Farm-ily,
It's been an especially cheerful week here, and we have you to thank for it. Sometimes, farming in 2020 feels a little bit like farming in a vacuum. We miss the friendly chats while you wait for your take-out pizzas at the Farm Stand, and sharing the sights with your families on Twilight Farm Tours. We keep growing food (and lots of it), but we've been missing the "community" in Community Supported Agriculture. Luckily for us, you showed up by the carload to help us renew that connection!
In late July, we opened up the Farm to volunteers again. Since then, more than 50 of you enthusiastically gave us your time. You came with kids and spouses in tow to harvest carrots, trim garlic, and package eggs. The registration slots for each event filled up almost instantly! How lucky are we, to have such engaged and active stakeholders?
We relished walking with your families through the wooded Farm Loop trail to the acreage we call G2, listening to your kiddos tell us about their unicorn masks and their summer activities. Farmer Collin and his dog Finn earned some serious brownie points through Finn's love of 'ugly' carrots as snacks; Farmer John is no doubt a hero for driving the big blue tractor and prepping the carrot beds for little hands. Only a few days later, Collin set up chairs and garlic bins in circle around the pack shed, and we found that good company speeds up work just as effectively as extra hands.
Still more volunteers washed and packed over a thousand of our Farm eggs over the last few days, readying them for our CSA deliveries to come. One wonderful couple from the southern half of Willowsford spent hours working together, then reported back to us in an email that "1 [egg] broke making a desperate attempt at freedom after being washed, I broke 2 (one while trying to apprehend the jail-breaker and 1 because I’m clumsy), 2 were already cracked and 5 were too large to fit in the boxes. Somehow, those 5 followed us home."
We know that many more of you are eagerly awaiting other opportunities that fit into your calendars; we'll be on the lookout for more chances to have you join us for harvests and conversations in the coming months. For those who are still most comfortable staying home, or whose schedules may be less flexible, rest assured that you're just as big a part of our crew and our mission.
Despite the ups and downs of this particular season, we've gotten to know you in different ways. Even with 400 members, we recognize your names as we pack your boxes! Now that we're almost halfway through the summer, we have your preferences down pat. We recall who usually orders fresh baked sourdough and who likes paleo cookies. We notice when you skip a week for vacation, or if you added a big batch of tomatoes for canning. We treasure every comment you share with us on Facebook or Instagram, and the emails you send when you try something new in your veggie box.
Whether we see you in person or through Facebook or on the pack line, our Farm-ily is the driving force that energizes our crew. Each chance we have to connect with you brings deeper meaning to the mission of Willowsford Farm. Cheers to community supporting agriculture, and agriculture supporting community.
Meal Plan Week #12
- Most of us associate okra with a fryer, but it's also fantastic as Smothered Okra with Chicken Thighs and Sausage
- Eggplant grows so well here in the summer! Give this awesome veggie new flavor with Eggplant Topped with Buttermilk Sauce and Pomegranates
- Enjoy your eggplants and bell peppers together in Eggplant Pepper Stew over Couscous
- If you'd rather skip the hot meals, try Tomato Cucumber and Bell Pepper Gazpacho
- Make a hearty hash with Sirloin Tips and Sautéed Peppers
- Throw your zucchini on the grill for Grilled Zucchini Ribbons, White Beans, and Pesto
- For our bakers, try this Pear Bread with Oatmeal Streusel or Zucchini Brownies
**Pasture Meat shareholders this week will receive a selection of
pork roasts, chicken thighs, and lamb chops**
