Hello
There are few things more picture perfect than the old fashioned "shock and cap" of oats arranged neatly in a field. It is also quite a unique scene not found outside of Amish country.
For the last two weeks the old order Amish farmers have been busy cutting and binding their oat crop. The process is quite fascinating and requires the whole community to pitch in.
Oats for a farmer isn't for human consumption (although you could eat them). For the farmers around here, oats is for their horses. It's an important component of the feed for the horses, and with all the farmers using horses for transportation and work, they must raise a lot of oats.
Ripe oats have a seedhead that is firm and full. The stem of the plant will be dry and golden brown. The head begins to droop over from the weight of the full pod and the oats is ready to harvest. The farmer then needs to find a way to "thrash it." Thrashing is simply the mechanical action of removing the seed from the stalk.
In modern farming, a farmer would pass through the field with a combine. The combine would separate the seeds and blow the stalk - known as the straw - out the back. For the small Amish farmer, they do it differently.
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First, the oats are cut with a "reaper binder." It ties a bundle of oats together into what's called a shock (featured on the right). Next, a group of men go through the field and arrange the shocks into a pyramid shape. They take the last one and fan it out to make a "cap." The cap protects the shocks below from rain. |
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After a week and when the weather is right, it's time for all the neighbors in the "thrashing ring" to gather. The thrashing ring is just a group of neighboring farmers who all share in each other's work and share a common piece of equipment. In this case, they all care for a common machine - the thrasher. It's an antique and quite a delicate piece of equipment.
The men go from farm to farm on different days and help with the thrashing. This past Saturday was thrashing at one of our neighbors' farm - Merlin. 8 men gathered to collect the shocks from about 6 acres and pitch them into the thrashing machine.
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The thrashing machine uses heavy paddles to knock the seeds from the seed head. The straw is sent through a chopper with a fan below it. The seeds fall down through the air while the straw is blown up and out of the machine.
A conveyor belt brings the oats out the back and dumps them into a wagon. To the right you'll find a photo of the finished product.
This past Saturday, Merlins' team was able to collect all the shocks and thrash it in just 3 hours. The yield - approximately 200 bushel, or about 5 tons, of oats.
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Ashley put together a new treat this week featuring blueberries from Blossom Creek Farm.
A thick blueberry topping covers up the creamy, vanilla custard filling. A lard and butter whole wheat crust holds the pie together.
Is it a pie for dinner dessert or breakfast? We think both - a dual purpose pie.
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And, back by popular demand -- Smores Cookies. Or, at least one very well crafted and motivating email from long time Fresh Forker, Michelle B.
"I am writing to you because we have a “situation.” Ashley clearly thinks it is pie season, and I only have 2 s’mores cookies left. What are you going to do about this? Weren’t those cookies your idea? My nickname is Sister-snack-alot & her S’mores cookies are my favorite snack!!!! Can you hide the lemons so she is unable to make pie this week? Is she planning to make s’mores cookies again? Am I going to have to drive to Wilmot & beg?
Seriously, if she is unable to make them, would she be willing to share her recipe with me? I will not share it or ever mention this transcript."
I lost it at the "transcript," as if the s'mores recipe was evidence in a trial. Well put request Michelle. Your wish is granted!
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The bounty of summer harvest is starting to really come in. For those of you who want to "put up" your own canned goods, check online to pre-order larger quantities of canning items (at a discount).
This week's availability includes:
- peaches
- hot hungarian peppers
- pickles
Canning tomatoes will be best put off until September when prices are lower and paste type tomatoes are abundant.
We expect to have a good supply of peaches, peppers, and pickles for the next month. If there is anything else special you are looking for, please write back.
Stay tuned for updates on upcoming canning meetup!
What is it?
- A hands-on canning event where everyone shares in the work and shares in the yield
- All materials - produce, jars, lids, etc - will be included in the price
- Event will be hosted at the Wholesome Valley Farm cannery and feature help from our licensed canning team
- Use our commercial equipment to make the processing go faster
- Date and price? Tentatively Saturday, Aug 29. Price: TBD depending on what items are made
- Box lunch provided
I'm calling around to the farmers and trying to double check availability. It looks like we'll probably do:
- canned peaches
- a jam or two
- something with cabbage, either kraut or coleslaw
- something pickled, maybe beets
- tomato product, either sauce or salsa
Derek and Ashley are taking inventory of our tables, chairs, etc and helping to set a limit on number of participants who can safely participate. Masks will be required. We'll provide all other sanitation including gloves, hair nets, etc.
Expect a separate email invite soon.
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Small Omnivore
Grassfed Ground Beef
Red Seeded Watermelon
Sweet Corn
Hot Hungarian Peppers
Green Peppers
Red Potatoes
Grape Tomatoes
Eggplant
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Small Vegetarian
Red Seeded Watermelon
Sweet Corn
Hot Hungarian Peppers
Green Peppers
Red Potatoes
Grape Tomatoes
Eggplant
Blueberries
Garlic
Yellow Squash
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Mini
Red Seeded Watermelon
Sweet Corn
Hot Hungarian Peppers
Green Peppers
Grape Tomatoes
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Large Omnivore
Grassfed Ground Beef
Red Seeded Watermelon
Sweet Corn
Hot Hungarian Peppers
Green Peppers
Red Potatoes
Grape Tomatoes
Eggplant
Heirloom Tomatoes
Lettuce
Eggs
Nectarines
Feta
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Large Vegetarian
Red Seeded Watermelon
Sweet Corn
Hot Hungarian Peppers
Green Peppers
Red Potatoes
Grape Tomatoes
Eggplant
Heirloom Tomatoes
Lettuce
Eggs
Nectarines
Feta
Blueberries
Garlic
Yellow Squash
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Small Vegan
Red Seeded Watermelon
Sweet Corn
Hot Hungarian Peppers
Green Peppers
Red Potatoes
Grape Tomatoes
Eggplant
Blueberries
Garlic
Yellow Squash
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Reminder: Carnivore Share bags are every-other-week based on pick-up location. You will be randomly assigned to a group (A, B, C). Check for the assignment in your last name. By the end of the season, all groups will have received the same amount of all products.
Week 11 Carnivore Schedule
Akron, Beachwood, Bratenahl, Chagrin Falls, Cleveland Heights, Copley, Hudson, Mayfield, Mentor, Shaker Heights, Solon
**Carnivore share bags are only available at the first "dropoff location" listed on the location tab of your account as of 6/1. Carnivore shares cannot be transferred. We pack for the exact number based on location.**
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SPECIAL ORDER
Location Details
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Your special order will only be delivered only to your primary location as selected in your profile (see below). Please review this BEFORE placing your order (adjust + save as needed). Please do not email or call to change the location of your special order. It sounds easier said than done. Our software prints a pick list per location for what products we must take along. If we attempt to move it manually there is a high probability that we'll mess it up and no one will be happy.
Please leave the "new" location set in your profile until after you pick up your special order. You will have to log back into your account to change it back to your usual stop BEFORE you place your next order the following week.
When you get to your check-in, please let the greeter know you also have a special order to pick-up. The order is packed separate from the regular share.
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