Weekly Weeder

Olin-Fox Farms Volume No. 7 Issue No. 29 September 14, 2006

www.olinfoxfarms.com Summer Season Week10

STANDARD REMINDER

Please be sure to wash your weekly share thoroughly before serving. To preserve freshness, it is NOT ‘table ready’ (i.e., pre-washed). We deliver your Olin-Fox Farms’ produce right from the fields to ensure highest quality.

2007 CSA Brochure

Inserted in your share this week along with this newsletter

is the brochure/registration form for the 2007 CSA Program.

It runs from January, 2007 through December, 2007 for 37 weeks of produce.

A fruit share is available.

We are limited to 100 shares, so sign up early to ensure your spot.

This Week's News From the Farms

Things are starting to get back to normal after Ernesto's fiesta, with those tenacious turkeys making their first appearance since the storm (See Non Sequitar below).  Once again the lookout positioned him/herself {who we'll call “Forrest”} in front of the house, as the rest of the hungry flock surrounded the greenhouse to see who had gumption enough to venture in after the few remaining tomatoes.  But, their dastardly strategy of cagey teamwork was foiled. Ever-vigilant
Farmer John had already caught wind of what was going on, whereupon the lookout alerted all the clan to skedaddle and RUN for cover!!!  Or, “Run, Forrest, run”.

Miles and Joey from Canning Farm were at Olin-Fox Farm for the festivities last Saturday to sell their premium beef.  A number of CSA members came by to sample and purchase the flavorful meat.  It was also a great opportunity to talk with one of our member farms who provides us with produce for our weekly shares.  We are investigating setting up meat orders for our CSA members.  Let us know if you're interested.

Also last Saturday evening, as the weather turned cooler, there was a humongous bonfire hosted by Boxcroft Nurseries.  The owners' didgeridoo-playing son, Stevie Jett, organized the drumming circle around the flames, encouraging a number of participants bring along their percussion instruments.   All the right elements conspired together for what was to become a jammin' good time beneath a bright harvest moon. 

It should be noted that multi-talented teenage Stevie has been very instrumental in making things run a bit smoother at Olin-Fox Farms.  Many thanks!  He and CSA member Mary Small will perform this Saturday at:

 Locusville Plantation Music Festival

The Locusville Plantation 4th Annual Music Festival is Saturday, September 16, from 1 to 8 pm.  For more information, contact Sharon and Miles Coursin at 804-462-0002, or Olin-Fox Farms at 804-453-4125.
 Alice and Dave Hershiser will also perform with Bill Duvall in their group, Evening Song.  Locusville Plantation owner Miles Coursin will perform with his band, Plantation Blues. 

Weekly Weeder, September 14, 2006 Page 2

Non sequitar

Apropos of nothing in particular, other than my curious penchant for ambiguous prose coupled with the fact that I had to stop my truck on the lane again this afternoon as another indolent flock of more than twenty dame turkeys, in a solemn, unruffled, single-file procession, decided to see what was in the field on the other side, thereby inspiring this nodding allusion to the ongoing escapades of the resident troupe of loony birds footloose on Olin-Fox Farms, here's a
fitting tribute to these noble beasties from Ben Franklin himself, who, as you may well know, wished the mild-mannered Turkey had been chosen as the national bird, rather than that hot-blooded predatory scavenger, the Bald Eagle:

“For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird and withal a true Native of America … He is besides, though a little vain and silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”        (Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to his daughter)

Crop Report

A number of our growers were unable to attend last Saturday's visit of Canning Farm because fall planting has commenced and growers must take advantage of optimum conditions when planting time arrives.  This year, many of the growers are adding and improving growing areas for winter
crops such as adding cold frames and floating row covers.    With the restructuring and improvements of OFF's growing areas, we've added our first themed growing plot to be a Celtic Knot garden.  Other areas are being solarized for fall and winter crops.  We have started to relocate our main herb circle to become a focal point of the farm while simultaneously improving our parking and traffic pattern.  As we make the transition from summer to fall crops, the ends up in member's individual shares will vary in varieties throughout the week, for the next couple of weeks.

In Your Produce Basket This Week

Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, Potatoes, Bell Peppers, Tabasco Peppers, Valley Girl Tomatoes.

See Produce List for other items.

Recipe

8 ounces whole green beans, washed & dry
½  red bell pepper, sliced in strips
½  yellow or orange bell pepper, sliced in strips
½  small onion, halved and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper
PREPARATION:
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add green beans, peppers, onion, and garlic. Cook slowly, stirring, until peppers are crisp tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serves 6-8.  

Newsletter and Recipes by Ethan Brent, Official Newsletter Focalizer

Bon Appetit!