some back in your boxes next week.

Beets – Taking a break from this vegetable to allow them to grow more. Don’t worry, we will empty the garden out before the last box.

Carrots – A few carrots this week. We hope that the remainder of the crop grows well before the end of the growing season.

Green Beans  – This is our last crop of beans – hope you have been freezing or canning them if you haven’t been able to use them.

Broccoli – I think I need to give this recipe a try from Pioneer Woman.

Cucumbers – This very likely may be your last cucumbers of the season.

Kohlrabi – Here are some ideas from Martha Stewart.

Peppers – Jalapeno peppers and Bell Peppers

Tomatoes – Baby Boomer cherry tomatoes, Big Mamma, Sunny Boy (yellow), Honey Delight (small yellow) and Fourth of July  (medium red) and cherry tomatoes – Let us know if you need some tomatoes for canning. We ask for canning amounts that you give a free will donation.

Onions – Walla Walla, Snow White, yellow Candy and Giant Red Hamburger (purple) – We pulled this crop this weekend and are drying the remaining onions.

Potatoes – Red Pontiac  – the link is to more potato basics and recipe ideas. Kennebec potatoes – great for baked potatoes. Masquarde Potatoes –  A tasty potato that everyone in our house is excited to eat.

Your choice of Butternut and Spaghetti Squash.

Your choice of Butternut and Spaghetti Squash.

Butternut Squash – Choice of squash – For those of you that chose this squash, it is one of my favorites. Here is a recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

Spaghetti Squash – Choice of squash – here are different ways to cook it: by boiling or by roasting. Here is a recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

Sweet Corn – The last crop of sweet corn is being harvested. Thank you to FarGaze Farms for this partnership in growing the sweet corn. Enjoy!

Enjoy your eggs from the chickens our boys are beyond excited to care for.

Enjoy your eggs from the chickens our boys are beyond excited to care for.  The boys enjoy sharing eggs with their grandparents. My parents both grew up collecting eggs on their home farms.

Eggs – Enjoy some eggs from the Harner Brothers’ chickens.

Fresh Arrangement – Zinnia, Rudbeckia or Sunflowers – Here are a few tips to try to keep your fresh-cut flowers fresh longer. Please provide me feedback if you transfer them to a vase or keep them on your counter in the container you bring them home in.

 

Garden Science

An update on the pumpkins. The Big Moon pumpkins appear to be slowing down in growth. The large one measured 41" and the smaller ones 35" from side to side. We plant to provide more manure and fertilizer to next year's big pumpkin patch.

An update on the pumpkins. The Big Moon pumpkins appear to be slowing down in growth. The large one measured 41″ and the smaller ones 35″ from side to side. We plan to incorporate more manure to fertilizer next year’s big pumpkin patch.

Recipe of the Week

Many of you wonder what we do with all of these tomatoes. Well, we do quite a bit of canning. We were fortunate to receive Steve’s Grandpa and Grandma’s canning supplies when they decided to hang up that past time. Steve grew up canning many vegetables with his family. I on the other hand loathed canning but enjoyed baking!! Now, canning has become quality time with the family and satisfaction of tasty vegetables throughout the year. We highly recommend that you use the University of Minnesota Extension Services’ directions for canning tomatoes. At the end of the season from our tomatoes, we will have about 70 quarts of tomato juice and about 50 pints of salsa. In addition, I will have some tomatoes in the freezer for chilli and soups this winter.

Tomato Sauce

We wash the tomatoes and cut out the core and any bad spots. Then cut them into quarters.

The first thing to do is sanitize your jars and rings. Next, wash the tomatoes and cut out the core and any bad spots. Then cut them into quarters. We use all varieties of tomatoes and feel that the variety enhances the flavor.

 

Next they go into the juicer and are pushed through separating out the skin and seeds from the juice.

Next they go into the juicer and are pushed through separating out the skin and seeds from the juice.

This machine came from Steve's grandparents. Whenever we take it out and brings a smile to our face, and we know that they are smiling down on this whole process.

This machine came from Steve’s grandparents. Whenever we take it out and brings a smile to our faces. We know that they are smiling down on this whole process and getting a chuckle out of the boys’ curiosity.

The juice is then brought to a slow boil in this awesome huge pot that we received for a wedding gift.

The juice is then brought to a slow boil in this awesome huge pot that we received for a wedding gift.

Using sanitized canning jars, we place 1 teaspoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and fill the jars up to the neck of the jar with the juice. Then we wipe the top of the jar off with a clean cloth. After boiling the lids for 3 minutes, we use a magnetic stick to take them out of the water and place on top of the jar.

