Farm to Folk Newsletter May 13,2008

“A little extra info from the farms to the folks”

Welcome to the 2008 season of Farm to Folk. These newsletters are your source for information about the what, where, when and how of F2F. PLEASE READ THEM! The layout is so simple it is easily read in 5 minutes or less.

It is our only way to communicate with all of you.

This Tuesday we will be at our new location on the 13th -- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames, 1015 N Hyland. The kitchen at UCC is being remodeled. The plan is to back in our UCC site in 6 weeks. Stay tuned for updates.

This year Corry Bregendahl will be coordinating the distribution site. I (Deb) will be at work later so couldn't be there
for set-up. Many of you will recognize Corry from previous years. She can always use volunteers to help with set-up and tear-down.

Summer dairy shares will begin on May 27.  Please continue to watch these updates for info on the veggie share 
delivery schedules.  Once the season is in full swing there will be weekly deliveries, but the beginning of the season 
is a bit unpredictable :)

Fruit shares will begin when the strawberry crop is ready--likely early June.

Small Potatoes Farm will not be bringing a veggie share on May 13. They will be delivering eggs and pre ordered coffee.

Full Circle Farm will deliver their grass fed beef products.

Cindy Madsen will deliver her pork and poultry products. Please order directly to her by NOON on FRIDAY. vcmadsen@metc.net

Berry Patch is at the end of their radish and spinach crop, so will just bring what they can on a first come first serve basis.  
The rhubarb may be ready, so please order if you'd like that so they'll know how much to bring if it's ready.

Picket Fence will deliver as usual.  They have some Mothers Day specials going on at their farm too.

Iowa Fresh Produce will be our new vegetable share this year. Some of you know Bruce Smith from the North Grand Farmer's market. Here are some notes from his farm this week.

With all the cold and wet weather ( got another 2 " Tuesday night) we've had this Spring, planting has been somewhat hampered.

Right now spinach and spring mix are micro mix stage so in two weeks they should be just about ready. Radishes are up but not yet bulbing, rhubarb plants are about 6-8" tall( stalks shorter) and the loose leaf heads ( romaine, red, green, b 'crunch) are nearing a harvestable stage.

Planting update: Now have the second planting of beets, spring mix, peas, spinach and radishes in as well cilantro and dill weed. The third planting of broccoli and cabbage will hopefully be in the ground this weekend to finish those up. All onions and leeks have been planted and have had their second rohoing/weeding done

the first of this week.

I just brought out a flat rack of peppers, tomatoes and eggplants this morning to begin hardening them off to begin planting hopefully the first of next week.

So far I have about 3 acres planted...... That should drastically increase in the next two weeks once zucchini, corn melons and winter squash crops can be planted as well as the tomatoes, eggplants and peppers....

Bruce

RECIPES

COOL-BEANS ARTICHOKE SALAD

Serves 4

10 baby artichokes, peeled and quartered

2 cups diagonally cut asparagus

1/3 cup thinly sliced radishes

3 green onions, thinly sliced

1 19-oz. can white beans, rinsed and drained

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

8 large romaine leaves

Steam the artichokes for 8 minutes. Add the asparagus

and steam about 2 minutes more, or until crisp-tender. Drain and run vegetables under cold water. Let cool.

--Combine radishes, onions, and beans in salad bowl with half of dressing and toss

well. Gently stir in artichokes and asparagus.

---To serve, place 2 romaine leaves each on four plates. Divide salad equally among plates and drizzle with remaining dressing.