CR
Crop Talk
The Newsletter of Great Country Farms
February 8, 2016: National CSA Day

18780 Foggy Bottom Road
Bluemont, VA 20135
National CSA Day
February 26
 
What does CSA mean to you? Submit your video response to that question, and you 
could win $1000 from Small Farm Central.

Small Farm Central's CSA Day Video
Small Farm Central's CSA Day Video

   Welcome to CSA 2016! We're kicking off the new season with an invitation to have some fun and win some money. Small Farm Central, a tech company created by farmers, is sponsoring a video contest to promote National CSA Day. They'll select a group of finalists on February 20 and make those videos available for public viewing. Then they'll ask us all to vote for our favorite between February 22 and February 26. The winner will be announced after CSA Day. Follow this link to contest guidelines.  
CSA Day Bonus Package
   Buy your CSA membership on February 26 and we'll thank you with two free tastings at Bluemont Vineyard, two free tastings at Dirt Farm Brewing, and three souvenir GCF vehicle magnets. 
New This Season

Three new Community Group Sites 
Broadlands Nature Center, 21907 Claiborne Parkway, Ashburn VA


Clarendon Farmers Market3140 Wilson Blvd, Arlington VA 22201


Evergreen Sportsplex19623 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg VA 20175

Visit our website for more information on these new partners. 

Thursday Night Previews
   Last year, many of you asked that we publish the contents of the next box before the weekend, so this year we'll post Previews on Barn Talk, the GCF blog. We won't always have the complete list by Thursday night, but we should be 75% sure.

Farm and Food News 
   Many of you also asked to know more about the status of our crops in the field, so we'll keep you up to date on what's growing and how it's doing. We'll also devote more blog space to the surprising body of evidence that eating plants can change your life. 

New Home Online
   One of the most exciting changes this season is a brand new, mobile-friendly website which will improve your online experience, whether you're looking for specific information or just browsing. 
Coming Up

Come and see what Loudoun is growing on February 27 from 10:00 to 5:00, at the Bush Tabernacle in Purcellville. Visit our booth and bring your friends!

We've been invited to participate in this day-long celebration of pathways to wellness, featuring speakers, demonstrations, a documentary on urban farming, and dozens of exhibitors. March 5, 9:00 to 5:30 at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax VA .

Peeps
Enjoy raising baby chicks in your home -- and when they get big enough to be a nuisance, bring them back to us! Peeps will be available beginning March 19, our Opening Day. Watch the website for purchasing details.

Healthy Business Challenge 
Superhero Run
April 24

   This year Great Country Farms will be organizing a team to participate in the Second Annual Superhero 5K, the capstone event for the Loudoun County Healthy Business Challenge. Join fellow CSA members and your favorite farmers on the cross-country course at Bolen Park to show your support for community wellness initiatives. Proceeds benefit Boulder Crest Retreat.



This website is a great source of information and inspiration. If you want to learn more about plant-based diets, you might start with this video:


Sunflower Logo
In This Crop Talk:
Featured Recipes

   
   "Combining chickpeas with steamed broccoli makes for a quick and delicious dish that's rich in fiber and protein and can be served as a main or a side. As it can be made up to two days in advance, it's a nice salad for a desk lunch -- though we like it plenty for a fast weeknight meal over a bed of greens or in a toasted pita."

Read more here.

   "I absolutely love homemade cream of broccoli soup, but what I don't love are all the calories that come along with it. My version is  a silky smooth blended soup that has a creamy consistency without any added cream.  To thicken the soup without adding flour or cream, I add a large potato which also adds a bit of bulk and makes it more filling."

Read more here.