I sure would like to report we got a good soaking rain but none has come our way. A good soaking rain would make such a huge difference right now. The mature crops could use it to maintain, the newly planted transplants of lettuces, greens, and carrots would take off for fall and those seeds that haven’t germinated yet would be up and running. We’re just not getting a lot of help with the rain this summer and its hurting.
The amount of rainfall greatly affects the speed at which crops mature, the quality on crops, insect pressure (stressed plants get attacked), overall health of the garden - all of that adds up to how much we can harvest. Our irrigation lines continue to run but it’s just not the same. Cross your fingers the garden gets a good soaking before we talk again next week.
Good work has been accomplished in the past week. The new hoophouse is taking shape. We had a crew with us Saturday afternoon helping to pound in ground posts - very hard work. We'll be putting up the hoops this week.
The onion harvest was completed and the roots are curing in our west shed where a steady very dry south and west breeze helps cure and dry the skins so the onions will keep well.
The beds in our shade house are once again completely filled with lettuces and greens waiting to mature – rain would help. And some seriously weedy areas have fallen to our hand pulling and sharp knives.
On the livestock end of things, two pigs went to the locker on Tuesday morning for the CSA meat shares. And the rogue hens and rooster who have been sneaking out of the fence have now found a new home at our good friend and employee Emily’s house. That big proud rooster cried liked a baby when he was caught and taken away. The bad news is an owl has found our meat birds and is picking off one chicken per night. Control of aerial predators is challenging especially when they come in the middle of the night. I suppose an owl needs to eat too and well, he couldn't be eating a higher quality chicken.
Lots happening and so much more to do. Field Day lunch tickets are now available and we hope you can join us. If you prefer to bring your own lunch or none at all, you are welcome to do that as well. It will be a fun day at the farm. Everyone is welcome!
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| Lucy Helps Brian Work On The Ground Posts For The New Hoophouse |
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| Earl Has An Audience As He Pounds In Each Ground Post HARD WORK! |
In Your Box This Week
Tomatoes – The tomatoes may have slowed a bit this week as overnight temperatures for the last several days have been in the mid 50’s. That will slow down warm season crops. But we’re still harvesting quite a bit of fruit. Everyone should receive a pint and an additional 2 lbs of tomatoes today.
Onions
Peppers - Beautiful colored peppers – all sweet and picked just this morning for you.
Beets – This is the last of the beets from our first planting.
Fresh Sage – This beautiful sage can be used fresh or allowed to dry until leaves are crumbly to use in the future. This is an earthy herb pairs well with roasted chicken, sautéed mushrooms and savory homemade bread or muffins. Try sautéing onions in butter with fresh sage leaves and toss with pasta and parmesan.
Red Russian Kale or Bok Choy
Kohlrabi – Our second crop of kohlrabi is in and the size and flavor of the bulbs is very nice. Kohlrabi is prepared by removing leaves and peeling the bulb. Once peeled, the kohlrabi can be eaten fresh or used in your favorite recipe. We love it in cole slaw along with cabbage and carrots.
September 18 - Farm Field Day
Come Join Us!
Save the date! We're having a party! It's a Field Day here at the farm celebrating the harvest season, organic food, hard work, and good friends.
Brian and I and the girls will be opening up our farm to you, giving a farm tour, serving an awesome lunch, answering questions, and enjoying the day.
We're inviting CSA members and the public to join us for the farm tour including the garden and all the livestock - pigs, chickens, and beef calves. Children especially love the farm and there will be special kids activities to make the day a fun educational day.
One of the highlights will be the organic lunch. Using strictly local organic food, almost all of it coming from Broad Branch Farm, Chef Monika Sudakov of the Chestnut Street Inn in Sheffield, Illinois will be preparing an outstanding lunch. Chef Monika is a strong supporter and consumer of local organic food not to mention and excellent chef. She embraces our commitment to eating and growing local organic food. Her creativity and energy will be an excellent contribution to the field day.
2011 Field Day Lunch Details
The Field Day lunch will be local, organic and homemade. Ingredients we do not produce ourselves or are unable to find local and organic will be purchased certified organic. Chef Monika of the Chestnut Street Inn Bed and Breakfast in Sheffield, Illinois will be assisting us with the lunch preparation.
Lunch ticket includes choice of entrée (pulled pork, chicken breast, frittata OR kids organic hot dog) plus salads and dessert. Organic homemade lemonade and bottled water is also included.
Deadline for purchasing lunch tickets for the 2011 Field Day is Wednesday, September 14th. Tickets will be available until sold out. Lunch will be served around 1 p.m. following the garden walk.
Purchasing Tickets
Tickets can be purchased from Brian or Anita at the CSA pickup locations or by mail. No online sign up or payment is available. Checks should be made payable to Broad Branch Farm and mailed to:
Broad Branch Farm
15848 Twp Rd 500 N
Wyoming, IL 61491
If ordering by mail, please indicate choice of entrée for each ticket purchased. Tickets will be mailed once payment is received.
Lunch Ticket Prices
Adults: $20
Kids Meal $10 Ages 7-12 (organic hot dog)
Kids Ages 6 and under eat free
Lunch ticket should be presented at the Field Day as proof of purchase.
2011 Field Day Lunch Menu
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Pit Roasted Organic Pastured Pulled Pork on Apple Butter Wheat Roll
Pastured Organic Chicken Breast Marinated With Fresh Thyme, Oregano, Lemon, and Garlic
With An Herbed Egg Bun
Pastured Organic Hot Dog on Whole Wheat Roll
locally made organic hot dogs using Broad Branch Farm pastured pork and beef
(kids meal)
Vegetable and Herb Frittata
organic pastured eggs, seasonal vegetables and herbs
(vegetarian option)
Quinoa Tabouli Salad
quinoa, late summer tomatoes, multi-colored peppers, cilantro, cucumbers, mint, parsley, onions, and garlic with a lemon and olive oil dressing
Caprese Salad
layers of fresh tomatoes, homemade fresh mozzarella made with local organic milk, and basil leaves
finished with olive oil and balsamic vinegar reduction
Salad Greens
garden greens and lettuces, tomatoes, radish, cucumber, patty pan squash and sliced pastured organic hard-boiled egg with a roasted garlic and chive vinaigrette
Dessert
Custard Pie with Fresh Whipped Cream
organic pastured eggs and fresh local organic farm milk and cream
Bottled Water and Our Homemade Organic Lemonade
2011 Field Day Schedule of Events
11:00 a.m. Kids Farm Craft
Kids will be provided with a shopping bag to decorate before taking the garden tour and harvesting food from a ‘shopping list’. Harvested food can be taken home to eat and enjoy. Kids will learn about using natural vegetable dyes and how food on the farm is produced and harvested.
11:30 a.m. Farm and Garden Tour
Enjoy a stroll around the farm and visit the organic garden, pastured laying hens, grass fed beef, and pastured pigs. Brian and Anita will host the tour and answer any questions you have about their farm operation.
1:00 p.m. Organic Lunch
Lunch ticket required. Please contact the farm by phone or email to purchase tickets for lunch. Tickets available until sold out.
2:00 p.m. Kids Farm Fun
Lucy and Susannah Poeppel, both kids themselves, will host a few fun farm activities to end the day. All kids and maybe a few adults are welcome to participate.
Ongoing Activities
Tomato Tasting
Enjoy a tasting of the farm’s finest fruit.
Farm Stand
Purchase organic eggs, meat, CSA shares and more.
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