View From the Tractor
What a week. We went from triple digit temperatures to over 1¼ inches of rain. And as if it couldn’t get more wild, this past Tuesday we had a pretty ferocious hail storm come through. Farming on the Front Range is always a gamble, but we are usually in the clear with hail-- well, not this year. The damage was contained to the Niwot farms and was quite impactful. The hail destroyed our leafy greens and any other tender crops. We have also seen pretty severe damage in the summer squash, winter squash and all of the fall crops that were already planted.
Fortunately this year's storm was no match for the storm of 2018 which we really struggled to bounce back from. In 2018 we learned how to take care of the wounded plants and support them nutritionally so they could continue to grow and produce food. It looks like this past hail storm is going to impact our overall yield, but we may be surprised by how well everything bounces back. I am grateful that the Gunbarrel farm was unscathed by hail or severe weather, so all of the peppers, eggplants, tomatoes and basil are still thriving.
You may see smaller shares or reduced numbers of varieties in the shares in upcoming weeks as the farm recuperates from the recent weather. But don't worry, we are still seeding and planting every day to ensure that we provide ample food over the remaining 12 weeks of the CSA. Many times these "little events" impact crops briefly but provide space and time for us to really charge into the next cycles of crops. No matter what is thrown our way, we will persevere and grow food for our community.
On the brighter side we are starting to harvest some new crops including parsley, shishitos, jalapeño, and serranos. Plus we have a second succession of carrots that we are just now washing and getting ready for your shares.
I so appreciate your support for our farm as we go through the ups and downs of the farming season.
IMPORTANT UPDATES: Farm Tour + Celebration next weekend!
A reminder that SATURDAY AUGUST 6th we are hosting a Farm Celebration at the Niwot farm on Oxford Road. All are welcome!
You can RSVP using this link (but RSVP’ing is not required).
The Farm Celebration will be family-friendly with a hay ride farm tour, farm snacks, and beverages. We are looking forward to sharing a celebration of land, nourishment, and community with you all. It has been long few years since we last flung open our farm gates. I hope you can come and join us.
Fruit Share
Peaches and Plums!
Who doesn’t love a crisp, juicy, farm-fresh peach or plum on a hot summer day? This time of year, peaches and plums can be found in abundance in the orchards of the Western slope.
Our Fruit Share this week will be 3 lbs of Greengage Plums and 3 lbs of Red Haven Peaches.
Want to try something new? Throw your peaches and plums on the grill!
For something sweet: Coat peach or plum halves in a mixture of melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon and lay flat on the grill at medium-high until the bottom surfaces are golden brown with beautiful grill marks. Top with a dollop of whip cream and a sprig of mint and serve at your next friend get-together as a from-the-farm delicious dessert.
For something savory: Peaches pair wonderfully with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and balsamic vinegar. Serve with grilled bread, or dice the grilled peach halves and throw in a dish with grilled cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant! This same recipe can be used for plums– Throw some ricotta or goat cheese in the center with a sprinkle of parsley to make a stunning dish perfect for gatherings.
Add Ons
We are lucky to be able to partner with the sustainable-grain folks at Pueblo Seed & Food Co in Cortez, CO for nourishing cereals, healthy cookies, and fresh-dried spices. Check out the Pueblo Seed & Food Co goodies in the add-ons and give these fun and tasty offerings a go!
And of course, don't forget to add on farm-fresh Skypilot eggs if you want to level up your breakfast game (or think savory dishes like Ramen or a Cobb Salad). We will continue to offer heirloom wheat pasta from Pastificio, organic Hazel Dell Mushrooms, and Kilt Farm Raw Honey.
As we enter August, the summer crops will continue to come in hot and the fall crops will keep growing steadily as we plant more into the ground. We hope you are as excited about your upcoming shares as we are.
Wishing you a healthy, safe, and wonderful weekend.
-Your Kilted Farmers and the staff of Kilt Farm
