~Truth brings peace to the heart~
FULL SHARE DELIVERY TO ALL LOCATIONS
HALF SHARE DELIVERY FOR FARM PICK-UP AND THE NUR CENTER
Welcoming Visitors
I must admit, my hours in the garden this week have been scarce. The rest of the crew has been hard at work! I however, have had my attention on conducting our many volunteers and work study  crew in preparing the grounds and buildings for welcoming many visitors for the upcoming Sufi gathering on labor day weekend at the Farm of Peace. I am enjoying the renewal the farm goes through. All the hidden places that collect useful, and not so useful material, can be uncovered and reorganized, and those materials used or passed on. As spaces are transformed for the weekend to host our many guests, they are getting so much cleaning, care and beautification. I only hope, in the coming year, the farm will host many more, to share in the richness of this land. Whether it be childrens' groups, weddings, spiritual gatherings, environmental gatherings, or any gathering of those seeking a unique and serene place to come together, in alignment with our values of caring for the earth, the farm offers many opportunities.
Please visit our website www.farmofpeace.com to learn more about Sufi School at the Farm of Peace next Labor Day weekend. Please feel free to call me with any questions! Please also remember that no shares will be delivered next weekend, Sept 1st or 2nd. The pole barn and kitchen that we use to prepare your shares each week will be hosting a crew of kitchen staff preparing organic meals, with produce from the farm, for the many guests who will be attending this event.
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Don't Count Your Watermelons Before They Have Germinated
 I am remembering my article a few weeks ago...don't count your chickens before they have hatched. Here is the perfect example for me to take that advice into account. I love watermelon! It is one of my favorite crops to harvest and share. Last year, we had melons to share for weeks. This spring, as we were planting the seeds, I clearly remember sharing pictures of last years' crop with promises of what was to come. I was counting my seeds before they "hatched." Well, they did all germinate and produce healthy vines. Problem is, the fruits didn't come on in the same abundance, and the ones that did, seem to begin splitting and loosening from the vine while they are between the size of a baseball and a very small soccer ball. I am disappointed to report this, but thought it was better to share the truth of the matter. We may not have the melon abundance to share this year after all. There are a few rows that were planted later and are sending off much nicer looking fruit, so we will begin to share what we can.
I remember last year, talking with a friend and fellow CSA farmer in Berkeley Springs about the melon crop. I was so excited to share the lovely fruits we were picking in abundance. She was surprised, and said she couldn't get one to grow bigger than a baseball last summer. I might check and see what kind of year she is having this year. I am learning more and more with farming, change is inevitable.... every minute, day, season, year. There is always something to try our patience, our perserverence, our trust, and it is always rooted in wisdom and absolute goodness.
I begin with this, before I share my excitement of the beautiful winter squash vines that are filling up with fruits for the fall harvest. I am not going to count them before they have fully ripened and are ready to pick, but I will share that they look healthy and beautiful. We hope to have lots of butternuts, acorn, delicata and more for your fall shares, God willing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Honorable Joha, Mulla Nasruddin Hodja
and the Pumpkin Tree
The ever old but always young Mulla Nasruddin was involved in what he did best~relaxing under the shade of a walnut tree. Greeting friends as they walked by, enjoying his lunch of rice and lamb, he still found time to contemplate the wonders of Allah.
How generous is Allah, he thought, to provide us with so many foods. He smiled while picking up a walnut on the ground and examined it. However, if I were God I would have done things better. He looked over at the large garden of vegetables nearby. Take the pumpkin for example. It is a huge fruit on a plant with no strength to hold it, while the tiny walnut comes from a tree with enough strength to hold a donkey. If I were God I would switch them and make pumpkins grow on trees.
Just then he felt a tap on his head as a walnut fell from the tree. Looking at the object which had hit him, Mulla Nasruddin exclaimed, "Oh Allah, with what wisdom did You put walnuts on that tree. If it had been pumpkins, I would be sitting here with a huge lump on my head!"
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Thank you for joining us this season to share in the harvest and all of it's beauty, nourishment, and healing.
Please contact us any time with questions. You are always welcome to come visit!
Peace and Blessings~
Halima Willett
halima.willett@gmail.com
717-573-2956
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Fall CSA
September 22nd thru November 10th
We are inviting new members to join us for the Fall season!
If you have a Spring/Summer membership and would like to continue through the fall, we are now accepting enrollments.
Please share with others this opportunity to support local agriculture while receiving the healing nourishment it provides.
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This Weeks Harvest
Pac Choy (Asian Green)
Tomatillo
Heirloom Tomatoes
"Rainbow" Cherry Tomatoes
Cucumber
Green Peppers
Jalapeno Peppers
Big bag of Green beans
2 bulbs of Garlic
Bag of Basil
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Chicken Tomatillo & Chile Soup
Ingredients 6 cups chicken stock 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen 1/4 cup roasted chiles 4 tomatillos, husked and chopped 1 onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp. minced jalapeno juice of 1 lime 1 tsp. chile powder 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 Tbsp. canola oil Avocado and cilantro for garnish *** In a large soup pot heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, reduce heat to medium low and cover pot. Sweat the onion and garlic for about 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Add the chile powder and the cumin. Stir. Add the chicken stock, tomatillos, chiles and jalepeno. Bring mixture to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for about 15 minutes or until the tomatillos are soft. Add the corn and stir - cook for about 2 - 3 more minutes. Place some of the shredded chicken in each soup bowl. Ladle soup over chicken and garnish with avocado and cilantro. Serve
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Basil Vinaigrette
The basil is still sending off new leaves in abundance. In case you are tiring of it and need inspiration beyond pesto, here is an idea, much loved by a CSA members.
Thanks for sharing!
Ingredients 1 cup olive oil 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup honey 3 T chopped fresh basil 2 cloves garlic, minced
In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, basil, and garlic. Pour over or toss with your favorite salad to serve.
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