Using sanitized canning jars, we place 1 teaspoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into each quart jar and fill the jars to right below the neck of the jar with the juice. Then we wipe the top of the jar off with a clean cloth. After boiling the lids for 3 minutes, we use a magnetic stick to take them out of the water and place on top of the jar.

Sanitize your canning jar rings. Then place on top of the lid and tighten.

Sanitize your canning jar rings. Then place on top of the lid and tighten.

Steve is in charge of the pressure cooker and finalizing the canning process. Please see the link above to the Extension Services directions to canning tomatoes. This is what we follow. Steve also makes a call to his Mom every year for a refresher course.

Steve is in charge of the pressure cooker and finalizing the canning process. On the left is the awesome pot I mentioned that we use to bring the tomato juice to a boil. On the right is the pressure cooker. Please see the link above to the Extension Services’ directions to canning tomatoes. This is what we follow. Steve also makes a call to his Mom every year for a refresher course and a good visit.

After the tomatoes come out of the canner, you begin to hear the lids "pop" or seal. It is music to our ears. We then use this tomato juice as our base for spaghetti sauce and pizza sauce. My dad enjoys drinking the tomato juice as well.

After the jars of tomato juice come out of the canner, they are placed on kitchen towels leaving about an inch or so of cooling space around them. You should begin to hear the lids “pop” or seal. It is music to our ears. After a day, I label the top of the lid with the date, and what is in the jar. We then use this tomato juice throughout the year as our base for spaghetti sauce and pizza sauce. For the sauces, we combine the juice, tomato paste, onions, garlic and herbs to taste. You may also enjoy it just as tomato juice – it is one of my Dad’s garden favorites.

Lessons Learned Passed and Present
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Lessons Learned Passed and Present

Have you met the new additions to our place? The boys would love to show you Speedy and Warrior.

Have you met the new additions to our place? The boys would love to show you Speedy and Warrior.

Lessons learned and applied today are from both our past and our present. This past weekend as we helped my dad with his restored Allis Chalmers it was easy to reflect on what I learned from both my grandparents who were farmers, what I learned from my dad who is a farmer and what we are trying to teach our children. Our children are applying what they are learning by sharing their knowledge about agriculture with their friends and teachers, and this past week Keith was sharing his knowledge at the Minnesota Farm Bureau booth at the Minnesota State Fair.

This weekend was my hometown celebration. My dad has restored 10 Allis Chalmers tractors. Every year, we help him bring the tractors in for display. I had the privilege of driving my Grandpa's WD45 that dad restored. It was a relaxing view into town.

This weekend was my hometown celebration. My dad has restored 10 Allis Chalmers tractors. Every year, we help him bring the tractors in for display. I had the privilege of driving my Grandpa’s WD45 that dad restored. It was a relaxing view into town.

If you have a question about agriculture, please feel free to ask us. If we don’t know, we can connect you with a farmer or a professional in agriculture that would be able to answer your questions.

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”  ― Marie Curie

The past few weeks have also been a busy time preparing for the state fair. Keith shared his farm story while working at the Farm Bureau building. Thanks to all who stopped by.

The past few weeks have also been a busy time preparing for the state fair. Keith shared his farm story while working at the Farm Bureau building. Thanks to all who stopped by.

Boxes of Produce

This list is prepared before we harvest your share. Some guesswork is involved! We do our best to predict which crops will be ready to harvest, but sometimes crops are on the list that are not in the share. Sometimes crops will be in the share even though they’re not on the list.

Preparing your boxes of produce.

Preparing your boxes of produce.

Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your hands before working with your produce and always wash your produce before eating.

Salad Mix – A mixture of Black Seeded Simpson and Red Oak Leaf. The lettuce I planted a few weeks ago is growing. I am hoping to harvest this next week.

Beets – The whole plant is edible.

Green Beans  – This is a new crop of beans.

Broccoli – Great to enjoy in your salads or cooked with some cheese sprinkled over it.

Carrots – Finally some growing conditions to produce some carrots!

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are in the gourd family Cucurbitacae. There are three main varieties of cucumbers: slicing, pickling and burpless.

Cucumbers – Nearing the end of this season

Peppers – Jalapeno peppers and Bell Peppers

Tomatoes – Baby Boomer cherry tomatoes, Big mamma, Sunny Boy (yellow), Honey Delight (small yellow) and Fourth of July  (medium red) – Let us know if you need some tomatoes for canning. We ask that for canning amounts that you give a free will donation. Here are some salsa ideas from Taste of Home.

