Green Gate Farms News: Spring Veggie CSA Week 8, Happy Memorial Day!
**Addie Broyles, food writer from the Austin American Statesman shows off her flower tattoo from the class this weekend.
FARM STAND/ADVANCE ORDERS
Farm Stand at Big Red Barn, East Austin (8310 Canoga Ave., Austin 78724) Open to all, Saturdays, 10-12 Veggies, Flowers, Garden Plants and Breathtaking Beauty at our 1902 Historic Bergstrom Farm. SNAP accepted (soon!)
This week at the farm stand you’ll find:
- Greens: Kale, Swiss Chard, Lettuce, Arugula
- Root Veggies: Radishes, Beets, Carrots
- Onions (Red & Yellow), Garlic Chives, Garlic
- Herbs: Parsley, Fennel Fronds, Mint, Thyme
- Other: Artichokes, Napa Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Zucchini, Zephyr Squash
- Plants for your Garden and Flower Bouquets!
AND MORE!
Advance Orders via “REKO Ring” Place your order weekly at private Facebook page for touchless pick up on Saturday mornings.
CSA NEWS
Spring Veggie and Flower CSA Snapshot:
- No Summer Veggie CSA -- food available at our farm stand and REKKO Ring.
- Veggie CSA Spring Season, 10 weeks: March 31st - June 2nd, $25 share weekly/prorated
- Flower CSA Spring Season, 12 weeks: April 7-June 26, $20 bouquet weekly/prorated. (Or join for the month of June.)
- 5 CSA pick-up locations in Austin and Bastrop, Wednesday/Saturdays
- Got a question about your food or flowers? Contact your Community Organizer, the volunteer who manages your pickup site and handles any issues that might arise.
FLOWER NEWS
This week’s bouquets are unusually beautiful thanks to the wide variety of flowers beginning to shake off the rainy doldrums. Heirloom mums with spoonbill petals, pink strawflowers, dahlias, nigella and the first of the chim chim rudbeckia.
Pick up a bouquet at our farm stand or join the remainder of our 12-week Flower CSA (prorated from the week you join). You can also join for just June. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and help our flower farm to thrive!
FLOWER FUN --Don’t miss:
- Crown Class - June 19. Just in time for Father’s Day. Create flower crowns for yourself/guy/partner. After a farm tour, we’ll show you how to use grapevine, wildflowers and herbs to create a one-of-a-kind headdress. Fun for birthdays, celebrations, all ages. Last chance to enjoy a class on the farm until Fall. $75 per crown.
FARM NEWS & EVENTS (see www.greengatefarms.net):
Our Floral Tattoo Class was so much fun this weekend! We'll do it again this Fall.
- Farm Camp for Adults. Have a farm or want one? The founders of GGF spend the morning answering your questions about how to find/start a sustainable farm. Also, cover tools, techniques, and resources. Sunday morning, 9-12, June 27.
- Cooking Class. Get some fresh ideas as our Farm-to-Table Intern Reese Bergschneider leads a cooking class in the Bergstrom farmhouse, Saturday, June 19. Stay tuned.
- Green Gate Gift Cards Available: Give the gift of fresh, organic food while supporting our farm. We have Farm Bucks for all your celebrations.
AGRIHOOD NEWS
Hey Agrihood Supporters! Here’s a chance for you to help an initiative that has been proposed in Wisconsin that addresses the need for affordable housing. They would appreciate letters of support (see their website.) Read about it here.
* June 9th, be sure to attend our monthly Garden Club meeting, 5:30-7:30 at the Big Red Barn.
GET INVOLVED
- Volunteer on our farm! Shifts available in east Austin and Bastrop. No experience necessary. Just complete the volunteer form on our website and we’ll be in touch! (www.greengatefarms.net)
- Speak up Your voice is needed as the legislative session winds down and rules affecting farmers, gardeners and eaters get slammed through or dropped. See Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance for more info. (www.farmandranchfreedom.org)
- Make a difference: Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association (TOFGA) is the leading voice of education and advocacy for organic food production in Texas. As a member-run/funded organization, TOFGA includes farmers, ranchers, gardeners, dairies, cheese makers, soil amendment producers, nurseries, food markets, farmers markets, educators, students, eaters and more. Volunteers and donations welcome, see www.tofga.org.
FARMER UPDATE
Notes From the Field: What A Soggy Week In Central Texas!
By Farmer Kalina
This week has been full of rolling storms and soggy farmers. As always, weather plays an important role in the way that we move about the farm. We adjust our plans, change our watering, planting, and harvesting schedules, and watch our local radar as if it is as important as national news. But, of course, we know that in Central Texas, especially this time of year, any plans made around the weather are pointless. This week I found myself sweating inside full rain gear as unexpected sun peaked from the clouds halfway through my morning harvest, and running to the barn with full creates of onions as I watched a lightning filled storm roll quickly my direction. Luckily I have learned to be adaptable and find amusement through these uncertain weather patterns.
It is important to find joy when working in these conditions. A good laugh over a boot sucked into the mud that leaves us with soggy socks, or a deep breath and smile when the wind changes and we’re hit by a cold hard gust, are key to continuing to do farm work throughout the changing seasons. That said, attempting to spend any time outdoors in August is not even a conversation I will humor. Noone is perfect and even I have my limits as I navigate an incredibily changing work environment. At times I get frustrated, we all do. Like when I arrive full of energy to tackle weeds or turn over beds but know any equipment used will just get stranded in the mud. Or when crops have to be harvested early because we can’t risk them rotting on soggy ground. It can be hard to take a step back and surrender to the plan the weather system has created for us.
That said, I am also grateful. I am grateful for the years of work and knowledge amassed by farmers before me. The guidance to make quick decisions while lightning is on the horizon. The ability to learn from the experience of those around me, rather than learning solely through the inevitable trails and tribulations that come with choosing to farm.
Spring CSA - Week 9 Veggie Share
- Onions
- Beets
- Zucchini & Zephyr Squash
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- White Russian Kale
- Green Beans
- Cilantro
Sneak Peak Of The Week 10 Veggie Share:
- Garlic
- Swiss Chard
- Potatoes
- Summer Squash
- Beans
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Herbs *Items are subject to change based on availability
Recipes From Kalina:
Simple Skillet Green Beans - Enjoy the seasons first green beans with this simple and delicious recipe!
Simple Skillet Green Beans - Healthy Seasonal Recipes
These simple skillet green beans are a perfect healthy side dish for lazy days of summer. Simple one-pot green bean recipe with garlic, olive oil and a little spice. Vegan, paleo and naturally gluten-free.
Grilled Zucchini with Cilantro, Lime, and Cotija - Try this recipe for a fun and flavor-packed take on grilled zucchini! Use your yellow summer squash too, and if you don’t have a grill, try roasting the spears!
https://thelocalpalate.com/recipes/grilled-zucchini-with-cilantro-lime-and-cotija/Ultra Crispy Smashed Potatoes - You can’t go wrong with this smashed potatoes recipe! A real treat with our fresh yukon gold potatoes!
