What's going on at Halcyon Farms

Happenings at the Farm

Those are some red tomatoes, don't ya think? As mentioned in a previous newsletter, our first harvest of Fourth of July tomatoes came in just before the holiday, and I think they are enjoying the fanfare of the big celebration. Fourth of July are typically the first tomatoes harvested on our farm. They are bred to mature quickly (only 49 days!), and their small size seems to ensure quick ripening. Primarily used as a salad tomato, the Fourth of July variety is juicy and sweet, especially in comparison to many slicing tomatoes which will be larger, firmer, and with a thicker consistency. One of the great things about growing this variety is that they just keep coming, producing well into the fall. Plus, they get sweeter as the season progresses and the weather heats up. The Fourth of July variety was bred by the seed company W. Atlee Burpee & Co., and they maintain the distribution rights and safeguard the secret of the tomato's breeding. I think they protect that secret pretty jealously too because Fourth of July was a big winner at a tasting competition at the University of California at Davis in 2004, just a few years after the variety's introduction in 1997. It won out over all other competitors, big and small, in the Salad and Slicing division. Yes, there are divisions! Now, that contest was quite a few years ago, but we continue to hear plenty of good feedback about these little guys. And you've proven their popularity by purchasing them again and again throughout their harvest time. So here's to our patriotic tomato and the start of another fantastic season!

Cauliflower and broccoli are still going strong, and we'll have plenty at the stand - and in our harvest bag. Green beans are tender and sweet and only need a short steam to bring out their best. Some folks even like them better raw! We have a new bed of romaine being harvested, and the heads are full and leafy, perfect for a Mediterranean salad - see recipe below. Corn is taking a breather but will be back in a couple of weeks. Green cabbage is coming in nice-sized and beautiful. Strawberries and raspberries will take their regular spots on the berry shelf. Cirone Farms will be bringing more apricots this week, but we have a two-week hiatus on peaches until the next variety is ready. Murcott mandarins are in again and wonderfully sweet and tart - such great flavor. We will again offer many tomato options: 4th of July and Early Girl from our farm as well as cherry tomatoes and Sunbrite tomatoes from Bautista Farms. Tutti Fruitti will provide the delicious heirlooms. Gotta love all the summer choices! Come by and check them out!

-Eileen

Inside the Harvest Bag

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Harvest Bag

all for $25

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Yellow Spring Onions

Romaine Lettuce (see recipe)

Green Beans

Zucchini

Carrots

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Sierra Gold Potatoes

Avocados (Righetti Ranch, SLO)

Vendors

VENDORS THIS TUESDAY

Little Red Hen Bread

Brannum Family Farms Microgreens

The Farm Stand Table should have...

Grown on our farm using organic practices and no pesticides:

4th of July tomatoes | early girl tomatoes | blue lake green beans

Persian cucumbers | yellow spring onions | zucchini | strawberries

raspberries | carrots | rainbow carrots | red and green cabbage

endive | halcyon gold, sierra gold, and fingerling potatoes

leeks | salad mix | arugula | dandelion greens | tarragon

collard greens | kale | spicy greens | mustard greens | basil

romaine lettuce | red butter lettuce | red and green salanova lettuce

kidney, peruano, flor de mayo, and pinto dry beans

sage bundles | essential oils and hydrosols

gladiola and mixed dahlia flower bunches

Halcyon Farms merch: aprons, market bags, sweatshirts, hats, t-shirts

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From our partner growers using pesticide-free and/or organic practice

English shelling peas | heirloom tomatoes | cherry tomatoes

'sunbrite' tomatoes | apricots | peaches

murcott tangerines | lemons | blood oranges

valencia oranges | ruby star grapefruit | mellogold grapefruit

navel oranges | cara cara oranges

patty pan squash | yellow onions | walnuts | Hass avocados | local honey

stone-milled flours | almond brittle (Saturdays)

bee pollen | beeswax soap

vegetable and herb starts from Growing Grounds Farm

Recipes

Mediterranean Chopped Salad

Ingredients

Red Wine Vinaigrette

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Salad

1 large cucumber, halved lengthwise and diced
1/2 red onion thinly sliced (1 cup or 4 ounces)
1 head romaine lettuce shredded (4 cups packed or 8 ounces)
1 1/2 cups diced 4th of July tomatoes (10 ounces)
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas drained and rinsed
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
4 ounces feta cheese cubed or crumbled

Directions

To make the dressing, in a large bowl whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste (I like ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper).
Add the diced cucumber and the sliced red onion and marinate at least 5 minutes or up to 30 minutes.
Add the lettuce, tomatoes, chickpeas, and Kalamata olives to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to combine and sprinkle with feta cheese.

Adapted from https://www.culinaryhill.com

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Stand Hours

OPEN RAIN/SHINE, YEAR ROUND

(may close for high winds or flooding)

Tuesdays & Fridays: noon to 5 pm

Saturdays: 10 am to 3 pm

FARM STAND LOCATION:

1075 "The Pike" in Arroyo Grande.

We are located on the south side of The Pike,

between Halcyon Road and Elm Street.

write an email to us at

halcyonfarmsag@gmail.com

Grab and Go Harvest Bags

AVAILABLE TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS ONLY

NO RESERVATION OR SUBSCRIPTION NECESSARY. $25 per bag.

We have a wooden lean-to set up adjacent to our parking lot with the Harvest Bags and a white mail box where you can put your payment ($25/ bag). We accept cash, checks, and Venmo at the table. Or, you can come into the farm stand to pay by EBT or credit card.

Growing vegetables, fruits and fresh cut flowers for our community using organic farming practices and no pesticides.

Halcyon Farms | 1075 The Pike in Arroyo Grande | www.halcyonfarmsag.com