Farm Happenings at Schultz Valley Farms
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Exciting Times on the Farm and Fresh Watermelon Delights!

Posted on August 2nd, 2024 by Lynne Schultz

Greetings to all of our CSA members,

Can you believe it’s officially August? Time sure flies, and with it comes the bustling return of sports season, not just for our kids but for many of our dedicated workers as well. Did you know that out of our 14 high school and college students, 11 play soccer, 1 plays volleyball, 1 golfs, and 1 plays baseball? Not to mention our own kids are gearing up for soccer and cross country! With all this activity, our farm work schedules are about to shift, but we're ready to adapt and keep things running smoothly.

As the countdown to school begins, we have a few final projects we want to accomplish. We've already harvested an impressive 3,000 lbs of potatoes, but we're aiming to dig up another 3,000 lbs before our seasonal helpers head back to their studies. We're also prepping various areas for the fall season, including turning beds in our high tunnels for winter crops. Our goal is to keep producing fresh, delicious vegetables all year round, utilizing both our tunnels and outdoor fields.

Speaking of our fields, our fall crops are thriving and look promising for the upcoming season. We're excited to announce that our Fall/Winter CSA program will be opening soon, with more information to follow in the coming weeks.

August also brings hot weather, and what better way to stay refreshed than with our delicious watermelon? This week's highlighted produce is a true crowd-pleaser. Did you know we offer a variety of watermelons? You can choose from red, yellow, and orange seedless, as well as classic red seeded. They're all fantastic, and we can't wait for you to try them!

How to Prep and Store Watermelon

  • Prep: Simply cut the watermelon in half, then into quarters. Slice off the rind and cut the flesh into cubes or wedges.
  • Store: Keep whole watermelons at room temperature. Once cut, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

5 Refreshing Watermelon Recipes

  1. Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint

    • Combine cubed watermelon, crumbled feta cheese, fresh mint leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a refreshing summer salad.
  2. Watermelon Slushie

    • Blend watermelon chunks with ice, a squeeze of lime, and a touch of honey for a cool, refreshing drink.
  3. Grilled Watermelon Steaks

    • Slice watermelon into thick steaks, grill for a few minutes on each side, and sprinkle with sea salt and chili powder for a sweet and spicy treat.
  4. Watermelon Salsa

    • Dice watermelon, cucumber, red onion, and jalapeño. Toss with lime juice and cilantro for a fresh salsa perfect with chips or as a topping for grilled fish.
  5. Watermelon Popsicles

    • Puree watermelon, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze. Add a few blueberries or raspberries for a fun, fruity twist.

We hope these recipes inspire you to enjoy our delicious watermelons in new and exciting ways. Thank you for being a part of our CSA family, and we wish you a fantastic week filled with good food and great times.

Warm regards,

The Schultz Family