We had a full, good week on the farm. Friends visiting from out of town were a huge help on the farm (they even cleaned our kitchen!) and we all got the day off on Friday to go to the Common Ground Fair. Bill has always wanted to enter vegetables at the Exhibition Hall, and it finally happened this year. He was quite pleased to get first place ribbons on everything we entered (click here to see a picture of the Cauliflower and Broccoli)!

Sign-up for the Fall CSA is still underway (www.csa.farmigo.com/hatchetcovefarm/join/fall2012). The fall shares are about one-third full, so make sure to sign up soon if you want to continue for the mid-October to mid-November season. We know that the limited pick-up schedule (Sunday at the UUR and Monday at the farm) is challenging, but you’re always welcome to come pick up a pre-packed share out of the walk-in at the farm, later in the week.

If you’re interested in fresh turkeys, Cheryl at Terra Optima Farm has started to harvest some birds early. Whether you’re interested in a bird now or reserving one for the holidays, contact her soon: cheryldenz5@gmail.com.

I just realized that I hadn’t made the ‘Share-a-Share’ sign-up option available online for the Fall CSA until today. Yikes! ‘Share-a-Share’ is one of the ways we fund CSA Financial Aid. So far this year we have distributed over $3500 to more than thirty families who needed a little extra support to afford the CSAs. In order to raise money for the Financial Aid Fund we do everything from apply for (elusive) grants, hold fundraisers, and solicit donations. One way for members to contribute is to tack a dollar onto every week that you pick up your CSA share (for example, four dollars total for the fall share). You can also always send a check directly to the farm, and write ’CSA Financial Aid’ in the memo line. We hope to eventually connect with a non-profit to make these donations tax-deductible. Even without being tax-free yet, though, you can know that every dollar that goes into the fund goes directly out to families in our community. Thank you so much, all who participate! We know that what goes around comes around, and a member who needs a little help one year may contribute to the fund the following year. That’s what’s so amazing about a community venture like the CSA. We’re so grateful to live in a community where so many people not only want to be a part of the farm, but want to help their neighbors be a part of the farm, too. It’s a remarkable thing.

Have a wonderful week, and thank you,

Reba and the HCF crew

Week 15 of 18: Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Garlic, Swiss Chard, Mesclun Mix, Carrots, Potatoes, Green (and sometimes Red!) Peppers, Onions, Zephyr and/or Zucchini Squash, Radishes

This is a Chicken Week (make-up for last week)

This week’s recipes: Kohlrabi, Broccoli Parmesan Fritters, Sautéed Greens with Cannellini Beans and Garlic