Onions – Walla Walla, Snow White, yellow Candy and Giant Red Hamburger (purple)

Midnight Moon Potatoes

Midnight Moon Potatoes – potatoes grow under the ground. It is not a root, but rather it is called a tuber.

Potatoes – Red Pontiac  – the link is to more potato basics and recipe ideas. Midnight Moon – a fun new variety this year, purple on the outside and white on the inside. Are you wondering more about the nutrition of these colored varieties? Check this handbook out.

Butternut Squash – Choice of squash tonight. For those of you that chose this squash, it is one of my favorites. Here are a few recipes from Martha Stewart.

Spaghetti Squash – Enjoy this as spaghetti. Here are different ways to cook it: by boiling or by roasting.

Sweet Corn – The next crop should be ready next week.

Flowers for you this week.

Flowers for you this week.

Fresh Arrangement – Zinnia, Rudbeckia or Sunflowers – Here are a few tips to try to keep your fresh-cut flowers fresh longer. I have tried the bleach trick, and it has worked for me.

Garden Science

Did you know that we gather the rain water from our shop roof into this water tank to irrigate the mulched areas in our garden. We use gravity to flow the water into the irrigation lines. The rains filled the tank up!

Did you know that we gather the rain water from our shop roof into this water tank to irrigate the mulched areas in our garden. We use gravity to flow the water into the irrigation lines. The rains filled the tank up!

 

Recipe of the Week

Pumpkin Bread is a favorite. I use butternut squash that I have cooked and frozen as my "pumpkin" in this recipe. It works great!

Pumpkin Bread is a favorite. I use butternut squash that I have cooked and frozen as my “pumpkin” in this recipe. It works great!

Pumpkin Bread

1 2/3 cup flour

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cloves

Pinch of salt

1/3 cup cold water

2 eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin (I use 1 cup cooked squash) 

Combine flour, sugar, butter, soda, spices and salt in bowl. Add 1/3 cup cold water, eggs, and pumpkin (squash) mix well. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Cool on wire rack.

Source: Pat Kuznik – West Polk County: Blue Ribbon Favorites Minnesota 4-H Foundation

 

Combine: 1 2/3 cup flour; 1 1/2 cup sugar; 1/3 cup butter softened; 1 teaspoon soda; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon cloves; and a pinch of salt.

Combine: 1 2/3 cup flour; 1 1/2 cup sugar;
1/3 cup butter softened; 1 teaspoon soda; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg;
1/4 teaspoon cloves;
and a pinch of salt.

Next add and mix into dry ingredients: 1/3 cup cold water; 2 eggs; 1 cup canned pumpkin (I use 1 cup cooked squash). Place into loaf pan or into cupcakes tin.

Next add and mix into dry ingredients: 1/3 cup cold water;
2 eggs; 1 cup canned pumpkin (I use 1 cup cooked squash). Place into loaf pan or into muffin tin.

Place batter in muffin liners that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake muffins for about 12 - 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Place batter in muffin liners that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake muffins for about 12 – 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Enjoy!

Mother Nature keeps us on our Toes
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Mother Nature keeps us on our Toes

 

Tomatoes are maturing like crazy - all shapes and colors. Let us know if you are interested in buying any for canning. Enjoy!

Tomatoes are maturing like crazy – all shapes and colors. Let us know if you are interested in buying any for canning. Enjoy!

As many of us prepare for school to begin, we are preparing for the growing season to come to an end before we know it. Mother Nature keeps us on our toes, and we must be prepared for what will occur. While some of the produce is hitting their peak. Others are on the decline, and we are starting to see “gaps” in the field as we clean-up and feed garden scraps to the chickens.

You also may be wondering, when is our last box? We are anticipating that the last box will be the last week of September. Which will be slightly longer then what your contract stated, simply because of the growing season, and how the crops worked out. We will keep you posted as we proceed through September.

We are busy with garden clean-up pulling up old vegetables that are no longer producing and feeding them to the chickens.

We are busy with garden clean-up pulling up old vegetables that are no longer producing and feeding them to the chickens.

Part of the garden clean-up includes driving the lawn tractor. Keith enjoys this task.

Part of the garden clean-up includes driving the lawn tractor. It makes this task a lot easier!

Boxes of Produce

This list is prepared before we harvest your share. Some guesswork is involved! We do our best to predict which crops will be ready to harvest, but sometimes crops are on the list that are not in the share. Sometimes crops will be in the share even though they’re not on the list.

Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your hands before working with your produce and always wash your produce before eating.

Sweet Corn – Yeah for sweet corn! Thank you to FarGaze Farms, our neighbors, for providing the sweet corn for your boxes this week. We hope you all enjoy it. We appreciate this partnership!

