CSA Deliveries Begin
Crop Talk: June 2, 2014
The Newsletter of Great Country Farms
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U-Pick, U-Play, U-Grow
Word From Your Farmer
After months of preparation, we'll begin delivering CSA shares tomorrow! First week boxes include asparagus, kale, spring onions, strawberries, a basil plant, and this year's hottest vehicular distinction: the new
"Who's Your Farmer?" magnet, which resembles decals from destinations like the Outer Banks, except it has a pink pig on top.

We are finding this season to be quite a challenge for our strawberries with the cold, wet spring and 3 days of rain last week and more forecasted for this week.  There are lots of berries in the field but we are just not getting the good size and fast ripening this year.  We are bringing in berries from other local sources to ensure that we include strawberries as an essential part of our first CSA boxes and still have berries for u-pick this week.  They will be fleeting this season, so do try to come out within the next week.   
 
A few reminders for home delivery members: boxes are light for the first couple of weeks because most of our crops are still maturing, but they'll get heavier as the season progresses. As Farmer Kate likes to say, "I can carry 3 boxes in the spring but only at a time in the fall when potatoes and apples come in."  Once our routes are stabilized, you should receive your box at roughly the same time of day each week, but arrival times may vary these first few weeks.  Our goal is to have all the boxes delivered by 5pm daily. If no one will be home to bring the box in out of the heat, please leave a cooler with "blue" reusable ice packs out so the produce doesn't wilt. See below for cooler suggestions.  PLEASE leave a note on the cooler that it is for CSA produce.  It may seem obvious,  but we instruct our drivers not to touch any item at a client home without permission.  We want to respect your property and the note makes sure everyone is on the same page.    
 
Here's a great kale recipe from chef Kiet Ly at the Garden of Eatin', the restaurant at NOVA Medical Center, which is one of our group site partners.
 

Maple Sesame Kale Salad 

Serves 4-6 people

 

       Ingredients

1 cup Kale (thin slices)

1 cup Bok Choy (thin slices) 

1 cup green cabbage (thin slices)

1 cup red cabbage (thin slices)

1 cup carrots (thin slices)

1/2 bunch green onions (thin slices)

1 tbsp. sesame seed (toasted)

1 tbsp. low sodium gluten free soy sauce

1 tbsp. maple syrup

1 tbsp. sesame oil

1 tbsp. rice vinegar

1 tsp. black pepper

1 tbsp. ginger (minced)

1 tbsp. garlic (minced)

 

Directions

Combine the kale, bok choy, cabbage and carrots.  Put the soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, rice vinegar, pepper, ginger, garlic in a bowl and whisk well.  Toss the greens with dressing and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.  

 
Farm News
Upcoming Events
In The Farm Market June 2-7
Pre-Picked Strawberries $3.29/lb
Upick Strawberries $2.29/lb
Asparagus $1.99/lb
CSA Bonus
1 Pint of Strawberries/CSA Share Box

Please keep in mind that strawberries do ripen over time and rainy days impact the availability of strawberries.  Best picking is always weekday mornings at 9:15am.  IF you plan to come in the afternoon or later than 10am on a weekend PLEASE call the farm line or check our facebook page for any changes in picking conditions and availability.  The last thing we want members to do is drive an hour to the farm to find that we are picked out of strawberries.

We are bringing in strawberries from local sources for the farm market and deliveries as we can find them to help supply the huge demand for these sweet treats of spring.
CSA Bonus Ticker
Guests have asked us over the years to help quantify the u-pick value in our CSA shares.  Last year we did a u-pick value ticker so members could track their bonus value.  Last year's ticker wrapped up just over $165.00 in market value.  We hope you are able to make it out at least once a month to enjoy a picnic at the farm, chat with your farmers, and do a little bonus picking to add value to your CSA share.

CSA Bonus Ticker: 

Week 6/2: $2.00
Year to Date: $2.00
Keep Your Share Cool
Options for pickup and for CSA delivery shares
Our thanks to group site host Rich Voigt for his steadfast pursuit of the best delivery-day cooling options for the new share boxes. This collapsable insulated tote has plenty of room for your box and a reusable cooling device such as the ice mat on top of the cooler in this photo. Both the tote and the mat are available from the Webstaurant Store for the low prices of $13.99 and $3.99, respectively. Note that prices drop if you buy in bulk. If you're looking for a different cooling solution, remember that our boxes measure 10 inches by 12 inches by 19 inches.

Zip Code Delivery Days, one more time:

Tuesday: 20170, 20171, 22003, 22015, 22030, 22032, 22033, 22150, 22151, 22152, 22153, 22304, 22312, 22315

Wednesday: 20132, 20135, 20141, 20158, 20164, 20165, 20166, 22027, 22031, 22041, 22042, 22043, 22044, 22046, 22066, 22101, 22102, 22124, 22180, 22181, 22182, 22201, 22203, 22204, 22205, 22206, 22207, 22209

Thursday: 20105, 20120, 20121, 20151, 20152, 20190, 20191, 20194, 22202, 22301, 22302, 22303, 22305, 22314

Friday: 20147, 20148, 20175, 20176

Get Hungry
On June 6, Open Kitchen, our CSA group site partner in Falls Church, will be matching flavors with our co-winecrafters on the other side of Foggy Bottom Road at the Second Annual Open Kitchen / Bluemont Vineyard Wine Dinner. Chef Katie Reineberg has designed a menu that combines local produce with wines from Bluemont Vineyard in ways that your taste buds will long remember.


The first course features Fritto Misto with shaved radicchio, Fresno chilies, and lemon cream, which Reineberg pairs with Bluemont Vineyard's 2013 Viognier. Course two includes seared pork loin with cherry BBQ gastrique and summer vegetable slaw balanced against the Vineyard's 2012 Farm Table Red. The third course: handmade smoked tomato pasta with pancetta and lamb ragu, paired with 2011 Merlot. The feast concludes with chocolate pots de creme spoons.

 

The cost is $79, excluding tax and gratuity, but Bluemont Vineyard True Blue Members receive a 20% discount.

  
Open Kitchen is a unique restaurant idea that focuses on food-centered private events -- everything from corporate team-building to wedding rehearsal dinners. Slow Foods DC has honored Open Kitchen with their Snail of Approval Award for the past two years. This special event is scheduled for June 6 from 6:30 to 9:00 at Open Kitchen's bistro, 7115 Leesburg Pike, #107, in Falls Church. For more information, call 703-942-8148, or click this link to register. 

Fathers' Day Fish-A-Rama with Bryan Kelly

We are thrilled to welcome  Bryan Kelly,  a 1994 BASS Master Qualifier, to the farm for a spin tackle and fly casting demonstration at this year's Fish-A-Rama.  Bryan is the CEO of the Angler's Inn in Harpers Ferry, and a veteran of 18 years as a Potomac River fishing guide. He has been featured on The Outdoor Channel on Curtis Flemings Fly Rod Chronicles.   Come and spend some time with this accomplished author, artist, and fly designer, and hone your fishing craft. Bryan will be at the farm on June 15. 

 

 
Be sure to like our facebook and follow us on  Twitter  @TheFarmerSay and @ElmerThePig for the lastest news of the farm.  We appreciate it when you share our link on your page showing your friends how you support local. It helps keep our CSA running strong.

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