Welcome back friends new and old! (Please click on Continue Reading to read our newsletter!)-
Firstly, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the heaviness of the moment in our communities, both locally and globally. There is so much change, unrest, destruction and hope for change. We are thinking of our Twin Cities community and are with you in spirit, if not in body. The farm demands all of our time plus more, but we are trying to find ways to help where we can. Feeding people is where we feel we fit in. We are part of Shared Ground Cooperative and are trying to help raise funds for their new program, Food for the People, a program that is raising funds to provide food from local farmers (including us) to working class and BIPOC communities in the Twin Cities. If you feel inspired to give PLEASE DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/SharedGround. More info can be found at sharedgroundcoop.com/food-for-the-people. I realize there are so many wonderful organizations and groups that are working on the front lines to make sure everyone has their basic needs met. Food is a human right, and everyone has to eat.
On to the farm...
Our greenhouse is emptying out while our fields are filling up! We have planted over 4 acres of vegetables, about 25 acres of cover crops/hay crops/small grains, are raising up 300 chickens for meat, 30 head of cattle and about 20 hogs! Things are busy but feel full in a good way. The weather is cooperating and our weeds are more or less under control (cross your fingers!). The kids are "helping" while school is out and daycare is closed, but we have found a flow and it is kind of enjoyable (at times!) to have them part of our crew!
Make sure you have set your preferences in your Harvie account if you have not done so yet. This will make your box more catered towards your liking. Also, don't forget that you have until Tuesday to make any swaps in your box. Make sure to check out our Add-ons this year. We will keep them updated with meats, honey, chickens (soon!), ground beef and local organic CBD oil.
ALL OF OUR PRODUCE IS PREWASHED. However, that does not mean you will never find dirt on the veggies. It is harmless and good for your gut! So, please re-wash your veggies if you are finding it is not clean enough. It helps to cut the tops off of radishes, carrots, beets, turnips in order to wash them. You can use greens for cooking or salads. It helps to deconstruct napa cabbage and pac choi (in future boxes) and wash them, as we cannot do this without cutting them open. Thanks for understanding! Dig in!
What is going to be in the box this week?
Spinach- half lb of loose leaf spinach. Keeps well in the bag. pre-washed. It is also great cooked, if you don't want so many salads. Spinach Salad with Shaved radish and Toasted Pine Nuts
Spring Mix (just lettuce)- This is our Salanova lettuce mix. We love it as it is sturdy and holds up well with dressing. half lb. Keeps well in the bag. pre-washed. Simple Green Salad with lemon tahini dressing
Herb Pot (5 herbs that you can replant in your garden or into separate containers for all season long picking). Basil, Thyme (tiny little leaves), Oregano (small broad leaf), Parsley and Sage (large broad leaf)
Romaine Head of Lettuce- This will wilt if not put into a plastic bag or chopped, washed and put into a container. Tahini Ceaser Salad with Olive Oil Breadcrumbs
Red Radishes- spicy! These are so good salted on a sandwich, or salad. So crisp, they add a great addition to any fresh dish. Cut off tops, wash them again and store them in a container, adding water to the container will keep them crisp. Steak tacos with Cilantro-Radish Salsa
Salad Turnips- These are a hidden gem. Kids love them for their simple sweet crunch. So so good shaved thin on salads or you can grill them too! We love to cook up wild rive or quinoa, shave any veggies we have and put all them op top of greens. you can add hard boiled egg, bacon, avocado, feta cheese or nuts, too! Then top with any dressing you like. So filling and tasty!
Arugula- 1/3 lb. Spicy and zesty! Great mixed with the spring mix. We love this wilted with any noodle or rice dish. It also takes great on a sandwich.
cilantro- My personal favorite herb, but I know not everyone likes it. Chop onto eggs, in burritos or tacos, used with radishes for a salsa or tossed with all the greens for a yummy salad. We try to have a side salad with every meal these days, because...why not?! Cilantro Lime Rice
Again, you can follow us on instagram (@blackbrookfarm) and/or Facebook (@blackbrookfarmstead) to see up to date pictures and happenings.
This email should be going out to ALL members and please let me know if it is not. Thank you!
Have a peaceful week,
your farmers.
Kids helping donate food to communities in need in MPLS through our new group Amery Allies!
moo cows!
What to expect next week:
kohlrabi
napa cabbage
salad turnips
spring mix
head lettuce
spinach
strawberries?
scallions?
dill