Salad Mix – A mixture of Black Seeded Simpson, Red Oak Leaf, beet greens and spinach. Here are a few salad ideas. I planted a new crop of lettuce about 5 weeks ago and very little grew because we had such a dry July. After the rain last week, I planted another round and four days later the seeds have germinated and are peeking out of the ground. I am hoping for a new crop of the lettuces in the near future.

Beets – The whole plant is edible.

Green Beans  – We are at the end of this crop and should have a small crop towards the end of the season.

Broccoli – Great to enjoy in your salads or cooked with some cheese sprinkled over it.

Cucumbers – Nearing the end of this season as well.

Peppers – Jalepeno peppers – see how peppers are grown in America.

Tomatoes – Baby Boomer cherry tomatoes, Big mamma, Sunny Boy (yellow), Honey Delight (small yellow) and Fourth of July  (medium red) – Learn more about tomatoes are grown across the U.S. on America’s Heartland.

Onions – Walla Walla, Snow White, yellow Candy and Giant Red Hamburger (purple)

The Purple Majesty potatoes need to be dug during the daylight. They blend right in with chunks of dirt.

The Purple Majesty potatoes need to be dug during the daylight. They blend right in with chunks of soil.

Potatoes – Red Pontiac  – the link is to more potato basics and recipe ideas. Purple Majesty potatoes – fun as French fries or mashed potatoes.

Butternut Squash – Choice of squash tonight. For those of you that chose this squash, it is one of my favorites. Here are a few recipes from Martha Stewart.

Spaghetti Squash – Enjoy this as spaghetti. Here are different ways to cook it: by boiling or by roasting.

Fresh Arrangement – Zinnia or Sunflowers – Here are a few tips to try to keep your fresh-cut flowers fresh longer. I have tried the bleach trick, and it has worked for me.

Garden Science

We found cabbage loopers this weekend. Check out how small this one is compared to the thumb.

We found cabbage loopers this weekend. Check out how small this one is compared to the thumb.

We found a larger cabbage looper.

We found a larger cabbage looper.

This cabbage is being eaten by the cabbage looper but the boys want to see how many cabbage heads this one forms during the growing season.

This cabbage is being eaten by the cabbage looper but the boys want to see how many cabbage heads this one forms during the growing season.

Insects, insects every where including this green tomato worm.

Insects, insects every where including this green tomato worm.

The Red Pontiac potatoes were huge. These three were from the same plant.

The Red Pontiac potatoes were huge. These three were from the same plant.

Recipe of the Week

I thought you would like to know what I do with all of the produce. See the links below the recipes and photo how to enjoy your produce throughout the year.

Lettuce and Spinach – I enjoy a variety of salads. Give Lazy Tacos a try – super easy and delicious.

Green Beans – I freeze or can my green beans.

Sweet Corn – I keep freezing sweet corn simple. I don’t have time for a lot of preparation so keeping it simple is my style. Here is Martha Stewarts tips on preserving corn.

Onions – I have had the best luck chopping and freezing onions to be used in recipes throughout the year. Less mess and more time efficient.

Butternut Squash – I cook and freeze the squash to be used in smaller portions and perfect substitute for a recipe that calls for canned pumpkin. Give these Squash/Pumpkin Donut Drops a try – fun for a long weekend.

Potatoes – I enjoy making into Lefse and Potato Bread.

Tomatoes – We plan to can some tomato juice and salsa this fall.

 

 

 

 

Rain brings Relief
by

Rain brings Relief

We have started the potato harvest and some of them are huge. It is like a treasure hunt in the soil.

We have started the potato harvest and some of them are huge. Harvesting potatoes is like a treasure hunt in the soil.

We were blessed earlier this week with moisture. The storms came heavy and fast, and surrounding communities received several more inches and storm damage. We drove through some of the heavier parts of the storm on Sunday and were close to stopping because it was difficult to drive in.

We were fortunate to receive 2 1/2 inches of rain on Sunday. It did come down quickly and cause some crop damage but minimal damage compared to what could have been. We were also fortunate to receive 4/10th of an inch on Monday. The moisture was needed! The storms have been very sporadic and many farmers throughout Minnesota and our nation are still in need of moisture.

On another note, the Minnesota State Fair has also been occupying some of our time. If you make it to the Great Minnesota Get Together, stop by the many agriculture exhibits including our Minnesota Farm Bureau exhibit behind the giant yellow slide on Underwood Street or stop by the CHS Miracle of Birth Center and take a ride in our Ag Cab Lab – Tractor. Learn more about our exhibits and other great farm exhibits on Lara’s blog.

