CR
Crop Talk
The Newsletter of Great Country Farms
July 6, 2015: CSA Week 6 

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A Word from the Farmer
 
Squash, Squash, Squash....

Zucchini with Yogurt Dill Sauce via TheKitchn.com
It was so fun to chat with so many members last week in the Blueberry Patch.  For those of you who have been part of our CSA Community for a few years, you will definitely recall the season of the Squash-a-Rama as one member called it this week while we reminisced.  It was one of our first years planting at Holy Cross Abby and we planted lots of squash on that new acreage. Those plants were the most prolific ever being in fields that has not been tilled in years.  Members got creative and supported each other by sharing recipes and 13 year member, Lee Draznin,  even built a blog called "100 days of squash" and posted a recipe daily to take on the squash challenge. By the end of the CSA season, the resounding message was NO MORE SQUASH!    

We hope you haven't reached that level of squash overload yet but wanted to share this wonderful link from  TheKitchn.com  for  12 ways to Use up all your Summer Squash  just in case you're looking for something new and different.   Enjoy!

CSA Week 6 ~ July 7-12 
Shares this week include: 
  • Early Peaches     
  • Apricots
  • Plums
  • Lettuce
  • Red onions
  • Summer squash
  • Swiss Chard
  • Mint
  • Radishes
  

Please protect your share from the heat. Fifteen minutes on a sunny front porch will ruin fragile items like berries and lettuce. If you won't be home when your delivery arrives, please consider providing a cooler with icepacks to keep your food fresh until you return. Be sure the inner dimensions of your cooler will accommodate a box that measures 19 x 10 x 9 inches.

Remember that there's no CSA pick-up or delivery on Mondays. 
Does Picking Their Own Make  Children More Likely to Eat It?

   

Just had to share this thoughtful observation of pick your own and it's impact on children and family featured in the Washington Post.  Author, Sarah Haymaker has been a part of our CSA Community for several years and shares many benefits to picking your own produce besides just eating it... 

Bluemont Fair 10K Race Registration Now Open


Sign up to run one of Northern Virginia's most beautiful 10k courses on September 19.
Make your plans to Eat Local
Farm to Fork Loudoun 
July 23-Aug. 2

We are excited to be part of Farm to Fork Loudoun again this year and working now with several local chefs to support their menus over the  dynamic 11-day culinary celebration of locally sourced foods. All participating restaurants will have a special menu made using 70%  Loudoun County grown and raised farm foods. Check out the full List of Restaurants and know that we are proud to be working with the following so far:

Belmont Country Club
Cured Food Truck
Fireworks American Pizzaria & Bar
Palio
Pikes Fish House
Salamander Resort
Shoes Cup & Cork
The Bungalow Lake House
Trinity House Cafe
The Wine Kitchen Hearth
The Wine Kitchen Leesburg

We hope you will make plans to be part of this Eat Local moment and enjoy a special meal or dessert at one of these amazing establishments!














In This Crop Talk:

Featured Recipes

Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler. 

 

Who has time to bake?  Anyone with a slow cooker!  Check out this recipe from Alton Brown via Food Network.


Week 6 CSA 

UPICK Bonus:

July 7-13

1 pint blueberries

$4.00

5 Peaches ~ $4.60
 

Year to date Upick Bonus Value:

$87.12

 

2015 Bonus Ticker

What is this?  Each week we offer a bonus u-pick item for members visiting the farm and this ticker  tracks the dollar value of the bonuses.  Many members find that month picking adds a nice extra value to their CSA share. 


This Week in the Farm Market

 

Peaches

Plums

Apricots

Watermelons

Summer Squash

Eastern Shore Sweet Corn
Georgia Tomatoes

Dirt Farm Brewing Grand Opening 
Friday, July 10, 12-7pm

Regular Hours: Fridays 2-7pm, Sat & Sun 12-6pm
We want to thank all our members who have helped us "kick the tires" at Dirt Farm Brewing this past month.  Your feedback on everything from brews to parking flow and signage has truly prepared us for our Grand Opening this Friday,July 10th.  Now it's time to celebrate on July 10 from noon to 7:00.  We'll have raffle prizes each hour and our first Live music with the Short Hill Mountain Boys.  Y'all come!