Today's Summer Harvest, yay!

Finally got to pick those golden yellow squash today! Went through the baby potatoes, some of which I planted that were to tie in with harvest times for the 4th. Festive red white and blue potatoes were eagerly awaiting in the ground, or so I thought. The blue ones, what a pity they have turned out to be. So few of them making it through the growing on for baby size but not enough to really make a difference to the reds pinks and whites. I did get a notice from Johnny's a few months back stating they may have a problem, but I still had hope some would still come through. I always have hope for things. So what I did was harvest some beautiful borage flowers and indicated to a few shareholders that indeed these blue flowers would add the blue needed to make an independence day potato salad. Those flowers, talk about cucumber aroma and taste! How could you not with the baby red celery, large leaf parsley and the Frice's pickles just staring at you in the share area????
Went to fish fertilize the cucumbers, so tiny but not for long. As I was swooshing the sprayer about, on the first green bean row I couldn't believe my eyes. I have green beans coming along. It was like discovering I was winning the lottery after all that time. Some were obviously growing for some time which slows down the production so I picked those suckers off to get more, sooner. Within a week or two those green beans will be in full swing. Last Spring really put damper on enthusiasm and this year, wow it happened like it was supposed to! you know that saying waiting for a pot to boil water, that was last spring and early summer. Just thinking if I just wished it to happen, it still wouldn't.
Last of the spring strawberries pretty much done, blueberries around the corner. Will be doing the Camas FM on Wed and the Woodland on Friday then Yacolt 4th of July Rendevoux for all day and in to the evening on Saturday. The BG market ended up being closed for business that day as I was only going to have like 5 vendors showing up, everyone else was planning on going to it as it was so hey, why not join them!
(PSSST-Check out battlegroundfarmersmarket.org site, will have all the events the market will be doing for the 17th and 18th of July during HD weekend at that end of BG, if you dare!)
Kale'd out yet? Don't fret there is still more til it hits hot for a day or so. It can't last forever!
All the yellow, white, red onions (yes even the WAll'as) are bulbing up nicely.
Great intro to summer harvest, indeed.
Til next time,
The Farmerette!

Plant A Row for the Hungry

Plant A Row For the Hungry

Kale Chips

KALE CHIPS<>

This came from one of Rosemattel's Subscribers-

They are very easy, even I can make them! Wash and dry kale. Tear into pieces, put in bowl with olive oil to lightly coat and salt. “Massage” the oil into the kale. Lay out flat in single layer (do not pile on top of each other) on a cookie sheet. Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 15 -20 minutes til crisp.

Very yummy!

Have a great day!

Cheryl

Recipe Delightful!

Brenda, you might want to pass this along for your cookbook. I didn't know what to do with the kale, but found it is fantastic in pasta. Last night I created this recipe and it was SUPER, my husband is very pleased with the weeds.

http://locavoregon.com/blog1/2009/05/27

-- Wendy Bumgardner
http://walking.about.com

Thanks Wendy!

Plant a Row for the Hungry

Plant a row for the hungry......

Our state of affairs in the local economy is turning the above revelation more true to form in families plights than ever before.

I had looked in to branching out the "Plant a row for the hungry" campaign many years ago when I had founded the BG Farmers Market (AKA old town saturday market). My lack of networking resources back then (and most market days only having one or two vendors besides myself to promote it) prevented me from really taking a stand on it the way I thought I should. 5 years later I have found the campaign more appealing as I carry out my csa farming business to make a living wage.

I am still at a crossroad as to which farm to promote it from and how much time can be spent at the market to make an impact. My work dictates how driven I am to go gung ho on things that really matter. I have been told by one of my Clark College professors that I am a high powered individual as I argued with them my workaholic tendencies to carry on as I felt I needed to for what ever reason I had at the time. Something had clicked in me that it really was okay to want to get so many things accomplished, and that some things could wait til later. This campaign is ready for me to help promote, finally! So I started with a request from one of the sponsors of the program to get started. The package arrived!!!!

Many carrot seeds that are packaged exclusively for this grass roots movement arrived yesterday. Next I emailed the garden writers to find out what to do next. On the two farm locations I had already planned in this year's crop schedule to grow more of the extras for charity reasons. And having over 30.00 pledged to the farm from last year's sponsorship contributions from one of our subscribers I had bought some extra seeds to grow some more common varieties of things to add to a box this year for a mysterious individual not yet designated to give to. I always felt that leading by example is a major way in starting trends of goodness for our community. Now I just need to find others like me to do the same. These seeds can make a difference to those who wish to accept it.

On Glenn Grossman's clark county food and farm blog you will see a posting regarding the plight of the 78th street Research Station. I do believe that if enough of us take that blog seriously and implement anything remotely close to the cause of plant a row for the hungry, the 78th street farm will help with these types of food security issues. Yes, there are other special interest groups that are advocating some extreme opposite ideas of sustainability designed for a very FEW individuals. But to look at the whole site and take in to consideration that this former poor farm has enough room for almost everyone's ideas, plant a row for the hungry there, isn't going to take up the entire area.
Marc Boldt confirmed that an agreement with the County and the Clark County Food Bank Coalition has been signed! Surely this could help those who either do not have time to press this issue with those special interest groups-someone has to be the voice for those individuals who need us to help them when times are tough. It may very well be that those who can help are also those who may need those services yet find self sufficiency in doing what they can do for themselves, ,,,, for right now.

Need some carrot seeds to grow for your local food charity? Let me know!

Antibiotics and You

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/3/14/173332/209/275/708568

Shopping list for non genetically modified foods featured below

Besides looking for the number 8 on any produce that is genetically modified (example: plu 84212)
use the following guide next time you go shopping!



www.responsibletechnology.org