Hunter Farms Logo
June 5th, 2014
Farm News
 
After routine, annual checkup and maintenance, our irrigation system is up and running and poised to provide water to the fields whenever necessary. Resetting our irrigation lines is an important part of the annual rhythm of the farm. We employ a drip irrigation system that conserves water and reduces pathogens on plant tissue. Our irrigation water sources are regularly sampled and tested by Microbac Laboratories, Inc. located on Wager road in Erie. The samples must be free of bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants in order to maintain our organic certification. This system is a crucial part of the overall effort to grow well-fed, well-watered, organic produce of the highest possible quality.

CSA News

To all current CSA members: 
For those of you that plan to pick up your shares, please let us know at which location you'd like to do so. As a reminder, the options available to you are Hunter Farms located at 7269 Sterrettania Rd in Fairview, Competitive Gear located at 3501 W 12th St in Millcreek, and the Whole Foods Co-Op located at 1341 W 26th St in Erie. We appreciate your cooperation so that we can finalize our Saturday morning CSA delivery route. Thanks!
 
As a continued reminder, the sign-up period for 2014 CSA Season membership is still open. Order forms can be found below and at the farm's website at hunterfarmsorganic.com/csa.html. Please don't hesitate to call us at 814 840 4370 or send us an email to [email protected] if you have questions or need assistance of any kind.



Abundant sunshine, timely rains, and warm temperatures continue to accelerate the growth and ripening of all of our crops. Several weeks ago we showed you newly flowering blueberry plants. This week, we're very happy to share an image captured just this morning of beautiful green blueberries. It won't be long before they've ripened and we can begin to share and enjoy them in their final, delicious form.

Available at the Farm Store
 
Weekly Special

This week, we're featuring organic jarred goods from Clarion River Organics. We'll be offering our entire selection of products, including sauerkraut, hot and sweet peppers, hot sauce, and organic Bloody Mary mix at a 40% discount. Stop out to the Farm Store, located at 7269 Sterrettania Road in Fairview and stock up.
 
Open Saturdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  
 Certified Organic Produce: 
 
Hunter Farms Fresh, Organic Asparagus 
Hunter Farms Fresh, Organic Chives
Hunter Farms Fresh, Organic Chive Blossoms 
Hunter Farms Fresh, Organic Oregano
Hunter Farms Fresh, Organic Radishes 
Old State Farms Maple Syrup and Maple Products 
Clarion Rivers Organics Canned Goods and Breakfast Cereals
Frankferd Farms Pastry Mixes and Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
ReCap Regular and Wide Mouth Jar Lids
Out of the Grey Organic Teas
Hunter Farms Organic Blueberry Plants
Hunter Farms Organic Blueberry and Strawberry Jam
Fresh Little Farm Girl Handmade Soaps and Sundries
Local Honey and Beeswax Candles
Grabski Farm Eggs and Antibiotic & Hormone-Free Meats
Simply Body Soap Nets
Beelzebub's Salsas and Spicy Pickles
NOW Aromatherapy Essential Oils 
Garden of Eden Organic Canned Goods
 
Hunter Farms Kitchen
Hunter Farms Organic Chive Blossoms

Everyone knows that chives are a tasty addition to salads and baked potatoes, and can be an elegant topping for creamy soups. But what about their gorgeous purple blossoms? A bouquet of chive flowers would make a fragrant centerpiece at your next cook-out, or you could try using the blossoms in the kitchen.

Gently pull the individual flowers from the base of the blossoms, or use the blossoms whole. Toss with mashed potatoes, potato salad, or saut�ed vegetables and chicken. Sprinkle them on top of a salad of fresh greens, or try the two unique recipes below.

Chive Blossom Cream Sauce and Pasta
    Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan and add a clove or two of minced garlic. Sprinkle 3-4 tablespoons of flour into the pan and stir to make a roux - it should look like wet sand. Start whisking, then slowly pour 2 cups of stock or broth into the pan. Reduce slightly, then add � cup of sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt). Add a handful of snipped chives and chive blossoms then toss with one pound of cooked pasta.

Chive Blossom Vinegar 
    Fill a quart jar halfway with plain white vinegar. Snip fully bloomed chive blossoms from their stems, soak in cold water to remove any insects or dirt, drain, and add to the jar. Top it off with a bit more white vinegar if needed, cover, and store in a cool, dry place for about two weeks. After two weeks, you'll have a bright pink vinegar that tastes of chives! Strain the vinegar and store in a clean jar. Use it in vinaigrettes and other dressings, or add a splash to your next stir fry. Try using champagne vinegar, white wine vinegar, or rice vinegar if you're feeling fancy!

Link of the Week
A bill currently up for debate in the House and Senate would require food producers to disclose information about the addition of genetically modified organisms to products which contain them. Producers and distributors argue that this would unfairly burden them by questioning the safety of GMO-added foods, adding costs, and could persuade consumers not to buy their products. Numerous advocacy groups argue that it would allow consumers to make an informed decision about purchasing and consuming GMO-added foods, which some research suggests could be harmful to the health of individuals and the environment. Check out the link below to learn more.
 
   
Hunter Farms Crew

Hunter Farms | | [email protected] |
7269 Sterrettania Rd, P.O. Box 478
Fairview, PA 16415




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