Crop pests are a problem for all farms, and on an organic farm they require creative solutions. This year, conditions were favorable for an explosion of the cucumber beetle population. This small but tenacious insect feeds primarily upon cucurbits, members of the cucurbitaceae plant family which includes cucumbers, squash, and various melons and gourds. Because we are committed to avoiding the use of toxic, synthetic pesticides, we instead employed an organic alternative, kaolin clay. This fine, powdered clay is mixed into a solution with water and sprayed directly onto plant leaves. Not only does kaolin clay create a barrier to pest damage, it facilitates photosynthesis and protects plants from heat stress and sun damage. Ideally, we would not to have to combat pests, but it's comforting to know there are organic solutions which are not only effective, but grant additional benefits.
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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. If we do not have specific instructions from members that they would like to utilize one of our drop sites, we will assume you will be picking up at the farm and we will hold your share here. We appreciate your cooperation so that we can finalize our Saturday morning CSA delivery route. Thanks!
Whole Foods Co-Op Pick-Up Details
For members picking up shares at the Whole Foods Co-op, here are some helpful specifics. Shares will be available between the hours of 9am and 5pm. Upon entering through the main doors, proceed straight ahead to the back of the store and enter the back room. There you'll find signs directing you to the CSA distribution rack. Several CSAs share the rack, and our shares will have our member's names and be in distinctive gray bins. If you have any trouble locating your share, don't hesitate to ask any Co-Op associate for assistance. And as always, we ask that you please remember to return your empty bins each week to the rack. Thank you.
Competitive Gear Pick-Up Details
For members collecting shares at Competitive Gear bicycle shop, shares will be available at the repair counter between the hours of 9:30am and 5:00pm.
Hunter Farms Pick-Up Details
For members collecting shares at Hunter Farms, shares will be available at the Farm Store between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm.
Home Delivery Details
We will begin our delivery route at 9am on Saturdays and expect to be completed by 11:00am. After the first few weeks, specific delivery times will become more well-defined. If you will not be home, please contact us at hunterfarms@yahoo.com and let us know where you would like your share to be left.
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CSA Share Information
While we look forward to providing our own organic new potatoes in the near future, this week we're happy to provide CSA members with organic russet storage potatoes from our partners at Clarion River Organics. We're able to access these potatoes as a result of Clarion River Organic's climate-controlled storage facility purpose-built for potato storage. Because of our relationship with our partners, we are able to provide a greater variety of organic produce from trusted, certified organic farms in our region.
The share list for this, the 2014 CSA's first week distribution includes:
Organic Collard Greens
Organic Kale
Organic Russet Potatoes
Organic Watermelon Radish
Organic Cheese from Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op
Organic Romaine Lettuce
Organic Butterhead Lettuce
Collard greens are a cruciferous vegetable closely related to broccoli, cabbage, and kale. They are high in vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and fiber and have been shown to help lower cholesterol as well provide antioxidant and detoxification benefits. When cooking collard greens, it is important not to overdo it. Overcooking results in a breakdown of cellular tissue which results not only in a loss of nutritional value, but also an unpleasant sulfur aroma. Collard greens are at their best when lightly steamed for around five minutes. Alternative cooking methods involve simmering for longer periods of time, but again, be careful not to overcook this healthy green.
The watermelon radish is a member of the larger brassicae family of vegetables, of which collard greens are also a member. It is a cool-weather, heirloom variety of the Chinese Daikon radish and is relatively mild in flavor with a touch of nutty sweetness. Watermelon radishes are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, folate, and potassium and pair well with apples, tart, creamy cheeses such as feta and chevre, cream-based dressings, and vinaigrettes.
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| Available at the Farm Store |
Weekly Special
This week, we're excited to offer photographic greeting/note cards featuring original landscape and nature photography. These cards feature archival-quality prints on high-quality paper and are ideal for sending a personalized message. Normally priced at $4.50, this week they'll be available for $3.00. Stop out to the Farm Store, located at 7269 Sterrettania Road in Fairview and check them out.
Open Saturdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Local Products and Certified Organic Produce:
Seasonably-Available Certified Organic Produce
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
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On his farm near Asheville, North Carolina, Frank King raises a wide array of animals for the health benefits of their meat and the milk they produce. These are not the typical cows, goats, pigs, or sheep one might expect, however. Instead, King is touting the unique health benefits of products derived from the Himalayan yak, African Watusi, bison, and camels. Camel milk, for instance, is a middle-eastern staple which offers a higher concentration of protein, as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals than does milk from the typical dairy cow. With around 5,000 camels currently being raised in the U.S., it may not be long before you reach for a chilled pint of camel's milk in the dairy aisle.
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