Greetings all from Momma Jane this week! Jillian let me take the helm as readies for the Madison Farmers Market. Busy, busy as usual with oh so much to do yet this season, with so little time. We have to admit we’re kinda glad we’re winding down, folks. Yup, we’re now entering the final ‘quarter’ of our CSA season with just 5 weeks to go. It’s literally just days before the Vernal Equinox (Fall), which is a time where it usually feels a little bittersweet for us here on the farm. Our bodies are reminding us it has been a long, arduous season and we are SO looking forward to the rest, still we hate to bid farewell to our delicious friends in the field… and our surrogate ‘CSA family’. Yet I’m sure you will all be glad (I know I am) not to have to commiserate over what you could possibly do with yet another 5 pounds of cabbage?!? Nonetheless, it is bittersweet. And I know it sounds so cliché (this newsletter is full of them), but we’d like to shout a huge THANK YOU, in advance, for choosing us, Small family CSA, and for casting an ever increasing ‘vote’ for fresh, local food. We applaud you, we thank you, and we just want you all to know how important this small decision was: to buy local and to support a CSA farm. Ever important to your health, but also to the health of your local economy.
OK. It’s obvious I just saw Food, Inc. over the weekend. But all thru the film I kept thinking about how very proud I am of our small family, AND of all our members for being part of the local, fresh movement. And yup, I know this all sounds hokey, cliché, whatever, but it’s heartfelt. So I certainly hope you all get a chance to see Food, Inc, if not in the theaters but when it comes out on DVD in November*. (You can flag it on ‘Netflix’ already like we did.) And, I know I’m preaching to the choir on this topic, but I also encourage you to share the film with friends and family so you can educate them on your perspective and why we care to ‘vote’ this way. We care about our health, our community, our economy and our world. And by sharing the film and having honest discussions, we show we care about each other. OK. I’m being hokey again, but maybe you will be too. Maybe the world needs a few more hokey farmers and consumers who care…?
How about this. Next weekend, Sunday Sept 27th, is our CSA potluck. Invite friend/friends/family or anyone you would like to share the ‘farm fresh’ experience with. The drive to our farm is breathtaking as we live in a wonderfully scenic area of Southwest Wisconsin/Driftless Area/Kickapoo Valley. The leaves are turning, the Orchards are bulging with apples (stop at the Gays Mills stands on the way), farm kids have wagons of pumpkins for sale, and…spend a couple hours with other like-minded people, meeting our Small Family, and touring the farm. You’ll be in the heart of Organic/Amish country and have spent a relaxing afternoon seeing exactly where your ’food comes from’. Who knows? Maybe you’ll convert some of those friends to the local experience and they will then understand you are not just some ’trendy-kooks-who-eat-organic’, but people who enjoy the best of what life, good food, and the Midwest have to offer. It ain’t Concord, but may just be the Thoreauvian experience they are looking for. I guarantee the food alone will be worth the drive. Gas prices are down, the weather is fine and all are welcome. Bring a bag and pick some produce yourself. All you need is a dish to add for the potluck.
The only thing I hope is…you don’t all bring cabbage. Hope to see you then! Peas, out—Momma Jane
Cabbage-Oh, so versatile, cabbage.
Beets– Sweet as can be.
Sweet Corn– It’s a little wormy, but you can cut around it. The nature of organically grown corn.
Yellow and Purple Beans– Beans, it’s what for dinner.
Jalapeno Peppers– Some it like it hot.
Tomatoes– Enjoy them while they last. Going, going, g………
Green Peppers, Red peppers and purple peppers– A pepper or two for all. Stores best in a plastic bag in fridge.
Edamamme– These are the edible soy beans. See the recipes below or just steam them in a little salt water, drain them, mix a little butter in and shell them as you eat them.
Onions and Garlic– A little spice for you life.
Next Week! A short list of items that we may have next week, but will not promise to have. Due to the unexpectedness of the season and perishable nature of produce, anything could pop up or go down hill unexpectedly.
Potatoes, Carrots, Peppers, Eggplant, Rutabega, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Spinach, Radish, Arugula, Delicata, red onion
Sweet and Sour Cabbage with Bacon
