From the Farmers
The pictures above were too good to resist even though it was last weeks rainy harvest. The interns kept their spirits up by singing camp songs and discussing the differences in lyrics from one region to the next, (Nebraska, Indiana or Minnesota) and from one organization to the next (Girl Scouts, Campfire Kids, Y camp and 4H).
The shareholders too, didn't seem to mind the rain as they sorted through their boxes.
This week the rain fell early and by Wednesday, had stopped so that we were finally able to harvest the rest of the green beans. Because we were unable to pick them in last weeks rain, and while we have sorted as carefully as time would allow, you may need to sort out some that may be overly mature or have some rust damage on them. We thought that you would rather have the beans with a little extra work, than no beans at all.
The first seven lambs were shipped to the meat processor in Braham Minnesota. With some help from a neighbor, they were delivered last Sunday night. The rest of the lambs have a little more room and a little less competition for their food. They ended up with some feathered friends to help make up the difference.
Robin, Cara and Gigi were catching the ducks to move them into the pen with the lambs. Four of the ducks were already wandering in the field, having escaped earlier that morning. The next four were carried to their new home. The lambs seemed intrigued and walked slowly toward the newcomers, but the ducks clearly did not appreciate the greeting. By the time we got back with the next group, the first four ducks had escaped through the fence and were wandering up and down the tomato rows. We put the four we were carrying in with the lambs, and then retraced our path to get behind the rest of them. We walked slowly toward them so they would head toward their new home, jogging occasionally to the left or right when they tried a new direction. Gigi's daughter Katy Anne joined the parade and we managed to get the whole group back together in with the lambs. They are safer closer to the barn and other livestock but we might not be able to convince them of that.
Gigi and Robin enjoyed a church retreat outside of Alexandria Minnesota over the weekend and Dale watched the farm. He stayed busy with all the chores, and put up some sauerkraut with purple cabbage. It probably will change color slightly when he processes it in the canner but he's looking forward to serving the pink food to his friends. Cara will care for the farm over Labor Day weekend so we can get away for a few days of paddling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. We haven't done a canoe trip since we started the CSA and are looking forward to it.
We have some new help arriving to help us out this fall. One of Gigi's former music students is joining us after her camp job is done, and a very nice young man who found us online wants to volunteer some help while he is between jobs. It will be wonderful to have incoming help at a time when we have to lose some of our farm family who are returning to school or to other opportunities.
Until next week...
In Your Share This Week
Onions - Red Candy Apple, Walla Walla
Zucchini - Cavelli, Slick Pick, Zephyr, Sunburst Pattypan, Bennings Green Tint Pattypan, Lita, Raven, Elite and Horn of Plenty
Melons (possibly) Honeydew-Diplomat, Passport, Cantaloupe-Goddess or Asian Sun Jewel
Egg Plants (possibly) Dancer (pink), Dusky (purple) Orient Express (skinny purple) or Orient Charm (skinny pink)
Carrots - Forto
Basil - Ararat, Lime
Green Beans - Landmark
Sweet Peppers - Islander (purple bell), Snapper (green bell), Gypsy (yellow) Jimmy Nardello (1" X 6" green)
Hot Peppers - Conchos (jalapeno),
Tomatoes - Taxi (yellow), Orange Blossom (orange), and New Girl (red)
Collards - Vates
Acorn Squash - Cream of the Crop
