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this week's
HARVEST
This list may change, but here's our best guess of what you'll be getting in your share this week.
Beets
Broccoli
Escarole
Garlic Scapes
Head Lettuce
Kale
Salad Mix
Scallions
Sunflower Sprouts/Shoots
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| 2014 CSA MANUAL |
Just about everything you need to know about the Rushton Farm CSA is located HERE! 
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| Upcoming Events |
June 21, Run-a-Muck online registration opens
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KEEP US IN THE LOOP!
Email is our primary means of communicating all CSA matters, so please contact us if your address changes, or if you'd like a family member's address to be added to the CSA mailing list.
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WHEREABOUTS
Rushton Farm is located within the 85-acre Rushton Woods Preserve on Delchester Road, just south of Goshen Road in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. |
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Week of June 17, 2014 - Issue No. 5
IN THE BAG tidbits from Fred
It has been over 6 years since the first ground was turned at Rushton Farm and during this time the transformation of the land has been magnificent. What was once six acres of fallow ground filled with invasive plant species has become a beautiful farm not only growing over 30,000lbs of food a year but also providing a gathering place for community members to come and celebrate the land. I spent much of this past weekend walking the farm, talking with visitors and appreciating the beauty that is Rushton Farm and Preserve. I want to remind our members that the Farm and Preserve are open seven days a week for your enjoyment.  
When you visit Rushton Farm you may notice that in addition to the crops in the field the farm features several small gardens. The first is the native garden located on the south side of the entrance to Rushton Farm. This beautiful garden features native perennial flowering plants. There is also a quiet sitting area located within the garden if you care to take a quiet moment of reflection (or hide from the oppressive heat). In front of the Farmshed pickup area is a culinary garden featuring herbs, perennial flowers and vegetables. Each week featured herbs will be listed on the chalkboard in the Farmshed. These herbs and others are available for our members to harvest. We ask that you check with a staff member before you harvest herbs not listed on the chalkboard as they may not be fully established. To the left of the Farmshed Garden is the cutting garden. This garden features many varieties of flowers that members are welcome to cut as the flowers bloom throughout the season. To the left of this garden is our perennial garden which offers some beautiful flowers as well. Like the Farmshed Garden we ask that you look to the chalkboard or ask a staff member before cutting from maturing plants. These gardens offer an opportunity to harvest herbs, cut flowers and learn more about the plants that are native to our landscape. We thank our dedicated volunteers who help to maintain and manage these wonderful additions to the landscape of Rushton Farm.
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THE DIRT notes from the field
Last year we lost our garlic crop due to wet weather in the spring. This year the garlic is doing great and we are hoping for a good harvest in a couple of weeks. The garlic at this point is nearing maturity and is just beginning to form a scape. The scapes are the flower stems that garlic plants produce before the bulbs mature. This week we will cut the scapes to push the plant's energy toward bigger bulbs. When harvested while they are young and tender, the scapes are delicious. -Rushton Farm Staff |
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RECIPES what to do with all those veggies
Garlic Scapes
Those twisty, curly, bright green stems that look like something more from outer space than earth and commonly have CSA members scratching their heads as to what to do with them are garlic scapes! They have a strong garlic flavor, but not as strong as a garlic clove. They can be used in all sorts of applications where you would normally use garlic or in place of shallots or scallions. High in protein, vitamin C, and calcium, garlic scapes also have many of the same health benefits of garlic cloves; reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, purifying the blood and combating chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and osteoarthritis.
You can easily blend raw scapes into hummus, bean dips and salad dressing. Better yet purée them into a scrumptious pesto that will complement pasta, stir-fries, grilled fish, poultry, steaks, burgers, and even scrambled eggs.
-Mary Smith
 
Garlic Scape Pesto
Ingredient
- 4 to 5 garlic scapes, roughly chopped
- Large handful basil leaves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted in a dry skillet until slightly browned
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2-3 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
Directions
1. Combine the garlic scapes, basil, and half the oil in a small food processor or blender. Process or blend until the leaves and scapes are finely chopped, then add the nuts and remaining oil. Process or blend until nicely pureed.
2. Remove to a bowl and stir in the cheese. Add more lemon juice if you choose to create a looser paste.
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About Us
Rushton Farm is part of Willistown Conservation Trust's Community Farm Program.  Willistown Conservation Trust is a non-profit organization working to preserve and manage the open land, rural character, scenic, recreational, historic, agricultural and natural resources of the Willistown area and nearby communities, and to share these unique resources with people of all ages and backgrounds to inspire, educate and develop a lifelong commitment to the land and the natural world.
To learn more or to find out how you can get involved visit
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