 

Here you see some of our broom corn which was either blown down or because of the hard quick rain was washed down by the heavy flow of water. The storms also affected some of our strawberry popcorn. It is yet to be determined how badly it was damaged.

Some of our broom corn was either blown down or because of the hard quick rain was washed down by the heavy flow of water. The storms also affected some of our strawberry popcorn. It is yet to be determined how badly it was damaged.

 

Boxes of Produce

This list is prepared before we harvest your share. Some guesswork is involved! We do our best to predict which crops will be ready to harvest, but sometimes crops are on the list that are not in the share. Sometimes crops will be in the share even though they’re not on the list.

Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your hands before working with your produce and always wash your produce before eating.

The boys are still learning how to pick sweet corn so we apologize if some of the ears are a little smaller. By the end of the season, we should have some professional harvesters.

The boys are still learning how to pick sweet corn so we apologize if some of the ears are a little smaller. By the end of the season, we should have some professional harvesters.

Sweet Corn – Yeah for sweet corn! Thank you to FarGaze Farms, our neighbors, for providing the sweet corn for your boxes this week. We hope you all enjoy it. We appreciate this partnership!

Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce – Wash your vegetables before eating – a new crop should hopefully be growing after this rain. I planted over 4 weeks ago but due to the lack of rain did not grow. I did irrigate it but it’s not quite the same as Mother Nature.

Prizeleaf Lettuce – A beautiful colored lettuce to add to the salads. Try adding some fresh berries or dried fruit to your salads.

Red Oak Leaf Lettuce – Wonderful color to your salads.

Beets – The whole plant is edible.

Green Beans  – We are at the end of this crop and should have a small crop towards the end of the season.

Broccoli – Great to enjoy in your salads or cooked with some cheese sprinkled over it.

Kohlrabi – Check out this link for more information on what to do with this vegetable.

Cucumbers – Nearing the end of this season as well.

Peppers – Jalepeno peppers

We were harvesting tomatoes this week and had to make a dash for cover as a thunderstorm approached and lightning chased us out of the garden. Sam completely forgot about the lightning thought as he discovered a toad in our rock wall. The world seemed to come to a stand still as he searched for the toad.

We were harvesting tomatoes this week and had to make a dash for cover as a thunderstorm approached and lightning chased us out of the garden. Sam completely forgot about the lightning thought as he discovered a toad in our rock wall. The world seemed to come to a stand still as he searched for the toad.

Tomatoes – Baby Boomer cherry tomatoes, Big mamma, Sunny Boy (yellow), Honey Delight (small yellow) and Fourth of July  (medium red) – A delicious salsa recipe from a farm wife in southwestern Minnesota, Ruth Lanoue.

Onions – Walla Walla, Snow White, yellow Candy and Giant Red Hamburger (purple)

Keith snapped this picture of Sam with a huge Kennebec potato.

Keith snapped this picture of Sam with a huge Kennebec potato.

Potatoes – Kennebec potatoes – great for baking. Here is a yummy potato recipe to try from one of my friends Lara Durben.

Fresh Arrangement – Zinnia or Sunflowers – Here are a few tips to try to keep your fresh-cut flowers fresh longer. I have tried the bleach trick, and it has worked for me.

Garden Science

Well the Big Moon pumpkins have grown. The largest one is now measuring from one side to the other at 3 feet. Growing several inches this past week. The other two also grew. What is interesting is the other two seem to be on the same plant and are growing at the same and equal rate.

Well, the Big Moon pumpkins have grown. The largest one is now measuring from one side to the other at 3 feet. Growing several inches this past week. The other two also grew. What is interesting is the other two seem to be on the same plant and are growing at the same and equal rate.

Did you know that we gather the rain water from our shop roof into this water tank to irrigate the mulched areas in our garden. We use gravity to flow the water into the irrigation lines. The rains filled the tank up!

Did you know that we gather the rain water from our shop roof into this water tank to irrigate the mulched areas in our garden? We use gravity to flow the water into the irrigation lines. The rains filled the tank up!

Recipe of the Week

Grilled Sweet Corn

Place on grill at the same time you are cooking your meat. I leave mine on for about 1/2 hour and throughout that time frame turn it so all sides are cooked. Once the 1/2 hour is done, husk it, rinse under luke warm water and serve. Enjoy!

Husk your grilled sweet corn by cutting off the end with a butcher knife.

Husk your grilled sweet corn by cutting off the end with a butcher knife.

Grab the top of the corn and squeeze.

Grab the top of the corn and squeeze.

Your ear of corn should slide out clean of silk etc.

Your ear of corn should slide out clean of silk etc.